Makers Market

Humpday already!? How the hell did that happen... I'm still coming down from my Maritime Makers Market high from this weekend. What an AWESOME event! Etsy shop owners [and Food trucks, can't forget the food trucks] from Atlantic Canada all came together to make one big market on Citadel Hill.

Www.maritimemakers.com

Coming from Dartmouth I dread parking in Halifax. I always envision I'm going to be left with one tight parallel spot. So, I leave myself a half hour just in case I decide to attempt the job instead of ditch the whole idea. Well, not only was parking attached to the event and $2... Early people got swag bags! The first 20 people to be exact.. So, when we counted ourselves at 16,17 and 18 - with good coffees in hand from the smiling goat and a perfect day.... We knew we had arrived :).

The positive energy was powerful, the creativity and hard work from the shop owners was humbling and it was quite possibly the most enjoyable 3 hours I've had to myself as a Mom. I wanted to buy everything! So glad I could at least familiarize myself with all these amazing local business because my wish list just doubled in size.



Photo Courtesy of Lily Lake instagram

Ewe Boots

Photo courtesy of Ewe boots Etsy shop

I bought Ava these little boots as a late 1st Birthday gift. I was so impressed with the quality! Made with repurposed wool, cashmere sweaters and leather jackets - They were all so soft and perfect for walking on her new Bambi legs.



I couldn't choose from all the designs she had, the cable knit ones were probably my favourite. I ended up getting a oatmeal colored pair with the finest bit of pink throughout (if you look really close).

These slipper boots come in all sizes. Not only that, you can upgrade to shearling insoles! Eager to get us parents a pair and gift some for Christmas - go check out the etsy shop!

 

https://www.etsy.com/shop/eweboots

Thief and Bandit

I came into this market with the intention to zone in on home decor but I can't resist the baby stuff!!! Thief and Bandit was my favourite clothing vendor. Organic silk screen printed clothing for small people, matching clothes for their big people and PILLOWS.

Wish list item from the Thief and Bandit Etsy shop. I love the tiny pops of pink!

Thief and Bandit kids wish list item in the Etsy shop. We can match!!

This organic brand has a huge following that speaks for itself and you must go see the look book for this season.

http://www.thiefandbandit.com

DOak Textiles

I B-lined it to these rugs as soon as I entered the tent. DOak textile was featured in the most recent issue of East Coast Living magazine and I was so eager to see her area rugs for myself! They are even better in person!

 

She explained how she made them all by weaving repurposed bed sheets and then she had me at "you can throw it in the wash and you will have it forever".  Human mom's and fur mom's.. Did you catch that!?

Www.facebook.com/doaktextile

Keep House

European Linen [100%] kitchen and dining accessories. I love everything about this brand from this unique kitchen accessory (photographed) to the little house print!

 

I came in on a mission for home decor and this is just the chemistry I was looking for.  I've already placed acouple orders of napkins for thanksgiving!

www.keephouse.ca

Lily Lake Knits

Photo courtesy of Lily Lake Etsy shop

Winter is coming.. And I found you your staple piece :). The most perfect oversized scarfs and wool hats, made with real Nova Scotia sheep wool! I love the neutral palette so much and was SO freaking impressed by the look book she had on display! Beautiful images, beautiful owner and beautiful product.

Courtesy of Lily Lake instagram

https://www.etsy.com/ca/shop/lilylakeknits

Clutch Culture

Ahhhh Clutch Culture... A maritimes classic! Mo is such a vibrant dear friend of mine and a big part of my first experiences with the local small business community [after working together for years in Atlantic Fashion Week]. I was DROOLING over the prints in her new fall line and I didn't know where to fix my eyes! She launched new duffle bags and came equipped with samples from her clutch culture sub-culture; the tutu-experience.

So much fun, bright, carefully crafted pieces that spark interest and inspire. This reflects her personality so much, and I wouldn't expect anything less from a Scorpio (don't count on me making it through a post without a zodiac reference).

www.lion-hunter.com

I was missing my daughter all morning regretting I didn't bring her.... Until around 12. Had some serious Mom guilt seeing how many kids and strollers and babies strapped to bellies there was. Then the crowds started getting crazy! I got my reassurance that I did the right thing thanks to  a 12-15k turn out. So before our last round we sat on Citadel Hill and ate pulled pork tacos to escape from the crowd for a bit and on the way out I scored the last Hakuna Matata print amidst all the craziness! Courtesy of

Never Left Said

It was between this one and another white, gold and grey one (My loved safe zone) that she mentioned it was her first print! I'm trying to venture into some color around here and this is my first leap. So happy with my purchase besides the fact that I should have just bought both.

www.neverleftsaid.ca

I know I probably missed some vendors, or didn't spend enough time to appreciate. Actually I know I did after going through my swag bag! Soooo many awesome local goods, etsy codes and business cards for cool talented people! Visit www.maritimemakers.com for a list of the etsy shops that took part.

Etsy SwagBag favorites!!

A 4x6 print from The Girl from Away, a thoughtful card from Rhubarb Paper company, A pencil, pin and bookmark from Inkwell company, Chickadee Gift tags from Seeing Stars, A key chain from Impact Engraving and Design.

 

Stickers that appear to be made just for me! From Sarah Christie illustrations.




Bath Tea from Tire Swing Naturals, a Daytimer from My Handbound Books, 10% off from better left said (I'll use that for the one regret not buying) and a piece of Jessika Hepburn's business card - the organizer behind the event!



The sweetest little gift tags from Union Studio and a pouch from Antigonish bag company.



Photo Courtesy of Effie Handmade Instagram

I loved this little business card holder from  Effie Handmade so much, I use it everyday at work!

 

 

 

To top things off - my good company, Stephanie, sent me home with a little succulent for A-Baby's birthday and it looks perfect in her room. She is the most talented photographer I know and she takes beautiful landscape photos.. go check out her blog here!

http://stephanieflorentina.squarespace.com

Can't wait until next year! #ilovehalifaxlocal

Salmon and Wreaths

Tripped and fell into Salvation army yesterday morning during a coffee run.. Picked up a curtain panel I will probably end up sewing some pillows with, some sunglasses and a wreath. God, I'm getting boring. I don't care!! I'm damn excited about this wreath!

 

 

 

 

I came home to a batch of Cinnamon buns from my neighbor after being good and resisting the Pumpkin Spice muffin from Timmie's (SO GOOD). Fair karma, I am so freakin' spoiled.

 

I wanted to go the extra mile with personalizing the wreath I picked up and add a message something like "Sup" or "No Thanks". When I pitched this to the hubby he didn't seem so impressed so we [I] ditched that idea and went with the family name (boring).

 

 

 All the materials I used, down to the burlap and the Sharpie were from the Dollar Store. Also seen in my Dollar Store haul post!

 

 

Also in my dollar store haul post were these little pumpkin/pinecone bunches and the glass vases. They look even better together! I also talked about making this EAT sign I have with it. These letters have moved around to all three of our homes and instead of retiring them we revamped them!

 

 

Here is the only "Before" picture I could find of the EAT sign. You can barely tell but they were metal and red and I was just bored of them. Check out the after pics on my last post!

 

It is sooo satisfying to me to move things around in my home and give them new identities.

This little desk has been my makeup vanity for a long time and was one of the first things I painted. Our main level needed a desk and after finding a beautifly oversized dresser for the bedroom this baby can finally move downstairs. I can't wait to give it a new makeover, I have my eye on some Indian knobs at the black market!

 

 

I love this basket top trend that has been happening and I refuse to let it die with summer. I have this weird thing with Circles where I feel they are necessary to balance a room and basket tops bring that with so much texture! It made my day to find one right under my nose. My dear friend gave me a set of three baskets for my first apartment when we were youngins and I still have them and use them, so much that is that the biggest one of three had seen its day - but the top was still good! So good that it's now hanging on my wall and I can't even tell you how much that makes my day!!

 

The one to the left that it's accompanied with is from clearance at Winners.

 

And for dinner last night, our meal was much inspired by this beautiful weather, Summertime-Fall. I don't always share meals on here but this this salad dressing recipe is one that I use and alternate a lot in this house so maybe you will find it useful too! 

 

This is the kind of stuff that doesn't really require a recipe - all of the measurements I've listed are just estimates, enjoy!

 

You Need: Salmon, Mixed Greens, Olive Oil, Balsamic Vinegar, Mape Syrup, Dijon Mustard, Garlic, Summer Savory, Thyme, Walnuts, Apples, Crasins, Chives, White Wine, Goat Cheese, Salt and Pepper.

 

 

For the Salmon:

In a bowl mix 1/4 cup maple syrup

1 tablespoon Dijon Mustard

1 tablespoon Balsamic Vinegar

2 Tablespoons White Wine

2 Teaspoons Chopped Garlic

Spices (To taste)

 

Chopped Chives

Dried Summer Savory

Dried Thyme

Salt and Pepper  

 

Mix, Pour over Salmon and bake @ 375 for 35 min.

 

 For the Salad Dressing:

 

1/4 Olive Oil

3 Tablespoons Balsamic Vinegar

4 Tablespoons Maple Syrup

2 Tablespoons Dijon mustard

Minced Garlic

Dried Summer Savory

Salt and Pepper

 

Shake and Pour over Mixed Greens, Chopped Chives, Walnuts, Crasins and Apples - Top with goat cheese (Took the picture before the goat cheese and now I'm kicking myself lol).

 

Thanks for Reading! I just got back from the Halifax Makers market and had the most amazing time, can't wait to ramble about it once the pictures are ready to share.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Dollar Store Haul

I dropped off some Scentsy orders last week equipped with Coconut Pumpkin pie scratch and sniff stickers. Visit the Scentsy page on this blog to get discounts on this scent for the month of September!

I made a trip to the Dollar store to get packing paper and string to gift these purchases to my lovely customers. This vortex they call the Dollar store chewed me up and spit me out and that, my friends, is the basis of this post.

 

You may have caught in my last post that I'm planning a party for a special fall Virgo baby. Between this and the magic of seasonal restocking; I cleaned up for this "Dollar store haul". I might have to do an extended version for all the money it saved us for party paraphernalia. For now I'll share my favorite crafty steals!

 

 

Speaking of steals.... and before I start rambling about how to waste your money on the idea of saving it. I was dropping off a batch of Scentsy orders at The Atrium in Dartmouth (My day job stomping grounds) and found this $60 solid wood candle holder for $5. Still can't decide whether or not I want to paint it. The EAT sign was a free upcycle using some metal letters I had [bought at Target a year ago].  They got spray painted and nailed to wood.. bam!

 

 

Exhibit A for the dollar store haul- I have grand ideas for this tiny little box that make my heart grow and I'll be sharing soon.

 

 

$2 for this bunch of mini pumpkins n squashers.. I refuse spend hard earned money on stuff I can only enjoy seasonally. But I can handle a toonie! I can't handle not spray painting them, however. 

Voila! I told you they were small.. and that I couldn't handle not spray painting them :). As well, here is the little box! I stained it with acouple coats of classic grey and aged oak by Minwax.

The porcelain hanging canisters I absolutely do NOT need, not sure what the hell I'm going to do with them, but I couldn't leave them... and not just that, I had to buy two.

I already had one of these pillows cases for my rocking chair but I went back for another! Than I sewed a striped pillow to match... now I must find the perfect lumbar pillow. Buying one pillow is like a game of dominoes - for every domino that falls is a bought or sewn pillow. Anyways..... it was worth the two bucks!




These fall berry bunches are thirsty for some dead spray painted branches.. In the meantime they are getting added to the list! along with the Glass vases and this candle lighthouse! God damn dollar store does it again..... I admit the light house and vases are not from this haul but they are still on shelves!

 

 Since I'm on the topic of dollar store gems that are not from this fall haul (hehe). In our first apartment we bought these cheap $5 shelves to use as nightstands (in the meantime). Some how these ugly ducklings have survived 3 moves...

 

They hold four baskets (from guess where!?) which gather clutter on each side of the bed. Eventually we will get nice nightstands (ahem.. and a headboard) but for now this does the job.... for under 20 bucks. 

 

The bedroom is easy to neglect - especially as parents but I've slowly started to justify putting energy into a space just for us.  

 

Somehow I have even managed to unintentionally start a theme of basket weaves lol. From the lumbar pillow, to my Scentsy warmer (also seen in post - Scentsy haul), to my cheap dollar store baskets. 

 

Photo from Scentsy haul post.

 

 

Note: The above bedroom has, is, will be my realistic bedroom inspiration forever. The hubby has approved and promised not to interfere.

 

If you have read 5% of my posts that's enough of a sample to safetly say I am cheap.. but I challenge your cheap with thrifty! Don't get me wrong - the dollar store sells their fair share of shit and paperweights but some things simply do not need to be expensive. Ever since our daughter was born and after going back to work a daytime job, 'dollars' have translated into time spent away from home. Thanks to places like the dollar store I can feed my crafting habits while picking up some paper and string, most importantly without breaking the bank or making a special trip.

 

 

Thanks so much for reading and in conclusion -  a Buck or Two was a better name.

Baby's First Birthday

The smell of fall has always given me butterflies! The nostalgia of 'back to school' nervous excitement. Elementary, Jr high, high school, starting my anthropology degree in university... Persuing business marketing in community college..... either way September has always been the month of new beginnings for as long as I can remember - Clears the birthday and New Years.

Nothing beats this year. I walked outside yesterday (September 1st), and the air smelled like pure anticipation. It was this time last year that the Dr. was telling me it was maybe time for a sweep. A-baby was Due September 10th but by the 28th of August all signs were pointing to "Ready". Now for someone wanting to do things Au Natural - shit is stressful! I spent my whole life with general anxiety doubting my possibilities as a human - bringing my girl over to this side of life in the natural way was something I wanted to do to come to terms with my strength. I knew I could do it... but the two and a (almost) half weeks she was over-due was torture. 

One of our first memories of tummy time.

After a natural labor everything else seemed to happen naturally too (I think I got lucky) - Breastfeeding, adjusting to motherhood, sleeping in her crib, transitioning to solid foods, she has truly led the way with it all. Baby's self weaning themselves off the boob is real and mine has already started rejecting me. It's amazing that I spent 9 months (ahem, and two weeks....) pregnant wondering if I will be good at this motherhood thing and how I'm going to overcome all the obstacles I read about... and now that I'm here - I know no one in the world is better suited to be her Mom.


First cottage trip.

I'm so proud of what my daughter has brought to the surface for the people close to her. She has been an essential component in how I learn about life and I can't imagine waiting any longer to meet her. I could go on and on... The fall air has a girl emotional. This is all leading up to the point that I have a birthday party to plan! 'Tis a celebration of the most perfect Virgo baby and the survival of my (Another Virgo) hubby and I for a whole year (and the fact we still love each other after what has been witnessed over said year). I wanted to share some of the ideas I have come across for decorations and activities because I can't use them all and nobody likes an idea hog!

We don't want to go too crazy with the party but obviously we want a-couple things to make it special.

Like this balloon improv! 



designimprovised.com

The first thing on the shopping list was definitely tule!!! I love the idea of putting some around the base of balloons. And what is a little girls birthday without a tutu.... really. I made one for a marionette doll costume acouple years ago and it is SO... EASY.... (when you do it the easy way).

mamabee.com



Etsy.com

 Etsy has lots of birthday onsies and tutus made to buy!!

Etsy.com

I'm trying to be really realistic about throwing a party for a 1 year old. I'm focusing on things that she loves and letting that be the theme... If I was as naïve as I want to be I would have canvases for all the babies to splatter with baby safe paint. Cute right!? What a great memorabilia for any parents to take home and free entertainment for the guests! But lets be real, it's going to be late fall. Unless it was the nicest of summer days this would be a disaster. Paint filled clothes and belly buttons and ears and un-dry paintings that the guests have to worry about getting home.... Not happenin.

fromdahliastodoxies.blogsot.ca

Look... at... this... banner... I'm mellltinggg this is so damn cute!!! Great way to reuse any scrap paper from other decorations and make it bright and personal. This idea is my favorite by a long shot.

fromdahliastodoxies.blogspot.ca

  

 This Mom blogger used a similar idea as the theme of the Party. This post is full of good ideas you  must go look if your planning a party. So organized and well executed, this Mom is a genius. Photos were the theme so a professional photographer was hired and professional 5x7 prints from were offered as favors. I'm not sticking to a theme (maybe not even favors, is that bad?)... But if that was the plan this is THE best theme idea ever.

 

Instead of gifts the invitations had request for items that would be put into a Time Capsule to close at the party. This mom pulled off a seriously perfect bash.

 

http://blog.hwtm.com/2010/08/real-parties-one-year-old-in-a-flash-birthday-party/

morgans2day.blogspot.com

.Sometimes birthday parties call for all kinds of people in one room, possibly forced to socialize. This "Me" chart is a great conversation piece for the party so everyone can talk about how much the Birthday girl/boy has grown and all the things that make them special. Corny, I know... but these essentially all the things we are celebrating and I can't wait to make one!!

www.goldmedalflour.com

Saving the best for last (evil grin)....... Smash cake!!!!!!! That moment when you can let go of the guilt and let a little version of you have the sensory overload of their toddler life by sitting them infront of their very own cake and letting them dive in nose first (or toes which ever). I cant wait for this. Any cake will do, I'm sure.... but here is a recipe for a cake using some stuff I know I have on hand. A-Baby loooooves Bananas so I know this is a safe bet. Her tummy isn't really familiar with some ingredients that a store bought cake would have so this will hopefully avoid any tummy aches or weird poops (yum cake and poops).

www.braskajenneablog.com

 

Not the worst idea to take a bath right after, these photos will be cherished!!

Maybe I've bored you or grossed you out or made you say aww... either way thanks for reading and I guarantee I'll have some advice come October on what NOT to do for the First Birthday Party ;).