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Holiday letters (love them or loathe them?)

Raise your hand if you like to send Christmas cards, or email holiday greetings.  Now, raise your hand if you include a holiday letter.  I’d love to know how many people still follow this tradition.  I have always loved cards, and as we moved a lot, have often included a letter to update friends and families on where we were currently living and working.  We weren’t the easiest family to keep up with.  Once we had kids it seemed like the easiest way to share kid news and photos, though now I admit the kids almost make me too busy to write the letters!

But there seems to be some controversy about holiday letters, and every year it buzzes louder and louder.  Someone is always saying we shouldn’t write them, it’s a waste of paper.  Others say the letters aren’t genuine and are more about outdoing others than connection.  In short, the holiday letter is either treasured or vilified – there’s not a lot of middle ground!  Here we have a few tips and ideas for your holiday cards and letters (if you write them.)

Ideas to keep your holiday letter fresh:

• Write a holiday letter, but let your flaws and foibles show!  It’s okay to share more of your life and not just the sparkly bits.  Don’t rave and brag, but tell what’s been happening, ups and downs.  If you feel pressured to brag and keep up, maybe you should reconsider who is on your Christmas card list.
• Include photos – let’s face it, most families want to see photos of the kids, if you have them. If you love photos, send one of the whole family!  But listen, if you’re taking special photos for the occasion, go easy on everyone.  Aim for clean and tidy kids, and smiles all around.  This may not be the time to force kids into uncomfortable dress clothes, nor may it be time to force teens and preteens into matching outfits.  Really, aim for fun, relaxed and just a tiny bit festive.
• If you aren’t into writing a newsy letter, why not share something else?  Share a favourite holiday recipe (especially one that you are known for, or always bring to large gatherings.)  Find a few interesting holiday cocktail recipes (yes, including mocktails) and share them.  Share your favourite memories of holidays past, or ask your family members to share theirs and then put them together to share with others.
• Get your kids involved!  Share funny things your kids have said or done throughout the year, let them write the letter, make the cards with them or make art to be made into cards.
• Enclose copies of photos of your kids in cards to close family, let your kids add a special piece of artwork for special friends, or tuck in a sheet of holiday stickers for households with small children.  Just be sure to add an extra stamp at the post office to make sure it reaches its destination safely.

Tips to get your holiday cards and letters done easily:

• Create a holiday card list!  I write a list of all the people I want to send cards to.  Then, I address an envelope for each one and as I do, I check off the names.  Once I have written the card and sealed the envelope up, the name gets crossed off the list.  I like to do it this way because in good years I will address my envelopes early.  I don’t need a lot of holiday spirit to do it, and it also gives me time if I need to reach out to a few people for new mailing addresses.
• Find something to do while you write – I find it’s more fun to put on Christmas movies and really immerse myself in it.  Even just doing it while you watch television is great – if you just do a few on each commercial break, you will get through them and not feel like it’s a chore.
• Start with cards for people who live the furthest away.  I find if I am running a little late in my card sending, this helps me catch up.  It can take a while for cards to make it through busy post offices, so if you have cards that need to leave the country or travel thousands of miles east or west, get them done first and get them mailed.  As the days go on, you can continue to write and mail cards that don’t need to travel so far.
• Remember, there is no rule that you need to send cards!  There are many ways to stay connected over the holidays.  Send cards if you love them, email a greeting if that feels natural, pick up the phone and call your closest friends and family.
• Keep a copy of your Christmas card list saved on your computer, or if you do it the old-fashioned way, tucked in the back of your address book.

Will you send cards this holiday season?  How many do you send?  Do you write a Christmas letter?

Tell us what your friends and family can expect to find in their mailboxes this December!

The Best Curry Ever and the last of my curry recipes i.e. you can't top this.

Mumbai Lamb with Apricots

There isn’t much I can say about this curry. Everyone who has tasted it has uttered the words ‘best curry ever’. Try it and see.

Ingredients

• Handful of dried apricots
• 1 1/2 lbs of lamb stew meat (boneless)
• Tablespoon white vinegar
• Olive oil
• Ginger root
• Garlic bulb
• 1 Cinnamon stick
• 6 green cardamoms
• 2 tsp of red chile powder
• 1 tsp of ground cumin
• 2 tomatoes
• 1 tsp of garam masala
• 1 tsp black pepper
• 1 tbsp of brown sugar
• Dash of salt
• Water
• Cream

Directions:

• Take a handful of dried apricots and soak them in warm water with a tablespoon of vinegar for a couple of hours.
•  Put 3-4 tbsp of oil in a deep frying pan put on a low heat for 2-3 min
• Dice one white onion, add to the oil
• Fry the onions for about 15 min or until soft
• Finely dice 1 inch of ginger root and 4-5 garlic cloves
• Add the garlic and ginger to pan and cook for 3 min more
• Add a 3 inch cinnamon stick and 6 green cardamoms, stir for 1 minute
• Add 2 tsp of red chile powder and 1 tsp of ground cumin, stir well
• Dice 2 tomatoes, then add them and cook for 5 min more
• Add about 1 1/2 lbs of lamb stew meat (boneless),1 tsp of garam masala, 1 tsp black pepper and a few dashes of salt. Cook for 5 min or until lamb is browned, thoroughly stir all the ingredients together while browning meat
• Add 1 to 1 1/2 cups of water and cook until the meat is tender on a med-low heat (20-25 min) if all the water has evaporated add another 1/2 cup
• Drain the apricots and cut them in half and add to the dish, thoroughly stirring
• Add 1 more tbsp of vinegar and 1 tbsp of brown sugar, thoroughly stirring in, cook for 10 min
• Turn heat to low and let cool, then add a few splashes of cream and stir
• Cook 1 min more on low (that extra minute makes all the difference)

Serve over rice and with some naan or papadums

Dave's Green Curry Lamb Stew

The last few posts of mine have focused on curry recipes. I can’t get enough of curry. I’m not really a fan of heat,  but I like my mild spices layered and infused for a perfect blend.

My husband is the curry star in our house and this is one of his creations. Here he has borrowed various Indian styles to make a delicious and fairly traditional lamb stew. This recipe is a little more complicated than the previous recipes. Please do let me know if you like it as I have a couple more recipes similar to this that I’d love to share with you.

Ingredients for marinade

• 20-30 plain unroasted cashews
• 4tbsp thinly sliced dried coconut
• 1 inch piece ginger chopped
• 3-6 garlic cloves
• 4 green chillies
• 2 cups fresh cilantro
• 1/2 cup of water (or cream if you like)

1. Blend these ingredients into a fine paste
2. Take 1.5lbs lamb from shoulder or leg cut into 1-inch square pieces, remove almost all of the fat, thoroughly coat the lamb in the paste and marinate overnight in fridge.
3. Allow lamb to come up to room temperature before adding to the dish.

Directions for stew:

1. put 3 tbsp of oil in the pan and heat till warm
2. take 3 green cardamom, 1inch piece of cinnamon stick, 2 cloves and break up roughly with a mortar and pestle
3. cook for (2min) on low heat then add 1 diced onion and cook until onion is soft (15min)

Further Ingredients and Directions for Stew

• 2 tomatoes cut in quarters or eights
• 1/2 tsp cayenne
• 1 tsp paprika
• 1 tsp tumeric
• 2 tsp garam masala
• 1tsp freshly ground cumin seeds
• 1tsp freshly ground coriander seeds
• cook together till tomatoes are soft and beginning to fall apart (5 min)
• add the lamb and its marinade making sure to thoroughly stir all the ingredients
• add 2 cups of water and thoroughly stir all ingredients till fully mixed
• turn heat on high and let stew come to a boil, cook at this temp (5-7min) constantly stirring so that it does not stick to the bottom and burn (if it burns it is ruined!)
• now turn the heat back down to simmer and let stew continue to cook for 45min – if mixture becomes too thick add more water
• serve over rice with naan on the side
• garnish with fresh chopped cilantro and a squeeze of lime

 If you prefer a not-too-spicy curry ,use less green chillies and omit the cayenne. Bon appetit!

Chicken Soup for The Sinuses: Spice Infused Chicken and Roasted Vegetable Soup

After putting various cold remedies to the test, including oil of oregano, acupuncture, Hot Toddies and more, I conceded that my most favourite and effective cold and flu remedy is indeed good old chicken soup. But I do so love my Indian spices and what better way to get rid of those pesky sniffles than by making a delicious chicken and roasted vegetable soup infused with immune boosting spice and flavour

Ingredients: 

• Olive Oil
• 6 cups chicken stock broth
• 1tsp. of turmeric
• 2tsp. of paprika
• 1 tsp. of cumin
• 3 tbsp. yellow curry powder
• salt and pepper to taste
• 6 cloves garlic
• 1” x 1” piece of ginger
• 1 white onion
• 1 can of coconut milk
• 1 red pepper
• 20 asparagus stalks
• 1 small zucchini
• 2 chicken breasts, good sized
• 1 cup chopped fresh cilantro (unless you think it tastes like soap, then omit!)

Directions:

Dice the red pepper and chop the asparagus into 2 inch segments, slice the zucchini into 1 cm wide rounds.

Spray a baking tray with a small amount of olive oil and place the vegetables on it.  Spray the vegetables with olive oil again and sprinkle some salt and pepper over them.  Place in an oven preheated to 375 degrees and roast them till they are soft and just slightly blackened.

Now start cooking your soup stock, bring it to a slow boil and then turn down to simmer.

Take the onion and dice.  In a pan or, heat up 3 tbsp olive oil and when it is warm add the onion.  Cook on low till very soft (15 min).  While this is cooking finely slice your ginger and garlic.  Take your chicken breasts and dice them into 1 inch square pieces.   When the onion is ready add the chicken, garlic and ginger and turn the temperature to medium.  Cook for 5 min and then add turmeric, paprika, cumin, yellow curry powder, and salt and pepper to taste.  Thoroughly stir the spices all over the other ingredients while the chicken browns.  When the chicken seems thoroughly cooked add all ingredients to the soup stock.

Remove the roasted vegetables from the oven and add them to the soup stock.

Add 1 can of coconut milk to the soup.

Thoroughly stir all ingredients and turn temperature to low and let cook for another half hour or so, then serve hot!

Cold Effects – How do cold remedies compare?

Am I right in thinking I’m not the only one who has been suffering from a cold the last couple of weeks? It’s that season after all. Pretty much all my friends have had some sort of cold or flu that has been hard to shake. What do you take when you get a cold? Are you a fan of pharmaceuticals or do you stick to all natural remedies?

Here I’ve compared the effects of cold remedies. Let’s see what shakes these colds!

• Cold-FX – This is a product that was new to me when I moved to Canada. It claims to be clinically proven to reduce the frequency, severity and duration of cold and flu symptoms and I’ve got to say it has always worked for me. I find if I take Cold-FX the day I feel the symptoms of any cold or flu, I will recover more quickly.
• Garlic – Garlic has a powerful antioxidant and antibacterial effect. Garlic is also said to have strong effects on lowing the cholesterol and blood pressure. As a cold remedy, garlic can reduce the frequency and duration of cold. Studies have been done with garlic supplements but not raw garlic. In my experience, garlic had no effect on my colds, however I do not take a daily garlic supplement. This study by Peter Josling was conducted on 146 volunteers, split into those who took a placebo and those who took a garlic supplement. Those taking garlic suffered less colds and the cold they did have, were shorter.
• The Hot Toddy – My VictoriaMom colleague sent me this little recipe last week when I was struggling to get up and back to work. It was alcohol free but there are lots of variations including adding peach schnapps for a peach toddy – yum! See here for more hot toddy recipes. My hot toddy had an emphasis on cayenne pepper and garlic – Hot water, 2/3 table spoons of lemon juice. 1-2 teaspoons of honey, a clove of chopped garlic and 1/8 tsp of cayenne. It was really comforting; hydrating me, warming me and making me feel a little better. I didn’t bounce off the sofa cured but the cayenne definitely got my sinus blockage shifting. I made a teapot and drank as much as I could.
• Fenugreek seeds – You can buy fenugreek seeds at any good health food shop that sells loose herbs. Boil the seeds like a tea and drink. If you boil for just the right amount of time, it will taste like maple syrup, any longer and it gets a little bitter. I’ve used fenugreek for years to clear sinus problems from cold and allergies. Fenugreek has many health benefits, but I find it works to make me sneeze and shift congestion.
• Chicken soup - Not just a comfort food but a bonafide way to help shift mucus and cold. I went for a spicy chicken soup for extra oomph! I’ve read several different explanations for why chicken noodle soup helps when you are sick and from what I can see, it comes down to the body having proper nutrition in order to fight germs. That’s good enough for me. Easy to eat, easy to digest, this is my cold remedy go to.
• Over the Counter Medicines – For this cold I didn’t bother, I figured rest, fluid and nutrition would be enough and I was right. But previously I’ve taken decongestants and painkillers and I have definitely had symptom relief this way.
• Acupuncture – I worked with a acupuncture practitioner in Victoria, BC when pregnant and whenever I had any sort of sickness coming I was needled. I find that acupuncture has great effects on general health, in supporting the immune system and preventing illness. I don’t usually book in for acupuncture if I have a cold but I am not sick often and I put this down to regular acupuncture ‘tune ups.’ Acupuncture practitioners can also offer you a Chinese herbal remedy (which will probably include astragalus root which does wonders for the immune system).
• Vitamin C, Zinc and more - A healthy diet is important to prevent colds. If I feel a cold coming, I up my Vitamin C intake. You can also put some Emergen-C in your hot toddy!
• Oil of Oregano – This is another of my go to remedies when sick, yes I smell like a pizza but this stuff is potent. Used since Ancient Greece as a potent antiviral, antibacterial, anti-fungal, and anti-parasitic oil that reduces pain and inflammation and can effectively fight off infections, oil of oregano is always in my medicine cupboard for colds and digestive problems and it definitely works to shorten the duration of my colds.

Do you have a go to cold remedy you can share with us, or perhaps a variation on the hot toddy or chicken soup recipes? Let me know, I would love to hear it and try it next time.

Marking Remembrance Day with children

 It’s November, and there are already poppies out on counters in most of our communities.  Remembrance Day is coming soon, on November 11, and if you have children, you may have already realized it’s not the easiest holiday to discuss with your kids.  Some stories and concepts are just not appropriate for young ears, some are beyond young children’s comprehension, and often our own ignorance makes us hesitate.

Yet, this is an important day, and there are things we can do as parents to mark the day and show our kids our respect for the memories it represents.  We can wear poppies, share stories, look up information together to learn about our country’s history, attend ceremonies in our schools and communities.  We can observe a moment of silence on the day itself.  Mostly, we just need to stop and take the time to talk to our kids, and let them see that we think it is important.  As with most things, they will follow our lead.

 Many schools have Remembrance Day ceremonies, and the discussions they have in class while preparing and rehearsing often help give kids clues as to what the day is all about.

Most stores and coffee shops/restaurants have poppies for sale near their front counters.  Place a donation in the box, and you have a poppy to wear.  Buy poppies, wear them, and watch for others wearing them.  This can be a good way to talk about quiet ways to remember important things – that even without a ceremony, we can observe the holiday by simply and respectfully wearing our poppies.

If you are worried about kids and poppies, try adding a small pencil eraser or the like to the bottom of the pin for older kids, to ensure poppies stay put.  For younger children, a safety pin might be the only answer so they can wear the poppy safely without a loose straight pin to fuss with or worry about.

Look online for Remembrance Day colouring pages and print some off for your kids.  Young children who aren’t able to hold still for a long explanation may be perfectly happy to listen to you talk while they colour poppies at the table.

Share stories of family members who are serving or have served their country.  If you have family members who have passed away, show your children photos and even medals or other memorabilia if you can.  Talk about who they were when they were younger – what did they do?  Why did they fight?  What other ways did people help – for example, doctors and nurses, or people working in other ways to support the war effort?

You could work on a family project together to honour loved ones.  Why not print off photos or display medals nicely in a frame? You can buy frames at any home or craft store, or even look for used ones online if you want a unique size, shape or style.  A little paint and you could have a really meaningful piece of art to display in your home, or to give to a family member who would love to see the family history celebrated.

Many schools also sell poppies, so watch newsletters and school websites for details.  If your child would like to take a donation to school to buy a poppy, you’d best know about it in advance so you can tuck a coin or bill into their backpacks in a safe place.

Check your local library for books that are age appropriate for your children.  Most kids love to read or be read to, so this can be a good way to introduce something new.  As an added bonus, most books will offer a thoughtful perspective or background, giving your child more information than you might be able to in a casual conversation.

Watch for veterans’ licence plates that are marked with a poppy.  Point them out to your kids and explain that the poppy means that the owner of that car once fought for our country.  This can be a great opportunity to help build respect in preteens and teenagers for the older members of our community.  Many kids forget that the older generations were once young, vibrant, brave men and women who wanted to do something worthwhile and brave.  Talk with teenagers about young men and women who bravely went to serve their country in a time of war at age 18, some even lying about their age in order to sneak in even younger.

Have you talked to your kids about Remembrance Day?  Do you do anything to mark the day, or remember anyone special in your family?  We’d love to hear how you are sharing this important day with your families.

Witchy One-Bite Cupcakes: Scared Eggless!

What’s better than a buttercream-frosted, eggless devil’s food chocolate chip cupcake? Why, a bite-sized one, of course! I was charged with baking something for my housing co-op’s Halloween party this year. It had to be spooky, tasty and egg and nut free. Piece of adorable little cake! After a bit of Googling and cross referencing I came up with a recipe for these tasty morsels. Super easy and fast and the allergic kids will LOVE you!

Eggless Witchy One-Bite Cupcake Recipe

(makes 48 mini cupcakes)
1 1/2 cups flour
1/3 cup cocoa powder
1 tsp. baking soda
1/2 tsp. salt
1 cup sugar
1/2 cup vegetable oil
1 cup cold water
2 tsp. vanilla extract
2 tsp. vinegar
1/2 – 1 cup chocolate chips (I used a mix of dark & milk)

Preheat oven to 325°F if baking mini cupcakes – 350°F for standard size

Line mini muffin tin with spooky seasonal mini muffin liners (available at bake shops and craft stores).

Combine dry ingredients in a bowl.

Mix all the wet ingredients MINUS the vinegar in another bowl.

Combine wet and dry ingredients, stirring together in bowl until well combined. Stir in the vinegar, mixing rapidly.

Optional: Stir in 1/2 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips for a richer batter

Spoon batter in to mini muffin liners, filling a good 3/4 full (if you like puffy cupcakes, you can go ahead and fill the liner to the top)

Eat batter with wild abandon! After all, no eggs means no salmonella to worry about!

Place muffin tin on middle rack and bake for 15 minutes at 325°F. Test for doneness with a toothpick. Allow them to cool completely before frosting.

Witchy One-Bite Buttercream Frosting

1 cup of butter, room temperature (I use salted which a lot of people think is gross – BUT I love the slight offset to the super sweet buttercream. To each her own, I say! use salted)
6-8 cups of powdered sugar
1/2 cup of milk
1 1/2 tsp pure vanilla extract (use the good stuff)

Using electric beaters or a mixer + the paddle attachment if you’re so lucky, mix the butter until smooth and creamy

Add 4 cups of the icing sugar, 1/2 the milk and vanilla and mix on low speed mix until combined.

Add two more cups of sugar and on low speed mix until light and fluffy.

Continue adding icing sugar and milk to get the desired consistency. It should be light and smooth and very, very delicious.

Add your food colouring. I used Wilton’s gel in Violet to get this particular shade. Go easy. This is powerful stuff! A little dab will do you.

Fill a large, strong Ziploc freezer bag with several large scoops of frosting and snip off one corner. Voila! You now have a handy-dandy frosting bag. Pipe frosting on to those lovely ‘lil cupcakes. I used lots. As in the cake to frosting ratio was equal. Equal parts awesome, that is.

Sprinkle cupcakes with Wilton’s edible Black glitter. And you’re done.

So pretty. So tasty. So egglessly awesome! Now go hug an allergic kid and slip ‘em a cupcake. Happy Halloween!

An Interview with Tonic Living's Janine Morrison

On October 20th we attended/sponsored the Blissdom Canada 2012 social media conference for women in Toronto. This was a big deal for us and we wanted to make a good impression. If you don’t already know, when we go to events we like to create a pop-up living room furnished with items bought from a local Used site—UsedOttawa for this event. We decided to go with a Mid-Century Modern theme for Blissdom and I think we pulled it off rather nicely and affordably, I might add. See below. Pretty swank, non?

I fell truly, madly and deeply in love with a lot of the furniture and accessories we found which made it a little heartbreaking to let it all go—the bigger pieces went into storage while most of the decor items were given away as prizes to Blissdom attendees. But the hardest good-bye for me was bidding adieu to five, gorgeous custom-made pillows from Tonic Living.

I’ve been a huge fan of this Canadian fabric company for a while so I was thrilled when owner/co-founder Janine Morrison agreed to donate the fabric for an awesome chair makeover that the lovely Jennifer Flores of Rambling Renovators created for our booth. But when Janine also agreed to whip up some custom pillows to give away to a lucky winner, I was over the moon.

After spinning my moral compass north, south, east and west I concluded it would be wrong to fix the draw in my favour (considering, I’m not even allowed to enter)…  And although it hurt to hand them over, I’m pleased to report the pillows went to the awesome Brooke Berry and they’re reportedly quite happy with her in their new home in Calgary.

The lovely Brooke of brooklynberrydesigns.com

Sitting pretty

I GUESS these were kind of made for Brooke's place...

Cozy in Calgary...

Chair reupholstered with Tonic Living's Holland - Vapour fabric

I’m still dressed for mourning (mostly because it’s slimming) but let the healing begin with this nifty little interview with Janine about the family business, upcycling and the stupidity of short shower curtains.

Interview with Janine Morrison of Tonic Living

Janine Morrison

Tonic Living as seen on Rambling Renovators

Custom pillows made for Blissdom 2012

Janine's fave fabric of the moment: Spring Mix in Aloe by Robert Allen

We started out on eBay a few years before our site was built and launched… so, all together, around 10 years.

On your website you say you’re a family owned and operated business…what family members are you putting to work? 

No children …yet! ; ) My husband Jon and I started our business while he was still working in the film industry, but he’s been full time with Tonic Living for the last five years at least. Our youngest son shows quite a bit of interest in the “numbers” part of our business (Liam’s only 8, for goodness sake) and our oldest shows a lot of interest and promise in the marketing/graphic design end of things (Darin’s 12 and rather talented I must say!) Also, I have my first cousin Linda who comes in from Portugal once a year to work for us when she’s here for her annual Canada visit.

Why the textiles business? Are you a seamstress yourself? 

Seamstress is a very strong word! I can sew, but in a basic way. But did I mention I mastered putting a zipper in a pillow? And did I also mention that Jon was the one that taught me how? We once had a big order for a 75 pillows roll from BCBG in LA  (with a tight deadline, of course) and wouldn’t you know it our chief pillow sewer had just moved to another city. And so because we didn’t have a replacement lined up yet we learned together… And fast! The origin of our company was selling vintage collectibles and textiles on ebay and we had a tip from our friends about a “stash” in an old store in Toronto which led us to a gold mine of 30 and 40 year-old fabrics still on the bolt! From there we were sold on choosing fabric as the next, clear direction. Besides, the world was being drained dry of actual vintage fabrics so we began sourcing reproduction prints.

Do you remember the first item you sold? What was it?

On our website it was a single yard of fabric in a multi colored dot. On ebay, a few years prior, it was a pair of gorgeous old wall sconces from the 20′s that I picked up from Habitat for Humanity’s Restore. What a rush!

You sell custom fabric and you also make custom pillows, cushions, draperies and futon covers… Any other plans/creations in the hopper?

SO many ideas it could take an evening to discuss it… BUT, off the top of my head as far as products go, we want to launch a line of ready-made shower curtains with fabrics that we carry but in a longer length that means it would just almost kiss the floor. A pet peeve of mine is to see how short they are traditionally?! I mean, we don’t make our drapes short by 8″ do we? Of course we do custom shower curtains already but having them ready to go on the site would be smart.

Where do most of your buyers come from? Are they Canadian, American, International?

Slowly Canada is beginning to tip the scale where it used to be mostly American (we never advertised, so all of it was organic traffic) and there’s always been a good steady stream from the UK, Australia and New Zealand etc.

What’s been your favourite or most memorable project to date?

Doing Jennifer Flores’ (from Rambling Renovators blog) master bedroom drapes. At the time we were buried so deep in work and business that we were still wondering what the word ‘blog’ even meant.  We had no idea her drapes were going to be blogged about, on the Nate Berkus Show and in Style at Home Magazine. The response was overwhelming and to this day a few years later we still get many inquiries on those particular drapes. She has done such a great job with so many of our fabrics and custom items and we’re downright lucky to have her support.

What’s your favourite fabric pattern in your collection?

Currently i’m loving the Spring Mix in Aloe by Robert Allen. There’s something about it that reads a little vintage but not overly and works so well with some contrasting geometrics and glazed metallic linens. YUM!

If you could give one decorating tip to people working with a snug budget, what would it be? 

We’re huge supporters of re-using or up-cycling furniture and frankly that’s how 95% of our home is decorated (OK, minus the window treatments and pillows) so part of going that route is taking your time and staying committed to your vision whether it’s clear cut or more eclectic/organic. If you prefer to buy only new things then at least try to wait until you can get a quality item rather than buying “landfill” quality items. And you see that’s why I mostly buy used furniture that was meant to last the ages because it’s affordable and you don’t have to wait to save up!! (and… the soul it gives, such soul!)

Big plans for the future?

Yes, expansion for sure. In fact we’re currently hunting high and low for another commercial space but it’s been really difficult to find just the right building. There we’ll be able to offer even more selection of fabrics and spread out on larger work surfaces when designers and decorators come to visit. We’ll also be able to host design and industry related events which would be SO fun I think!

Last Minute Halloween Tricks (and Treats)

Did you make it to your local Halloween Costume Swap this year? It’s such a great idea to swap and trade gently used costumes, especially if you have kids that grow like weeds!

I was at work unfortunately so missed this event in my area, leaving me scrambling around with a week to go, searching through cupboards and waiting for inspiration to gently tap me on the shoulder or as the days pass by, slap me in the face.

In the UK where I come from, Halloween is not as widely celebrated as it is here in North America. I remember being shocked at the excitement that surrounded Halloween when I first came to Canada. Adults discussing dress up in early September, what was this madness?! But I very quickly learned to appreciate the fun and excitement that surrounds the biggest dress up party of the year. In fact to make up for years of missing out on this costume frenzy, most of the parties I host are now dress up parties, because as everyone knows, they’re the best.

So for those of you still searching for costumes either for yourself or your kids, here are a few last minute Halloween tricks:

• Go homemade. You will see blogger Carly’s family are big fans of the DIY Halloween costume and I too have gone that route many a time. Last year, my son was transformed into a Roman with the help of a pillow case, gold and leather string and some pieces of ivy, the year before, I wore a sports kit and put black eyeliner round my eye, a bandage on my head and won a best dressed competition as a rugby player. The year before, at a literary dress up, I drew tears on my face, used the same gold thread for my hair and was Penelope, wife of Odysseus (she cried a lot).
• Think of one of your favourite characters from TV or a book and go for it. I had a friend who wore a scarf, did a bad cockney accent and pretended he had a fat tongue – voila Jamie Oliver.
• Remember, you can always dress up as dead. Get your hands on some white face paint and fake blood and you can be dead anything. Carry a briefcase; dead accountant, wear all white carry a raquet; dead tennis player, wear a hockey jersey, etc etc.
• Let’s face it, the internet is your new best friend and it’s full of quick DIY costume ideas, this blog alone has over 30 ideas for kids! Homemade Halloween Costumes for Kids.
• Your next best friends are the thrift and the church flea markets. Last week my neighbour picked up three kids animal outfits for $2 a piece from our local church thrift store and I picked up a lion dress up outfit from the WIN (Women in Need) for $6 just yesterday.

Food?

I recently had to research easy Halloween lunchbox items. I am by no means elaborate in the cooking department so the following were ideas that I put on my list because they were simple!

• Ketchup – on everything.
• Mummy juice boxes, nothing but electrical tape necessary.
• Cut everything into a coffin shape – sandwiches, cookies – use sauce to write RIP.
• Green jelly – it’s not jelly, it’s slime!
• Marshmallows cut like ghosts with chocolate chip eyes and mouth
• Throw a fake spider in the lunchbox and make your regular lunch, us mums are busy enough!

Hopefully, you are far more organised than me and are all ready set go for your Halloween celebration! Have fun and remember, stay safe! For information on being safe at Halloween, see the Health Canada website, they have a tonne of safety ideas for small and big kids alike.

Get your home ready for cold weather

There’s no turning back now. In most areas of the country, the temperatures have begun to drop and we have felt the chill of late fall.  Even if the afternoon sun warms you most days, there is no denying that frosty nights are on their way.

Most of us lightened everything we could when spring arrived.  We tossed aside sweaters and jackets, tucked boots into the back of the closet.  Extra blankets were moved from beds to closets.  We bought more fresh vegetables, prepared more salads.

Suddenly I am pulling socks onto my bare feet, and reaching for a blanket on the couch.  My furnace has been turned on for weeks, just for those chillier nights.  I crave soup, hot coffee, endless cups of tea.  My soul is begging for warmth, and it’s time to make preparations.

Don’t wait until you are actually cold.  With the first nip in the air, or at least the first frost, you should start adding the comforts that will keep you warm and cozy until spring.  There is something reassuring about bringing warmth and softness back into your home, so why hesitate?

Here’s what you do:

Add warm blankets to the foot of each bed, as well as to each couch.  Couches need more than one blanket – who wants to share a 5×5’ throw blanket?  Go bigger, or get two.  And make them soft to the touch, so they beg to be used.

Unpack your candles and add one or two to each room, and make a commitment to light them when you are going to be relaxing in a room.  It doesn’t have to be an occasion to have candles lit during dinner, either, but remember scented candles are best away from table.  Use unscented ones near food so there is nothing overshadowing the smell of good food.

Get your fireplace cleaned out and ready for warm fires, and order firewood if you need it.  A crackling fire doesn’t need to wait until the snow flies – in many areas, a chilly morning or evening is the perfect time to get a fire going.  If you have a gas fireplace, move anything that has migrated in front of the glass (the glass can become very hot) and don’t hesitate to turn it on while you watch television, read or even enjoy your first cup of coffee.

Don’t be shy about adding your favourite warming foods back to your menu planning.  Even a walk on a cool afternoon can make you chilly even once safely home.  Bring out your big soup pots, dig out your lasagna recipes and don’t be shy about putting a batch of muffins in the oven.

Remember when you used to take time for baths?  Did you stop?  A long, quiet soak in the tub can be good for our bodies and souls, so bring your most indulgent bath products right to the tub, use your best towels and pick out a couple of new paperbacks.  Put them all in your bathroom and pick a date to relax and let the warm water heat you to the bones.

Preparing your home for warmth and comfort can be a pleasing ritual if we embrace it.  Why not surround yourself with the things that will make you feel sheltered from even the coolest winds and weather?

What are your favourite things to do to get yourself and your home ready for the cold?