We wrapped up week 1 of 3 (haha...sure) of online We wrapped up week 1 of 3 (haha...sure) of online learning and we’re all losing it a little. Things that are helping: pretending that we’re in the Mystery Machine, headed for a campground with a mystery to solve! Jude says the camp counsellor is pretending to be a ghost while Luca was busy getting “Honey” into her sleeping bag for the night. And then a pirate showed up, so this story is really getting good 😂

@playmobil is honestly a life changer because the kids get to build AND use their imagination. It’s a win-win, and let’s face it, we could all use a little win these days.

How are you all coping with kids at home?
Why yes, this is exactly what my dining room table Why yes, this is exactly what my dining room table looks like right now. No, there aren’t markers, papers, toys, food, crumbs and tears on it. Nope. Nope. Nope. None of the above. Everything’s cool and calm over here, folks.

(If it’s not abundantly clear, I am joking.)
What does your Monday morning look like today? We’re over here prepping for online learning (note computer on dining room table) and I’m using our @playosmo to get our kids engaged in some math and language activities before we really get going. Every time I post about our Osmo, I’m asked: “do you really like it?” And my answer is always “YES!” I mean, just look at these kiddos. Jude is obsessed with the tangram and Luca loves sounding our words - he was trying to figure out whether to use ‘k’ or ‘c’ for ‘cat’ here. To them, they’re “playing”...but we all know what’s REALLY going on! #unboxingosmo #osmosocialclub
Well it would seem that I just CANNOT figure out r Well it would seem that I just CANNOT figure out reels, but I’m not letting that stop me. I made one showing you the materials and steps to make this super easy ornament storage so would you go watch it, pretty please?

I’ve been using this method of ornament storage for 7 years and it all started with a cardboard box, some red cups and a single layer. A few years later I upgraded the system to multiple layers, used foam board and white cups and voila! Scroll over to see what I mean.

Would you try this? It’s super easy and you can probably still go ahead and just use old cardboard and whatever cups you have on hand. It’s the best thing I ever did for my holiday decor!! Just make sure you use double sided tape or hot glue to attach the cups - loose cups are no bueno!

If you do this, show me, ok? I wanna see everyone put away their ornaments with no breakage! 🙌
Ready for lots of THIS over the next couple of wee Ready for lots of THIS over the next couple of weeks...but with a puppy in the middle of it all. We’re picking up Taco on Friday so prepare yourself for puppy pictures ALL over the place.

Also: I’ve been feeling uninspired lately and have taken a little break from both posting and consuming when it comes to social media. I’m trying to soak up the holiday magic, read things other than captions (as I write this that seems weird), and even writing more things down.

This time of year always makes me reflective - less because it’s the end of a calendar year and more because it’s my birthday in 9 days. Yes. It’s on the 25th. Yep. Christmas Day. No, seriously. Yeah, Christmas baby! I don’t mind it now, but I didn’t like it as a kid. Oh you know someone who also has a birthday on (or very close to) Christmas! Cool! <— that was just me reacting to like every single conversation ever about having a birthday on December 25th. 😂
I’m still thinking about these adorable little @ I’m still thinking about these adorable little @tubicenlighting lamps that you just touch to turn on and off. And this cutie little door all decked out with a smart doorbell and lock. And the beautiful blue kitchen by @remodelcanada.ca. And all of the vanities from @canaromatoronto. And this gorgeous hardwood flooring from @coswickcanada.ca.

Can you believe this was all under one roof? @improvecanada has 350 showrooms and it was so much fun seeing how many we could get to yesterday.

I’ll be sharing lots more about @improvecanada in the coming months, but if you’re curious and want to go see it for yourself, they’re open! You can call and book an appointment or even have a customer service rep help you make an appointment at showrooms suited to what you’re looking for. Pretty great, right?
#improvecanada # ad #makeitright
So I made a thing and I’m totally in love!! Now So I made a thing and I’m totally in love!! Now I just need to gather all of the boys for an adorable family photo. Christmas miracle, maybe?

I made these sweaters for all of us last weekend using my @officialcricut Joy and now I may need to start personalizing a LOT more shirts around here! It was my first time using infusible ink and I love how the sweaters stays super soft! I may just be wearing this for the rest of the year!

O.S. If it wasn’t clear, our last name is Murray 😆

Have you made matching Christmas sweaters? What would be on yours if you did? # ad #cricutmade
Are you crafty? Do you know someone who is? Or may Are you crafty? Do you know someone who is? Or maybe you’re like me and you like to think you’re crafty but lack the patience to take out a whole bunch of things to make one tiny craft? Well then I have the thing for you. Meet the @officialcricut Joy! It’s tiny but mighty, and you can just have it casually sitting on a shelf waiting to be used when inspiration strikes because it takes up basically no room at all! I made these labels using mine, and you can swipe to see another easy project you can make with a Cricut Joy. It’s the perfect little gift! I even wrote a blog post about why I think so. I’ll share another Cricut project with you later this week!! # ad #cricutmade
Can you believe this room was completed two years Can you believe this room was completed two years ago? And I still love it as much today as I did then. And I still believe that my kids can have a fun, comforting space even if they don’t get to decorate it themselves with superhero bedding and Lego everywhere! But ALSO, I would never judge you if you’re that parent who does let your kids decorate with all the primary colours because you do you, boo and if it makes you and your kids happy, I say do the dang thing!!!

Ok that is all. Have a wonderful judgement-free day!
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Decor, Holidays · October 3, 2017

Blue and White Thanksgiving Table

Before we start talking about our Thanksgiving table, I need to acknowledge that October certainly has started with heaviness in the air as our news feeds are flooded with sad news. It’s difficult to articulate feelings when events like mass shootings happen, but I so very strongly believe in the power of love, and that starts in our very own homes. I believe that if we pour love into our children, they will feel so loved that they’ll WANT to spread more of it out into the world. It’s not a solution, but it’s an action I know I can take to improve the lack of love we see in the world sometimes.

Now, I wanted to start with this in order to acknowledge that I know there are bigger and more important things happening in the world other than Thanksgiving tablescapes. There always are. But also, that the fact that us Canadians have Thanksgiving happening in just a few days, gives us a great opportunity to add gratitude, love and compassion into the world. I know I’ll be thinking about how I can do that myself over the next couple of days.

With all of that said, I did create another table setting, and this time I chose something almost as simple and easy as the last table setting I showed you – I again used vintage items and local goods, together with things I already owned and maybe had sort of forgotten about!

I kept the craft paper on the table because I do have to think about little fingers (that aren’t always clean) constantly touching a tablecloth, not to mention the kids are in this “pulling” phase, where anything made of any kind of cloth gets pulled out of wherever it actually belongs – laundry, towels, tablecloths…

I simply taped the craft paper to the bottom of the table, and voila! Table runner!

As for the actual dishes, I used these little wicker plates that I’m pretty sure are meant for picnics/barbecues as small chargers, then white plates which are our regular dishes, then mismatched blue and white pieces I have been collecting for years.

I chose to tie the flatware in the napkin for a more casual look and feel, and even the glassware is slightly mismatched, since the two at the head table have little gold specks on them, while the rest are plain. I also already owned all of these, along with the wine glasses.

The flowers were largely purchased at our local Farmer’s Market along with a few from my own garden, mixed with a small arrangement from The Local Bloom that I broke up to use here. I already owned all of the blue vessels/vases, most of which were purchased at Chapters/Indigo a few years ago.

The pumpkins and gourds also came from the Market, and the white ones I found at our local grocery store. There’s also a mix of real and faux, with the small orange pumpkins coming from the dollar store, as well as the pinecones.

That just about settles it. This was really very simple to put together, and though I have never felt that setting tables was my forte, I feel much more confident now, and certainly will be looking for  more ways to be creative with things I already own! I even like to move the chairs around and occasionally use a bench as seating at the table, which adds to the informal feel of this table setting.

Now, there are several more tablescapes you can go look at today, all by Canadian ladies, and three of them are even outdoors, which I love!

 

The DIY Mommy || Life is a Party

Kim Power Style || Vin’yet Etc.

The Leaner Observer || Woman In Real Life

Sustain My Craft Habit || Flourish and Knot

Happy Thanksgiving, my friends!!!

Written by Thalita - Visit Website

In: Decor, Holidays

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Comments

  1. Joann @ Woman In Real Life says

    October 3, 2017 at 8:55 am

    Well said Thalita. With all the sadness in the news, you can feel helpless. I think pouring love into your own family and friends is a positive step. The people who do these crazy awful things must be missing love in their lives. It’s important for our kids (mine are old enough to feel the fear and helplessness when these events happen) that we continue to celebrate traditional events like Thanksgiving. So, to your table…all that abundance at the centre of your table is making me say a big, “yes please!” And I adore all of your mismatched blue plates. They are such a nice punch of colour against the wicker and white. Happy Thanksgiving to you and your lovely family!

    Reply
  2. Laurie @ VinYet Etc. says

    October 3, 2017 at 10:36 am

    Oh my goodness lady, it’s like you are directly connected to my heart! Your words are steeped in pain, truth and they are so so beautiful, tears in my eyes! I have typed up so many things to say… they all just seemed flat, like I just can’t drum up enough to address this, it’s exhausting and heart breaking. The only way I’m battling this heavy grey feeling is by creating and celebrating the simple things (even if those things are really very complicated) in life. Laughter, great hugs, little precious fingerprints on a tablescape. The table that you have created for your little family means so much – all of the things you do in love mean so very much! This is gorgeous, like all that you touch, I’m feeling emotional today and must tell you because it’s in my mind and you just never know when these things can’t be spoken any longer, then it’s too late – you are amazing! Happy Thanksgiving darling friend! <3

    Reply
  3. Kim says

    October 3, 2017 at 10:56 am

    Beautiful tablescape Thalita. Loving all the colour,,it’s all so pretty. Thank you for sharing your thoughts and all the difficult things that are hard to put into words.

    Reply
  4. dannyellenicolle says

    October 3, 2017 at 11:28 am

    Everything look so pretty! I love, love your thrifted mismatched blue plates, they add so much character to the tab escape. And, your flowers look amazing! Thanks so much for joining in, and Happy Thanksgiving!

    Reply
  5. Flourish and Knot says

    October 4, 2017 at 4:21 pm

    I love that almost every table had a blue touch to it this time around!! :-) Your table is gorgeous, especially that lush, rich centrepiece. The flowers and seasonal produce are such a great part of fall – I love that you really featured it in your tablescape.

    Reply

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Vintage Floral Fall Table Setting

Hey, I'm Thalita! Daydreamer, serial decorator, mama of twin boys, lover of thrift stores, fuelled by coffee! This is the space where I share my DIY triumphs and failures, as well as interior design inspiration and regular life stuff.

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We wrapped up week 1 of 3 (haha...sure) of online We wrapped up week 1 of 3 (haha...sure) of online learning and we’re all losing it a little. Things that are helping: pretending that we’re in the Mystery Machine, headed for a campground with a mystery to solve! Jude says the camp counsellor is pretending to be a ghost while Luca was busy getting “Honey” into her sleeping bag for the night. And then a pirate showed up, so this story is really getting good 😂

@playmobil is honestly a life changer because the kids get to build AND use their imagination. It’s a win-win, and let’s face it, we could all use a little win these days.

How are you all coping with kids at home?
Why yes, this is exactly what my dining room table Why yes, this is exactly what my dining room table looks like right now. No, there aren’t markers, papers, toys, food, crumbs and tears on it. Nope. Nope. Nope. None of the above. Everything’s cool and calm over here, folks.

(If it’s not abundantly clear, I am joking.)
What does your Monday morning look like today? We’re over here prepping for online learning (note computer on dining room table) and I’m using our @playosmo to get our kids engaged in some math and language activities before we really get going. Every time I post about our Osmo, I’m asked: “do you really like it?” And my answer is always “YES!” I mean, just look at these kiddos. Jude is obsessed with the tangram and Luca loves sounding our words - he was trying to figure out whether to use ‘k’ or ‘c’ for ‘cat’ here. To them, they’re “playing”...but we all know what’s REALLY going on! #unboxingosmo #osmosocialclub
Well it would seem that I just CANNOT figure out r Well it would seem that I just CANNOT figure out reels, but I’m not letting that stop me. I made one showing you the materials and steps to make this super easy ornament storage so would you go watch it, pretty please?

I’ve been using this method of ornament storage for 7 years and it all started with a cardboard box, some red cups and a single layer. A few years later I upgraded the system to multiple layers, used foam board and white cups and voila! Scroll over to see what I mean.

Would you try this? It’s super easy and you can probably still go ahead and just use old cardboard and whatever cups you have on hand. It’s the best thing I ever did for my holiday decor!! Just make sure you use double sided tape or hot glue to attach the cups - loose cups are no bueno!

If you do this, show me, ok? I wanna see everyone put away their ornaments with no breakage! 🙌
Ready for lots of THIS over the next couple of wee Ready for lots of THIS over the next couple of weeks...but with a puppy in the middle of it all. We’re picking up Taco on Friday so prepare yourself for puppy pictures ALL over the place.

Also: I’ve been feeling uninspired lately and have taken a little break from both posting and consuming when it comes to social media. I’m trying to soak up the holiday magic, read things other than captions (as I write this that seems weird), and even writing more things down.

This time of year always makes me reflective - less because it’s the end of a calendar year and more because it’s my birthday in 9 days. Yes. It’s on the 25th. Yep. Christmas Day. No, seriously. Yeah, Christmas baby! I don’t mind it now, but I didn’t like it as a kid. Oh you know someone who also has a birthday on (or very close to) Christmas! Cool! <— that was just me reacting to like every single conversation ever about having a birthday on December 25th. 😂
I’m still thinking about these adorable little @ I’m still thinking about these adorable little @tubicenlighting lamps that you just touch to turn on and off. And this cutie little door all decked out with a smart doorbell and lock. And the beautiful blue kitchen by @remodelcanada.ca. And all of the vanities from @canaromatoronto. And this gorgeous hardwood flooring from @coswickcanada.ca.

Can you believe this was all under one roof? @improvecanada has 350 showrooms and it was so much fun seeing how many we could get to yesterday.

I’ll be sharing lots more about @improvecanada in the coming months, but if you’re curious and want to go see it for yourself, they’re open! You can call and book an appointment or even have a customer service rep help you make an appointment at showrooms suited to what you’re looking for. Pretty great, right?
#improvecanada # ad #makeitright
So I made a thing and I’m totally in love!! Now So I made a thing and I’m totally in love!! Now I just need to gather all of the boys for an adorable family photo. Christmas miracle, maybe?

I made these sweaters for all of us last weekend using my @officialcricut Joy and now I may need to start personalizing a LOT more shirts around here! It was my first time using infusible ink and I love how the sweaters stays super soft! I may just be wearing this for the rest of the year!

O.S. If it wasn’t clear, our last name is Murray 😆

Have you made matching Christmas sweaters? What would be on yours if you did? # ad #cricutmade
Are you crafty? Do you know someone who is? Or may Are you crafty? Do you know someone who is? Or maybe you’re like me and you like to think you’re crafty but lack the patience to take out a whole bunch of things to make one tiny craft? Well then I have the thing for you. Meet the @officialcricut Joy! It’s tiny but mighty, and you can just have it casually sitting on a shelf waiting to be used when inspiration strikes because it takes up basically no room at all! I made these labels using mine, and you can swipe to see another easy project you can make with a Cricut Joy. It’s the perfect little gift! I even wrote a blog post about why I think so. I’ll share another Cricut project with you later this week!! # ad #cricutmade
Can you believe this room was completed two years Can you believe this room was completed two years ago? And I still love it as much today as I did then. And I still believe that my kids can have a fun, comforting space even if they don’t get to decorate it themselves with superhero bedding and Lego everywhere! But ALSO, I would never judge you if you’re that parent who does let your kids decorate with all the primary colours because you do you, boo and if it makes you and your kids happy, I say do the dang thing!!!

Ok that is all. Have a wonderful judgement-free day!
Put the finishing touches on our front porch this Put the finishing touches on our front porch this past weekend and I gotta say, this might be my favourite one yet.

Truth: I actually really dislike the exterior of our house. With exception of the front door, it’s pretty darn ugly. The 1970’s red brick mixed with buttercream yellow and burgundy siding are like the WORST combo ever. Add in little bits of the foundation which is painted blue and the concrete isn’t pretty either.

BUT those things don’t stop me from prettying up this little space anyway. Because for like 99% of us, making a home takes time. Renovating takes time. Even if TV shows and social media lead us to believe otherwise.

Now if you want to see some front porches full of personality and holiday cheer, all by Canadian ladies who get that nothing happens overnight, do I have a great lineup for you! Go check them out! #acanadianchristmasporch
@markovadesign
@vinyetetc
@onehouse2barns
@bethanythislittleestate
@thesuburbanhome
@celineshouseonramsey
@alysia.jantzi
@unclutteredhouse

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