O CHRISTMAS TREE

on friday morning we ventured out to get our Christmas tree. i’d like to say we went to a farm and cut it down ourselves but really we just went to country grocer. now isn’t she a beaut? last year we lucked out with this one but i think this year’s is a winner as well.

we started a tradition where every year we’ll pick up a new ornament. we found this gorgeous porcelain crane in my favourite store in vic, emporia boutique. cranes are our thing and the second we saw it, we knew it was meant to be.

gotta love that morning sunshine (even though it’s sooo stinking cold!!!)

and here she be again. i know this is almost exactly the same as the first picture but this one has our tree skirt in it. coco likes to sprint towards the tree and slide on the skirt, twisting it around…she also like to climb up on the couch and swat at ornaments…i’m kinda terrified that one day we’ll come home and the tree will be on the ground…though she hasn’t climbed up it yet, so fingers crossed she won’t start.

is your tree up yet? does your home do real or fake?

ok bed time for me!

over n out,

s.s.♥.

SATURDAY NIGHT

hope you are all having a wonderful weekend!

today two of my sisters (rosalyn, we missed you!) came over and baked 90 gingerbread cookies….(i know…) we had a slight baking mix-up which resulted in two different cookies, but both taste amazing and i’m looking forward to sharing the recipe with you next week :) 

afterwards we headed to the new starbucks located in the old wax museum (p.s. does anyone remember the wax museum? i have the most delightful memories from that place) and drank FREE coffee. the store opens officially on monday and is giving free tall drinks (any drink you want!) out all weekend…wooohoooo.

tomorrow at church, our carol series continues with a new carol featuring my hunk of burning love. if you haven’t checked out last years’, do so below and then come tomorrow night to adore! 5 or 7pm!

tonight my plans include sitting on the couch listening to james practice piano for his jazz finals and occasionally petting my sweet coco who is snuggled up beside me….straight bliss right thurrrr… 

xoxo, s.s.♥.

DIY // GOLD GLITTER SHOES

as you probably know, i have a slight obsession with gold. all gold everything is slowly becoming one of my mottos. i also am passionate about glitter. so let’s combine the two and add some shoes to the mix and there ya go, we have gold glitter shoes.

did you know you can pretty much gold glitter anything? and it’s incredibly easy as well! just follow the steps below…  

supplies needed: shoes, sandpaper, mod podge, glitter, paint brushes, masking tape, bowl

1. sandpaper shoe if using patent leather.

2. tape off everywhere you do not want glitter!

3. mix glitter and mod podge together in a plastic bowl until a thick glittery paste has developed.

4. start painting the shoe with the mixture.

5. keep painting..

6. just keep painting…..

7. let dry. then remove tape when absolutely dry.

8. paint the bottom of your shoe with nail polish if you prefer.

9. let dry.

10. voila! glittery shoe!

couldn’t resist sneaking this little one in…

aren’t they pretty? completely transformed shoe!

ok bed time for me…we’re getting our tree tomorrow and setting up the place…sooo excited!!!!!

stay gold as always,

s.s.♥.

TOFINO

james and i snuck away to tofino the weekend after adore conference. it was my first time to tofino (i know!!) you’d think after living on this island for 26 years, i would have experienced this gem of a place but noooooope.

on the drive up we started listening to the final instalment of the chronicles of narnia. those audiobooks have been incredible and saved us on viciously long drives on our californian road trip last april. the drive up was stunning and not as windy as i thought it would be (praise the Lord!!)

we stayed at middle beach lodge and absolutely loved it. it’s incredibly rustic and right on the beach. the room was super basic but they had a lovely great room with couches and a roaring fire. oh and my favourite part? they served fresh baked cookies every night! i highly recommend the place.

we ate at shelter on our first night. such great atmosphere and amazing food (thanks for the recommendation evan!) on our second day we ate a late lunch at tacofino(mmmmmm soooo goood.) 

we fortunately found great coffee at tofino coffee co. we caught them just before they closed on saturday and it was so good that we returned the next morning before the big drive home.

it was such a relaxing weekend and just what i needed after working super hard leading up to conference. 

enjoy the pics! sorry in advance for the photo dump but tofino is just too beautiful not to share.

where’s your favourite place to stay in tofino?

happy wednesday!

s.s.♥.

MR. BRIGHTSIDE

i’m thankful for the sunshine we’ve been having. even though it’s flipping freezing and my legs are still frozen from my walk to work, i am thankful that it’s not rainy and grey. 

i’m a natural optimist. positivity is listed as my second highest strength according to the strengths finder test but as those rainy and grey days take over the calendar i find my sunny self slowly sinking… i am thankful for reminders that i don’t have to stay there.

earlier this year i started reading Jesus Calling…wow, just wow. i have never come across such a fresh and real devotional. a couple weeks ago this particular one tugged at my heart and i knew i had to share it…

This is the day that I have made! As you rejoice in this day of life, it will yield up to you precious gifts and beneficial training. Walk with Me along the high road of thanksgiving, and you will find all the delights I have made ready for you.

To protect your thankfulness, you must remember that you reside in a fallen world, where blessings and sorrows intermingle freely. A constant focus on adversity defeats many Christians. They walk through a day that is brimming with beauty and brightness, seeing only the grayness of their thoughts. Neglecting the practice of giving thanks has darkened their minds. How precious are My children who remember to thank Me at all times. They can walk through the darkest days with Joy in their hearts because they know that the Light of My Presence is still shining on them. Rejoice in this day that I made, for I am your steadfast Companion.

                                              -Jesus Calling (November 26th)

my prayer is that God would open your eyes to see the beauty and brightness of the day. no matter how grey your circumstance is, may He fill you with the Light of His Presence and bring you hope and peace.

xo,

s.s.♥.