Happy Holidays

Well, we have been busy little elves here.  Making & baking. Shopping & wrapping. Now, it's time to relax and appreciate the joy and magic the season brings.

I am looking forward to hot chocolate by the fire, snowy walks on the mountain, meeting up with old friends, The Thomas family Christmas party, making snowmen with my girls, and so much more!

Wishing you and yours the happiest of holiday seasons!

create some magic

Snowflakes are unique, amazing and beautiful.  

No matter the size or shape of the snowflake, each one is special. 

People are unique, amazing and beautiful.

No matter our size or shape, we are all special. Important. Worthy.

Not only are snowflakes one of a kind, like people, they are shaped by their environment.  Their final appearance is actually shaped by temperature as it falls to the ground.  We too are shaped by our environment. Our personal experiences are what makes us truly special. 

Although the beauty of an individual snowflake is remarkable, it is really when snowflakes cluster together that they create magic.  

So, next time you look at fresh falling snow, think about how precious each and every snowflake is. Think about how unique it is. And think about yourself. Your beauty. Your uniqueness. And then think about who you surround yourself with. 

Go create some magic!

My favorite Fashion DIY blogs

When it comes to design, decorating, fashion & accessories, nothing saves money (or requires patience) like doing-it-yourself. You can spend hours scouring the web for DIY bloggers or perusing boards on Pinterest, - trust me, I have done that! - but now, you don't have to.  To help you save some time, I have compiled a short list of top fashion DIY blogs.  So, if you have the some spare time, a fair bit of patience and a little know-how, you too can be on your way to creating some one of a kind fashions.

a pair & a spare

Glitter 'N Glue

Stripes & Sequins

Studs and Pearls

P.S. -  I made this...

My Ideal Christmas

When it comes to the holidays, I always have visions about how they are going to turn out. I think about the scenic car ride, the joy of visiting with family & or friends, I think about all the glorious food, about the warm glow of the Christmas lights, about the copious amounts of wine that will be drunk, about the games we will play in front of the fire.  It's always perfect in my mind. But of course, as we all know, when you put travel, family, food and drinks all together, something a little less than perfect is almost always created.  As much as I love these hectic times, I still find myself off in dreamland....

Here is how my ideal Christmas would look.

This is what my Ideal House  would look like.

Our Ideal family room would be bright, large, yet cozy.

We would add a touch of whimsy with our Ideal Table Setting.

Of course, my Ideal Dessert Table would include candies.

This beautiful Stella McCartney jacket would be waiting for me under the tree.

Then, to end this perfect day, a nice relaxing soak in the hot tub! What an Ideal way to spend the evening.

What would your ideal Christmas look like?

Oh Christmas Tree

Growing up, Christmas was always a big deal. I have very early memories of advent calendars, carollers, crafts, snowy walks, baking, snowmen, church, and pre-Christmas parties. The lead up to the big day was just as special as Christmas itself. For those of you, who, like me, LOVE this time of the year, "get" it.  The magic, the warmth, the wonder that surrounds it.

Even as a young girl, decorating the house was always something I looked forward to.  Our Christmases were a mix of The Brady Bunch meets The Griswolds!  It wouldn't truly be Christmas without a few hiccups and choice words - or maybe some naked yelling in the snow! (yes that really happened)

From choosing the perfect tree, to stringing the lights inside and out, sipping hot chocolate in front of the fire while listening to A Chipmunk Christmas on the record player. Staying up a little bit later on Christmas Eve to listen to Paul Reid and checking in on Santa Watch. We created family traditions.

So, what traditions will I pass down to our girls? That is still to be determined. Showing, and teaching Ryan & Andy the importance AND the joy of giving will definitely be top of the list. Spending time as a family, baking, creating, laughing, sharing and of course the occasional squabble! Every year, and especially as they get older, new traditions will emerge.  Watching them when they become parents and have families of their own will be when I get to see what traditions we have created together, that they happily pass on. How magical is that?!

Ryan & Andy decorating our perfectly sized tree.

Making some easy candy cane reindeer for our tree.

Even our fish Gary is getting into the Christmas spirit!

Decorating our house and getting ready for Christmas.

What traditions have been passed down in your family? What new traditions have you started? I would love to hear it!