I’ve noticed recently this cute party with friends idea which is a take on the classic potluck!
Instead of having your friends bring a slow cooked or oven baked meal, have them bring a board.
Some board ideas include:
S’mores
Fries and dips (sweet potatoes, waffle fries, tater tots)
Donuts
Build your own tacos
French toast, pancakes and waffle + toppings
Cheese fondue
Movie snacks (think popcorn, concession candy, pretzels)
Tea & biscuits
Sharing a beginner charcuterie board that I made for a get together recently. Super easy to put together and the best part of finding a creatively aesthetic of putting it all together 🎀
Toronto is a great city and there are no end to the fun, festive and free things to do around the city during the holiday season! Be sure to bundle up and be sure to check out the list below on some ideas on how to enjoy the season (on a budget)!
*NOTE* images are not mine and have been referenced below.
Distillery District
The last time I went to the Winter Village was 2019, and the photographer in me wants to re-create this magic through my lens! This place is full of beautiful sights (every corner is perfect for a selfie) and tastes (thank you coffee and chocolate)! Entrance is free on weeknights before Dec 27th + children under 9 are free of charge!
Yorkville is beautiful any time of year, but having it all lit up makes it amazing. The best photo op would be in the light tunnel! And the christmas tree totally gives Rockefeller Center vibes!
This rink is ALWAYS jam packed so keep the little ones close to you and on the edge of the rink. The best part about skating here (other than – it’s FREE as long as you bring your own skates and snacks) is the MUSIC. Whether it’s 90s christmas pop or top 40, you’ll have a great time whipping across :)
Miniature displays and twinkling lights? Sign me up! I’ve yet to check our the Royal York windows but I’ve heard that they are enchanting. Grab your mocha or hot chocolate and enjoy the stroll past these beautiful displays!
I love reading productivity and lifestyle hacks! But when they are written in the form of lists – they make it easier to follow! It’s almost like a mental checklist that I can create in my head and tick off the things that I am already doing and then plan for the things I want to try.
Sharing a list of 50 ways to LEVEL UP. From accessorizing your outfits to planning your week, this list includes tons of ways to do and be better. And even though it’s not in your face obvious, all of these activities help to nourish your mind and soul so you can show up and be your best self!
Would love to hear if you try any of these out! Or maybe what you’d add to the list?
Practice Gratitude
Invest in quality, not quantity
Read 1 book a month
Develop a skin care routine that works for you
Dress well, always! (even at home)
Pick and use a signature scent
Learning everyday is a must
Focus on your mental health
Plan your day, week, month & year to focus on your goals
Listen to podcasts or Ted Talks
Pamper yourself regularly
Make your home cozy
Prioritize your friendships
Meditate
Wear clean shoes (whitest whites, polished or stained)
Use a silk pillow case
Clean your makeup brushes regularly
Create > Consume
Regular face massages
Cut out toxic people and activities
Take yourself out on a date, be comfy being on your own (without feeling alone)
Have a hair care routine
Get 6-8 hours of sleep
Habit stack, time block and batch create
Work on building your confidence & self-esteem
Organize your home
Watch TV shows/movies that inspire your sense of style/fashion
Build your online brand (personal & professional)
Buy yourself some flowers
Be your own stylist with what you have in your closet (take pictures and create outfits)
Maintain good posture
Don’t think about other people’s opinion of you (it is their own reflection)
Wear a natural make up look
Elevate any outfit with 1 luxury handbag
Do things that you are afraid of
Schedule in “self care days”
Exfoliate your skin
Try one extravagant accessory (gloves, channel broach, beret)
We recently went to Las Vegas! This is actually my 5th trip to sincity (and 3rd trip with at least 1 kiddo!)
We tried to do some new things this time. So sharing some of what we got up to! All activities are family friendly (aka dooable for the kidos and the grandparents!
Hike in Zion National Park
After our Banff Trip, we knew our kids enjoyed hiking in nature. So we weren’t going to let a 3hr drive stop us from experience that is Zion National Park. There is a variety of hikes for all level of hikers but of course we stuck to the easy paved hikes. I would have loved to spend another day or two there but doing the lower Emrald pools hike was a great taste of Zion. The views are breath taking. And going in November meant you weren’t dealing with the desert heat.
Venice Gondola Ride
This quick copy cat ride of the famous gondola experience in Venice is a great activity for any age. This is my 3rd ride, but my youngest one did this for the first time when she was 5 months old! Although the ride is super quick (under 15 min) there is an opportunity to learn about vegas, hear a beautiful serenade and enjoy some time in a boat on the water (always relaxing)!
Flamingo Habitat
This place is a vibe! In the middle of the Las Vegas strip is a gorgeous outdoor setting with palm, trees, waterfalls and cute animals! This completely free activity is like a trip to a mini zoo. Kids of all ages will love the animals and watching the fishes (which are mesmerizing to watch on the bridge).
Seven Magic Mountains
7MM is an outdoor art display of stacked colourful boulders. It’s a great place to do an IG transition and they are even safe enough to climb (carefully ofcourse! for the perfect shot) I did read if you got at 9am, you’ll beat the crowds, but we went mid afternoon to get the most sunshine!
Cereal Killersz
The Cereal Killerz Kitchen is actually a Cereal Bar. They have every cereal ever made + some rare ones that were only available for a short time and then of course some you haven’t head of! The best part was that they have alternative milk options! You can a classic cereal and milk bowl, or a millkshake. I would definite go back here next time!
I’m one of those (analogue) people who looooooooves scrolling through the archives of a blog. I love seeing the beginning of people’s stories. I find it inspiring.
When it comes to my own blog, I NEVER look through the archives. I find it so cringe that I end up making my older blog posts private!
But at least I have them there, I have the stories and the ideas from the beginning. And really it’s all about keeping up with the practice that I admire in others and even myself.
So I’ve decided to start a BLOGMAS!
What is Blogmas?
For the Tiktok kids in the back, “Blogmas” is a series of posts on a blog leading up to Christmas (Dec 25th). It can be done on any online medium (or even offline). But my first memory of it was watching vlogmas done by YouTubers in 2012.
Why am I doing Blogmas?
I’m doing it for both logical and emotional reasons. Logical because I want to be writing, creating and posting more often – discipline is the name of that game! From an emotional perspective because I want have memories 🙂 Also because I’ve officially reopened my Etsy shop, I want to ensure that I’m aligning all of my online presences and themes: Inspiration, Consistency, Happiness & Productivity. Lastly, the hope is that I’ll learn something from participating in Blogmas that I can either share here on the blog or implement on my Etsy store.
How can YOU participate?
In any way really! It can be something online or unplugged. You can paint for 25 day. Share a new pic IG for 25 days. Create a youtube channel and start Vlogmas. You can volunteer at a soup kitchen for 25 days or learn a new skill for the next 25 days.
It’s all about staying consistent, creating, learning something & having fun!
And of course, be sure to check back over the next 24 days and follow along with my Blogmas!
I know spirituality (ie: not religion) is becoming more main stream and I love that for the collective human experience. Below sharing a few interesting things about spirituality (and life!) that are really worth knowing.
We are merely reflections of each other
Love is the only emotion that vibrates from the soul
