Happy Holidays!

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“I am as light as a feather, I am as happy as an angel, I am as merry as a schoolboy. I am as giddy as a drunken man. A merry Christmas to everybody! A happy New Year to all the world! Hallo here! Whoop! Hallo!”
― Charles Dickens, A Christmas Carol

The Hip Hostess Guide

during the holidays we often head off on little day trips to see family and friends for pre-or post Christmas celebrations. along with the visit we love to take something small as a  hostess gift. choosing something creative for a lad or lady doesn't have to be pricey and in fact some of the most cherished ones have been homemade.  here is a list of my 2013 favourites that we will surely be gifting this season!

1// A Rosemary Tree

2// St. Germaine Elderflower Liqueur

3// Copper Milk Warming Pot

4// Homemade Fresh Artisan Bread (recipe here)

5// Kate Spade Notebook & paired with a gold pen

6// Beeswax Candles

7// Homemade Fire Fragrance Log (recipe here)

Drysdale Tree Farm

the holidays don't officially start for my family until after we complete the annual trip up to the Drysdales tree farm (Ballantrae location) and cut down our christmas trees. even before i was born, my parents and their friends started this tradition to kick off the holidays. this year the visit was bittersweet, because as we were greeted by the same cheerful faces we always see, they informed us that sadly this was going to be the farms last year as the property was being handed over to the ministry of natural resources after the season closed. after a few frozen tears and hugs, we braved the hike and hunt, and spent a good hour or more looking for our perfect trees deep in the woods. nothing, i repeat, nothing is better than being in the open fresh air, with a cold face, surrounded by the falling snow and smell of pine. of course no trip to the tree farm is ever complete without a catch up chat with old man Drysdale himself, followed by the traditional "who has to pay for the trees this year" coin toss, and then sitting around the bonfire sipping on hot chocolates and munching on roasted hot dogs and marshmallows. it's a little sad to know we won't be going back to this farm in the years to come, but i'm so glad for this tradition that we have. it doesn't matter what is going on or where we are, we always make time for this little tree farm and our family.

The 12 Cocktails of Christmas

like me, i am sure that many of you are currently in the throws of bouncing between busy holiday parties and/or holiday hosting planning lists. well, to help make things easier, here are 12 fantastic Christmas cocktails to get everyone in the festive spirit, or at take the edge off any busy running around. heck, you could even taste test one a day until Christmas if you so desire! enjoy and happy holidays!

(from top left to bottom right)

                          1// Champagne Velvet                        2//Apple & Ginger Burbon

                          3// Spiced Eggnog                                4// Burnt Karamel
                          5// Simpleton                                         6// Triple Berry Moijtos
                          7// White Mulled Wine                       8// Candy Cane Cocktail
                          9// Cranberry Champagne Fizz     10// Boozy Hot Chocolate     
                        11// Baileys Chai Swizzle                    12// Calvados Maple Cocktail

OOAK 2013 Hot Holiday Picks

 for the past three years i have religiously attended the One of a Kind Christmas Show (#OOAKX13). each year it has been one of the best places to find unique and creative specialty gifts for anyone on your holiday shopping list. with well over hundreds of artisan to choose from, it's an inspiring event that will leave you feeling in the crafty spirit. going to a show like this gives you an opportunity to chat one-on-one with local Canadian artists about their craft and their creative process. as Canadian's we should be super proud of these talented individuals. personally, I love buying homemade artisan gifts for others. I think there is something so very touching about finding a gift that speaks to someone – that was made slowly and thoughtfully by hand.

if you are in need of holiday gift ideas, here are my top six picks for the season! 

1. PIETERSMA TINWORKS

did you know that historically tin tinsel was used on Christmas trees? designer Greg Pietersma did as he was learning the craft. after a few years he opened up a shop in Upper Canada selling not only tin tinsel, but these beautiful individually hand punched hurricane lanterns. with patterns including "the compass," "the bridal wreath" each design look stunning when lite indoors or outdoors to brighten a room.  

 2. AVRIL LORETI - MODERN HOME COLLECTION

Avril Loreti's entire collection of work is incredibly bright and colourful. I especially loved these tea towel calendars which sure you could use on a daily basis, but wouldn't they also look great draped on a wall in a home office, or a baby nursery to mark the year!

 3. MONKEY BUTTER

monkey butter is the very best new gourmet peanut butter in town (even suitable for vegetarians)! based in Vancouver a hard working trio creates these tasty treats in small batches with the utmost care. after taste testing flavors like maple bacon, white chocolate, blueberry, i dare you to just have one bite. 

4. CREATIONS LI 

artist and activist Wai-Yant creates these hilarious handle-less mugs. these slowly handcrafted eye catching creations are sure to warm the hearts of any guy or gal. I mean, how can you not love cups with teeny little faces. I mean come on!

5. GRAHAM BLAIR WOODCUTS

these woodcut prints are show stopper. based out of Newfoundland artist Graham Blair starts with a sketch that is then transferred to a wood block and then hand-carved out. following traditional Japanese methods each impression piece is then created by rubbing a bamboo spoon on the back of the block after it has been inked. due to the nature of the artwork most prints are limited editions. what a perfect conversation piece.

6. TEALISH LOOSE LEAF TEA

TeaLish is something that could be the stocking stuffer OR the perfect gift should you arrange a few options together. i literally could not walk by the booth without smelling  all the opened options. with beautiful packaging and award-winning teas, TeaLish will make seriously only coffee lover into a tea drinker.

The Holiday Card Collection

cyber monday has arrived and for those of you who don't already know i have a little online shop through Society6! With thanksgiving behind us all this is the perfect time to starting prepping for christmas. start decking those halls and picking out our christmas cards. this year why not check out my online shop and peruse my growing card collection which are perfect for this holiday season! today Society6 is offering free shipping worldwide so take a peak Society6/Oomphlove and hopefully something sparks your interest! happy online shopping!

Five Pin-tastic DIY Advent Calendars

let the official countdown to Christmas begin! this year why not try making your own advent calendar for something a little more creative. here are five unique ways that others are counting down down to the festive day (or week in my case!). each of these ideas  can easily be adapted every year. just fill each day with a little loving surprise like a chocolate, candy, a small toy, or a super sweet note.

1/ this DIY is made of toilet paper rolls, how brilliant is that!

2/the city of lights can even be made from old cereal boxes or scrapes of paper

3/ I love how easy each match box is to reuse and how magical it looks hung

4/ the pin me up presents, so easy and so economical to reuse the clothes pins

5/ this basket tree likely take up the most space, but would be so great for big families to share in one advent calendar

A Tree Story

 it was love at first sight.

when we saw this little puff ball christmas tree.

so we let her camp out in our living room for a few days

and then decided to dress her up for the holidays.

she is an amazing house guest and smells so very good.

        we had the best time decorating our first tree with our treasured old and new ornaments! 

merry christmas! xoxox

ps. enjoy some holiday tunes in the music box (up and to your left!).

O Christmas Tree

In my family it never feels like Christmas time until we make our annual trip up to the Drysdale tree farm and cut our perfect Christmas tree. Rain or snow storm it is always the best day no matter what. We get up super early, pack coffees, chocolates and cherries for the car ride up north, and then spend the better part of the day layered in woolies hiking through the forest, pine tree pinching, fresh air smelling, tractor riding, Clydesdale horses watching, hot chocolate sipping and marshmallow roasting. We have kept this tradition of the tree farm day for almost 30 years now. It is deeply rooted and one that we never  like to miss out on (although it sometimes happens since we've gotten older). This year was extra special for me because the new house gets it's very own real Christmas tree! I can't get enough of that fresh pine smell! I've been working away on some homemade decorations and have been counting down for this day to come. I am now officially ready for you Christmas.