This week we introduce you to Sandy, the beautiful mind and soul behind Canadian Blog House. Sandy’s motto is “life is meant to be experienced”. You can find Sandy embracing life, grabbing on to all the experiences she can, and taking her readers along for the ride over at Canadian Blog House – a lifestyle, travel, and experience blog.

Sandy, who calls Ottawa, Ontario, Canada home, is an Ottawa Insider contributor for the Ottawa Tourism blog, and a contributor for the Outaouais Tourism blog. She was named by CISION as one of “Seven Canada 150 Influencers You Should Follow On Twitter” and was also named by IZEA as one of the “Top 25 Canadian Social Media Influencers”

Let’s hear from her:

1. What was the driving inspiration behind starting Canadian Blog House?

The driving inspiration behind starting Canadian Blog House came from my partner and some of my close friends.

After I had gained some experience moderating and running other websites as a hobby, those closest to me started suggesting that I should be blogging. My very supportive partner got the ball rolling for us, and together we began the process of building Canadian Blog House.

2. What’s your signature style?

My signature style? I’d have to say I’m pretty much a jeans and t-shirt kind of gal.

It’s all about being comfortable for me. While I tend to dress casually on a daily basis, I’m not one to sit at home in my pyjamas or yoga pants (stereotypical blogger clothing). I need to be a little more dressed up to help me feel more productive and professional.

That’s not to say I don’t love my pyjamas and yoga pants, because I do! Give me a cold and dark Canadian winter’s night and you’ll often find me in my pyjamas – right after supper!

Every once in awhile I get the chance to really dress up for a blogging event, and when I do, you’ll often find me wearing a basic pair of black dress pants, topped with a pretty blouse.

3. What is the one unique factor that sets you apart from everyone else and offers something new to your Canadian readers?

The tagline for Canadian Blog House is “Life. Experienced.” The older I get, the more I want to experience, and I love to bring those experiences to readers. I want people to see that, life is meant to be experienced. I want my readers to face their fears and truly experience things they never thought they would – or could – do. Because I know from my own experiences, they can!

2017 was a defining year for me. Not only was it Canada’s 150th birthday, it was the year I celebrated my 50th birthday. It was a year in which I was lucky enough to be able to take part in some pretty amazing experiences thanks to Canadian Blog House. This was the year I had that “light bulb” moment, and knew that I could bring my readers along with me on some pretty incredible experiences.

4. Tell us a bit about your travel experiences, What has been your favorite memory on the roads so far?

I haven’t traveled the world like many of my friends, however, I feel pretty blessed to have been able to travel as much as I have. All of my travel experiences have taken place in Canada and the United States, with the exception of a trip I won to the Dominican Republic.

My favourite travel memories come from my trips to the American southwest (Utah, Nevada, Arizona, California), Prince Edward Island, Canada, and Florida.

I have a huge love for the ocean. The smell of the salt water takes me back to my very first trip to Florida with my parents when I was a child. Ocean memories from Florida and Prince Edward Island mean the most to me.

I’ve never seen more beautiful landscapes than those you can see in the American southwest. The desert is one of my happy places. It’s so dry, hot, and forbidding, but so gorgeous and “otherworldly”. I believe everyone should get the chance to visit places like Death Valley, the Grand Canyon, the Valley of Fire, and Zion National Park.

5. Where was your most recent trip to?

My most recent excursion was a weekend trip to the beautiful city of Quebec City in the province of Quebec, to attend the Women in Travel Summit. Quebec City is a 4 1/2 hour drive from Ottawa, Ontario. I was travelling with a few travel blogging friends of mine, and we decided to make the trip more enjoyable by taking the train.

Soon my partner and I are off on another weekend getaway – to St. John’s, Newfoundland! I am one of ten influencers from across Canada that were invited by Ford Canada to attend the 2018 Ford EcoSport Drive. To say that we are excited to be able to travel to Newfoundland is an understatement! It will be our first time visiting this maritime province.

6. What are the top 3 destinations that stands high on your bucket list and why?

That’s a tough one to narrow down to three. I’d have to say:

Australia – This country has always been at the top of my bucket list. So many friends and family have told me how wonderful Australia is.
Hawaii – I don’t think I need to explain why this one is on my bucket list! Sun, surf, beautiful beaches. Need I say more?
Cuba – My (Canadian) dad was born in Cuba. I’ve always wanted to visit the country in which he was born, and where he spent much of his childhood.

7. Let’s talk fashion, what has been your most stylish buy ever and from where?

When I was in my teens in the 1980’s, I was heavily into fashion and music. My tastes were very much influenced by the new wave/punk scene – originating in the UK of course! At that time, I rocked the whole burgundy, spikey-haired look, complete with pounds of hair gel. In terms of fashion, black was where it was at. Everything black. Perhaps maybe a little grey, or a splash of neon yellow, but that’s it. While I loved all my fashions at the time, now when I look back, those fashions tend to be…well…embarrassing!

I would say that my most stylish buy ever, has happened this year. I recently discovered an online store, based out of Florida, and fell in love with some of their clothing. This store had a selection of beautiful, feminine blouses and tops, many with bell sleeves, that caught my eye. I recently wore some of them to the conference in Quebec City, where one of my friends told me that she just loves all my tops – and my “style”.

You know you have hit on the right style for you when someone compliments you in this way!

8. Share the secret recipe of how you allure your everyday look?

This question made me laugh! I do not consider anything about my everyday look, alluring. What you see is what you get. In fact, I’m such a “non-Fashionista”, I wrote a post about it. 7 Beauty And Fashion Hacks For The Non-Fashionista

9. What are your 5 must have fashion items that you can’t survive without?

My 5 must-have fashion items would have to include:
black dressy boots
Silver jeans
a stretchy camisole
pretty blouse
t-shirt/sweater with a splash of colour

10. What pieces do you love investing in and why?

I’m a sucker for pretty tops and blouses. I can never have too many. And don’t get me started on shoes. Luckily, I have hard time fitting shoes, or else my closets would be full of them!

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