An ornament swap update {finally!}

Did you join the Christmas ornament swap this year? I was happy to help out my darling friend, Micaela {who started the swap back in 2009} and take over for her as she got to know her new baby girl, Noel. M and I have been exchanging ornaments for five years now {best. tradition. ever.} and I'm in love with the vintage beauties she sent me this year. See?

Micaela knows how I love an old-fashioned angel, and a vintage glass ball covered in frost

Isn't she pretty?

My partner for this year's swap was the lovely Johanna of the Yukon-based blog, Birds on a Wire. I wanted to choose something that would suit her pretty home in the cold, Canadian North. So I picked out this beautiful snowflake and this tiny, handmade bird. Plus I sent her a pack of tea from the Empress Hotel. One of these days, she and I are going to go for afternoon tea together. Right, Jo?

I can't take credit for this gorgeous photo. Johanna took it.

And here is what she sent me! A beautiful sparkly white church in a pretty bell jar. I love, love, love it. It's just so perfectly me. She also sent homemade potpourri which I've been simmering on the stove top all this week. It smells just the way Christmastime should. Thank you, my friend!

I've taken part in many swaps over the years, and the Christmas one is definitely a favourite. I look forward to it every year, and have made some great friends through it. I'm looking forward to next year already :)

Did you play along this year? Leave a link to your blog in the comments if you've got ornament photos to share, won't you please? I'd love to see them!

Happy Holidays, friends. I'll be back soon, with loads of photos from Christmas. 

Until then,
E xo

Check your inbox!

I sent out all the swap partner details last night. Just waiting on one person's mailing address {email me, Sandra!} and everybody will be matched up.

You have until the 28th to send your partner the perfect ornament. Have fun, and Happy Happy Holidays!

Saturday morning daydream

Planning the ornament swap and beginning to dream of Christmas and snowy days. Are you dreaming of a white Christmas? And, have you joined the swap yet?!

pretty picture via here

The 5th Annual Dolce Vita Christmas Ornament Swap {Pughs' News edition}

Four years ago this November, I stumbled across a lovely little blog, Dolce Vita. Its author, Micaela, was hosting a Christmas ornament swap, and {festive girl that I am} I signed up straight away. I'm so, so glad that I did. Micaela partnered herself with me, and we became fast friends from the minute her sweet parcel arrived in my mailbox. We began to write to one another regularly, and every Christmas since, we've enjoyed the tradition of sending each other pretty tree ornaments. It's something I look forward to every year {and now I can say that I look forward to texts and FaceTime sessions, too! hooray for my fabulous iPhone and wonderful blogging friends!}

This year, Micaela will be welcoming her second little girl, a Christmastime baby who'll be called Noel {isn't the name just perfect?} M will be busy being a new mama all over again this December, so she asked me to take over the organization of the 2013 swap. I am thrilled to be able to help, and hope that I can do as good a job as she's been doing since 2009.

Ready? To join, here's what you need to do:

* Email me, erinbyrne{at}yahoo.com and use the subject heading ORNAMENT SWAP

* Include your first and last name, email address, mailing address and blog link. {if you haven't got a blog, include your Instagram or Etsy shop link} Please let me know if you'd be willing to be partnered with someone overseas.

* You can join any time between now and next Tuesday, Nov. 12th. I'll email you your partner's details by Monday, Nov. 18th and you'll have until Friday, Nov. 29th to find the perfect ornament and post it.

* Ornaments can be vintage {my favourite!}, store-bought or handmade and should be approx. $10 in value. Please do learn a little about your partner {follow those blog links!} and her preferences/style so that you can find an ornament just right for her.

* Include a Christmas card in your parcel, sharing a favourite Christmas song, tradition, memory, recipe...

Have fun! Don't forget to take a photo of the ornaments you've sent/received so we can share them on our blogs. I'll try to put together a showcase of all of them at some point in December, and link back to everybody.

I can't wait for your emails to start pouring in! So what are you waiting for? Get writing! {and be sure to tell all your blogging friends- share the photo above and link to this post- the more the merrier!}

Happy, happy holidays!
love E xo

photo via my instagram

Taking a break

Dear friends,

I love this blog of mine. It's played a big part in my life these past five years. I love reading the comments you make, discussing the interests we share, enjoying the support you offer when I need it. I have made some wonderful friends through blogging, many of whom I've had the pleasure of meeting and spending time with in the real world. Some of us will be life-long friends, I'm sure, thanks to the start we got here on Pughs' News. But right now, I need to take a break and step away from it for a while. It won't be forever {the urge to write and share is strong} but for the moment, and for the next while, I need to focus all of my energy and attention elsewhere. Somewhere far more important.

Thank you for reading, and for being so awesome.
love,
Erin

print via etsy

When Gracie came to visit

On the last weekend of summer vacation, my lovely Australian blogging friend Gracie came to Victoria for the first time. On an epic trip across the States, Gracie needed something to do for a few days while her husband attended a conference in Seattle. As soon as I heard, I invited her to come stay with us {Seattle is less than 3 hours away by ferry}! I was so excited when she accepted, and our visit was really everything I could have hoped for. I adore Gracie. It felt just like we were old friends who'd been reunited {rather than what we actually are... people who'd only just met!} and had such a great time together. We stayed up late talking every night, hung out at Starbucks, went for high tea, strolled the harbour and through Goldstream Park... and made s'mores over the fire pit in my mom & dad's backyard {even though there was a fire ban!} It was wonderful. I really hope that somehow, someday we'll be able to meet up again. In the meantime, I look forward to keeping in touch via email, snail mail {Gracie is a letter-writer like me!}, Twitter, and through our blogs, of course.

Now, how about some photos?

The Clipper coming into Victoria's Inner Harbour

The boys and I were waiting at Customs, with a cute welcome sign {see the kangaroo sticker?}

The first thing we did was take our hungry guest out for dinner on the wharf {look how the boys are gazing lovingly at her already!}

Fish & chips... yum!

Sweet souvenirs from Australia- thanks, Gracie!

Afternoon tea at the White Heather on Gracie's second day in town. We had such a fabulous time.

 Pretty tea cup

I introduced her to the delights of the Starbucks pumpkin spice latte, and we wrote a postcard to Micaela

Last day in town... A stroll around the harbour and some silly self-portraits

Tea, biscotti and macarons at Murchies before the ferry ride back to the U.S.

To see Gracie's photos from this leg of her trip, visit her blog here. And tell her we miss her, won't you please?

Back to school {and blogging}

You know it's almost autumn when... I'm taking grainy photos of the signs at Starbucks!

Hello, my lovelies. How are you? I know I've been gone for ages, but I've just got time for a quick note tonight before I head off to bed. It was the first day of school today and everything went well. It'll take some time to adjust to our weekly routines again, but we'll figure it out I'm sure. The past couple of days have been rather emotional {more on that some other time}, so it was nice to be at work, staying busy and distracted. Also nice? The return of my favourite drink, the pumpkin spice latté, which Gracie and I enjoyed during her fabulous visit! I have so much to tell about that, as well as going back to school {for me and the boys... Sawyer starts kindergarten this Friday!} and all of our upcoming autumn plans. But for now, it'll have to wait. My bed is calling my name. Good-night, and Happy New {School} Year, friends!
E xo

PS: Stay tuned tomorrow for the return of E & me!

The best thing about blogging

I can't believe I missed my blog's 5th birthday! It was on Monday, and I was busy doing our taxes & cleaning out closets & focusing on getting a million things done, and before I knew it, April 16th was over. It was a good, productive day. But there really should have been cake. Because what's a birthday without cake, right? Cake and friends.

Cakes at Magnolia Bakery, Grand Central Station, NYC

I love this little blog. It's become a pretty huge part of my life over the years. It's been a place for me to document my hopes and fears, and thousands of photos of the goings-on of my little family. I love to write and take photos and share all the awesome things I've found online, and to get feedback about the things I've written. But the best part about having a blog is all the amazing friends I have made. I got to spend some time with a few of them on my recent trip to New York City, and I couldn't have been more excited...

The Sunday of our stay in NYC was all about the blog friends! Sunday morning, I headed out to Alice's Tea Cup on the Upper West Side to meet up with my lovely friends, Brandi {who came to visit me in Victoria last July}, and Kayla {whose blog, Exquisite Banana, is a daily-read and one of my very favourites}. We had a delicious brunch and spent several hours talking about pretty much everything over many, many cups of tea, just like old friends. It was perfect.

 I had the breakfast tea... and oh boy! was it ever good!

 Kayla, who is every bit as charming in person as she is on her blog

 Bloggers who brunch

After brunch, Brandi and I hit up a flea market and wandered around a bit, and then made a promise to meet up again soon, maybe on the West Coast next time? I headed for Central Park to meet my mom and Amanda for a horse-drawn carriage tour {yep, we were full-on tourists, and it was so much fun!} When our ride was over, I finally got to meet another dear blogging friend of mine. Karina lives just a few blocks from the hotel where we stayed, and we kept missing each other on our regular trips to Zabar's Deli and the Starbucks at 81st and Broadway, despite being on the lookout for one another constantly! So it was especially exciting when we finally met at Columbus Circle. She brought her adorable son Miguelito along and we all went out for a fantastic Mexican lunch.

 Kary and me at Chipotle, with matching smiles

 Me & Miguelito near Columbus Circle- isn't he a cutie?

I can't say enough good things about Karina. She is just about the nicest person I have ever met, and I can't wait to see her again one day {and New York City! oh, how I miss it...} We had a lovely lunch and lots of fun, and she sent us off in the direction of the Plaza Hotel later in the afternoon {more on that in another post}. We spent the next morning together as well, when she met my mom, sister and I for breakfast, midway between our hotel and her apartment. I still can't get over how close we were to each other! In a city that huge, what are the chances? We didn't have much time, as it was the day we were flying home, but we had a lovely visit over breakfast, and then she took us for a walk to Riverside Park, brought gifts for all of three of us {and for my boys and Amanda's!}, and treated us to cupcakes from Baked by Melissa. She also showed us the gym where Matt Damon works out {alas, despite our best efforts, we didn't actually get to see him...} Thank you, Kary!

A really big breakfast at Sarabeth's on Amsterdam Avenue, before a really long flight home

And thank you, Pughs' News, for filling my life with so many fabulous new friends whom I adore! 

I miss you, girls. Let's do it again soon, shall we?

Happy things to end the week with

As you may have gathered from recent posts, this hasn't been the greatest week. I've had a horrible head cold, BC's teachers are going on strike {this is not going to be fun}, and, worst of all, a very dear friend of mine suddenly and tragically lost her mom on Tuesday night. I feel tired and discouraged and heartbroken. But am trying to find the good wherever I can. And so, some "happy things to end the week with":

Cass and I got tickets to see The Hunger Games in IMAX on March 29th! It's going to be ah-mazing.

via here

Tonight, after a good, long run on the treadmill, I came home and ran a bubble bath. Then I soaked in the tub for ages, with this book that Em sent me. It's light and fluffy and exactly what I need right now. And, it takes place in NYC {18 days till take-off!}

via here

I splurged on myself and bought this super cute, bright orange jacket from Joe Fresh the other night. Isn't it fun?  I love it. I've decided I wear altogether too much black and grey. Time for some bright, cheerful colours in my wardrobe.

via here

So, I should probably go back and get this to go with it, right? Yeah, I thought so.

via here

Singing along to Adele's "Someone Like You" in the van today. Twice.

I need this album.

And finally, it's Saturday tomorrow. I am definitely sleeping in.

Have a good weekend, friends. Hold your loved ones tight.
E xo

Ornament swap update

As you may recall, I was pretty excited to join in the fun of Micaela's third annual ornament swap this year. And for good reason! Here's what I sent my partner Elise, in Florida:

A pretty paper ball, found at a Christmas craft fair. It looked a bit like a picture she'd pinned on one of her Pinterest boards, so I hoped she'd like it. {I did! So I got a few for my tree, too!}

I couldn't resist this little green bird to go along with it.

Here's what Elise sent me. Isn't it lovely and twinkly?
Thanks, Elise!

I first "met" Micaela through her original ornament swap back in 2009. She drew my name, and I received a lovely package of goodies from her. We started writing, and have been friends ever since. And we've kept up the tradition of sending each other an ornament each Christmas. It is a wonderful tradition!

I found this little deer for M at The Papery this year, and some rockin' Christmas cocoa à la Elvis that had Micaela written all over it {I know what a fan she is of both}!

All wrapped up and ready to go to the post office!

I got a similar sized parcel from my dear Texan friend

...with the sweetest little snowman inside!

Come to think of it, perhaps it's a snow girl. Isn't she pretty on my Christmas tree?

Thank you, Micaela!

Did you play along in the ornament swap? I hope so, because it really is such a fun way to meet new people and add some lovely decorations to your Christmas tree...  And for me, it was just so perfect. After all, mail + Christmas = a few of my favourite things!

Happy Thanksgiving

mary kate mcdevitt via papercrave

Just wanted to wish all my lovely American friends a very happy Thanksgiving today! I'm so thankful for the wonderful friends I've made in this blogging world, and many of you are south of the Canada/US border. I'll be thinking of you all today while I'm at school doing parent-teacher interviews...

I hope you're having a marvellous time celebrating with family and friends over pumpkin pie and the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade! Enjoy your extra long weekend {what a genius idea! a major holiday on a Thursday...} and the official kick-off to the holiday season. Today's the day all the American radio stations start playing Christmas music. Yay! Nothing perks me up during my morning commute like Bing Crosby...

Happy Thanksgiving, friends.
E xo

PS: Don't forget to swing by Dolce Vita to wish Micaela and her darling Max a very happy first anniversary! Kisses to you, dear M! I think it's time for another skype date, don't you?

Musings on an ornament swap

Later this week I'll find out who my partner is in Micaela's third annual Christmas ornament swap, and I'm pretty excited about it. The first year I joined in the swap, Micaela got me and sent the loveliest little package of ornaments. We have been friends ever since, and I can't say just how happy I am to know her. One of these days we'll meet in real life, and it will be like a fabulous reunion of two old friends!  I've also been paired with Lauryn and Sheba, two darling girls, and had loads of fun with them, sending and receiving ornaments {click on the variuos links above to see all the pretty tree-trimmings from previous years}. Needless to say, I can't wait to find out who my partner will be this year! I love choosing the perfect ornament for a new blogging friend, and packaging it up with lots of red tissue paper... {insert dreamy smile here}

So. While I wait for that much-anticipated email from Micaela, I've been cruising Pinterest and choosing out all my favourite ornaments. The gorgeous things I have found are all so very me. Take a look:

I adore these little wooden dolls in their adorable dresses, from my sweet imaginations.

The glittery church and ice skate {complete with pom-pom} from a field journal are beautiful, aren't they?

I'm swooning over the Nutcracker and Clara from halinka's fairies in the UK.

These Russian skaters, also from halinka's fairies, are gorgeous, don't you think? Pretty sure I loved every single item in her shop. 

Isn't this red coat from Posie Gets Cozy pretty? I love the mittens, too!

And I'm always a fan of vintage glass balls in pretty pastel colours. I found these ones on pinterest.

Did you sign up for Micaela's swap? And are you dreaming of your Christmas tree already? I know, I know, it's not even mid-November... but just the idea of stringing up the twinkle lights and unwrapping all the decorations is making me smile. And that can't be a bad thing.

Cold hands, warm heart

It was cold outside yesterday. So cold I made the boys wear toques and winter coats. And when I was outside on the playground with my kindergarten class, I found myself wishing for a scarf and, even more than that, a nice warm pair of gloves. So, it was probably meant to be that last night while I was cruising Twitter, I came across this post and the most perfect swap!

It's the Cold Hands, Warm Hearts Swap 2011, and it took me all of about ten seconds to decide I simply had to join. Here's how it works:

Visit much love illy and get all excited about the awesomeness of the swap. Decide right away that you absolutely must join in the fun. Sign up by November 4th by filling in the online form. You'll get your partner's info on November 9th and then, the fun begins! Your job will be to put together a fabulous little parcel containing a cozy pair of gloves and some other things to warm your partner's heart this winter. Send it off by November 30th and wait for your own parcel full of goodies to arrive. How could I resist that? I couldn't! Can you? Pair it up with darling Micaela's 3rd Annual Christmas Ornament Exchange, and your  mailbox will be bursting with love well before the holidays are here. And what could be better than that?

Now, time to make some cocoa...


image via much love illy

Happy mail

Yesterday was rainy and grey. I had a dentist appointment and some errands to run {note to self: never, ever go to Wal-Mart ever again}, and was still really stuffed up and feeling gross. Add to that a sick husband asleep on the couch and it wasn't such a fabulous day. But in the afternoon, things took a turn for the better when the mailman arrived... with a parcel! It was from Cassie, and it was just exactly what we needed.

 Look at all the little packages!

 Cassie always has the prettiest ribbons and the sweetest little tags.

Here's the decoration she mentioned. Love it! It's going straight up in my office.

 And she always sends chocolate for the boys {"She's so lovely, Mum," said Dylan}

Excellent. A nice, light read. Something to distract me from the awfulness of the constant nose-blowing. I'm already well into chapter 1.

I was just thinking today that I could use a new lipbalm, Cassie! How did you know? {and wow, is this ever a fabulous lipbalm... the honey is so soothing}

There's nothing like some happy mail to perk me up on a dreary day. Thank you, sweet friend...

xo

PS: Have you had any goodies in the mail lately?