Winter Wednesday: One

Welcome to my new Winter Wednesday post! The first of eight. What with winter making it's first official appearance this week, and Christmas Season approaching next week, I thought this was the perfect opportunity to start this new theme.  The idea behind it is to share some Christmas Outfits with you. For me, November 12th is the first day of Christmas Season. It's the day I start decorating the house, start watching Christmas movies, break out the Christmas music... And it's right around this time that our Christmas parties start. We actually have eight parties to attend this year! So it just seemed like creating eight different outfits was perfect timing with our first snow fall. 

I thought my first post would be with this dress. This dress... is amazing. You might recognize it from this post. It was a birthday gift from Melissa... and wow, did she hit the nail on the head. It even has a built in petticoat!!! The details on it are so gorgeous. I didn't realize it actually had little beaded pearls on it. I paired it up with a white belt to define my waist. Like so many fit-and-flare dresses, the waist doesn't actually hit me at my natural waist. Without the belt, I tend to look frumpy. I didn't accessorize it much, although for a Christmas party I may add my pearls to dress it up a bit. Toss in a pair of nude patent shoes and the outfit is simply and classic.

dress: birthday gift from melissa (via modcloth)

belt: from another dress

shoes: borrowed from melissa (via spring)

This dress will absolutely be one of my Christmas dresses this year. I can't lie... I love it so much, I'll probably end up wearing it to several. 

christmas cherries...

I rarely wear skirts. Have you noticed? Actually, this may be the only one I wear on a 'regular' basis.  I'm tempted to buy it in several more colours, just because it seems like such a staple skirt.  I don't think I've worn it the same way twice as of yet.  I almost wore it with the same dress-as-a-top as last time, but the dress was in the laundry... so instead of wearing a strawberry dress, I opted for a cherry blouse!

I've rarely worn this shirt since the summer.  It's so odd how clothing becomes routine for seasons, especially when they aren't an actual seasonal item, like a wool sweater, or a romper.  Normally, my hesitation is not being able to pair the items with warm tights.  Like this skirt.  Pantyhose just aren't as winter friendly for these East Coast Canadian winters that we get.  I (embarrassingly) wear snow pants over them to go outdoors, even just from the house to the car, and back again.

cardigan: local shop

skirt: modcloth

blouse: forever 21

shoes: bait footwear

I have to say, I've been a little generous with some gifts to me from me lately.  Starting with two Besame lipsticks.  They have such great colours!! I can see me adding more in my (near) future.  Urban Decay released their Naked 3 palette, which consists of all pink-hued neutrals.  GREAT for green eyes ladies!! I snagged the Mathilda flamingo dress from collectif clothing on their amazing black friday sale, and lastly, I decided I needed some serious winter gear for the oncoming winter.  Sorel boots and a Canada Goose coat.  See what I mean? Serious gifts to me from me. 

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tis the season...

last weekend, dominic humoured me and agreed to take some christmasy photos.  i had seen the idea on pinterest months ago and fell in love with the idea.

it was hard to have the right lighting for these pictures. if it was too bright, you couldn't tell the lights were on. if it was too dark, then the photos wouldn't look great.  i'm pleased with how they turned out.  you can tell they're glowing, yet the lighting was just right. you can't even tell it was freezing out that day and we're both shivering!

hendrix wasn't overly cooperative, as he was more interested in running around and playing. we did grab a few pics with him though.

cardigan: forever 21

blouse: ruche

shorts: asos

tights: joe fresh

boots: aldo

wishing you a very happy holiday season! 

from dominic & lucy, jana, chloe & hendrix

planning ahead...

Holiday Glitz by jana-godin featuring a bow belt

is it too early to be thinking about christmas??

oh christmas tree(s)...

 i'm a tad bit obsessed with christmas. have you noticed?

my official christmas season starts on november 12th. early right? wrong.

i have four trees to decorate. four.

plus the one at work.

this is my mom's tree... and her railing... and a few little decorations.

her colour scheme is brown, amber, bronze, gold and cream, with a smidgen of lime... 

 

 then there's my tree...

vintage inspired with lots of gold, cream, light blues and mints...

  

 i found it a little bland, so i added some red!

 

did i mention i have two trees? but not enough room for both... so i brought it to the cottage.

a black tree, with white mesh, pewter, cream/white, silver, and blue ornaments.

:)

 then there's the 'family' tree.  the real tree, with a hodge podge assortment of ornaments we've been collecting since i was a baby.

also, christmas eve, we all add an ornament with our name and birth year on it.

very days of our lives...

 

 outside... we can't forget that!

white lights, garland and trees, with red mesh, x 2 doors. and white lights on the front of the house.

 

  

 baking!

butter tarts, with a french style pastry.

yummm..

  

 my treat tins are a hot commodity around here.

a select few close friends and family, and coworkers gets to enjoy these treats.

martha stewart: beware!

:)

j.

an ornament swap!

back in november, i found an ornament swap that micaela (of dolce vita) was hosting!  such a great idea! i love christmas! i love sharing spirit! so why not??

my ornament swapper was holly, from running in stilettos.  

the plan:

find an ornement for $10, pack it with lots of fluff and stuff so it doesn't break, include a card stating why you chose the ornament you did, mail it out... then wait for your ornament to arrive.

and arrive it did, last thursday.

a gorgeous glass bulb with feathers inside, and a colourful card filled with warm wishes from holly.

thank you holly for the lovely surprise!

and thank you micaela for hosting this swap.

:)

merry christmas week!!

christmas luncheon...

hendrix likes to get in on the blog pics.

our first ever family photo

cardi, top, belt, skirt, shoes, earrings: ruche, bow: redvelvet, vintage cameo necklace: birthday gift from melissa

.....

it's christmas week!!!  

(this is what i've been running around squealing to everyone for the past 2 days)

yesterday we had our staff christmas luncheon, where we all bring in a gender neutral prezzie, and draw names.  it's a chinese gift exchange (i think), where you can either take a wrapped present, or steal someone else's.  it's a hoot.  i scored an awesome Second Cup gift basket full of hot drinks and chocolates.  which is the gift i wanted.  it'll keep me nice and warm over the upcoming cold weather months.

have i mentioned i'm totally smittin' with this bow in my hair?? i could wear it everyday.  i have a feeling i'll be ordering it in other colours.  had some difficulties getting it to stay in place when i first tried it out, but with a bit of practice (and back-combing), i've got it now!  you can look forward to seeing it appear in this weeks upcoming christmas week posts. :)

ps. it's hump day. we've made it past the first half of the week that leads to my favourite day of the year: christmas eve! whoop!!

j.

plaid & bows!

hendrix's collar/bowtie: neck candy collars
coat, dress: ruche, scarf: roots, hair bow: red velvet, boots: aldo marrs boots, tights: american apparel

.....

we took our christmas photos today!

aren't we just the corniest??

i love it.

:)