A Lovely Thing About Christmas...

"A lovely thing about Christmas is that it is compulsory, like a thunderstorm, and we all go through it together..."-Garrison Keillor

Ah, Christmas. Obligatory church (that we always enjoy), fried ham sandwiches, Nat King Cole and family. Nothing beats it. Traditions, they are funny things, everyones are different and equally as important....  I hope everybody has a wonderful holiday season, whether they celebrate or not, that traditions were repeated with vigor and that the new year brings all kinds of new and wonderful experiences. For now check out some very festive inspiration!
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Love all of this...every last bit!

Rectangle wreath!

White on white..with handmade felt rosettes!

Bling!

Very unique

My Favorite!

What my parcels looked like this year. Cute right?

I Believe That If Life Gives You Lemons...

"I believe that if life gives you lemons, you should make lemonade...and try to find someone who's life has given them vodka...and have a party!"- Ron White

I was on Cupcakes and Cashmere and was inspired! Infused liquors! Sure, I have done all that before...raspberries make awesome vodka and even better vessels to put vodka in my belly. But! I had never thought using that as a gift. Brilliant!

Here is what I did... I bought a massive, I am talking big enough to comatose a couple of people, bottle of vodka. I sliced up a lemon, pulled off some fresh mint and opened up a pomegranate. I poured the vodka in mason jars, added a few slices of lemon, a couple sprigs of mint and some pomegranate seeds. I sealed them up and let them sit for four days. The vodka turned pink, and I strained it and poured it into individual bottles...to be served with soda and a slice of lime, or however the recipient likes to dress up their vodka!
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The idea Of Licking Stamps...

"The idea of licking stamps seemed like great fun to me!"- Moon Unit Zappa

I like to be just a little bit crafty, just a little thrifty and I also like to ensure people know a little bit of time and effort was put into their gifts. One way I do this is by making my own tags for gifts. Super simple, cost effective and they make the gift seem a little more festive (I do think Martha S.would approve!).  This year I went for lime green...I usually do black and silver but my wrapping paper is tartan with a black ribbon so I thought the green packed a bit of a sparkly punch!

What I do:

Cut small pieces of card stock (I used cream), used a festive stamp in festive ink and edged it with glue and glittered the glue while still damp. I went with "JOY" and a really fun partridge in a pear tree one! Cute right?
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Life Would Be Better If...

"Life would be better if girls had mute buttons, boys had edit buttons, bad times had fast forward buttons and good times had pause buttons."-Unknown

A nurse on the birth unit got creative and started to make earring's, selling them for $6, proceeds to fund her nursing licence as she was on maternity leave. They are cute fabric covered buttons and after purchasing two pairs, I had to try and make them myself. They are super simple, everything you need can be purchased at Walmart and they are a perfect budget-busting,DIY gift for friends during the holiday season.

You will need:
-assorted fat quarters of fabric (a buck square)
-earring posts and backs
-hot glue gun
-fabric coverable buttons

The directions are on the back of the button box, but you basically cut a small square of fabric, a little bigger than the button you will be covering. Place fabric followed by button in the white rubber holder, tuck the edges in and place button back on top. Pop back into place with the smaller ring they provide. Next push down the grommet used to sew button to shirt and use the hot glue gun to glue the earring post in place. Let cool and voila! Perfectly adorable earrings for you and your friends at about a quarter a pair. If that isn't budget friendly, I don't know what it!
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I Am Six-Foot-Two, Four-Hundred Pounds

"I am six-foot-two, four-hundred pounds. I may look like the guy on the ten most wanted, you know I am nothing to be scared of. Well I'm no fun on a teeter totter honey, your feet will never touch the ground. I'm gonna do more for you than those other guys could, I'm gonna love you pound for pound."-Matt Andersen


Matt Andersen...where do I even begin? A home grown East Coast phenomenon hailing from small town New Brunswick, he plays the guitar like I have never seen before. His lyrics are witty and he has huge and endearing stage presence (and not just because he is a large man with large chops and large hair). And man oh man, can he ever sing the blues. He is the first Canadian EVER to win top prize at the International Blues Festival in Memphis and he tours over 200 venues a year. If you ever get the chance to see him, don't pass it up. I took my father to the Indian River Music festival for his birthday and I recently took my boyfriend here in Halifax. Neither had seen him live before and both had their minds blown away. Keep in mind he sells out fast, often doesn't have an opener and his only back up is a bass his very talented friend plays. Tickets are reasonably priced and he often plays for three hours... I can't wait to see him again!
Check him out at  www.stubbyfingers.ca
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Not  a bad venue eh?

Indian River Church!

After All....

"After all, it is not where one washes one’s neck that counts but where one moistens one’s throat."
- Djuna Barnes

I am a lover of all hole-in-the-wall spots. The kind of places that just sort of sneak up on you, are totally unassuming but with a great cup of coffee. After hearing a little bit of buzz about a little spot in the North End, I had to check out Coastal Cafe and see what all the fuss was about. There are only a handful of tables, interesting art and dozens of unique menu items. I am talking lamb and goat cheese tacos, salt and pepper in old Perrier bottles and wake-you-up-with-one-sip steaming hot coffee. This is my kind of haunt. My mother enjoyed it just as much as I did. Perfect place for breakfast, lunch, people watching and reading The Coast. Check it out  at http://www.thecoastal.ca/. Enjoy!
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My Brunch of eggs, salsa and guac. served up one one big, crunch tortilla! Yum!