Showing posts with label Christmas. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Christmas. Show all posts
Christmas Music Monday - Oh Light
Labels:
Christmas
Music Monday
The Reason for the Season
Last-Minute Christmas Wishes
I think my friends and people who know me well find me pretty easy when it comes to Christmas gifts - anything fashion, beauty or book-related is generally very successful. My sisters would likely tell you that I am usually the easiest person on their list to shop for for just that reason. That said, some folks have been asking me for a last few ideas, so I thought I'd share a few of the items I'd love to spot under the Christmas tree.
Music Monday: It's Christmas
Music Monday: Quiet Christmas
It has been a wild week leading up to the holidays, for me. I got a new job and moved to a new province in a whirlwind of less than a week, and am currently settling into said new library before heading to the GTA tomorrow to spend Christmas with a dear friend and her family.
Keeping me calm, happy, and feeling festive while working is this soothing mix of lovely carols, part of the general Christmas collection of 8tracks mixes that I'm listening today.
Wishing you all the happiest of holidays!
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Labels:
Christmas
Music Monday
A Bookish Christmas Wishlist
Snow is on the grown, Christmas lights are twinkling each evening and I've spent the last couple of days baking squares and other holiday treats. Feeling festive, happy and looking forward to the holiday. I've got almost all of my Christmas shopping done, something for everyone on my list! But I thought I'd put together my own dream wishlist with a decidedly bookish theme.
A comfy Pride and Prejudice sweater. Literature plus coziness = win.
A library-scented candle. I would love to fill my room with the scent of old books. Who wouldn't?
This beautiful set of classic children's literature from Puffin Classics.
This Olympia Le-Tan book clutch is what dreams are made of.
The perfect pink lip and some new wintry nail colours.
Fashionable fairy-tales? Yes and more yes.
Seriously perfect cat-eye frames from Warby Parker.
"Boys make passes at girls in glasses" - an adorable (and hopefully true?) bangle from Kate Spade.
What are you wishing for this Christmas?
(Christmas) Music Monday: Angels We Have Heard on High
On this happy Christmas Eve, I will be spending this evening with family, sitting around the tree, singing carols and most importantly remembering the true reason for the season. I also want to send out so much love, and to wish you all the most wonderfully happy and very merry Christmas!
"Happy Christmas to all, and to all a good night!"
Foolproof Nail Art: Giftwrapped
Getting caught up in the fun of the holidays, I've been keen to try different Christmas-themed nail art - remember my snowy manicure? Well this time round, I wanted to try something that would feature my official favourite holiday polish: Ruby from Joe Fresh. It is just the prettiest colour, and full of glitter, which I love. Best part? Unlike most glittery polish it is extremely easy to remove = winning.
I got the idea for gift-wrapped nails on Pinterest where I'd seen people paint their nails one colour, then using carefully snipped pieces of tape, make a cross pattern on their nail and paint a second colour over top, removing the tape to reveal a pretty giftwrap-esque look. I attempted that trick, and it was an epic failure. The tape strips I had painstakingly cut out ripped off the base polish even though I let it dry completely first. The end result just. looked. awful. I will not be doing that again. So I turned to my nail art pen, and it was SO much easier. I promise!
Here's how I did it:
1. Paint on a base coat. (I use an all-in-one from Essie).
2. Apply two coats of your chosen polish colour - in this case "Ruby". Allow to dry.
3. Using a nail art pen, paint on two intersecting stripes on each nail (I personally like having the vertical stripe to one side and the horizontal stripe about a third of the way down). Allow to dry.
4. Using the nail art pen, in each of the four corners where the stripes meet, paint little half circles, to make a bow! Allow to dry.
5. Paint on a top coat, allow to dry, and you're done!
Trust me - if I can do it, so can you! If you decide to give this nail art a go, please let me know how it goes! Even better? Snap a photo on instagram, or tweet one to me! I'd love to see your results!
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Sing Noel
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| Coat: Modcloth Dress: Modcloth Shoes: Charlotte Olympia Earrings: Kate Spade Snowman Bag: Charlotte Olympia Gloves: Mulberry Earmuffs: Topshop Lipstick: Nars |
If I had my pick of perfect outfits for celebrations at Christmas, this would be it. At what other time of year would Charlotte Olympia's adorable holly bedecked flats or snowman purse be more suitable? A girl can't help but dream! Thankfully, this stunner of an emerald green dress is more within reach, and will hopefully be added to my wardrobe, post haste. Perhaps also the perfect way to ring in 2013 as the year of emerald (Thanks Pantone!)? I think so!
I hope your last few days leading up to Christmas are merry and bright!
(Christmas) Music Monday: An Alternative Christmas
Though I can't claim credit for this perfect Christmas playlist that includes so many of my very favourite carols and Christmas songs, I have to share it. It's one I listened to on repeat last year and am continuing to love this holiday season while I wrap gifts and enjoy all the trappings of Christmas.
I have to say that this collection of carols and wintry tunes is best listened to while sitting by the fire with family or friends (ideally both!) with a mug of hot chocolate in hand. Enjoy!
I have to say that this collection of carols and wintry tunes is best listened to while sitting by the fire with family or friends (ideally both!) with a mug of hot chocolate in hand. Enjoy!
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Cozy Christmas
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| Reindeer Names Scarf: Topshop Ho! Ho! Ho! Sweater: Lot 78 Santa Toque: Eugenia Kim Christmas Pudding Clutch: Charlotte Olympia Jingle Bell Mittens: Topshop Wine Reindeer Socks: Topshop Charcoal Reindeer Socks: Topshop Purple Reindeer Socks: Topshop Boots: Sperry Topsider for J. Crew |
As kitschy as seasonal items can be, I also think they're a lot of fun. I definitely think it's possible to wear festive pieces and not look like a victim of the infamous "Ugly-Christmas-Sweater" party. To prove my point, I've gathered together a few of my favourite cozy holiday-themed pieces perfect for days leading up to Christmas when Jack Frost is nipping at your nose. Best of all? They allow for a celebratory feeling without looking over-the-top or tacky.
Confession? I'm especially hoping "Santa" might bring me those Sperry Topsider for J.Crew boots. Love.
Confession? I'm especially hoping "Santa" might bring me those Sperry Topsider for J.Crew boots. Love.
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Wintry Inspiration
When I saw this photograph of Justyna by Joel Bedford I actually gasped. It is so beautiful, and it completely encapsulates my vision of perfect wintry beauty. Justyna is a stylist extraordinaire (in addition to being an absolute beauty), and Joel is an incredibly talented photographer. I've been lucky enough to have had the privilege to be on set for shoots with Justyna and Joel a couple of times, and believe me when I say that when these two join forces they're seriously unstoppable. Jamie and Kevin, look out.
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(Christmas) Music Monday: Star of Wonder
This weeks carol is Star of Wonder (We Three Kings) by JJ Heller, and it's a newer favourite Christmas tune of mine. Typically I go for the very traditional at Christmastime, but her voice and the arrangement of the song are just lovely. This live version is pretty much perfect.
An Island Christmas: Words and Songs
Something that inevitably comes up when I talk about things I love about PEI is the music, arts, and cultural scene. There's something special about this place. It inspires art and creativity and that bubbles up in all kinds of ways, but two that I especially love are music and words, which have inspired this Island inspired Christmas gift guide. I guarantee you'll be able to find something perfect (and local!) among these suggestions for the wordsmith or music-lover in your life!
Written Words:
The Catch by Louisa McCormack is unabashed chick-lit, set in the fictional village of Tuck Harbour, PEI and features a big city girl finding love in a small town. If you have a book-lover in your life who is a particular fan of romance, this'd be my recommendation! Want the in-depth review? Click through the above link to see what the folks at the Quill & Quire have to say!
Tide Road by Valerie Compton might be a better fit for the more literary bibliophile in your life. Shifting between past and present in the life of Sonia, a lighthouse keeper's daughter, this novel is a tale of pre-war life on PEI, personal tragedy, and overcoming mistakes. It's been on my to-read list for a while!
The Blue Castle by Lucy Maud Montgomery - Of course I have to include a novel by Lucy Maud, since this is PEI after all! But this favourite book of mine is actually not set in PEI at all! It is far and away my favourite LMM novel, and it'd be a welcome surprise for the book-lover in your life instead of the expected Anne of Green Gables!
Music and Song:
(Musical talent on PEI is abundant, and these are but a few of my very favourites)
First up? Tanya Davis. She's a spoken word artist, a poet, a musician, a singer. She's absolutely, incredibly talented. You may have seen her in the her video that went viral - How to be Alone (it got me through some tough times - well worth a watch!), or in one of my first Music Monday posts. "Clocks and Hearts Keep Going" is her latest - you can listen to the full sampler and buy the album here.
Paper Lions are consistent favourites of mine. I've been to several of their (always fantastic) live shows and have all of their albums and have never been disappointed yet. In my opinion, one of the best bands on the Island, and a sure winner as a Christmas gift. Want to hear more? Check out this Music Monday post I did a while back featuring them!
Racoon Bandit - You may remember them from this post a while back. Considering my penchant for folk rock, it's no surprise that I've been listening to Racoon Bandit's album on repeat - it's pretty fantastic. Also worth checking out? This awesome video they just did with Southern Souls.
Two Hours Traffic may be the most recognizable of the PEI bands I love. In addition to the radio, you may have even heard some of their tunes on major US tv shows - and for good reason: they're fantastic! It helps that their band name was inspired by Shakespeare. Have a listen to their newest album here - trust me, you'll be convinced!
Tim Chaisson is a local musician who I (along with lots of others) supported in making his latest album via crowdfunding on indiegogo I believe, and I'm so glad to have been a part of it. I'm a huge fan, and I absolutely believe in supporting Island artists. He's a super-talented singer/songwriter - as illustrated in this tune that also features Serena Ryder (maybe my favourite song on the album!).
Meaghan Blanchard is a singer (and fellow redhead) whose music I've been enjoying since I first heard it. She featured in a pretty awesome library-set Campus Sessions video - an ongoing music series at UPEI. I was even happier to hear her play live in Ottawa on Canada Day when TRH Will and Kate were in attendance. Pretty cool! You can have a listen to (and buy!) her music here.
Last but certainly not least is maybe my favourite Island singer of the moment, Rose Cousins. Her music is haunting and beautiful, and her lyrics stick with you. I really cannot say enough, especially about her latest album, "We Have Made a Spark" - it's incredible. Whoever you buy this album for will thank you for years to come, I promise.
I hope some of my favourites mentioned here might help you find a last minute gift or two for family, friends and loved ones this Christmas! If you're still stuck though, check out my last two gift guides here and here for more ideas!
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Labels:
Books
Christmas
Gift Guide
Meaghan Blanchard
Music
Paper Lions
PEI
Racoon Bandit
Rose Cousins
Tanya Davis
The Blue Castle
The Catch
Tide Road
Tim Chaisson
Two Hours Traffic
(Christmas) Music Monday: O Come O Come Emmanuel
This, the first Monday in December marks the first of my Christmas Music Mondays. Typically I only do one or maybe two Music Monday posts a month, but I love Christmas and the carols that go along with it, so each week this month I'll be sharing a favourite.
When I was younger I didn't particularly like this song, "O Come, O Come Emmanuel", because I felt it was too dreary. But over the years I have come to love it more and more, and it is now a beloved carol. I thought I'd share a rendition of this beautiful song by favourite musical duo The Civil Wars. I hope you'll love it as much as I do!
An Island Christmas: Fashionable Fare
Second in my series of Island Christmas gift guides is a selection of some of my favourite fashions and accessories that are made or found here on PEI. Growing up and now living on the Island, I admit it's sometimes been a struggle to find unique and stylish items to set my style apart from the crowd. Of course we have the chain stores that most people shop at, but for some reason the cute boutiques that pop up every now and then don't do so well which is disappointing for us fashion-loving PEI ladies. However, lately I have discovered some fantastic accessories and a fashionable line from two talented Island ladies that make it possible to shop stylishly and locally for the fashion lover in your life (or yourself, let's be honest). You can order almost all of my mentions online, but one is a local vintage shop filled with treasures that I just had to share. For you folks who are "from away", consider it yet another reason to visit the Island (items are listed in order clockwise from top left corner).
Dreamboat Lucy's Delphine Dress. Velvet, classy, lovely. I was shocked that I hadn't heard of this seriously great Island line sooner, but I'm so glad I did. They're putting PEI Style on the map!
Green Man Vintage & Vinyl - Okay, so this is a less an item then a place, and you'll have to pay a visit in person, but it is well worth the visit, even if you're from away! Chock full of vintage treasures, it's impossible to NOT find something you love. If you want a one-of-a-kind piece for yourself or for someone on your Christmas list, this is the place to come!
Homemade Cozy Headbands and more! A fellow Island blogger Aimee put the word out that her crafty mum has knit up some seriously lovely headbands and scarves for winter. I admittedly would like one of the cozy chunky scarves for myself. If you want one? Get in touch with Aimee here.
Dreamboat Lucy's Seaglass Bracelet Okay, I'll admit it. I want this bracelet for myself. The talented duo behind Dreamboat Lucy design both garments and accessories, and their jewelry is absolutely gorgeous. I have a pair of their seaglass earrings and they are amazing. Find the whole range on their site here.
Thea earrings are designed and made here on PEI. You may have discovered Dorothy's lovely rose earrings in previous giveaways here on the blog. I have a couple of pairs and absolutely love them. You can either pick them up in person or you can have them mailed. Perfectly pretty stocking stuffers, in my opinion.
The Potter's Daughter - Suzanne is a potter here on PEI, and in addition to helping create the beautiful pottery pieces you can find for sale at Village Pottery, she has also created her own line of clay accessories - necklaces, rings, and earrings. I love her leaf pendant necklaces. You can find them in person in New London or online in Suzanne's etsy shop.
If vintage is your thing, Milk & Amber is a great little etsy shop based here on the island that has some great & eclectic jewelry, accessories and other finds. Its owner, Katherine, has recently launched an accompanying blog of the same name, which you can find here
Last but certainly not least, some adorable earrings from Paper Cakes. Yes, another etsy shop, but also one based here on the PEI. Chelsea's pieces are pretty and sweet - although there are a few pieces with a naughty streak! My favourites were these lovely little earrings, and also this peach necklace that didn't make the collage cut.
Next up in my Island Christmas Gift Guide Series? Words and Songs - a gift guide for the book and music lover in your life! Look for it here next Sunday.
Labels:
Christmas
Dreamboat Lucy
Gift Guide
Green Man Vintage
Milk and Amber
Paper Cakes
PEI
The Potter's Daughter
Thea
Foolproof Nail Art: Let it Snow
Let me first say this - I am not a nail art pro. I wish I was, but I am cursed with shaky hands. Truth be told, I often have to fix the edges of my nails with a q-tip dipped in polish remover (although you can still see a couple of rough spots in my photos, I know). So if I can do this fun little holiday-inspired manicure, anyone can. That's where the foolproof part comes in.
What will you need? It's super simple. Find yourself some fun holiday colours. I went for Joe Fresh polishes in Evergreen and Ruby (Fun Fact: Joe Fresh 3 for $10 helped me justify Gold Glitter too), and my new bff, the Sally Hansen Nail Art Pen. Feel free to substitute your own Christmas-y or just plain wintry colours too! It's worth mentioning though that "Ruby" might just be a new favourite - it's a seriously lovely colour. But I digress.
Let it Snow Nails - How to:
1. Prep with base coat (I go for the Essie all-in-one that doubles as top coat too!).
2. Paint on two coats of your chosen colour(s). I used Evergreen as an accent nail, just for fun - but I think having one sole background colour might be even nicer. Let dry.
2. Paint on two coats of your chosen colour(s). I used Evergreen as an accent nail, just for fun - but I think having one sole background colour might be even nicer. Let dry.
3. With nail art pen, cover each nail evenly with dots. I didn't want them spaced too carefully, I was going for a more random-snowfall look.
4. When the dots are dry, finish with a cover of clear topcoat. I've found the polish from the nail art pen can (but doesn't always) rub off if you don't.
5. Happily admire your finished work.
The nice thing about this simple mani is that it's done quickly. You won't be labouring for ages over each nail, but you'll still end up with a fun holiday look. Let me know if you give it a try (and tweet me a photo if you do! @lotsixtyfive)
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An Island Christmas: Local Gifts for the Foodie
As Christmas approaches (a month away today!), I thought I'd take the chance to share a series of gift guides featuring local offerings. As a PEI based blogger I thought it'd be fun to share some of my favourite PEI products that would make great gifts or stocking stuffers. They're all totally un-sponsored items I've personally seen, used, tasted, enjoyed, or heard about and wanted to try or buy myself. There is so much goodness on PEI, and when we are known for so few things (read: Anne, Potatoes), I feel a sense of pride in sharing some of the great gift ideas you can find locally (or order if you're not an Islander yourself and just love PEI!) to share with family and friends over the holidays.
First up? A few ideas for the food-lover in your life. PEI is a treasure trove of good eats, and fantastic locally made products. I could list a string of wonderful restaurants to try, farmer's market stalls to visit and local seafood to savour, but today I'm sharing some of my own favourite items (and one I'm keen to try) that would certainly please the culinarily inclined on your list (they're listed clockwise from top left corner!).
Honey Delights - Honibe is a PEI owned and operated company that makes a range of honey-based products. Their drops are my favourite product, but the Honey Delights are a pretty delicious candy option for the sweet-lover in your life!
Tea - The PEI Preserve Company in New Glasgow PEI is one of the few touristy places I genuinely really like and go to myself even when friends from off-island aren't visiting (although I certainly always take friends there when they do!). They have a whole range of delicious products and I've only recently come to enjoy their teas - inspired by an Ottawa co-worker who sent an order home with me whenever I'd visit. I've tried several of their blends, and all of them have been delicious!
Honey Drops are easily the most well-known Honibe product. Not unlike a sugar cube in that they're hard drops used for sweetening your tea, they're unique in that they're made from 100% pure honey. I prefer honey in my tea to sugar, and these are a godsend!
Anne's Chocolates - Made in "Avonlea Village" PEI (admittedly, a tourist attraction not a real place, quaint and cute though it is), I can vouch for the fact that all of the tasty treats I've tried are seriously delish. You can find them year-round in the Charlottetown Shop, or online!
Paderno - Pots, pans, bakeware, gadgets and more, this PEI run company (with an online shop!) is a top name. Super high quality, and I literally use their pots every day. They are so worth it.
Preserves From the aforementioned PEI Preserve Company, this signature product is one of my favourites. There are so many incredible flavours, but Raspberry Champagne is my favourite. Also delicious? Their Lemon Curd (and Lime curd for that matter) is absolutely. Incredible. Seriously - yum.
Raspberry Cordial - I'm officially a fan of this drink, modelled after the beverage mentioned in the infamous Anne of Green Gables scene where Anne and Diana mistake wine for the non-alcoholic Raspberry Cordial. It's a bit of a tourist-y thing, but it is legitimately yummy. Raspberry fizz? Yes please!
Summer Savory is the smell of the holidays to me. A delicious herb that is a key component of my mom's traditional stuffing for the turkey, I was so surprised to find that it is not as common as I'd thought! Certainly it's grown in places other than PEI, but we always buy ours locally - and I can't imagine a Christmas dinner without it.
For recipes from the best Island chefs, you can't go wrong with Flavours of Prince Edward Island!
Last but not least, if you're looking for a gift for the cocktail-lover in your life, the Prince Edward Distillery makes Wild Blueberry Vodka. I'd personally love to try it in their recipe for Mulled Blueberry Cider.
First up? A few ideas for the food-lover in your life. PEI is a treasure trove of good eats, and fantastic locally made products. I could list a string of wonderful restaurants to try, farmer's market stalls to visit and local seafood to savour, but today I'm sharing some of my own favourite items (and one I'm keen to try) that would certainly please the culinarily inclined on your list (they're listed clockwise from top left corner!).
Honey Delights - Honibe is a PEI owned and operated company that makes a range of honey-based products. Their drops are my favourite product, but the Honey Delights are a pretty delicious candy option for the sweet-lover in your life!
Tea - The PEI Preserve Company in New Glasgow PEI is one of the few touristy places I genuinely really like and go to myself even when friends from off-island aren't visiting (although I certainly always take friends there when they do!). They have a whole range of delicious products and I've only recently come to enjoy their teas - inspired by an Ottawa co-worker who sent an order home with me whenever I'd visit. I've tried several of their blends, and all of them have been delicious!
Honey Drops are easily the most well-known Honibe product. Not unlike a sugar cube in that they're hard drops used for sweetening your tea, they're unique in that they're made from 100% pure honey. I prefer honey in my tea to sugar, and these are a godsend!
Anne's Chocolates - Made in "Avonlea Village" PEI (admittedly, a tourist attraction not a real place, quaint and cute though it is), I can vouch for the fact that all of the tasty treats I've tried are seriously delish. You can find them year-round in the Charlottetown Shop, or online!
Paderno - Pots, pans, bakeware, gadgets and more, this PEI run company (with an online shop!) is a top name. Super high quality, and I literally use their pots every day. They are so worth it.
Preserves From the aforementioned PEI Preserve Company, this signature product is one of my favourites. There are so many incredible flavours, but Raspberry Champagne is my favourite. Also delicious? Their Lemon Curd (and Lime curd for that matter) is absolutely. Incredible. Seriously - yum.
Raspberry Cordial - I'm officially a fan of this drink, modelled after the beverage mentioned in the infamous Anne of Green Gables scene where Anne and Diana mistake wine for the non-alcoholic Raspberry Cordial. It's a bit of a tourist-y thing, but it is legitimately yummy. Raspberry fizz? Yes please!
Summer Savory is the smell of the holidays to me. A delicious herb that is a key component of my mom's traditional stuffing for the turkey, I was so surprised to find that it is not as common as I'd thought! Certainly it's grown in places other than PEI, but we always buy ours locally - and I can't imagine a Christmas dinner without it.
For recipes from the best Island chefs, you can't go wrong with Flavours of Prince Edward Island!
Last but not least, if you're looking for a gift for the cocktail-lover in your life, the Prince Edward Distillery makes Wild Blueberry Vodka. I'd personally love to try it in their recipe for Mulled Blueberry Cider.
Merry Christmas!
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For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace.
- Isaiah 9:6
A couple of years ago I sang in a choir, and at Christmas-time we performed Handel's Messiah, which I loved. This is one of the most beautiful pieces that I utterly enjoyed singing, and it continues to be one of my favourites from the whole of the Messiah.
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On such a festive day I thought I would take a chance to share a few of my favourite Christmas tunes and some of my Christmas-y inspiration with all of you.
I have listened to this tune sung by Nana Mouskouri every year since I can remember at Christmas, it is most definitely a favourite carol at our house.
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What are some of your favourite Christmas day activities?
I don't think that this wonderful tune from The Pogues needs any introduction! It is another old favourite of mine - such a classic!
I hope your holidays are filled with joy and wonderful new memories with friends and families!
Merry Christmas to all, and to all a good night!
Labels:
Christmas
Where The Heart Is
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For those of you who are also travelling over the roads or through the air - I wish you all a safe journey! And to everyone else? I hope you have a wonderfully happy holiday weekend.
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