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

happy one month until christmas!

Oh, hiiii! Happy One Month Until Christmas!!!

Time is flying by and I am so ready to dive right into the holiday season (shocking, I know) This always takes me a while to come up with but I love sharing my Christmas to-do's every year! Some of these things I've already done actually since I am all about being on top of things and organized (even more so than normal this year!)

Ready for it? It's tradition but, here's Jules' Christmas To-Do List:

• get festive specials from swiss chalet
• watch all my favourite christmas movies
• go visit grandpa in the hospital and bring him christmas spirit
• go see the christmas windows at the bay
• make the ultimate christmas playlist (+ share it with y'all)
• record a christmas episode of my podcast
• bake some delicious cookies + sweets
• watch christmas vacation + a bunch more movies with the fam
• order chinese food on christmas eve with the family
• get custom christmas cards + return labels made
• sing christmas songs/carols as often as possible (lol)
• go to the toronto santa claus parade
• host our annual christmas with the whishes party
• drink eggnog/baileys/mulled wine
• make the most epic festive charcuterie board
• spread anonymous love + joy around toronto
• have ivy + jimmy over for a christmas sleepover
• shop local at a toronto holiday market
• go to the christmas themed bar
• give back to the community in some way during the holiday season
• diy at least one gift
• eat candycane icecream (omg, the best)
• have a christmas wrapping day/night 
• write out + mail lots of christmas cards
• go to the toronto christmas market
• have our annual bestie secret santa gift exchange
• have a peppermint mocha coffee date
• do a home tour of our christmas decor on insta stories
• go to st.lawrence market in december 
• have a pj hygge chilly day of movies, wrapping, and cozy moments with pete

christmas tips from a girl who loves christmas

Oh hello there! All of the sudden we're half way through Novemeber and OMG, what? how? This is bananas. If you've been reading my blog or following me for a while then you know how much I LOVE Christmas (actually, love is an understatement) and since I want everyone to be as stoked as Christmas as me, I thought I'd share some fun posts. This one is about getting ready for Christmas early to ensure maximum happiness and organization throughout the season!

// plan out your holiday schedule: planning is happening in full force in the whish household that's for sure! we chose our christmas party date in like early october (lol) and i've been filling our shared calendar and my planner up day by day and trying to squeeze everything in. two things i never seem to have a dedicated day for - christmas card making + christmas baking day (hopefully changing that this year!)

// get your invites out early: my goal is to always be the first party/celebration on peoples lists! haha. but for real, you need to plan ahead for these types of things since people have such jam packed schedules. lock in those amazing plans people, it's the most wonderful time of the year!

// pay attention to online sales + deals: ok, so i have to admit i tend to get to a point where i ignore literally every email i get with online deals and sales. howeverrrrr, i will say that at this time of year it's time to pay attention to what's on sale where and where all the awesome deals are! that way, if there is a gift you're on the hunt for, you have an idea of the best place to get it. time to open those emails, hit up some promo codes and see where the deals at.

// start shopping early: this year, more than ever before i am all about shopping early. i'd say i'm already about 60% done my shopping and babbby, it feels good. i'll admit that i never quite want to be at the point where i'm 100% done shopping by like end of november or something. because to me, part of the fun is definitely the idea of that last minute hustle and bustle (and trying to spread a little joy and kindness during this time)

// order/purchase your cards now: i placed our order for our christmas cards and labels this week to make sure they arrive by end of november. i tend to go a bit overboard on the number of cards i send out (shocking, i know!) and i scrounge last minute to ensure they are all written out, filled with cute stickers, mailed etc. there are so many cool places that do custom cards like vistaprint, parabo press and minted.

// pick up hostess gifts: i love bringing a little something to our friends or family members who are hosting festive parties, events etc. while i'm out and about or shopping online i keep my eyes peeled for a nice, meaningful yet reasonably priced gift. things i love or have done in the past ; baked goods, homemade baileys, cookbooks, wine, a nice candle or some homemade baked goods!

// make your lists and check them twice: how can one prepare for the season of all seasons without making lists? i live for this sh*t! and i've been listing away prepping for my favourite time of year. list of people to write out cards to, lists of fun things to do at christmas, lists of gifts to buy, lists of crafts to do and so much more!

mailing christmas cards + parabo press

h a p p y   m o n d a y    g o r g e o u s

Hope everyone had an amazing weekend! It's been a wonderful, yet busy one for us! On Saturday night we hosted our annual Christmas party! It was so fun to celebrate the best season ever with the bestest friends. Although the party was great, I am feeling pretty happy it's over too! Now we're on to the next one!

I've got another jam packed week of Christmas events and celebrations and really tried to take Sunday to rest, get caught up on some things and re-charge (wrapped some gifts, wrote out some cards, and stayed cosy inside since it's very chilly here)

I want to talk a bit about Christmas cards, snail mail & why I still LOVE to send cards, letters and packages in the mail in the mail! I absolutely LOVE the cards we got made from Parabo Press! They are amazing. Their packaging is to die for and the cards are so lovely, and the envelopes! Ooooh baby! SO good! Can't wait to mail these out.

f i v e   r e a s o n s   t o   m a i l   c h r i s t m a s   c a r d s //

1. It's so personal to send something handwritten to someone you love to show them you care!

2. People tend to only get things like bills in the mail these days, this'll brighten their day!

3. This is a great excuse to be creative and get your own custom cards made!

4. In a world where everything is digital and on the internet, sending something real is so lovely!

5. Christmas time is the best time to show people you love them with a hand written note!

Mailing out cards is definitely a tradition of mine and in the last 4 or 5 years getting custom cards made have been my go-to move. I'm always so happy with Parabo and these photo's don't even do them justice. For more inspiration on the beautiful things you can create, follow Parabo Press on Instagram! OH  & use my code "hey10" to get $10 off your first order!

My Christmas To-Do-List!

It's the MOST wonderful timeeee of the year. ♥ Ok, can you even believe it? Christmas is less than a month away! Ooh boy it's going to be a good one. We've got a jam packed schedule of amazing things, and then on boxing day we're heading to California! ♥ Omg, so exciteddd :)

This Christmas is extra special (aren't they all!?) Because it's our first Christmas in our house! We moved in just after Christmas last year! I've done lots of decorating and this week we'll be getting our tree. I love real trees so much and am so excited to get ours and decorate it

Alright, so here it is..my Christmas to do list:
+ Get festive specials!
+ Go look at the Christmas windows at The Bay
+ Go see ELF, the musical
+ Watch Home Alone & Home Alone 2 in sequence
+ Order a plan cheese pizza ;)
+ Host our annual Christmas party
+ Have a baking day & make lots of delicious treats
+ Get a real tree & decorate it!
+ Go to the Toronto Christmas Market
+ Make our own Egg Nog! (yasss please)
+ Host our 8th annual Bestie Secret Santa at our place
+ Make our own homemade baileys
+ Do some hand lettering to Christmas quotes
+ Spread some anonymous Christmas love around Toronto
+ Go to the Evergreen Winter Market
+ Make a gingerbread house with Ivy & Jimmy
+ Do Christmas craftsssss
+ Get cute Christmas cards made
+ Volunteer over the holidays
+ Make a fresh Christmas wreath for our front door
+ Make a delicious Christmas punch
+ & Mail out lots of Christmas cards to friends & fam near and far
+ Watch alllll of my favourite Christmas movies (that's a lot)
+ Go to St.Lawrence Market
+ Make some DIY gifts
+ Drink lots of delicious hot toddies
+ Have a sleepover with the fam!
+ Go see the Christmas tree at Nathan Phillip's Square
+ Go on a Peppermint Mocha date
+ Go to some Christmas markets & craft shows
+ Go ice skating at an outdoor rink
+ Snuggle, obviously

christmas in toronto!

Oh hey! Not sure if you knew this, but I *kinda* love Christmas!

Since we're at the start of the BEST & busiest season ever, I thought it would be fun to do a little round up of fun events, markets, and happenings going on in Toronto around the holidays ♥

I've been making a list (and checking it twice, obvi) over the last few weeks of things I always love to do in Toronto, and also searching the net for some more fun stuff! So, before your calendars get fully booked as they do, take a look at all these amazing things below and make plans with lots of special people in your life. Enjoy! 'Tis the season to be jolly.

A L L   S E A S O N    L O N G //

Toronto Christmas Market - November 16th - December 23rd

The Winter Village at Evergreen Brickworks - Every weekend in December

Free skating at Nathan Phillips Square - Starting November 25th

One of a Kind Christmas Show - November 23rd - December 3rd

Festive Specials from Swiss Chalet - November - until probably January? (lol)

Admire the Christmas windows at The Bay - November - January

N O V E M B E R // 
Tree Lighting at The Eaton Centre - November 16th
The Toronto Santa Clause Parade - Sunday, November 19th
Cavalcade of lights -
Elf, the musical - November 21st - 26th
Hanson - "Finally, it's Christmas" show - November 24th & 25th
Pixel & Bristle Winter Market - November 25th
Bad Girls Market - November 25th
Swedish Christmas Fair - November 25th - 26th
This is Local Holiday Pop-Up Night Market - November 30th

D E C E M B E R //
Drunk Feminist Films (Die Hard) - December 2nd
City of Craft - December 8th - 10th
The Jingle Ball - December 9th
Home alone in Concert - December 1st - 2nd
Toronto I Heart Beer Festival - December 9th
The Leslieville Holiday Market - December 16th
Crown Flora Holiday Market - December 16th & 17th
The Nutcracker - December 23rd

Merry Christmas!

m e r r y    c h r i s t m a s

I can't believe my favourite day of the year is already here! Oh Christmas, I love you so. This year has probably been the most special one of my life. I got to marry the love of my life, and celebrate our love with the people we love most! ♥ Not only that but we bought our first ever house and will soon be calling it home.

I am excited to do some posts reflecting on an amazing year. I know 2016 was not good for a lot of people, for all kinds of reasons - but I gotta say...for me, 2016 was the shit.

This is my first Christmas as a Whish and I could not be happier about that. It's been really hectic this year with new jobs and moving on the 28th, but regardless it's been festive and magical as always. Feeling beyond blessed to be surrounded by so many special people who we love so much. I hope everyone has a wonderful Christmas, and wishing you love, adventure & happiness in 2017.

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!

6 days until christmas + last minute stocking stuffer ideas!

You guys! Christmas is only six days away. I know I say this every year, but honestly time just flies by too fast and before you know it another Christmas has come and gone. I had so many fun posts I wanted to share with you guys but then life happened, to the max.

Pete and I get our house tomorrow (omfg!) and we are so pumped. However, this has made for a very insane December for us. We are still finishing up packing (between all of our billions of Christmas parties) and this week we get the place and will do some painting. We officially move in on December 28th ♥

For now I thought I'd share a few last minute stocking stuffer ideas with y'all. I love stockings! One of my favourite things to do is buy stocking stuffers for Pete.

1. lottery tickets
2. mini bottle(s) of booze
3. tea & coffee
4. mini notebook
5. chapstick
6. hand cream
7. spices + fancy salts & peppers
8. nice warm sockssocks
9. candles/tealights
10. playing cards
11. enamel pin(s)
12. luggage tag
13. matches/a ligher
14. jack knife
15. bottle opener
16. mints in a tin
17. nail polish
18. nail file
19. lipgloss
20. change purse
21. squish gummies
22. washii tape
23. honey/jam/sauce
24. keychain
25. saje wellness sprays
26. mini toiletries
27. itunes gift card
28. tea infuser
29. hand sanitizer
30. mini kleenex

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.

Hey Jules Christmas To-Do List!

h a p p y   s u n d a y ////

So, this weekend was legit insane. It was so lovely, so great. It's officially Christmas time because 'tis the season where I plan a million things in one weekend so I can make sure I get to do everything. Friday night my cutie pie niece Ivy slept over and we watched Christmas movies and did crafts! Saturday I went for a walk to do some Christmas shopping and then met my bestie her her fam at the one of a kind show! It was pretty good, and I managed to buy some Christmas gifts from my favourite vendors. After the show Pete and I headed to meet up with friends for festival specials and then the lighting of the big Christmas tree downtown. Today we went to see our new house again (ah, yay!) and had a nice visit with our parents and my bro and Mikey. I've spent the rest of today getting out more Christmas decorations and also starting to pack (about 3 weeks to go!) - Now, Pete is at the Grey Cup and I am (finally) watching Gilmore Girls(!!!)

Every year I come up with a Christmas To-Do List to keep me on track for maximum Christmas cheer, because this is obviously something very important to me, lol. Here's this years edition:

• Do hand written Christmas prints! & share them
• Have a baking day
• Host our annual Christmas party (my first one as a Whish!)
• Watch the Toronto Santa Clause Parade
• Try a new dessert recipe
• Get festive specials
• Go to the Toronto Christmas Market
• See the Christmas windows at The Bay
• Go see the giant Christmas tree at The Eaton Centre
• Go to the Cavalclade of the lights
• Watch all of my Christmas movies
• Decorate our (real) Christmas tree, even though we move very soon
• Do a Christmassy DIY blog post
• Listen to Snowed In (hanson's christmas album!)
• Go skating outside at an outdoor rink
• Eat Candycane Icecream
• Make mulled wine
• Make at least one handmade Christmas gift
• Have a Christmas movie day with Ivy
• Watch White Christmas was my Mom
• Make a new Christmas cocktail
• Drink bailey's and watch Christmas movies with Pete
• Spread some Christmas love around Toronto
• Mail lotssss of Christmas cards to friends all over
• Attend three local Christmas markets
• Have a Christmas craft day
• Go to St.Lawrence Market for fresh groceries and flowers

100 days until christmas!

Well if you know me in any capacity then you know my favourite thing in the world is CHRISTMAS. Today marks 100 days until Christmas, and although that doesn't make it all that close, one thing I know is that before you know it, it's here again and then gone just as fast. Just thinking about the coming months and Christmas coming closer makes me SO happy! ♥ - Not going to lie, I've already booked the party room for our Christmas party this year. Last year we kept it pretty low key with our Christmas party because of the wedding, and this year we are going ALL out (obvioussssly)

So, for my fellow Christmas lovers, or maybe even more so the ones who don't love it - here's a round up of some of my favourite Christmas blog posts from the last few years. Enjoy + Keep Christmas with you, all through the year ♥ :

• free christmas spirit! 10 ways to spread christmas cheer!
• christmas everything! a sneak peak in to our decorated home!
• my christmas to-do list/bucket list!
• christmas snail mail, tips on sending holiday packages!
• the hey jules holiday list!
• my favourite quotes about christmas!
• five places to get cool christmas gifts in toronto!
• our minted christmas cards!
• one month until christmas to-do list!
• forever 21 untapped christmas by cute by jules!
• hey jules gift guide - the perfect bar cart!

Merry Christmas!

Oh my gosh, my golly! MERRY CHRISTMAS EVERYONE! ♥

I know I am a day late and haven't blogged in oh let's see - nine days! but life has been wonderful and busy and it didn't leave me any time for this little blog.

I can't believe my favourite day of the year has already come & gone. Time is flying by so fast and as always Christmas was so jam packed with fun.

I didn't stress too much about updating because I was celebrating with friends and family and doing so many great things as I hope you were too. Christmas was amazing once again. Pete and I were beyond spoiled as we always are, and we got to travel around and spend time with our favourite people ever. ♥

As much as I absolutely love Christmas, I also love the new year! It's a time to reflect on the year that just passed and what's to come. As I am sure you noticed, I love making goals and lists and I cannot wait to make my 2016 bucket list! 2015 was absolutely incredible, and 2016 is going to be even better, I know it! ♥

I hope you had the most magical Christmas ever! Take these next few days to unpack your new goodies, clean, relax, read, re-group, shop and spend time with those you love most. That's what I'll be doing

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!

Christmas Quotes!

Oh hello there, well that last week went by lightning fast! Can you believe that it's already December 8th? Oooh baby, here we go! I've got one fun-filled week in store!

Our next couple of weeks are seriously jam packed but I wouldn't have it any other way! So many amazing things to look forward to ♥

One of my favourite things about Christmas is reflecting on the joy & love we get to feel an extra amount around this time of year. With that, I wanted to share some of the most magical, beautiful, Christmas quotes.

In the photo above I doodled one of my favourites & here are some more:

"My idea of Christmas whether old-fashioned or modern, is very simple: LOVING OTHERS, come to think of it, why do we have to wait for Christmas to do that?" - Bob Hope

"Christmas isn't a season, it's a feeling" - Edna Ferber

"Christmas is not a time nor a season, but a state of mind. To cherish peace and goodwill, to be plenteous in mercy, is to have the real spirit of Christmas." - Calvin Coolidge

"Christmas is doing a little something extra for someone." - Charles M. Schulz"

"Don't let the past steal your present. This is the message of Christmas: We are never alone." - Taylor Caldwell

“I will honor Christmas in my heart, and try to keep it all the year.”  - Charles Dickens

“Christmas waves a magic wand over this world, and behold, everything is softer and more beautiful. ” - Norman Vincent Peale

christmas snail mail // tips on sending packages

H A P P Y   D E C E M B E R   1 S T

It's finally here! December, I've been waiting for you! Christmas is in FULL effect now and I could not be more excited. As you can tell, lots of festive posts happening on the blog for the next few weeks. ♥

Tonight I am talking about sending Christmas snail mail - which is something I absolutely love to do, and generally do each year without a doubt. There is something extra special about sending mail around the holidays and I always do my best to send as much as I can.

Although it's wonderful to send mail, it can also be very expensive, especially in Canada. I've learned that mailing larger packages can cost a lot of dough - sometimes even more than what is inside the parcel. So my trick for this year, is still sending a package, but keeping it small, light, and flat! This is totally possible and less than half of the cost of sending a larger and heavier package.

I spent some extra time searching for cute little things to go inside the package, and I found this adorable envelopes from Marshall's that were PERFECT for my new and improved Christmas parcels!

Inside I included a letter, a Christmas card, and of course a lot of cute-as-can-be confetti plus some cute goodies I picked up here and there and wrapped up.

The earlier you send them the better, so you don't have to pay extra to get them there quickly in a shorter amount of time. If you go to your local post office you will find a little slip listing postage dates to keep tabs! Here are a list of perfect little gifts to include in your holiday packages this year!

+ stickers

+ gift labels

+ notebook

+ passport holder

+ card

+ stationery

+ magazine/small book

+ pen/pencil

+ 4x6 print

+ small piece of jewellery

My Christmas Bucket List

Happy Sunday Darlin's

Pete and I had a JAM PACKED weekend of fun! We are relaxing now after a very productive little Sunday, the best day of the week ♥

So, you guys know me and my love of lists, goals and writing things down - and one thing I always like to do is make a christmas bucket list! It's all hustle and bustle during my favourite season, so I always like to make time to do some of my favourite things.

Here are a few snaps of this years list, I've already knocked a few off so far, and can't wait to continue on with the fun.

Setting goals can be really rewarding and refreshing. I like to actually write them out and physically cross them or check them off the list once complete! I generally always post my current goals up in my craft room and then also list them on the side of my blog, so that I can hold my self accountable!

Here are some of my Christmas goals ♥ :

• Host a Christmas party!
• Make mulled wine!
• Get Festive Specials!
• Go Skating (outside!)
• See "The Night Before"!
• Have a Christmas baking day!
• Send Christmas snail mail
• Have a Christmas movie marathon!
• Participate in a Christmas card swap!
• Buy 3 gift from local artists/vendors!
• Go to the Toronto Christmas Market!
• Have a Christmas craft day!
• Post anonymous love around Toronto!
• Watch Home Alone & order a plain cheese pizza!
• Take a friend out for Pepermint Mochas!
• Mail out all of our Christmas cards!

Do you have a list of Christmasy things you want to do this year?

Minted Christmas Cards!

it's the most wonderful time of the year!

It's here, it's finally (almost) here. My favourite time of the year, what I wait for alllllll year long - Christmasss! Oh I am so happy. Even though I LOVE Christmas more than anything, I still wait a bit to get my decorations up until it really feels real. For me, the official "kick off to christmas" is The Toronto Santa Claus which is usually mid November. Since the parade just happened this past Sunday I am definitely feeling those special Christmas feels ♥

This is my third year in a row ordering my Christmas cards from Minted and once again, I absolutely LOVE how they turned out and am beyond excited to start writing them out to some of my favourite people! There are so many different templates and styles to choose from but this one really stuck out for me, I absolutely love the font, and knew I wanted to use one of our engagement photo's for the background and am happy with how it turned out.

Minted is a design marketplace of independent artists from around the world! I love the concept so much and it's something I am always really excited to support. I love that it's a place where artists can learn, gain exposure and build their businesses. Especially since I am someone with a similar dream.

All holiday cards are available with matching envelope designs and recipient addressing! (free for a limited time) and on top of that, there are tons of other adorable things to add in too! I got some custom gift tags that I will share with you soon, and adorable stickers too!

For more inspiration on all the beautiful prints, cards, photos, stickers etc - get connected with Minted:

Instagram // Twitter // Website

* this is a sponsored post. please know that jules only chooses to work with brands that she loves, believes in and best reflect her personal brand & blog *

Free Christmas Spirit - 10 ways to spread Christmas cheer!

Happy Monday // Happy 3 sleeps until Christmas ♥ // I am off all week and am busy as a bee getting all ready for the big day.  I wanted to leave you with 10 very simple things to do to spread some Christmas cheer! You probably have some time to do them all byThursday too!

The above photo is a little craft I came up with and posted downtown Toronto, I posted it around the corner from my work and checked a few hours after I posted it and they were all gone! LOVE IT!

1) Post anonymous love around your neighbourhood, city, house, workplace etc.

2) Compliment strangers

3) Send Christmas cards in the mail

4) Make homemade gifts, they are so thoughtful!

5) Share an inspirational video on any of your social media outlets to get people in the spirit

6) Surprise a friend or co-worker with a little note and/or treat to cheer them up

7) Call your Grandma &/or Grandpa!

8) SMILE at people on the street and help spread the love!

9) Say "MERRY CHRISTMAS" and be proud to say it.

10) Donate to a local charity, food bank, or toy drive to give back to your community