On Saturday evening, my friends and I threaded felt bunting and made sparkly holiday messages. It brought back fond memories of wedding craft nights. Oh those were crazy days, but I sure loved making all the pretty things.

I also love spending time with my best friends, eating the most amazing food*, and laughing a lot.


*baked brie in puff pastry. seriously, go make this right away.
*sparkly holiday message inspiration here.

I'm not a winter gal, but I do love early winter snow falls. It's not too cold and getting all cozy inside still feels like a novelty. A cute beanie and scarf seem like fun fashion accessories rather than absolute necessities in combating frost bite. And we can pump all the Christmas music we want!

I know photos of succulents are nothing new, but I happen to like these little guys quite a lot. They're a nice pop of green when I look out at the dreary (and often dark) window. I just hope we don't kill them, as we are sometimes prone to do.

On another note, I started my teaching block yesterday. So last night, I read journal entries, lesson planned & ate skittles. Brain food, you know.

Mike and I have a silly little competition when it comes to Scrabble. I had always thought of myself as rather good at Scrabble, but then Mike came along and beat me every time (except for that time that I was creaming him at Neighbourhood Café. But then it turned out he was going to propose, so I guess he had good reason to be playing so poorly...)

However, I'm happy to report that I beat Mike for the first time this weekend. He was quite surprised, I was elated. It was the highlight of my weekend.

We also did some planning for our New Years Eve party. I've been pinning some photos on my New Years Eve pinboard, but I'm having a bit of a hard time finding snazzy/crafty/cool New Years Eve ideas (finding a lot of tacky/cheesy ideas). If anyone has any ideas, I'd love to hear them. 

But look at this fancy little design Mike whipped up for the soirée:

And lastly, here is the Shabby Apple giveaway winner:

Wishful Nals, please email me your shipping information :)

Lately Mike and I have been going to a church on Sunday evenings, which means that Sunday mornings are now the perfect opportunity for brunch.

My friend Sarah has not only an amazing sunroom, but also a charming, cozy apartment. My friends and I gathered for a simple Sunday morning feast of pancakes, bacon, raspberry buttermilk cake, and christmas oranges. We chatted, looked at beautiful cookbooks, and I, unsurprisingly, took many photos.

It's always a bit of adjustment getting used to the dark after Daylight Savings. I miss those warm, bright summer evenings more than ever.

However, my friend Kari recently made an excellent obersvation about the cooler weather. She said, "In summer, you feel obligated to spend all your time outside. In winter, it's totally okay to just stay inside."

Absolutely true. Bring on the fires, scrabble games, moccasin slippers, and HBC blankets to snuggle in!

*Did anyone notice the "?" tile? ...it's from our engagement! :)

Isn't that the most darling little black dress? (I love that zipper in the back!) Well, my friends, you can win it! 

Shabby Apple has generously offered to give this Forbidden City dress away to one lucky reader. 

Here's how you can enter:

Scoot over to Shabby Apple's website and tell me you favourite dress.

OR

Become a follower of Shabby Apple's Blog

and then leave me a comment.

I shall pick the winner Monday, Nov. 21!

*Note: Unfortunately, this giveaway is only open to US readers.*