The Blog

Good Morning.

The kids & I are all feeling under the weather so they are home today “resting” while I also try to rest & get some client work done.

The next few days are busy, busy & to top it off, Saturday we are having the kids birthday parties, so needless to say magic wand making & loots bag assembly are in full swing.

I mentioned a little while ago that I have some changes happening in my business. A website & branding is underway. I have also booked a photographer to take some real professional interior pics for my portfolio – so I have been scheming and very slowly crossing things off the “Get it done before the shoot” list. The painter has been booked, so the staircase is going to be painted in early January. I’m so excited to see it’s transformation.

Happy Sunday!

I hope you are enjoying you weekend so far. This is the first weekend in a long time that we have no plans, so it’ been nice to relax & spend some well deserved family time.

Yesterday I stopped by to share my Gift Guide for the MR.’s,  here it is again if you missed it.

Today I’m sharing some of my Gift Guide for the Gals.

 watch / pitcher / phone case / hand cream / headphones /
book / wallet / necklace / pillow / boots

Enjoy this chilly Sunday maybe curled up by the fire, sipping on some marshmallow filled hot chocolate & watching a movie.

It’s Saturday & as promised I put together a Holiday Gift Guide for all the Mr.’s, just incase you need a little help in the idea’s department.

wireless speaker / flask / canister / cuff links / money clip / valet tray
whiskey rocks / BBQ Cookbook / watch / headphones

Happy Shopping!

With Christmas just around the corner my Wish List items are coming to an end, I only have 2 more to share with you.

If you could see my current yoga mat you would understand the need for a new one. I have had it for 6 years – I first got it when I was doing pre-natal yoga – one of the 2 forms of exercise I was able to do while prego with my twinnies – who are just about to turn 5 – holy hell where has the time gone! 

This one would be lovely,

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& maybe a few accoutrements to make my practise of the hot variety a little more bareable

towel & headband via

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Since I’ve been a slacker blogger the last few weeks, I will be posting both Saturday & Sunday with some gift guides.

You may have noticed in the left hand column, I have added a the Google Friend Connect…please join!

A few weeks ago I put together this board on what items I would love to have use set my Holiday Table. We are having my family over on Christmas morning. I wanted to put all of my thoughts together & see where I ended up, so I still have time should I want to tweak it slightly.

I had a clear idea, but needed to pick up a few things, so I channeled my inner Danielle & challenged myself to only go to the dollar store & not spend more than $15.

So here’s how I did.

My grandmother was a big help, by supplying the gold & silver flatware, linen napkins – some of which are over 100 years old & the collection of my Grandad’s black bow ties that playfully sit in the potted tree!

 In my inspiration I included the KW plates, so I decided to DIY my own. The ones I painted are strictly for show, but I don’t care – I will however own a set of the real ones…one day. I love how they give a modern vibe in and amongst the antique linen napkins & deco flatware. 

So all in all, I spent a whopping $10 to create this minimal & simple table. 

I’m a happy camper.

I’m sorry I have been MIA.

I find that the only way for me to stay on top of my posts is to write them the night before, otherwise other things take centre stage if I wait til’ morning. So, I am back on the before bed writing bandwagon so hopefully these posts will be ready for you to read with your morning cup of joe.

Let me star off with a few things

1- I had to quit the part time job I had – it was interfering, with my kids, husband, yoga & just getting all the household crap done – What was I thinking!  Since I gave my 2 weeks notice – for I have gained 7 new clients requiring drapery & pillows for the holidays. What’s the saying “When one door closes another opens”. My last day was Saturday. Woohoo!

2- My birthday was on Sunday & the Mr. checked the City & Colour concert tix off my list.

He’s a real keeper! 

I have been getting the house all Christmas-fied – much more scaled back, minimal & all in Black & White!

Here’s a peek.

The kids even decorated little trees in their rooms.

I’ve mentioned before that I get bored with my surrounding so I am always changing things around & moving items from one room to another. I like all of the pieces we have but sometimes they just need a new home for me to appreciate them again!

On the weekend we sat down in the living room & collectively agreed that something in the room is not looking right. We began to hatch out a plan & because when I bet a bee in my bonnet I have to act on it, here is what I got up to yesterday afternoon.

Before

After

We have both agreed that we definitely want to get another pair of chairs, a bench & a pair of wall sconces, but these things will have to wait, but you know that I will begin my search for the perfect pieces. As for now, I am really happy with where this is going.

Since we have scaled back slightly I’m left with all this.

I will have to make a trip to the Salvation Army to do a drop off, however there are some things I could sell. I’m thinking I may have an Instagram Sale – more on that later this week.

Well that all she wrote! I’m off to create my Christmas Table scape – here’s hoping the dollar store has what I’m after! I will share my finds & finished table with you tomorrow!

Happy Hump Day:)

It’s Friday so that means its Christmas Wish List reveal time.

A little while back I told you about my search for a piece of art for our bedroom, you can read that post here.
I have yet to move forward, but have decided that this piece by Kristin Kirkley is the perfect one for the space.

Today is Black Friday in the US, so in honour of our friends just to the south, Pillotopia is jumping on the bandwagon & having sale too! 

The house almost all decorated for Christmas, so I will share pictures of that Monday, there’s just a few minor tweaks & were good to go.

Happy Shopping!

I can’t believe that it’ Wednesday already, time is flying by at what seem like lightning speed lately. Does anyone else feel this way too?

Yesterday I spent the afternoon at this workshop / event.

It was great & so well organized. Each workshop was held at a different location that pertained to what the workshop / talk was about & then there were challenges at each stop too! We were chauffeured around in a Buick, ours was an Enclave – it looks like an SUV from the outside, but the inside has the sensibility of a minivan – genius! My travelling gals were Christine, Sarah & Lisa – hilarity & good times are just a given with these ladies!

Our first stop was HomeSense where Tamara Robbins lead a panel of Magazine Editors Jennifer Reynolds, Nadine Silverthorne & Karine Ewart they gave us the scoop on how to get published / contribute in a magazine. How creative is your content? How does it relate to the magazine? How do you get noticed for print? How to get in print? Theres a lot of relationship building / trust & the give & take with a print magazine is a must.

While at HomeSense (I think it’s the largest in Canada if I am correct) our challenge involved drawing a person who you might have to buy a gift for out of a hat & having 10 min to choose a gift in the store then Instagram / Tweet it.

Stop two was at Jazz Bistro where the panels spoke about how well you know your brand, increasing your traffic & once again relationship building.

Here our challenge was to taste a new wine, Earth & Sky in both the red & white, & to then pair it with a song that matched it smell, feeling and flavour – I liked this task. The white Riesling was especially tasty.

Our last stop was at the Marilyn Dennis studio where we discussed with a great panel of Executive Producers of TV shows we all know, like Canada AM, The Today Show, The Marilyn Denins Show, The Social & the Editor-in-Cheif of Walmarts Live Better Magazine shared tips on pitching broadcasters content & what they are looking for when sourcing someone for television.

This challenge involved a Instagram video stating why you want to win a trip to Club Med & have it relate back to your brand. Tricky to do in 14 seconds.

A giant thank you to Impressions PR & Wee Welcome for putting together a great day!

&

Just a reminder

The Pillotopia Sale is over Saturday so please head on over & buy up some goodies for 25% off.
Use coupon code HOLIDAY25 at the checkout.

See you tomorrow!

Here are my pics for this week.

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This sofa has me feeling a bit hot & bothered I love everything about it!
The high contrast between the simple & shapely black stained frame, the creamy upholstery & not to mention the metal detail on the frame. I’m also a sucker for single seat cushions on sofas.
When the time comes to get something “nice” for the living room this baby is a definite, YES!

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Would you ever believe that these wall sconces are from The Home Depot & they are only $73!
They look way cool & more expensive than 73 bone, right?
The Home Depot if you are reading this,  I need these & have the perfect place for them!

Today I am going to this…

It’s going to be a fun day of hands on workshops & learning alongside other bloggers, agency peeps & brands.

I will be Instagraming & Tweeting my day so following along @designinghollie

I love jewellery so I’ve made it #10 on my Christmas Wish List.

 I am really into rings lately, the wider the band the better.
Here’s 2 that would make me smile on Christmas morn.

This one with it’s wide brass band and organic setting is very appealing.

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If the truth be told I already have this ring from REBECCA. I bought it for myself just over a year ago & I wear it every single day. I love the rose gold dipped finish & have had many compliments, but the “diamond dust” has all discoloured – I’ve tried cleaning it with no luck- & the finish has worn off in places.

Have a great weekend & remember I have a 25% off sale happening over at my Etsy shop – PILLOTOPIA until the end of November.

Happy almost weekend.