"Litte Lamb" Birthday Party



How adorable is this? I love everything about this sweet 1st birthday party - the soft neutral colors, textures and even the cute little lambs (for some reason I've always been drawn to lamb stuffed animals). The colors and theme also work for a baby shower - whether it's for a girl or boy, or even if it's a surprise!





via: Hostess with the Mostess

A Touch of Blush



There's nothing like a touch of pink to make a room feel instantly happy! It's especially easy to do with fresh flowers. I often buy flowers for our dining room table but I think will start buying some for our bedroom too. It's such a nice romantic touch. What's your go-to color to give some life to a room?







via: pinterest



WedLuxe Wedding Show



We've all been to the typical wedding shows, filled with vendor after vendor grabbing for your attention, collecting brochures and signing up for this and that. Some exhibits are nice enough to catch your eye and make you want to stop and chat for a bit. As for me, even though I discovered a great photographer or two at the last show I attended in September, half the time I was practically dodging most vendors. Know what I mean?

If you weren't able to attend Wedluxe's first wedding show this past weekend, all I have to say is you MUST attend next year! I attended for work and my-oh-my am I happy to have had the opportunity! It took place at the Ritz Carlton Toronto and let me tell you, this was a show like no other. It was an experience. It was pure luxury to say the least.

There were fresh peonies and roses everywhere and guests were treated with scrumptious hors d'oeuvres, mini desserts and pink refreshments. Ladies went to the beauty lounge for manicures, mini-makeovers, hairstyle trials and chose products to bring home with them from the 'swag bar'. If this weren't enough, there was tea time at the Kate Spade-inspired tea room and even a place for the grooms-to-be to hang - in the "grooms lounge", complete with flat screen TV's, black leather couches and a bar. 

In the early morning, way before all the brides-to-be rushed in, I had a moment when I walked through the Kate Spade tea room and into heaven. I literally got goosebumps on my arms! It was basically the WedLuxe magazine come to life and an experience I will never forget. Here's a little peak into my experience:

{guests entered the show under a canopy of fresh roses}

{the beauty lounge: mani's and makeovers and sweet treats, oh my}

{Kate Spade-inspired tea room}
{magical}

{lovely cupcakes}

{whimsical beauty}

{modern perfection}

{work of art}

{heaven}

xoxo

Hello 2012!


{keeping with my purple and silver theme this year}


Happy New Year loves! How did you celebrate New Year's Eve? 

Yesterday was a special day; in the afternoon we had one of my oldest and dearest friends over for dessert and coffee with her husband and three adorable children. Later that evening we hosted a New Year's Eve party for the first time. We were six, which was perfect. The night was filled with great food, great company, games, dancing and lots of laughs! May this year be sweet and everything you hope for!

{Pre-New Year's mango tequila shot with my oldest friend} 

{a rare photo of me here!}

{getting ready for champagne and celebrating at midnight}

{those who play together, stay together}

xoxo

Bye Bye 2011! (an honest look back)





Well, another year has come and gone, Happy New Year's everyone! What are you up to tomorrow night?

It's been a wonderful year, full of happy moments and some great accomplishments along the way. There were highlights in my career, which included a promotion, working amazing events and traveling to some great places, such as Vancouver and Las Vegas. At home we hosted several get-togethers with family and friends, which brought us closer together since we were never really equipped to do so in the past. It was the first year in our home, some little things which meant a lot: having a spacious home, enjoying the luxuries of having a lovely deck in the backyard with a barbecue, eating outside and having a pool across the street (I do love to tan...). I also met some great people through this blog, twitter and instagram. 

The major highlight was of course getting engaged while we were on an amazing vacation in Mexico! (This experience actually opened my eyes unexpectedly to the other relationships in my life, did this happen to you?).

There have also been some challenges, mostly in maintaining balance in my life. This year was a toughie, I have to say. Between balancing a full time career, traveling for work, home responsibilities (there are a lot more rooms to clean!), a relationship, taking care of my future step-daughter on weekends, seeing family and friends, writing on my blog, planning a wedding and finding time for me, let alone have my 'beauty nights', it was enough to bring me to a breaking point more than a few times. I wonder sometimes how do people do it all?

I didn't take care of myself very well and somewhere along the way I realized that I lost a part of myself. The fun, carefree, creative, romantic, loving person I used to be was hidden somewhere underneath all the stress. I was thisclose to hiring a cleaning lady and a wedding planner and calling it a day. Alas, in order to avoid going completely nuts, I told myself to stop feeling guilty, I could only do so much, focus on one thing at a time and hey, you can't please everyone.

Needless to say there are a few things I'd like to accomplish in 2012:

1. At the top of my list: focus on my well-being (more sleep, exercise, healthier diet, and some pampering never hurt anyone: massages, facials and a regular beauty routine - gotta bring my Friday night beauty rituals back!). 
2. Balance: get priorities straight and create some sort of schedule or routine that works.
3. Relationships: Invest more time with loved ones and have regular date night!
4. Get creative: blog more regularly and start some projects I've had in mind for quite some time now (open to collaborations, let me know!)
5. Relax. Simplify. Less is more!
6. Home: Finish some major projects such as redoing our bedroom and my girl cave.
7. Plan our wedding!
8. Be happy, be me :)

I'd love to know what are some of your New Year's resolutions??

Thank you to all my sweet readers for always being supportive, I appreciate all your comments! I'm so ready for a fresh start and am looking forward to an exciting 2012, stay tuned!  xo


Christmas at Home

 
 {Purple, lilac and silver this year}

Happy Holidays my sweets! I hope you've had a wonderful time with your loved ones. We had a great time with our families for Christmas and are looking forward to some get-togethers with friends this week. 

It's so nice to relax at home during the holidays, isn't it? Here's a little peak into our home this Christmas. I usually like to decorate my tree gold and white, but this year felt like having fun and going for a some color! I find this combo so happy, modern and pretty. What was your color scheme this year?
 


{Christmas prep the night before}


 
 {the morning after}

xoxox


Wishing You A...


 
{ my instagram}


Days of December



Mon Petit Amour Baby

Hello my sweets, did you have a good weekend? It's almost mid-December, Christmas is just around the corner! This weekend I started the pre-holiday preparations so as not to be rushing at the last minute (ie.: cleaning the fridge, oh joy). 

We put the tree up last week, which I'll feature on a Christmas post coming up. May sound silly, but since I've always lived in an apartment, it was so nice to put a wreath up on our door and I'm excited to put Christmas lights outside on our front porch!  

Have you started Christmas shopping? Almost everyone I've spoken to is late in this department, us included.

We're hosting two dinners this year and I'm so looking forward to it! Being pretty much settled in by now we're all set, and I've taken the 23rd off to prepare. What are you lovelies doing for the holidays? 

Here's some Etsy love:


Denizgunes Knitting



Jersey Ice Cream Co.


Giardino

 

 La Rae Boutique 


Trieste Prusso



Neutral Perfection


There's nothing more fresh and modern than a room with grey walls and white accents. These rooms leave me wanting to paint the entire house in neutral shades of grey and taupe. Love!

{feminine details}

{crisp and calm}


{glamorous}

{trendy and unique}