Pumpkins and Spice...

What a busy Halloween!

For some reason I was taken over by some crazy drive to pull everything out of my Halloween bag of tricks like some kind of superwoman. Not sure where that came from or what I was "possessed" by!

This is what I took on as my way to celebrate:

1. Craft time with the girls in my family:

2. Caramel Apples: using Werther's Originals and Honey Crisp apples...yum!

3. White Chocolate Ghosts for Sophie's Halloween party: (it was supposed to be treat-free, but when her teacher told the class that, Sophie piped up that I already had all the ingredients and would be "disappointed" if I couldn't send them in. Lucky me!

4. Craft time with some of Sophie's friends (too busy to take many photos!):

We made little Halloween trees with paint and glitter!

Annual Pumpkin Carving Party:

We had my spicy chili, rolls, delicious chicken soup and apple crumble pie made by one friend, and this decadent chocolate cake made by another friend:

 And the annual stoop shot, posing with their pumpkins:

 And last but not least, Halloween itself!!

Busy, but happy...

Happy Halloween!!!

Holiday Blogging

Remember last year, when I sported a special holiday banner, created by my blog designer, Danielle aka The Design Girl?

This might jog your memory:

Well, right now Danielle is preparing her schedule for those wishing to do the same - have a specially designed holiday blog design or banner for their own blogs (check it out here). She also has pre-made blog templates for sale and they are really great!

So, don't forget: if you want a custom holiday blog design, be sure to act quickly. Orders are filling up fast!

Chatting with Nie...

Come on over and read my interview with Miss Stephanie Nielson.

She is guest posting on the HOLIDAY website today, and I had a little chat with her.

She really is lovely...!

Kids Playbeds friendly and portico in Rhapsody Series

Kids Playbeds friendly

Sometimes, some parents are worried about letting their children play outside if you're one of them, then there is intelligent solutions producer Cedar Works with Rhapsody and playbeds portal that can be custom configured to exactly match the space you have and the things your child likes to do. The latter solutions for children's rooms is playbeds combining playsets, store space and location of activities in a moveable object. With a portico of Rhapsody, children can play outside all day in safety and comfort of your home. Then, tired and happy, they can sleep all night in a loft bed or bunk beds Rhapsody. Better yet, with Rhapsody playbed, your kids play all day and sleep all night - all in the same room. All products are designed with the finest materials, finishes and scale inside your home, and most of them gives enough room for your children's friends, who will also be happy to play.Really great with natural wood materials to make it more user-friendly children's furniture.

A Fabulous New Book...from Fifi O'Neill

For those of us who embrace the pretty side of life and are fans of romantic style, this sneak peek of Fifi O'Neill's new book, Romantic Prairie Style will leave you wanting more! As editor-in-chief of Romantic Country, Fifi is an expert on all things romantic and feminine. She is also an engaging writer and intuitive photo stylist whose personal style is casually elegant with generous influence from her Gallic heritage.

Meet Fifi:

A little more about the book:

It's available for pre-order on Amazon, major book stores and through Ryland Peters & Small and Cico.

It features some of the homes of very talented bloggers!

And...from the book's introduction:

Romantic Prairie Style is much more than a decorating book. It is a way of life. One that reconnects us with what truly matters: family, home, and the earth. Honest materials, artisanal goods and time-honored objects are once again valued and create homes, not just shelters. The lessons learned come together in the celebration of a wholesome life. The spirit of prairie style drifts eternal in the romance of nurturing interiors and the abundant beauty of the nature.

Isn't it beautiful?

Watch for it!!

It's that time again!

 Well, it took me long enough.

Poor Sophie. What is becoming of her mother?

I finally dragged the Halloween totes upstairs and we set to decorating the house for the holiday.

I only used about 1/3 of what I own, though.

Now THAT"S scary!

I did keep with tradition, though, and had a little craft session with my mum, sister, and our little girlies.

I scoured the aisles of Michael's (love that place!) and picked up some 50% off Martha supplies and a few other ditties to make our crafts.

This is what my mum and I made (from an inspiration photo I found on the web, but forgot to mark the source! Drats!):

Easy peasy: A little glue, glitter, craft paper, and my mum's talent at paper cutting (she can draw anything!). It looks just like the inspiration photo, which I really wish I could show you but can't find it!

(my witch's get-away!)

Oh, and here is my spooky tree which lights up my dining area: 

And some of these adorn the tree. We made them last year:

Lots of Halloween activities left to conquer this week! Sophie wants to make a craft with a few friends and we will likely host a pumpkin carving party on the weekend.

What are your Halloween traditions?

Best Seat in the House!

I finally broke down and bought myself a new chair for my living room. While I loved my new/old chair, it just seemed too big and assuming in our cozy (read smaller) living room. IKEA to the rescue!

I bought this Jennylund chair and had it shipped to me.

I LOVE IT!

My mum bought me this beautiful wool blanket (from Homesense/Homegoods) for my upcoming birthday and I love its felted flower embellishments:

Is it strange for a chair to make someone so happy?

The Tale of a Kitchen Make-Over...Part One!

(My sister's kitchen before its new makeover. Stay tuned to the big reveal next week!)

Are you living with a kitchen you'd love to make over? Do you mentally make lists of the things you'd like to change if given the money, time or DIY skills? Would it involve major changes or as my sister likes to call it, "a lipstick makeover"?

Because that is just what she did recently.

Hours and hours of painting, new countertops, sink, faucet, lighting, hardware and she is now the proud owner of a refreshed, beautiful kitchen - one to be proud of. I am heading her way this weekend with Sophie as my backseat passenger and we are going to be received for lunch in her new kitchen.

And I can't wait!

What can I say? I love it when anyone does any form of home improvement project! It is so fun to share in their excitement and see something transformed into something more beautiful. My sister and her husband have laboured over their makeover for many, many weeks. I will share photos with you as soon as I get the green light from her!

What would I do if I could create a new kitchen for myself?

Although I love my current kitchen, I would definitely change everything up if I were to rebuild (which we will at some point). In the meantime, this kitchen has some of the elements that I love. Because I, too, make lists of what I'd love in a new kitchen! Don't you?

Exciting new retail concept in Melbourne...opening soon....

Opening Soon...The Colour Lab Store/Cafe - MelbourneHello there!! I know, it's been far too long since I last posted a blog, but I have been very involved in a very exciting new retail brand, due to open VERY SOON!!The Colour Lab Store/Cafe, the pilot store for a dynamic global roll out plan, is situated next to the beautiful Victoria Gardens in Prahran, Melbourne. It brings together a brilliant concept that is bound to soon become a destination location for retail, cafe & health lovers, embracing layers of colour in food, home, & for yourself, to enjoy, share & experience!!This is an all encompassing new business brand & philosophy for creator & owner, Roz Mackay, an amazingly energetic, inspiring & passionate entrepreneur who has previously shared this collective vision in individual portfolios, including retail homewares & Interiors, cafes & art galleries.The Colour Lab Store/Cafe - Melbourne, will offer a range of services & products, from cafe, take home produce, convenience shopping for busy professionals, weekend hampers for picnics in the park, gifts for every occasion, Vision Board workshops (a must for men & women, truly inspiring & insightful), & event management, fresh juices for that morning energy boost, to the best in coffee from Byron Bay Coffee Company. Colour is energy, emotion & personal expression in all that we do, how we live, what we eat & how we feel. From the moment you walk in the door (& what a landmark door it is!), to the moment you leave, the team at The Colour Lab Store/Cafe - Melbourne, want to make sure that every customer feels energised, rejuvenated, happy & inspired...to enjoy the very best possible 'feel good' experience...Stay tuned for The Colour Lab Store/Cafe - Melbourne lead up & opening...we can hardly wait!!!The Colour Lab385 High St.,Prahran, VIC 3181P: 03 9510 3858E: thecolourlab@gmail.comhttp://www.thecolourlab.com.au/

Happy Thanksgiving!

Yesterday, we celebrated one of the most restful and enjoyable Thanksgiving days ever! We slept in, had a delicious brunch, watched HGTV and shows about animals and then repeated the formula again in the evening with a hearty turkey dinner. If only the feeling of utter fullness would stay with me for a week! But no, we'll all be circling the remaining turkey and stuffing like vultures later today! It was even cold enough to light the fire and bring out our slippers. It truly felt like fall.

After helping me set the table, Sophie got all gussied up and I just have to show you this beautiful hairband she received from WhippyCakes:

For a girly-girl like mine, this is the perfect accessory!

No sooner had we finished dinner than she began to inquire when we would begin to decorate for Halloween.

 

 Indeed.

 

I could shake my head but I secretly know the apple doesn't fall too far from the tree.

I hope you are all having a wonderful holiday weekend!!

Decor8-ing for the HOLIDAY...

Check out a never-before-seen sneak peek of HOLIDAY with Matthew Mead over on Holly's blog, Decor8. The dining area of "yours truly" may or may not be the first photo that you will see! I am like a kid waiting for Santa and I just want the magazine to hurry up already and land in readers' hands so you can see what I'm so excited about.

But, I can be patient, -given that it is currently in the printing stage as I type this. Luckily, the book-azine will be in the mail soon and the wait will be over! Please check it out and be sure to get yourself a copy. It is not sold on shelves, so you will want to get your copy with the first shipment!!

A big thanks to Holly!!

Lost and Found...

I can`t believe how long it`s been since I`ve written on this little ol` blog!

I guess I can blame it on all of the writing I have done to finish up my stories for Holiday. I honestly didn't have any more words to share. I am proud of what I have accomplished and have learned so much. Because we are a small team, we have all pitched in to copy edit, proof-read, voice our opinions on backgrounds for the front-of-book stuff, and more. I think I have frozen shoulder after all of that typing but it was for a worthy (and beautiful) cause. I cannot wait until you all see the magazine! And if you haven`t ordered a copy, be sure to head here to reserve yours!

Still, I missed chronicling the goings-on in my life and am itching to get going on some decorating projects of my own. Strangely enough, I am thinking ahead to Christmas and how I want to decorate, gifts I`d like to make, and my annual crafting session with my mum and Sophie (handmade snow globes are on the agenda). You would think I would be sick of even thinking about Christmas, but strangely, the opposite occurred!

Tonight I made beef stew and crusty French bread for dinner, and that - combined with the nip in the air - made me feel like I have my groove back. No more humid heat (I hope), I can look through my cookbooks and experiment with new recipes (my goal is to add three new dishes to our dinner repertoire), and I plan to root through my rubbermaids and bring up some fall decor.  Because even though I have been transported to Christmas land via my work, it is not Christmas. And fall is here and meant to be enjoyed.

We Canadians celebrate our Thanksgiving this Sunday and I feel like I have a lot to be grateful for.

The most important "things" in my life will be sitting around our table, and I am happy to be able to fill their bellies and make them happy. We will head to a nearby ski hill and ride the ski lift, admiring the fall colors. At the top, we will hike back down - an outing that I have been wanting to go on for years. Our Thanksgiving is much simpler and uneventful than those of you who celebrate the American Thanksgiving in November. We eat, we visit, and some of us take a jaunt to a pumpkin field to buy a few for Halloween. There is no Black Friday, no shopping, and no trees set up and decorated as soon as the dishes are cleared.

And for me, stepping away from Christmas and back into fall sounds just about perfect.