WHAT TO EXPECT ON THE BLOG THIS YEAR

If you've just started reading or if you've been following along for a while, I wanted to say a big welcome and tell you a little bit about what you can expect here. Last post was a highlight reel of 2016 and now as we are fully launched into 2017, I wanted to share some new categories that are coming up on the blog. 

Kids Rooms (not new)...we'll continue to share my design work as well as decor finds, tips, how to's, etc. for children. This is usually shared on Tuesdays.

For the minis (more, so much more!)...we'll continue with a big focus on local, natural, lovely, the handmade or maker shops. I'll be sharing kids' clothing, accessories, toys we love and any product that wows us. Find this on Wednesdays!

Happy Thursday + what we're reading...this is a brand new category dedicated to kids books recommended by our kids to yours and I'm excited to share my first one this Thursday.

Friday Faves...This is a weekly round up of items that I love, from canopies to blocks, artwork to kids shoes! 

I'll also continue to share the odd DIY, some of our family moments, parties, etc on Mondays.

If there's anything that you'd like to see that isn't here, I'd love your thoughts!!! Please leave me a comment below and I'll see if I can find a way to include it coming up! 

Have a great week!

OUT WITH THE OLD, HELLO 2017!

It's been awhile...but I'm back! Even though we are all still struggling to wake up and get up in the mornings, already feeling the rush of back to school and Xavier missing his sisters like crazy, I am excited for what this year holds. 

Last year (starting in March) was my first semi-consistent year of writing the blog and I am so excited to say that it really EXPLODED! Beyond what I ever dreamed possible...so thank you for coming, sharing a piece of this journey, telling your friends about the site and adding a few of your own thoughts along the way. I wanted to share some of my 2016 highlights and next week I will be sharing what you can expect to see from the blog this coming year.

Last March, Ella's room proved to be super popular (you can still get the look here) and the canopy corner is still going crazy over on Pinterest (please come follow me!).

The summer months were full of fun things with my kids, reviews from companies that I love and this play room that filled our home with joy and so much sunshine streaming through the windows.

The playhouse that I painted over a long weekend while my Dad was visiting (and my husband was still recovering from hip surgery) proved not only to give me something to do (I am notoriously type A and struggle to sit still for long) but also to be our favourite place to play all summer long and your favourite photo of mine over on Instagram! So thank you for loving it and showing me that people want to see things they can do themselves with their own kids (if you feel inspired you can still get the look here).

In the fall, my girls started school and it was a big transition for the whole family. Creating Nayviah's room was a complete dream and I was so thrilled to have it shared over on SMP Living!

I also loved creating Emil's big boy room with this gorgeous loft bed that is an absolute dream for a little boy. Honestly, this job is the most fun ever!!!

The rest of the year was filled with work that you do not always see here on the blog. Styling jobs, photography shoots, working behind the scenes with brands and e-design clients whose rooms I do not (usually) get to photograph. The year was certainly topped off with being named Best Digital Influencer in BC Living's Kids and Family category! I LOVE what I do and am so grateful and thankful for your support that keeps me here!

I hope with this new year, I can bring more experience, so many more photos, new rooms and a lot more fun! I want to challenge myself to share more, better targeted to you! 

Now I'd love if you could help me by leaving a comment answering these questions. What do you love most about stopping by? What do you want to see more of? Are there any things that you didn't like about the blog this year?

Happy 2017 everyone!

EYE SAFETY FOR THE HOLIDAYS

Winter has arrived and with it, the snow! It has been such a fun week watching the magic of the winter holiday season unfold in the eyes of the kids and I can't wait to head up to the local mountains for more snowy, bright fun. While it is so nice to finally see the sun, it's important to remember to keep our little ones' eyes safe when we're heading outdoors and participating in winter activities. I've partnered with Image Optometry to share some key tips to maintaining children's eye safety whether you are heading for a snowy vacation over Christmas or jetting off to Maui!

Key tips for keeping little eyes safe in the sun and snow:

• wear protective eye gear when participating in sports or outdoor activities
• tell children to never look directly at the sun
• have eyes examined regularly (Image recommends 6 months, 3 years and annually after that) to ensure any problems are picked up quickly
• set a good example through wearing your own protective eye gear
• encourage children to wash hands thoroughly before touching their eyes
• supervise children when using sharp objects, such as ski poles (to ensure injury to the eyes)

Image Optometry offers in store eye exams locally here in Vancouver or if you are looking for sunglasses for you and your little ones, you can find affordable sunglasses through 38dollarglasses.com. 

Image is offering a free pair of Vancouver Canucks hockey tickets when you book two appointments on the same date and at the same time...

Happy Holiday season friends!!

HOLIDAY FUN WITH KIDS: A GINGERBREAD HOUSE PARTY!

Chocolate, fondue and gingerbread houses? Yes please! Kind of screams a childhood holiday tradition to remember, doesn't it? When Chocolats Favoris reached out and asked if I would be interested in working with them to create a special and memorable experience for our kids using their chocolate, I couldn't resist dreaming up this super sweet (literally!) gingerbread house decorating party.

We invited a little friend over to join in the fun and I told the kids we would be doing this the night before the party and they were so excited they could hardly sleep. Between the Maple White Chocolate hazelnuts (Kaia's favourite) and the Milk Chocolate fondue (Noelle's favourite), you can see that they not only enjoyed the process, but devoured all of the goodies too!

I used a little paint palette to separate the candy into separate colours and this gave the kids easy access to the goodies without sticky fingers going into bigger bowls. I also made a few mini gingerbread men and trees so that the kids could dip the cookie into the fondue and try it while saving the actual houses for eating later. It worked out really well to have separate gingerbread houses for each kid and also icing bags and candy. The fondue was perfect to use as glue for the decorations although not a lot of the fondue ended up on the houses as the kids kept using the wooden sticks as spoons and devoured it! 

We played Christmas music, the kids iced the houses, added candy, licked fondue, nibbled on chocolate and generally had the best time. They are already asking if we can do it all again next year. For a huge selection of holiday goodies, head to Chocolats Favoris' newest location in Victoria, BC or shop online. With a range of delicious chocolates from covered nuts and chocolate bars, to fondues and the cutest advent calendar, they have you covered for those chocolaty gifts. 

*This post was created with Chocolats Favoris. All words, photos and ideas are my own.

HOW TO GET YOUR CHRISTMAS CARDS DONE EARLY!

I know, I know...a little early, right? Christmas cards in November??!! Trust me when I tell you how great it feels having these done and dusted (SO great!). I always love receiving Christmas cards from our friends and family all over the world but I am definitely terrible at getting our own Christmas cards written and sent. Big thanks to Mixbook, this year is different! It can be for you too!!!

The process was SUPER simple and therefore completely doable (even with three toddlers!). Here is how we did it: I chose a simple backdrop of a window in our house, added some gold stars from Pearl & Jane and snapped away. As you all know, once kids are involved in photos, getting the ‘perfect’ shot gets a little harder and instead of creating a stressful moment, I wanted this to be fun. We put on Christmas music, I gave the kids some little gold ornaments to decorate the tree with and also handfuls of pretend snow. They LOVED the fun and I got some cute shots!!

I then looked at all the Christmas Cards (I chose from hundreds of professionally designed card themes that you can personalize in any way you like) on the Mixbook site and selected these super pretty and festive gold foil Merry and Bright ones! Aren't they sweet? Simple and so easy to customize to fit any photo that you have taken. I love how they turned out!

As you're choosing your holiday card, there are so many other products available to peruse while you're at it. From custom calendars to canvas prints and photo books similar to the summer one I showed earlier in the year, they have you covered!

Shipping was quick and I was really happy with the thickness of the premium paper and quality of the cards. Next up is actually writing them! I recommend making a coffee (or pouring a glass of wine!) and just doing it. Such a great way to get ahead for the holiday season and make a nice big tick next to 'christmas cards' on the list.

Good luck friends!!

Mixbook is kindly offering 10 free flat cards. Use code FREE10 to redeem.

*This holiday post was created in partnership with Mixbook.