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Living Creatively, Living the Dream

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Category Archives: Living Creatively

TOMS for Target…PLUS a Giveaway!

Posted on November 14, 2014 by Colleen ODea

I’m not sure how old The Tall Blonde was when she purchased her first pair of TOMS, but I know for sure we’ve seen many a pair kicking around this house! In fact, it was in 2012 when I first Continue reading TOMS for Target…PLUS a Giveaway!→

Posted in Giveaways, Reviews | Tagged TOMS for Target

#ECMChat

Posted on November 10, 2014 by Colleen ODea

Have I told you about my bloggy friend Heather @ Mmm…Is For Mommy? Heather and I met for the first time maybe a year, year and a half ago while attending a blogger event at a bar downtown. I liked Continue reading #ECMChat→

Posted in Social Media

Sunday Wrap-up #1…

Posted on November 9, 2014 by Colleen ODea

I thought I’d start a weekly wrap-up to fill you in on how my week goes. And…as I’m making changes to my site, I may as well start with today. I had a chat with Julie Nowell at Three Chickens Continue reading Sunday Wrap-up #1…→

Posted in Blogging, Shhhh... I'm not really the Queen

Best of Halifax…

Posted on November 4, 2014 by Colleen ODea

When I was young, I was REALLY good at hula-hooping. I’d start at my neck, turning the hoop with one hand while flicking my head back and forth like a chicken. Eventually, I’d strategically put one arm in the hole Continue reading Best of Halifax…→

Posted in Blogging, I <3 Local

Dine by Design East…

Posted on November 1, 2014 by Colleen ODea

I saw my very first TOAST WALL…laid out on panels, created using a blow torch…designed to depict the infamous tongue-face of Ms. Miley Cyrus! Bravo. A TOAST WALL! Sponsored by East Coast Living, Dine by Design East opened its doors Continue reading Dine by Design East…→

Posted in Creative geniuses..., Graphic Design, I <3 Local, Reviews

My creepy kids…

Posted on October 31, 2014 by Colleen ODea

I was 16 when Nightmare on Elm Street came to the theatres. Despite not really wanting to go, I caved to peer pressure and headed to Oxford Theatre with a couple of girlfriends. I watched the horror flick through fingers Continue reading My creepy kids…→

Posted in Being a Mom, Netflix, Reviews

We Scare Hunger…

Posted on October 30, 2014 by Colleen ODea

What happens when you take 63 students and challenge them to scare away hunger? You get a whole lot of happy kids making a difference as they filled not one but THREE trucks in support of the Free The Children Continue reading We Scare Hunger…→

Posted in Blogging | Tagged Free the Children, We Day

Taking care of the little hurts with Nexcare…plus a GIVEAWAY!

Posted on October 27, 2014 by Colleen ODea
Nexcare

Many years back, when the kids were little, I scrap-booked like there was no tomorrow. Obsessively filling their books with stories and photos…all arranged on pretty papers. I remember getting these FANTASTIC bandage stickers that came with tiny little ambulances Continue reading Taking care of the little hurts with Nexcare…plus a GIVEAWAY!→

Posted in Giveaways, Reviews

I know what you did last night…I think…

Posted on October 20, 2014 by Colleen ODea

SnapChat is working for me. You know…since you’re not allowed to install chips inside your kid’s head and all. Plans change. It’s part of being a mom of a teen. You sort out where they’re going, how they’re getting there, Continue reading I know what you did last night…I think…→

Posted in Being a Mom, Raising Teens, Technology | Tagged raising teens, snapchat, technology

We365…

Posted on October 19, 2014 by Colleen ODea

If you recall, last year I had the amazing opportunity to head to WeDay with my youngest, Bones.  We were overwhelmed by the energy in the room as thousands of students chanted and cheered for change. WeDay is all about Continue reading We365…→

Posted in Blogging, Raising Teens, Reviews, Technology

Custom Converse Sneakers!

Posted on October 14, 2014 by Colleen ODea

For someone else, it might be a pair of star-studded Jimmy Choos, the red soled Christian Louboutain’s, or Carrie Bradshaw’s Manolo Blahnik’s…but the second I put on a pair of black high top converse… I knew I’d found my style! Continue reading Custom Converse Sneakers!→

Posted in Creative geniuses..., Giveaways, Reviews

Thanksgiving around the kitchen table…

Posted on October 12, 2014 by Colleen ODea

Today, I am Thankful for china dishes. As a little girl, we would visit my Nanny and Poppy every Sunday. We’d sit around their kitchen table as Aunts, Uncles, cousins and family friends came and went…grabbing a plate of food Continue reading Thanksgiving around the kitchen table…→

Posted in Family, From My Kitchen

I married Derreck Kayongo!

Posted on October 9, 2014 by Colleen ODea

Photo Credit: Anna Epp Photography The marriage took place in a group ceremony where everyone laughed and cried and celebrated! Our final vows were taken during a Swahili song…with 300+ women swaying back and forth in sing song…while the man Continue reading I married Derreck Kayongo!→

Posted in Blogging, Living the Dream | Tagged Blissdom, Derreck Kayongo, Global Soap Project

Been there, blogged that…got the t-shirt…

Posted on October 7, 2014 by Colleen ODea

Maybe it was my ego…my search for success…a desire to introduce my blog to a bigger audience. Whatever it was, I needed to stand out at the annual Blissdom Conference! I didn’t wear 8 different t-shirts with ridiculous sayings because Continue reading Been there, blogged that…got the t-shirt…→

Posted in Blogging, Social Media | Tagged Blissdom, Printed Ts, Screen Printing

Keeping up with High School… Netflix #StreamTeam

Posted on September 29, 2014 by Colleen ODea

Remember high school? The drama of deciding what to wear every day? Having to walk through the doors with a brand new haircut…knowing you’ll be judged? The recent breakup that just won’t go away? Remember all of the foolishness with Continue reading Keeping up with High School… Netflix #StreamTeam→

Posted in Netflix, Raising Teens, Reviews

Bathroom art…

Posted on September 25, 2014 by Colleen ODea

Last week, I took my house off the market…which sucks a little, as I was really ready to downsize and find something a little more suitable for our family at the moment (ie; something just right for me!) However, the Continue reading Bathroom art…→

Posted in Creative geniuses..., Graphic Design

Painting Zucchini…by Halifax artist, Lisa Sullivan

Posted on September 14, 2014 by Colleen ODea

A number of months back, a friend posted a photo of a painting on social media with the comment, “Let me know if this looks like your dog?” and I was all “HEY…is that Zucchini!?” And it was. My amazingly Continue reading Painting Zucchini…by Halifax artist, Lisa Sullivan→

Posted in Creative geniuses... | Tagged Animals, Art, Pets

Blissdom Canada…here I come!

Posted on September 8, 2014 by Colleen ODea

I did this blogging thing wrong. It happens with most things I attempt…I go out there full-tilt with little research and a crap-ton of passion (that’s like crap x 2,240 pounds worth of passion!) I was told I should write…not just Continue reading Blissdom Canada…here I come!→

Posted in Blogging | Tagged Blogging

School supplies…Me to We…

Posted on September 1, 2014 by Colleen ODea

There’s something about having to purchase yet another French/English dictionary…having to buy yet another math set and the umpteen three-ring binders that seem to fall apart year after year…that sends me a little over the edge. I remember a red Continue reading School supplies…Me to We…→

Posted in Blogging | Tagged Free the Children

Summer Adventures…

Posted on August 31, 2014 by Colleen ODea

Summer has been a little bit of a bust around here. The kids have been busy with various sports and trying to arrange any time to get all three of them the same place at the same time is an Continue reading Summer Adventures…→

Posted in Being a Mom, Netflix, One Rides a Horse, Reviews

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Sometimes, you have to take a few hits to figure out who you really are! Curtains are Open is about moving forward, accepting change and finding happiness in the craziest of places. I write about life as a single Mom of three fantastic kids...how I returned to school in my forties, started a new company and began putting my life back together again...better than I ever imagined. I'm thrilled so many of you have been along for the journey and find inspiration in my story. The curtains are open. Read more...

I WROTE A BOOK!














Shocked over landing on the Sea and Be Scene "Cool People Profiles!" Took me forty five years until someone thought I was cool! AND, I'm in there with some REALLY COOL people!


Totally freakin' HONOURED to be one of She Knows Canada's Favorite Mom Bloggers.


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