Elasticpantcity - Vancouver mom lifestyle and fashion blog

Fashion Friday: Prudish but Pretty

2012-02-24T20:54:00.000-08:00

When I layered this dress with the sweater on top, I remembered the dress was short but it wasn't until I took this photo that I realized it was more like a mini skirt. I ordered the dress online and ignored the length measurements. Oops. If I feel like I've forgotten my pants, the look doesn't fly for me. When I added the jeans underneath I felt so much more... covered. I've decided on a new style motto, prudish but pretty.

I also noticed in the Fall 2012 ready-to-wear shows an abundance of pants layered under skirts and dresses so I guess I'm not too far off the mark. I'll have to feature some of my favorite runway looks next week. Maybe : )

Thankful Thursday

2012-02-23T20:56:00.000-08:00

1. Date night with my hubby. We went to Gastown and I always find the lit up streets so romantic, even in the rain. We checked out the ~~Poorhouse~~ Pourhouse and talked each others ear off. A date with Ben reminds me that he is not only my partner in life but my best friend.

2. Tuesday morning was rough after a sleepless night. I opened my back door and found a dear friend had left a bag of home made cookies, a colouring book for Levi and bird food for our feeder. What a lovely surprise. I was weepy all day because I felt so well taken care of.

3. Levi has decided to potty train himself. He came racing into the kitchen this morning, said he wanted to go on the potty, whipped off his diaper and pajamas and did a pee pee and a poo on his potty. He then told me he was all done with diapers. Okay.

4. Jethro is sleeping better. He is the sweetest, I can hardly stand it. The way he looks at his older brother with such adoring eyes is priceless and makes every sleepless night worth it. And he likes to cuddle. Okay, I'm getting weepy again.

5. Parents. They travel in from Coquitlam to babysit. Even on week days they come rescue us so we can have our date nights or even simply rest while they entertain the boys.

I am so thankful.

Tasty Tuesday: Kale Apple Shitake Risotto

2012-02-22T10:00:00.000-08:00

I keep throwing out the meat I buy because it goes bad before I use it. I've sworn before that I'm going to go full-out vegetarian and it seems that going green is my natural leaning anyways. I love risotto and I found this Kale Apple Shitake Risotto here.

The most fun part of the recipe was making my own broth, something I've never experimented with before. Risotto is definitely a meal that has to be served right away. We had to wait a half an hour for papa to get home which made it a little stickier then I prefer. But otherwise, yummers! And really easy to make.

Mommy Monday: No Surgery Needed

2012-02-19T16:16:00.001-08:00

By now you may have noticed my Photo-A-Day challenge turned into a Photo-One-Day challenge. I suck :) I couldn't wrap my mind around any creative ideas and I couldn't stand the thought of taking sub-par photos just for the sake of completing the challenge. Maybe another month.

Photo c/o Physique 57 via the NYPOST

I decided to shoot for some more regular Mommy Mondays instead. Pressing on my mind and feeling it in my butt is a fitness routine I began a month ago which I have to share with you. I'm not in any way being compensated for promoting this specific program but it's just so good. Have you heard of Physique 57? A friend mentioned the at-home video series and I latched onto the idea because I hadn't been making it to the gym. I read up on the program online and was sold. The workout program combines isometric exercises and orthopedic stretches to sculpt a long, lean, and strong body. And oh my goodness, it works.

I have lost inches off my bod but it comes with a price. The moves themselves aren't difficult but it's the muscle overload that makes you want to cry, every time. It's hard not to cuss out the instructor Tanya Becker for her intensity and cheerfulness, but truthfully the combination is motivating.

Trying to bounce back into shape after having my second baby following my own program was not producing the results I wanted. Physique 57 fast tracked me to the healthy post-baby lifestyle I desired. I haven't lost tons of weight which was never my goal and could be dangerous as a full-time nursing mom. Instead I've lost fat and gained muscle, and the saggy parts of my body are magically (actually more like through sweat, blood and tears) lifting.

I also want to put in my two cents about exercise and post baby blues/depression, because I've been there and I'm still working through it. Exercise, where in you actually break a sweat, is a huge mood booster. It's crazy how many times we can hear the same message about what will improve our well-being yet still not take any steps to help ourselves. From me to any struggling moms out there, it's worth it to break a sweat and allow those endorphins to do their work. With Physique 57, I can bust out one of the videos even with the kids around and get through a complete workout. I feel better physically and mentally (Picture me going from screaming into a pillow to a saner, prettier version of myself).

P.S. If you're doing the video and it's killing you, just imagine my hubby doing it with me and that'll give you a good laugh.

Head Gear

2012-02-15T20:53:00.000-08:00

In my teen years I was so uncomfortable with my body. I was as skinny as a string bean, extremely self-conscious of my big nose, braces and chipped teeth. In grade eight I remember wearing the same t-shirt almost every day until I realized I was wearing the same t-shirt every day. Also burned into my brain is the memory of my brother having a hot friend over, and as I was talking to him I became acutely aware that I was wearing my full helmet head gear (I have another great self-awareness story that involves Taylor Kitsch coming into my back yard to find my mom, sister and I in a beached dingy filled with water, but that's a story for another day) Ahhh, self-awareness, sort of like a punch to the gut.

I asked my mom to take me shopping and I found a forest green, silk crop jacket embroidered with flowers and a pair of white jeans. I dressed in the outfit for my grade 8 school dance and my brother walked into my room and said, "You actually look sort of good." That's a big compliment coming from a 14 year old boy. I only recently sent the jacket off to Sally-Ann.

I was 19 when I realized the way I dressed could alter how I was perceived by people. I had a few more curves, the braces were gone and I fell in love with fashion magazines. I poured over editorials for hours, studying how dressing could be an art form. I worked hard at being fashionable and even though I received compliments on my clothing choices I still felt like I was sporting head gear (Now I wish I had a head gear picture because seriously, it was a beast).

What was the lesson here? Identity issues cannot be masked by what's on the outside. I needed to be grounded in my faith, who God created me to be, how I was perceived by him. That took time, humility and a good husband who thought I looked most beautiful first thing in the morning, no make-up, old t-shirt, stinky breath.

Now there's now. I'm almost 30, I've given birth twice and usually the only clothes I buy are for little people. Despite the vast changes to my size and shape, I like getting dressed because it's no longer for other people and it is my choice of art form (sometimes not pretty art. C'mon yoga pants are comfy). I don't take it too seriously. I.e. the skinny jeans I'm sporting are cleverly held up by an elastic band, the black dress can be yanked to the side for quick nursing access.

Who are you dressing for?

Happy Valentines Day!

2012-02-14T20:58:00.000-08:00

In junior high I was never one of the girls who received candy grams and flowers from friends and admirers on Valentines Day. Naturally I longed for that sort of adoration, to be recognized as special. Now in hindsight, if I had known what great love the future held, I wouldn't have given a rats ass about a single carnation and a piece of chocolate. God has filled me to overflowing with love in the form of my little family. Ben and I had a special date last night and tonight we made pink, heart shaped pancakes and had a candlelit dinner with the babies. Mmmm... satisfaction. With so much love, I'd better make sure to spread it to others. So from me to you, HUGS!

From My Closet

2012-02-12T19:22:00.000-08:00

I don't know how trends begin. Do designers sit down over a cup of tea and discuss what similar looks they're going to have hit the runway? Or do they have spies in each others showrooms? I suspect they might be keeping their finger on the pulse of street fashion because style bloggers have been sporting the Mayan/Aztec look for a while, in accessories and clothing.

Band of Outsiders

Mara Hoffman

Rag and Bone

Mara Hoffman (She gets two because I wanted her whole collection)

Gary Graham

Michelle Gadd bah hahahaha! (Mexican hoodie c/o my hubby's closet)

*All runway photos via Style.com; Fall 2012 Season.

Up

2012-02-06T20:40:00.000-08:00

I love my family. I love that it is filled with artists and intellects and that I'm constantly amazed by their talents. My brother is a brilliant theologian and regularly requested for speaking engagements and book collaborations. My sister decided to start a furniture making business to supplement their income while on maternity leave. She now has a constant flow of clients requesting her custom headboards. And then there are the musicians. Songs seem to flow out of my husband and now his youngest sister. Which leads me to Esther's latest song, "Up."

Have a listen and be amazed by the talent of this 17-year-old.

P.S. Emerald is family too. Her grandma is my mother-in

law's cousin. Seriously. I can't help bragging.

How To be Mod(est)

2012-02-05T20:15:00.000-08:00

On Left: Kim Appelt, Faster Rep and mom of three!

Friday night I attended a trunk show for the diffusion line of basics, Faster, by the knitwear designer, Mark Fast at The Westin Bayshore in Vancouver. My interest in Fast comes from a rather random association when 11 years ago we attended the same small Theology School in Abbotsford. We were acquainted through classes and it was one of those everybody-knows-everybody campuses. Imagine my surprise when years later I was going through runway shows on Style.com and I came across his collection at London fashion week. Theology to fashion. Who knew?

Mark Fast clothing is known for it's innovative knitwear techniques and body-con, revealing pieces. His diffusion line is exactly that and when looking at the dresses, tights and other intimates, it's clear you have to be confident in your bod to wear Faster. My first reaction was ha, ha! Nope. I couldn't/wouldn't wear these clothes any where but the bedroom (TMI, sorry). I've spent the last couple of days wondering how to bring some of my prudishness to his clothing and finally I had an Aha! moment. The beauty of basics is in the layering.

Take this dress for example. Tight, short, hello cut-outs! Not something I'm going to wear every day. However, add a basic black cami underneath, a long pleated skirt over top, possibly a shear blouse to reveal some of the detail in the dress and your cool cut-out arms are still exposed for all to see. I would leave the house in this and the Alexander Wang booties (Because, you know, they're freakin' awesome). How would you make this dress work for you?

1. UO blouse

2. AA black cami

3. Alexander Wang booties

4. Anthro skirt

For more info. Check out Mark Fast on Facebook

February Photo-a-Day: Day 1

2012-02-02T12:33:00.000-08:00

The first photo challenge for February 1 was My View. I was trying to be poetic and take a photo of the little birdies who frequent our bird feeder every morning but those guys are fast. Instead I thought I'd go for my other view: The kitchen counter. Every Wednesday we have a group over from our church and it is a lovely but late night visiting with friends. Thankfully, I'm a take care of it tomorrow kind of person so I don't mind leaving a mess if I'm super tired. However, be prepared if you show up to our house the next day, before ~~12 PM~~ 9 AM, for a disaster zone.

Your Butt Makes Your Butt Look Big

2012-02-01T10:28:00.000-08:00

I don't know how it's possible to take self-portraits without feeling totally ridiculous. For instance, do I ever stand like this in my every day life? Umm, no. Unless I am seriously trying to do a quick armpit check. Furthermore when I'm setting up for a shot, I always think, how can I look the most skinny? Which, goes back to the age old adage, it's your butt that makes your butt look big. Or in my case, my nursing jugs that make my jugs look big. What it really comes down to is acceptance, I am fearfully and wonderfully made. I also no longer have the body of a 19 year old.

The whole point of this photo is to show you the vintage dress I had altered. I'm happy with how it turned out, especially how the length feels less granny now. The whole look is still missing something though.... layers, texture, print. What do you think?

I got this lovely House of Harlow bracelet for Christmas from my parents and I've paired it with another gold bracelet and three Goody hair bands which are designed to pass as arm candy. I think the hair bands are a brilliant idea. I always wear elastic bands on my wrists, might as well wear ones that look pretty!

In other news, I'm embarking on a photo-a-day challenge for the month of February which I will feature on Elasticpantcity. The challenge is being hosted by Fat Mum Slim and I'm super excited to participate.

Pick-Me-Up

2012-01-31T20:40:00.000-08:00

My weakness is peanut butter and chocolate. When I'm having a hard day a little bit of sweetness is a great pick-me-up. We've had some rough nights lately and I finally sent Ben and Levi to my in-laws to for some R & R while I stayed home with Jethro. I was so sad to see my boys go that I busied myself in the kitchen, experimenting with my two favorite ingredients. I tried one recipe for peanut butter cups which did not turn out. Maybe it was my skill level but I suspect it was a recipe that was not tested well and so I came up with my own and... it worked!

Peanut Butter and Chocolate Puffs

Ingredients:

1 cup of peanut butter (I used crunchy)

1/2 cup of confectioners sugar

1/2 cup of coconut

Bag of chocolate chips

Tooth picks

Steps:

1. Mix together peanut butter, confectioners sugar and coconut until completely blended

2. Make tablespoon sized balls of the peanut butter mix and place them on wax paper in a container. Place in the freezer for two hours

2. Take the chocolate chips and melt them in the microwave one handful at a time until completely smooth

3. Take the peanut butter balls out of the freezer and if necessary remold them into round balls (Sometimes they lose a bit of shape in the freezer). Place tooth picks in each ball and dip them into the chocolate until completely covered. Place them in the fridge until chocolate is hardened

4. Remove tooth picks, and voila! Soooo tasty!

Simple Pleasures

2012-01-27T22:08:00.000-08:00

As I mentioned in my last post, it's been a difficult few weeks but things are looking up. Jethro's medication to treat reflux seems to be working and the nights are starting to get better. PTL, PTL. Happy baby = happy mommy. Even while the poop was hitting the fan I found myself thankful for the little pleasures that take the edge off dire straits.

I've been gutting this dress to bring it up to date. I ripped out the shoulder pads and shortened the hemline to above the knees. Actually, I started shortening the hemline but Levi was a bit too eager to help and I ended up taking it to the tailor's. I love making old things new.

Levi's cool chicken toy was inherited from a retiring teacher. According to Levi when the chickens stop moving they're sleeping. Obviously.

My sister bought me this vintage lamp from Marabelle Decor Studio and you can fill the base with anything. I'm thinking air plants, but the shells are pretty too. Any ideas?

This is an everyday occurrence. Levi very seriously explaining to me his play activity while Jethro stares adoringly up at him. Older brothers are sooo cool.

Ben bought me this necklace for my birthday. It's made out of recycled silverware. Can you tell there is an old/new theme to my life?

I get most of my inspiration from the web but I've subscribed to Vogue for ages and I'm still delighted when I open the mailbox to find my monthly issue. The make-up container is Joe Fresh Cheek Tint (My new favorite find) in Peach. It's only $4.00 and blends really nicely with a sponge, giving my cheeks a healthy glow.

Eep! One of the greatest gifts of all. My little Jet.

Happy weekend!

Moving On Up(stairs)

2012-01-25T20:37:00.000-08:00

The last three weeks have been extremely difficult for me. Little Jethro has had some very rough nights of being up almost every hour, screaming and crying. Of course that means I'm awake too, trying to bring him comfort. I suspected it was reflux but was under the impression that reflux was not something that could be treated with medication. I finally was able to get an appointment to see our family doctor today and hallelujah! there is reflux medication for wee ones! We picked up the medication and sending prayers up, tonight we'll see some improvement in Jethro's ability to settle. I'm at the end of my rope with fatigue and let's just say, Jethro hasn't been the only one crying...

On a happier note, there is a possibility we might be able to move to the upstairs unit in our multi-suite house. That means an extra den/bedroom, plus bedrooms on the top floor. It would be the first time in five years that I would not hear my neighbors footsteps over my head while trying to sleep. Oh bliss! Not to say that this larger suite in our 100 year old character home doesn't have umm, character (a.k.a weird and unexplainable design elements) but the benefits out weigh the costs. Naturally I'm already decorating the suite in my head and here are a few of the design elements I'd like to bring to a new place.

Quirky framed art of various sizes (I have one piece now which I couldn't resist buying and then didn't know what I'd do with it until I saw this image).

I can't tell you how much I love textiles. The mix of fabrics as a room separator is gooorgeous.

Yes. Cool Aztecy blankets to cover our ugly, dated couch.

We already have a woven blanket from India hung as a curtain in our bedroom. We might as well use some more fabric to create a faux headboard/backdrop.

Doily table runner. Simple. Pretty.

I've been wanting a Wooly pocket for ages to create a wall plant display.

Again simple and easy to do.

Ahhh. The table. I showed it to my ex-carpenter husband and immediately his eyes glazed over. What? I know you could make it. And he will, bless his heart. What a good man I have.

In case you haven't guessed it, I like white walls. However, I'd love one blue accent wall.

*Find sources for all images via my pinterest (Moving up(stairs) board), except for last image via karla's Closet.

BAM!

2012-01-21T16:51:00.000-08:00

I couldn't help but noticed that some of my favorite style bloggers have been sporting lemony coloured skirts. Maybe to make up for the absence of sun in the winter time? I was browsing through the racks the other day and found a yellow skirt but it wouldn't fit over my childbearing thighs. Then I remembered I have a navy skirt with yellow print worn in the photo below, taken post-Levi, pre-Jethro. A bit of yellow but not quite the bam power of a solid number. I'm kind of missing those bangs... What do you think? Are you digging the yellow?

What's The Problem?

2012-01-18T13:52:00.000-08:00

The first thing my 2 1/2 year old said to me when I got out of bed this morning is, "What's the problem mommy?" I don't know if it was my face or posture but dang! What an intuitive little guy. My problem, my love, is my sweet children keep me up through the watches of the night and so I am manically sleep-deprived. Okay, I didn't say that to him but I thought it and I think it often. Yesterday found me after a chiropractor appointment hiding out in London Drugs in the magazine section calling my husband to tell him I needed a little more time. I left the store with a bag of chocolate which I ate. All of it.

Motherhood is hard, peeps. Wonderfully rewarding, but also a mirror reflecting my own selfishness. It requires a measure of self-sacrifice that doesn't come easily. At least not for me. Sleep deprivation is not conducive to blogging but I love my little Elasticpantcity so here I am! Hip, hip hurrah!

With the chilly weather and nasty roads we've been at home a lot. Indoor activities for kids is essential to survival and so I've been stock piling a bunch of ideas that are on my artsy fartsy to do list. Here are two of my favorites, plus an activity that never fails to occupy my guy.

Quiet books. Collective sigh of relief. This little felt activity book by Turbow Designs is genius. What a great way to occupy kids on an intemperate day with something other than cartoons. I love making things so I want to create a book specifically tailored to my little ones but if you don't like DIYs check out Turbow Designs on Etsy.

One of my favorite blogs, Sweet Unwrapping Life, recently featured a play mat created by Claire for our mutual friend Sherri's, little guy (did you follow that?). The play mat is made out of old pants and fabric. So brilliant and fun!

And then finally, never underestimate the power of homemade playdough. Levi loves helping me mix the ingredients and watching the food colouring spread through the dough. If you want to be really organic, use beet juice for colouring. Here's the fail proof recipe from my mommy.

2 Cups of All-Purpose flour

1 Cup of salt

4 Tbls. Cream of Tartar

4 Tbls. Vegetable oil

2 Cups of Water

Mix all ingredients together in a bowl. Place in a large pot on stove top at low heat. Keep stirring until the dough becomes like the texture of playdough (You'll be able to tell).

Take Me Higher

2012-01-12T18:04:00.000-08:00

I have it in my head that I need to start wearing heels more. There is something ultra-feminine about elongating the leg and giving it that nice lean shape. I figure if I'm going to wear heels I might as well dream of ones that are uber awesome in their height and original in design. I realize heels and young children don't mix well but there's always date night...

On a completely different note, I've started a series on Twitter called Mommy Survival Tips. It's really for shits and giggles but there's an element of truth to every tip and you never know, maybe you'll find my little tokens of knowledge useful : ).

Style File: Andrea

2012-01-10T20:47:00.000-08:00

After several years living in Vancouver the "eternally beautiful Andrea" (that's how her sweet husband introduces her and it's true!) moved back to Australia and I was sad to say good-bye to a dear friend. Andrea is the mother of two lovely children and has a keen eye for design from clothing to graphic to everything! While living in Vancouver her style inspired me in how I dress, especially her ability to use accessories to highlight her gorgeous features. Once back in Australia, Andrea put her design skills to work, creating Little Boo, a children's clothing and accessories company. Andrea was kind enough to share some of her favorite accessories on Elasticpantcity as well as answer some of my questions about her personal style and Little Boo.

You taught me about brightening the face with accessories. What are your favorite accessories at the moment?

I love to accessorise and I rarely leave the house without grabbing a hint of bling to put around my neck, or a scarf, a hair piece or a cuff on my wrist. I have been given so much beautiful jewelry and naturally have a lot of fun trying different colour combinations. My favorite accessories are my emerald green malachite bangles brought back from South Africa by my in-laws, blue shoes, Moroccan style earrings and necklaces.

How does colour theory play into how you dress?

When I was younger a friend of mine did my colours and told me that winter was the best match for my complexion. Even though I break many fashion rules, I do tend to colour block with navy, red, emerald green, black and purples. If I like specific colour combinations I will utilise the accessories I have, with the existing darker coloured clothing that I own.

Is there a difference you notice between Australian and Canadian fashion?

Definitely. Australians dress for the summer and use a lot more prints in their fabrics. Women are very feminine wearing long summer dresses, skirts, coloured shoes, and lots of accessories! I rarely see women without at least one piece of jewelry on when then go out. I noticed there was a saturation of dark colours in Canadian fashion including children wearing a lot of grays and blacks, but the colder weather would contribute to this.

Has being a mom changed your style?

Not really. I wear a little more ballet flats, for fear of tripping in heels while chasing my kids. Wedges are a great invention for moms!

If you were to invest in one designer piece what would it be?

Jimmy Choo shoes.

What inspired you to start Little Boo?

A dribbling baby!

What has been the hardest thing about starting your own business?

Large excel spreadsheets. I love designing but I know I have to push through the menial tasks of accounting which is unavoidable when running a business. Also, learning to trust my intuition.

Where do you want to see Little Boo go?

I would love to see Little Boo in boutique baby stores across the country and our bibble worn by celebrity babies!

If you'd like to know more about Little Boo follow these links:

http://littleboo.bigcartel.com/

http://www.facebook.com/littleboodesign

Thanks Andrea! I love you!

Tinkering

2012-01-06T19:21:00.000-08:00

Levi and his cup of Jo

When I was perusing my favorite blogs today I came across a post by Kelli Murray on the art and design studio Ma + Chr based in Paris. Kelli created her own artwork inspired by these prints and I took one of my favorite photos of Levi and did the same. I was tinkering around with the photo while the babes slept and when I have more time I'd like to try to perfect the design. I think it would be so much fun to have a series of family photos done in this style hanging on the wall.

Prints by Ma + Chr

Adornment

2012-01-04T15:58:00.000-08:00

My favorite style shots are closeups of gorgeous accessories. A little bit of shine or sparkle do a lot for any outfit. I came away from Christmas and my birthday with several beautiful new bracelets (my family knows me well!).

The diamond shaped bracelet is a vintage gift and the turquoise one is from my parents trip to Arizona.

Did you get any pretty bling bling for Christmas?

Give and Take Away

2012-01-01T21:15:00.000-08:00

Happy New Year! I have plenty of New Year's resolutions like exercising more, eating healthy and all that jazz. As a parent I also had to make some tough resolutions. Ben and I decided New Year's Day was the day to get rid of Levi's soothers. He's 2 1/2 and quite frankly I'm tired of seeing a piece of plastic glued to his face. So my in-laws came down for moral support and we set the soothers free! I know it's a bit dramatic (or poetic. We do make our living by art after all) to attach them to helium balloons and send them to the sky but we needed the good-bye to leave a lasting impression on Levi because he was addicted. Many tears were shed and bedtime took a while but there's no going back now. The New Year is about moving forward.

Don't worry, no whales were harmed. The balloons and soothers drifted back to shore and were safely discarded by my brother-in-law once we left the scene with Levi.

I thought I'd pop in a what I wore pic because I've been doing some reflecting on personal style. When I look back on different outfits I've posted over the last year I cringe. First of all, I struggle to know what to wear when I'm pregnant, secondly I realized I still don't have any sort of style. How we dress can be a form of artistic expression and many style bloggers know exactly how to portray dress as art. I know what appeals to me aesthetically but I haven't figured out how to translate that into what I wear. So this year I want to keep track of outfits I put together and decide what works and what doesn't on my bod, ultimately using dress as a way of conveying some aspect of my personality (Just for fun, why not?).

This outfit was super comfy and breast feeding friendly. I liked how the pants are high waisted so they didn't give me plumber's butt when picking up my babes. They have pleats which cover some unforgiving areas and the tapered ankle works well with these booties, which I also give a thumbs up for comfort. I'm pretty proud of myself for wearing boots with a heel. This outfit isn't on the cutting edge of anything but I'd love to hear what you would add or take away to make it all sorts of awesome.

Summer Hues, Winter Blues

2011-12-28T21:01:00.000-08:00

I don't know if it's because the weather is grey and dreary or the Christmas lights are coming down but summery shades of coral, aqua, and pops of yellow have been inspiring me lately. I always enjoy collaging images that have caught my eye to see if there is a particular theme I'm drawn too. Based on these images/colour scheme I would conclude I'm craving warmer climates!

We had a wonderful Christmas. I didn't take many pictures because I was enjoying each moment as I was in it, rather than trying to capture it on film (What do we say now that we're digitized? Capture it on memory card?). New Year's Eve is my birthday and Ben and I have a date planned. We actually don't know what we're doing yet but child-free time is always awesome!

Images Sources: Top from L to R -Flickr, Olsen Twin (Not sure of source, tell me if you know); Fashiongonerogue ; Free People; Shine Labs Solo Pendants; Free People; Gilt; fashiongonerogue

Tradition!

2011-12-22T21:44:00.000-08:00

This Christmas season is the first time I have felt the pressing need to cultivate our own family Christmas traditions. Levi is at the age where he understands that Christmas is a special time of the year, filled with worship and family celebrations, presents, goodies, and decorations. As we prepare for Christmas together, each activity takes on a special meaning that Levi will carry a memory of in the years to come. This year we created our own wreath out of old magazine pages. Levi helped me staple the pieces down and he thought it was "so cool." Wouldn't it be fun if every year we created a new wreath together? The idea for this wreath is from here.

Another fun activity was baking Christmas goodies for our neighbors and delivering them by hand so we could wish everyone a Merry Christmas. We made melt-in-your mouth shortbread, orangettes and candy-cane bark.

Our lovely friends have been dropping by with gifts and one friend brought Levi a bird feeder. Isn't that a wonderful present? We're watching daily for little birdies to make this new discovery. I would love to give sustainable gifts to family and friends every Christmas.

What Christmas traditions do you have?

Healthy Pancakes

2011-12-20T20:44:00.000-08:00

Here's the super duper healthy pancake recipe I said I would post last week and then didn't. The recipe is adapted from The Thrive Diet. I have to be honest, the original recipe tastes a little too healthy so I sweetened things up a little.

Pancakes:

2 bananas

2 dates

2 Tbl Agave nectar

1 cup shredded coconut (sweetened if you like)

1/2 cup buckwheat flour

1/2 cup sprouted or cooked quinoa

1/4 cup roasted carob powder

1/4 cup ground flaxseed

1/4 cup hemp flour

Sea salt

Berry Syrup:

Blend up mixed berries in a blender and then heat up on stove top.

In a food processor, process all ingredients until smooth. Oil a pan with a bit of coconut oil and heat over medium heat. Pour in pancake batter to desired size and cook for five minutes or until bubbles appear. Sprinkle the top of the pancakes with confectioner's sugar and cover with berry syrup.

Weekend Recap: This is My Story, This is My Song

2011-12-19T12:34:00.000-08:00

Last week my friend Nikki and her family invited us to go to the Vancouver Aquarium on Friday. I knew Levi would be stoked to go, however, this is an expensive time of year and even tickets to the aquarium were beyond our entertainment budget. I didn't immediately say no to Nikki because I was praying that the extra money would appear. Wednesday and Thursday passed and I planned to turn down the invitation. I was disappointed because, like every parent, I want my kids to be able to have fun and memorable experiences. Learning to say, "I can't afford it," is difficult because plastic could temporarily solve my "no money" problem. And by "no money" I should point out it's all relative. We have everything we need and more. Friday morning, I was in a sleep-induced coma when Ben came to wake me up.

"Hey, Claire just came down and gave us tickets for the aquarium that they can't use."

Claire is our upstairs neighbor. Claire didn't know my mama heart was longing to take my kids on an exciting aquatic adventure. Divine provision? I think so. I think God cares about the itty-bitty details of my life, beyond my needs, to meet some of my many wants. I can only hope that this Christmas season I will be as generous towards others as God has been to me.

Jethro waking up at the aquarium. That's his "where the heck am I?!" look. Can you imagine waking up face-to-face with a giant sting-ray?

Levi and his best buddy taking in the anemones (I cannot say that word for the life of me, enemies, anememonies).

And the rest of our weekend...impromptu "dress-up like cowboys". Levi came up with this costume on his own.

Family birthday party where I got to give my mom and sister sparkly gifts because they are shining lights in my life and I love them.

I'm talking to you!

The earrings and necklace are from one of my favorite artisans on Granville Island, Janis Dean Johnson Jewelry Design.