Fab Pick of Last Week

Piper and Paisley is a little piece of hat lovers' heaven! I'm a sucker for cute caps and there are so many lovely bits for your lid found in this etsy shop that I had trouble choosing just one for the Fab Pick. Pop over to get a closer look at the lovely designs and let me know which is your fav!

Keeping Track of Memories

I have attempted to journal on many occasions and I usually fail miserably. I started for the 8 billionth time two weeks ago and I'm actually on a roll (for me), not writing daily but a few times each week and I'm hoping to keep it up.

Today while touring Orange Beautiful I came across this brilliant journal: One Line A Day. This is a five year journal with enough space to write one memory each day.

This little gem has been added to my Christmas wish list: Oh Miiiiike! :)

Mermaid Sushi

A new design by Gingham Skies: reusable double sided cloth napkins!

These puppies are 10 x 12" when unfolded and sport a funky sushi print on one side with mermaids, octopi and sea turtles on the other.




Hop over to my etsy shop for more details or send me an email with a custom order request: ginghamskies@gmail.com

A gift for Andrew Alan

Little Andrew Alan needs a welcome to the world gift and since his daddy is a DJ we decided music notes would be appropriate.

A fleece backed blankie will keep the wee man warm this winter.


My first attempt at applique on a stretch cotton and I'm pretty pleased with the result.


I hope Andrew likes his gift!

сказочные

These Russian nesting doll measuring cups are FABULOUS! Reasonably priced too. Find them at FredFlare.com

Amazing Costume Set GIVEAWAY!!!!

I'm sad to say I'm just not feeling Halloween this year... weird but true. What I am feeling is this Grosgrain giveaway!! Check out these amazing Alice In Wonderland inspired outfits:


How awesome would these be for dressing up? They would earn a very special place in my tickle trunk.

Pop over to Grosgrain and enter the giveaway: Queen of Hearts and Alice in Wonderland Costume Set GIVEAWAY!!!!

Yellow Finch Designs GIVEAWAY!!!!

I want this necklace, it would look beautiful with one of my many black tops.

Visit Grosgrain for a chance to enter: Yellow Finch Designs GIVEAWAY!!!!

Whooga Ugg Boots Giveaway

There's a stellar giveaway over at Whooga Ugg Boots. The contest is open to anyone in any country; there is a pair of Uggs being given away monthly! Thanks Eterknity for posting this fab find.

Fab Pick of Last Week

Eterknity has done it again! This time their Cabled Sweater Shrugs have caught my eye. I have had the pleasure of trying this beauty on and it's ultra comfy: the perfect little shrug to keep you warm without all the bulk of a traditional sweater. I can't decide which colour I prefer, the jade is stunning!


Check out the shrugs in Eterknity's Bargain Boutique shop but don't stop there, the ladies have a slew of stunning new designs found in their other etsy shop.

Life is good and I am HAPPY

beauty above thanks to r♥ceyt♥y

Author: unknow

One Day...

One beautiful day in the who-knows-how-long-from-now future I will be a mommy AND one day I will cut up my babies clothes (as they grow out of them). Why in the world will I cut them? To create a baby clothes quilt like Hillary Lang from Wee Wonderfuls has done.

I love how she cut pieces with details like ruffles, pockets and buttons!


Maybe I'll make two: one for Mike and I to curl up with our peanut on cold winter nights and one to be tucked away for a gift for my future grown-up baby.

mushi*mushi by Barbara Berrada

mushi*mushi has adorable*adorable designs:


Find these and many more sweet bits here.

"Hooter Hiders" Extraordinaire

Cara Nina used a Bebe au Lait Nursing Cover while breastfeeding little Rosie and it was the prettiest, coolest baby hideaway I've ever seen. Rather than simply tossing a baby blanket over the munchkin and awkwardly trying to hide your breasts you can toss on the "hooter hider" and still make eye contact with your peanut while feeding. The fact that you'll look stylish in the process is just an additional reason why these covers are worth buying.

These are my three favourite designs (in no particular order) and I will definitely be purchasing one before Smidge arrives! Not badly priced either: $35 US with free delivery. Considering it can be a daily use item (depending on how comfortable you are breastfeeding in front of others) I don't think that's too bad at all!

Marmot

Yoko

Papillon

These magnetic bibs are uber cool too - hmmm this is something I could probably make.


And I can't resist posting this picture... I'm sure the reason why will be obvious.

Could this baby be any cuter?!

Just a Smidge

I can't believe it happened so quickly but it did! I'M PREGNANT!! Mike and I are super excited and truly couldn't be any happier. Only three months have gone by since we officially started trying, lucky us!!

We're calling our little appleseed Smidge right now because saying "it" just sounds wrong, he/she sounds like we are having a hermaphrodite (not that that would be a horrible terrible thing), and because the baby is so tiny right now that it's "just a Smidge".

Smidge is due on June 18th 2010 so this blog will remain secret until mid-December at the earliest - then again maybe it won't go public at all. I'm more excited than nervous at this point in time, little thoughts of 'what if something goes wrong' enter my mind every now and then but I'm tring to keep the thoughts at bay so that I don't stress unnecessarily. So far so good so why worry?!

Golden Eggs

I have been having the strangest dreams lately....

Last week I dreamt that my nephew Gabriel and I were on a scavenger hunt. We were riding our bikes until I jumped off of mine to run instead, Gabriel followed. I yelled to him that it would be faster if I carried him and my ten year old nephew lept into my arms and turned into a toddler (still Gabriel but a 1 1/2 year old).

photo credit Michael's Photos!

We ran into a cement room and in the middle of the room was a floor to ceiling cage. I ran around the room hunting for the egg until I glanced up and noticed Gabriel standing very close to the cage. I yelled to him telling him to move away from the cage and at that same moment a large monkey sitting in a tree inside of the cage reached through the bars and dropped a beautiful golden marbled egg into tiny Gabriel's hand.

credit by floridapfe

It was such a strange dream and I can still picture it clearly in my mind. Why in the world did I dream of a monkey, Gabriel and a golden egg?! This is one I'll definitely have to look up!

Stuffed!

photo credit: michibanban

I'm so full I might just float away.

One delicious dinner down and one to go! Today was a mini-thanksgiving - although really the amount of amazing food served was equal to the real deal - with Mike's mom and dad. Wee Michael is sick sick sick so the C's stayed away and we're going to have a belated Thanksgiving with them once the little trooper is feeling better.

Yippee!! I can knock off another one of my 32 New Things! I whipped up some chocolate lava cakes today using this great recipe. Ice cream on the side is a definite must with this rich dessert. The middle wasn't quite as runny as I would have liked but they were still yummy and I will definitely make them again. Don't worry Jo, I still plan to make a batch for our upcoming dinner!

Tomorrow we are hosting Thanksgiving for my side of our family: ten hungry bellies will be in the kitchen filling their faces with goodness at 4pm. Yep, the Low-fat HA Mashed Potatoes everyone loves are on the menu and of course a big ass turkey (yet to be named) with Giblet Gravy and I mustn't forget the delicious Creamy Broccoli Salad. A plethora of veggies, the Mitchell Secret Stuffing (Mom M shared the secret with me this week - I will have to ask her if it's okay to share it with YOU), a pumpkin salad and a slew of pies will also be served. Just the thought of all of the food leaves me feeling full (or maybe that's the pile of stuffing I filled my belly with this afternoon).

Back to prepping for dinner I go!! HAPPY THANKSGIVING EVERYONE!

Not Exactly Wonderland

Went to the pool last night for the first time in weeks with my neighbour and new friend, Anne.
I am feeling the ache today in a major way. Swam for 45 minutes and incorporated the flutter board and foam leg stabilizing thingo: a great workout but hell I'm sore. Yowsas. I feel a bit like Alice must have the day after she fell in the hole chasing the white rabbit.

Been meaning to share some of these stunning images photographed by Elena Kalis.



Read about what inspired Elena to create a Waterland for this little Alice by visiting this site.

Fab Pick of Last Week

Escape to Oz or Alice's Wonderland while looking lovely! Lunarra Star's shop is full of whimsical designs like these sweet ruby slippers inspired by The Wizard of Oz.

Did I ever tell you about the time my friend Rebecca (previously Becky) and I were trapped in her pool thanks to two crazed insulation eating squirrels who wouldn't let us out?

Well for some strange reason the name of this fab Etsy shop reminded me of that story: Squirrel in the Attic has stellar note cards and the best part is the 8 pack offer where you can choose 8 cards from their 'Hey' line to create a custom pack perfect for you!

Here are a few of my favs:


n

i
Super cute designs, dontcha think?

CIBC Run for the Cure

This morning Jo and I completed the CIBC 5 km Run for the Cure. This run/walk is Canada's largest single day fundraising event for breast cancer research and awareness. While ticking off another item on my list of 32 New Things I managed to raise $500 to help a cause that affects far too many women. I have walked the 5km with a group of colleagues the last few years (5 now, I think) but this year Joanne and I ran it and we managed to cross the finish line in 30 minutes.

Breast Cancer is a terrible disease but it is one we can conquer! Education and early detection are key components in the increase of survivors so please take the time to read the information I have pasted below - I've borrowed it directly from the Canadian Breast Cancer Foundation.

Facts About Breast Cancer in Canada

• In 2009 22,700 women will be diagnosed with breast cancer
• In 2008 170 men will be diagnosed with breast cancer
• If a women lives to age 90 she has a 1 in 9 chance of developing breast cancer in her lifetime
• The current 5 year survival rate is 87%

FIVE STEPS TO BEING BREAST AWARE

1. Know how your breasts normally look and feel.
   
2. Know what changes to look for.


3. Look and feel for changes.
   
4. Report any changes to a doctor.
   
5. Go for a free mammogram if you are of the appropriate age, or if recommended by a doctor. By finding breast abnormalities in the early stages, mammograms can save lives. Women at the appropriate age can get a free mammogram through their regional breast screening program.

WHAT TO LOOK FOR
Knowing how your breasts normally look and feel can help you be aware of changes that should be reported to a doctor. Most breast changes will not be cancer, but still should be discussed with a doctor. Changes to look for include the following:

• Changes to the size or shape of one or both breasts.
  
• Unusual, persistent pain in the breast or armpit area.
  
  
• Swelling under the armpit or below the collarbone.
  
  
• Nipple changes, including change in the shape or position of a nipple, or a nipple that becomes pulled inward (inverted).




• Redness.




• Discharge from one or both nipples.




• Lumps or thickening.




• Skin changes, including irritation, rash or scaly skin.




• Dimpling or puckering.

If you are not sure if a change is significant, check again after your next period, or a few weeks later if you are no longer menstruating.


LOOK AND FEEL
There is more than one way to check your breasts. There is no right or wrong way, and no need to follow a particular routine unless that is what works for you. Choose a way that is comfortable for you:

One way to check both breasts is by moving your middle fingers in small circles from the outside of the breast to the nipple. As pictured, cover the surface of each breast, and also check the areas above and below the breasts, including the armpit.

• Each whole breast.




• Above and below each breast.




• Under both arms.




• Men check the same areas.

Become informed about the significant changes to look for in the breast.

Share this information with the women AND men, young and old, in your world!! Prevention is key! Together we CAN fight this battle!

Lovely Labels

Remember Wynn is an awesome etsy shop that I highly recommend you check out. I absolutely adore my vanilla ice cream coloured custom labels! I also ordered a custom guitar pick for a friend but the photo of the pick didn't turn out so you'll just have to trust me when I say it looks stellar! I intend to order an additional pick to act as a Christmas gift topper for my nephew. Excellent prices, fabulous service and speedy delivery: this is a shop I will definitely order from again.

Sweet Style!

Cotton Candy Kitty

Chicken looks stunning in this fabulous pink wig by Kitty Wigs. Yes the model's name is seriously Chicken and yes you can buy one of these... errrr... lovely wigs for your own puss. Check them out here. Hilarious! I think EC would look stunning in this particular style but Mike gave a pretty firm NO when I suggested it. hehe