.some online little dude shopping.

last night, while peter did a little reading [rare!] i did some online shopping. can we just point out, that with all the sales popping up and being in the mood for gift giving, this proved to be dangerous! here are some seriously cute outfits and items i found, just for the little dude in your life.

little dudettes coming up next! stay tuned.....

sources.

outfit 1: raccoon sweater || trousers with suspenders || leather jacket || head phones || raccoon wobbler || boots || hi bye mittens || drums

outfit 2: pirate sweater || plaid shirt | skinny jeans || toque || mittens || telescope || sneakers || wood pirate ship

outfit 3: sweater || trousers with suspenders || boots || sneakers || magnatab || ride-on car || shadow puppets || plaid scarf

outfit 4: gold kisses sweatshirt || colored skinny jeans || plaid shirt || sneakers || fur hat || wooden space center || astronaut duckies || mousetronaut book

*contains some affiliate links, however i adore each and every one of these items!

.top knot events.

today i felt like sharing a little love i have for a new up and coming business [and business owner for that matter!]

the gal behind the scenes of top knot events - sara, is one hell of a woman. i won't give you the long soul-searching story behind sara's journey [you can read about it on her personal blog, saige wisdom] but i am basically in awe that she put it all out there to follow her dream. however i will tell you this, this girl has it. her wit, her style, her drive. her entire heart and soul has been thrown into this new venture top knot events, and i know one thing for sure - it's going to explode in greatness. 

event planning is a very personal subject for me as well. for those of you who know me personally, you may remember my desire to start my own event planning company years back which i never had the balls to complete, so needless to say i feel a little more selective when it comes to supporting companies like this. i suppose i have quite high standards.

the reason i mention this, is just to reaffirm that i truly believe that sara at top knot events has the qualities needed to make your moments and memories the best that they can absolutely be. every attention to detail, from the smallest things like place cards to the larger ticket items like venues or caterers, will be taken care of. just take a look at her website! it's incredible! if i was getting married again [to peter, of course!] i know that i would have sara right by my side. i'd happily have her as my third wheel ;)

sara is made to do this. made to create magical, creative, and unique events for us all lucky enough to have her. i wish you the best of luck sweetie, but know that you won't need an ounce of it.

and speaking of luck, why don't you all try yours out with this amazing giveaway she's having this week [enter and read more about it here]. those prizes [!!] amazing, right!?

**this post is not sponsored, nor has sara asked me to feature it, i just really believe that good things happen to good people. and she's one of those gems. 

you can find more of sara on her personal blog, saige wisdom.

and be sure to check out, top knot events.

.jack's little lumberjack party.

oh, my goodness. i haven't blogged since oct. 25th! not surprising since the entire month of october itself, flew right on by. i mean how is it november 14th already? how?!

i started work again full time, we celebrated jack's 1st birthday, flew to toronto for the h&m fashion family contest as winners [yay!], then spent a few extra days in toronto doing some sight-seeing and enjoying jack's first trip, flew home for a day and then peter and i jet-setted off for a week to celebrate the nuptials for one of my best friends in san diego [jack had sleepovers at the grandmother's houses and had a blast]. it's been a busy month. a good month, but busy.

that being said, i really have a bunch of catching up to do. 

so first off, i really wanted to start with our little jack bugg's lumberJACK 1st birthday party. we had over friends and family in our packed house and as encouraged, everyone came dressed in their best plaid.
i've always heard that first birthday parties are more for the adults then the actual birthday babes and i kind of have to admit it's probably true. although, i do know that jack had a blast and his sugar high lasted all afternoon. what a trooper! not one peep of a cry after missing his afternoon nap and just smiles all around. he must have known he was the centre of attention or something and well, he just loves that sort of thing. guess he takes after his father ;)

we originally hired a bongo drummer to come to the house and play for the kiddos, but after he called in sick last minute we had to resort to a beard decorating craft station. it was super last minute, but think it turned out to keep a few of them entertained for at least a couple of minutes! ha! we also had a little photo-booth set up and snapped pictures of each guest, which we included in thank you cards that i have yet to mail out [sorry friends!]. our props included beards for all, hats, scarves and a lot of buffalo check.

our food table was filled with all sorts of 'lumberjack breakfast' themed goodies. i made these fluffy flapjack pancakes, candied bacon-on-a-stick [by following this recipe], lumberjack sandwiches, sweet timber chocolate logs, and my talented friend morgan brought over some maple bacon cupcakes [thank you so much!] which were absolutely delicious! i highly recommend! she followed this recipe, as i know some of you will ask. we also featured 'uncle si's sweet tea' as our featured drink.

the kiddoes each went home with a goody bag filled with jacks favourite colouring book, some pencil crayons, egg candies, an owl mask and tattoos from wee gallery [the owl mask, book and tattoos]. we cannot thank the wee gallery enough for such awesome stuff. we simply love that store.

overall, i think jack had a blast and we got to experience our baby's first birthday. it was a very very good day.
happy birthday, sweet boy. we love you more than we have words. xo.

.trending: camo.

right now on my radar - camo print! yep, this isn't just for hunters anymore! i don't know if the trend started with the popular show, duck dynasty, but it's been popping up in bits here and there for a while, and i am especially excited that's it's moved to clothing. i personally love the print mixed in with a fancy skirt or coordinating pop of colour [think rust orange!] and have even sported this t-shirt with a pencil skirt and cardigan at work recently. 

other ways i recommend wearing? throwing on just a hint of camo with a belt or those pointed-tie flats with jeans and a great leather tan jacket, putting these adorable leggings on your child [yes, jack has them too!], layering that military jacket under a jean jacket for an awesome fall look, or even just throwing on those amazing skinny jeans below and a giant cozy sweater.

side note: i actually did find a great tee in the boys department at old navy! super cheap, in a size that fits me, and exactly what i was looking for. guess i do get lucky every now and again!! now if this would come to edmonton, i would be even more appreciative!

also - i kinda really want this too!! hahaha!

shop:
1. pointed toe flats - target
2. baseball tee - target [in the men's department, although i sadly haven't been able to track one down in canada yet]
3. belt - jcrew
4. military jacket - anthropologie [kinda perfect, right?!]
5. note books - jcrew factory
6. tee - old navy [i own this for myself, although it is kids. just size up, obviously!]
7. knit sweater - target [i own this too and love it. just shopped the men's section]
8. skinny jeans - gap [have been on my 'buy' list for a while]

9. boys sweatshirt - crewcuts [jack has this and i cannot wait till he grows into it!]

.happy first birthday, my sweet boy.

today marks your 1st birthday, my sweet boy. 

it's been 1 whole year since you turned my world upside down. since you showed me how deep my love can be. and it's just so different than loving your daddy [which i do now, more than ever]. this love - when it concerns you is internal, it's deep and unconditional, it's unavoidable. it's just something that i do. something that i can't control. you are my heart, baby bugg.

along with your wide toothless smile, your bright blue eyes and the most awesome head of blonde hair came a spirit of sweetness and laughter. you are happiness and loveliness and represent everything good in the world. i never knew what to expect in a little boy, but you have exceeded anything i could have ever dreamt.

this year we have watched you grow into such a sweet little boy, much to my dismay [won't you be my drooling baby forever!?]. you bring so much love to everyone. we've watched you learn to clap your hands and then wait for our applause afterwards. you blow raspberry kisses and think it's the funniest thing ever. you enjoyed 'soldier' crawling for ages and just recently learned the ease of actual crawling on your knees. you prefer to be on mommy's lap when watching cartoons, rather than sitting by yourself. you flirt with everyone you meet. you enjoy full-face sloppy wet kisses and occasionally try to slip a french one in. you love books and choose them over toys. unless that toy has wheels on it, then those books may have a little competition. you love your pacifier and now require one in your mouth and one in your hand before naps or at bedtime. you adore balloons. you love to crawl around naked as a jaybird and it gets the most laughter out of you always. perhaps something about the fresh air on your equipment! you love bath time with daddy and reading in daddy's arms. you're also cheeky, like your daddy. you share each others sense of humour and i can see trouble in the future for me dealing with the two of you. in the best possible way though. you like to crawl over our legs like a little ant and are busy as a bee. you smirk at women, like you're working a deal [and you probably are!] and you always get what you want. you never forget where a button/switch is located and love to turn things on and off, much to daddy's dismay [hockey game, on and off on and off]. you love music and bop your little body to the beat. you are small and mighty and sweet and empathic. you have a heart of gold and a spirited soul. 

you make me proud every single day and i love you more than words can describe. i will always support you, and i hope you always remember you have a place right next to me forever and ever. 

happy birthday, jack bugg. we love you so very much.

xomomma