Today's the Day - Launch!

You are officially invited to the launch of the new online home of Jamie Ridler Studios.

I hope you'll come over and play!

Don't be Afraid to Have Style

Have you ever received negative messages about the things that you love? In my life there have been two things that I've received some real negative messages about: style and performance. I'll talk about performance another day but with my wardrobe consultation coming up Thursday, my mind's on style.

Ever since I was a little girl, I loved clothes. I remember my red shirt with the frills down the front, my pink blouse with the ballooning sleeves, my crazy yellow oxfords, my red skater dress with the twirling skirt - all of these I wore in public school. I remember spending hours pouring over pattern books my mom brought home, choosing from each page which sleeve I liked best, which collar, which length, expressing my preferences and honing my taste. Clothing was a daily act of creative self-expression.

I don't just remember how my clothes looked. I remember how I felt in them - both how outfits amped up a particular aspect of my personality and also how they sensually felt against my skin. The mood of a flouncy skirt and sandals was so different from a pencil skirt and heels - and I loved them both. Over time, my changing wardrobe expressed different periods of my life. They represented me as a dancer, as a student, as an artistic director, as a club chick.

It came as a shock to me in grade 7 when I discovered that clothes could also define your status, and that people could use clothes to pigeonhole you. That was antithetical to my take on fashion but it was certainly a popular view. Over time, it also became clear that in many people's view, being concerned with fashion meant that you were materialistic, superficial and quite likely, a snob. And if that wasn't bad enough, we all know the impact that a limited view of beauty has had on the self-esteem and confidence of countless women and girls!

How could I in good conscious love fashion?

I think the answer comes in taking a stand for love. It's crucial to our expression of ourselves that we be allowed to love what we love. Fashion can be a way of expressing our love for colour, for texture, for shape. With fashion we can celebrate our uniqueness, our sexiness, our sensibilities, our sense of humour. Where fashion turns against us is when we let someone else dictate what is loveable and what is not, the latter often being our poor, tender bodies.

So many wonderful things in this world can turn into cages when they're accompanied by 'shoulds.' Fashion, work and life can all become oppressive when we feel we must follow rules that someone else prescribes. And fashion, work and life can be fulfilling and expressive when we define for ourself what is beautiful, what expresses our sensibilities and our spirit.

So, don't be afraid to have style...

Your style.

By the way, the site I used to come up with my wardrobe inspiration board is Polyvore and it could be a fun way to create a dreamboard. Full Moon Dreamboards are coming up on July 7th. If you're in Toronto, I'm hosting a live Dreamboard Circle on Sunday, July 5th. You can find out more here. You can email me at jamie(at)openthedoor(dot)ca for details or to RSVP.

Project 365 09 ~ Week 25

Last week we finally got our pantry shelves and were able to unpack the remaining kitchen boxes. Going through the food items, I saw we had coconut, oatmeal and cocoa and I just couldn't resist making chocolate drop quickies. These have been my favourite since grade 6!

Justin's been so wonderful, painting my studio for me. Isn't that colour absolutely delicious? It's called Peace.

Monday night we helped celebrate the opening of our friends' new store, Bead Heaven. That's Andy in the dark blue shirt surrounded by his family.

I walked home after this week's art picnic and saw the most exquisite rose bush. It was absolutely sublime.


My dear friend Sabine and I went to a tour of the Centre for Social Innovation and felt inspired and completely at home. Imagine a space filled with smart, creative people working to make the world a better place - and doing so in a gorgeous, high-ceiling, loft-like place downtown. Sign me up!

And Fridays until the end of July are Wreck this Journal days! This is a shot from my vlog for this week's adventure.

How was your week?

Project 365 is my attempt to capture a year in my life through a photograph a day. On Saturday's I'll post the week's pics. At the end of the year, I'll create a video of all these precious moments. Feel free to participate at any time. Yours can be Project 347 or Project 292. It's up to you. See the results of my Project 365 ~ 2008 here.

Celebrating Bead Heaven

I have to share with you the launch of this beautiful bead store, which is the heartfelt effort for our dear friends Andrew and Sherry. Justin and Andrew have been friends since they were in junior high. I can guarantee you that if anyone suggested at that time that Andrew would own and run a bead shop, there would have been some serious laughing going on! But here it is - a beautiful space of colour and creativity: Bead Heaven.

It is always inspiring and exciting to see someone put their heart and their work out in the world, to see people find the courage and wherewithal to share their gifts and create something in the world. It's something to celebrate! Congratulations, Andy and Sherry.

Bead Heaven sell beads, offers classes and will also feature the work of local artisans. Until the end of June, they're having an opening sale featuring 20% off of everything. If you're in Toronto, check them out at 569 St.Clair Ave. West, west of Bathurst. You can also visit their website at www.beadheaven.ca or find them on Facebook.

Be sure to say hi to Andy for me :)

Project 365 09 ~ Week 20

This week I spent a lot of time with Wreck this Journal. You can see more of what I got up to here.

Even as I was working on my taxes, the journal wasn't very far.

Meeting with our tax consultant, we stopped and had coffee at a lovely spot called Wagamama. The coffee was awesome, the cookie tasted homemade and the service was delightful. I'd highly recommend stopping in if you happen to be in the King & Bathurst neighbourhood of Toronto.

And they even had an art display of various books, including this one called "Hugging." I absolutely had to sit underneath it.

This week I've really been working on my upcoming website with the help of Tara. My task this week was to find images that will become the navigation buttons. I'm in love with the ones I've chosen and can't wait to get the new site up and running and ready to share with you!

On Thursday our local farmers market started for the summer. We are absolutely thrilled. What wonderful treats Justin brought home. Those strawberries are unbelievable.

Thursday night was totally awesome. Genie Sea invited Danette (pictured here, hehe) and I over for a scrumptious dinner and an evening of plotting some powerful creative adventures. There's some yummy possibilities coming over the horizon!

Friday morning was my monthly inspirational coffee with the amazing Annabel of ClearSpace. Her sweet little one kept us good company as we shared some biz ideas and strategies.

And, of course, the week wouldn't be complete without hanging out on Friday with Shannon. We went and saw a program at the Worldwide Short Film Festival, which she is doing amazing coverage of here.

What a great week!

Project 365 is my attempt to capture a year in my life through a photograph a day. On Saturday's I'll post the week's pics. At the end of the year, I'll create a video of all these precious moments. Feel free to participate at any time. Yours can be Project 347 or Project 292. It's up to you. See the results of my Project 365 ~ 2008 here.

Project 365 09 ~ Week 24

It's so wonderful to look back on the week and know there were lots of wonderful things going on. Last Saturday Justin and I went to see Up - what a treasure!

Sunday I hosted the first Full Moon Dreamboard Circle in Toronto. Another wonderful treat! i'll be hosting the next on one July 5th! And online, we'll be posting on the full moon itself, July 7th.

On Monday Justin and I made bread from the starter shared with us by our contractor and his wife. How's that for a gift from the man that put the kitchen together with his own hands!

And Tuesday was Art Picnic day!

This week was also the first time that Justin and I got back to cooking just a regular meal in our repertoire. Nothing fancy, just something that feels like home.

With all the work on the house, our garden is completely overgrown but some of it is wildly delicious - just look at this extraordinary clematis with that lovely little columbine at its feet.

And Friday, well, you know I hung out with Shannon, and you know we had to get up to some Wreck this Journal mischief. I'll share more of that next Friday!

We also caught up on So You Think You Can Dance, which is one of my favourite shows EVER. And this week there was a number that deeply spoke to me. I've watched it again and again with deep love. I hope you enjoy it too.



Project 365 is my attempt to capture a year in my life through a photograph a day. On Saturday's I'll post the week's pics. At the end of the year, I'll create a video of all these precious moments. Feel free to participate at any time. Yours can be Project 347 or Project 292. It's up to you. See the results of my Project 365 ~ 2008 here.

A Day at the Zoo

Yesterday my honey and I went on a trip to the Metro Toronto Zoo with his dad, our neighbour and our niece and nephew. What a treat! The day was ideal for zoo viewing - clear, sunny and cool - so the animals were out and about and saying hi. And lots of young'uns too at this time a year. There were many treats to be had!

This little guy was just so contemplative, clearly enjoying the sunlight streaming in.

The zoo now has a beautiful little area filled with birds and butterflies flying free. The range of colour and design on the butterflies is breathtaking!

The orangutans are one of my favourite families to visit. I'd love to spend the entire day just hanging out with these fascinating folks, getting to know them.

Cheetahs are always hard to get a glimpse of at the zoo. I just couldn't believe it when this one waltzed right by the spectator glass and dropped right into the corner with ease. What a treat! I wonder who she was licking her chops at!

This amazing creature is a tree kangaroo. I had never seen anything like it. He was really at ease up in his little perch.

This really was an extraordinary moment with the giraffe. Don't worry the zookeeper was perfectly fine - but how unsettling!

I want you to leave this zoo trip with as big a smile on your face as I have, so I thought I'd let this glorious turtle have the last beaming moment and send us on our way.

Project 365 09 ~ Week 19

My father-in-law is in town from Holland. Last Saturday Justin and I met up with him for coffee at our wonderful local spot.

A lot of this week was spent at the hospital with a member of my family.

A late night coming home.

Getting amazing web development help from the wonderful Tara Joyce of Elastic Mind. Not only does Tara have web expertise, she also has a lot of great information for those of you who are, like me, an innerpreneur.

Hanging out with Shannon, this very daring local cat kept visiting. There must be something of great interest up there!

I'm not sure I ate a single meal at home this week! Shannon and I went for lunch at this cool local spot near her. It was just a beautiful day with a fresh breeze blowing in that front door and a delicious meal on the table.

Out for lunch with Shannon & Mom.

Out for dinner with my honey, his dad and a family friend.

Coffee with the wonderful and insightful Annabel, who wrote this wonderful article for Balance Week here at Starshyne Productions. We meet up about once a month to chat about our entrepreneurial life. Having biz girlfriends rocks!
And Friday just wouldn't be Friday if Shannon and I didn't hook up and have some fun and giggles. That's the best way to end the week!

How was your week?

Project 365 is my attempt to capture a year in my life through a photograph a day. On Saturday's I'll post the week's pics. At the end of the year, I'll create a video of all these precious moments. Feel free to participate at any time. Yours can be Project 347 or Project 292. It's up to you. See the results of my Project 365 ~ 2008 here.

Treasures: Belle Boutique

This is the lovely and talented Joanna Maree Sipos of Belle Boutique showing the gorgeous, sparkling, inspiring necklace that was created by her and that went home with me. I love it!

I first saw Joanna's work worn by my dear friend Jenn. I couldn't take my eyes off of it! I simply had to have one of these treasures, and happened to mention that to Justin, um, around the holiday season. Justin found his way to Joanna's and was amazed by the flexibility of her pieces. He choose something especially for me and made it clear that I could make adjustments to the piece, if I wanted to.

You know, I'm so glad that I wanted to make one small change because it gave me a chance to meet Joanna and have her personally explain the flexibility of her work. Do you see that Joanna, Jenn and I are all wearing this type of necklace in entirely different ways? Even cooler was how easy it was to have my necklace be really uniquely just for me. As Joanna and I were talking, one particular part of a necklace on display grabbed my attention. "Oh, I love that," I shared. "Let's use that then" was Joanna's response and before I knew it, what was once on display as a part of another necklace was a part of mine!

This is really the best of all worlds: an exquisite, one-of-a-kind piece of jewellery that includes a a beautiful feature, handpicked by me and perfect for my taste, a piece that is handcrafted by a generous, warm, creative woman in her local boutique. I treasure not only the necklace itself, but the entire experience, including meeting Joanna.

If you're in Toronto, I really recommend you check out Belle Boutique at 998 Bathurst Street. Joanna also offers jewellery making classes and teaches Reiki. What a treasure!

Merry Christmas Eve

Justin went out to shovel in preparation for our celebrations tonight and here's what he did when he was out there! Wishing you magical, wonder-full surprises on this Christmas Eve!

Soul Coaching Day 27: Creating a Fabulous Future

I always start these kind of explorations with intuition and trust. When I did the meditation with Denise this morning I was so surprised that in a year I saw my husband and I in a new home that we just loved. I also spent some time collaging and noticing what I saw. Here's my vision:

Creating 2009

This year my business has exponentially taken off and been a huge success. I'm reaching more people than I thought possible and am so excited by the work we're doing together. I feel passionately connected to my work and my purpose and am excited to wake up every day and get to it! My new website was launched early in the year, and I have been just ecstatic at the results. It combines beauty and function, and that's just one of my favourite things. Through the site, it's so easy for me to connect with others and share.

The Shy Kid Art Show was a phenomenal success. Who knew that it would get so much media attention? What I'm most thrilled about is that so many people shared their creations in a joyful, creative, supportive environment. Every day I'm still receiving letters and emails from people whose lives have been touched and changed by the experience. Now I'm working on a way of creatively pulling together all the amazing stories that people shared. Next year it's going to be even bigger!

With all of this, I'm thrilled that Justin and I have purchased another house. It was amazing how easy this was to make happen. The right opportunity showed up at the right time and we took it. It's so exciting that my income has grown to the point where making a move like that was so easy financially! And it's great we've been able to hold onto our first house as an investment. The nicest family has just moved in and I just know they are going to be so happy there and really great tenants!

We love our new home. It's beautiful and in a neighbourhood we feel just right in. I feel safe and happy and surrounded by beauty and ease. I can't wait to get started on the garden next year. In fact, I'm already planning. Now we're working on personalizing our home and I'm thrilled to say we have a team of people supporting us that we trust, like and can afford. What a treasure. It's thrilling to see everything take shape around us. This house is just so us!

It's been a busy year but I am healthier, feel more at ease and am more energetic than ever! I think a variety of things have contributed to that, including regular spa visits, joyfully participating in Nia, taking the time to experience great dinners, movies, plays, art, special events throughout the year. Taking time for my own creative endeavours has also been so fulfilling. I'm excited about my creative projects and will be announcing the dates for my next show in the new year. It's going to be a blast.

One of the best parts of this year is just how many joyful, prosperous surprises came up. Every day was an affirmation from the Universe that I am on the right path! It was amazing how often someone would approach me with an opportunity that was exciting, fun and profitable! I trusted my instincts and found myself saying yes to just the right ones and taking on just the right amount of work. I've learned so much. My purpose has deepened and my vision has expanded. I feel grounded in my abilities and trust that I can take on the new and exciting challenges that are ahead. I feel supported.

One of the great joys of this year is that I am really connected to people I love, some that I've known forever and some that are new in my life. I have friendships I value and that are getting deeper all the time. My family is healthy and happy and we see each other regularly, enjoying each other's company so much! Justin and I are so happy together. We love each other deeply and support each other fully in making our dreams come true. Right now we are having so much fun planning our European vacation for next year. Paris here we come! It was great to relax on the beach this year but next year it's all about art and architecture!

If 2010 is anywhere near as good as 2009, we're in for a good time.

I'm going to make vision cards for the different components of this vision to keep me connected and inspired. What's your vision for 2009?

Soul Coaching: Day 1, Life Assessment

Today those of us participating in The Next Chapter: Soul Coaching are exploring Air Week, a time for clearing our mental selves. Today's task is about assessment. Denise Linn offers great exercises in this chapter, each with varying levels of time commitment. I'm doing the "Going for It" exercise of assessing where you are and where you'd like to be but the measure I'm using is one I turn to as a touchstone regularly in my life and with my clients: my values.

I took each value and wrote in my journal where I was really honouring that value and what more I would like to do in that area. As Denise puts it, "Where am I? Where would I like to be?" For each value I made 2 affirmations - one is a celebration of what I'm doing and the other is an area for growth.

Steps & Leaps

1. Life

• I honour life through awareness of and embracing the rhythms of the season and of myself.
• I honour life by lovingly attending to the needs of my body, in particular respecting the oscillating rhythm of movement and relaxation.

2. Authenticity/Integrity/Freedom

• I honour authenticity/integrity/freedom through choosing to follow my own path and run my own business.
• I honour authenticity/integrity/freedom by taking the time every morning to connect with myself and my desires through activities such as writing morning pages.

3. Magic

• I honour magic by cultivating awareness, particularly to synchronicities and other messages from the Universe.
• I honour magic by creating a daily practice for connection.

4. Self-Expression

• I honour self-expression by creating daily collage cards for journalling.
• I request the Universe's help in moving my forward in honouring self-expression.

5. Creating & Building

• I honour creating & building through my work, whether it is creating my own business or launching a project like The Next Chapter
• I feel fulfilled in this area.

6. Love

• I honour love by living in gratitude for the relationships I have and the love that surrounds me.
• I honour love by actively expressing my care and concern for those with whom I have an intimate relationship.

7. Beauty

• I honour beauty by appreciating it every day.
• I honour beauty by inviting more of it into my home and wardrobe.

8. Pleasure

• I honour pleasure by taking the time to savour what I am experiencing.
• I honour pleasure by recognizing I am more available to pleasure when I am full of vitality than when I am full of chocolate.

9. Home

• I honour my home by investing effort, time, money and care in renewing its appearance.
• I honour my home through consistent care, cleaning and decluttering.

10. Celebration

• I honour celebration by acknowledging the turning of the seasons.
• I honour celebration by following through on the celebration promises I make to myself

100 Pieces of Me

This is wild! I drafted this post in January of 2006, the week I started blogging, but I never posted it! It's funny reading it now and seeing how many things you probably know about me now and how some things have changed.

1. I'm Sagittarius.
2. My husband is the best gift I've ever received.
3. I spent a summer working as Papa Smurf.
4. I generally choose not to attend movies that depict torture.
5. When I passed my comprehensive exams I went out dancing 8 days in a row.
6. I abandoned my doctoral studies.
7. Dance is my first love.
8. I love being embraced by coloured light on a stage or on a dance floor.
9. I’m crazy about spring, all one week of it.
10. I can type like a speed demon.
11. I don’t like seafood.
12. When I was a kid, I ate so many cherries I was sick.
13. As an adult, I can eat a whole basket of peaches without getting sick.
14. I have a soft spot for puppets.
15. My first album was the soundtrack to Jesus Christ Superstar.
16. I’m scared of deep water.
17. I don’t believe in age.
18. I love being barefoot.
19. If the Indigo Girls come to town, you'll find me at the concert.
20. My favourite line from a poem is “The wind is a woman and she dances.”
21. I’m thrilled I found the courage to go whale-watching, and I’ll never do it again.
22. I’m a popcorn power-eater.
23. I love lists.
24. I read tarot cards.
25. I am a coach.
26. I am a certified Nia white belt instructor. (Now I'm a certfied Nia blue belt instructor)
27. I enjoy performance poetry.
28. I have acted roles ranging from The Authoritative Voice to Sexual Desire.
29. I have been artistic director of a theatre company.
30. My most hated class in school was Phys. Ed.
31. I believe in magic.
32. My top value is freedom.
33. I’ve giggled and had fun while in Emergency.
34. I am addicted to home decorating shows.
35. I love moonstone.
36. I got married on Groundhog Day.
37. I prefer Uniball Onyx pens - black.
38. My first business was washing doll and Barbie dresses for neighbourhood girls.
39. I created my own lending library when I was around 10.
40. I’m allergic to cats but have two. (I'm sad to say that this has changed. Our dear Bascha passed away)
41. I find art classes intimidating.
42. I have a thing for chandeliers.
43. I have been known to play MMORPGs.
44. In grade school, I choreographed tons of dances, performing for my class a lot in grade 4.
45. I got my first library card when I was 2. (Thanks, Mom)
46. I am compulsively attached to my daybook.
47. I love the grey stones you pick up at the beach.
48. I am a feminist.
49. I love celebrating special occasions.
50. I seriously enjoy coffee.
51. I love going to the pub to chat after a movie.
52. I love going to movies on a weekday afternoon.
53. I love the first snow.
54. My decision to audition for theatre school in University was an impulsive one.
55. I get nervous going to parties.
56. I love flowers.
57. My first memory is a friend of my mom’s bringing me 2 lollipops. One that looked like a slice of orange and the other, a slice of lemon.
58. I love sparkly jewellery.
59. I have called and asked a director for feedback on an audition when I didn’t get the part.
60. I minored in Anthropology.
61. I keep a journal.
62. When I read before bed, I pretty much fall asleep.
63. I’ve paid off one of my student loans. (Now I've paid off both!)
64. I’m moody.
65. My current perfume is Delicious.
66. I love epic tales, myths and fantasy.
67. I am a spa fanatic.
68. I bought a house with my husband.
69. I’ve pulled everything from bricks to nails to wood to a slab of marble out of the ground in our backyard.
70. I’ve sold secondhand clothing on Ebay.
71. I enjoy a lively all-candidates meeting.
72. I’ve worked on the National Psychic Hotline.
73. I was president of my high school’s organization for school spirit (SOPSS).
74. Having a real Christmas tree makes me happy.
75. I’ve been acknowledged by a business for writing the best complaint letter they’ve ever received.
76. I really enjoy architecture and spaces.
77. I’m a snoop.
78. I love roller coasters where the thrill is the speed.
79. I hoard paint chips.
80. I have a list of movies I can’t watch, including The Exorcist, Clockwork Orange and The Shining.
81. The Cuckoo Clock was the first book I read that made me cry when I realized I would never read it for the first time again.
82. I volunteered on the phones at the Distress Centre.
83. I love trees.
84. I’ve walked for AIDS and for the Assaulted Women’s Hotline.
85. I was scared to run a horse but was exhilarated when I did it.
86. I sometimes have nightmares.
87. I think champagne is an essential element of any celebration.
88. I tap danced on the library check-out desk in grade 13.
89. I believe in supporting artists and friends with their projects and creations.
90. I am a slow eater, a really slow eater.
91. I love sour candies.
92. When I was a kid I had my allowance cut because I emptied out my piggy bank and went shopping.
93. I love fashion.
94. I am a Reiki II practitioner.
95. My kindergarten report card still applies.
96. Since getting a digital camera, I have hundreds of pictures of my cats.
97. I’m the eldest child in my family.
98. I had a goldfish named Peanut and one named Haven.
99. I have a surprisingly wide competitive streak.
100. I love creating an experience whether it’s a party, a show or an event.
101. I’m stubborn and full of hope.
102. I like to give more than I'm asked for ;)

Justin's Birthday

Yesterday was Justin's birthday, so we started the day by going out for breakfast. Justin brought along his new toy.

Justin having his own camera means that we'll have a lot more pictures like this:

Afterwards I introduced Justin to my tree friend. Yes, I made him come stand under it with me.

Then we went to the beach. I found some great rocks!

And then we went to Hellboy II, um, which was far less great than the rocks.

We went to Julie's Cuban Restaurant for dinner.

The food was great. The mojitos too. And the atmosphere on the patio perfect for an end-of-summer evening. When I made a reserveration, I asked for a lovely table because it was Justin's birthday. They treated us so beautifully and even treated Justin to this surprise:

Thanks Julie's Cuban Restaurant! and the nice surprises continued. We decided to walk along College to the subway and stumbled upon the Italian-Canadian Song Fest. There were tons of people. It was lively and lovely and a real treat because when we first met, I was living in this neighbourhood. We have so many good memories here.

And now we have one more.