Monday 17 December 2018

2ND ANNUAL COOKIE EXCHANGE PARTY!





This year was our second cookie exchange we've hosted. My kids and I loved the one from last year so much. I remember my girlfriends saying the week after that they couldn't wait for one the following year. We felt the same way! It's such a fun way to get together with girlfriends and host a simple party. And you leave with about the same amount of cookies you came with. We froze ours so we could bring them out at a moments notice when friends or family drop by. Its perfect for the holidays!

Last year I wrote a post on the how to's of planning your own cookie exchange party. Click over here if you're interested in planning your own! And here's the outcome of last years cookie party.










This year I had the same rules I sent out to our guests. But we had 1-2 more ladies, so the cookie count was just under 100. I realize it might have been crazy to ask my girlfriends to bake 100 cookies...but it all got done and they were all so yummy. I love picking a few goodies for prizes with my two little helpers. Having prizes for the cookies also allows for more socializing during the voting and tasting process. And it's just plain fun!





I set out all my white cake stands on our table and as the ladies came I asked them to pick any cake stand to put out their cookies. The table looked SO festive and fun with all the different varieties of cookies.

All my special guests are such amazing bakers! This year we had a great variety...shortbread, thumbprint cookies, sprinkles, chocolate sprinkles, chocolate chip, chocolate mint, cornflake marshmallow chocolate chip, chocolate crackled mint and sugar cookies.





 















The kids also loved having their friends over for snacking and playing. I loved that this party allowed for them to do something with their little pals too.






I couldn't let my guest leave with a little something for the little ones and adults too. I made some yarn tassels to hand out to my girlfriends. And the little ones got tiny gift bags filled with candy canes, stamps, pencils and little bracelets.




Ok, hope you enjoyed this year's cookie exchange. I cant wait for next years!

Special thanks to my friends for sharing some of their pictures with me! (Thanks Mariam, Coleen and Angela from ma.vie.avec.trois )

Wednesday 12 December 2018

CHRISTMAS DIY TERRARIUMS



This past spring I did a little craft with the girls building Terrariums with some sweet spring animals. They loved creating a little home for the animals and it was such a fun and simple craft to do. Check out this post if you're interested in seeing the spring one!

I was working on decorating our mantle with some holiday goodies, and realized how cute it would be to change it up for Christmas. I knew I just needed to replace the sand and moss for cottony snow for a big change.

Here's what you need to create a little magical terrarium for Christmas!



MATERIALS

Glass Bowl (I got mine from the dollar store!)
Animal figures, tiny houses and Christmas trees (Most of these can be found at Michaels)
Cotton Snow




This was one of the easiest DIY projects. If you're looking for something quick and fun, give this a try! I love how much time they spent getting their Christmas terrariums juuuust right!












Happy crafting friends! xoxo


Monday 3 December 2018

CHRISTMAS GIRLS PHOTO SHOOT



My sweet and gifted friend offered to do a few Christmas pictures for me and my family in fall. The only day we could do was a weekday, and so it wasn't possible for a family shoot. Ben had plans to watch a hockey game with my mom, and so it ended up that only the girls and I could do.

They've met Karen numerous times before and loved seeing her. (One time she offered them orange juice and now they will never forget it!)

We did these at a little park close to her home and it was the perfect outdoor location. The pictures turned out so magical and dreamy...so perfect for holidays.










She is actually offering some mini-sessions on Sat December 8 if you're looking for some last minute family holiday pictures. She is really a dream to work with and her pictures always turn out SO amazing. We have so many framed in our home and I love that it captures a moment in time!

Here's some of the info for her mini-sessions for Christmas!

Sat December 8, 2018
30 minute sessions for $100
15 digital images (you get to keep these forever!)
AND, if you donate a non-perishable item, you'll also receive a personalized digital Christmas Card!




If you'd like to see more of her work click here!
And to get in contact with her, feel free to click here!
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