Soon to be Three!

Yup, we've got some exciting news to share.

Many people spent the majority of their day yesterday in the kitchen cooking, baking and preparing for American Thanksgiving. Although we Canadians celebrated our Thanksgiving in October, I have been doing some cooking of my own... for the last eight-months to be exact. We're expecting!

I totally thought I'd be the kind of person to take a weekly bump photo and do a write up documenting the progress of my pregnancy to post on the old blog but I've learned that I'm not necessarily in control of everything anymore (the first of many new mommy lessons, I'm sure). Truth of the matter? I've been so so sick. Like morning, noon and night sickness for nearly the entire duration of this pregnancy kind of sick. Needless to say, getting in front of a camera and doing a weekly write up just wasn't a priority for me... and that's okay too. I'm so grateful to have a healthy little person growing inside of me even if it means that I'm not always feeling my best.

But with exactly one month to go before our due date and significantly fewer days spent clinging to the edge of the couch, I'm starting to see the light at the end of the tunnel. It is going to be an extra special holiday season this year and we're so incredibly excited!

Is Stationary Dead?

Rare are the days that I actually have to send something by 'snail mail' anymore. Now with email, phone calls, faxes, texts, Facebook messages, blogs, conference calls, e-forums, instant messages, iMessages, bbm messages, Skype, the options for communication are endless.

So when I was required to send a cheque 'the old fashioned way', I realized that I didn't have a single piece of correspondence paper to include with the mailing. I scoured the desk drawers but could only come up with random sheets of 80lb bond paper (ie. printer paper) and some looseleaf I would have to tear out of a notebook. Not acceptable.

During our regular weekend chore run, I dragged Danny through a few different stores in the mall, sure to find a little notepad or stationary set. No problem right? Wrong. Our search produced nothing (well, I did find a notepad with a stylized fork on it but that wasn't exactly what I had in mind).

So I've changed my search approach and decided to turn to the internet instead. I want something simple, classic and versatile. Maybe a flat notecard or simple folding card. I love the look of letterpress but don't know if I could settle on a singular design. Plus, my name will be changing in a few months so I don't want to necessarily commit to a large set of personalized or monogrammed pieces...yet. But I did find some interesting pieces to consider if not right now then at least for future reference.

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Bringing Out the Baby Book

This past week we made a trip back out west for a few days. It was a great opportunity to meet up with family and friends that we hadn't seen in a few months. My parents were even gracious enough to make the 6-hour drive from my hometown to meet up with us and they brought my baby book along with them.

It was fun to go through old photos and 'remember' (or at least be told) what life was like when I was just a little tot. Here are a few of my favs...

I was pretty fortunate to have a professional photographer for a father and a mother who made sure those photos were safely preserved for future reference. Thanks parents!

Do you have a baby book? When is the last time you went through it?

Three Year Anniversary

Last week was our three year anniversary. Normally we try to mark the occasion by dressing up in our pretties and celebrating with a night on the town but this year was a little different.

This year there were long work hours, runny noses and a very early flight the next morning to contend with. So instead, we ran across the street in the rain to grab a pizza, lit a bunch of little candles I had picked up from the dollar store that afternoon, and ate a mini cake I baked ... from a box. Real classy, I know. Definitely not the romantic dinner for two I would normally expect but you know what? ... I enjoyed it just the same.

Because at the end of the day it's not about the dress or the food or the gifts exchanged, but the person I get to spend all the 'non-special' days with.

Happy Anniversary Babe!

That Time of Year Already?

Well, not exactly. I usually roll my eyes at the overload of sleigh bells and twinkling lights that appear even before the jack-o-lanterns have been extinguished. But it dawned on me that I should get a bit of my Christmas shopping done early this year. Danny and I are making a quick trip out West next week and unless I want the hassle and expense of shipping the majority of our gifts across the country this December, I should be a bit proactive and bring them along with us instead.

So, with less than a week before we depart, the (self-inflicted) crunch is officially on!

Fortunately the new Restoration Hardware Gifts catalogue arrived in the mail this week and has been giving me some ideas.

Cashmere Hand warmers. Who doesn't like toasty fingers in the winter months?

Jokes on You Prank Kit - magic ink, hand buzzer, snake in a can, dribble glass. 

I have a couple nephews who would put this to good use for sure.

Faux Fur Throw. I can see myself wrapping up in this at the cabin, hot cocoa in hand.

Iron Wine Caddy. Drinks all around.

I have a feeling we're going to be making an extra stop when out for our usual chore run this weekend. So when do you usually start your holiday shopping?

* All images sourced from RestorationHardware.com
** Not intended to be an endorsement.