Well, the countdown is on!  One week from Christmas Eve, can you even believe it?  I have a little more running around to do before the kids are out of school.  We will need to pick up some groceries a few days before Christmas, but otherwise, we are good to go!

I wanted to share one last holiday post with you before I take some time off.  We usually pick up our tree at the beginning of December.  It sits in the front window in the living room, so we have to move around some of the furniture, but nothing too drastic.

Our tree houses a collection of ornaments, which the kids hang all by themselves (except for where they can't reach of course).  I used to have "rules" about where the ornaments were to go, but now we just let the kids go to town and it's so much fun watching them!  I love it when they pick up an ornament and remember where we purchased it, when they made it or who gave it to them.  It's fun reliving those moments with them and knowing that these memories will last a lifetime.

We have handmade ornaments, ornaments made by the kids, vintage inspired ornaments (though we no longer have complete sets due to a couple of trees toppling over over the years! Goodness, I know! Memories I tell ya!).  Some of the ornaments were gifted to us, handed down to us and made for us, others represent "firsts".  There are ornaments that represent traditions, money socks with the kids' names on them, a tradition carried over from hubs' side of the family and salt dough ornaments that the kids make every year.   Our tree skirt I've contemplated replacing several times, but I never can do it.  I bought it for our very first Christmas after we were married, from Walmart (11 years ago!!).  I remember being so excited to celebrate Christmas together in our new home and the memory is so strong that I just can't get rid of it.

Our tree is a mix and well, it's our mix....it's our story.

I really didn't add too many decor pieces to the room this year.  I decided to keep the tiered stand from the coffee table styling post because I truly do love it's beauty (only wish there were some more Ferrero Rocher's to place on it....must buy more lol).  A few gold candles, our red pillows that only come out for the holidays and a glittery deer round up the pieces in this room this year, the tree is definitely the focal point!

Now, all that's left to do is to grab a magazine or a great book, a delicious cup of hot chocolate (with a slew of marshmallows that have melted juuuust enough) and to have a seat, cozying up next to the tree.

sweater - Old Navy, bracelets - Alex and Ani c/o, jeans - Gap, socks - Old Navy, mug - Chapters Indigo

Have a lovely day, friends!

Cheers,

Making Me Smile.

Well, that was a quick week!  Shall we talk Christmas shopping?  Have you started?  Some people don't start until mid December, I can't do that...it would honestly stress me out! ha!  Truth.  We managed to finish up most of our shopping this week, just a few little items to grab and then that's that!

A few things that made me smile this week:

I placed some of the kid's artwork in the frames on the staircase, I love displaying their masterpieces and I love how much they enjoy seeing them all framed.

Wednesday morning we woke up to some fresh snow and a beautiful pink sky.  Snapped that!

And finally, a little refresh in the entry!  I ordered this gorgeous print (the one on the end) from Anna With Love's New York collection.  Have you seen the collection?  If not, you will want to....check it out here. (First print by Leigh Viner, found here)

Have a lovely weekend, friends!

Cheers,

These Moments....

A few weekends ago we went for a walk along the river, something that we haven't done in quite some time, turns out, it was more than just what I needed.  It's amazing what happens when you are surrounded by nature, your mind seems to be at ease and you can truly enjoy the moment.  It sure did make me realize how consumed I can get with the internet, my phone and such.

Though I've been pulling out decorations for the upcoming holidays for a few weeks now,  I'm not planning any holiday home tour posts.  Time just isn't on my side or perhaps focus has shifted a bit.  But I will continue to share some snippets of festive corners throughout the home like this, this and this.  Up next will be our "big" tree in the living room!

We are looking forward to start our holiday baking this year, some peppermint bark, sugar cookies, shortbread and more are on the menu!  So much fun!

Do you have some baking traditions?  I'd love to hear!

Cheers and have a lovely week!

Decorating Our Mini Christmas Tree & Giveaway Winner!

It's Friday!  I hope you've all enjoyed a lovely week so far!  It's time to announce the winner of the delicious Ferrero Rocher giveaway!  Thank you so much to eveyone who entered.  I loved reading each of your comments and hearing what you're looking forward to the most this holiday season.  The lucky winner is....

Sabrina from the Pink Little Notebook!

Congrats, Sabrina!

This week I took some time to decorate the mini tree in our family room.  The large tree is in the living room and though I absolutely love it, there is just something about mini trees that I completely adore, so we get one every year and place it in the family room.   The tree sits in a vintage maple syrup bucket, the perfect little base.  We don't go all out with the decorations, a simple strand of gold beads is usually it, but this year, we also added some beautiful (and sparkly) ornaments, just a select few.

Next to the mini Christmas tree is a tree stump (fun fact: the stump is from my husband's parents backyard.  One of their trees had to be cut down because it was dead, so we brought the stump home with us the last time we were there visiting!).  A small rug from HomeSense draped over the stump adds a touch of coziness....though I'm not too sure that it's a wise decision to encourage drinking hot chocolate over a white rug, you can't help but to feel the urge to do just that while sitting next to the fire!

White rug - HomeSense, ornaments c/o Rona, ribbon - Michaels

A few presents wrapped in kraft paper and adorned with some purple satin ribbon, some twine and fresh greenery and you have yourself a little holiday corner!

White rug - HomeSense, ornaments c/o Rona, ribbon - Michaels

 

There aren't any lights on the tree because I simply love how the ornaments reflect the glow of the fireplace.  So warm and cozy, which is really how I want this room to feel.

Have a lovely weekend, friends!

Cheers,

***GIVEAWAY NOW CLOSED*** Holiday Entertaining - Coffee Table Styling Tips & A Delicious Giveaway!

Hey friends!  I hope you're enjoying a lovely week so far and that you're ready for my first holiday entertaining post!

As I mentioned a couple of weeks ago,  I'm determined to be the hostess with the mostess this year!  I love the idea of entertaining friends and family over the holidays and this year, I want to make it happen more often than not!  Today,  I'm sharing tips on how to style your coffee table for the holidays with entertaining in mind and with some help from Ferrero Rocher!

Your dining room table is set and ready for your guests, but you don't want to overlook your coffee table!  Once dinner is over, invite your guests into your living room (or family room) to chat and continue the fun!  I love the idea of placing treats on the table for guests to help themselves.

It's a great idea to prep everything a day or two before your party, one less thing to think about, but be sure to select decorative items that can be set out early!  When it comes to styling your coffee table, you'll definitely want to add seasonal elements.  Do this by including touches of greenery and of course, ornaments are a quick and easy way to add colour, and not to mention inexpensive!  Chocolates are such a great choice because they can be set out a few days in advance (and well, the wrapping of these heavenly treats make them decorative!).

Ambiance is created with the help of some glittery candles and I made them the centerpiece by placing them on a few stacked books (that coordinate with the colour scheme), which gives them height.  A tray decorated with greenery and ornaments is a great place for beverages.

Once I had the accessories in place, it was time to add the treats!  Place them in various places on the coffee table and around the room so that your guests can easily help themselves no matter where they are sitting in the room.  Tip!  By adding some ornaments to your tiered stand, once the treats are all gone (which I guarantee, they will be) the stand doesn't sit empty and bare!

Ribbon is such a great way to add texture, a touch of sparkle and a dose of colour!  Wind it around and over your decor pieces.

Ferrero Rocher has always been a staple in our home during the holidays.  The taste, the wrappers, they most definitely make me think of Christmas!  With an assortment of packaging options (the tiered stand and the jewel box are stunning and perfect as is for displaying or gifting), they are a great go-to for entertaining and gifting!

I love the idea of sending your guests home with a beautifully boxed treat.  Place them on a tray near the front door so that you can easily access and offer them to your guests as they depart (and of course, that way, they will also look pretty while they sit and wait to be taken to their new home)!

Ferrero Rocher Canada just recently kicked off their holiday campaign and I simply love it!  You have to watch their holiday campaign video!  Of course, Ferrero Rocher Canada didn't want me to have all of the delicious fun (don't you just love the holidays?!)!  They want to help one lucky reader create their very own #FerreroMoment by giving away a jeweled box of 16 Ferrero Chocolates!  To enter, simply leave a comment below telling me what you're looking forward to the most this holiday season!  Open only to Canadian residents.  Contest closes Dec 3, 2014 at 9pm EST.  Good luck!

Be sure to document and share your #FerreroMoment by using the hashtag on Instagram & Twitter!  And follow Ferrero Rocher Canada on Facebook for a chance to receive a special Ferrero Rocher holiday gift (seperate from this giveaway).

Cheers,


This post was written in partnership with Ferrero Canada, but all opinions are my very own and have not been swayed in any which way.