Wish List Wednesday {lakeside}

via etsy

On Saturday morning, bright and early, we will wake the boys up and load them into the van {which will be stuffed full with bikes and bedding, clothes and toys and beach towels, snacks and drinks and everything else you can think of!} We'll pull out of our driveway by 6 and head for the 7 o'clock ferry. Finally, finally we'll be on our way to Sorrento and our annual family vacation! I am so excited. I can't wait to get away for 10 days. It's going to be so good to relax and unwind, for the boys to be busy in day camp every morning {while I sip my latte and read my book}, and to sit on the shores of Shuswap Lake with a cold drink in the hot, hot sun. I have a ton of packing to do, but right now am having way too much fun perusing Etsy and making a "holiday by the lake" wish list. Join me?

Every beach vacation requires a fabulous stripy bag, non?

via etsy

The cabana we'll be staying in is at a retreat that provides the most delicious meals. But if you're going to spend an entire afternoon at the beach, you'll need a blanket, picnic basket and some snacks, am I right?

via etsy

I'm not just going to sit by the lake, I'm going to go in it. Often. I even bought a new bathing suit. So I'll need a fabulous beach towel to dry off with when I get out.

via etsy

I'll be slathering on the SPF 60, but it'd still be nice to have a cute beach umbrella to sit under when I'm in the mood for a bit of shade.

via etsy

My sister and I have a tradition of gathering up as many Hollywood gossip mags as we can to read together on the beach. Last summer, we were all about Katie Holmes escaping the clutches of crazy Tom Cruise. This year, we're looking forward to reading all the news about the arrival of the Royal Baby! As well, I like to write a few letters while I laze away the afternoon. I think they should be written on note cards like this one, don't you? It's pretty perfect.

via etsy

Will you be hanging out on a beach this summer?

Wish List Wednesday: TOMS

I own a few pairs of TOMS already. A navy pair, and some cool felted grey ones. I wouldn't say no to a pair of these, though. They're way too cute to pass up.

Ooh, I like these ones, too...

How many pairs of TOMS do you own?

Wish List Wednesday

I know, I shouldn't really be making a wish list when we've only just had Christmas and I was spoiled rotten {hello, pretty new iPhone 5!}... but a girl can dream, right? And I'm dreaming of these beautiful boots from J. Crew. The only boots I own are of the shiny, rubber, puddle-jumpin' variety, so it kind of makes sense that I'd want a pair of these beauties. They'd go nicely with jeans, skirts, leggings, pretty much everything but my yoga pants. And they're on sale! 

Too bad the only ones left are size 10 or 11. My feet are just barely a 7. Sigh.

Do you own the perfect pair of boots? Where did you get them from? And did you have to break the bank in order to buy them?

Wish list Wednesday

Christmas is coming! And I've got a list of things I'm dreaming of...

In addition to the iPhone that I simply must have, the new straightening iron for my unruly hair, a stylish new winter coat and a fully loaded Starbucks card, I'm also wishing for some of the wintry loveliness below. {Yes, I have been spending way too much time on Etsy lately...}

I have a bit of a thing for tea towels. Especially ones that are as cute as this. I love the retro-look Christmas ornaments stamped on them. They're very Charlie Brown, no?

via kitch

I really want some vintage elves for the Christmas tree. Aren't these two adorable? They remind me of decorations from my childhood, though we never actually had elves like this on our family tree. Time to change that, I think!

via kenny's antiques

You can never have too many pretty glass balls on your Christmas tree, can you? I didn't think so. I love these vintage ones from the 1950s.

via vintagepolkadotcom

You know what else I love? Letterpress. This print is especially pretty, isn't it? I love that scarf & top hat, and the quote is so very true! Which reminds me, I really must get myself to a bookstore soon. I want to buy the boys a few good books for Christmas this year.

via tagteam tompkins

Speaking of scarves and hats and things of that nature, I'm completely smitten with this slouchy hat. Doesn't it look cozy? I'd need a matching scarf and mitts of course...

via Maybe the White Dog

And finally, this pretty little angel. Like George Bailey says, "Every time a bell rings, an angel gets its wings." 

via find me a memory

Have you got a wish list ready for Santa yet?

Back to school wishlist

Much as I'd like to deny it, the summer is more than half over here. We're well into August now, and soon we'll be back at school. I've been going into work off and on over the past few weeks, working at putting together my new classroom. It's definitely still a work in progress, but I think it's coming along quite nicely, don't you? {I'm looking forward to sharing more photos of it with you through the school year!}

Round tables, corner reading nook, the beginnings of bulletin boards {always that much better once kids' artwork is on display}

Bookish stuff on display {can you spot the Gruffalo?}

In addition to setting up my first grade classroom, I've also been compiling a little back-to-school wishlist. It's an assortment of things I'd like to have to help make September that much lovelier.

I could really use a new lunch bag. This one is hilarious and awesome, and I'm pretty sure I have to have it.

via LavenderinBrown

I've always thought I look good in plaid. This is a cute, teachery outfit, non?

via SucreSucre Vintage

Any teacher'll tell you the importance of having a good stapler. I've got one already, but it's nowhere near as pretty as this vintage red one.

via Laura's Last Ditch

Personalized teacher stationery? With the cutest little red schoolhouse motif? Yes, please!

via Faye Street Studio

I love this vintage brass bell in the shape of an apple. I'd ring it to get the kids' attention, and smile at how sweet it is, every time.

via Scavengenius

This colourful Manhattan skyline print isn't necessarily school-related, but it's just too beautiful to pass up. It would look awfully good on one of my classroom walls, don't you think?

via matteart

I found all of these treasures on Etsy {it's a happy past-time of mine, perusing all that handmade/vintage goodness}. Just click on the Etsy link above, and then on "back to school" in the left hand side bar, and browse away!

Is there anything on your wish list lately?

Back-to-school wishlist

So school starts a week from today. A week! Gaaah!  I've got some actual back-to-school shopping I need to do over the next few days, mostly practical and must-have items. But, I've been doing some imaginary shopping too. Want to see some of the goodies on my wish list? I thought so.

via greengrass press

For popping sweet little notes in lunchboxes. 

via lands' end

I love grey. And fleece. And cardigans. This covers all three.

via pinterest

Casual and cool. Perfect for teaching kindergarten. And, it has to be said, I look fabulous in green!

via pamela fugate designs

Hilarious! I must have this.

via thebig8s

Waking up at the crack of dawn might be nicer if I had this awesome retro alarm clock.

via moop

The messenger bag in brushed brown. I'm in love.

via sewn natural

Nap mats for my kindergarten classroom. Wonder if they make them in adult size too?

via meadowsbrook

A Mrs Pugh name banner to hang up in my library? Umm, yes please.

Also on my list: a cool, grown-up lunch kit, funky new reading glasses, a new and beautiful lesson plan book, and plenty of sharpie markers {in every colour}...

How about you? Are you dreaming of back-to-school clothes and supplies, too?

Wish List Wednesday

This Wednesday, I'm wishing...

• that mornings around here didn't have to be such hard work
• that I had a magic wand like Hermione's, so I could simply "swish and flick" our living and dining room reno done! {and if I could shout "incendio!" and a lovely warm fire would start up in the woodstove, that would be really great too}
• for a happy ending to The Hunger Games Trilogy {I'm about 100 pages from the end and I'm getting worried...}
• for good weather for our girly trip this weekend {I do not want to drive over the mountain in a blizzard, thank you very much!}
• for a peppermint mocha to warm me up and give me the caffeine buzz I need to get a move on with this day!

What are you wishing for?

magical poster via mischief managed

Wish List Wednesday: Family Rules

via etsy

I love this. I want to add all of it to my "keep calm and carry on" mantra. These are wonderful words to live by, and would look great in our hallway. I think I'll add this to my Christmas wish list.

PS: I don't claim to know everything, that's for sure! But the line about listening to your parents makes me giggle.

The most beautiful dress in the world

via this is glamourous

Look at it! Isn't it gorgeous? I love the colour. And the sparkle. And those shoes! {what you can see of them anyway...} I wish I had a fancy Christmas party to wear it to, or one of those fabulous New Year's Eve soirees, like in When Harry Met Sally, to attend. I would wear this dress, this beeeeautiful dress, and feel like a movie star {a very classy, old Hollywood movie star}. And I would dance the night away. I think that skirt must make the most heavenly swish.

Wish list Wednesday

Just adding some more items to my fall wardrobe wishlist. Simple, classic ones. Like I said before, am loving the greys... This outfit from Lands End really fits the bill. And it comes in a dark, charcoal grey as well. I'll take it in either colour. Or both. I don't mind!

Wish list Wednesday

eRosa on etsy

I'm not one for a lot of sparkly jewelry. I don't often wear a lot of accessories, and the ones that I do have are pretty basic. I like to keep things simple and, once in a while, elegant. I'm thinking Grace Kelly and Audrey Hepburn here. And so, the minute I spotted this stepping-stones necklace on Etsy, my heart skipped a beat. Isn't it gorgeous? I think it's perfect, and I want it. Bad.

Wish list Wednesday

Mary Kate McDevitt on etsy

I love the mini goals chalkboard in Mary Kate's etsy shop, especially these ones. Hmmm, what would I do after tea? I know what I should do. Hang out the laundry, change the sheets, mop the kitchen floor, and empty the dishwasher. I should probably start dinner too. What I'd rather do is pour another cup, and head out into the garden to sit in the sun while the boys collect conkers and chase each other around on the lawn. And let's face it... what's more important? A happy family, or a spotlessly clean house? I'd pick the happy family any day. That being said, I do like to try to keep on top of things and enjoy my surroundings. Perhaps I'd be more inspired to get everything done if I had a cute little chalkboard in my kitchen?

I love how these have enough space to write just a few things down. Keeps the list more manageable and far less overwhelming.

How about you? Anything fun on your wish list this Wednesday? Do you have a fab Etsy shop to recommend?

Wishlist Wednesday {leaving on a jet plane}

Seems like everyone is doing a Wish List Wednesday today, so thought I'd join in. As I may have mentioned, we're off to England in 16 days! My wishlist, therefore, is all about the travelling. I went browsing through etsy (ooh, that can be dangerous!) and here are a few lovely little items I found...

First, how's this for a gorgeous luggage tag? I love the colours and that fox is oh-so-English, and completely adorable. It would make finding your suitcase a lot easier too, with this baby attached to it!

madewithclayandlove on etsy

Next up, I discovered Downstairs Designs. She is selling some seriously pretty stuff! Check out the "in touch clutch"... don't you want one? I had a terrible time choosing my favourite fabric, but I think for this trip, I'd go with this classic design. Grey, with shades of blue and aqua.

I love the pockets for your passport, postcards, stamps, even a pen. This is a must have for moi!

downstairs designs on etsy

I definitely think I need a new journal for this trip. I love this one made from old maps of England and Ireland. Perfect for recording all our UK adventures! I could paste in ticket stubs, travel cards, photos, and write down all the wonderful things we've done.

prairie peasant on etsy

So I think it's safe to say that I'm officially excited now! Can't wait to be packed and boarding that plane! London, here we come...

What's on your wishlist this Wednesday?