Bridal Shower Love

This past Sunday, I was very fortunate to host my good friend Nita's bridal shower. It was so cute, fun, and everyone had a great time.
We played a few games, ate good food, and were able to just enjoy the company we were with.
I was also able to design and make all stationary and am so happy with how everything turned out. 
Thanks to the entire bridal party for help making it a success!
I hope you enjoy!

{ Blog Love }
Cake: The Baking Twins Stationary: Sweet Paper Studios

Weekend Recap

Hello loves! I hope everyone had a great weekend! I had a busy (and fun) weekend, and it looks like the rest of my weekends up until the end of October are busy as well! There is so much coming up!
But first, let's get this one covered :)
Friday night I was supposed to have a Stampin' Up party, but much to my dismay, it was cancelled. Have you heard of Stampin' Up before? I recently fell in love with making homemade cards, and they sell stamps and other materials to make them. I love everything they have (although I don't think my wallet does). 
Anyway, unfortunately my reps baby sitter had backed out (a situation I can relate to); but having said that, my sister Shannon and our friend Nita ended up going out for appetizer's at Montana's. If you haven't been there yet, their corn bread is amazing! Unfortunately, they were out of that when I ordered. I guess things just didn't want to go my way that night!
Saturday morning my sister and I went to an Etsy craft show. It was so nice to see some items from Etsy in person before purchasing them. During the afternoon, I looked after the kids while Doug was playing in a card tournament (Magic anyone?). We just did a little bit of shopping and then came home and played.
Anyone else have a five year-old that thinks Walmart is like a vacation? Seriously, he said that. Clearly I shop there way too often.
Sunday was such a lovely day! We held a bridal shower for my friend Nita (I'm her Maid of Honour), and it was so fun! It looked cute an all the ladies had a great time. I such wish I had time and remembered to take a picture of me and the bride! Here is the lovely bride herself!

How was your weekend? I'd love to hear about it!

Hello Again!

Well, that was a rather large and unexpected break from blogging!
These last three months have been a whirl-wind as I get more accustomed to life with two children! Our little guy arrived on June 19th, and he is the sweetest! I'll post about him in full very soon, but here he is!

Cute, right?! He's such a sweet, sweet boy and I can't wait to share more about him.

A lot has changed since I last logged on, so I have a lot to update. One big thing I'd like to announce is that I'll be rebranding this blog (changing the name, design, etc.), to something more fitting. As I grow and learn more about myself (more on that later), I think it's time for some changes around here; something a bit more fresh.

This blog will become my outlet; a place for me to be me. I am more excited than ever as I share and continue on this journey, and I hope you are willing to follow along.

Stay tuned!

Easy DIY Mason Jar Easter Gift

This year I decided to do something a bit different for Eric's Easter gift. We generally don't go crazy with celebrating Easter around here so I often don't like to spend too much money on buying Easter gifts. 
While we do a small Easter egg hunt at home, as well as one in the community, Eric also usually gets some chocolate from his Nana and Papa (their grandchildren are spoiled!), so I keep our gift for him pretty minimalistic.
Instead of just getting him a chocolate bunny and some Easter eggs, this year I decided to go with something smaller - but way cuter!
This super easy DIY mason jar gift idea is perfect for those struggling with finding a last minute Easter gift, or for those who just want to take their gift up a notch. It's inexpensive and takes no time at all to put together!
Supplies:

• Mason Jars
• Easter grass
• 2 - 3 small Chocolate Bunnies, per jar
• 10 - 12 mini Easter eggs, per jar
• Small piece of fabric for lid, optional

Directions:
It's simple really! 
1. Put the grass in the mason jar (you may need to press it down a bit in order to slightly flatten it out.
2. Arrange the chocolate bunnies on the grass.
3. Place the mini chocolate eggs around the chocolate bunnies.
4. Cut the piece of fabric to the size of the jar lid and place it over the top; screw on the lid.
I mostly used the fabric to cover up the label sticker that wouldn't come off, so if you don't have this issue, this step is optional (though it looks pretty).

Healthy Chickpea Salad

Spring is finally here so I thought I'd share one of my favourite salad recipes. It's healthy, delicious, and it just screams Spring (and Summer!). The original recipe is from allrecipes.ca but I have modified it and made it my own. 

The best part? It only takes 15 minutes to make!

Servings: 6

2          (19 ounce) cans chickpeas, drained and rinsed
1          pint of cherry tomatoes, halved
1          cucumber, cut into small chunks
2          tbsp. of basil
2          tbsp. of honey
3          gloves of garlic, minced
3          tbsp. of red wine vinegar
3          tbsp. of olive oil
½         tbsp. of pepper
¼         tbsp. of salt
Other fresh vegetables of your choice

Directions:

1.     In a large bowl, combine the chickpeas, tomatoes, cucumber, and basil. If you are adding any other vegetables you can add them here as well.

2.     Put honey in a small glass bowl; heat in microwave for 30 seconds. Stir garlic, red wine vinegar, olive oil, black pepper, and salt with the honey to make a dressing; pour over the chickpea salad and toss to coat. 

Be careful when removing the honey from the microwave; it’s hot!

3.     Serve immediately or cover and refrigerate for later use. This salad will keep for up to three days.

It's oh-so-delicious - I hope you enjoy!

This One is Personal

Let's be honest; I've neglected this blog for the last little while. 

It's not something I'm proud of because I do very much enjoy blogging.

This time I am truly struggling and think it's the perfect time for you to get to know me a little bit better.

I am a fun-loving Hamiltonian who has a serious thing for cupcakes; I am a wife, mom, sister, aunt, friend, and now…

… a full-blown entrepreneur.

And that right there scares the shit out me. 

The truth is, up until a few months ago, I’ve been a full-blown corporate woman for almost nine years. Nine. Almost a full decade. I started working in the world of HR right after I finished college and spent the past nine years working for the same company. Talk about loyalty.

I guess it wasn’t mutual because I was laid off as a result of restructuring. Not fun.

I have to admit; it was really unexpected (though I guess those situations always are). I was shocked, saddened, and I really didn’t know what to do. I cried. I called my sister. I called my husband (and made him come home from work). We went for breakfast and then that afternoon I went for a manicure and pedicure. I deserved it after all.

Not a completely bad day considering how it started.

My point though? I’m 100% going to turn this into something positive.

Yes it’s a pretty crappy feeling when you lose your job, but I also see it as a clean slate. An opportunity to do something I truly love and was meant to do.

This was my sign - I am no longer meant for the corporate world. And now I've had the daunting task of getting used to life at home (mostly working and adjusting to having too much time on my hands). It sounds like a nice problem to have, but sometimes I really don't know what I should be doing or where I should be going. It's such a change from the corporate life.

But I feel like it was meant to be and that I'm meant to set my own schedule; be my own GirlBoss. 

I am meant to live out my dream.

I can now spend some time volunteering at my son’s school; I can keep up with my daily activities and chores without trying to be super mom; I can prepare healthy meals at home; I can spend more time with my family; and I can spend more time focusing my efforts on doing what I love, which is planning weddings (and everything else that comes with being a WeddingGirl).

Just because one door closes it doesn’t mean another one will automatically open. First, make sure the first door stays shut and then work as hard as you can to pick the right door. Don’t just take on the first thing that comes at you as you might end up with some regrets.

As it turns out for me, WeddingGirl has been my right door all along.

Deep down I knew it, it was just hard to make the official transition and I am happy I now have that opportunity.

It’s true that sometimes life throws you unexpected punches. Things go wrong in life, situations change, people change. But the question then becomes, how can I make it better?

You make it better by changing your outlook on the situation. Ask yourself how you can turn the negative into a positive. Picture the change as a clean slate that can be painted anyway you want it.

And own it.

Make it happen.

Be happy because you have the right to be. And trust me, you do.

Oh, and try not to let anyone dictate when you can take your vacation.

A Special Announcement!

Doug and I are thrilled to announce...

We are SO excited to be expecting our second child in June! 
We will find out the gender next week and I will blog about my pregnancy journey throughout the next few months.
I just can't stop smiling!