the gift guide for a cozy holiday

Hey beautiful! I'm still here, I promise ♥

It has been a crazy, yet so wonderful couple weeks and I am just watching a breath! Currently curled up by the Christmas tree with my boo, watching Christmas SNL and enjoying a quiet night since those tend to be few and far between around this season.

I planned a huge friends and family event at work last week and then Pete + I hosted our annual Christmas party on Saturday (so fun!) Yesterday was perfect. We went out for a coffee, and got our gifts for each other for this year (we bought moccasins! perf) and then spent the day snuggled up watching Christmas movies, writing out cards and having a picnic charcuterie. *Magic*

As I was curating a Secret Santa gift for my work's SS exchange, it got me thinking of a few ideas of a gift guide! Simple little things for a cozy holiday/winter season!

1 // murphy + jo candle - I keep seeing these amazing candles all over the city. Not only do they look pretty, but they smell incredible too. Oh, and they're from Toronto AND they make a donation from every candle to Save Our Scruff.

2 // field notes - When in doubt, a nice notebook is always a good idea. People love gearing up and getting inspired for a new year, and what better than a blank slate? Picked up some up for a gift from Phillistine here in our hood.

3 // palo santo - Literally my favourite scent in the entire world. Palo Santo reminds me of all things good (especially Cali, which we're heading back to in a few weeks!) You can get some nice PS from a local shop in Toronto called Crown Flora

4 // a cozy blanket - Can't go wrong with a nice throw or blanket. We have so many but I love them all for different reasons. I love the palette on these simple ones from West Elm.

5 // the little book of lykke - You know how much I love The Little Book Of Hygge, well Lykke is just as magical and I loved it so much! I got to meet with author Meik this year and it made me adore him even more.

6 // kitten + the bear jam - Oooh baby, K+B had a really cute booth yesterday at the blush+bloom holiday market. I picked up a delicious (and beautiful) jam and a pack of scone mix. Such a cute idea as a little gift! Love!

Oh, and I am doing pretty good on my Christmas To-Do List! I'll post an update soon! xo

Gift Guide - Amazing Experiences!

Well, Christmas is only three days away (I'm already sad that it's almost over) but I wanted to mention a few of my favourite ideas for experience gifts to give this holiday season. These are also great ideas to keep friends, family, colleagues inspired in the new year.

I personally love working on my goals for the year and also learning new things, and making a list of things I'd like to learn, or new things I'd like to experience.

The experiences I chose below are ones near and dear to my heart because I have a connection to all the people/brands listed here.

g  e  t     i  n  s  p  i  r  e  d  //

Floral Classes & Workshops // Bloom School 

Becky is the flower goddess behind Blush & Bloom, I'm sure you've noticed me mention here on here and on my Instagram. You can see me gush about the legit perfect flowers she created for our wedding day here. Becky just keeps crushing it, her next adventure is Bloom School - a place to teach and train creatives to follow their flower dreams. I 100% want to take a Bloom School class in the new year and am such a huge fan of Becky and her team. An inspiring crew who will most definitely inspire you, too!

 Photoshoot // Shutterbug

Shutterbug is an amazing platform that connects you to incredible, professional photographers. You can book photoshoots by the hour and give a gift card for a photoshoot too! I love the idea of giving a gift card to someone who could use some incredible photo's. It could be for a birthday party, an engagement, a proposal, updated family photo's, literally anything! Shutterbug will come to where ever your shoot is taking place and capture every special little detail. Not only that, but you'll photos will be ready and edited in 24 hours! My favourite shoots are the ones where the photographers come in to your home to capture every day life with family, friends, husbands etc

Brand it beautiful // Studio Bicyclette

I've been following along and swooning over Paige from Studio Bicyclette's adventures for years. This year I had the pleasure of meeting her and she's just as wonderful as I imagined. I also had the opportunity to attend one of Paige & Alyssa's social workshops. I learned so much about brand strategy and social media and was left feeling more inspired than ever. Paige's Instagram and website are a magical whimsical dream. She offers an amazing course called "Brand it beautiful" - she'll help you style your brand and share your story.

Jewellery Making Workshop // Anice

Britt is the mastermind behind Anice, a jewellery brand that's motto is "old treasures, new love" - she has created some of my favourite pieces and is always coming up with new and exciting ways to make new jewellery, and re-create vintage pieces. Britt turned my Dad's gold band wedding ring in to a heart pendant for me and it's one of the most special things I own. For our wedding I used my Grandmother's pearls to make a custom modern necklace for my Mom and I. Britt does workshops in her studio(s) where babes can get together to create custom pieces (oh and drink wine and have snacks!) I am planning on taking my bridesbabes in for one in the new year!

Hygge Themed Gift Guide

Oh hello my loves! I was able to sneak in this blog post tonight after one amazingly crazy busy weekend! Knocked a lot more things of my Christmas to-do list :) 12 more days!

So, I haven't been able to share much about this on my blog yet, but one of my favourite things in life right now is something called Hygge ♥ (and I have a feeling you will love it soon too)

"In essence, hygge means creating a warm atmosphere and enjoying the good things in life with good people. The warm glow of candlelight is hygge. Friends and family – that’s hygge too. There's nothing more hygge than sitting round a table, discussing the big and small things in life. Perhaps hygge explains why the Danes are the happiest people in the world?"

I decided to share a Hygge inspired gift guide for you all!:

1. The little book of Hygge by Penguin Books - I started reading this and I am already SO in to it. I have been so busy lately that I haven't had much time for reading but once we are moved in to our new place I will be getting cosy in my jammies and reading the whole thing

2. Muskoka Campfire Candle from Smells like Canada - I know the lovely and talented gal responsible for these amazing creations. Natalie is awesome and she hand makes all of these candles from her own home! Not only are they Canadian AF but they smell SO good. Candles are also the most hygge thing ever.

3. The cosiest reading socks ever from Chapters! I know the idea of getting specific socks for reading is crazy, but when it's -20 and you're trying to stay warm inside, these will make you so so happy.

4. The most delicious coffee with an awesome mug to match from Calgary Heritage Roasting Co! I love these guys, and not only are they ridiculously handsome, but they make some SERIOUSLY delicious coffee, not to mention some really wonderful merch.

5. Some wonderful (and beautiful) tea from Sloane Tea! I love Sloane Tea especially because the tins are literally just so gorgeous. After you drink up and feel warm and cosy, you can use your 

6. Matches in a jar from Urban Outfitters - Because let's be honest, how cute are matches in general? And very Hygge! I have a little jar of them and I love the way they look styled on a book shelf. They are perfect to the light your hygge candles to get you feeling cosy to the max.

Holiday Gift Guide - The Best Bar Cart Ever!

hey jules gift guide ; for the best bar cart ever!

HAPPY THURSDAY, BABE! 8 days until Christmas! (What?!) Here is my next gift guide! This is for your friends who love to have a good ol fashioned party and host. All of the most beautiful bar cart accessories!

1 // casamigos tequila! - I am a new found lover of Tequila since discovering Casamigos! I had the pleasure to chat with Rande Gerber about a year ago about their to-die-for Tequila and since then I have been hooked. Pete makes me fancy tequila based drinks and they are just lovely. 

2 // kate spade polka dot glasses! - As a lover of all things Kate Spade, and specifically polka dotted (and gold is the icing on the cake) these glasses are just lovely for your favourite hostess with the mostess. Just picture a perfectly adorable cocktail in that glass, I dare you!

3 // shake, cocktail book! - My brother and his bf got this book "Shake" for Pete last Christmas and it is so awesome. We love being hosts, so we always like to try and make new cocktails for our guests. This book has a lot of really cool and delicious bevy's!

4 // dillan's gin! - I have a new found love of gin & tonic's - probably my current favourite drink. Dillan's (Rose) Gin is SO yummy and delicious, a great drink to make fancy cocktails with.

5 // copper mug! - I absolutely LOVE the look of these mugs, they look so lovely and even more so when there is a mint julep or mojito inside! These are a great gift idea and are extra awesome for anyone who has a super sweet bar cart!

6 // paper straws! - Anyone who knows me knows that I never have a party without some cute-as-can-be paper straws! They are just the best and make every drink and set up cuter. These are available all over but I usually get mine at Creative Bag now, great variety and great price!

Etsy Weddings - Adorable Gift Ideas!

H a p p y   T h u r s d a y!!! ♥

Today I am excited to share my second post about my ETSY wedding finds! I am thrilled to be working with Etsy and have had so much fun looking at all the amazing Canadian vendors! These people are seriously talented and create the most beautiful things.

This post is a round up of my favourite gift ideas for wedding gifts! This could be gifts for your bridesmaids, for a wedding shower, a bachelorette or for the wedding day! I love taking the time to choose a really special, unique and most of all handmade/custom gift for my friends and family. I love being able to support local vendors and also choose such a thoughtful gift! So here are some of my favourites:

*Sweetheart Jewelry Box Etsy Shop*

Montreal, Quebec

Sweet and simple handmade jewelry that is so beautiful and feminine! I love the idea of treating your bridesmaids to something special with their initial or favourite colour that they could wear on your wedding day and many days and years to come! I love the dainty necklaces and bracelets with such soft pretty colours! 

*gracedesign Etsy Shop*

Toronto, Ontario

Can you tell I am a sucker with anything that has gold and pastel colours on it? GraceDesign creates BEAUTIFUL bags. All different sizes, designs and colours. I fell in love with these clutches that are just gorgeous and perfect for a wedding day! This would be so perfect for a bride or bridesmaids! This one comes in mint green too. So lovely!

*Siideways*

Peterborough, Ontario

OK so this is the most adorable thing ever! Siideways makes temporary tattoos of all shapes and sizes and all kinds of designs. I found this custom temporary tattoo for a bachelorette party and fell in love! How adorable is this? I just love it, and of course you can customize it with the brides name! 

*Noteworthy Designs Co. Stationery & creative packaging*

Peachland, British Columbia

How precious are these vow books? I just adore them and think they are so sweet. Noteworthy has a number of gifts that come from the heart, and it's obvious in the pieces she creates. From vow books, to tags to wedding guestbooks - Noteworthy offers a number of heart felt gifts and favours for weddings and events! These vow books are my fave.

*The Recovery Well*
Ottawa, Ontario

OK if this is the cutest thing you've ever seen than I don't know what is! The Recovery Well has a number of different designs on forks and spoons, a lot of which are perfect for a wedding. This would be a sweet gift idea for a wedding shower or the big day! There are a bunch of different phrases but this one is just so perfect for us coffee lovers. 

*Lovely Hankies 2015*
Edmonton, Alberta

LOL. OMG, stop! This is actually the most hilarious/amazing thing ever. I legit lol'd when I saw this specific phrase on Lovely Hankies Etsy! It's just too perfect, and so funny! I consider myself a pretty laid back/fun bride so something like this is just perfect. Would be a really cute gift for a bride at a shower or to give her on the day of her wedding! There are a bunch of different phrases too!