{ our family tree }

Merry Christmas everyone!  It's been a crazy busy last few days and I've missed you all very much.  I know I've been MIA but the holiday season has taken over my life, and honestly, that's pretty nice.  On Christmas eve I went to work in the morning and spent my time exchanging gifts with friends and coworkers, tying up some lose ends before my 10-day-long vacation, drinking coffee with Bailey's and attending an annual Christmas eve potluck (brunch).  It was fantastic.  I left work around noon and heading in the direction of home with a few stops.  

My sister came over to my place and we got busy preparing (my dad's birthday) dinner for that night (tacos - his choice).  My parents and grandparents showed up just before 5pm and we ate, talked, and laughed.  

Much later that night, my parents, sister and I headed to my parent's house to keep up our annual tradition of us sleeping over the night before Christmas.  We woke up later than normal (which was so nice to sleep in!) and ate breakfast (a combination of fresh fruit, cinnamon buns and croissants) and drank mimosas.  We then ran to the living room to see what Santa brought us and open our gifts.  I was totally spoiled by my parents, sister, hubs and in-laws.  That night we had our (traditional) turkey dinner (my fave) and of course stuffed ourselves to the brim.  

I hope everyone had a fabulous Christmas and I'll be checking your blogs to hopefully see how it went.  I will also be posting more detailed shots on what I got, Boxing Day shopping and more. 

  
 { my stocking & Santa gifts }

 { opening something totally unexpected and totally exciting: 
my very own sewing machine! }

{ our tree at home with all our gifts underneath }

  I got the boots!!!

La Classe Couture jacket, H&M dress, Chinese Laundry belt, 
Liliana studded pumps (last seen here) Old Navy tights & Suzy necklace

Honestly, how many (faux) leather jackets can I buy in one season?!  This would be the third, or fourth, considering I bought two at the same time.  I know.  The worst part?  It's now too cold here to actually wear them outside, however, I was super anxious to put this bad boy to good use so I made it work for indoors - and I'm quite pleased (so pleased that I belted it over another outfit within a week).

So Christmas is a mere three days away (omg, typing that just make me freak out a little more) and I'm so unprepared.  My shopping is almost done (is it ever really done?  Like, don't you always feel you need, 'just one more thing'?  ...story of my life) but I haven't started wrapping.  That was supposed to be last night and I ended up making some jewelery for a few friends as Christmas gifts (still productive) plus I had a couple orders from customers as well.  Tonight I will wrap, I must, I must, I must increase ... the amount of wrapping I do...?  Right.  How about just start.  Sheesh.  I'm on a time crunch tonight too, as my girl friend and I are doing our gift exchange tonight around 9pm and I just found out that her boyfriend got her one of the same things I got her (out of three items I have for her).  Awesome.  So, I will be on a mad hunt to exchange it for something else (yes, all tonight before the exchange, before doing all my wrapping and all that jazz).  I'll be sure to post about our exchange and show you my goodies!  Yipee, Christmas is fun!

 


While driving home from the gym the other night I knew I'd be eating solo and wanted something quick, healthy and to be able to use ingredients I already had (I really didn't want to stop at the grocery store!).  I decided on the tried and true tuna melts I often make in this situation.  When I got home, I realized there was no mayo but remembered a friend had advised me years ago that you could substitute humus wherever you used mayo (a trick her doctor taught her).  I actually had humus and gave it a shot and it was actually really good.  From now on, this is how I will make my tuna melts.  Now, to keep humus on hand will be the tricky part...

What you'll need:
- 1 can of tuna (preferably in water, much healthier)
- 1 or 2 stalks of celery (or something crunchy - I like the crunch)
- block cheese (I used what I had on hand, cheddar)
- a spoonful of humus
- some sort of bread
- an oven, pre-heated to 400 degrees F

Chop celery, cheese and mix in a medium bowl with the canned tuna

 Add a spoonful of humus (I just winged this, you might need a bit more/less)

Spoon tuna mixture onto your bread (I love using a bun but was trying to be healthy 
so I used 12-grain bread), on a baking sheet & pop in the oven for 20 minutes 
or until cheese is melted and the tops look slightly browned


 Enjoy!
Urban Behaviour sweater, H&M tank, Stitches skirt, Sirens leggings, 
AMI boots (last seen here), A.Co Designs necklace & Suzy ring
While visiting my BFF in Toronto I was telling her about my newest colour combo obsession, navy and black.  She said that she was always told, as a kid, that if you wore the two together, you'd look like a bruise.  I never heard that before, although I did hear other 'fashion rules' (ex. blue and green should never be seen...., etc.).  And then she put on a green top with a navy blazer (and looked awesome).

So this sweater is just like this one, but navy, which I cut in half to make into a cardigan.  I was so impressed with myself (wow, I used scissors) and excited to wear this one.  I mean, I know it wasn't hard to do, but I took a sweater I hadn't worn in a couple years, and I've been wearing it quite a bit now - how's that for shopping your closet!?

So lastly, how was everyone's weekend?  I know I didn't post, I was pretty sick all weekend long, just feeling crappy and laying low (which you might think would inspire a post, but I was just trying to stay away from the computer for once... which isn't easy since I'm obsessed!).  I did, however, get a bunch of cleaning done around the house and a ton of laundry - it's like I have all the 'good' and 'favourite' items ready again! Yipee!  I need to pick my Christmas outfit this week.  I stay at my parent's house on Christmas eve so I have to plan and pack something for that day.  The last two years it was a dress of some sort, with leggings... this year?  I don't know, I can't predict the future, but I could see it involving leggings. 
 

 Joe Fresh cardigan (last seen here), Gap silk top, Smart Set cami, Old Navy pants
Aldo shoes (last seen here), Le Chateau pashmina, Suxy belt & ring & Bijoux Terner necklace

I'll admit, the minute I saw these pants on Blair I was in awe and to find out they were from Old Navy (you mean, within my budget?!) and still available?! Hello!  I went out and hooked a sistah up, and by sistah, I mean myself.  While I normally wear skirts and dresses to work, it's nice to actually find a pair of pants that fit well and I love - a rare combo.

So I ran into this guy at work, that I don't see very often, while wearing the salsa dress... he's French and while I speak it, we were talking in English (a surefire way to ensure having some messages lost in translation) and he asked me if I was having a baby (I know it's a flowy dress, but...) and it must have been the shocked look on my face because he quickly retracted his question and realized what he'd said.  What he meant to ask was when I was planning on having a baby, not if I was having a baby.  Anyways, we had a good laugh about it, but geeze, the baby questions don't stop as soon as you get married!

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