OK, so it's time to talk about my best-ever birthday. This year was a great life landmark - three decades! These sort of birthdays deserve parties and I'm lucky enough to have had Katie and Nuno throw me a Christmas in Mexico themed birthday!
This party was really easy and fun to plan. It took one night and a trip around the block to a couple dollar stores and Party Packagers to make happen.
Just like Katie's Guitar Hero birthday, we purchased a sheet of cake from Subs Plus with the icing on the side and put together this pinata cake.
We had my sister, DJ Lupita cranking her amazing christmas record collection.
Just like the invitation indicated, we had chicken carnitas, refried beans and tacos. Hard and soft shell. Along with plenty of snacks like chips & salsa and guacamole.
To drink - Tequila! Just kidding, we stuck to Coronas, sangria, mojitos and Mexican hot chocolate.
It was a bit of a downer that the snow storm snowed people in. But, man, some of our friends are real troopers and drove from the GTA to come to the party. It meant so much to me to have them come down!!
On the day of my birthday I spent it with my husband. We stayed over night at a hotel in Niagara Falls and went to these waterslides all day!
They aren't usually open on Tuesdays, but I guess because of the Christmas holidays (or my birthday;) they were open. It wasn't too busy so there weren't long line-ups. For dinner we met up with my family at Zee's. It's my favourite restaurant in Niagara on the Lake and it was great. I had my first icewine martini!
So now I'm 30 and I really don't think I look or act like it. It made me feel really good that so many neighbours and coworkers thought I was 23. I don't know, is that a good thing? I'll say it is because I don't feel a day older than 24.
Incase you're not on our Christmas card list (you should be!),
We Wish You A Merry Christmas!!
Last week we had our fireplace serviced and cleaned, our carbon monoxide detector is plugged in & working. For the first time since we bought our home we can enjoy our gas fireplace. I didn't have any appreciation for fireplaces until we went to Blue Mountain. Now, I can't imagine winter life without one. It's so relaxing and cozy - this photo of Hot Tot sums it up perfectly.
Gosh, it's so good!
Our home for the holidays seems to look better every year. I took lots of photos today and yesterday because the weather was so bright. OK, I went a little photo crazy....
Here is a wreath my mom bought for me last year. It's so beautiful at night outside when the lights reflect of the glass balls.
Urns are everywhere these days, and to buy a premade arrangement can cost tons of cash. I made this one for less than $15.
I mentioned about this store called Granny Taught Us How, I bought 2 of these reindeer plates there. They fit right in with the holiday scheme!
The dangling silver christmas ball is the other new item from Granny Taught Us How.
I was thinking of starting a new christmas tradition of including chocolate coins in the decor mix.
This shelf is huge, I can't get a proper photo of everything on it in one pic. So here's 1/4 of it.
Most people decorate with nativity scenes, but we have our own self obsessed knitted doll shrine.
Last year my mom got me place card holders in the style of Christmas balls.
A couple years ago Target had Tord Boontje design their holiday merchandise and I was friggin' obsessed with trying to get everything of his. Lucky for me, his designs didn't fare well with the WNYers because I got all of his plates on sale half off. I love them so much we use them year round. They are so well made, not a single one has chipped or cracked and the design hasn't faded a bit.
Hot Tot seemed to get really jealous that photos were being taken without her in them. So she went ahead and posed for this final one.
You know that feeling you get when you really love where you live? I get that all the time, but most especially during the holiday season. This is the time of year I just love staying at home nice and warm cuddling with Hot Tot and enjoy all the lights. I'm really excited because we are getting our gas fireplace serviced this week, I'll have to get a photo once it's up an running. Actually, this will be the first year the rec room will be decorated for the holiday - the motif - Christmas in Mexico! Oh, the stories I have about my 30th Birthday Party and the blast it is planning... check back for all that good stuff...
This party was really easy and fun to plan. It took one night and a trip around the block to a couple dollar stores and Party Packagers to make happen.
Just like Katie's Guitar Hero birthday, we purchased a sheet of cake from Subs Plus with the icing on the side and put together this pinata cake.
We had my sister, DJ Lupita cranking her amazing christmas record collection.
To drink - Tequila! Just kidding, we stuck to Coronas, sangria, mojitos and Mexican hot chocolate.
It was a bit of a downer that the snow storm snowed people in. But, man, some of our friends are real troopers and drove from the GTA to come to the party. It meant so much to me to have them come down!!
They aren't usually open on Tuesdays, but I guess because of the Christmas holidays (or my birthday;) they were open. It wasn't too busy so there weren't long line-ups. For dinner we met up with my family at Zee's. It's my favourite restaurant in Niagara on the Lake and it was great. I had my first icewine martini!
