forward.

[Jenna & I from NYE '09 party]

A new year is upon us! I'm deciding that my word for 2012 is FORWARD.  Moving forward in life and not looking backwards.  Not regretting anything that has happened in the last year, and moving forward with new opportunities, new projects, and new goals.  If we keep our gaze forward, even if we're in a stormy place in life, we will end up seeing the light at the end of that tunnel. I'm choosing to go forward in 2012. 

I hope you all have a fun filled, glittery New Year's Eve! XO

bad day.

[source]

This is a hard day, personally. I'm thankful for my positive attitude, though, and I know that 2012 is going to be a year for a fresh start.  I have lots to be thankful for, and a new life to anticipate in the next few weeks.  Doesn't mean I can't think that today just plain sucks.  Thank God for tomorrow.

Christmas at Home

We spent Christmas Day at home, with my Mom, sister & brother-in-law. It was a relaxing day. We slept in, opened gifts, had brunch, baked cinnamon buns, opened more gifts, napped, watched Home Alone, and I enjoyed every minute of it. 

Christmas Eve is a special time, too. We always have dinner at Ryan's parent's house, attend the Candlelit Service at our church, and open gifts with them. One of the kids gifts was as tall as Delilah!

They got a sandbox! Simon can't wait to fill it up.

We got into our fleece pyjamas and read some Christmas story books before bed.

This was the first year that Simon showed real excitement towards Christmas morning, and was so pumped to see what his gifts were.  Each year, it gets more and more fun for the kids. :)

About 20 minutes later.... so fun!

Today, as much as I would love to hit the mall for boxing day madness, I'm enjoying another day at home with my family, and I feel so refreshed. I hope you all had a lovely Christmas Day, no matter how you spent it.  
xo holly

Very Merry & Holly Jolly

Wishing you all the happiest of holidays.

Merry Christmas & God bless!

XO

All I want for Christmas...

I invited my Fancy December Sponsors to fill in the blank: "All I want for Christmas is __________"

It's fun to share our wish lists. Here's what some of them said...

Amanda says: "All I want for Christmas is a sewing machine, ideally one as lovely as this!"

Carly says: "All I want for Christmas is a new set of mugs to add to our collection! Every year, the Papa and I buy a new set of Christmas Mugs. We'll have hot chocolate dates with them, and morning coffees. Then, when Christmas is over, we pack them up and wait for next Christmas to use them all over again. I'm hoping when we have kids, it'll be a fun, corny tradition."

Julie says: "All I want for Christmas is to become more confident in my writing. And a Kate Spade Sparkler Missy Bag would be nice as well. :)"

Roxy says: "All I want for Christmas is the Crosley Spintronic Portable USB Turntable. I would just love to wake up on Christmas morning and play some Nat King Cole on it."

Elisha says: "All I want for Christmas is an Instax Mini."

For myself.... All I want for Christmas is to be at home, *cozy*, spending time with my family.  Beautiful knitwear like this Antik Batik cardigan would help with the cozy part... don't you think? I have a weakness for knit sweaters.

I want nothing more than to stay home, open gifts with my kids, and have a relaxing day complete with baked treats, home cooked meals, and apple cider... Boney M and Michael Buble can join us, too.

I hope you all get exactly what you want for Christmas this year.

Much love, holly.

(ps, the woodgrain frames are by Kitschy Digitals)

Jo Totes Giveaway Winner!

Thanks to everyone who entered!! Congrats to Sandy J for winning a pretty camera bag of your choice!! Please e-mail me at holly.neufeld@gmail.com and we can arrange your prize. :)

Thanks to Jo Totes for having this fabulous giveaway!

xo holly

Holiday Look: Glitter & Gold

Wilfred "Helena" Dress - Aritzia, Wilfred Chevalier Blazer - Aritzia, Horse Clutch - ASOS, 

Clogs - Ugglebo, Chantilly Lace Cuff - Stella & Dot, OPI Warm & Fozzie, Starlette Sparkler - Giant Dwarf

I love dressing up for the holidays! I also love anything gold, and anything that glitters, this season.  If I could put together a dream outfit for a fancy holiday party, this would be it... and I'd add some glittery tights.  It's fun to "play" dress up.  It would also be fancy to sip DavidsTea in this outfit. ;)

xo holly

New Jammies

[cute new pyjamas from Aunt Tina & Uncle Travis]

Another great evening with family.  My kids are totally loving Christmas.
I hope you are too...
xo holly

Holiday Baking: Chocolate Crinkles

The baking continues... (this may just turn into a mini series for the blog). Chocolate Crinkles are a fancy looking cookie perfect for holiday gift giving, or bringing along to a party.  I was first introduced to Chocolate Crinkles by my good friend Lisa.  Her mom made them the day before Lisa's wedding day, because they're one of her favorite treats. I remember her saying that normally they enjoy them at Christmastime... so I added them to my holiday "To-Bake" list! I was assigned to bring sweets to my gathering today, and they were a hit.

Chocolate Crinkles:

1 cup premium cocoa
1 1/2 cups granulated sugar
1/2 cup veg/canola oil
4 eggs
2 tsp vanilla (madagascar bourbon vanilla is my fave)
2 cups all purpose flour
2 tsp baking powder
1/2 tsp salt
1/2 tsp instant coffee (optional... but it gives them a hint of mocha flavor)
Icing sugar for rolling
Dash of cinnamon

In a mixer, combine cocoa, sugar, and oil. Mix to make it dark & glossy.  Add eggs one at a time, to slowly combine. Add vanilla, and continue to mix until well combined.  In a large bowl, whisk flour, baking powder, salt, and instant coffee. Add dry mix to the wet ingredients slowly, until just combined.  Cover, and chill in the fridge for 30 minutes.  Using a spoon, or really small scoop, roll the dough into 1-inch balls. Roll the balls in icing sugar & cinnamon mix.  Place on parchment lined cookie sheets 2 inches apart.

Bake at 350*F for 9-10 minutes.

These are best enjoyed warm, but also store well in the freezer.  Imagine enjoying these fresh out of the oven with a hot cup of Mexican hot chocolate. Yum!

I also brought Red Velvet cupcakes to the gathering, and had fun decorating them with pearl shimmer spray and Holly sprinkles. ;)  I used the new PC brand cake mix for these, and they tasted great.


It was a festive day, and I LOVED dressing up my kiddos in their Christmas attire.  Delilah wore her Harajuku Mini dress and sparkle tights & shoes.  Simon wore his red plaid shirt that he chose for himself, with matching red socks, and his "wedding shoes" as he calls them.

This is my favorite week of the year! I hope you're all enjoying being festive, and soaking in all of the holiday events and family time.
xo holly

Holiday Baking: Whipped Shortbread

I love baking at Christmastime, and this year I've been baking up a storm! It's such an enjoyable past-time for me.  I'm going through a bit of a stressful time in my life right now, and so when I bake, I can switch off the worry, forget about the stress, and just focus on making something yummy & pretty.  It's like therapy.  It's a productive feeling with a rewarding outcome... which is a nice feeling to have when I feel like I am losing control in other parts of my life.  Ok, I hope y'all aren't psychoanalyzing me right now... I'll just get to the recipe. ha!

My Grandma used to make these cookies every year, and I love the way they smell! I'm not a huge shortbread fan to begin with, but I'm nostalgic toward these, and the smell takes me right back to childhood.  We have our family gathering tomorrow evening, and I am bringing these along, hoping they can bring back the same happy memories to my relatives. :)

Whipped Shortbread:

1 1/2 cups butter

3/4 cups icing sugar

2 1/4 cups all purpose flour

3/4 cups cornstarch

Glazed(candied) cherries

Granulated sugar for rolling

In a mixer with whisk attachment, cream the butter and sugar until really fluffy (3 minutes or so).  In a bowl, stir the flour and cornstarch together, and gradually add this mix to the fluffy butter.  (I exchange the whisk for the paddle attachment here) Mix until well blended.  Scoop out the dough with a small cookie scoop and press your thumb in the middle.  Place a cherry in the middle, and with cupped hands roll into a ball so that the cherry is surrounded by shortbread.  Roll in sugar and place on a parchment lined cookie sheet.  Allow to chill in the fridge for 10 minutes before baking so they hold their round shape better. 

Bake at 300 *F for 20 minutes. 

Cool completely before you enjoy these pretty snow balls... warm shortbread tastes funny in my opinion! I like to freeze them, and eat them right out of the freezer.

Enjoy!
I've also made German Orange Cookies (or German Soft Cookies), homemade oreos, and apple pie... I'm on a roll! I wanted to do a post for the German Orange, but Ryan ate them all before I remembered to take a photo... they're his favorite.  My sister in law has baked a lot of traditional sweets and shared half with us as well. This bake swap is totally fun! I hope we do it every year.  Jackie, I'll bring you some of these tonight. ;)

xo holly

GIVEAWAY: Jo Totes Camera Bag!

I love my Jo Totes Camera Bag, and I am pleased to have this giveaway on my blog this month! Jo Totes is the Featured Sponsor for December, and they are generously giving away a lovely camera bag to a Create*Loves reader!!  

A little about Jo Totes: "We have been creating stylish camera bags for women since 2009. Jo Totes provide a fashionable way for you to safely carry your camera bodies and lenses, along with your regular purse items, every day—whether it be to a photo shoot, while traveling or just when you are out and about. For hobbyists, having your camera in a Jo Tote will mean no more missed moments. For professionals, you’ll look lovely at your next shoot.

The main compartment of each Jo Tote is lined with padding (around each side and on the bottom) to protect your photo equipment. Movable interior pads are also included to allow for configuration around a variety of equipment. Jo Totes also conceal the fact that you are carrying an expensive camera. For additional product details, please see the descriptions under each Jo Totes style."

To enter, please visit Jo Totes and pick a favorite bag! Come back here and leave a comment, and you're good!  Show some love by following them on Twitter, and like their Facebook page, too.

I'm excited for one of you to get this amazing prize! The winner will be chosen at random on Wednesday, December 21st. Good luck! xo

Inspired by: Rifle Paper Co.

We've already got our Christmas cards done for 2011... but I wish I would have heard of Rifle Paper Co. sooner! The designs are magical to me. The color palettes, the hand painted designs, the quirky custom portraits... perfection! I love all of their designs, and wanted to share them with you (if you hadn't already seen their site..).

Some great gift ideas (which I would personally love, too!)...

Botanical Coaster Set,  Floral Monogram Cards

Heirloom Recipe Box,  Custom portrait print

We ordered our Christmas cards from Tiny Prints this year to save time.  Tiny Prints also has cards designed by Rifle Paper Co.! This one being my personal favorite.  Do you get Christmas cards printed? Or do you make them yourself?

xo holly