filling your home with hygge!

Ok, so it seems as though fall is finalllllllllly here to stay (for the most part) and as a hygge enthusiast, I could not be more excited! ♥

If you haven't heard me talk about hygge before (first of all, where have you been?!) and also you can read a bit more here on my previous post. 

Also, here is a definition that I took from the Visit Denmark website.

"Hygge is as Danish as pork roast and it goes far in illuminating the Danish soul. 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 some of the happiest people in the world?"

To me, hygge means being cosy with people I love. Being wrapped in a blanket, reading a book, putting on a warm pair of socks, watching snow slowly fall, lighting candles all around our house, laughing, drinking coffee, tea or a cup of hot chocolate. It means playing a board game, sitting outside when it's a bit chilly, having friends over for dinner and drinks, being snuggled up with my husband. It's about enjoying every moment you have, with everything you've got.

& since hygge season is in full effect come fall & winter, here are a few things to do to stock your home with that hygge kind of feeling:

- blankets

- sweaters

- books & magazines

- candles, all the candlessss

- flowers

- coffee & tea, hot chocolate (and let's say wine too!)

- a fire (if that's an option!)

- cosy jammies

- board games

- warm socks

We've got a busy week or two here but then things slow down a bit. & before we know it, Christmas will be here again (two months tomorrow!) So, I've got so many hyyge plans in the works!

oh hello, september!

Well, would you look at that? All the sudden Summer is basically over and we're saying hello to September. What? How?! For realz?!

Even though I absolutely positively LOVE fall, I am still sad to see Summer go. It's been a really really busy & awesome one! It also seems like it was gone in a flash. I feel like we did so much and such a great variety of stuff. 

Labour day weekend is upon us and want to know why I'm extra excited? We're finally going to RELAX & spend some time at home in our city! We've had so many cottage weekends and plans outside the city that we haven't got to spend much time in Toronto this Summer. It's also been so crazy busy with work and other things that Pete and I haven't been able to spend much time together - so I am extra happy to spend time with him.

So, now let's talk about September. Definitely one of my favourrrite months of the year. Here are five reasons why I love September, and why you should too! 

September is like January 2.0. It's a great excuse for a fresh start, and a time to make some happy, and exciting changes, make some goals and get on track. I've always looked at September in this way even after being done school. I love that feeling of a new season, a fresh start and an excuse to get on track, make lots of lists and have things to look forward to.

HYGGE! (hoo-ga) If you don't know about hygge yet, read my blog post about it and get researchinghhg. As the weather changes and it gets cooler out, I love the feeling of getting cosy, lighting candles, unplugging, spending time with family and friends and just enjoying every moment big & small that life has to offer.

I love Summer but I find it can be overwhelming with all that's going on. Not only were our weekends booked up with fun plans and events, but more often that not, during the week we had plans as well! As things wind down, I am beyond excited to be able to spend more time to relax (even if that means just during the week) This is something I am always working on and trying to make sure I am making time for.

If you haven't noticed, all planners start in August/September which not only means it's time for a cute new planner (lol), but also it's time to get organized and start filling in special dates and things that will be happening in coming months. I love the feeling of putting all important dates in my planner & calendar and getting on track for fall and dare I say it....the holidays!

Now that we've got our own home, I have to remind myself to enjoy it! Summer is filled with park hangs, patios, the beach, cottages and everywhere in-between. September & fall is the perfect time to enjoy cosy nights at home. Looking forward to cooking meals together (seems like it hasn't happened in forever!), cleaning and organizing our home, chillin' with my hubby, enjoying our patio and just enjoying the cosiness of our home.

the anatomy of a cool dresser (stylin' tips!)

♥ H E L L O    A U G U S T ♥ 

Ummm, can we just talk about the fact that July is some how over and Summer is going to be gone before we know it? I can't believe it. So much to do, and so little time. 

And yet again, here we are two weeks since my last post! (not horrible, but not ideal!) I am super excited to share this post today because it's totally my jam. 

Pete and I have been on the hunt of some things for our bedroom, because it's probably the one room that's not quite done yet in our house. We've been dreaming of a mid century modern dresser and we finally found the perfect one! This dreamy babe is the perfect addition to our room, and I could not wait to get my hands on it to style it and brand it "Pete & Jules"

I've always loved decor and styling things to make them look pretty. I often switch up the little shelves and areas in our home to freshen them up and display our favourite things. This dresser was a nice, big blank canvas for me!

You will get the idea as to my thought process behind this when you see the photo's, but here are some of my favourite things to use on a dresser or shelf to display them! books, candles, trays, picture frames, matches, cameras, plants, flowers, jewellery, dishes, knick knacks, vintage pieces, magazines,  plates, dried flowers etc. I always like to switch things up every few months, depending on the season too! Here is our first draft of our new dresser. I hope you enjoy! (PS- Hi Looch! Love you!)

before:

after:

life, lately [ a summer update ]

// Happy Sunday! ♥ Long time, no talk (or write!) I do feel like there's so much to say and so much that has happened so I will do my best to fill y'all in

- Summer is hereeee! It's been a weird, very rainy one but it's here. & before we know it, it'll be gone! We've pretty much got plans for every weekend for the rest of the Summer and lots to look forward to.

- Weddings, weddings, weddings! You may of remembered me blogging about it a few months back, but I've got a little #sidehustle going on :) -- day-of wedding coordinating! I had my first one one Friday (+ it also happened to be my good pals' wedding) it was just lovely and it felt good to get my first one under my belt. Wedding #2 is happening next Saturday!

- Work is wonderful. I am now now five months into my new job and am just loving it so much. I feel so lucky to be there and to do something I truly love (plan events + make people happy!) It's been busy, but really fun, challenging, and rewarding. I'm so happy!

- Our home is really feeling like home. It has for a while now, but revamping our patio was the icing on the cake and looks sooooo good (I am going to do some before & after photos in a post soon) We've still got some things to do here and there, but things are really coming together and we're loving it (did I mention it's a five minute walk from work?) Our next big project is doing some work to the bedroom to make it as pretty as the rest of the house.

- Wedded bliss! It's been over a year since Pete and I got married, and over NINE of us being together, and I just can't help but gush over him still. We spent the last two days relaxing (actually though), snuggling, walking, adventuring, cleaning, starting to plan our next trip (!!), and just having the best time. I am just so lucky to do life with someone so amazing.

- Catch me on Instagrammm if you want some more constant dedicated life updates :) - I hated stories at first and now I really love doing them. If you don't follow me then let's bee besties + make it happen @heyjulesxo - it's just so much easier to share little bits and pieces there.

& if you still read this little ol' blog, then thank you for not giving up on me! I will still be updating when I can and hopefully more often than I have been lately! I'm not going to lie, it is always on at least one of my "to-do-lists" hehe

xo

spring cleaning check list

You guyssss! It's finally Spring! Even though it hasn't exactly been feeling like it in Toronto, I think we're finally (almost) getting there. Annnnd, with Spring time comes Spring cleaning! (and shopping, lol) I thought it'd be fun to come up with a Spring cleaning check list, mostly so I can use it for myself as well.

I broke it down to four main categories for y'all. These were just a few things of the top of my head, but also things I like to do and plan to do this Spring!

Here's another idea to keep in mind while you're doing your Spring cleaning -- keep anything that you don't necessarily want or need but don't want to get rid of. Save these things like makeup, toiletries, books, magazines, clothes etc and plan a swap with friends! I'm planning a little something with the girls from my work and we're all going to bring in stuff we want to swap. I think everyone has stuff lying around that they bought that just didn't work for them, but they feel they don't want to throw it away so they hold on to it!

So there you go! Plan a little swap with pals and then get on this cleaning list and you'll be feeling pretty darn productive.

kitchen //

• Clean out the entire fridge! Take everything out - throw out anything that is expired, or just not needed. Take this time to spray down and clean the actual fridge too.
• Take everything off the counter for a good scrub down
• Clean out the food cupboard & pantry - throw away any stale, unused food and refresh the layout of the cupboard so that there's more room and everything is accessible!
• Junk drawer - if you've got one of these take everything out! Throw away any of the random things you've managed
• Do inventory - what do you need?! Also, what do you now have ROOM for after that big clean out? Stock up on spices, food, and anything other things to make your kitchen dreams come true.
• Switch out any sponges, cloths and towels with new, fresh, bright ones!

living room //

• Go through books and magazines! Maybe you'll find something that re-sparks your interest and the time is right to read it now. Look through your magazines to see if there are any articles you really liked and save them (I always do this!) Recycle or donate any magazines or books you no longer want or need.
• Wash and freshen up your cushions and blankets. Follow instructions accordingly to wash your blankets and pillow cases to freshen them up.
• Dust those bunnies, baby! I just (finally) bought a new duster for our shelves and books in our living room. Take everything off the shelves for a wipe down and dust!
• Giving your living room a little update never hurt anyone either. Swap out any candles, plants, dishes, or knick knacks that might add some more Spring flair to your home.
• Buy some new plants (and fresh flowers of course) to add that extra spark to your living room!

washroom //

• Get under that sink and go through those baskets and bins! I actually do this every month or so because with limited space (and no linen closet!) this can get out of control fast. Throw away anything you don't want or use and if there is something that's a good product and you just don't want it, save it for that toiletry swap!
• Scrub the tub and toilet (to the max) because it's one of those things we probably don't do as often as we want to! Bonus -- take a bath afterwards once it's so nice & clean!
• Makeup overhaul! this is something that can get out of control pretty quick (haha) but every few months it's great to go through your makeup, clean it and throw away anything you don't need. Also, a good time to bust out some of those bright Spring/Summer shades in preparation for the new season!
• Wash and replace all your towels. Obviously the washing happens often and not every season, but it's nice to start fresh and switch some towels out for a while after using the same ones often! All the more reason to have nice, fluffy towels on the regular.

bedroom //

• Wash your sheets, bedding & pillows! Because honestly, what is better than snuggling into bed with nice, warm clean sheets?
• Do a once over of your bedside tables! Wipe them down, spruce them up with new books, sprays and goodies. I always love changing mine up every so often and as the seasons change.
• Organizer your dresser drawers -- oh my goodness my top drawer can get pretty hectic pretty easily so I always try to go through it every few months
• Go through your closet and donate anything you don't want or need, as well as switch out your winter gear for your Spring and Summer stuff!
• Get some new candles and sprays to keep everything smelling fresh, always.
• Open those windows, let some fresh air in and fill the room with some flowers and plants!

feels like home

Oh hello there! Happy Sunday + I swear I'm still here despite my lack of posts lately! Between the new job, and an abnormally busy February & March, there hasn't been much time for blogging.

Buuuut, here I am! I wanted to share a little "sneak peak" of some pictures of our new house! We've been here for about two & a half months now and things are just lovely. It's truly feeling like "home" which is so great. Pete and I are both ready for the warmer weather so we can fix up our patio and be able to spend time outside!

Pete and I were pretty quick to gets things set up and get settled in. Sure, there are a few things here and there that we'd like to do but for the most part we're nestled in just right. No more boxes or things without a home, things are really coming together.

Since it's almost Spring (omg, finalllllly!) I feel like I will definitely be in the mood for another big clean out and purge. I already started a bag filled with clothes to donate and I am so ready for a nice, fresh Spring cleaning sesh! Also, can we just talk about how excited we are about longer days, sunshine and fresh flowers? YES please!

So, more coming soon for sure - but for now here are a few snaps from our new home. All from our main floor for now! More to come soon, and some more blog posts too - I promise! ♥

Sneak Peak! - Craft Room

h a p p y     s u n d a y ,      b a b e

// So, we've officially been in our place for over a month now! Things are really coming along and we're so excited about the progress we've made so far.

My craft room is looking cute as ever, and although it's not 100% finished and exactly where I want it to be, I am really really loving it so far! I find I am spending a lot more time in there than I did in my old craft room, and it's so exciting. I love spending time in there while working on blog posts, doing some hand lettering, writing lists and making cute things.

I snapped some photo's of  cute by jules headquarters! Looking forward to sharing more photo's of our new home with y'all ♥