Runs on Coffee and Cream

One of the things I love about being off work? I can attend all those weekend events that happen around the city. Working retail typically means you work all weekend, every weekend. There's always local craft shows I want to check out but I'm at work.

Not anymore!

A couple of Saturdays ago I did errands in the city with Emma. We made our way downtown and hit up the Makers North: The Spring Show late in the afternoon. Going to the event with a stroller made me realize I'd probably be a pain in the butt taking over a lot of space. So I figured going later in the day made the most sense since craft shows die off towards the end. There'd be more space for me!


I wanted to buy from pretty much every vendor. I think if it was closer to Christmas and I had gifts to buy for, I would have walked out with a lot more than I did. There were amazing smelling soy candles, personalized wine glasses and wool socks, adorable prints for the wall, handmade jewelry, and baby clothes.


The items I bought were ones I was eyeing up prior to the event. Things that I spotted on Instagram and Facebook.

The first was a pillow from Penny Goods. I had been eyeing up the dinosaur pillow before the event but after seeing pictures of their set up from the start of The Spring Show, I'm kicking myself I didn't go earlier. I clearly needed to buy Emma the big orange cat pillow. But luckily, I can just watch for them to do another local craft show and buy her another pillow!




I also bought a couple of hair bows from Alfie + Iris. I completely fell in love with them when I found their Instagram. Their bows are so pretty. And the material... ugh! As a fellow fabric addict, I want all the hair bows because of the fabric! They use gorgeous vintage-looking fabrics. I'm a little mad I didn't pick up their new Malibu Barbie-looking print bow. But again, maybe at their next show.


And because I was hungry and they actually had product left, I went home with 2 donuts from Beards Bakery! We try to visit their bakery regularly to try new things and they were set up at the show across from a friend's booth, so it was fate!


Whether I apply for future Makers North shows this year or not, I'll definitely attend them to do some shopping and to check out the local vendors. The feeling at these shows is so energetic and they inspire the crap out of me. I leave them with creativity bursting from me. It helps keep me in check when preparing for my own craft shows that I'm vending at.

Speaking of which, I'm off to cut out some new projects for my next show!

xo Jen

I wanted to be a mom for a very long time. Luckily, being in Canada, I have a year off to stay home with my baby. No one really knows what to expect when their baby shows up. Plus every baby is different, including their personalities and habits. I've lucked out with a good baby; she sleeps well, she's not too fussy and we haven't experienced colic. However, she still prefers our arms than a bouncer or swing. But we both get decent sleep (her more than me. I'm functioning though. Most days. With multiple cups of coffee).


I figured after we got into a routine I'd be back to sewing and baking. In my head I was so going to nail this staying at home with the baby. I also had plans to meal prep, scrub the house from top to bottom weekly, start working out... this is so not the case.

Quickly you realize how much you need to and want to entertain your baby and show her the world around her. I've taken to making animal noises, singing to her, and pointing out colours and shapes around the house. Yep, she definitely thinks her Mom is a professional singer with how much I sing to her. Then there's tummy time, the multiple feedings each day, and the never-ending diaper changing. Because she's reached the age where she 'talks' a lot now too, I also feel like I shouldn't watch TV as much. I need to interact with her and have silly conversations.


Don't take this as complaining. Watching her face - her eyes lighting up, her mouth copying my mouth, the sounds she makes - are all worth every single moment I spend away from cleaning, cooking, and even trying to eat (my meals all seem to get postponed due to Emma time).


I know things should get easier (and harder in a sense) once she can hold up her own head, hang out in her exersaucer, hold her own bottle, etc. I should be able to multi-task a bit better. Hopefully. That's the plan. But who cares? As long as she's happy, I'm happy. We'll make this work. 

xo Jen

Today is my birthday and I'm really happy. So far the Summer has been great and filled with wonderful moments. I'm not going to write much today but I'll share some of my favourite photos from the last few weeks. 

 

It's cold. Today when I woke up it felt like -40 degrees Celsius with the windchill and it didn't warm up much. This afternoon it felt like -35. It's easy to be a homebody in this weather. Stay in a warm house, drinking hot drinks, and wrapped in blankets. Don't get me wrong, that was how I spent most of my morning and evening. But I have to get out of the house sometimes. I need sunshine and to just leave the house.

So in spirit of getting out of the house or at least off the couch this month, typically one of the colder Winter months, here's my January to do list:

- ice skating on Ramsey Lake
- exercising regularly at home
- have a board game night, even if it's just with Adam
- start prepping for my first comic convention of the season (March is not that far away... eeek!)
- go for snowy but sunny afternoon walks

 






I hope you had wonderful holidays and were spoiled with love, food, and gifts!
xo Jen

Anyone else excited that Christmas is THIS week?!?! I'm incredibly excited! To get in the Christmas spirit I've been fitting in Christmas activities wherever I can... Christmas movies, building gingerbread houses, wrapping gifts, writing out cards, and consuming festive treats!






What have you been doing to get in the holiday mood? Countdown till Christmas is on!
xo Jen

 




This was definitely my highlight of the month because since then I feel like I've been living at work and in a time crunch when I'm at home.

I hope you have a good weekend! I'll be at work and doing my best to stay in the Christmas spirit!
xo Jen