it's my girls' world

Today, we're talking parties! I love throwing a party and I've hosted my fair share… here are just three of my favourites.

C's Carnival was so.much.fun for the kids. A clown, face painting, carnival games, balloon animals, hot dogs and hamburgers did a good time make. 

A's Sunshine party was special with all the details and mayhem  but quite the crowd with 25 kids in a tiny backyard. 

And this girl's night I've thrown for the last couple holiday seasons is another fave for all the details. 

Here are a few of my favourite tips for a throwing a party.

1- Prep and organise your time- I usually do all my decorations (the cutting, the glueing and the doing) the week before so I just have to hang them up. (another tip is that I try to get the decorations up on the night before my kid's actual birthday so they wake up to a fun surprise). I make my costco, supermarket and party store list also and tackle them one at a time the week before. I also try to do as much as possible the day(s) before like the dips, skewers and veggies if I can. 

2- A signature punch or cocktail is a fun way to start the festivities. Like lemonade for a sunshine party or a champagne cocktail for a girls night or a rum punch for a pool party, the possibilities are endless and there are so many fun cocktail recipes out there. 

3- All white drinks-  I got this tip from Shay a while ago and I love it- especially at kid parties-- white drinks only- white grape juice, lemonade, wine wine. Only whites with the larger indoor parties with the littles running around. 

4- Cocktail napkins- If it's an evening in with friends or a party, I love me some fun cocktail napkins even if no other decorations are around. Oh and I love paper straws! 

5- Delegate-- I usually have a grandparent or a friend or two asking me to help. I am very good at assigning jobs and taking up people on the offer to help. I always help at my friends' parties and I don't mind the offer of a helping hand either at the party or before! If someone asks me to make a dish,  yes please! My friends are wonderful like this and I have often have a friend or two asking if I need help at the party- I usually put them to work passing around a platter or two. Also, if someone comes earlier than planned, let them help also. Most guests seem to love that. I also don't make everything for a party- I also buy some stuff!

6- Passing food around- I find that some guests can be shy and won't venture into the snack area so if I can, I try to pass a platter or two around. The food finishes so quickly. Works for me too as I won't have to pack lots of leftovers. 

7- Music, music, music-- I know this one seems obvious but I've been to a couple parties with no music. Even if it's a dinner party or a few friends coming over,  Google Play or even Youtube has lots of great playlists for every crowd if you don't have time to put together a playlist. 

8-Clean up your guest bathroom or powder room- Okay, this one goes without saying but with young messy kids with less than direct aim, I'm putting it out there anyways. Make sure your guest toilet is clean, the floors are swept, there's extra toilet paper in there,  enough hand soap and the sink is wiped. Midway through the party, I usually replace the hand towel(s) also. 

8- Photo taking- I take a few photos before of the decor and food and then I pass the camera or my phone to a friend to document the rest of the party- I'm usually too busy to take more pictures. 

9- Enjoy- Try not to tire yourself out! As the host yes, I try to make sure everything is set up and replenish when it needs to be but it's nice to sit and chat with a few friends when you can!

What are your favourite tips for hosting/party planning?

Linking up with Annie and Amanda.
Also linking up  with Salma, Raj and Nisha for the last Three Things Thursday even though it's not fully a three things post - though I cheated highlighting three parties. These amazing ladies (especially Salma) have changed the way I blog, always full of advice and understanding!

 

Hiya! If you are stopping by from Shay & Erika's Let's Look Link Up, I was just about to post and then I realised that I wrote exactly what I wanted to say two years ago :-). Take a look.....




We entertain a lot but my most  favourite time to have people over is the holiday season. We have different friends and family over, some bigger gatherings and just couples over sometimes. I did a 10 tips on party hosting a while ago but here are a  few more other tips on having people over whatever size the gathering may be. 

1- Stock up on nuts, cheeses, crackers and dips so that you are prepared for even an impromptu gathering. I try to get a mix of tried and true favourites and some different treats that I want to share with our guests.

2- I love a good signature Christmas cocktail to start the night. There are so many great ones to choose from online but I usually love a sparkling sipper to begin the festivities. 

3- Christmas music in the background is always lovely. Parang (our local upbeat holiday music) for the trinis who come around, carols for everyone else :-)

4- Lighting is lovely. I light a few tea lights, make sure the christmas tree  and all my extra string lights  are lit, put on some lamps and keep it warm and cozy.

5- When I'm preparing dinner, I try to do as much as possible before including the main dish if possible so I can relax when my family and friends are here. I stick it in the oven at 275 in the last half hour before being ready to serve. 

6- If someone asks to bring something, I just may take them up on their offer :-)

7- If we are having kids over as well, I feed them first then put on a kids' Christmas movie for them to enjoy while the adults are having dinner. 

8- Know what you can handle. I used to have a big party for many years but I stopped it a few years ago. I was running around a lot and not getting to enjoy my guests as much as I would have liked so now I keep it simpler with smaller gatherings and or a big holiday potluck. Everyone brings an appetizer and it's a wonderful time

9- Dessert really doesn't have to be fancy. A platter of assorted cookies, some spiked eggnog as a digestif or a holiday ice cream are great little treats in this season of decadence. 

10-We keep our formula simple as much as possible. Good company, food and wine is all you need. 

If you aren't the host but instead are the guest, here's a list of hostess gifts under $20. 

What are your favourite holiday hosting and entertaining tips?

Yay for the holiday season that is creeping up on us. This weekend with all this snow we have, we intend to slowly start decorating and getting things ready for Christmas- we don't have Thanksgiving in Canada but for sure I'm going to prepare a little turkey feast with my family in solidarity with my American peeps. We love the Christmas Tree in the background though and it is often the start to our holiday season.

As well as Friday Favourites, I'm linking with Sierra and some other lovelies for Girl Chat on Tips on Juggling the Holiday Season. I changed the title here from juggling to enjoying. So much media I'm looking at these days are talking about how stressful the season is and  tips for reducing the mayhem or surviving the season. And I get stressed too at times so I'm hoping by changing the word, I'm changing my mindset, ha! Here are my tips...

1- Start early!

I know that lots of people groan when they see holiday decorations up in November. (I groan when they are up in October, LOL) but by doing my tree and my decor early, I have more time to enjoy all the decor that we take our time to put up. I also try to do some of my holiday shopping for presents, holiday baking and meals early too either when they are too good to pass up or on sale. 

2- Make a List and Check It Twice

Love my lists-- and my holiday lists are my favourite. I make several and get great satisfaction, checking them off!

3- Entertain easily

It doesn't have to be an extravagant event! My girls' nights in off past have been tons of fun as have my holiday parties. Finger food and a serve yourself party are my favourites. However, if I don't feel like it gets to be more work than fun, I will probably take a little break and reassess doing it in the future. 

At this party, everyone brought an app. 

4- Delegate

Don't be a martyr. Husbands, kids, grandparents and store staff can do things as well. Not everything has to be hand done and home made. 

5- Eat real food as well!

Tons of sugar, alcohol, white flour and other carbs at this time of year have us feeling bloated and those carbs creeping up. Let's face it, the 80-20 rule is non existent during the holidays. I sneak as much real food as possible in there.... but some of our favourite healthy  dishes so we don't feel it as much. Like this chicken tortilla soup or my white turkey chili. And I make a large batch as well so it lasts for a few meals. 

6- Keep Moving

Exercise or even a walk is good for boosting energy levels even when we do overindulge. 

7- Don't overspend

We all do it. Try to set a budget, or at least look for some sales!

8- Say no

Sometimes if an event doesn't spark joy, we decide to opt out. We've declined parties in the past because of snow storms or the stress of driving in the snow or the distance or opted out of events because of the weather. It's okay to say no! 

9-

Be generous. So many great causes and charities out there that need both physical or monetary help. All year round of course!

10- Enjoy the tiny calm moments of Christmas beauty

Those twinkling tree lights in the morning, those family movies, the christmas carols on the radio, the eggnog with my person... enjoy it as it only comes once a year. 

Have a wonderful weekend! And yay for the Holidays!

On Show & Tell Tuesday with Andrea today, we're talking kids' parties.... Here are just of few of my favourites over the years....

Cassia's Carnival has to be up there as one of the most fun ones in recent years. A face painter, some party games, mini hot dogs and lots of sunshine made for a fun one!

Read all about it here.

A's fourth flamingo birthday party last year was the first ever kids' pool birthday party we had--- the first of many I think. And on the hottest day of the year. Lots of swimming, sliding, flamingos and sugar.... yes please!

Read all about it here.

Oh and one of my very favourites also was A's 2nd super simple birthday in our backyard. We had a bouncy house, lots of balloons, some face painting and an ice cream cake. So.much.fun.

And here are my top 10 party planning tips!

Can't wait to sanction snoop around just a bit and maybe steal some ideas for future parties!

My second grader is studying reusing items in Social Studies and what we do as households to re-purpose and reuse items .  So it got us thinking about our favourite (see what I did there?!) ways that we do our bit to reuse items. 

These are all pretty simple. You're not going to find ways to change a lego into a keychain or kitchen utensils  into hooks or anything. Here are a few of our easy to-dos.

1- I keep a big stash of reusable bags in the trunk of my car for grocery shopping. It helps that I'm 'thrifty' and in Canada a lot of stores charge 5c per plastic bag. In the event that I do get plastic bags, I use them as kitchen garbage bags.

2- I save the nicer glass jars from jams, jellies, yogurts and other condiments for when I make our freezer jam or homemade hot sauces. One run through the dishwasher and it's as good as new. I even used the yogurt containers with new lids as jelly bean party favours for C's eighth.

3- Speaking of containers, all those old perfectly good plastic takeout containers? I save them for  giving others leftovers or if I'm taking just a bit of food for family/a friend. That way I'm not giving them a good container of mine that they then have to remember to give back to me!

4- Okay, this sounds weird and I'll own it. When I'm emptying the girls' or my water bottle to replace it with fresh water (bacteria be gone), I usually empty it into a plant instead of the sink.

These two close to the kitchen are the main recipients.

5- I love those BBW candles and the containers they come in are lovely for storage of beauty items. I freeze the empty jars and then just chip the candle away. One run through the dishwasher and it's as good as new.

6- Old towels make great floor rags!

7- My kiddos have lunchboxes that we use instead of ziplocs.

8- For parties, I keep the tassels and party decorations that are still usable and store them in my huge "party' container. I know they're cheap but it's about the wastage.

9- At Christmas time, we've wrapped a couple boxes (both top and bottom so they open) to use again and again and I save some of the boxes, fancy ribbon and bags to reuse. 

10- Those older veggies  that we don't want to eat raw anymore, like peppers, tomato and carrots, I put them in soups, beans and stews to add more flavour. A friend of mine also saves her peels to put into veggie stock.

What about you? Do you do any of these? Any repurposing tips/tricks to pass along?

 

Linking up with 

Andrea, Erika and Narci for Favourites on Friday

Happy Weekending, lovelies!

Yay for Monday! Especially when it's the first day of school. Like everyone else, we are a mixed bag of emotions.... but more about that on my first day of school post in several days.

2- I use a combination of exfoliant (AHA/BHA) and anti ageing serums/creams (Vitamin C&E) before I put on sunscreen during the day. The Skin Medica line from medical spas is one of my favourites but I've also switched it up with the Ordinary line for a budget-friendly solution. 

3- I recently started on a little resveratrol as well to brighten my complexion.

4- I take a break in the summer, but I also use a retinol at night.

5- I follow that with a moisturizer especially in the winter time.

6- I've also been loving face oils recently.

7- Because of all these exfoliants, I use a moisturizer with sunscreen every single day that I'm getting sun exposure. Origins is a favourite as it is also very moisturising                                

8- I also follow up most times with Jane Iredale Pure Pressed Foundation Powder with an SPF as well to increase sun protection and to even my skin tone out. It's been many, many years that I've been using it!  You can really build your coverage or just use a very light sweep. 

9- I use an eye cream as well whenever I remember :-).

10- Water is my love language. So much so I wake up way too many times at night to use the bathroom but that's another story!!

There you have it? What are your favourite skin care tips?

Have a magical Monday, friends!!! 

Christmas with Kate has a ring to it, no? Kate from the Green Fashionista had me at hello with her love of shopping, travelling, fitness, fun and champagne! Her favourite stores are Sephora, Target and Kate Spade--- ummm are we shopping soulmates?!  And she's a mama to a beautiful new baby named Serena-- she even picks great baby names ;-)

Here are a few of her answers...

Thank you so much for posting, Kate! It's been fun getting to know you even better.

3 more days until Christmas!!!!

It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas around here.... especially after American Thanksgiving! 

Here's some Q& A in the spirit of the season.

I grew up on the island of Trinidad and Tobago where Christmases were warm and glorious and Christmas was until almost a week after New Years' Day. Seriously, so much family, food  and fun--- these were huge back on the islands more than lots of gift giving. I  remember tons of family get togethers, The Sound of Music on with the special snacks and feasts brought out like the blue tin of Danish cookies and the fancy mixed nuts. My aunts from the US would come back to  TNT to visit us and bring their American treats, eats and little presents. So it's the family time and the air of festivity that I'd remember most fondly from the season as a kid! Oh and the book my dad would take my brothers to the bookstore to choose before Christmas each year.

Usually red wine. If I'm at a big cocktail party at someone's house though, I sometimes switch it to white as I don't want red wine to spill on a light sofa or anything.  In my twenties, I didn't mind mixing and matching--- these days, not so much!! 

If my host has a signature cocktail though to start the night, I'd usually sample--- I'm nothing if not a team player!

My friend Jenn gave me this one time- a hurricane with a candle inside. To me it is the perfect hostess gift. 

Some other wonderful gifts I've received is a homemade bread for next morning's breakfast and a scone mix coupled with some hot chocolate. 

We are all about easy entertaining. Easy (well presented) appies, drinks and simple meals. Oh and if someone asks to bring something I usually graciously accept. We're not one for being all over a hot stove when we have guests. I try to  do lots before so when my guests come I can enjoy their company... I do always find myself running around still though.

  These days, I've being doing a girls' appie night where everyone brings an app to share (food pictured above), a couple get togethers families with small kids at a time throughout the season and one for our family.... oh and my parents come to visit most years -- but that's not really entertaining, right? We usually all pitch in during holiday time when they're around.

Hmmm.... everyone's style is different but in the past few years I've stayed away from lots of red. I love textures, different layers and colours and not everything totally matching. 

For my tree, it takes a couple of days and these are my tips:

- the lights have to pass the squint test. 

- the garlands and the flowers go next.

- clear bulbs on the inside to make the tree look like it's glowing from within.

- The entire tree has to be layered. every.single branch, back and front with the not so favourite decorations on the inside and the very favourites on the outside.

- I have small children so the very breakable ones to the top.  

- And then I change ornaments around for the next few days that follow!

I have so many favourites I posted about here--  the shoe-box donations, holiday baking, the parties, taking the girls to see the lights, the cookies, the wrapping presents while watching Christmas episodes or Christmas movies, the decorating.... 

I do love Christmas morning with my family though... if I really, really have to choose a favourite--- and the stockings more than the presents followed by a huge breakfast!

Christmas Eve is usually spent with D making a last minute trip to the mall or a pharmacy (stocking stuffers) and with me puttering around in the kitchen and doing last minute stuff to get things ready for Christmas Day and most years my parents visiting. 

In the past few years since the girls were born, we've done Christmas Eve with some family having appies, some festive drinks, a delicious dinner and carolling. They live less than an hour away so the girls usually fall asleep in the car and my mom, D and I get things ready for Santa :-) (my seven year old sometimes peeps into my blog) and fall asleep in the wee hours of the morning. 

Of course the girls are up bright and early in the am and so are we unwrapping presents, breakfast and a late lunch into dinner. If my parents are around, we stay home but if they are not, we've gotten together with a friend and her family and have a gourmet meal with wine pairings-- quite civilized!

I love reading about other people's Christmases so over the next few weeks, I'll be having some of lovely ladies guest post about their favourites for the season. 

Hope everyone is beginning to feel merry and bright!

Linking up with 

Andrea, Erika and Narci for Favourites on Friday

  and Amanda for Friday Favourites

Today, I have the beautiful Beth (on the outside AND inside)  from Our Pretty Little Girls talking about all things Christmas! Beth is a fellow two-girl mom and her blog is filled with recipes, crafting, faith, fitness and fun.... a girl after my own heart-- except for the crafting. #cantevenbegin

Oh and she takes the most lovely pictures. I'm guessing she doesn't use an iphone like I do :-)

(The comments in brackets are totally my own of the peanut gallery variety. )

When I was around 8 we were driving around looking at lights on Christmas Eve when I saw what I swore was Rudolphs nose up in the sky. I totally panicked and was so upset insisting that we had to get home immediately so I could go to sleep. I've never forgotten that moment. Christmas is so magical with children. I love that my girls still believe in Santa and I am trying to soak it up because I know we don't have much longer. 

(Awesome, magical kid story. My girls still believe in Santa-- at least until next year too. LOTS of questions are coming in) 

Red wine or mulled cider depending on what kind of party it is ;). 

(#redwinosunite)

You can never go wrong with a bottle of wine, a nice bag of coffee, or a candle. 

We currently don't have a large party, although that is something I would love to make a tradition at some point, but we do celebrate with friends. For the past several years we've had an annual Polar Express viewing with some dear friends of ours. The evening consists of soup, hot chocolate and cookies, lots of laughs, and watching the movie together.

(a kid movie viewing?!what an awesome tradition, I might have to copy!)

I think I am best known for having lots of Christmas trees since the current number in our home is 6. I also love lots of lights in the living areas. There is just something so magical about curling up on the couch to watch a Christmas show in the glow of the lights with a warm fire. However I was once told by a decorating pro that the secret is lots of glittery, shiny items to catch all of the light. I've been slowly working on adding more sparkle around our home.

(6 trees?! I take sooo long to do just one. Great tip with the sparkle!)

It feels impossible to only pick one because we have SO many. Our North Pole Breakfast, decorating gingerbread houses, looking at lights, Christmas pj's, and Bob our elf, just to name a few. But I think my favorite has to be attending Christmas Eve service as a family. I look forward to doing that every single year and it feels like the peak of all the Christmas anticipation.

 (that is a beautiful picture of your girls)

Besides attending service things really change from year to year. But, we always make sure to have a slow morning at home with just our girls and I almost always make homemade cinnamon rolls.

(Yay for slow Christmas mornings. We do the same.)

Thanks for playing along, Beth. Wishing you and your family a merry everything!

You can read my answers to the same questions here.