:: mon petit amour :: {canadian baby blog}

:: happy new year - words & wishes ::

2012-01-09T13:49:00.000-08:00

I have so much to be excited about in 2012, and so much to share with you in the coming weeks.

I've started the year with a big purge of our basement and I'm dreaming of how we'll organize the space and create a play area for H and a crafty/DIY area for moi. I'm sure I'll be ~~wasting~~ researching many hours on Pinterest for ideas on how to beautify an unfinished basement on a dime. I'm going to live vicariously through Jen as she embarks on her basement reno!

Do you find that organizing begets more organizing? I was on such a high after purging and organizing our basement that I couldn't wait to tackle my wardrobe and our home office. I love getting in these "Morganization" moods :)

My new mantra for our home is:

I hope that 2012 has been off to a good start at chez vous. Any big projects on the go with your January resolution energy?

:: see kai run smaller shoes - winner! ::

2011-12-08T19:27:00.001-08:00

I can't believe I forgot to announce the See Kai Run winner on Saturday! My brain must have been extra scattered because of the birthday party.

Without further ado....

Winner is commenter #5 - Leanne B!

Congratulations! I will put you in touch with Fulton Sales to collect your prize!

:: hunter's eric carle themed 2nd birthday ::

2011-12-03T15:49:00.001-08:00

Brown Bear cake toppers by Canadian Etsy shop Frost & Fete

Rainbow fruit skewers being swiped by the birthday boy.

my Pinterest inspired photo collage

blowing out the candles.

playing with his Schleich animals - his favourite toys!

Eating with his animals.

Loot bags with crayola wood free pencil crayons and sketchpads, felt bows for the girls and a racecar for the boys.

My Eric Carle inspired letters.

He'll really turn 2 on Monday, but we celebrated our sweet little boy today with friends and family with a colourful Eric Carle themed party. I had so much fun decorating....especially using the library books as decor (yay for being a teacher librarian!)

Hunter enjoyed the rainbow fruit skewers, red velvet cupcakes and our breakfast themed meal with quiche, sausages and bacon and a waffle station stocked with nutella, strawberries, bananas, whipped cream and maple syrup.

Hope you are having a great weekend! I'm off to finish up my cookies for a cookie swap this evening....looks to be a very sugar filled day for moi!

:: see kai run review ::

2011-11-29T06:00:00.000-08:00

Hunter is a bit obsessed with shoes. He loves to try on my high heels as I get ready for work in the morning (which makes for great videos to play at his future wedding) and he has recently mastered putting on his own boots in order to entice me to take him outside!

We were sent a pair of See Kai Run shoes a while back, and I think they look so cute with his skinny jeans. They are a black leather/suede combo (Rafael) and I think they will get a lot of wear this Christmas season.....they will look great with his bow tie!

I love See Kai Run shoes because the designs are so fashion forward without being too busy. The boys shoes mirror what we see out there for Daddy, and the minimalistic designs mean they will match with lots of outfits. Nothing makes me more crazy than busy clothing or shoes....especially for boys. If it has dinosaurs or trucks all over it, we aren't buying it :P

Fulton Sales is the distributor for a number of fabulous baby brands and they will be giving away of See Kai Run smaller shoes to one lucky Mon Petit Amour reader.

All you have to do is:

1. Like Fulton Sales on Facebook

2. Leave a comment on this post telling me your favourite brand that they represent

*hint: their welcome page has them all listed underneath the cute baby picture!

Contest closes Friday, December 2nd at midnight. I will announce the winner on Saturday. Best of luck!

:: canvaspop and printstagram - bringing your instagram pictures off your phone and into your home ::

2011-11-22T12:56:00.001-08:00

If you are an Instagram addict like me, you probably have a bunch of great vintage-y looking pictures of your littles stuck in your iphone.

I read on twitter today that CanvasPop (proudly Canadian company) is now able to print your Instagram photos onto square canvas. If you follow me on there (@monpetitamour) be warned that I am about to go on a filter kick getting some of my favourite photos instagrammed so I can order a few ($29.95 for a 12x12)

I also found a U.S based website that ships internationally (yay!) called Printstagram, where you can print matte cardstock prints, make tiny photobooks, and create large posters of your Instagram pictures. I think I might order a few prints to create this display at Hunter's birthday. We are going to make a big 2 on the wall with all the cutest pics of him from the last year (inspiration via pinterest)

Are you good at printing out your pictures? Or do you live in fear of your computer dying and losing 20 000 + precious shots like I do?

The Littlest Mammoth - whimsical art prints for children

2011-11-09T12:13:00.000-08:00

Accordion Sea by Brooke Weber

Flower Pattern by Carolyn Loebbert

Cupcake Tree by Yu Hsuan Huang

Hunter was up at 4:30 am this morning (thanks time change!) and I really should be napping while he sleeps, but instead I am browsing The Littlest Mammoth, a beautiful and Canadian-based website featuring some of the most gorgeous art prints for babies and children. These whimsical prints would be right at home in your nursery, toddler room, play room.....or really any room where your children play.

Watch for a giveaway from The Littlest Mammoth soon!

:: things i love friday ::

2011-11-04T05:00:00.000-07:00

{dangerously simple dessert alert}

2 minute chocolate mug brownies with ~~your toddler's~~ leftover halloween bars

via Babble/Julie Van Rosendaal

These quick microwave brownie cakes may not be healthy, but they are definitely delicious. I highly recommend the Reese Peanut Butter cup version for the perfect late night snack:)

To balance out treats like these, I have been trying new recipes from Julie van Rosendaal's newest cookbook Spilling the Beans. If you have ever made her famous Breakfast Bean Cookies, you know that beans can find an unlikely home in many of your favourite dishes. I have tabbed many recipes to try over the next few weeks, including lots of baked goods, grainy salads and pastas.

I have all of her books and read her blog faithfully. Love this local Calgary chef/author/radio personality. I have already made a few recipes....my favourite being the roasted beet salad (with wild rice, toasted pecans, goat's cheese & kale) which was the perfect lunch last week!

A few other things I love this week:

- Movember goods on Etsy. Is your husband growing a stache? I bought this necklace from Canadian shop Buysomelove to support the teachers at school raising money for Movember. I'm a mo'sister :) You can see all my Movember favourites here.

- Posterjack large poster prints. Ours looks so good in our huge Odby frame from Ikea! Yay for great Canadian companies!

A few great reads around the web:

- Suri's Burn Book. Funniest blog ever for those that read the celeb mags.

- A refreshingly different take on Halloween candy consumption from one of my favourite blogs - It's Not about Nutrition

- are you planning next year's costumes and Halloween decor already. Take a peek at Pink Sugar Photography's amazing decorations and sweet Lila's costume this year.

- If you are ready to start your Christmas shopping and DIY decorating, you have to check out The Holiday Guide by Emily Henderson (thanks Shannon for posting about this on Facebook!). It features the best of the best from your favourite bloggers and web-based businesses, and some great free printables too! I spotted an ad in there from my friend Lindsay of Penny Paper Co and Little House Blog!

:: diy embroidery hoop art ::

2011-11-03T05:00:00.000-07:00

Here's a peek at what I made yesterday afternoon with my thrifted linen fabric, embroidery hoops and vintage doilies. I think these will look great on our wall for Christmas. {total cost - less than $5}

Embroidery hoops are so much fun and so incredibly quick and easy to use. These ones are no-sew too. I just pinned the doilies/lace/ribbon on the fabric with straight pins. Since they will be on the wall you they won't be a safety hazard. I should probably stitch them on, but I like the idea of unpinning them and trying new ideas with the versatile oatmeal coloured linen. Maybe a felt monogram, or a ribbon bow, or a cute little bunting? The possibilities are endless!

:: wordless wednesday - thrifting date ::

2011-11-02T06:27:00.000-07:00

{this isn't going to be wordless after all - need to tell you about my awesome finds!}

My friend Sarah (of Daffodil Design) and I went on a thrifting date yesterday. We headed to the MCC store here in Calgary and found loads of inspiring vintage and crafty items.

My favourite finds were:

-the rustic stool made of branches (just needs a coat of paint to cover the teddy bear painting)

-the embroidery hoops for creating some DIY Christmas art (using those doilies, linen fabric and lace)

-the little family of deer that we will be using on our fireplace. thinking of painting them white....

-the vintage Rudolph golden book to add to H's collection.

And.....a milk glass Bonne Maman jar. I love these, they remind me of my days living in Switzerland and eating copious amounts of bread and jam, and chocolate, and cheese.....

Grand Total: $33.50

Thrifting is becoming much more hip lately thanks to many wonderful blogs, and Nate Berkus' show. Do you thrift? Any tips for the best places to go in your city? What has been your best find so far? Mine was a brand new Ergo carrier (like tags attached never been used...) for $5. I was really excited about that one!

:: you will be my friend ::

2011-10-24T20:14:00.000-07:00

YOU WILL BE MY FRIEND!

If you are looking for a hilarious book to give as a Christmas gift, you have to check out Peter Brown's "YOU WILL BE MY FRIEND!". It had me laughing out loud at the bookstore (have I told you lately how much I love my job? Spending the day at the bookstore....browsing, reading and loading up a shopping cart full of books....best day ever!) last week and I have really enjoyed sharing it with my students. You can watch a book trailer here, featuring the author being interviewed by the enthusiastic main character, Lucy.

Goodnight, Goodnight, Construction Site

If you are looking for the perfect bedtime book for your tractor-obsessed little boy, you must pick up "Goodnight, Goodnight, Construction Site" by Sherry Duskey Rinker & Tom Lichtenheld. This rhyming book follows all the big equipment as they power down for the night and go to sleep. Hunter is just loving it, and we love the sweet illustrations (blankie on a big tractor- cute!) in this boyish take on the nighttime read.

Sorry for being so sporadic with posting lately. I feel like I am typing that on every post lately.....hopefully you will still be my friend :)

p.s I added a new section to my Amazon store with all of my favourite book picks for Fall 2011. You might find some great new titles for your library borrowing list, or Christmas shopping list by clicking here. There are picture books, novels and a few graphic novels too, and they are kid-tested and approved! I would love to know if you have discovered any great new books lately!

:: things i love saturday - cozy knits edition::

2011-10-01T15:55:00.000-07:00

this lovely yarn wreath by Canadian Etsy shop HeartfeltYarnWreaths

this toque and s'mittens set from blog sponsor TippyToesKnits.

a cozy jacket for my apple. love!

this lovely crochet headband from local etsy shop bummybaby. I bought one of these for my niece, and they are so sweet in person! Great shower gift!

weather that makes me want to wear something like this. circle scarf by mbgdesigns on etsy.

I absolutely love fall, even though my blog suffers every year in September as I get back into the school routine. I'm sorry!

We've been enjoying some beautiful warm weather here in Calgary, but it feels like a beautiful fall day today, which makes me want to cuddle, cook, bake, sip coffee, and cozy up with my sweet little boy....who has really enjoyed the crunchy leaves that autumn brings.

Have you welcomed fall where you live? Or, are you still mourning over the end of summer?

:: if you've been coveting birchbox, you will love luxebox here in canada! ::

2011-09-26T21:32:00.001-07:00

Birchbox - only available in the USA :(

Luxebox - for makeup lovers here in Canada!

I read about Birchbox in a magazine recently (maybe Lucky? It's my favourite shopping mag) and was wishing that something like this would come to Canada so that I could get a lovely wrapped gift of deluxe beauty samples each month in the mail.

Looks like my wish has been granted!

I got an email from Chatelaine today, another one of my favourite magazines (and so very Canadian too!), inviting me to try LuxeBox, the Canadian equivalent of Birchbox and I decided to sign up and try a month. I promise to blog about it once I receive it! I am thinking this would be a fun Christmas gift for my Mom and sister....yep, I am already planning and purchasing Christmas gifts....even though we are enjoying the most lovely summery weather here in Calgary lately!

Wouldn't you love to open a fancy box like this each month and then play dress-up with your new make-up? If you want to sign up along with me, click here.

:: what i've been up to ::

2011-09-17T14:16:00.000-07:00

The first weeks of September are always a whirlwind, but this year is especially busy. I am love love LOVING my new job as teacher-librarian and if you follow me on instagram or twitter, you have probably been bombarded by posts about all the great books I get to read all day. I got to relive my childhood as I paged through the re-released series The Babysitter's Club yesterday. I seriously have the best job ever!

We are having a relaxing family weekend and trying to accomplish a few projects around the house. We finally put up our Ikea spice rack bookshelves in H's room. They only hold a few books each so they don't totally solve our book storage issue (we have so many - which I love!) but they are right at his level and he is enjoying picking out his favourites all by himself. He is currently loving anything Eric Carle, and his Babar "elf-fent!" book.

Hope I haven't lost too many of you with my sporadic blogging. I have so many ideas and so little time, even with working part-time this year. Hopefully once I feel a bit more settled into my new position at work I can get back to posting more than once a week.

xoxo

morgan

:: wordless wednesday - dress up ::

2011-09-07T20:17:00.001-07:00

:: firsts and lasts, before & after ::

2011-08-29T22:02:00.000-07:00

Last week was a whirlwind of last days at the lake...

First day of school (and new dayhome for H, he loved it....especially all the trucks he got to play with!)

First home haircut. My technique? High chair outside. Keep making little mohawks all over their head and snipping off the tips. iPhones make perfect entertainment for this :)

And, most exciting of all, finishing up my very first furniture painting project, a $20 armoire from Kijiji that we painted with a mistint gray/blue shade I bought ages ago. I am so happy with how it turned out and how nicely adds interest to our otherwise blah bedroom. It has me inspired to get going on our upholstered headboard too. Thanks for all the comments on my previous post - I have lots of inspiration for the rest of the project now. I have the best readers!

:: things i love friday - back to school edition ::

2011-08-19T20:15:00.000-07:00

These awesome "vintage" Harry Potter posters {via DesignMom}

I may have to order some for the library. Love.

These bookish library card notebooks from crabappledesigns on Etsy.

The Ballerina Bun Tutorial at thebeautydepartment. I'll probably do one sans ribbon. I think only LC can pull it off. And little girls.

My new Exeter Schoolboy Blazer. Love the fit of this and am already dreaming up multiple outfits, and hoping I wont get in trouble for rolling up my cuffs, since the kids aren't allowed to wear their uniform blazers this way. What a rule breaker I get to be as a teacher!

I did quite a bit of shopping recently, and found this Real Simple article {Never Buy the Wrong Thing Again} to be so helpful in identifying my common shopping blunders (ill-fitting stuff that was a total bargain - check, impulse buys - check!) as well as this page about dressing for your body shape. I'm an apple - how teacher appropriate right?

How is your back to school shopping going? Do you love this time of year like I do? Or are you angry with me for even speaking of Fall while the calendar still says August?

:: master bedroom makeover - help? ::

2011-08-18T14:42:00.000-07:00

I'm feeling the crunch to complete a few more projects before school is back in session. I started the summer with a long to-do list, and I have checked off quite a few items.

I decided this summer to record the "Things I did" rather than schedule to-do's on my calendar and feel disappointed when they did not get done on time. It has been enlightening to discover how much I really do get done in a regular day at home, even if most of them are not tasks from my to-do list. I have celebrated the little things I do, like spending some one on one time with Hunter eating breakfast at his little table and saying "cheers" before each sip of coffee, visiting the bakery early in the morning for warm donuts, or walking (very slowly) to the park and stopping along the way to admire each rock, flower and tree that piques his interest.

Kids seem to make your life much more busy, but also provide so many reminders to stop, slow down, and savour the moment.

When the busy-ness of life is at it's peak, there is nothing I like more than crawling into my freshly washed sheets and reading a good book. Our master bedroom has been in need of a makeover for a long time, and though I have purchased a few things to spruce it up, I know I need to do more and I am not sure where to go from here. Since my design sense is nothing like my blogger friends Lindsay, Jen, Sarah, Shannon or Christine I really need some help! (I would love Sarah Richardson to come and help - I've sent off my application.....fingers crossed!)

Here are a few pictures of our bedroom right now. What would you add? Right now we have the items to make a DesignSponge inspired headboard, and I am on the Kijiji/Craigslist hunt for an interesting armoire I would most likely paint navy or gray/blue to hide our TV.

I'm also considering a photo wall of pictures of my husband and I. We have many since we have been together since we were 14. Actually, we have been together 14 years this year. Half our lives - and still very much in love :)

Ok, design savvy friends....Tell me what to do!

boring bed - what kind of fabric would you use on our DIY upholstered headboard?

Our curtains.

pretty dish I thrifted - love this design/colour scheme.

My dresser.

Hubs' dresser, TV. Extreme lack of stuff on walls. Need a chair?

p.s I found this armoire on Kijiji and I really like it and think the design on the doors is similar to our curtains and my thrifted plate. I think it would look nice painted it navy and with some new hardware. What do you think? Have you repainted furniture like this? Centsational Girl has a great tutorial and I think I could handle it on a nice summer afternoon. Hopefully it has not sold yet!

:: wordless wednesday - workspace makeover ::

2011-08-10T11:27:00.000-07:00

Spent a few hours in the library yesterday "morganizing" my office space. I got the great navy buckets at Wal-Mart and the wood clipboards at the dollarstore. Amazing what a few new things can do to make you feel more prepared for a new school year.

Can't wait to hang a framed photo of Hunter reading (taken by my talented sister in law Amy of Tickled Pink Photography) to complete the look.

I'm planning on framing a few printable posters I found on Pinterest as well. I have a few ideas pinned on my new bibliotheque board. I've also started a new professional blog. Can you tell how excited I am about my new job?

Starting to think of my first read-alouds for my classes. What was your favourite children's picture book?

:: things i love friday - world breastfeeding week edition ::

2011-08-05T13:17:00.000-07:00

from LLL website

It's World Breastfeeding Week, and I thought it might be nice to share a few things I love about our nursing relationship over the last 20 months (yes, we are still enjoying a little nursing cuddle every morning and bedtime!) and a few things that might help you if you are wanting to breastfeed your little one.

{things i love}

- the milk drunk newborn face and the sweet little noises they make as they nurse

- having the perfect antidote on hand for fussiness, owies or sleeplessness at all times

- the reminder to sit down or lay down and enjoy my little baby (or toddler) throughout the day and to just enjoy the moment.

- the cuddles, oh the cuddles! I think that is what I enjoy most at this point in our extended nursing relationship.

- knowing that the growth I see in my little guy was due to the milk I made especially for him.

{5 things to set you up for breastfeeding success}

- Read about these Booby Traps before your baby is born. This website has great information on avoiding common issues and setting yourself up for a wonderful nursing relationship, and lots of interviews with celebrity nursing moms too.

- go easy on yourself the first weeks. Try and rest as much as you can (easier said than done...I know!), spend lots of time skin to skin with your new bundle and nurse on demand to establish your milk supply. You are both learning something new and it took us a little while to figure it all out, but it was so worth it.

- find some support people in your community. A certified lactation consultant, a friend who has breastfed her babies (email me if you need someone!), or a La Leche League meeting in your area to help you through the hiccups you might have along the way. Online support is great too. We loved the KellyMom community.

- Read Dr. Jack Newman's website and book for the most in-depth information out there from the a wonderful (& Canadian!) breastfeeding doctor.

- Get a great nursing tank. I love this one from Canadian based Bravado Designs. I wore it all the time in the early days under everything I wore for easy access at all times. Get some good nipple cream for the first few weeks. I would highly recommend having Earth Mama Angel Baby (available at Well.ca) or Dr. Jack Newman's All Purpose Nipple Ointment (by prescription from your doctor) on hand.

Do you have any breastfeeding tips to share?

:: lovely long weekend ::

2011-08-02T06:28:00.000-07:00

We had a lovely long weekend, spent with family and friends, playing, eating, relaxing, and getting a few projects done around the house. We even squeezed in a mini photo shoot featuring our most recent thrifted find - our vintage schooldesk - with Hunter's Auntie, who is a wonderful photographer.

We had a delicious summer BBQ last night and tried a few new recipes that are headed for the regular recipe rotation. BBQ Halibut with Cilantro Garlic Butter, Grilled Zucchini with Pesto & Parmesan, Roasted Orange & Almond Quinoa Salad, and Grilled Peaches with Ice Cream for dessert. I am looking forward to leftovers for lunch today.

What did you get up to on the long weekend?

p.s Here is the recipe for the quinoa salad. It's from the Sobey's grocery store magazine.

Grilled Oranges with Quinoa and Almond Salad

1 cup quinoa

2 cups low sodium chicken broth

2 navel oranges

1 tbsp chopped red onion

8 mint leaves, chopped

1/4 cup chopped raw almonds

1/2 tsp cumin

Cook quinoa in broth, according to package directions. While it cooks, peel one orange and cut into rounds. Grill until grill marks appear, about 2 min. When done, fluff with a fork, juice the second orange into the quinoa and add the red onion, mint leaves, cumin and almonds. Garnish with the grilled orange slices. Serve warm or cold. It's so fresh with the orange and mint!

:: things i love friday ::

2011-07-29T21:44:00.000-07:00

- this great printable poster from the Swell Life. I think I'll be printing lots of great posters for the library that I am finding on Pinterest.

- these minimalist posters featuring classic children's fairy tales. (via Gretchen Rubin)

- great books. I just finished The Reading Promise by Alice Ozma - a lovely true story about a father/daughter pledge to read aloud every night and their adventures keeping the promise. And also tearfully read The Help by Kathryn Stockett - an amazing book, you absolutely MUST read it....I cannot wait for the movie!

- the large photo poster trend in home decor of late. I really need to choose some pictures to blow up really big for our house. All the cool kids are doing it (Shannon, Jen)

- A bonus day this weekend to spend some time with friends, attack the organization of our basement (I'll be consulting this book to help us purge) and enjoy the warm weather.

Hope you have a lovely {long} weekend!

:: thursday thrifted find - vintage schooldesk $9.99 ::

2011-07-28T12:49:00.000-07:00

"brown bear, brown bear, see?"

When I woke up this morning I felt like doing anything but the housework, so Hunter and I decided to go and do a little Value Vill-ahge treasure hunting. I found this vintage schooldesk for $9.99 and after a thorough scrub with my DIY all-natural cleaner, he is loving sitting in there to read and colour - perfect for a teacher's kid!

I'll have to break out my chalkboard and start making him do "lessons" like I did with my younger brother and sister when they were this age. I knew my vocation very early in life :)

Do you go thrifting? Have you found anything amazing lately?

:: wordless wednesday ::

2011-07-27T07:56:00.000-07:00

playdough recipe from here

:: hautelook heads-up - green toys for christmas ::

2011-07-26T13:49:00.000-07:00

If you like to start your Christmas shopping really early, you should peek at Hautelook today where they are featuring GreenToys (eco-friendly toys) and GreenEats (eco-friendly tableware for kids) at great prices. These toys are made from 100% recycled plastic, are BPA/phthalate free and the dishes are dishwasher safe. Learn more about the company here. Shop the items on Hautelook by clicking here.

I mentioned in my toy organization post that I am pretty picky about the toys we buy for H, and Green Toys are fabulous! I bought him the dump truck and tool set last year on HauteLook and picked up a few other things for birthday gifts (tea set and recycling truck) and the quality of the toys is great. The plastic is really dense and hardy and has stood the test of water & sun in our backyard this summer. The dump truck has become a favourite around here.

Happy Shopping!

p.s there are some lovely London Fog handbags on there for mommy too! I love mine!

:: pinterest - inspiration overload and avoiding decorating/diy ADD ::

2011-07-25T19:38:00.000-07:00

Inspiration overload is how I might describe Pinterest. I love it, but I also try to limit my time on there because I know I will never have the time to try all the recipes & diy projects, nor the money to get all the looks I covet on the fashion pins.

I do love it when planning an event or decorating project though, because it is like a visual notebook of all the inspiring ideas you come across on the internet, and...it saves you time browsing multiple sites and blogs, because other savvy people have already pinned the images onto Pinterest for you to see, and repin to your own inspiration boards!

I love the above idea I found on there today for a birthday party - sentimental decor, whether you are 1 or 100. (via marthastewart.com)

Holly Becker, of Decor8, has some fabulous tips here in an interview with Real Simple Magazine for avoiding decorating ADD when on Pinterest. There are just too many lovely ideas out there, and I know I often struggle with getting off the computer and actually doing some of them. Am I alone?