Favorite blogs for Christmas

There is something magical about the holidays.  The lights, snow and the decorations. Some people know how to pull it together better than other but I still think any tree with lights on it is beautiful.  The green and sparkle you can't beat.  So here are a few of our favorite blogs that we think do Christmas well!!

Sugar and Cloth  check out her living room decorated for the holidays!

A Wandafulthing  did 12 days of Christmas crafts and DIY Pinterest inspired.

Inspired by charm  this link is for a vintage ornament wall tree.  You have to check out the whole blog as he has lots going on for the holidays.  This is your intro!!

Miss Mustard Seed  decorated living room.  Plus few other holiday posts.

Esme Salon if you are a foodie check this blog out

Happy Holidays.

Staying sane while shopping - it starts the night before

We thought we'd share our idea on how to stay sane while shopping for the holidays.  Especially now that December has rolled around.

First it starts the night before. You purchase a bottle of your favorite wine on the way home.  After supper you open said wine and gather pen/paper or phone and head to where you keep "already bought" gifts.  We realize you might have to start rooting as they might be in a few places. Deep breaths and remember to sip your wine while looking.

Note all the gifts you have purchased already and who they were for.  Head to a room where you can enjoy your wine and make your list in quiet. This is another reason why all master bedrooms need a comfy chair and side table.

Next sit down, after you top up your wine glass, and note who is left to buy for and any ideas for gifts that come to mind. If you are drinking red just bring bottle to room/table you are working from.

Suggestion if you have a few people why not purchase on bulk (so to speak) like PJs. Who doesn't love cozy PJs - especially pajama bottoms. After you have poured another glass of wine and are having some cheese & crackers sit back and think where is the best place to  shop to get the biggest bang. What we mean is somewhere you can park your vehicle once and shop. Likely a mall.

Also consider purchasing local or donating to an organization. Examples Feed the Children, Me to We or Oxfam.  For this option just open you phone and find an organization in need and gift away.  

The biggest thing is be prepared for crowds and waiting in line when you head out.  Stop for a latte as a treat and review your list after you've shopped for a bit.  Listen to Christmas songs in the car on the way there. Get in the mood. Treat it as a positive experience with treats and breaks.  We so don't need one more item to stress about.  Enjoy.

PS the majority of people have everything they need or would rather purchase what they want so seriously donating in their name or purchasing something local is the best option.

Happy Holidays

  

A different holiday gift

We are coming up to the holiday season – well for some people it has already started.  Hint one of us has her tree and home decorated already.  Over happy hour at our new favorite place the topic of experiences came up.  The majority of us have what we need or can purchase it.  A few of us are trying to scale down so new knick-knack no matter how lovely are not wanted nor appreciated.  We decided to do what we would appreciate for Christmas and hope it gives you a few ideas.

• Your favorite bottle of wine – give it to a friend
• Arrange meeting for brunch earlier on a Saturday so that people have time for errands afterwards
• Take in a holiday event or fundraiser.  Note Facebook has events posted check them out.
• Purchase movie passes or better yet open day passes to local Art Gallery or Historic place in your city
• A basket of goodies (cookies, loaf, napkins, hummus) you get the idea
• Volunteer as a group at the food bank or wrapping Christmas presents at the mall for a fundraiser (you might have to do a little research but that could be part of the fun)
• If an organization is looking for gifts for children in need pick a name and go for it. Get the family involved in shopping for that special gift
• Have your children make Christmas cards or art for their special people
• Have a cookie exchange
• Bring unused winter items (mitts, jackets, scarves) to goodwill
• What about having an extra pair of gloves in your bag to give to the homeless
• Go to a carol sing or any place having Christmas music or music period during the holiday season
• Have friends over to watch holiday movies
• Make a Christmas and/or everyday playlist for friends
• Put your thinking cap on and be creative!!!

Our forever or right now homes

We are so excited.  One of our favorite blogs A Beautiful Mess   (ABM) has launched a podcast.  AMB is two sisters blogging about life which includes crafts, décor, recipes and much more. It as a happy blog. There is nothing political, social or someones' rants on world or local events.  Any time you visit you will have a visually beautiful page, stunning pictures of homes, crafts and food.  They have series their 10 favorite things on Sunday. They have home tours and share both before and after their renovations.  Like I said it makes me happy. Period.

Their podcast is Emma and Elise talking – nothing serious. They launched three episodes. One they talked about their forever homes and went through their purchases and current homes and how they arrived there and what they are still looking for.  That got us thinking what our forever homes would be so here it in no particular order:

•           Loft in the city.  Ideally in an old warehouse with brick walls and high ceiling. The windows would be long and run the length of the loft. An industrial look with an open concept. Maybe the bedroom partitioned off. The pipes would be exposed in the ceiling.  The kitchen would be in the back with bar seating and dining table in front. Off to the side would be a cozy living room with leather sofa and chairs.
•       House on a lake surrounded by trees.  You cannot see the neighbors only when they are canoeing by the wharf.  It was a large deck off the open living room and a fire pit further down with Adirondack chairs around it. The lake is a good size for small sail boats, canoes and kayaks.  Of course we have a wharf for jumping off and tying our boats to. The house itself isn’t large. Open concept downstairs with a master bedroom and bath.  Upstairs at least three bedrooms and bathroom.  One larger bedroom more like a bunk house.
•       Brownstone in the city. I mean really. They look fabulous and people are blowing them up inside to create more open concepts.  I love the look of the outside. The brick, the stairs to the front door. My Brownstone would have rod iron gate and steps leading to a basement apartment (I want the rental income).  My portion would have a few walls down on the main floor to open the back up for the kitchen and seating area.  A deck off the back of the house.  I would retain the warm wood moldings but have white walls to showcase my extensive art collection (which I don’t have but would if I lived in a Brownstone).
•           Victorian all the way.  I even want the gingerbread lattice and wrap around front porch and trim.  I have wicker chairs and table on the front porch and the porch curves to the right to a larger porch and side door.  I’m not knocking out walls as my rooms are generous portions all with working fireplaces. I have a large eat-in kitchen at the back that you can exist onto a deck and down steps to beautiful flower gardens. 

As you can see our “forever” homes are very different.  While we were writing this someone said “you know this can change. Forever doesn’t mean forever just right now.”  Hmmm… so maybe these are our right now forever homes.  Do you have a forever home?  Let me know where and what it would be.

Rolling into a new month and season

We were discussing how fast the months are going by - leading into how fast the year is.  September and October for us are autumn.  The leaves are changing color, the days are still warm but the evenings are getting cool.  We can still have our bedroom windows open all night.  Not liking the shorter days but that is what autumn brings.

November can be a dark month.  The majority of leaves are off the trees.  It is that month between autumn and winter.  It is just before the holidays and when people start to get into panic mode over Christmas. It doesn't help that Christmas items have been out since before Halloween.  But we won't go there and our feelings about it.  Okay we will.  NOTHING SHOULD BE OUT FOR CHRISTMAS UNTIL AFTER REMEMBRANCE DAY. 

We decided to try and make November a more positive month.  Here are a few of our ideas:

• Start choosing your winter and holiday reading list. If you are not in a book club think about starting one.
• Get your Christmas cards out from last year. Do you need to purchase more? Start addressing ones to mail.  Get your stamps before the long line ups
• Make a new wreath just for November.
• Try a new restaurant or bar for drinks you haven't been to.
• Make sure you keep up with exercise classes.  Or try a yoga class or any new class.
• Treat yourself to a new autumn/winter item.  Maybe a new scarf? Sweater?
• Go through your winter clothes and donate what you don't want to wear this year.  Ideally we shouldn't have not put it away from last year. Be strong. Even if it still fits, if you don't feel good in it. Donate it.
• Start checking out Pinterest for fun holiday crafts to do with the kids or a girls' night.
• Head to cosmetic counter and check out new lipsticks.  Anything catch your eye to try? Maybe a new colour just for fun?
• Purchase a new candle for those long nights.  Let us know your favorite scents!
• Start making soup and stews. It is time for that comfort food.

These are just a few things to get us through November. Make the most of the month. We would love to hear your ideas for making the most of November or any month! Drop us a comment.

Happy October

We thought we'd give a wrap up of our summer "to do" list.  For some of us it was a commitment to get a job done.  For others it was an item on a long list.  So yes linen closet was purged/clean and there were multiple beach days.  At the last minute the junk drawer was completed (we mean last minute as like last week).

Going through toys is still on the list along with start a wine journal, attend yoga classes and pick out pictures for 2020 calendar.  Positive was pictures on phone where sorted, deleted and sent.

Did you finish any or all of your summer to do list? Have you started a fall one?  We haven't!

Carry on!

Non-negotiable / rules we live by

We were discussing what is non-negotiable and that got us into rules we live by. Weather we realize it or just unconsciously do it.  What rules do we follow when we are making decisions and choices?  We have come up with a few.  Realize this does not apply to all of us but here are "our" non-negotiable.

1. If I can't afford it I don't purchase it. I will not go into debt for a vacation or a high end product.
2. I will not dump a friend if we have plans and something else comes up.
3. If asked my opinion I will be honest even if it is not exactly what the person wants to hear.
4. If you ask me how an outfit looks - I will tell you. Not flattering or WOW.
5. To show up and be there for family and friends.
6. Don't judge other people.  We have no idea what they are going through.
7. Sleep on it before making a big decision
8. Live and let live
9. Be open to trying new things i.e. especially drinks
10. Yes you can wear white after Labor Day!