HAPPY THURSDAY + WHAT WE'RE READING...

When I became a Mom, I found that my love and passion for books and reading with my children grew. They loved books as babies and continue to love the time we read together now too. Watching the kids form ideas and develop stories and role play around the books we read continually fascinates me and brings so much joy. 

Why books? Why literacy? Here's why.

When I worked a corporate job, I had the chance to travel a lot, meet clients from so many industries and generally become fascinated with so many different businesses. One of my clients was a coal seam gas company whose business had exploded. They had found resources, built a business that went from 4 founding members to a team of 500 within 2 years! It was an exciting project and I was involved in writing a strategy for them for learning and development. What does this have to do with literacy? A lot actually. What I found astounded me. Here we were in one of the most developed countries in the world and the spread of education ranged from PhD graduates all the way to workers who were illiterate. Some people could NOT read the safety documents. It was the first time I truly understood the significance of literacy for every child everywhere.

As I mentioned in my post about what's coming up this year, I am so excited to share this new series on the blog where I'll be sharing books that we love, from my kids (and me!) to yours. 

I hope you find some inspiration to pick up a book and sit down with your little one and explore the story's imaginative world together.

In launching this column, I wanted to share a brand new book written by the incredibly talented Agnes from my favourite creative kids site hello, Wonderful and beautifully illustrated by Yuliya Gwylim. The book is called My Color is Rainbow and is a story about love and acceptance. The story follows 'little white arch' as he takes a journey to discover his true colours. As he ventures through the pages, he discovers that life really is about all of the different experiences and emotions that we encounter.

Doesn't the book look so cute on our new playroom shelves? When I read the book with the kids, we talked about the different emotions that played out through the book and what made them feel these emotions. Below is a collection of the things that represent what the kids decided make them feel calm (art, nature, being outside, family, and music).

There have been some incredible projects made over the past week or two to tie in with the launch of this book, including this Rainbow Magic Trick and this Rainbow Paper Ball Garland as well as many others that you can find on the hello, Wonderful Instagram page.

My Color is Rainbow can be purchased through Amazon.com or through Plaeful. 

HANDMADE DRESSES FOR LITTLE GIRLS

I came across Emmie's Room on Instagram and absolutely LOVED these gorgeous dresses from the moment I laid eyes on them. Leanne Kemp, the lovely mama behind the brand makes these beautifully sewn dresses (and other kids and home ware) at her home studio while her three little ones nap, play or sleep. When I found out that she makes her clothes in sizes all the way from 1 - 6, we just had to have them!

The dresses are made from 100% organic cotton and have lovely detailing with piping around the chest, a keyhole in the back and a wooden button for closure. Not only that, they are the sweetest design that makes it PERFECT for twirling! My girls couldn't stop twirling and twirling and twirling.

I love that they are roomy enough to grow with and that the colours are soft and the shoulders are covered. An all round beautiful dress for my littles and yours. Her brand new collection of Gardenia dresses has just launched this week. 

Dresses // Emmies Room

Necklaces // Coral + Cloud

Cream Cushions // 607 Davie & Chiyo

Star Cushions // Find similar on Etsy

WHAT TO EXPECT ON THE BLOG THIS YEAR

If you've just started reading or if you've been following along for a while, I wanted to say a big welcome and tell you a little bit about what you can expect here. Last post was a highlight reel of 2016 and now as we are fully launched into 2017, I wanted to share some new categories that are coming up on the blog. 

Kids Rooms (not new)...we'll continue to share my design work as well as decor finds, tips, how to's, etc. for children. This is usually shared on Tuesdays.

For the minis (more, so much more!)...we'll continue with a big focus on local, natural, lovely, the handmade or maker shops. I'll be sharing kids' clothing, accessories, toys we love and any product that wows us. Find this on Wednesdays!

Happy Thursday + what we're reading...this is a brand new category dedicated to kids books recommended by our kids to yours and I'm excited to share my first one this Thursday.

Friday Faves...This is a weekly round up of items that I love, from canopies to blocks, artwork to kids shoes! 

I'll also continue to share the odd DIY, some of our family moments, parties, etc on Mondays.

If there's anything that you'd like to see that isn't here, I'd love your thoughts!!! Please leave me a comment below and I'll see if I can find a way to include it coming up! 

Have a great week!

OUT WITH THE OLD, HELLO 2017!

It's been awhile...but I'm back! Even though we are all still struggling to wake up and get up in the mornings, already feeling the rush of back to school and Xavier missing his sisters like crazy, I am excited for what this year holds. 

Last year (starting in March) was my first semi-consistent year of writing the blog and I am so excited to say that it really EXPLODED! Beyond what I ever dreamed possible...so thank you for coming, sharing a piece of this journey, telling your friends about the site and adding a few of your own thoughts along the way. I wanted to share some of my 2016 highlights and next week I will be sharing what you can expect to see from the blog this coming year.

Last March, Ella's room proved to be super popular (you can still get the look here) and the canopy corner is still going crazy over on Pinterest (please come follow me!).

The summer months were full of fun things with my kids, reviews from companies that I love and this play room that filled our home with joy and so much sunshine streaming through the windows.

The playhouse that I painted over a long weekend while my Dad was visiting (and my husband was still recovering from hip surgery) proved not only to give me something to do (I am notoriously type A and struggle to sit still for long) but also to be our favourite place to play all summer long and your favourite photo of mine over on Instagram! So thank you for loving it and showing me that people want to see things they can do themselves with their own kids (if you feel inspired you can still get the look here).

In the fall, my girls started school and it was a big transition for the whole family. Creating Nayviah's room was a complete dream and I was so thrilled to have it shared over on SMP Living!

I also loved creating Emil's big boy room with this gorgeous loft bed that is an absolute dream for a little boy. Honestly, this job is the most fun ever!!!

The rest of the year was filled with work that you do not always see here on the blog. Styling jobs, photography shoots, working behind the scenes with brands and e-design clients whose rooms I do not (usually) get to photograph. The year was certainly topped off with being named Best Digital Influencer in BC Living's Kids and Family category! I LOVE what I do and am so grateful and thankful for your support that keeps me here!

I hope with this new year, I can bring more experience, so many more photos, new rooms and a lot more fun! I want to challenge myself to share more, better targeted to you! 

Now I'd love if you could help me by leaving a comment answering these questions. What do you love most about stopping by? What do you want to see more of? Are there any things that you didn't like about the blog this year?

Happy 2017 everyone!

EYE SAFETY FOR THE HOLIDAYS

Winter has arrived and with it, the snow! It has been such a fun week watching the magic of the winter holiday season unfold in the eyes of the kids and I can't wait to head up to the local mountains for more snowy, bright fun. While it is so nice to finally see the sun, it's important to remember to keep our little ones' eyes safe when we're heading outdoors and participating in winter activities. I've partnered with Image Optometry to share some key tips to maintaining children's eye safety whether you are heading for a snowy vacation over Christmas or jetting off to Maui!

Key tips for keeping little eyes safe in the sun and snow:

• wear protective eye gear when participating in sports or outdoor activities
• tell children to never look directly at the sun
• have eyes examined regularly (Image recommends 6 months, 3 years and annually after that) to ensure any problems are picked up quickly
• set a good example through wearing your own protective eye gear
• encourage children to wash hands thoroughly before touching their eyes
• supervise children when using sharp objects, such as ski poles (to ensure injury to the eyes)

Image Optometry offers in store eye exams locally here in Vancouver or if you are looking for sunglasses for you and your little ones, you can find affordable sunglasses through 38dollarglasses.com. 

Image is offering a free pair of Vancouver Canucks hockey tickets when you book two appointments on the same date and at the same time...

Happy Holiday season friends!!