It's begining to look a lot like Christmas!

When I got to work this morning I was pleasantly surprised to see that my building had all their lovely Christmas trees, wreaths and merriment up on display for the upcoming holiday season. I work in a very nice building with marble floors, big hanging lights, and a rotating door in the main lobby area - this grandeur, combined with the beautiful Christmas décor gave me, not only goosebumps but images of sugar plums dancing in my head!

I am a complete Christmas-aholic and I can remember two years ago when I had my job interview. It was December and the building was all decked out and I can remember thinking, "I must work here....look at their Christmas décor!". Generally, I would not recommend choosing a life altering thing, such as your career, around the way your potential employer decorate for the holidays but, thankfully, it did end up working out in my favor.

Since Commerce Place (the name of the building I work in) is oozing in festivity, I think it only natural to inject the cottage with a little holly jolliness as well.

First, I must send out a big Thank You to Art by Kristi. These ornaments were made up for me by this great shop and I am so excited to hand them out. I always like to add a little extra on my gift wrapping, and at Christmas time it is usually a Christmas tree ornament. These are so perfect, acting as my embellishment AND Christmas tag. I love a gift that has a personalized element to it and it doesn't get any more personal than when using some one's name!

When I was younger I always looked forward to the first day of December because that meant starting your advent calendar! I absolutely LOVE this one from Polka Stripe Studio because you can use it year after year, filling it with whatever your imagination will permit. This will no doubtedly become a piece that is passed down throughout the years to one excited child after another!

The amazing craftsmanship of the work that comes out of Snow Pond Primitives is just that...amazing! This Santa is hand carved from an antique wooden spool and then painted and sealed with love. I can imagine that if you are lucky enough to be the owner of one of these ornaments there will never be another one exactly like it out there.

And finally, the kids can start to get into the spirit of the season with these fun felt Christmas cookies from The Little Bitty Bakery. How many times, when you are behind schedule and have 5 dozen cookies left to bake and you find little hands wanting to "help" mommy? Now with the help of this fabulous felted food, they can "bake" their own cookies! Great idea!

This is really a minuscule sampling of the Christmas splendor that is out there, waiting for you to happen upon it. I love this time of year because of the time spent with family, the look of wonderment I see on kid's faces and because of my traditions. There is no other time of the year that I can think of when we fall back on our traditions more than at this festive time. Whether I am wrapping a gift, building up excitement for Christmas with every passing day for my child, decorating my home or baking my favorites, there is no beating that comfortable feeling that comes with the holidays!

Going, going, gone!

I am always very good for keeping my favorites option up to date on my Etsy account. That way when I am looking for a gift, or a treat for myself, it's all ready to go for easy and quick reference.

There are some items that, over and over again, I am constantly marking as a favorite. I have noticed that some of my favorites, must be your favorites too. They must be because almost every single time I go to update my list, these items have once again been sold!

There is no more greater example of this than what I have noticed with Little Saplings Toys. As I have stated in past posts, I love wooden toys. They are durable, simple, offer a bevy of safety features, and - my favorite - heirloom worthy. One such toy that Little Saplings Toys offers embodies all of these qualities and, if I dare say so, more!

This organic retro 10 pin bowling set is maybe one of the best items I have ever come across on Etsy - and I truly mean that. Besides all of the qualities I mentioned above, this bowling set is so much more. And apparently you all agree - almost daily I am marking them as a favorite because the set I had marked the previous day is already sold!

This set comes with ten maple pins, smoothed to perfection and lovingly rubbed with beeswax and jojoba oil, two hardwood balls, and a cotton drawstring bag. To make things even more irresistible (I know what you are thinking, how could this get any better?!), with every purchase a tree is planted through the Trees for the Future program.

Another reason why I love this set is because it is offered at a great price. They offer other options as well so if you are looking for a smaller sized gift, for a special child in your life, you can pick up a six pin set instead, for even great affordability.

Besides the bowling sets, Little Sapling Toys also offers many adorable teethers and other toys, great as gifts or for your own family. This really is one of those special shops on Etsy that is worth marking over and over again on your favorites list!

Baby Boom!

I recently got some very good news that one of my family's very best friends is going to have a baby! We are so happy for them and know that they are going to make lovely parents. Plus, one more guest at the cottage is always a happy thing.

We also have a few other friends who are currently awaiting the arrival of their own little bundles of joy - thus creating a baby boom at the cottage! I love the little fingers and toes, the funny faces they make in their sleep and the teeny tiny clothes that they wear. I'm not crazy about the four a.m. feedings or the poopy diapers but it's definitely worth it when you hold that little bundle of possibility in your arms.

So in honour of our mommas out there I would like to post some Etsy finds that I would be proud to present as tokens of love for their newly expanded families!

If you have kids, you know that you MUST have a sense of humour! It's very hard for anyone to take you seriously when you smell like spit up and your nursing pads are leaking! These adorable onsies from Bambina Mia are a must, especially for parents who already have everything they need, baby wise. It was actually VERY had for me to choose one to show you because there are so many great options in this shop! Do yourself a favor and check them out!

One of my Etsy favorites - Sweet Papers is THE place to go for birth announcements or baby shower invites. Many to choose from with absolutely gorgeous designs, these are sure to impress! Working with Sweet Papers is a treat and you really can't beat the price.

I've had my eye on these rattles for a while, available in the fabulous shop - Bundled. Big bold prints catch the eyes of little ones, while the soft cotton make it easy for them to grip on to. This shop is great because if you are looking to make a gift pack there are also matching blankets and roll-ups.

I love this next item because it makes a great baby shower gift or a baptism gift. Having gone to several baptisms in the last year or so I always struggle when it comes to what I want to bring as a gift. Now all I have to do is visit Hope Ink and I'm set! This gift is ideal because it's personalized and it's unique (you know everyone else will be bringing the same old same old).

And finally, a gift for mom from Polkadot Mag Pie. When we go to a baby shower we always see the same items, cute items mind you, over and over again. How nice would it be to present a new momma a gift allowing her to carry her baby (or her baby's name) with her at all times? Genius.

I really could go on and on with the great items you can find on Etsy for a baby shower. I love finding personalized items that I have chosen with care to give to a good friend for their new little one. Speaking of which, I better go and do a little more shopping...I ONLY have 6 more months until my friend has her baby!! :)