11 Months of Halle

Another weekend of not much going on on the decorating front. B was away with some friends from his softball team on a white water rafting trip. Halle and I just kept it low key at home running some errands and hanging out with a new friend. However, this past Saturday, Halle turned 11 months old. Yup... baby girl is one month away from a year. So hard to believe how quickly time is flying by. She really is changing and growing so quickly...

What's she up to these days? Maybe, what isn't she up to is a better question...


- Tooth 3 and 4 are on their way... FINALLY. We'd been teased for a while seeing white spots and then they would disappear, or a day of lots of drool and chewing and then nothing. Well, yesterday I noticed a white spot for sure on her top gum and today it looks like that tooth is finally starting to break through. We may have four teeth soon!


- Last week she started blowing kisses and it's so sweet! She just kind of holds the heel of her hand to her chin and flaps her hand over her mouth. She's still working on her aim though... she sometimes get's a finger in the eye.


- After close to 11 months, she is finally clear of her cradle cap. Poor baby had it forever and one day last week after her bath it all decided it was time to go. I felt almost like it was the last of her "baby-ness" leaving her... but seriously - good riddance!


- PICKY EATER ALERT! Suddenly she wants nothing! Well almost nothing. Most of what we give her ends up on the floor so at meal time we are stuck trying numerous thing before we have a winner. For example, last night we went through pasta and pea's before she ate some chicken... and oranges. Seriously. This morning we went through pears and grapes before she settled on some toast (and even some of that ended up on the floor). I'm getting close to my breaking point... I need to be sure she's eating healthy food and getting the nutrients that she needs - any suggestions for picky eaters?


- Despite not being a very good eater she is VERY good at using baby sign language to tell us "More" and "All Done"... that always makes me happy (until she then throws what we produce on the floor)


- She's been a furniture cruiser for a while and it's been fun to watch her confidence grow with time. She got really good at moving around and even transitioning from one piece of furniture to another (or to us). Then, early last week she started doing this thing where she would hold onto furniture with one hand and stick out her foot and kind of tap it around the floor, as if testing out walking. On Thursday, I took her to a kid friendly cafe that has a big play area for kids. After seeing a couple other kids running around, she held onto my hand and was walking around the play area - I was floored! When we got home she kept practicing holding one of my hands with one of hers and the next thing I knew she was standing in the kitchen balancing herself and took two small shaky steps forward, all on her own... no assistance. Yup, there were some proud Mama tears shed and a few phone calls and text messages sent to let people know.


For good measure, I had to throw in this gem from our little photo shoot on Saturday...

These are the types of photo's I need to look at when I'm trying to feed her and she is looking me in the face and defiantly throwing food on the floor... and then crying for more which also ends up on the floor and she won't eat anything. (HELP!) Hope you all had a good weekend... and hopefully I'll have some more exciting stuff to share with you soon...

Fancy Friday Love

Yup... my slump even carried over into blog reading. Things are so slow over here, but it's okay because I have just been enjoying Halle... and the few nice days we had this past week. Her and I lived it up and I was loving every second of being with her, because really - she is just growing far too quickly. I did squeeze in a bit of lurking around though - here's what I loved...


I am loving Joy's new limited edition line of baby clothes, over at Winter Water Factory. So cute...

I know you all love Sarah's Gallery Wall pieces as well - but I seriously love the new pieces she's added. These colour blocked paintings are my favourite! You love them too, admit it!

I love everything about backyard weddings! They are so intimate and personalized, and not to mention they usually don't break the bank. I just loved the photos from this beautiful backyard wedding that were featured on The Sweetest Occasion yesterday...

Did you see the home that Holly flipped? Well, no words could properly capture the before and afters, so... Just go and check it out for yourself. Seriously. Go! NOW!

I cried a little bit (on the inside) when I saw this kitchen, and knew it wasn't mine. Seriously - that dining nook with the banquette seating is just to die for... and that's not all. So head on over to House of Turquoise to see more kitchen perfection...

So, this weekend B has some stuff going on with his softball team. I plan on doing some more fun things for Halle that I know she will enjoy... and maybe finally tackling a project or two. I have one big one on my list that I really want to take care of. What fun things do you have planned for this final full weekend of June?

**side note: after some late night blog reading last night, I'm feeling inspired again and hope this means I am out of my slump. I also know I should have some fun and exciting things to share soon... fingers crossed my blogging groove is back! I've missed this! 

Project Inspiration

Things have been pretty quiet around here on the decoration front. We haven't spent much time or money or projects recently, which has left me with very little to blog about. We did do a bit more exploring over the weekend, but I'm questioning if people want to be reading about our weekend day trips all the time. 


Even though we haven't been working away on stuff, I have been collecting some inspiration for projects that we do plan to tackle... especially for our master bedroom. I haven't shared any of the room with you, even though we have been adding to it slowly, and that's because there is not much to share at all. One item on our to-do list that I would like to get to sooner rather than later, is adding a headboard. We hemmed and hawed over what we wanted for a while. I did shopping both around here and online, but I never came up with anything that I loved. 


For a while I was pretty certain I wanted a wingback headboard... but I'm starting to realize, it doesn't really fit with the look I actually want. 

{Sarah Richardson Design via pinterest}

Next, I thought maybe we could just find a nice big piece of art to put over the bed... but really, we have a king size bed and huge wall space. It would probably cost us quite a lot to go that route, and that's not something that we are willing to do in a rental. 

{via pinterest}

Then, last week, it came to me during a late night Pinterest session...

{Design*Sponge via pinterest}

I'm thinking I may try to use old Pallets, but if I can get my hand on some old barn board, I may try that as well. I'll have to see what is available to me out here for a decent price. I'm pretty excited about the whole thing and I'll have to find something special to add to it. A quote, or word or lyric or something. The wheels are turning, and I'm hoping I can at least get this whole thing rolling before the end of the month. *fingers crossed*

Is anyone else feeling in a bit of a creative slump recently? What do you do to get out of it? Or maybe you are working on a project of your own at the moment! Maybe hearing about other's projects will help me to get motivated again?

That Special Man

What an important day today is. A day to celebrate the men that mean the most to us - father's, grandfather's, husbands. I feel so lucky today to have not only my father, but B and his father in my life...


How can I not start by thanking this incredible man in the photo below? My Dad. This photo (that B snapped) just melts my heart - seeing my Daddy with my own baby girl. I can attest to how lucky she is to have him as a Grandpa... because I, of course, feel so lucky to have him as my Dad. 

In my life, my father has always been the rock of our family. No matter how rough times get, my father always pulled through to provide for us. I've seen him be an absolute pillar of strength through my Mother's illnesses, and losing his own mother - the lady who raised him, and two other children, on her own. He is definitely the man who has given me my work ethic, and taught me that when you do something... do it right the first time. 


At the same time, he definitely knows how to let loose and have a good time. He worked hard, to make life more fun and enjoyable for all of us and I have so many memories of laughing and having a great time with my Dad. He works hard... but plays hard too! Dad - you have been such a great Husband, Father and now Grandfather. Both Mike and I have been lucky to have you as a role model, and if I don't say it enough, I love you and appreciate everything you do for me. You are the most selfless man I know.


Then, of course there is this man that I need to honour today...

Since the day B and I met in September of 2007, I knew that I loved him... I just never imagined I could love him more as I saw him be our father to our baby girl. Though he's always been thoughtful and caring, I've seen more of this shine through everyday when I see him playing with and caring for Halle. The way she squeals for her Dada when he comes home from work, and hearing them giggle together when they play fills me with more love than I ever thought possible. 


He really is the rock of our tiny family, and he works so hard to make everything we have possible. I could never put into words how much I appreciate all of the sacrifices he has made for our life to be what it is today. He seriously loves what he does... but I can tell not as much as he loves his family... and I don't mean just me and Halle. B is so dedicated to everyone he calls family, and that was one of the things I loved most about him when he first met. The way he talked about his parents and his sister showed me that he was someone who had deep family values... and that he was someone I could trust with my heart. To this day he has not let me down. Thank you B... for everything you do every single day. You are a great father and a wonderful man, who I am so lucky to call mine. I only hope to be able to show you every day how much you mean to me.


Lastly, I of course need to thank this man...

B's father, who has contributed so much to the man he is today. I know he has taught B a lot about being a loving husband and father - I can see it every time we are all together. He is a fabulous husband, father and grandfather, and we are all so lucky to have him. 

Yup... I'm a lucky lady to have these three fabulous men in my life. So today, I wish them, and all Father's a very Happy Father's Day!

Fancy Friday Love

I have weeks where I swear I can work towards getting caught up on blogs again... and then suddenly stuff happens and I go days and days again without getting to sit down and do some reading. I won't complain, because those things that happen usually involve time with my gorgeous girl, but I do always love finding some lovely things in blog land as well...


How cute is this step stool that Holly refinished for her little girl. My favourite part has to be the words she added - I mean, isn't that thought on every Mom's mind as they watch their little one's grow and do things on their own?...

I was pretty thrilled to get an email from Lori this week, letting me know I had won her giveaway and will soon receive a copy of Happy Home, from Chronicle Books. I can hardly wait to dive into those pages - how fun does this book look? I will definitely share more with you once it arrives!

A Fancy Friday Love, would just not be the same without a gorgeous kitchen, now would it? So, I just had to include this beauty, from Decor de Provence...

At the top of my "Dream Vacation" list is a trip to Greece. It has been for ages now, and I hope that one day, B and I will vacation here together (alone... I imagine it will be a romantic and relaxing trip). I also daydream that we may stay somewhere as lovely as this summer home, featured on 79 ideas...

Well, it's the weekend again and even though I am lucky enough to be home all week with Halle, I just love our weekends. Waking up and enjoying a slow Saturday or Sunday with B, having a yummy breakfast and enjoying our coffee - I couldn't ask for much more. This weekend should be extra fun! We'll be doing more exploring on Saturday, and of course Sunday will be B's first father's day! YAY! Can't wait to show him how thankful both Halle and I are to have him! Do you have anything special planned to honour the father's in your lives?

Upon Arrival

While I've been plugging along inside and making some good progress in our rental, sadly, we've left the outside feeling rather neglected. It really isn't the most inviting looking home from the outside, especially when so many of the other homes in our neighbourhood look so manicured. 


I won't scare you off with photos of the exterior of this place, but why not take a look at some of the things that are inspiring me to make our little place more pretty and homey for the time being. 


One of the first things that comes to mind when I think of sprucing up our front yard, is to add some pretty planters by the front door. They are the perfect way to add some colour, and when we are ready to move on from our rental, it can all come with us. It's a win-win situation. Something like these lattice planters, available at The Home Depot, would be perfect!

Or maybe something a little more simple that I could decorate as I please. I think that these Square Cedar Planters would be a great little project, and at only $31.61 each - they don't break the bank!

Aside from our planters, we have a small garden bed off to the right of our front door. It lies directly beneath our dining room window, and at the moment is empty... with the exception of some weeds. B and I have been discussing planting something in there to pretty it up a little and I'd like something that does well in the shade, and won't need a ton of attention from us. I'm leaning more towards a leafy plant that can add some colour, rather than flowers whose blooms can die off anyway. After flipping through a slideshow over on Better Homes and Gardens, the Coleus really jumped out at me...

I love the bright shade of green and red together! So bright and pretty, and no flowers required!

Then of course there is the obvious step - a seasonal wreath! Though I know that a floral wreath is pretty traditional for the summer months, I'm not much of a floral wreath type of lady. So when I spotted this lemon wreath on Pinterest... I was sold! After checking out this great how-to, I think this is a legit project that I would like to tackle soon...

I think this about does it... enough typing and time to start working! I'm feeling highly inspired to get things spruced up out front. Time to go out in search of supplies!

What are your best tips for prettying up the exterior of your rental? Have you been doing any of your own exterior projects recently? I must say... all of this talk about curb appeal, really has me missing our lovely little front porch back in Toronto...

Yup... definitely feeling a little homesick for that tiny home every now and again....

Just Down the Road

This past Saturday started out like any old Saturday around here. Halle was up early, which meant joining us in our bed for some morning cuddles. When she tired of cuddles it was up and time to make some breakfast and just putter around the house for a bit. After Halle's morning nap though, I was just itching to get out. Though the sky looked pretty grey and dreary, I suggested to B that we take a trip to White Rock, as it's a little less than a half hour drive from our place. After a quick stop to buy Halle a new car seat and carrier, we were on our way. 


It was one of those days that just worked out perfectly. The sun was shining, the food we ate was delicious, we strolled at a leisurely pace and we were just able to soak up a whole lot of time together as a family. What more could we have asked for on a lovely June afternoon...

{Our view from the patio at lunch...}

{Halle enjoyed some Bananas on the patio}

{Clearly the tide was out}

{My sweet baby girl}

{Saying "Hi" to some people down below}

{Finished the day off with some yummy gelato... Halle enjoyed her Daddy's mint chocolate chip}

This is just a little peek at what we've been up too. We also went to a "Teddy Bear Picnic" on Sunday which had a lot of tents and booths set up for services in the community that are geared towards families, children and parents. Very cool! Yesterday was gorgeous so Halle and I enjoyed a trip to the park, and B even came and joined us during his lunch break. Was a nice little afternoon treat for all three of us! What fun things have you been up to recently? Any places you've paid a lovely visit to close to home? Or maybe you've been travelling further!?