First Snowfall

I've been meaning to post this for awhile, but just got way to busy! A couple of weeks ago we got our first real snowfall, and there was a lot of it. My sweet little boys thought it was the greatest thing to ever happen to them. There were snowball fights, and my 6 year old decided to teach my 3 year old how to build a snowman. It was so successful that they built five! Here are a few photos of their lovely afternoon in the snow.

Gap Holiday Ads

So I had to do a shout out for the Gap ads this year. I have a serious crush on Jason Bateman so it was way too fun to see him with his daughter (that's why he gets two pictures on my blog). I also adore John Hamm and his very beautiful wife. The SNL guys got a place on here because they crack me up.




(ads via www.gap.com)

Writing on the Wall Wednesdays

Favorites

There's nothing like reading these favorite books of mine to my boys. I've read them so many times now that they can repeat the last line on almost all of the pages! To me it's like comfort food. No matter how crazy the day is these books feel great.

Writing on the Wall Wednesdays

A little while back I read a series of books by Deborah Ellis. She began writing the Parvana books, about a young girl living in Afghanistan, after visiting refugee camps in Pakistan. All of the royalties from the sale of the books are donated to Women for Women in Afghanistan to support educational projects for Afghan girls in refugee camps in Pakistan. The Breadwinner is the first in the series and it hooked me. I read the next two in quick succession after the first and loved them just as much. They were Parvana's Journey and Mud City. There is another book called Shauzia, but I have yet to read that one. They are written for about a grade 5 - 6 level but the stories are so touching and poignant during this day and age. She has also written some teen fiction and a few adult fiction books. (Pictures via McNally Robinson.com)

A Merry Unbirthday...

I love themed parties. I love planning them, finding decorations, and hosting them! I stumbled across some really cute ideas in Canadian Family magazine. My favorite is hosting a Merry Unbirthday party, all of which is inspired by Lewis Carrolls' Alice in Wonderland. Such great ideas for invitations, food, and parting gifts. (The book is a copy of J. Otto Siebold’s gorgeous pop-up Alice in Wonderland, Orchard Books)

Wellies

This season I've been trying to find a cute, comfortable and durable pair of wellies! Actually what I really need is time to shop and actually find some in a store. But since I can't do that I am happy to go online and drool over the ones I find at these great sites!

Boots curtesy of J Crew, Rainco, The Welly Shop

Letters everywhere!

Now that I have decided to do my little Noah's room in "alphabet designs", I seem to find fun things everywhere! Today on Etsy I found these adorable single letter prints. I think I'm going to have to get one for every member of the family. The seller is called Font Supply, such great stuff!

Warm and Cozy

I am officially addicted to Starbucks Carmel Apple Spice Cider (with whipcream of course!) Every fall I think I can live without it, and then I'll be out with a friend, decide hmmmm....just one Caramel Apple Spice (Grande) won't hurt. And that's it. I'm hooked. If you haven't had it, try it. Maybe then you'll understand what I'm talking about. Also here are my Etsy loves this week. Happiknits...perfect name for adorable stuff!

Writing on the Wall Wednesdays

My sister (shimmy shake) introduced me to another wonderful author/illustrator. Oliver Jeffers' childrens books are clever and a lot of fun to read. My boys love the illustrations, and I think I love them because they remind me of my boys! Some favorites are: Lost and Found, and How to Catch a Star. If you get a chance check out his website www.oliverjeffers.com and click on picture books. You'll want to own all of them!

I also wanted to post about another great author, but for once it's not a childrens author. I am a huge fan of Mary Lawson. She was born and raised in a small farming community in Northern Ontario and her writing reflects that. The two that I've read are Crow Lake, and The Other Side of the Bridge. Both are beautifully written and make you feel as if you've known the characters your whole life! I highly recommend checking them out...you won't be disappointed.

Writing on the Wall Wednesdays

Okay lets try again...I haven't been very good at a frequent Wednesday thing, so here we go. I was introduced this year to a wonderful childrens book author by my good friend and cousin-in-law Lisa. The authors name is Emily Gravett. I love all of her stuff. Her most recent book is called Meerkat Mail, but all her others are just as entertaining! I love Wolves, The Odd Egg, and Little Mouse's Biggest Book of Fears just to name a few! If you get a chance check out her official website www.emilygravett.com. Take a look I'm sure you'll enjoy...

Mmmmmm......

I am looking forward to a weekend full of food, family and fun. I love it when everyone gets together to eat delicious food, and catch up after many busy months apart! I am in charge of homemade rolls, and a couple of the pies. I'm thinking a pumpkin and some chocolate pies will do the trick. Bring on the whip cream!

Vintage Etsy

Oh how I love Etsy! My sister has me seriously hooked...there is definitely no turning back now. These vintage items caught my eye today.

New Things

So my shopping spree to Urban Outfitters was not as successful as I had hoped. Apparently the Canadian version of the store does not carry all of the same stuff that's online (that's not to say they don't have awesome stuff!)... with that said I did not come home empty handed! (and now I'll just have to do some online ordering!)

These are my fun new things:












On another note...I discovered these adorable decals at Ikea last week, and have been trying to find a room in which to put them.