One

I can't believe I have a one-year-old, a little toddler, walking and yelling his words from the top of his lungs, throwing tantrums and calling the time he wants to go to bed. Dodo maman, he says.

You changed my life. You rocked it like nothing and nobody did before. You are the best thing that happened to me. But Gosh, it was hard. At first I wasn't sure I was made to be a mom. We had our difficulties and still, it stings and hurts and I feel guilt. But you've grown up and you've teach me a lot. I can let go a little control. I have more patience. I gave you my heart and everyday, it is with you. You are my sunshine. I never thought I would cry for a fake plant pot with a fake flower inside, but the Mother's Day gift you gave me today at your daycare got me. It will sit on my desk at work forever. I love you, my sweet baby boy. Forever. 

Oh, we had a great party. Wanna see pictures?

Bunting banners: knotted nest

Felt crown: Alys&Felix

Popcorn bags: Hey YoYo

{bomobob}

I am back to work! I am quite happy about it and my new position looks very fun and allows me to use my creativity as much as I want. But - of course, there is a but - I have almost no time to blog these days. I was away from home for two days and since last Wednesday I haven't had a second for myself. I should be in bed but I can't help myself and I read blogs, emails, Facebook and buy on Etsy. I promise I will be back as soon as I adjust better to my new life. In the meantime, I can share with you my latest purchase. 

I bought 4 prints by bomobob (5x5). This one is my favourite. Love, love his work! You can find a GREAT deal on his work here: Heartsy.

{décor therapy}

I love to admire the inside of beautiful home online. It makes me feel like a voyeur, but not a too creepy one because I have the ''approval'' of the owners to look at the pictures they share. I gather so much inspiration and ideas from these perfectly photographed spaces. Here are my favourites:

www.apartmenttherapy.com

Love this (mega)blog! It shows adroitly set up and converted small spaces (it’s amazing what people can come with) from everywhere in the world. 

Photo from Apartment Therapy

 

www.theselby.com

Here’s a little cut and paste from the ''About'' section: ''Todd Selby is a portrait, interiors, and fashion photographer and illustrator. His project The Selby offers an insider’s view of creative individuals in their personal spaces with an artist's eye for detail.'' You really need to take a look at this site. It is amazing. And I admit it, it’s very curiosity satisfying to look at the inside of famous people, like Frédéric Beigbeder and Philippe Starck.

www.dosfamily.com

A fabulous blog written by two mommies (a photographer and an interior decorator). Magical mix who gives the most beautiful pictures and lovely discoveries. From Sweden. 

www.desiretoinspire.com

A Canadian girl and an Australian girl, who have never met each other, but share the same love for design. Eye candy.

{and the winner of the AMP diaper giveaway is...}

Dana Buchannon! Congratulations, you win a One Size Duo Diaper and a microfiber insert. Check your email for the details. 

Thank you all for your great response to the giveaway. I am thrilled!

Free printables - Spring has sprung edition

I can't help myself. I love, love, love to search and browse blogs to find a new (free) printable. Score! I just stumbled upon these two.

How cute is this nest printable by Taidye Original?!

Love this colourful springtime one from Smile Like You Mean it.

{AMP diapers giveaway!}

When I was pregnant with my son, my husband and I decided to use disposable diapers. We thought that cloth diapering was hard, time consuming, expensive and, I admit it now, gross. After many last minute trips to get diapers, leaks and a bad diaper rash I switched to cloth. I don't know what really triggered the change but I remember thinking ''Okay, that's enough.'' A week later I already had a pretty nice stash and J's bum was in cloth heaven. Quickly, I found myself always reaching for the same diaper. The perfectly fitting, never leaking, colourful AMP One Size Duo. Here's why this diaper is fabulous. (Oh and cloth diapering is easy, fast, not gross -
I don't touch more poop - and not very expensive!)

No leaks. Ever. I stuff this diaper with a three layers hemp insert (you could also stuff it with a microfiber or a bamboo insert). The elastic around the legs stretches perfectly and the fleece in the inside will keep the baby dry.

It fits my chunky monkey. J has many folds in his thighs and a very cute little big bum. He never had red marks on his skin or irritation because it was too tight, compared to other diapers. And the One Size Duo fits from
7 to 38 lbs! There are rise adjusting snaps and tummy/thigh snaps. Just find the right combination and you're good to go!

I love when the diaper is cute too. I am tired of the pastels or huge obnoxious prints. I admit it. And I know this will label me as a freak, but the diaper J is wearing needs to fit with his clothes. Yes. That's right. Fortunately, AMP offers a huge colour selection. From brighter to softer colours, you will be 

in rainbow happiness (yes, that is possible)! Here's the magenta one.

I love, love my One Size Duos. And I am not the only one! My son's daycare educators told me they are their favourite too, which I think is pretty awesome!

You want to try one know hey, do ya? I know, I know, I would too if I were you. It's your lucky day! Annie at AMP diapers is graciously giving one reader a One Size diaper + a microfiber insert. 

How to enter: there are four ways (so four chances!) to enter the giveaway. Only separate comments will count as entries, so please make sure to leave separate ones for each entries.

1. Go to the AMP diapers website and tell me which diaper colour is your favourite. 

2. Follow my blog via Google Friend Connect and don't forget to let me know you're doing so!

3. Like AMP diapers on Facebook and tell me when it's done.

4. Share this giveaway on Facebook, your blog or Twitter and, of course,
let me know!

The giveaway will be open until April 5, 2011 at 11:59 EST. Good luck!

THE GIVEAWAY IS NOW CLOSED. Thank you for your great response, wow! I will announce the winner later today. 

{shop for Japan}

100% of what you spend online today on Forever21 will be given toward the tsunami and earthquake relief efforts in Japan. Go! Get yourself some shoes or a dress or anything you need for spring and summer! I will sure do.

{which one?}

I just made these bottle labels for Justin Bday party. Which do you prefer? The cursive one or the carnival/circus looking one? I will glue them on small Pellegrino water glass bottles.

Fonts can be find here (dafonts.com) Little Days and Circus.

{and the winner is...}

sea2bluesky! 

Congratulations! You can choose between a custom made wreath just for you or one in Heartfelt Yarn Wreaths shop. Just convo her through her Etsy shop, here.

{free printable placemats}

Free printables placemats at Simply Fresh Design. Those are much more cuter than what we can find in stores for kids. She printed them, got them laminated and voilà, waterproof placemats! 

Don't forget to enter the Heartfelt Yarn Wreaths giveaway to win a gorgeous wreath! Here here!

{Heartfelt Yarn Wreaths Giveaway}

This, my friend, is a superawesome giveaway and I am very excited to feature the work of Katie, creator and owner of Heartfelt Yarn Wreaths. 

When I first read her profile on Etsy, I just knew. She loves a good strong cup of coffee, she enjoys exploring blogs, she's creative and she learned all by herself how to do those lovely yarn wreaths. A girl after my own heart. The colours combinations she uses are stunning. She draws her inspiration from many sources and she transforms it in a new wreath. There are wreaths for every seasons or for all year long. They would make the perfect gift for a house-warming party, for Mother's Day, for Christmas or... you could just keep it for yourself. 

Her Etsy shop features her latest creations and she would be pleased to work with you for a custom order. Take a look at those beauties.

To the fun part now! Heartfelt Yarn Wreaths is going to give one of my lucky readers a CUSTOM design 12'' wreath (yup! isn't she awesome?!) or one from her Etsy shop. But to win, you will have to work a little!

There are many ways to enter and increase your chances to win (if you do each, you will have 5 chances!). Come on, you can do it! Here we go:

How to enter:

1. Comment on this post and tell us which wreath is your favourite from the selection on Heartfelt Yarn Wreaths's Etsy shop.

2. Like Heartfelt Yarn Wreaths on Facebook (and if you want leave a comment on the wall saying une petite plume sent you).

3. Follow my blog via Google Friend Connect and leave a separate comment on this post to let me know you're following me. 

4. Follow Heartfelt Yarn Wreaths blog via Google Friend Connect and leave a separate comment on this post to let me know you're following her blog.

5. Share the giveaway on your Facebook, Twitter, blogs, etc. and let me know by making a separate comment on this post. 

Coupon code: Heartfelt Yarn Wreaths is also offering 10% off on orders until March 16th,  using the code ''petite''.

The giveaway will be open until Tuesday, March 2nd, at midnight EST. Good luck!

{feed your soul with free printables}

Take a look at Feed your Soul: the free art project. They have beautiful free printables that would look lovely in a nursery or anywhere in your house. They have a great selection and they add more often. Here's a sneak peek of what you'll find when you'll click the link.

{and the winner of the Boutique Karma giveaway is...}

Marie-Ève Ouellet!

Congrats! You win one Mug hugger or Coffee Sleeve of your choice from Boutique Karma. Check your email for more info.

{Oh la la, it’s giveaway time!}

You know the feeling of great accomplishment you get when you find exactly what you're looking for on Etsy? Well, I got it x100 when I found Boutique Karma, this little gem of a shop a couple of months ago. (And bonus, it's local for me, which is even more awesome!)

I bought Aromatherapy Eye Pillow for my mom and my husband (hum yeah, I admit I steal my husband's one each night when he's asleep) and they both love it. Honestly, I'm the kind of girl who's always stressed and needs an hour or two before falling asleep each night and this eye pillow helps me relax. My mom uses it to relieve her sinus pain and headaches. The pillows contain lentils & flaxseed for cold and hot therapy and 1/3 of lavender de Provence. 

I also bought a very cool mug hugger for my brother's girlfriend. Wrap it around your mug, attach it through the handle with a small elastic to a cute vintage button and there you go! "Between two layers of fabric lies a layer of Thermolam batting to keep the beverage a bit warmer (and your hands toasty)! It's perfect for the coffee drinker who likes to hug the sides of the mug to drink rather than the handle."

She also makes lovely coffee sleeves. Gosh I love all the patterns and fabric she uses! Have you looked at them? A coffee cozy makes the world a little greener and it dress up your cup. 

Looooove it. 

Now, let's have fun! Tara from Boutique Karma is offering a Coffee sleeve or a Mug hugger of the winner's choice and a coupon code of 10% off any order to all my blog readers!

Coupon code

During checkout, enter this coupon code to get 10% off: plume

  

Giveaway – How to enter

   1. Become a follower of my blog an leave a comment below to let me know.

   2. Go to Boutique Karma and leave a comment on this post saying which item is your favourite.

*For an additional entry, like Boutique Karma on Facebook.  Don't forget to leave a comment on this post when it's done!

Good luck! I will pick a winner Monday, January 24, through random.org.

{dress up your walls}

I love Kim Vallee's blog and the unique ideas I find there. She posted an article about temporary wallpaper. You can read it here. How cool is that?

{how to cure my christmas blues}

Christmas tree, see ya next December. I loved you. You brightened our evenings and your were an awesome motivation and help in the baby crawling department. 

Oh, shopping, how did I miss you. Our date yesterday was amazing. Spending Christmas money on clothes and shoes is one of the best therapies to cure the Christmas blues I feel each year. With my smiling baby in his stroller, my lovely friend (who is also my cousin and my twin sister…), a full of essentials diaper bag and perfect-for-shopping-flat-boots, we hit the mall. Oh H&M, I love you. Sometimes I wonder how I managed to find nice and affordable clothes when this store didn’t exist here. I remember going to Urban Outfitters but that’s about it. 

I bought cute ballerinas. 

A gorgeous deep blue dress. I’m in love. A shirt dress AND I found the nicest belt to add just a little touch to it. Some camis and pyjamas just because they are actually my best friends. Oh and some cute little things for my niece who’s going to be born in the next days! And I can’t tell ya what I found because hey, my sister-in-law is stalking here! ;-)

On my shopping list, there are still LOTS of things. If you have any idea where I can find nice ones, please share with me. I will browse Etsy for sure but it can be so time consuming. 

I need a camera strap, headbands (to keep my funky post-partum hair in some sort of control), a new pair of jeans (to fit my wider hips and still give me a nice silhouette), white t-shirts (you would think it’s easy to find but no – they are see through, too big, too small, too cheap, too expensive (really, $55?)…) and taupe flat boots. And a new scarf. 

Frack I hate when the paper case stays glued to my cake.

{christmas memories - part 2: the food}

For me, lots of memories are associated with food. Childhood comfort food, my grandma’s soup, my mom’s cookies... Kraft Dinner and sandwiches as a student and all the cooking my husband now does for me. On Christmas Eve 2010, the menu was all mine. Decided by me, cooked by me. Here is it, with the recipes included.

It began with a very simple and festive drink. Cranberry juice, fresh cranberries and sparkling wine. Then, on each plate, I put a printed menu.

Antipasti

---

Chilled Zucchini and Orange Soup

---

Fleur de sel and aged balsamic vinegar filet mignon

&Asian pear and avocado salad

---

Cheeses plate

---

Raspberry Bûche de Noël

Antipasti

The table was set with lots of antipasti. Cantaloupe and honeydew melon with whole peppercorns, prosciutto, salami, grissinis, home-made bruschetta and tapenade, etc. If you're interested in the bruschetta and tapenade recipes, just tell me.

Chilled Zucchini and Orange Soup

The recipe is here: Ricardo Cuisine

I didn’t add the yogurt to the soup as said in step 4. The soup was delicious without it and I decided to just put a big spoon of plain full of fat yogurt on top of the soup just before serving. 

Fleur de sel and aged balsamic vinegar filet mignon

For the filet mignon, it is so very easy. Put coarse salt on an already heated non-adhesive pan, add the filet mignon on top of it and cook on each side. When ready, put fleur de sel on the piece of meat and a little beat of aged balsamic vinegar. Tasty, simple, perfect.

Asian pear and avocado salad 

Dressing: Mix 45 ml of olive oil, 45 ml of dried cranberries, 30 ml of lime juice, 10 ml of honey, 5 ml of jalapeno pepper, 5 ml of Dijon mustard. Add salt and pepper.

Salad: Mix a Boston lettuce with 1 big Asian pear and 1 big Granny Smith apple cut into pieces. Right before serving, add avocado, fleur de sel and the dressing. Done!

For the cheese plate we had a selection of Quebec cheese. Goat, brie, a very stinky one, a one who tasted ‘animal’ and another one I can’t remember. 

The Bûche was perfect and my sister-in-law brought a plate full of cookies and other goodies for the greedier of us. 

And now, I’m hungry.