Hello my sweets! Did you think that I wasn’t coming back? I have to be honest, I almost thought I wasn’t for a moment there. Life has been extra busy (in a happy way) and I just couldn’t keep up with the blog. I found myself feeling pretty guilty about it at first, thinking things like why don’t I have back up posts to use when needed and other bloggers seem to keep up with their blog, life, general fabulousness, why can’t I?

THEN, I just put the internets out of my mind. I focused on enjoying all the things I’ve had going on, our reno’s, my Mr. birthday, our out of town excursions, etc. And I began to feel much better.

UNTIL, I started thinking does my blog matter? There are so many amazing blogs out there, would anybody miss mine if I didn’t return?

FINALLY, I said, put away that tiny violin Nat!! That’s not your stylo.

So, here I am. I’ll be here for the rest of the week. And probably next week too. Because, I really do like it here. And I like you. xx

TODAY’S LOVE TIP: Slow down and recharge. For a day, a week, an hour, you decide. Read some cheerful chick lit, go for a walk with your family (holding hands a MUST in my book), take a couple deep breaths. Ahhhh…

1. It’s even chilly inside! Thank goodness for cozy slippers. While hanging out at home today my hands were freezing and I looked down at my toasty feet and thought, man, someone needs to invite slippers for your hands!!!! Duh, Nat. They’re called gloves. Mommy brain strikes again.

2. Strapping bells to various body parts has made for some top notch entertainment while stuck inside.

3. Bring on the hot bevies! I drink from the never ending fountain of warmth.

4. Pretty view from our lower deck. Ok, now melt. Thanks.

5. Has anyone tried EOS lip balm? I just bought Sweet Mint, and my lips are doing a serious happy dance. It smells and taste delish. It totally moisturized my dry lips and it’s super fun to use/roll on the floor (a bonus if you have a dog, small child, or if you just like that sort of thing).

6. There’s something about the snow that has thrown me into a potentially problematic bake, eat, snack, eat, bake, eat cycle. When I need a break from vegetables like chocolate cake and cinnamon buns I can’t resist grabbing a handful of this crunchy Kashi cereal.

Enough of my nonsense. I have tons more Pinspiration coming atcha next week, so until then, stay warm and cozy my lovelies and have a happy weekend!! xx

PS – Don’t forget to check out the fantabulous Burnish Giveaway!!

1. I’ve reigned in the holiday bling to one sparkly nail.
2. Ohhh, Ferrero Rocher, you are my Christmas Kryptonite.

3. A deep conversation about a crow is had at the park.

4. Classy & romantic, nachos eaten from the pan, tasty champers and the ever-present baby monitor.
5. A winter beach adventure.

6. Who knew a light switch cover plate could be so darn swanky! New stainless steel covers for our kitchen outlets.
7. Tea. Earl Grey. Hot.

8. Years from now I may look back on this time in my life and say why so much leopard? Nah.
9. While I’m not complaining about my collection of bags, this little gem is my sister-in-laws. Loverly hey?!

10. His.
11. Hers.

12. Planned to wear this.
13. Actually wore this.

14a. Why is it soooooo appealing to cut your own hair before you go to bed? Brush teeth…wash face…cut bangs?
14b. I am now jonsing to start an indie girl band called Midnight Bangs!
14c. Wow, I just caught the double entendre there. Well, that should make us popular.

Can you believe that it’s the last day of November? Holy Moly, where did the year go??

I’m just starting to feel human again after another stomach flu (pretty much the worse thing in existence). It’s been a special few days and I even have some chipped teeth to prove it (don’t ask). I’ve been living in sweatpants and my Mr’s t’shirts, so I’m sadly lacking in outfit posts.

But I do have some kitchen odds and ends to blabber on about! What do you think, can kitchen stuff be exciting or is your oven just used for storage like Carrie?

Here are a few of my favourite things in my kitchen and a few more that I’d like to add:

2012 Stendig Calendar

I have a huge empty wall by my kitchen table that is crying out for this calendar…which is, dun dun dun…SOLD OUT. Aww man!

Joseph Joseph Melamine Bread Bin in White

I don’t think I’ve ever been lustful towards a bread box until now. However, there is a good chance that in several days I will be blaming this craziness on too much neocitran *bases covered* fffeeeww.

Ikea Bondis Wall Clock

Tick tock goes the clock. Although, not really. We’ve had this clock for a while and I don’t think I’ve heard a tick. Or a tock for that matter. It’s fairly large and oh-so awesome in my opinion. It’s one of my favourite Ikea buys.

Bodum Bistro Toaster in Chrome

I also have this toaster and I LOVE it. Doesn’t it look like can make a mean piece of toast? And fight crime? Yes, yes it does.

Leah Duncan Tea Towels

I was searching Etsy for towels (I figured I might want a few with straight seams) and I stumbled upon Leah Duncan’s shop. And now, I’m obsessed with everything there. Towels and so much more!

So, my lovelies, what is your favourite thing in your kitchen? What would you like to add?

Don’t forget to check out the totally fab Gwen Delicious Giveaway! One more day to enter!! OXO

My mom gave me some little animal cookie cutters this past weekend and I couldn’t wait to use them. Torn between various cookie/cracker flavours I ended up using this recipe. The results were super cute, but I found the dough difficult to roll and the cookie itself wasn’t very tasty. Nevertheless, I’m excited to try again and I’m thinking of going cheesy this time around. Does anyone have a cracker or cookie recipe to recommend?

A few of my favourite things. Stripes, this necklace and my go-to jacket (seen here, here, and here).

My Thanksgiving Apple Pie. I used this recipe for the dough, and this recipe for the apple filling. Highly recommended, despite the amount of work!

With a chill in the air, my little lady needed a new (and ridiculously cute) toque. Who doesn’t love a kid in a silly hat?

Bright and cheery sunflowers brighten our kitchen table. Thanks Mr! xx

The beginning of my closet revamp and the cool kids sit upfront.

Ever since I posted these pics of our wedding/honeymoon, I’ve been seriously craving a mojito. We finally got around to making our own. Yum.

My current go-to, lazy hair style, is this mussed-up side pony with hair wrapped around the elastic.

I wonder if anyone else was a little bit afraid of the new Altoids packaging. I almost didn’t want to try one, thinking that perhaps a disgruntled factory worker snuck a scary batch through.

I’m looking forward to dinner with my family at my mom’s house this weekend. She always has the prettiest flowers from her garden on display.

Our week was full of wonderful play dates. Yesterday we had a picnic in the park and then strolled though a wonderful little petting zoo. I’m pretty sure that these two are plotting their escape.

Photo tales from a little weekend adventure. We left our rock to go to a much smaller rock for the day.

Breakfast of champions: my current treat of choice.

Totally cool and yet, kinda creepy at the same time, no?

Lovely eclectic treasures hung outside a gift shop on the tiny Gulf Island.

Reeefreshing!

Organic Ice? Get out.

Mr. was kind enough to snap a few outfit shots for me while we were away, look for those on Monday.

Wishing you the loveliest of weekends! xx