it's my girls' world

Hello friends and hello Monday. Time to get back on track after a wonderful weekend of friends, family and fun--- not too many pictures though so here's a random assortment of life lately instead! And a small assortment-- as life lately has apparently been too busy to bust out the phone.

We had our aunt come to spend some time with us on her way to a family obligation so we went out to a nice dinner.

My girls used their Divali money to buy (what else?)a  slime kit. They are obsessed.

I started to purge some old kiddie clothes and then I started to do a toy cleanup before Christmas and then a storage room clean up. It looked like a tornado flew through my house for 24 hours but a couple boxes, garbage bags and recycling later, we are getting to a good place. #owningit.

They are pretty on the inside too like I tell my girls to aspire too.

With toast in her mouth and her sister's hand me down pj's... here we are. I love how little ones look in button ups.

This orange tree is one of the last signs of fall...

And that friends is a little life lately!

Yay for Friday!!! This week has dragged and flown all at the same time. With a sick eight year old, shots for our five year old (final set of  boosters, I no longer have babies), regular life and a major purging and cleaning going on before the holidays, life has been busy. All good though and we are ready for the weekend-- and feel ten pounds lighter with the stuff we've donated, purged and thrown out.

So today for 10 on the 10th, it's all about favourite gifts to give--- and get. I don't buy anything for someone that I wouldn't want for myself-- unless they really, really want it... Here are a few of my very favourites for kids and adults.

Books

Books are my very favourite things to give for the holiday season. My dad used to always gift us books growing up and I love having a new book to read around the holidays. I usually gift each member of my family a book.  This one (Wonder) is on the list for one of them and then this one  for the other. The third is still on her early  readers so I bought a couple but let's face it, when she goes to the library, she plays instead with puppets and blocks.

Magazine Subscription

The gift that keeps on giving. I have a digital one to GH and I love it! For two years running, our aunt gave C a magazine subscription to ChickaDEE and she adores it. She looks forward to getting mail in her name every month and reads it instantly.

Candles

So high on my list for so many years. Sigh... I tend to give these ones these days.

Personalised stockings and towels

I buy stockings and these towels  for close family and friends from PBK. Kids and adults alike like them. With all the toys kids get, I like to buy something a little more durable.

Earrings

The BP earrings we gifted to teachers and friends one year. At $10 and so similar in look to the Kate Spade ones, they were a sweet deal and everyone loved them.

Gift Cards

I love to give a gift card so someone can get a treat for themselves. My favourites to give/get are Starbucks, Winners (our Marshalls) and Chapters (our Barnes and Nobles)

Magformers

These are one of my very favourite toys to give and babies, kids and adults alike love them. They are a bit pricy but so worth the investment.

Cardigans

These at home cardigans are another pricy one but so worth the price. I've only gifted them to three people but I've put so many others onto them. It's like being enveloped in a warm hug.... a warm but not stifling hug like a robe can be :)

Handmade beauty products

I buy mine from some family of ours- she sells heavenly soaps, lip balms and body butters. I also order them from her for parties and teachers' gifts.

Mugs

For a while we gifted these beautiful mugs to family, friends and teachers (with some specialty teas/chocolate). I love the beautiful paisley prints on them.

What are your favourite gifts to give/get? Share in the comments below. I'm always looking for new ideas.

Linking up with

Erin from Perfectly Port

and Andrea, Erika and Narci for Favourites on Friday

PS - This post contained affiliate links - thank you so much for reading and supporting my blog!

What are your planning tips for this most festive of seasons?

Linking up with Shay and Erica.

I know technically our Canadian Thanksgiving is over-- but around here we like to foster an attitude of gratitude so this version of TBB asks is right up my alley. Here's a bit of thankfulness on this November Monday.

A new friend:

I don't make friends easily but when I do, they stay in my life for a long while :-). My neighbour, who collects eggs for me from the farm bi weekly and who calls me when I'm out of town for the weekend when my house alarm goes off (and sends her husband and another neighbour over to check the place)-- she's definitely a new friend and such a sweet, sweet soul.

Something shiny:

My car-- when it's clean. Not too often but when it is washed and detailed, boy is it shiny.

Someone unexpected:

My eight year old's teacher. This lady is on point, so buttoned down, totally gets the kids, makes learning fun but fosters respect within the class. I can't say enough good things about her. 

Something ordinary:

I love Farm Boy- this smaller farm fresh, natural or organic, artisanal grocery (with lots of samples) so close to C's school.

A person who you've known a very long time:

My cousin Chad who I've started to FT with my kids every weekend since his sister's wedding in July. Seriously, we haven't missed a week yet. In this time where we text so much, an almost face to face is awesome.

He visited for a bit last weekend and these two lego obsessed kids had the most fun.

Somewhere you go everyday:

The gym-- for my sake and sanity-- most weekdays anyways.

Someone who has taught you something:

For those of you following me on instagram, (and if you don't you totally should) you would see that my eight year old had her first mini meet. She did not place in the top three in any of the races and in the ones where she was racing against the taller, older kids was very much at the back of the pack... but at the end of the races with her ribbon, her little prize and the biggest smile on her face, she announced, "Mommy, I loved it.I didn't know the meet would be so much fun" #fullheartandstrongspirit. In the end, it's all about the fun, folks.

A far away place:

Trinidad and Tobago, where I was born and where I try to go back to ever so often.

Something that's saving your life right now:

Making lunches the day before. Mama gets way more creative when she isn't bleary eyed.

Someone you see everyday:

this sweet, sweet, sassy one who keeps me on my toes

Something you enjoy doing:

I did a couple hot yoga classes last week and really enjoyed them. Maybe I will try one or two more depending on the pricing in my gym

Someone female:

my framily, Priya who I 'chat' with almost daily. #chatmeaningtext #wehavefun

A special place:

my chair in the morning with a steaming cup of tea, my vitamins, a fuzzy blanket and my ipad to start the day before the house stirs. #happyplace

Someone male:

my D :-). So happy that we chose each other.

Something warm:

socks, mittens, cloth scarves, sweaters.... anything to stave off this cold.

Happy Monday, friends. May your week be rocking!