photos are my own

I’m going to take a mini blog break over the holidays, but I’ll be back with lots more goodies next week! Before I go, I just wanted to take a moment to wish you all a wonderful Christmas and all the very best in the new year. If the holiday season happens to bring about heavy hearts for any of you, please know that you are in my thoughts this year.

ps: Thank you all for your wonderful words on my announcement last week. You sure do know how to make a girl feel special

With love,
Jacquelyn

I’ve mentioned in the past that when it comes to wrapping presents I do not mess around. People have since come to expect their Christmas gift to be clad in something crafty (the pressure!) After scouring multiple paper stores around Toronto I’ve come up with a theme: winter mint with a twist (indulge me, won’t you?) The combination of red, white & mint keeps things feeling festive while straying from the a-typical.

Once I wrapped my first present I took a step back and decided that something was missing. The washi tape, twine and polka-dotted gift tags were all well and good, but it needed a bit of pizzazz. After all, I had to compete with that year I swapped wrapping paper for tin foil (some ideas are better than others by the way). So in came the pompom! Once the template was created and cut out the process went pretty quickly (and the template lasted for the 15 others I’ve since made). I’m beyond thrilled with how the entire ensemble came together and cant wait to distribute my gifts come Christmas morning.

Step 1: Trace two small circles onto thick cardstock (or cardboard). As a rule – the smaller your circle, the smaller your pompom. I used a shot glass for this step (keepin’ it classy)

Step 2: Place a smaller template (in my case, a nickel) in the center of your first circle and trace around it

Step 3: Carefully cut your circle templates out (this does not need to be perfect)

Step 4: Place both circle templates together and tie a long length of wool around them

Step 5: Wrap the wool around the templates

Step 6: Keep wrapping…

Step 7: … until it looks something like this. If your length of wool runs out, not to worry, simply tie a new length  on and keep going – nobody will know. (Note: the more times you wrap the string, the denser your pompom will become. This pompom ended up being QUITE full)

Step 8: Holding the wrapped templates between your index finger and thumb, carefully cut the wool using thin, sharp scissors…

Step 9: … until it starts to look something like this

Step 10: Once you’ve cut all around the template, spread the two cardstock pieces apart

Step 11: Thread a short length of wool in between the two cardstock templates and tie it in a tight knot. Then, carefully pull the cardstock templates off at either side. (note: your pompom may need a bit of a trim if he’s looking a little uneven)

Ta da!! Now tie it on to your gift using a ribbon (or twine in my case!)

PS – there’s still a few days to enter the Illume giveaway (a $100 value!) if you havent yet

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Time and time again I turn to Scandinavian design for inspiration (especially when it comes to Christmas). It just really seems like they’re doing it right! A simple, timeless, a tasteful ode to my very favourite holiday.

Do not let the sound of white chocolate peppermint popcorn deter you, for I’m confident that it might just be the best thing you’ll ingest all season. It legitimately looks and tastes like Christmas in the very best way and would make the perfect little gift to hand out this to loved ones in the coming days.

I originally enjoyed a handful (give or take) of a grocery-store version at a holiday party a few weeks ago and haven’t been able to get it out of my mind since. At the time, I made sure to indulge in more than my fair share (for research purposes of course) knowing full well my plans to recreate the dish at home.

Just before embarking on our Christmas baking last weekend, I whipped up a batch (using the recipe below) for the girls to enjoy throughout the day. I won’t even begin to tell you how quickly it disappeared, which is generally a pretty good sign. As it turns out, I’m  not the only one enamored with this delectable combination. It’s a hit, I promise you that.

Recipe below

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| a simple pine wreath transforms our door |

As I mentioned yesterday, I much prefer understated decor when it comes to getting ready for Christmas. In lieu of knick-knacks and tchotchkes strewn about, we’ve opted to go for a natural vibe using white and green as our palette with hints of red thrown in for good measure. Here are just a few things Justin and I have done to ensure our condo is holiday-ready.

| faux-fur sheepskins set a cosy vibe (and are only $12 at Ikea) |

| a wooden bowl filled with seasonal fruit
(because clementines totally smell like Christmas) |

| we didn’t forget to show the washroom some love |

| a handful of simple snowflake ornaments
(picked up at the dollar store of all places) on our tree |

| Guinness coasters (from Ireland) & a cupboard filled with Christmas mugs
show festiveness in unexpected places |

| tree trimming remnants in a “cable-knit” vase adorn our table
and a mulled wine candle helps set the mood |

tip: when picking up your tree, ask them if they have any tree trimmings they’re willing to part with. I ended up leaving with far more than I knew what to do with – all for free! We have vases filled all over the place and the scent is intoxicating.

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With the amount of gushing I do regarding this particular holiday season you’d think I’d be the type to appreciate over-the-top Christmas decor. In fact, just the opposite seems to be true. I much prefer a classy, understated look when it comes to getting ready for the big day. Swimwear designer Marysia Dobranska has done a fabulous job transforming her New York pad into a miniature winter wonderland. I’m now more convinced than ever that a few twinkly lights, a gingerbread ornament or two, and some rich, green garland is all you really need.

stacks of Christmas movies | making cookies
cinnamon shortbread | a festive kitty | the fruits of our labour

Each year a handful of us head to my moms for a day full of Christmas cookie baking (Santa hats and all). This year my step-sister and I decided to take the tradition up a notch and crash my moms place for the entire weekend. What ensued was a festive few days with some of my favourite people that will forever be hard to top. I surely ingested more sugar (and tea) than any human ever should, and have made a pretty serious dent in my Christmas-movie-watching-to-do-list. If that doesn’t depict my type of weekend, well I just don’t know what does.

1 Felt Basket ($148)
2 Scarf ($56)
3 Bamboo & Charcoal Soap ($6)
4 Travel Bag ($175)
5 Spoon Rest ($16)
6 Ceramic Mason Jar ($85)
7 Concrete Planter ($32)
8 Coasters ($25)
9 Necklace ($19)
10 Clutch ($54)
11 Throw ($460)

Because I totally appreciate one of a kind objects made with love (and I know I’m not alone!)

ps Today is the last day to enter the Minted Giveaway (a $135 value!) if you haven’t yet. Hurry!

1 Recipe Card Keeper ($44)
2 Polka Dotted Slippers ($24.95)
3  Nylons ($13.50)
4 iPhone case ($40)
5 Tea Towel ($21)
6 Undies ($12.50)
7 Scarf ($39)
8 Blouse (on sale for $108!)
9 Sparkly Flats ($24.90)
10 Sweater (on sale for $39.99)
11 Notebook ($9)
12 Makeup Case ($25)
13 Handmade Mug ($26)

Because everyone needs some polka dots in their lives

ps don’t forget to enter the Minted Giveaway (a $135 value!) if you haven’t yet. It closes on Friday!

1 Bookends ($198)
2 Desk Accessory ($65)
3 Terrarium ($39)
4 Snood ($30) (you can see it on me here)
5 Candle ($28)
6 Ceramic Bowls ($75)
7 Blood Orange Lip Balm ($5)
8 Hanging Planter ($35)
9 Bottle Openers ($28)
10 Cookbook ($40)
11 Votive Holder ($32) 

…for your nature-loving friends

1 Cloud Brooch ($10)
2 Macaron Box ($10)
3 Bath Salts ($10)
4 Birch Bark Straws ($8)
5 Tea Steeper ($5)
6 Flask ($22)
7 Moose Mug ($9.50)
8 Cinnamon Tea ($10)
9 Soap ($6)
10 Porcelaine Walnut Shells ($16)
11 Glass Water Bottle ($36)
12 Amazing Truffles ($25)
13 Notebook ($14)

I thought it’d be fun to kick of the month of December with a week full of gift guides. Finding that perfect little something for that special someone always excites me to no end and I can’t tell you how much I enjoyed putting these guides together. As an added bonus, I’m almost done my own gift-purchasing as a result (it’s a Christmas miracle!) I’ve kept price point in mind, sourcing out inexpensive finds for the most part, while throwing in a “splurgy” piece here and there. I’ve also tried to place my focus on small shops and handmade finds – s0 be sure to keep an eye out for them as well.

To start: stocking stuffers!

For as long as I can remember, stockings have always been my favourite thing to open come Christmas morning. They’re chalk full of great, personalized little goodies that can’t wait to be torn open. Here are a handful of inexpensive items that I, for one, would be happy to find stuffed in my stocking.