Winter is really taking a toll on us this year: from snow storms to deep-freeze temperatures, I beg Mother Nature every day for a reprieve, but she’s downright making a mockery of all of us (in Stephanie Tanner’s voice, can I get a resounding “how rude!”). Though I can appreciate the other seasons for what they offer (summer’s sunshine, fall’s colours and spring’s blooms), I’ve searched my earliest memories of winters past for something nice to say about this particular season and it’s become very clear to me why Old Man Winter and I never got along: apart from not being a fan of the obvious chill, I also do not practice any winter sports or enjoy tumbles on icy sidewalks that are more faux pas than ooh la la.

So, what’s left to explore? I’m willing to consider the following: winter, perhaps, is the perfect time to just chill in the comfort of my home, curled up on the couch with a hot cup of French Vanilla (or the hubs!) and watching weekend-long marathons of long-gone shows (Beverly Hills 90210, anyone?), or in a more productive way, review my priorities and take inventory of upcoming projects slated for upcoming seasons. One I’m particularly excited about is the upcoming spring photoshoot and 1-year anniversary of Paper Trail Life. What is Paper Trail Life, you ask? Well, I wouldn’t be a woman who takes her business seriously if I divulged the pitch here, now, would I!? Let’s just say it was an endeavour I started last year, at this VERY time, when darkness started to shorten our days. Paper Trail Life was my 2012 brainchild and if you’re not on that train yet, there’s still time to get onboard.

Last year was a great first year for PTL: I let my instincts guide me in launching this blovel that I poured my time, energy and resources into, taking it from vision to newborn status. From the start, I aligned myself with people whose talents inspired me and whom I knew would be advocates for my hustle. I conquered my fear of self-promotion and befriended social media in ways I hadn’t before in an effort to share my dream with family, friends and followers. I was stunned by the many blessings that came from getting out of my own way, such as my encounter with the beautiful Erica Jean-Baptiste, who went on to become the face of the brand. I held my first PTL shoot on a beautiful summer day in my birth city of Montreal surrounded by a talented and energetic team. But most of all, I received numerous emails, texts and comments from loved ones and strangers alike about their enthusiasm for my storytelling; if nothing else would have come out of this experience, those messages alone would have validated its very existence.

Hopefully, Mother Nature will be back to her sunny disposition sooner rather than later. I look forward to celebrating my PTL achievements with a fun, colourful shoot with a twist, followed by a modest celebration with my nearest and dearest because if you should know anything about my clique, it’s that we like to get it poppin’ like that! I hope many more of you will come along for the ride as my baby enters toddler status. Until then, I’m off to Creativity ‘R’ Us, where you will find me roaming the aisles of ingenuity.

 Avec amour,

- C