Christmas Home Tour

Well my friends, it's better late than never. I've been wanting to show you what I've been up to in the house for a couple of weeks now. Talk about cutting it close! Are you ready for the big day? I think we're finally ready and we're actually having a party tonight. It's a caroling party. A great way to be with our family and friends, sing some carols through the neighbourhood and share some bevvies and yummies.

Here's what it looks like at our house this year. I wanted to bring in lots of fresh greenery but still have some glam. Can't take the glitter out of this gal :)

 

 

Tis the season to eat shortbread, drink one too many cocktails and steal a kiss under the mistletoe.

From my family to yours...

Merry Christmas!

Keep it Beautiful.

Holiday Gift Guide- NORDIK SPA-NATURE WINNER!

Hi guys! Remember me? I'm sorry I've been MIA. I've been trying to stay afloat, like all of you, making my list and checking it twice! Phew! I've been on maternity leave so much in the last few years that I forgot how to manage my holiday schedule and work a full time office job. I'm sorry to have abandoned you all. I had so many holiday plans, crafts and décor to share with you but this year, I just couldn't produce fast enough with the amount of hours in a day. Being better organized is definitely one of my 2015 goals. I digress.

However, I know you have all been waiting to hear the winner of the fab Holiday Gift Guide Nordik Spa Giveaway

This is a fab prize. $200 gift card to Nordik Spa-Nature. If you've never been, you can hear about my experience here and it's a must if you live in the Ottawa area or are here for a visit. So fantastic for the soul.

This has been the most popular giveaway on Keep It Beautiful. Thank you all for entering. Keep entering into the contests when you see them.

THE WINNER IS....

BRENDA MCNALLY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

Woot! Woot! Congratulations Brenda. I hope that you will find some time during the holiday season or the New Year to visit Nordik Spa-Nature and enjoy all the relaxation it has to offer.

 

Well my friends, again I apologize for missing two weeks of what feels like one of the most important times in a home design & lifestyle bloggers year...the holidays! I remember when I worked in the magazine industry for a short period of time, we started our holiday edition in August. I'm thinking next summer, my brain is going to have to start going there. Yikies.

 

I won't leave you completely hanging. I have a little bit of a Christmas house tour to share with you sometime later this morning :)

 

 

Keep it Beautiful.

Get Your Holiday On! Mickey Goes Live & Gorgeous Kids' Craft

Hey guys,

Have a good weekend? Less than two weeks away till the big day. Crazy eh? I’m starting to feel the crunch of getting it all done. However, when I told that to Mr. Fix-It, he told me to chill out and relax. He’s right. Why get yourself all stressed out when the holidays are supposed to be about fun and relax? Taking that idealist thought and pairing it with reality, my mantra this week is to keep it all easy and simple. You should do it too.

 

And, when easy and simple feel like they’re flying out the window, just have a glass of wine and magically easy and simple come flying back in ;)

So, yesterday we had a great day with the kids. We took them to see Disney Live! Mickey’s Music Festival.

It was part of my Holiday Gift Guide this year. We told the boys in the morning that we were giving them an early Christmas present and they were super excited! What kid doesn’t want to see all their favourite Disney characters singing and dancing right in front of them?!

We had a blast. The show was only in Ottawa yesterday, but here is the schedule for upcoming shows across Canada and the US. We had a blast, it’s a great day to spend with your minis.

If the show is coming to your city soon, you should go. Our kids were so happy, they danced and it was a really fun way to hang out on a Sunday afternoon. They both said they want to go again so we’ll be looking out for future shows and I’ll let you know when I hear of any.

After the show I had a little craft planned for the boys. It's really easy, they turned out gorgeous and they were so proud of them. Keep it in mind if your minis are looking to do a Christmas craft for your tree.

Isn't that ornament beauty? Here's what you need:

- Clear plastic balls (available at Walmart/Michaels)
- Glue
- Sparkles
- Paint

 

Just let your minis do as they please. My guys wanted to paint them first and then add sparkles. You can also just add drops of glue and get your sparkle on.

 

 

We had an extra plastic ornament so we added real sprinkles. How cute is this?

 



A few crafty supplies and you have a great way to spend some time getting your holiday on and adorable ornaments for your tree.

 

Keep it Beautiful.

 

Alicia



Heads Up! It's Monday Holiday Decor

Hope you had a great weekend! It was busy around here with holiday decorating and tree hunting. Mr. Fix-It strapped our tree to the roof and it's still standing in our living room waiting to be decked out and lit. I feel like our house has exploded Christmas decorations all.over.it which would be great if they were all up. Right now it's just a bunch of boxes and randomness on the dining room table. Ugh. My goal is to have them all up by the end of the week. Fingers crossed!

I did get to a few things. Here's a peek at the bookshelf in our breakfast room:

I picked up this cute Christmas duct tape at the dollar store and wasn't sure how I wanted to use it.


While decorating the bookshelves I thought I would give the tissue box a little holiday makeover. A few wrap-arounds of the duct tape and VOILA...pass the tissue!

 

 

 

Want to know who the winner was of the family pack (4 tix) to see Disney Live! Mickey's Music Festival? Drumroll please...

LISA HAMILTON

 

Woot! Woot! Congratulations! Enjoy the show. Thank you all who entered into the contest. As part of this year's gift guide there is still time to enter in to win a $200 gift card to Le Nordik-Spa Nature. It's an amazing prize! Only a few days left to enter.

 

I have something really fun to tell you. Tomorrow I'll be back on TV with Daytime Ottawa.

 

I'll be doing two segments. The first is on how to decorate a holiday table and the second segment is showing viewers how to create a beautiful holiday urn. You can tune in tomorrow for the live show at 11am or repeats at 2pm, 5pm & 11pm. If you don't live in Ottawa but have a Rogers account, you can view the episode at Rogers Anytime TV. I'm really excited!

 

Happy Monday my friends!