'twas the freakout before christmas

I don't know how this happened. Usually I've got the holiday season completely under control the whole way through. But here we are, a mere 4 days away from Christmas and I have yet to finish buying and wrapping my gifts. Not to mention, I would've loved to put together some Christmas tins full of festive treats (that is definitely not happening at this point in the game) and make a dessert centrepiece for Christmas eve supper. GAH!

I don't know if I can face the mob's at the shops again. I was there today, and sh*t's getting real over there. At least I know what to buy and where. Thanks goodness for small favours.

So bear with me this holiday season. My posts might become slightly sporadic over the next couple of days.

In any case, I hear the world is ending. At least if it does, I will have saved myself the trouble of wrapping some twenty-odd presents. Again, small favours.

{image: my instagram}

yeah, but can you drink from it?

 I generally find most novelty mugs dull, but something about this one really puts a smile on my face. It makes a great stocking stuffer for the photographer in your life. Which is why Rob probably thought it the perfect extra little gift for me. 

But I beat him to the punch. 

Because shouldn't spoil ourselves a little at Christmas?

 And you know, it's true what they say. Everything does taste better in a camera lens.

dyi for christmas

I found this great DIY garland on You Are My Fave, and re-appropriated it for Christmas—using Christmas colours was my way of re-appropriating it for Christmas. 

I'm a bloody genius, I know.

It's super simple and looks really good. It took me a pretty long time to finish two garlands of nine flowers, but it gave me a reason to sit on the couch and power through the last season of Buffy the Vampire Slayer. Which is really the best kind of project, isn't it? One that keeps you busy, while giving you some down time.

All you need is some tissue paper, scissors, string and glue dots. I didn't follow You Are My Fave's instructions to the letter. I probably used 18 times more glue dots than I was supposed to and my flowers looked awful before I glued them together, but you wouldn't know it from the final product.

Interested in making your own? Here's the link.

{images: my flickr}

it's time to eat, drink and be merry!

We have a Christmas potluck this Saturday. Everyone has been tasked with bringing one appetizers while our lovely hosts will serve up a delicious main meal. I've been going through my repertoire of food sites for some yummy and different appetizers, and I think I might have found the one: fig and blue cheese savouries via Epicurious.  

I tend to shy away from anything that requires me making dough. No matter how many people tell me that dough is easy, I can't help but have a vision of me in the kitchen, hair in disarray and sweating, flour everywhere and cuss words flying about. 

But no more! This week, me and dough, we're having a throw down.

 Apart from that challenge, these little bites are perfect for the potluck. Easy to transport and, most importantly, easy to eat! Plus, they're kinda fancy. Check out the supposedly easy recipe here.

{image: epicurious}

it snowed!

One step closer to Christmas!

christmas time in the city

 Starbucks Ginger Bread Lattes, wrapping paper, glitz and sparkles, fa la la la la's, and red and green m&m's

That's right, friends, the Christmas season is upon us in all its cozy, snuggly, chunky-knitty glory! You could feel free to judge me as that super hyper, super annoying Christmas person. There's so much that needs to be done! Shopping, buying and wrapping presents, baking and cooking all the holiday faves, dressing up the tree and that perfect Christmas party outfit. I see no downside to the Christmas season. Expect many Christmas-themed posts in the near future. Nothing like shoving the holiday season in everyone's face to spread the holiday cheer!

{images: my flickr}

mark your calendar

I love finding original gifts for friends and family. With Christmas fast approaching, I'm very excited to check out souk @ sat, a bazaar in a loft setting where 60 Montreal artists and designers get together to sell their creations. 

You can find stylish and original gifts and encourage local artists all in one place! I love it!

souk @ sat will be held November 30 to December 2 at the Society for Arts and Technology (SAT) at 1201 boulevard Saint-Laurent. Check out their website for artists, hours and more.

{photo: souk @ sat}

merry, merry, merry christmas

Happy Holidays!!!!

to you and yours

May your holiday season be filled with lots of friends, family, food and good times!

And for such an occasion: a very merry blast from the past!

chalking the holidays out

Unfortunately, my mom and the Grinch have one thing in common, they both hate Christmas. You know at the end, when the Grinch’s heart grows 3 sizes bigger he realizes that he ADORES Christmas? Yeah, we’re still waiting on that part. Not that my mom has a proverbial small heart, but she HATES Christmas!

I know. It’s weird, right?

{via here}

So when I saw this Christmas tree, I instantly thought of my mom. It’s not just perfect for her, it’s also chalk full of originality. She doesn't have to go through the hassle of putting the hated tree up and decorating it, and there's minimal mess.