Friday 29 March 2013

A dress for a wedding...

Finding a dress for a wedding...Sounds simple right? Spring is upon us and there are millions of beautiful dresses just waiting for an excuse to be bought and worn! With a May wedding coming up I have the perfect excuse to run out and splurge on one! Trouble is I'll be nearing the end of my second trimester by then...how do you plan for that? It's hard to tell how big I'll be but I don't want to wait until the last minute to try and find something!

As Yolanda S. has previously posted last week, finding on trend & quality maternity pieces at an affordable price is not so easy! Luckily in Montreal we have H&M and some of their stores do carry a maternity line. It's not a big collection and the good items go quickly so you need to go often. Unfortunately they don't really carry special occasion pieces.

I've been looking online and I'm starting to consider regular sized dresses in more forgiving shapes (and maybe a size up from my usual if necessary?).

I found these dresses at BCBG. They would need some serious neck and/or wrist jewelry to dress them up (as well as a great pair of heels) but one of these might just do the trick:

Dress via BCBG

Dress via BCBG

Dress via BCBG

Dress via BCBG

Dress via BCBG

Dress via BCBG

Dress via BCBG

Dress via BCBG

Dress via BCBG


I also found these at All Saints:

Dress via All Saints

Dress via All Saints

I love shopping online for all kinds of items (household/decor items, gifts, books, shoes or other accessories) but I find clothing the hardest as all brands have different sizing scales. Add to that my growing belly and this becomes quite a gamble....If anyone knows of a store that sells special occasion maternity dresses in Montreal I'd love to hear about it. In the meantime my online search continues!

Update to Easter Baskets Modified

What was supposed to be a simple task ended up being a little more complicated than I thought.  I usually use cellophane rolls to wrap any basket I make, but this time I was tempted to use basket bags thinking it would be easier.  The first one I purchased was too big for the sand bucket and the ones I purchased last night were too "loose" so they didn't hold the package together.  I guess they are made for much much bigger baskets.  So I went back to my cellophane roll.  I wanted clear cellophane so you can see what's inside.


My neighbour however, bought her basket bags from the dollar store and her basket turned out great.  I really like that the bunnies on the bag look like they are coming out from inside the package.


Wednesday 27 March 2013

Easter Baskets Modified

I am trying to keep my Easter "Baskets" for my son's friends functional this year and I had a great time shopping at my local dollar store.  I hesitate buying toys at the dollar store but sometimes the finds are just as good as other places!  Instead of a basket I got sand buckets that came with one shovel.  They came in a variety of colours so I got at least one of each.

Instead of tissue paper to fill the bucket, I went with candy fillable eggs and I filled them with candy.  It added colour and I hope the kids will like playing with the eggs just as much as my son does.  He loves opening and closing them and filling them with items.  





One of my greatest finds were these books. The top ones are colouring books (for the kids ages 18 months and above) and the bottom one is a bathtime book (for the under one year).  Why do I love these so much??? It is because the words are in French and English - great for any kid that is learning to speak both languages which is the case with my son and his friends - and because they are sturdy.




I know some parents hate receiving chocolate and too much of it at Easter for their kids so I tried to keep the chocolate and candy the secondary focus of my basket, but I couldn't omit it completely.  So I bought these cute looking bunnies filled with smarties - just the right amount of chocolate.





I packaged them all and here is how they looked (as a tip if you are preparing these, make sure you tape your items together and to the bucket so that they don't shift and fall out).




And then I realized I was out of cellophane bags and wraps...so this post unfortunately is to be continued.  I am hoping to head out tomorrow to buy some, and to wrap the package in time to post the final result tomorrow night.  Please stay tuned!

DIY "healthy" easter treat for the kids

I needed to come up with a treat for my son's daycare friends. I really did not want to give them more chocolates seeing as I'm certain they will be getting plenty during this holiday. I turned to my trusty Pinterest account and found this super cute, easy, inexpensive and somewhat "healthy" (healthier than chocolate in any case) DIY.

Easter DIY treat - source unknown

I found the cone cellophane wrappers at Walmart and green ribbon at the Dollarstore. Fill each cellophane wrapper with orange coloured fish crackers, tie a knot with the ribbon and add a little card or sticker label with your Happy Easter Wish! SO simple!

Fish shaped cheese crackers

Cone shaped cellophane wrappers

Green wavy ribbon via Etsy
Easter custom label via Etsy

Easter custom label via Etsy
Easter custom label via Etsy


I found this version with tissue paper on Etsy...

Printable tags via Etsy

Tuesday 26 March 2013

Modern Wall Key Holders

Yesterday, I took the day off and finally got some cleaning and decluttering done, and honestly, it felt great! It was the perfect day for it given that it was sunny and crisp.  After all was done, we also left the windows open and our home truly smelled like Spring.  The decluttering and organizing is very important for us right now.  With another baby on the way and limited space in our little abode being on top of how this home is organized is key!

On that note, I realized yesterday how simple things like keys in random places frustrated me, keys for doors, keys for the mail, keys and spares for the cars, etc., etc.  So I am now on a hunt for a nice modern looking key holder for our front entrance.

I really liked this one from Zone Maison.  Although I like the simplicity of it,  I am worried about the magnet not being able to hold all our keys with key chains.  There are no reviews on the site or weight capacity so it is hard to tell.

Via Zone Maison

Via Zone Maison
Maybe I will go in person and test it out!


My husband really likes this one from Etsy.  I like it too because it is simple and very modern. The great thing about it is that the hooks are removable, and you can order more hooks if you need more.

Via Etsy

We are big fans of the modern designs of Blomus and so this design is also very appealing.

Via Amazon.com

But my favourite so far is something similar to this. I like the mix of wood and metal.  This is a coat hanger but with a smaller piece of wood and smaller hooks, it can become a key holder.  Now I am on the hunt for a nice piece of wood to make my own key holder, unless I find something already made that is a better and easier alternative!

Via Houzz

Before I let you go I just want to say that I think these kind of organizational products make for a great house warming gift.  Buy it already made or make your own personalized one, whatever you decide, I think it makes a great gift that is different than the usual vase, bowl, basket of goodies, etc. people usually receive for a house warming.  Just a thought!


First order of business: Get organized!

My son has a new found obsession with stuffed animals. He's been in love with all things animals/zoo for some time but now has related this to his stuffed animals...and let me tell you these things can easily take over your home. I'm desperate to have one place I can easily literally stuff them while still keeping them accessible to my son. I found these bins at Land of the Nod and just ordered it in red. Now I'm just hoping I'll be able to stuff a 30 animals in this one bin (yes 30!). Will update you upon receipt!

Wire bins via Land of the Nod

They also have a huge selection of other storage solutions for toys and such. See them all here.

Monday 25 March 2013

Spring is in the air!


With spring officially arrived our minds have been on all things spring! With spring comes a natural instinct to start anew! Time to freshen and organize our home, to put away our Fall/Winter wardrobes and freshen last year's Spring/Summer pieces with the season's new trends and get ready for the busiest time of the year for events and special occasions!

In the coming weeks we'll post about the storage solutions we're considering to up the organization factor in our homes, fashion trends that we NEED to have for Spring and as Yolanda shares her planning for the new baby's arrival, Mrs P will be sharing her renewed obsession with nutrition, reignited by watching documentaries like Food Matters.

With spring also comes great opportunities to get together with friends & family for special occasions. With both Catholic and Orthodox Easter being celebrated in our households this is a busy time of year for us....not to mention wedding season's upon us as well as this being the ideal time of year for christenings, baby showers and also outdoor birthdays and parties!

Hoping our readers are as excited about what this season has in store for us all as we are!

Yolanda S. & Mrs P


Sunday 24 March 2013

Curious?? Here is what my son wore for Palm Sunday

So after much much much debate and only at the last minute, I went with simple and what he already had in his closet but hasn't worn.  The weather was still cool so a sweater and hat seemed more appropriate and so did the darker colours as it wasn't really sunny today.  I thought he looked stylish and he loved his hat!

His outfit was top to bottom Mexx except for his shoes which are Kiddie Kobbler made.



I'm hoping Palm Sunday Orthodox is going to be sunny and warm so he can wear brighter colours and perhaps some shorts!

Thursday 21 March 2013

Update to Old Navy Post

I was corrected today by a friend that in fact Old Navy in Canada does have a maternity line in some of its stores.  So if you are looking for maternity wear, call up your nearest Old Navy to find out if they carry the line.  Apparently the Bayshore location in Ottawa does.

Wednesday 20 March 2013

Why didn't anyone tell me about Old Navy's Maternity Line?

With spring just around the corner, last week I felt I needed a fresh change in wardrobe.  All the colours of this season's Spring fashion were making me feel like a girl in a candy store.  Plus I have made it this far in my pregnancy without needing much maternity wear, but now that I am in my third trimester, I need more options that actually fit....So last week I spent hours shopping online desperately for inexpensive and trendy items to finish off my third trimester.  My search wasn't too successful, especially for work clothing but somehow today, I figured out that Old Navy has a maternity line.  I guess I never knew about it because unfortunately it is only available in the U.S.

Other than the fabulous comfortable clothing, what really stood out to me is their "Hospital Bag Checklist" category.  I think it is a wonderful category if you are thinking of buying a gift for a special pregnant lady and her family, your daughter, sister, grand-daughter, niece, best friend...If it was me, I would so very much appreciate it...one less thing to worry about!

This is what I would like in my bag...

For me
Via Old Navy
Via Old Navy
Via Old Navy
Via Old Navy
Via Old Navy
For daddy

Via Old Navy
Via Old Navy
Via Old Navy

For baby

Via Old Navy
Via Old Navy
Via Old Navy
Via Old Navy
Check...check....check!

Monday 18 March 2013

What should my son wear for Palm Sunday and Easter?

Everywhere I go I see plenty of gorgeous and adorable dresses and outfits for girls for Easter.  The boys items are cute, but nothing that jumps out at you...but I guess, I don't know how creative the designers could get with boys.  The issue for me is that my hubby's family celebrates Easter in March and my family celebrates Easter in May so basically I have 4 outfits or variations of outfits to figure out for the little guy - 2 for each Palm Sunday and 2 for each Easter.

I found this outfit in his drawer. It was a gift from my uncle and I love it and think it would be perfect for Palm Sunday at the end of April (weather permitting!).  I love Ralph Lauren for boys.  Such nice colours and so preppy!


Nordstrom is selling a similar set.

Via Nordstrom
Or this option at the Bay.

Via the Bay
I also fell in love with this set on Ralph Lauren's site, but a little over the top in price for a one time wear...maybe I can find something similar with my shopping tomorrow night in store.  I can't get over how cute this would look and perfect for Palm Sunday this upcoming weekend given the cold weather. I really hope I can find something similar.

Via Ralph Lauren




Maybe this could be another option.  I will have to see it in person at the Children's Place.

Via Children's Place
In my search I found out that I can personalize a Ralph Lauren Polo.  I'm loving the colours and may just get one in case other outfits don't work out or for any other day!

Via Ralph Lauren
Via Ralph Lauren
Or maybe I will just get him and his daddy matching ties from apple and ivy, how cute would that be!  They have over 200 patterns to choose from. I'm sure I can easily find a shirt and pants to match.

Via apple and ivy
Via apple and ivy

I can also get him a bow tie with a simple outfit!!

Via Etsy
And finally, he will definitely wear this outfit on Easter so that all his aunts and uncles can think he is absolutely adorable!!!


And I'm thinking about ordering this outfit for the Easter in May.

Via Etsy
He will look all preppy and handsome for church on Palm Sunday and silly and cute for Easter and Easter egg hunts!!

What do you all think??  Any other suggestions?