Best Christmas Ever

Our Christmas was all sorts of perfect. Eloise was full of Christmas delight and her sincere gratitude for each and every gift filled Chris and I with so much pride. She thanked the gift giver with a hug and a kiss and continuously proclaimed throughout the day, "This is the best Christmas ever!" And it was.

For months Eloise talked about the pink princess computer that she hoped Santa would bring. Her desire for this particular toy seemed to come from nowhere, then I pressed for why and it turned out she just wanted send emails like I do. Oh my little sponge! I was a bit reluctant to purchase a toy computer since cheap plastic, electronic, noise-making toys really aren't my jam, but Santa wishes trump parental objections. When Eloise saw her pink computer she did a little happy dance, clutched it to her chest, looked up to the ceiling (aka The North Pole) and said, "Oh Santa, thank you! It's my perfect pink computer!" I figured that the computer would have Eloise's undivided attention for the rest of the day but she opened up every gift with equal amounts of wonder and appreciation. Frozen was the other hit of the day and Eloise teetered around in light-up Elsa shoes from Unky T clutching her skating Elsa Barbie from my best friend, Di.

Christmas excitement proved to be too much for our youngest participant and Spencer didn't sleep for more than 30 minutes all day. But even without sleep he was his delightful self. Santa brought him a Manchester United ball (which, let's be honest, was also for Chris) and he was spoiled by our friends and family with awesome toys and adorable clothing (see navy polka dot bow tie above).

My parents - or Other Santas - surprised Spencer and Eloise with gorgeous wooden wagon that has big sturdy wheels and enough cargo space to cart two kids to and from the Papa park. We took the wagon for its inaugural journey to run errands, hauling a giant bag of dog food, diapers, baby supplies AND Eloise, no problem.

Our Christmas was lazy, fun and relaxing, filled with drinking, eating and playing with new toys. The kids were spoiled, we were spoiled and all of the prep required to get organized for the day was totally worth it. I can hardly wait for next year.

Christmas Lite

I didn't go over the top decorating for Christmas this year and I like it. Sometimes simple can be better. Our tree last year was just too full and too big and by Christmas day I felt claustrophobic with Christmas clutter. This year most everything is gold, silver and green which is perfect for our small house. I did the planters outside of our front door with cedar, pine and magnolia, adding some sprayed gold sprigs and glittered pinecones. Chris wrapped the posts in lights and I added a boxwood wreath to the front door. Inside, a few more wreaths, some lighted gold glittered tress, green garland, the new advent calendar and our Christmas tree. That's it.

Last weekend we trimmed our tree - a rather sparse Charlie Brown - and I swear the thing has more ornaments than branches. Lights are dripping off the boughs with three or four ornaments each but boy is it sparkly. For the first time ever I have wrapped all of my gifts, including stocking stuffers, with time to spare. I used kraft paper leftover from an event and tied the presents with organza ribbon in olive green or black and white stripe grosgrain. For tags I used mini chalkboard closepins I had in my candy bar supplies and not only do they look great, I can pat myself on the back for coming up with a pretty yet sustainable wrapping accoutrement. Matchy-matchy gifts also make my a-type personality awfully happy.

Christmas Lite, it's a good thing.

Santa Baby

I spent four hours at the mall with both kids one day last week so I could tackle some of my Christmas shopping. Four hours at the mall at Christmas time is bad enough, so I'm sure you can imagine how it was with a baby and three year old in a double wide stroller (which I love, for the record).

The stroller baskets were packed to the gills with snacks, toys to keep Spencer occupied, diapers & wipes, changes of clothing and on top of each hood I loaded our coats, shopping bags and an odd assortment of clothing items that Eloise insisted on peeling off. By hour three the kids were slightly cranky but I was so close to done that we had to push on. By hour four I was the cranky one and ready to go. But then Eloise noticed Santa, who we had walked past several times already, and insisted it was time to go see him.

I had planned to take Eloise and Spencer to see Santa, just not this day. I wanted them to be dressed in Christmas outfits, or at least have on clean clothing and clean faces, but opportunity knocked and Eloise decided that the time for Santa was now. I gave both kids a baby wipe wash, smoothed Spencer's hair, fixed Eloise's headband and that was that.

But, you know what, their Santa photo is absolutely perfect. Eloise was so excited to tell Santa her Christmas wish and introduce her little brother, and their faces say it all.

Our Advent Calendar

I did it, I showed that white felt who was boss and made a really amazing advent calendar just in time for ... December 3rd! Close enough to the first of the month, right?

The process was more complicated and labour intensive than it needed to be, but once I started I was not going to give up. First, I cut out the pockets and decoratively top stitched them before gluing them to the felt base. I carefully glued every (painstakingly) hand-cut number to the pockets and for a finishing touch added my favourite pom-pom fringe in red. Phew, done! Nope, the glue holding the pockets to the base failed so I had to stitch them on, which took hours. Then the calendar still needed 'something more' so I made a ruffle with a piece of tartan and affixed ribbons to a dowel for hanging. The finished product is just what I had hoped: a lovely keepsake for Eloise and Spencer to enjoy for years.

I didn't get as far as organizing what would use to fill each calendar day but I've been able to get by with found objects. Leftover halloween candy filled days three, four, five, a necklace from a recent wedding event was perfect for day six, I went with a candy cane for day seven, a Kinder Surprise snuck into the cart at the grocery store for day eight and Lindt truffles from my personal stash for day nine, ten and eleven. Except Eloise informed me today she doesn't like Lindt truffles... and would prefer Pez. Not up to her, but I also happen to have a Pez refill kicking around so she just might be onto something. 

The Problem with White Felt

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I'm all about making special Christmas memories for Eloise and Spencer and now that November is nearly over, it's time to get this Christmas show on the road.

Chris took Eloise to Walmart on the weekend in search of lights for the cherry tree in the backyard and to wrap around the pillars at our front door. We both really, really hate Walmart for all sorts of reasons and I know it took a lot for Chris to willingly make the trip. The only problem is that the lights he brought home were the LED "cool white", which I despise. I think they look eerie and make everything feel cold and uninviting, good for Halloween, not for Christmas. Chris was understandably unimpressed when I explained that the lights will have to be returned. His look in response told me I will be the one responsible for taking them back.

Lights we'll figure out later, my focus now is on an advent calendar. Last year I bought a bunch of felt to 'whip' up an advent calendar but never got around to it. This year I am determined to create something that will become a family Christmas tradition for years to come. I want to make a special advent calendar that we can use annually and fill with little surprises - a candy cane, a hair bow, a tree ornament - for the kids to open each day instead of purchasing throw-away chocolate calendars year after year. The problem is I don't know where to start. So far I have two metres of white felt and no plan. I just keep starting at it expecting something to come to me, but no luck. There is something considerably uninspiring about white felt and perhaps that was my first mistake.

I have been cruising Pinterest for ideas and there are so many good ones for advent calendars!  Some of the sweetest advent calendars I've come across are as simple as paper packages clipped with numbered clothespins or small craft boxes glued to a board and stamped muslin bags strung on garland. Sadly, none of these involve felt. 

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Just for Me

This Christmas I found it hard to put together a wish list that wasn't made up of practical items. Shelving for our kitchen, a desk chair, closet organization and a deep saute pan are all things we actually need, so they took priority. After seeing my list - even adults in our family are required to send around a Christmas list - my Dad asked what I really wanted. To be honest, shelves for the kitchen are something I really want, but if you're still wondering, Dad, I have a few more ideas that are (mostly) just for me.

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A fun umbrella for rainy days, a chambray tunic to fit over top of maternity pants (and a growing bump), some pretty gold bracelets, a luxurious candle in a favourite scent, a set of effervescent stemless champagne flutes, black booties with fabulous fringe, and a stylish (and still super comfy) desk chair for all those endless emails. Merry Christmas to me!

Baby It's Cold Outside

Indigo is a holiday wonderland this year. Their holiday collection is fabulous with so many home decor pieces and gift ideas (hello, look at that gold E!) to inspire the holiday spirit. Sequined throw pillows, gilded trays, effervescent glassware, and Kate Spade paper goods, I want it all!

Since I can't bring everything home I'll settle for sharing the items I'm coveting most.

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PS. In case you're wondering, Christmas is just 37 days away!

Little Mommy

I read on Friday that there are 60 days until Christmas (thanks a lot Globe & Mail), which means that as of today there are only 58. Forget that Halloween hasn't even happened, my wheels are spinning to dream up crafts and gifts for what I consider the MOST wonderful time of the year. 

Eloise has entered a very nurturing "little mommy" stage and I am in full support of this. I was obsessed with my dolls as a girl and I'm quite happy to feed into Eloise's desire to play with them too. When she's not playing mommy to her main squeezes, Piggy & Pengy, Eloise takes great care of her doll, Baby Emma. Emma gets pushed around in her stroller and carried everywhere in her little bed but Eloise informed me that she would really like for Santa to bring Emma "a susu and some cwoving". Santa is on it. 

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As it turns out, furnishing an entire wardrobe for Baby Emma - a Mon Premier Tidoo Doll from Corolle - is going to be expensive. Any outfits I can find that fit this particular doll, and the pickings are kinda slim, run around $25. I can do better than that! 

(Except for this one... this Corolle outfit is going to be pretty hard to top.)

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A quick look on Etsy and EBay for 12" baby doll clothing didn't give me much more so I'm going to do what I usually end up doing and just make it. I can fudge the patterns by copying Baby Emma's own sleeper and use beautiful fabric scraps and fancy trimmings to sew up "cwoving" for Christmas. I'll end up getting the Corolle accessory pack as the "susu" seems to be really important to E, but the rest I can do myself. Baby Emma may even end up with new bedding for her possibly to-be-painted-turquoise crib. But with only 58 days and counting, I don't want to over commit. 

Eloise's Little Kitchen

A DIY play kitchen has been on my mind for a long time. The huge plastic monsters at big box stores just don't do it for me and I have always preferred the idea of repurposing an old piece of furniture into a little kitchen of my own making. I was lucky to come across a very inexpensive bedside table ($9!!) and with assistance from my parents - we're a crafty bunch - Eloise's play kitchen came to life, just in time for Christmas morning.

Here is what I started with, a 21.5" tall x 13.5" wide x 16.5" deep sad looking bedside table from the Salvation Army. It also had that classic 'thrift shop' smell. What is that anyway?

To get started I removed the hardware and marked out where the holes for the sink and oven door glass were to be. My Dad cut the holes and then I sanded and patched any holes with wood filler.

By this time the kitchen was starting to look much less like a bedside table. With just a few days to go before Christmas I finally got around to priming.

And finally, it was time to paint. I used leftover paint from our turquoise sideboard, which itself was a freebie. Two coats of paint, et voila!

Such a fabulous colour.

Next it was time for details. I used epoxy to adhere a piece of tinted plexiglass (cut to size at the hardware store) for the oven glass and a stainless steel bowl (only $0.49 at the Salvation Army) for the sink and let both dry over night. My dad helped me with the next parts which involved cutting a hole for the faucet and attaching 'hot/cold' handles with nuts and washers so they would spin. The faucet and handles themselves were literally found objects and I adore the brassy patina all three developed from being left out in the elements for some time.

The finishing touches involved sewing a little curtain using leftover fabric and feeding it onto a mini-compression rod saved from the Nook. The oven drawer handle and utensil storage rod are made from IKEA hardware and the hanging crock is from IKEA too. I painted on the stove burners with leftover grey paint from our fireplace and I created the coils by tracing any round items I could find with a sharpie. Very technical.

The stove knobs are some of the original hardware from the sideboard in our living room and I painted on temperature controls with red nail polish. A piece of MDF was glued into place where the bottom drawer used to be and it now serves as storage for extra cookware and play food. Last but not least, a press on LED light is glued inside the oven so Eloise can turn the light 'on' when she wants to check her baking and a retro timer my Mom found at Chapters let's her know when things are done. The 'ding' always makes her giggle.

Much of this project was put together using items we already had around the house and the few things that were purchased were not very expensive. More than anything, this project was a collaboration. I could not have created this kitchen without contributions from my Mom & Dad, cousin Anthony and girlfriend Aliy who made the most amazing coordinating apron and oven mitts which Eloise loving refers to as puppets. You all helped make a little girl's present really special!

Christmas Bliss

The Christmas bliss as I experienced through Eloise yesterday was unbelievably special. From the moment she woke until she finally succumbed to sleep 12 hours later she was a bundle of excitement, laughter and joy. She refused to nap - in fear of missing anything I gather - and crashed hard after playing with many, many, many lovely gifts and keeping us wholly entertained. We are so lucky to have such generosity in our lives.

I loved Christmas crafting this year with tulle, ribbon, baubles and glitter. I will admit a craft fail when it came to making snow globes - who knew striking the right balance between the amount of glycerin and glitter in the water was so precise to making it 'snow' -  but oh well, everything else turned out beautifully.

By far Eloise's play kitchen was my greatest achievement and I am pleased to say she loved it too. Watching her explore the kitchen for the first time yesterday morning and having her cook us 'eggs' all day today means that this present is exactly what I had hoped. I'll share the how-to soon.

Prime Time

You know what I realized this morning? Christmas is in just four days and I have not even primed Eloise's play kitchen. I've been putting it off with everything else going on (plus I hate painting), but you know what? There is just not enough time anymore. If Eloise is going to have her special present to play with on Christmas morning then it's prime time.

Chris took Eloise to Victoria yesterday to see family (I sadly couldn't go because of work) and as much as I miss them, their absence is giving me precious time to actually complete this project and the rest of my Christmas prep. I'm rocking out an all hip hop playlist and getting my paint on.

This is what the night stand looked like when I brought it home:

Then after my Dad cut out a hole for the sink and oven door and I sanded it:

And now, we prime.

Glitter Deer Silhouette

We had a lovely Christmas get together at a friend's today and I fell in love with an incredible deer silhouette she made in gold glitter for the holidays. It is stunning. The best part? She made it out of supplies purchased at the dollar store for less than three dollars!

Isn't it just lovely?

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Here is what you need to make a Glitter Deer Silhouette:

1. Print off a reindeer silhouette from the Internet
2. Trace onto a canvas (any size!)
3. Apply basic Elmer's glue with a paintbrush to silhouette
4. Cover in glitter!

I'll be making one of these tomorrow, and leaving up all year long. Thanks for the inspiration, Marjorie!

Christmas Cold Season

I always get sick in December. When I was little I would actually make myself sick from the sheer excitement of the holidays: concerts at school, dance recitals and THE biggest day of the year, Christmas morning. Now I just get sick from being worn down. Like everyone else I know, by December I'm simply exhausted.

Christmas cold season struck early this year and I am recovering from a knock-you-off-your feet bout with the flu. I spent Sunday to Thursday in bed, not easy to do while caring for a toddler and working, but as always I had amazing support and my recovery came just in time to take Molly to see the Nutcracker last night. It was her first ballet ever and it was pretty darn special.

Sickness over with, I am now feeling terribly behind in my Christmas preparations. I have not baked a cookie, completed nearly half of my intended crafts and still have most of the people on my list left to buy for. What I really want is to lie down on the couch and have a drink.

Dear Santa

Dear Chr - er - Santa,

It's hard to believe that Christmas is just over two weeks away! This year is going to be so special with Eloise and I can't wait to see her excitement on Christmas morning.  Her play kitchen is going to be spectacular!

I know that Christmas is about the kids but I thought I should mention that I've been really good this year too. In case you were looking for gift inspiration I've put together a wish list of items I've been coveting all year. Fingers crossed that I made your nice list!

Merry Christmas!
xo Jordan

A stylish waterproof jacket for rainy days at the park. 

A pair of chelsea booties.

 (With sparkle? Yes please.)

 A sauté pan for winter stir fries.

A bottle of my signature scent.

A lace peplum shell to wear with black trousers for weddings.  

A 21" drop bed skirt to completely cover the legs of our bed.

An emerald handbag. It's the colour of the year, after all.

And Santa, I know how much you dislike Christmas shopping (for items the Elves cannot produce) so here's hoping that my wish list helps take some of the shopping-stress away. If not, there's always my birthday :)

Salt Dough Ornaments

Remember making salt dough ornaments in preschool? I do. My mom still hangs them on our Christmas tree.

I thought salt dough would be an easy Christmas craft to do with Eloise so I found a recipe online and invited our friends Ashleigh & Sawyer over with the idea of doing hand prints of the kids to hang on the tree. Except Eloise would not put her hand in the dough ... "No, 's sticky!" she said.

Since Eloise wasn't in the crafting mood I used some cookie cutters and made a bunch of holly leaves, bells, trees and two random rhinos for the tree. Or maybe for gift tags.

Salt Dough

1/2 cup table salt
1 cup all purpose flour
1/2 cup warm water

Combine all ingredients mix for 5-8 minutes, until the dough has formed and is no longer sticky. Roll dough onto a floured surface, 1/4 inch thick. You'll need lots of flour for rolling. Once cut into desired shapes, bake ornaments at 200 degrees for 4 hours or until dry. I know this sounds like a long time but you want to bake them this long to avoid bubbles in the dough.

Before cutting out shapes I made a pattern on the rolled dough with a Christmas script stamp. My mom has an extensive collection of cookie cutters so I was able to sample from her stash, but you could even use a glass for a simple circle. Use a straw on skewer to make a hole for hanging.

This is one of my almost-finished ornaments. Pretty right? For the finishing touch I'm going to add some gold leaf.

21 Days

There are just three weeks to go until Christmas Day and I wish I could say it looks like the holidays around here, but it does not. Chris managed to put up the Christmas lights on Sunday, but once he had completed the installation he found out that half of them were no longer working. Bah humbug.

We're going to get our tree this weekend and I'm determined to finally get a coat of primer on Eloise's play kitchen, but apart from that I'm not feeling very inspired. Maybe we need to load the PVR with Christmas classics? Actual classics like It's a Wonderful Life and Miracle on 34th Street are always charming, but who doesn't love Home Alone, Elf and Love Actually? And, does Serendipity count?

I took Eloise to the Christmas train in Stanley Park tonight which she loved and I'm hoping to get her to Park Royal to see Santa sometime next week (he's a Miracle on 34th Street kinda guy). Our repertoire of Christmas tunes should set the tree trimming mood this weekend and with that in mind I'll leave you with my most favourite Christmas song of all ...