Storing Those Holiday Memories

When I think of Christmas, what I love most are the traditions. Those feelings of routine and familiarity that come with the season. It is the best part of Christmas, but also the hardest part about living on the opposite side of the country from my family and all of my childhood friends. Though we have done our best to start are own traditions on the west coast, there was one tradition that I was able to bring out here with us, creating and mailing Christmas cards.

Ever since I was a child, I always loved jumping on the pile of mail that my Dad brought in when he got home from work and ripping open the Christmas cards that came in from all over the country. As B and I started our life together, I stuck to mailing out cards every Christmas and when Halle joined our family in 2011, I decided to start sending photo cards. I always loved receiving photo cards of our friends with families, and thought it would be fun to do as well. I've had a number of people who live far away, tell me how much they enjoy seeing our card every year and seeing how much Halle has grown. I was happy that our friends and family enjoyed them, but I wanted to make sure that I had a special spot to safely keep them, so that we could look back on them (and other holiday photos - like Santa & Easter bunny photos), whenever we wanted

The solution I opted for was easy and inexpensive - perfect for a family on a budget, like we are. I used a basic white 3 ring binder, and created a handwritten cover on black construction paper to slide into the front pocket. Inside of the binder, I use clear pocket pages to store the cards and photos. I've attached them to black construction paper using photo safe adhesive corners and labeled each memory with the year and where the photo was taken. 

I love pulling this binder out every time there is a new photo to add, and Halle enjoys looking back at herself as a baby too. I hope that Nolan will enjoy it just as much. I'll be honest, it's fun to see how B and I have both changed since we first became parents as well.

This years Christmas cards are my absolute favourite. We used photos from our family session (which I shared a peak at last month), and designed them on Tiny Prints. It was hard to pick my favourite design because everything was so gorgeous and they have a ton of fun options (like laser cut cards - so awesome!), but in the end I went with this beautiful traditional looking card as it matched the best with the colours in our photos. B and I also really loved the gold Christmas tree envelope liners! They are so fun, and add just that little bit of extra cheer to the mail!

As always I included one photo of all of us together and then highlighted an individual photo of each of our babies! Yes, Halle is almost four and a half... but she will NEVER stop being my baby!

I enjoy coming up with new ways to address the cards each year, as well. I mean, everybody loves receiving 'snail mail' in this highly electronic world, but it's so much better when that mail arrives in your mailbox looking beautiful - am I right? Not visible in these photos - some cute glittery red hearts that appear in different locations on each envelope. Halle keeps telling me how beautiful the hearts are and how much she loves them.

So there you have it, our simple solution to storing our holiday cards and memories... along with a look at our most recent Christmas cards.

Do you send Christmas cards every year? Does anyone else love sending photo cards to friends and family, and do you keep them to look back on? I'd love to hear what you do, and most specifically - how do you display cards that you receive. I still haven't found my favourite way to display all of the cards that arrive in our mailbox!

Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas

By now, most of our family and friends should have received our Christmas cards, so I figured it was as good a time as any to share this year's family photos and send a little Christmas cheer to those of you who are still reading along with my mostly silent blog!

We had our photos taken by B's cousin back in September when we were visiting family in Massachusetts. You can find her website here. She had the perfect location suggestion and nothing makes it easier to get in front of the camera than knowing your photographer! If I have any readers in the Boston area, I highly recommend Amy! Seriously, just look at these smiling happy photos!

What makes these photos even more special to me, is more than likely these will be our final photos as a family of three! We are expecting a little bundle come May and we are all so thrilled that our family is FINALLY growing. It took us longer to get here than we hoped, but it all seems to work out perfectly and Halle is anxious to be a big sister! She asks almost daily, "is the baby coming home today Mama?". 

So that's our big news, and a look at our family for 2014. I can't believe Halle is getting so big... and that soon there will be another tiny one around here. Life is crazy and full, and I am so incredibly happy - for real. Of course, new baby also means relocating our upstairs guest bedroom downstairs - which means a whole new room makeover down there, as well as some nursery decorating in the future! I can't wait to get on top of all of it... and maybe I'll even blog about it along the way?

Wishing You Joy

Things have truly been silent over here! Between Christmas prep, a 2 year old who enjoys constantly testing our limits and a number of home projects, my blog has just fallen to the wayside. Though I had planned on sharing more than just Halle's room with you this week, it will have to wait a little longer. We have a kitchen reveal to share with you soon, but with everyone being so busy with the impending holiday's, I plan to leave it a little longer until I share our incredible transformation!

In the meantime, I wanted to pop in and wish all of you a very Merry Christmas and all of the best for 2014! 

2013 was such a spectacular year for us! Purchasing a new home, getting married, the perfect honeymoon in Scotland and just creating so many wonderful memories with family and friends! We are so excited over here to see what the coming year has in store for us!

I will try to drop by before we ring in the New Year, but I will make no promises! If not, enjoy your holidays, stay safe and spend the time with the one's you love the most!

MERRY CHRISTMAS & HAPPY NEW YEAR!

A Monday Giveaway!

HAPPY MONDAY & Happy Remembrance Day! It's a long weekend here in BC, and today we take time to remember all of those who have served, fought and died for us. We plan on taking in some of the ceremonies that are happening here in our new hometown today.

I know things were silent here last week! I was busy working on a project that I hope to share by the end of the week, while also preparing for a show that Halle Handmade will be a part of this Saturday. 

And speaking of shows, you know what's coming up SO SOON!? The One of a Kind Show and Sale in Toronto. You know, only my favourite show ever!? Well, since I can't go this year to support my new artist friend, Olivia from Anonum Design Ltd., we'd like to send TEN of you + a friend each to this years Christmas show.

So, how do you win? It's easy, just check out the rafflecopter below!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

So there you go! FIVE chances to win one of TEN PAIRS! All ten winners will be announced on Friday morning! Good luck!

(**Please be aware this giveaway is only for ENTRY tickets into the show in Toronto. Each winner will be responsible for their own transportation to the show at Exhibition Place. Only one pair of tickets can be won per person.)

My Top 10 Holiday Cards

If you're anything like me, you are already thinking about Christmas, especially Christmas cards. Ever since Halle joined us, we love sending out photos cards every year to document our family, especially with us being so far away from so many family members and friends. (You can see our 2011 cards here, and 2012 card here) This year, to help others with their selection, I've rounded up my top 10 favourite cards from Minted! No matter what your family situation this holiday season, I've got a card for everyone that you will just love...

1. silent-less nights holiday postcard: did you welcome a new addition in 2013? This postcard is just too sweet to share a photo of your precious bundle, and I'm sure just about every new parent can relate to the wording! You can completely personalize it from colours, to holiday wishes! This sweet card also comes in the new foil pressed holiday cards as well, which I absolutely adore! 

2. family year in review holiday photo card: have a big year like we did? I love the idea of a year in review card to share all of the exciting news you have with those that you may not have seen very much! Of course not every person may need a play by play update of what you got up to in 2013, but maybe order 10 or 15 to send to some of your closest family and friends? Also a great keepsake for you to hold onto (I our leftover photo cards every year)

3. holly jolly wishes foil-pressed holiday card: I am IN LOVE with the new foil-pressed cards  that Minted has introduced for this holiday season! There are so many to choose from but I must say, this beautiful gold card was just too much to resist (you can also choose it in silver if you prefer it)! Not into the foil-pressed cards? You can also choose it as a regular photo card!

4. frosted pinecone holiday postcard: the postcards are so great to save on paper (no envelopes needed!) and your recipients will open their mailbox to some serious pretty right away! I loved this one for the larger subtle photo, and the way the family name is displayed! If we were to go with this card, I would put a family photo as the large photo, and highlight some pretty photos of Halle along the bottom. Let's be honest, most people just care about the kids anyway, right?

5. holiday squares christmas photo card: one of the best parts about Minted is the unique shapes you can apply to your cards! This wavy edged border looks so great on this multi-photo card. A great way to share more than one of your beautiful family photos (or maybe vacation photos?) from this past year. The muted colour options are beautiful as well - dark blue or two different shades of grey! Which would you choose?

6. first holiday as mr and mrs holiday postcard: Just married (like us)? Looking for a way to share a great wedding photo and share your excitement!? This sweet postcard is absolutely perfect - and I'm just really loving the whole postcard idea this year! Don't you agree? 

7. all ye faithful holiday postcard: While I'm gushing over the postcards, I just had to share this one! I'm always a big fan with anything containing lyrics to traditional carols - they always remind me of Christmas with my parents, listening to Bing and Frank sing those songs. The fonts and set up of this postcard is perfect - especially set next to your perfect personal photo!

8. multi-peace christmas photo card: have too many family photos to choose just one for your card? No problem - this sweet card is perfect the perfect way to share them all! Plus the range of colours it comes in, means it will work for any personal preference! 

9. snowflake holiday ornament card: there are so many creative ways to display all of the Christmas cards you receive, that sometimes it can be hard to choose! Make it easy for the people on your list this year by sending an ornament card! They are brand new to Minted this year and I had such a hard time picking a favourite... so I picked two!

10. merry holly holiday ornament card: another fun shape, but more space to share a great photo! Leave a sweet message on the back and send off for your family and friends to hang on their tree!

So - are you inspired to start planning your holiday cards for this year? If my round up wasn't enough, what if I told you that if you ordered by the end of today you will save $10 off on all of your holiday cards!? What are you waiting for!? I already know what cards we're ordering - I'll be sure to share in December!

** this post does contain affiliate links and I was compensated with a credit towards my purchase of our holiday cards from Minted. However, I only choose to share this round up as I do love Minted and their work and would only share something I really and truly love with all of my readers!

A "One of a Kind" Experience

As much as we love our new life on the west coast, there is still a lot that I miss from our life in Toronto. Friends and family aside, one of the things I really truly miss is visiting the One of a Kind Show twice a year. Even the trips where I left empty handed were well worth the visit, since there are always so many neat things to see and interesting people to meet.

This year, I was so excited when the One of a Kind Show got in touch with me and asked me to be a part of their Blogger + Rising Star Feature that they are running during the lead up to this years Christmas Show (which takes place November 28 - December 8th at the Direct Energy Centre). Even with all of the wedding and honeymoon craziness, I just had to take part and help them highlight some serious awesome talent from out West! 

I had the chance to meet up with Olivia from Anonum design to find out a little more about her ideas, inspiration, work and some of her favourite local digs. Olivia repurposes old print blankets, giving them new life as belts, tech cases, wallets... and well, she has some new fun designs she is working on as well.

I had such a great time visiting her in her workshop, and felt really excited and energized when I left. I just know that Olivia and her work are going to be a big hit at this years show - I just wish I could be there in person to see it all happen! Make sure you pay her a visit since photos absolutely can not do her work justice, and the feel and look of these blankets in person is INCREDIBLE! I even came home from her visit with a wallet that I absolutely fell in love with.

To find out more about my conversation with Olivia and see some shots of her at work, head on over to the One of A Kind Show Blog! I know you'll all be just as smitten with her work as I was. Oh, and just as a head's up, be sure to come back next month for your chance to win tickets to the show! 

Have a Holly Jolly Christmas!

It's Christmas Eve! How did it get here so quickly!? Well, today is a day to spend with family, so I will keep it short and sweet and just wish all of you a very Merry Christmas! I hope that you get to spend these days with the people who mean the most to you.

So here's a little wish, from our little family to all of you...

Photography by Kim James Photography

To Market, To Market

This post is a tad late, as it's about what we got up to last weekend... but better late than never, right? Well, last Friday I packed up Halle and we headed into Richmond to meet B at his head office. We shared a little bit of Christmas cheer with B's coworkers and then off we headed to the Vancouver Christmas Market. We had picked up 2 passes and 2 carousel rides for a great deal on Groupon and decided that since it was clear and mild evening, it was the perfect time to make use of them.

We arrived early enough that we were able to score a parking spot directly across the street from the entrance, had pretty much no wait in line and enjoyed some strolling around the Market before it got really crowded.

Food was a highlight for all of us. Some yummy hot potato soup, a sausage and hot apple cider to cap it all off (for me anyway). Our passes got us free entrance on another night, so we plan on going back for some of the German pasta and other tasty sounding treats (like the Apple Strudel).

As much as Halle enjoyed the food, hands down her favourite part was the carousel. She was so excited watching it go around and around while we waited in line...

Her excitement quickly turned to uncertainty when we got on and B sat her on one of the horses...

By the end, she was loving it though. It was pretty obvious that she did not want to get off when the ride was over. Something tells me we'll be buying tickets to ride it again when we make our return visit.

It seemed like we were there a long time, but by the time the crowds started to swell, and we were ready to leave, we'd only been there just over an hour. In that short time though, I'd say we soaked up a whole lot of quality family time and really enjoyed ourselves...

What type of fun Holiday outings have you been up to? Christmas Markets? Parades? Tree cutting? I'd love to hear about your traditions and other fun things you've been up to.

Feeling Festive

For some reason whenever Christmas rolled around at our home in Toronto, it never felt a whole lot like Christmas to me. Maybe it was the cramped space and our constant reno's that made it hard for me to see a home decked out for Christmas. Regardless, now that we have a lot more space and our rental isn't full up of renovation bits and pieces, I'd say this place is really putting me in the festive mood. I thought today would be a good day to start sharing some of our holiday decor with you. I'll start off with our mantel...

Halle's canvas has stayed front and center up there and I love it. We've received so many compliments on it which only reinforces how I feel about it. The pre lit garland we bought at Canadian Tire (along with two others that are strung on our railing), and it is perfect since it hangs just the right amount off either end of the mantel. The tapers are placed in some simple glass holders that B's Mom gave me, and we have two beautiful silver animals. The reindeer we've had for quite a few years now and purchased him from HomeSense. He was originally brown when we bought him, but I sprayed him silver and I still love him. Our newest addition, is this adorable penguin that arrived to us in a lovely Christmas package sent from our wonderful friends at The Home Depot.

This little guy is part of the Martha Stewart Living Collection and is only $9.86. We both really, really love him, as we have a little joke about penguins, so we have a few that we put out each year at Christmas. He's super sweet, and I love him looking all regal up on our mantel. I'm sure Halle will adore him just as much as we do as the year's go by.

We hung our stockings using 3M hooks that I placed on the top edge of the mantel. Yes, we have four stockings hanging and no, that doesn't mean a thing. I had B's Mom make them for us when we were visiting last Thanksgiving, and we did four so we'd have a fourth whenever we needed one. I figured since we have it, we may as well hang it...

You may have noticed a sweet little wooden deer living on the hearth. He was gifted to us by my cousin and her husband last Christmas. Their neighbour makes them and I had commented on how much I loved the one they have. He's one of my favourite decorations and Halle is always calling to him. Yes, both him and the fire are kept behind a baby fence to keep our little girl safe and sound.

I kept it pretty simple on the mantel this year, and I really love it. Every night when B gets home from work he turns on the fireplace and we let it roar away as we enjoy dinner, play with Halle and then usually unwind with some sort of Christmas special or movie. We also kept it simple because we have a little more than usual going on this year... like TWO trees! Yup! TWO! We used our same old faux tree that we purchased at The Home Depot the first Christmas that we lived in our house, and we also bought a real tree this year... also from Home Depot, and boy does our house smell beautiful! 

Our faux tree is pretty similar to year's gone by. All white lights with blue, silver and white ornaments. We've put it in the dining room this year so that it's visible from the street, and also so that we can keep the doors closed and keep little hands from touching all of the delicate ornaments that grace it's boughs.

Up on top of our tree lives our brand new topper, which also came from The Home Depot. It's a pretty silver star that has replaced our old snowflake topper. Our old topper never sat properly and was too heavy for this tree, so we were thrilled to have a beautiful new star to grace our tree! Thanks Home Depot! 

Right now, any and all wrapped gifts are also safely tucked away under this tree to keep them safe from tiny hands as well. On Christmas Eve, after the little Miss has been tucked away in bed, we'll move them all out to the living room where our second, more colourful tree lives.

This tree is full of the more colourful ornaments we've collected over the years - including B's extensive collection of sports ornaments. Mainly Boston sports team related - Red Sox, Patriots,  Bruins and Celtics. It's a really fun tree to have in our main living area and Halle can touch most of the ornaments. Her favourite are the little green jingle bells - she could shake them all day.

We have a few other smaller items scattered throughout the house... but I'll have to save sharing those for another day. I still have a few things to finish up with decorating - so keep an eye out for another Christmas decorating post next week. 

How is your decorating coming along? Are you all done or do you still have more to finish up?

Good Tidings We Send...

By now it should be safe to share our Christmas Cards on here, since they were mailed out early last week. I love our cards this year. I ordered them from VistaPrint, after getting a great deal on Groupon for 100 custom cards. I used photos from our session with Kim James, and I think they turned out absolutely lovely...

So from our little family to yours - we wish you a Merry Christmas, Happy Holidays & all the best in the coming year!

There's a ton more "Christmas Cheer" coming this week on the blog. From our own home decor, a little weekend trip we took for a festive good time, and even a wedding project that I'm excited to share. Make sure you come back all week for the fun! In the meantime... what did you get up to this past weekend?

Plan on Shopping?

I wanted to just give a heads up to all of my friends who may be interested in shopping on my Stella & Dot site, or Halle Handmade for this Christmas. 

If you wanted to pick up something great from Stella & Dot for someone in your life this holiday season, I would suggest ordering no later than next Wednesday December 12th, to ensure that all of your orders make it to you before December 24th.

If you are looking to purchase some of my tags from Halle Handmade, please make sure to place your order no later than December 9th (for shipping to Canada & the US), to ensure that your tags will arrive before the holidays.

If you have any questions at all, do not hesitate to shoot me an email! I'm always happy to help.

So while I'm on the topic - how is your Christmas shopping coming along? Anyone finished? Anyone not started yet?

Christmas in November

I know I haven't been around much recently. My mind has been clouded with wedding planning, and I've even started a few projects that I will share soon. I've also been getting ready for Christmas around here, sending Christmas cards, shopping, wrapping and decorating. Really, a lot of stuff I will be able to share... soon. For now, I'll share some of our Christmas that we celebrated in Massachusetts on November 25th. We decided to do this since we were all together, and B, Halle and I will be staying in BC this Christmas season. 

Sunday morning was full of wrapped gifts everywhere, and a bunch of my Halle Handmade gift tags in action...

Halle got into the festive spirit and wore her brand new Christmas jammies from her Auntie Beth for the occasion...

B's Mom also had a little tiny Charlie Brown tree to decorate and Halle got involved in the fun too...

There were lots of gifts opened and we just had a great day relaxing around the house with both sets of parents. It was especially fun that Halle was really getting the hand of opening her presents. I know we'll have a ton of fun with her when Christmas Day finally rolls around.

That evening we continues a fun little tradition that we started, when B and I brought Halle to La Salette (this is where he popped the question). We made sure Halle was bundled up nice and warm (I honestly forgot how cold it gets back east in the winter... brrrrr), grabbed some hot chocolate and then soaked up all of the gorgeous lights...

That last photo was taken right after B asked me to marry him - notice me flashing my bling. We grabbed a young couple walking past and got the girl to snap this little family photo. I love it, and I'll probably have to display it at our wedding... whenever that may be!

So there you have it, just a small glimpse into how we celebrated Christmas a month early. It was just a really great time, and I'm so happy I got to see my folks before the holidays, and share the news of our engagement with them in person. We have a busy month ahead, but I'll pop in whenever I can, whenever I have something worth sharing!

What have you been up to getting ready for Christmas / The Holidays?