Lifestyle & Family

Our Favourite Valentines Day Books

January 24, 2018

We love holidays around here! Christmas, Easter, Valentine’s Day – you name it, we love it! So of course we can’t resist some holiday themed books! My kids each have book ledges in their bedrooms and I love swapping out the books with festive holiday books. I find it encourages them to read more when there are new ones on the ledges, especially if they’re about a new upcoming holiday. A few new Valentine’s Day themed books arrived at our house this week and they couldn’t wait to read them.

I’ve posted links to a few of our very favourite Valentines day books below or you can shop them here too.

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Simple and Delicious Butterscotch Oat Squares

January 22, 2018

My husband grew up eating these oat squares. His mama always used to make them and when we got married she gave me the recipe and I have to say that I quickly came to love them too. They are super simple and quick to make and perfect for when you’re craving something sweet but not too complicated.

Here’s the recipe:

Ingredients:

2 cups of oats

1/2 cup butter melted

1 cup brown sugar

1/2 teaspoon of vanilla extract

Directions:

Combine oats and brown sugar in a bowl. Mix well.

Add melted butter and vanilla. Mix thoroughly.

Spread mixture evenly on the bottom on a baking dish. You want a fairly thin layer (maybe 1/2 inch max.).

Bake at 375 for 10-12 minutes or until golden.

Squares will be soft but will harden on cooling. Allow to cool fully before cutting into squares with a sharp knife and removing.

Now try to eat just 1 square!

Enjoy!

Fashion & Beauty, Home Decor, Lifestyle & Family

First Favourites of 2018

January 13, 2018

There are always so many good deals around the end of the year and so many new products being released for spring in the early new year that I thought it would be fun to post some of my favourite new items I’ve picked up lately. It’s kind of a mix of all sorts of things clearly – some winter items and some spring too which is kind of a reflection of my life right now – stuck in the middle of winter (hello Sorel boots!) but dreaming of spring (hey gorgeous new straw bag!).

1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8

You can also shop most of these items and more here too.

Lifestyle & Family

Newborn Essentials From a Mom of 3

January 2, 2018

As a mama of 3, I have seen and used my share of baby products! I know I have bought stuff I have never used and I have also found some gems I definitely couldn’t live without. Some products have lasted me through all 3 babes but with new products continually being released, I have found some new favourites with my 3rd little babe. I thought I would share a few of my favourites here and hopefully some expecting and new mamas can find it useful. Or if you are looking for the perfect baby shower gift, you might find it here too!

1. The Boon Naked baby bathtub. I got this bathtub with my first little man 5 years ago. I have used it with all three babes and love it. It’s super easy to clean and tilts up on 1 side so a new little babe can lay down easily, then both sides lower to create a mini tub when babe can sit up. It also comes in a few fun colours too.

2. Minimocs. Though maybe not exactly an essential, these are the cutest little shoes for babes and the only ones I have found that actually stay on a babes feet. So many other styles just slip right off. The soft sole is also great for older infants and toddlers learning to walk.

3. Aden and Anais burpy bibs. I love these. The rounded shape fits perfectly on your shoulder so you can toss one over your shoulder when holding your babe (because…spit ups!) and then they easily snap all the way around your babe as a bib when they are feeding later on.

4. The Over Company baby cover. I have tried a lot of nursing covers and this is my favourite. I love that it goes all the way around so you’re not struggling to remain covered from the sides. It is also amazing for sliding over the carseat in the winter or when you just want to keep your new babe tucked away. And it also works as a grocery cart cover. 3 in 1!

5. Live Clean Non-Petroleum Jelly. So good for just putting on babes bum after a diaper change to avoid any rashes. Especially in the early poop days.

6. A Fawn Design diaper bag. Game Changer! I had a typical diaper bag with my first 2 and honestly barely used it. I got this one for my 3rd babe and love it, especially the backpack wearing feature. It’s also stylish enough to be able to use as a purse even after your diaper bag days.

7. The Lolipop Baby Monitor. I love that this camera can wrap around anything making it easy to place and move around the nursery. It also comes in some fun colours.

8. The Nuna Leaf Swing. I love this swing because a) it’s neutral and fits in with my decor and b) it has a more natural and quiet movement. Also, it can be used up to 60kg so even my 3 and 5 year old can go for a swing.

9. The Halo Bassinest. I used a standard pack and play with my first 2 babes but was gifted this for number 3. I love it. Babe can sleep right beside my bed and one side tilts down so you can easily grab babe without having to get out of bed… particularly handy if you’ve had a c section!

10. Honest Baby Wash. Smells great and is made from good ingredients! What else do you need?!

11. The Frida Nose Sucker. I know, sounds gross…but gosh does it work. I’ve tried those bulb syringe style suckers and this beats it 100%. If your babe gets sick you will need this and you will help them out so much with it!

Do you have any favourites I should try? Leave me a comment and let me know!

Lifestyle & Family

A New Year – A New Blog

January 1, 2018

We tend to be pretty low-key around here on New Years. We prefer to stay home, drink sparkling apple juice, play board games with family and watch the big show on TV. Though if I’m being honest, its been years since I’ve made it to midnight ha. This year was much the same, we had some snacks with the kids and played some games and basically just partied it up at home with these fun party headbands and blowers I found.

I don’t have too many resolutions for 2018 ( I would like to exercise more and read more books – but don’t we all though!). I do have a few home decor goals I’d like to accomplish though.

Finish Owen’s room. He’ll be outgrowing his bassinet in no time and we really need to get his room done soon. I’ll be posting more about my plans for his room but it involves wainscoting, wallpaper and new window coverings.
Refinishing our stairs. I’d love to paint them white for that piano effect. My hubby still isn’t on board though so we’ll see if I can convince him… I usually can!
Updating the laundry room. This is a big one… new tile, wallpaper or trim, new cabinets, counter etc. It’ll be a fun one!

I hope you all have a wonderful New Years Eve, whether its spent at home or out partying and a great 2018 too! I can’t wait to see where this blog takes me… its been a dream for many years that I finally took a chance on. Thanks for all your support. Here’s to 2018!

Lifestyle & Family

Wrapping the Perfect Present

December 11, 2017

Some people hate wrapping presents. I am not one of those people – I actually love it! Using pretty paper is a must but I find what really elevates a gift is the little finishing touches, whether it be a pretty piece of ribbon, a personalized ornament, fresh greens or a sweet little gift tag.

I found this paper at Target, its by SugarPaperLA. Being a Canadian girl…this stuff is like gold and quite hard to get your hands on. The Letter Ornaments are from Walmart. The gift tags are by SweetSimplicityPaperco. The greens I cut from our outdoor planters and the pom pom garland I made myself but Anthropologie makes a similar one.