holiday highlights

{Top, Sweater, Pants, Bracelet, Earrings & Belt- Thrifted; Scarf & Gloves- Gap; Boots- Aldo}

{I'm linking up to Silverstyle's Trending Through the Decades: Christmas Edition with this festive ensemble}

I'm baaaackkk! Did you miss me? I sure missed you- 2 weeks away from blogging felt like an eternity! I hope you enjoyed the guest bloggers I had lined up- thanks to Brett, Shea, Tiffany, Heather & Kayla, Dawn and Tracy for your fun-filled and festive posts!

I had an amazing time in Nova Scotia- I even (briefly) contemplated moving back home! My whole family lives out East and even though I moved away over 5 years ago, I still get homesick and wish I could see everyone more often! My man and I spent a week with my Mum, Step-Dad and sister in an 18th century farmhouse (which they are in the process of converting into a Bed & Breakfast) and a week with my Dad, Step-Mom, sister and step-sisters in the house I grew up in. 

{My Mum & Step-Dad's house in Upper Granville (follow their B&B adventures here)}

{The house I grew up in where my Dad, Step-Mom and step-sisters now live}

{Dress- Thrifted; Cape- Gifted (from my Mum); Brooch- Gifted (from my sister); Bracelet- Gifted (from my man); Boots-Aldo; Ring-H&M}

 

There were lots of homecooked meals, late-night chats and family jokes and here are some of my highlights from Christmas 2011:

**snuggling together by the wood-stove (which heats my Mum and Step-Dad's whole house so this is where we spent about 85% of our time in the valley!)

**attending an art gallery opening in the countryside, where my Mum is a Board member (I bought a neat Christmas lights photograph for my man and this eclectic Christmas tree for my Mum and Step-Dad:)

**teaching my first Zumba class to my Mum`s friends

{My sister, Mum and I practicing for Zumba!}

**going thrifting at Guy`s Frenchy`s where I basically got a whole new wardrobe for under $120! (You can check out all my purchases here)

{My new dress from Frenchy's and my Mum's beautiful washroom cabinets}

**the food (particularly greasy garlic cheese fingers which I can`t find in Ottawa; a veggie Christmas meal thanks to my Dad and homemade candy cane truffles)

 

**being silly with my younger sister, who I only see a couple of times a year but who is one of the smiliest, sweetest girls you`ll ever meet

**late-night meal and Fishbowl Friday with my Dad and Step-Mom at Boston Pizza

**watching It`s a Wonderful Life (my first time seeing it!) with my best-friend from High School who is now an art student at one of the country`s most prestigious art schools

{The adorable peacocks my friend made from modelling clay and feathers}

**and most importantly, relaxing, enjoying the company of others without the everyday stresses

{My man is the king of relaxation!}

I hope everyone had (or is having, depending on how long your vacation is) a restful, relaxing and rejuvenating holiday season! 
     I look forward to catching up on all the blog posts I missed!

{Top; Sweater; Pants & Scarf- Thrifted; Ring- H&M; Heels-Aldo}