To celebrate my first career of an esthetician (and because my skin gets dry this time of year) and to celebrate Christmas..of course!! I made some peppermint sugar scrub. It's super easy I mixed brown sugar - which I find more moisturizing than salt, with equal parts grape seed oil and 15 drops peppermint extract- that actually contains cooling properties on the skin. Mix it all together and wet the skin and rub onto skin - avoiding the face - obviously. If you want to get really fancy and festive you can even add candy canes - which add more of an abrasive quality and it's pretty! I did not do this only because I didn't have any, otherwise I would. Now I am a peppermint smoothie!! ( : Picture to come soon!

Charlotte's First Stocking

Stocking for little C!!
I made this out of an old red t-shirt, two onesies and a sock ( the candy cane!) Thou it is still a work in progress - I eventually want to sew on her name and fancy up the top with some fun fabric it is complete and now her little spot on the mantel has a partner..

Crafty advent Calendar

I made these a few weeks back - when I started to unpack my Christmas stuff I came across old Christmas cards given to us. All those pretty little cards.... I thought to myself - I can't throw these out! Why not reinvent these so they have a different purpose? I took one look at my rather drab bowl of pinecones and thought they need a little sprucin' up -or pinen' up.... with this little Card Christmas balls.

Here are some of those pretty little cards.
Then I used a baby food lid to trace and cut the circles out.
Next I folded up the edges on them and glued the folded edges together.
And Voila!!! A cheery and festive addition to the "Deck the halls" of my home!!

Happy Ten months Little Lady!!

My how the months have flown by!! What an amazing incredible journey it has been up till now!!Since I was nearly 10 months pregnant with you and the 28th of November marks you being 10 months outside the womb. I revel how much you have changed and transformed into this little person, with your own little unique personality.Here are 10 wonderful things that you do.. to make you... YOU!!

When your tired you pull your ears and go from laughing, smiling ,frowning to crying in a matter of a second.

When you dance you wave both your arms to the beat.

When you have had a good sleep you talk to your stuffed animals on your shelf.

I love that your favourite toys are cards from my wallet, my glasses and tupperware lids.

When you want more of something - you clap your hands.

When you laugh your whole face lights up and it is music to my hears.

You love being outside no matter what cold,wind rain you kick your feet with glee when we get you ready.

You play peek - a-boo with your bib while your eating.

Whoever you come across that is eating - you feel that you are very inclined to have some too.

The way you snuggle with me like it is the safest place in the world.

Happy ten months little Miss Charlotte xoxoxox

I'm dreaming of a Sewing room to call my own!

One day my dream will come.

A sewing room just for me, while inspiration runs thru my veins. I can leave it just how I like it my little hideaway.

Crafting,Cooking, Sewing, Hobbying, Reading, How I 've missed thee!

It truly is a novel feeling to actually HAVE remaining energy at the end of the day! Now that Charlotte is on SOME sort of schedule. I feel, at night when my duties are complete... like I am a cat chasing a light that is going in a million different directions - sensory overload and a bit A.D.D. I want to do it all ! No lack of motivation here, it's just finding that magic wand to transform my space.


I thought to myself HOLD ON don't bite off more that you can chew..which I have a tendency to do. First things first- tackle my crafting space!!Here are some daydreamy ideas and some inspiring and mostly amazingly organized spaces!


Photo courtesy of http://www.home-designing.com/ Love this bright and cheery room - makes me want to get right down to biznass!

Phote Courtesy of http://redneckchic.blospot.com/ This caught my eye initially for two reasons - I am soo into white shelving it looks so crisp and clean - doesn't help that the shelves are in pristine and envious condition! The other reason is that comfy looking chair.

Phote courtesy of http://somedaycrafts.blogspot.com/ Now here is a contrast to the first two! LOVELOVELOVE the black and white - so professional looking . Can't help but feel a little country flair with those wonderful galvanized pails. Great storage solution! I am also loving all that wonderful counter space!

One day very, very soon I will post my wonderful little crafty hideaway! I am now focused and ready!

Creature Comforts

Now that it's WINTER and dark out at like 2 ...well okay 4! This b.c weather is sooo damp that it chills to the core. It really makes me think about the creature comforts of life and what makes me feel good. Here is a top ten list of things that I love to cheer myself up on cold, dark rainy days!
10) As soon as I come in from a cold day I tear of my wet jeans - nothing is more unsettling and uncomfortable when the bottom rim of my jeans is freezing cold and quite often ridden with gritty sand of the sidewalk.That, in turn leaves a wet trail across the floor. I literally cannot take them off fast enough,then, immediately jump into a pair of warm flannel pajamas, warm fleece socks and a big oversized T.
9) A bottomless warm cup of tea or coffee with lots of cream.
8) My bed under a duvet, shipwrecked on an island of pillows.
7) Watching a movie that I've seen before and look forward to favourite parts while my cat and dog share the couch.
6) Escaping by reading a book, sooo good that I actually miss the plot and the characters when I'm not reading and never want it to end.
5) Eating - just in general hehe but nothing like a warm stew from the crockpot or a good ol' bag of chips or a chocolate. Salad is one of my favourite meals but the return of comfort ? Not the same!
4) Talking and sharing stories with my favourite people coupled with some tasty red wine.
3) Having a bath with essential oils, when I come out I lather myself with my favourite cream and envelop myself in my furry pink robe.
2)Having a nap with the family, lulling into such a deep sleep, when I wake up I am confused about whether the time is in the day or the middle of the night.
1)Snuggling and cuddling with Liam and Charlotte!

Remember to Remember

I am obsessed with Christmas. Everyday that passes, is one day closer to my pre- discussed decorating date ( as decided by my Husband and reluctantly I) November 25th. IF it were up to me I would be already in the thick of it! When that day comes look out "deck the halls", more like splatter every nook, cranny and corner with sparkly, glittery shiny, okay some say gawdy,Christmas goodness. I cannot wait.

But..before I get into the Christmas swing of things there is something more on my mind and it is Remembrance day.

Two years ago my husband and I went on our honeymoon to France , it was a wonderful trip but didn't warrant it complete without a trip up to Normandy to see the beaches. We sadly didn't make it to Juno beach but we did see Omaha Beach and the U.S memorial.

The bunkers felt like you were transported back in time, everything about it was eerie the dull smell, the chill in the air, the graphic images flashing in your mind. We visited on a sunny warm beautiful day, people were sunning themselves on the beach eating ice cream which was such an opposing juxtaposition to the utter mayhem that took place not even 70 years before.

There really are no words when you look over the sea of graves. I was unsettled for days after. What these young men and women did for us will never be rendered,we can't bring them back. Their bravery courage never duplicated. On days like tomorrow all I do is remember to remember.

Thanksgiving in July!

oh the lazy days of summer are upon us! There is something cerebrally calming about mid summer nights like last night, makes me want to lock it in a freeze frame and put it up on my mantel so when I am feeling a bit down hearted or sorry for myself i can hop in and remember how lucky i am and how great I felt on nights like last night. Nostagically summer was my favourite time! So fun ! Five short years ago on nights like this I would planning what new summer dress I was going to wear and scheming on what to do with the girls, what bar is good on a monday and i would be having a cold one listening to the summer hits in my rental in ocean park! Quite a far cry from last night listening to the white noise of the baby monitor and the melodic song of the owl who has made his home in a nearby tree, wearing one of my husbands old t- shirts, and favourite cozy jogging pants shorts and catching up on my liquids with a tall glass of iced water because I get so busy during the day I forget to drink.... It lilted me into a very pensive thankful mood. I am so grateful for this life and the health that I have. To have an amazing husband and a beautiful healthy daughter. Who as of late, is now "telling" me how much my presence makes her happy by her ear to ear smile, while reaching out and kicking her legs, despite the fact that she is in the throws of teething. To have such a wonderful family and friends there to support us and have fun with! It got me thinking about how much I take for granted to live in this beautiful part of the world a beach to walk on, mountains to climb and ocean to swim in, the ability to be free and have a fantastic car. To have a full fridge with great food, to go on trips to breathe fresh air. We are truly spoiled and lucky to be here in this country !!

best 5 months of my life

On January 28th my world changed! A little 10 pound lady came into my life after waiting 9 full month plus 18 days extra! My husband and I produced this little character - this being! Miss.Charlotte Ivy. She is going to live her own life,be her own little person who is going to have her passions, her likes, dislikes, opionions and we just have to embrace her and teach her and guide her.
We feel so very fortunate lucky and blessed to have her in our lives. It has already been 5 months and everybody told me " cherish every moment - it goes by so fast" boy were they right. The fog of motherhood is slowly lifting just in time to have the reality hit me like a big truck...memories are what happen right now. Life is now!
I am enjoying this sooo much is that I want to remember everything! Charlotte is growing up before my eyes every day, every week there is something to relish and celebrate. She will never grow in these leaps and bounds again.
So here it is my third and final attempt to maintain and KEEP a blog about lots of nifty little things that go on in my life and my treasured moments with my little dream! I 've always have thought that blogs are a bit self indulgent and righteous. Why would anyone want to know or care about my life? Then on the other hand I thoguht.....why not?? Well to be honest I am doing this for me to remember and something to look back on and most importantly for my one and only little miracle Charlotte.