When I have Kids...

Today Show Family Segment from Nina Willdorf on Vimeo.

When we have kids I totally want to try out these vacations! What a good selection of budget options!

Christmas Decor for less

(The vase I got on free day, the glass stones I got for half price after Christmas and all the decor sticks I got at Dollarama. Total for this centre piece= $10)

I'm telling you Dollarama is the place to go for a lot of Christmas decor. They have a lot of great, quality items (and of course the really cheap "going to break in a couple of days" items too) for a whole lot less. I shop around a lot and I have found the same thing in Dollarama countless times for of course a fraction of the price. I don't love that it's all (or most) Made in China but if you're on a budget that's just the way it goes sometimes!

Other tips for you:
- If you don't need the decor right away wait until boxing day and stock up for next year!
- Go thrifting or check out bargain stores
- Check into some different DIY ideas and get creative and make your own!

Happy decorating!

BPA Free plastic wear at Dollarama

If you're like me and are trying to find better storage containers and don't like the idea of using plastic because you worry about all the leaching, but don't want to spend an arm and a leg replacing everything I just discovered (after I bought them) that Dollarama has BPA free "Tupperware". I needed some more containers for all my Christmas baking and this works out perfectly! Just thought I'd pass it on!

Melbourne

When I was in Melbourne we stayed in one of the richer areas of town with the cute little boutiques and coffee shops but once I got out on the trams I noticed there was so much more too it with art on building after building and outdoor art everywhere.

I loved Melbourne for its diversity and change from the other places I had been to in Australia. It’s hard to explain how it’s different; you just have to experience it for yourself.

Things you have to do (according to me):

Check out the street performers

...see the flying pig contest!


..tour the mint....
...Check out the markets...



...walk around downtown...
...tour the casino..
...take a walk along the river...
...go to a few art galleries....


...find as much street art as you can to admire...

Things I wish I had done: Simply spent more time down there!

For Sale: Wedding Dress

Wedding Dress:
- size 8-10 (I am a Medium in shirts and a 28-30 in waist and my measurments are 32-29-38)
-retail price $1500
- it's hemmed for a 5'6'' or 5'7'' person (that's with no heals)

-zip up (but it's the prettiest zip up I have ever seen!)

- matching vail ($30)

-matching shall (included)

- Asking $500


In perfect condition, I love it, and wouldn't get rid of it if I had the space. Comment if you have any questions!

Wedding Ideas For My Friend Claire

Claire is a good friend of mine, and my husband is going to be in their wedding. We met Jean & Claire at church and hang out with them often. They’re a fun energetic couple with a lot of drive and passion. They are planning their wedding for this July.

We were talking colors the other day and I tried my hardest to explain my ideas (from the colors she was thinking) but I thought “why not just show her” so here is a post just for her!

Color theme idea #1 (Yellow, Orange, Ivory)

This is the type of fabric I was trying to tell you about the other day. It's sort of classy with a fun fresh edge hey?

I know this isn't ivory, and purple wasn't one of the colors listed but it's an option for another color or accent!
I really like the flowers in this one!


Color theme idea #2 (Chocolate brown, dark teal, Ivory)

This dress is from www.dessy.com The Bay, 7th Ave Fashion & Stella's carries them!

Here's the type of look for the guys I was trying to tell you about. Maybe with a gray or black suit?

If you want to mix the two color ideas this photo above has a lot of great ideas for that, and you could have your chocolate brown chair colors with it too!

This invite above is a great idea if you are wanting to mix the two color themes.

Here's a color board to give you an idea of other colors that looks good together.

Hope this helps!

Missing Keys, Missed Buses, -30, Bad Mornings: What To Wear To Make You Warmer

I woke up and as usual had slept in a little. As I lay in bed dreading getting up (especially because the heat in our suite still isn’t working so well so it’s not anywhere near warm in the place) I realized I forgot to get a bus pass for the week. I quickly get up, get ready, but I’m thinking I’m still going to miss the bus. I hurry down to the Shoppers to get my pass. Thankfully no one was in line so I was starting to get a little hopeful. The cashier was nice enough but then range up the wrong pass. We had to start all over and I was starting to get nervous. She finished, I thanked her and booked it out the door and saw the bus stop, with my bus at it. Thankfully it was at a red light so I ran. I didn’t get near close enough before the bus started up again so I didn’t even have a chance.

I started walking home and called my husband to let him know he was going to have to take me to work (thankfully he was starting later so this was an option). Then I saw this man who takes the 90 before my 18 walking toward our stop (you start to get to know the regulars at your stop, and what they take, and when your bus will be there according to who is still waiting for their bus, or at least I do..) so I pulled my phone back out (to check the time) and sure enough it was the earlier bus that I had missed, not the one I needed!

I wait for a few minutes for the bus, got on and I was on my way feeling really good that with all that effort I didn’t actually miss it. I was just starting to warm up when my husband calls to tell me he can’t find his keys. This wouldn’t be a big deal if it wasn’t the set that has the house keys on them but it was. I get off the bus and start walking home; he was going to come and get me so we can lock up the place with my keys but of course he find the keys (in the closet with the dress shoes? Sure!) just a couple minutes after I get off the bus. I knew it was going to happen but better safe than sorry. I keep walking, thinking he should see me soon, and I’m not just going to stand there in the cold, waiting, and getting colder. He knew what I was wearing and where I was walking. Fifteen minutes later I’m home, frozen and can’t find the car or my man. He has missed me somehow and I hadn’t felt my phone vibrating with him trying to call cause my legs were frozen and numb!

I get in the car, trying not to cry (stupid PMS) and he brings me to work. We’re both frustrated, trying to get out of our bad moods, so we hold hands, which is always a good idea, and it helps. I get to work and after all of that I was only five minutes late, so that was nice!

Anyways, the point of my story (other than trying to maybe make at least one person feel better by being able to relate to a morning like this) is to help you know what to wear! I’ve done a lot of shopping, and have tested out a lot of different jackets, boots, scarves and toques for the weather and I think I figured out pretty well how to take the bus (and wait for buses) and stay warm at the same time (note: of all days I should have started wearing my ski pants today was the day!). I didn’t say it would be super fashionable, but here are some of my picks!


This last weekend I bought myself a London Fog jacket and I love it!! I haven’t been able to find a picture online of it, but it’s purple, and wonderful, and best of all it’s warm!! www.londonfog.com

I love this hat/scarf! It’s way more fashionable then a lot of other options and it’s a 2 in 1! You can find this item at www.etsy.com/shop/pixiebell

As you can see these hats consume you’re head but that also means it will be really really warm! I have one, and I look like I’m being eaten by a rabbit, but that’s ok cause there’s nothing but warmth under there!

I got mine at Mark's Work World and I love it! www2.marks.com

This is a more fun and fashionable option, not to mention really cute! You can find this at www.etsy.com/shop/seahorsedesigns
There’s the ugly but ultra warm option (which I have) or....

The much more fashionable and cute ones (which are also more expensive, and I’m told not quite as warm) www.sorel.com

Baking Blitz: Marshmallow Fondant

When I was prepping for my wedding I wanted to make cupcakes for my social with fondent icing! I looked it up a few times and only found really complicated recipes. I was starting to lose hope (and I wasn’t going to cave and use the readymade stuff! ick!) but then I found this recipe! Its super easy, take some strength, and literally getting your hands dirty but it’s so worth it in the end! The fondant was a huge hit, and my cupcakes with pink heart cut outs were some of the best I’ve made yet!

16 ounces white mini-marshmallows (use a good quality brand)
2 to 5 tbsp Water
2 pounds Icing Sugar 1/2 cup Crisco Shortening

Melt marshmallows and 2 tablespoons of water in a microwave or double boiler: Put the bowl in the microwave for 30 seconds, open microwave and stir, back in microwave for 30 seconds more, open microwave and stir again, and continue doing this until melted. It usually takes about 2 1/2 minutes total. Place 3/4 of the powdered sugar on the top of the melted marshmallow mix; mix in gently.

Now grease your hands GENEROUSLY (palms, backs, and in between fingers), then heavily grease the counter you will be using and dump the bowl of marshmallow/sugar mixture in the middle.

Start kneading like you would bread dough. Keep kneading (it is really sticky at this stage!) Add the rest of the powdered sugar and knead some more. Re-grease your hands and counter when the fondant starts sticking. If the mix is tearing easily, it is too dry, so add water (about 1/2 tablespoon at a time and then knead it in).
Add food coloring if you would like it a different color other than white.
When the fondant is all mixed well roll out to do cut outs for cupcakes or for covering a whole cake.

Tip: This fondant does great in the fridge. If you find it’s a little hard or dry add a little water until it’s the desired workability. (I still have some left!)

Have any good ideas, or substitutes for this....share them, leave a comment, I’d love to hear from you!!