long weekends are for...

-smores

-bon fires

-barbeques

-family

<3

Headed to the farm for some family campout time. There's going to be fireworks, hot tubbing (not me though), "cnacking zoats", making smores, and sitting under the stars.

Happy long weekend!

xo holly

ps: all the August sponsorship spots are full! Thanks so much! 

Weekend Recap - Lisa's Wedding

Last weekend, my very good friend of 16 years, got married.  I was the hairstylist for the bridal party, and got to have one last 'sleepover' at Lisa's house before she became a Petriw. :)  The party started on Friday, which was an all day, fun filled, Bachelorette party!  Lisa's Matron of Honor, Erin, planned the whole day. It was themed around clues that Lisa would get at each new location during the day. It made for a fun scavenger hunt of sorts.

We started the day off with a nice brunch at the Conservatory, at my favorite park in Winnipeg. As soon as my dumb pregnancy morning waves of nausea stopped, I could enjoy just sitting and relaxing with the 6 of us girls. The Conservatory is a really relaxing, beautiful place.

Lisa had a lovely giant 'rock' and fairy wings to add to her attire for the day. ;)

From there we went to Starbucks at Winnipeg Square to pick up a refreshment for our next location.  But Lisa didn't get her next clue until she emptied a tray of macaroon bar samples! It was hilarious to watch a girl in fairy wings get rejected by so many people! (kidding)

Our next stop was Scrapbookers Anonymous where we had a 2 hour mini class.  We were all given a kit, and made an envelope album.  It was incredibly satisfying to start AND finish a project in one sitting!! No kids, no other priorities, I could focus on the project 100% and be in good company. Does that sound good or what?

After that, we had a picnic at The Forks with the ducks. ;)  We soaked up a little sun, re-fueled, and watched Lisa practice her "secret dance" for the wedding.

Fringe Fest was next on the agenda, and we had tickets to see a contemporary dance show called "Shades".  It was really interesting, and I enjoyed it a lot.  We finished the day with a home cooked dinner, fresh baking, and manicures.  It was a fantastic day.

The next day was wedding day!  I was up early and doing my thing all morning, getting the bridal party's hair styled.  Lisa chose a romantic low-do.  I based it around a loose center-bun/knot.  It was elegant, and perfect for her. Erin wanted a messy french-twist inspired style.

Ryan joined me later for the Wedding, and we thoroughly enjoyed the rest of the day.  (Right down to the lightning show on the drive home!)

Congrats to Lisa & Chad! Love you.

xo holly

Instax Memories: Elsie & Jeremy's Wedding

I loved having my Instax camera along with me on Elsie & Jeremy's wedding weekend.  There's something very nostalgic about an instant photo that keeps the memory almost better than digital photos do... don't you agree?  I especially love the one's of their first dance. *special*

Rachel took the wide photo at the top, (thanks Rach!) and I've been playing with the idea of getting the Instax 210... I'll have to put it on the Christmas wish list. ;)

We're bbq'ing, and ending the day with a bike ride. It's been a gorgeous weekend! (no more heat wave!)
Hope you all had a great weekend!
xo holly

Maternity Style Weekly - 13 weeks

Welcome to a new feature for the blog! I'll be doing an outfit/pregnancy post every week until a) the baby is born, or b) I feel too large to continue doing so! (ha)

This week I feel like my tummy has "popped" as they say.  Each pregnancy this has come a little earlier and earlier.  I just can't wait for the "are you having twins??" comments to start coming from all angles. Just kidding. I'm feeling pretty good, and I'm going to try to have more fun with my maternity wardrobe this time around, and this new series will motivate me to keep dressing up for fun.  

Outfit:

Dress - Threadsence

Cardigan - Old Navy

Leggings - Joe

Necklace - Vintage, Funtiques

Bracelet - Stella & Dot

Changes & Sponsorship Details

I have decided to quit working out of my home, and become a full time 100% Stay at Home Mom! This decision is due to the new baby coming in January, and me changing my priorities.  I am so happy with this decision, and I am looking forward to it so much! I think it's also a good time to work on strengthening this blog, and take it more seriously.  A part of this will be to offer ad space!  I've tried taking sponsors in the past, but didn't have a lot of time to blog, and I honestly didn't feel like this blog was "good enough" to have ad space.  I've changed my mind about this, and I think it's a great thing to do! 

I'm not going to get crazy with statistics and numbers, but for those who want to know,  I will share that the blog is getting an average of 1000 visits a day for the past year now.

I've got a Weekly Maternity Style feature staring next week, and a nursery tour that I can't wait to share. I feel like this is a good time to start offering ad space!

Every month, I will post a Sponsor Feature post, featuring each of the sponsors for that month, using photos and links. :) 

I'm offering one ad size (250x100 pixels) for $20 per month.  For the first month, ad spaces are half off as an introductory price, so it's $10 for the month of August, and then September will go up to regular price. 

E-mail me today if you would like a spot for August! (holly.neufeld@gmail.com) Send me your 250x100 px image and the link to your blog/shop. I will also gladly design an ad for you, just let me know!

XO holly

*Since this is a for profit blog, I reserve the right to deny an ad space if the business/shop, or blog does not reflect my personal style. Giveaways are welcome, and I am open to reviewing products as well.*

Casting On: Olive's Afghan

[photo from Knitpicks.com]

I've been looking for the right afghan pattern for the new baby, and the latest KnitPicks catalogue had just that! As soon as I saw the above photo, I knew this was the one I wanted to make.  Originally, I was going to crochet one, using a ripple stitch to make the zig zag look, but I love the chevron look of this one. Plus, I've been wanting to improve on my knitting skills... and this pattern is in garter stitch, which  won't be too challenging. The pattern, Olive's Afghan, is from Knitalong, a book by Larissa & Martin John Brown.  

When it comes to choosing colors of yarn, I can think about it for days and still go back and forth. It's a big decision! :P This pregnancy is a different situation than with Delilah, because we found out we were having a girl when I was 19 weeks.  This time we won't find out if this baby is a boy or girl so I had to choose gender neutral colors.  I'm not always a fan of gender neutrals for babies, but I think these colors go well together:

I plan on doing a grey room with yellow and white decor, with pops of avocado green.  These colors will be great if it's a boy, and I can easily add blue to the palette. If the baby is a girl, then I think these colors remind me of daisies, and a vintage daisy theme would be darling, don't you think?

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Now I just wait for my knitpicks order to come in the mail, then I can cast on! Can't wait to start this new project. :)

xo holly

heat wave.

It's hot... and I mean Hot. Summer isn't my favorite season, mostly because I don't like the extreme heat, but I won't complain because Fall will be here soon enough. (is it ok that I'm excited about that?)

Some of my favorite things about summer are:
- getting ice cream from Warky's or Syl's Drive-Ins.
- late evening bike rides with my family
- rollkuchen and watermelon for supper
- time on the deck at my in-law's
- sandals
- fresh fruit
- bright yellow canola fields
- thunderstorms

What's your favorite thing to do in Summertime?
xo holly

Girls that Rock.

Last week I went to see Skillet in Winnipeg.  I am definitely a rocker at heart, and they are one of the best shows I've seen.  I've only seen them twice, but each time I leave saying, that was the best concert I've ever seen.  I love their message, their power, and their talent.  Jen Ledger, their drummer, is 21... and she is *awesome*.  I loved her drum solo (see video above).

Korey, the guitarist, is the wife to lead vocalist, John Cooper, and she can rock... in a dress! She came out wearing a silver tutu and a masquerade mask, rocking out to Comatose. :)

The show had everything I love in a concert.  Girls who can rock, violin & cello, smoke, a spinning drum kit, a band that sounds better live than on their record, a jumping crowd, and a strong message that we live with one purpose (to live for God, and be loved by God).

Check them out here.
Wanna know a random fact? I've listened to this band since the Alien Youth days (10 years), and whenever I drive alone, they're my first choice to have blaring from the speakers. ;)
Thanks for reading!
xo holly

absent.

[my Darligntonia for Red Velvet moccasins]

Sorry for the absence as of late... I'm waiting on parts for my laptop.  I've felt a little lost without my computer! Although, I must say, I've been quite productive. It's been a very busy week! Let's see, since I last posted....

- my sister in law got married

- Simon did a fantastic job as ring bearer for the wedding (in his CK tuxedo!! *cute*)

Simon says: "I'm going to be the ring bear!! ...but it's not a real bear, it's just a suit." 

- I went solo to a rock concert, and LOVED it. 

- I stroke a ton of things off my to do list

- baked

- dressed up and took 0 photos. :(

- worked at the salon for one of the last times.

This weekend ahead is going to be filled with GOOD times! Tomorrow, Jenna and I are going to see Katy Perry. Friday is a day long bachelorette party for my good friend Lisa. That day is going to be FUN, and I will take pictures! Then her wedding is the next day, and I'm doing the hair for the whole wedding party. :)

Hopefully my computer will be up and running sometime this weekend, and I can get back to regular posting.

Until then... happy weekend! Is everybody having a good summer? What's your favorite activity to make the most of this short season?

XO holly

Color*Loves >> Peach & Mint

credit in order of appearance: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8

New favorite color combination that I'm crushing on for summer.  Imagine sunkissed skin, with a peach dress, mint manicure, sipping a peach sangria. Sounds perfect to me.  Summer is for peaches, right? 

xo holly

Anchor Tattoo

I've always wanted an anchor tattoo. I think it's because my grandpa has one on his arm, and I thought that was cool. :)  I told the artist that I wanted a feminine version of a classic anchor, and I love it.  The roses are just to fill in some background space, and add to the prettiness of the design. The colors of the roses are the same colors of the flowers that were in my bouquet for Elsie & Jeremy's wedding.  I actually got the tattoo the day after their wedding, so I brought the bouquet with me to give the artist an idea of the colors I wanted. <3  I have yet to take a good photo of it, but I thought the dress I was wearing today showed it nicely.

I'm off to sit by the [kiddie] pool with Simon.
xo holly

Happy Canada Day.

 [Winnipeg, 2008]

[I took this when we were at my favorite spot in the whole country... Lake Louise]

Happy Canada Day! I love living where I do, and I'm thankful for this country I call home.

We're enjoying this beautiful day in the sun/pool, best drive-in for lunch, and time with family. :)

Happy long weekend! (to my American friends too! Happy 4th on Monday! xo)

holly