christmas wrapping party

Let's all face it, wrapping paper is expensive and all the good patterns are gone by the beginning of December. Why not make your Christmas wrapping time a fun event by doing it with friends or family? Make a new tradition and host your very own Christmas wrapping party this season!

I love wrapping with craft paper because it allows for a blank and smooth canvas. I prefer wrapping my gift first and then painting the design - this helps your design be perfect on each side.

* Note that in my experience, when I paint the craft paper with PARA Paints, it did not bleed through

To paint the snowmen on one side, take 3 sizes of circle sponges and dab away!

If you would like to create a chevron pattern, use painters tape, scissors for a clean edge and wait until the paint has dried before you peel off the tape.

All of the girls showing off their wrapped gifts and ornaments below.

Thank you ladies for making this the most memorable Christmas wrapping party yet!

* Please note that although this is a sponsored post, all opinions about PARA Paints are my own

xo sara

love the design

I discovered Love The Design on Instagram and have been obsessed ever since. Christine created the store in March 2011 in Summerhill in Toronto as a space to showcase her artwork and favourite vintage finds. My mom and I popped into the store for the first time and loved everything! Below are a few vignettes.

Looking for that perfect Christmas gift? Tuck Shop Trading Co makes cozy winter hats with areas of Toronto and Canadian lakes. Check out their website to see if they have your cottage stomping ground or Toronto hood here. You can also visit Love The Design to see what they have in the store.

xo sara

giveaway :: christmas at the jacaranda tree

The Jacaranda Tree always manages to create a warm and inviting space all year round. I especially love visiting during the Christmas time because the store is top to bottom and front to back decked out in glitter and festive cheer. As I walk around the store, I feel the creaky hardwood floors beneath my feet while listening to classical music in one ear and chitter chatter from customers in the other. This place makes me feel completely happy. 

This vignette at the front door completely caught my eye! For starters, how adorable are those little Jack Russell dogs and silver bone ornaments? I bought one for my Jack Russell for Christmas! I also totally have that book - it has tons of super cute dogs inside.

These Kate Spade POP, FIZZ, CLINK! holiday cards are amazing! 

I picked up 3 boxes while I was visiting the store - could not resist!

This broach is stunning! It has been recreated out of vintage stones. 

Keep your wine bottles fashionable and cozy warm!

At your next dinner party, put one of these decorated boxes below with a chocolate inside as party favour at each placesetting. A little something special for your guests!

Candy cane and chocolate deliciousness! Perfect for stocking stuffers.

Giveaway :: Silver + Gold Party Items The Jacaranda Tree & Co

When you have a holiday party, make sure you are stocked with napkins, candles and something delicious for dessert. Why not embellish your cupcakes with this sophisticated set with decorated cups and and assortment of reindeer on toothpicks for the top!

I always go to The Jacaranda Tree before I have a party or dinner - they always have just the right items to make my evening a success! 

The ladies at the Jacaranda Tree have kindly gathered these items from the store for a giveaway! 

The value of this gift is $85.

Follow The Jacaranda Tree on Instagram, Facebook + Twitter

HOW TO WIN

You can tweet about the contest or like this Facebook page.

Ends December 22nd 2013. 

Good luck!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

xo sara

get minted this holiday

A handwritten note is a thoughtful way of spreading your love to family and friends across the globe over the holidays. My family places the holiday cards we receive on our fireplace and it's already getting pretty crowded! When I was travelling this summer with Susie, I must have sent 4-5 postcards from every city we visited back home to let others know what we were up to. Its always exciting to recieve a personal message from friends and family, so lets fill the mailboxes of loved ones with holiday cheer.  

Take the stress out of your holiday planning and use Minted to make your holiday cards - they even write a note inside and put the mailing and return address on the envelope! Check out their holiday collection, you will love it. Below are a few of my favourites. 

Keep the postal service alive and continue to send cards!

:: Festive Glow Holiday Card ::

:: Vintage Christmas Jewel Holiday Card ::

:: Warmest Holiday Wishes Post Card ::

:: Graphic Deco Holiday Card ::

:: White Christmas Holiday Postcard ::

:: Joyful Joyful New Years Photo ::

{All images from Minted}

xo sara

christmas market at the distillery district

During the holidays, the Distillery District hosts the Lowe's Christmas Market. This 2 week long event is where the historical brick streets are packed with Christmas cheer and cute wooden huts filled with holiday gifts and delicious treats. These types of markets began in Germany in the early 1400's and are now a world wide thing! Sunday December 15th is the last day the market is open this season so make sure you visit before it's too late.

If you don't have a place for your family Christmas card scouted yet, this is a place to keep in mind!

Do you see what I see . . .

Sailer Jerry drinks outside celebrating Christmas with a bunch of strangers? Not bad! Make sure to go to the Biergarten, this is where all the complimentary hot and cold booze tastings are. It's tucked away between a few buildings with a big wood burning fire in the middle to keep you fingers and toes toasty warm as you cuddle around with new friends.

Singing Christmas carols outside? Yes please!

I took this picture below 2 weeks ago . . . looks like this past weekend was the busy one!

We surprised my mom and bought this massive Christmas tree!
(size matters!)

Check out these new boots I got from Sorels! Haven't taken them off in days.

Don't for get about the Fruits & Passion giveaway below:
(Ends Friday December 15th, 2013)

a Rafflecopter giveaway

xo sara

99 bottles at west elm

Melissa from The Sweet Escape organized a blogger brunch in Liberty Village on the weekend. It was awesome to be able to chitter chatter with fellow lifestyle and design bloggers about the ins and outs of their blog. Honestly, when you bring a group of women together, usually the last thing on their minds is to help people. With this group? The complete opposite. I felt like I could ask any silly question that came to mind and I got a handful of honest answers. Looking forward to the next get-together! 

- If you are a Lifestyle blogger and live in Toronto, ask to join the Facebook group here -

Since we were in the neighbourhood, we had to check out West Elm. Not sure who I am to give props to, but two big high-fives to whoever transformed the store to the holidays! It felt like I was walking around a cute supply base store - you know, the ones they have in cottage country with the lanterns, mugs, etc. 

This mug below caught my eye for obvious reasons. Love everything and anything with this song. I should probably get 99 of these bottles, right? Buy it online here.

Not sure why this line rings a bell? Watch this YouTube video:

How sweet are these plates - brings so much joy to my heart!

WEST ELM BLACK FRIDAY SALE 

10%-25% UNTIL SUNDAY

xo sara

making a list + checking it twice

Christmas is right around the corner and I hate to admit it, but I'm a really organized and on top of everything last minute shopper. Finding that perfect gift sometimes just isn't out there OR you find it in the middle of summer and end up keeping it for yourself. Opps!

This year I am determined to start early and make sure each person is looked after. I found this super cute Christmas gift list printable on A Pair Of Pears blog and you can download here too!

 {Images via A Pair Of Pears}

xo sara

holiday office chair love

Decorating for the holidays doesn't always have to be done at home. Why not jazz up your office with some comfortable and colourful office chairs? Finding the perfect chair can be difficult sometimes and most places I visit have a small selection. I always enjoy browsing through Lakeland Furniture because they have a great variety and their colours are always super punchy!

Don't be afraid if you think these chairs are too festive, a colourful chair all year round is the perfect way to keep you smiling throughout the work day! A little bit of colour might be all your office needs for a little sprucing up!

Pricing of chairs available at www.lakeland-furniture.co.uk

xo sara

colourful easter brunch

Easter is one of my favourite times of the year. Spring has just begun and the flowers have almost sprung!

My family is a big fan of Easter brunch so below are some ideas on how to make your Easter table vibrant! The key ingredient to making an inviting table is colour so use it where ever you can. I always adore the mixture of vintage and new china and glassware. Our table is mixed with items my mom and I have found at antique markets and items that were passed down from generation to generation. It is always fun to reflect on these fond memories!

Use different textures, shapes and colour with food and beverages and be sure to scatter them around the table. Don't worry about keeping food with food and drinks with drinks - it's more interesting when there isn't a pattern!

See this post featured at Style at Home and see some other great blogger Easter ideas!

Since it's Easter, fill the table with eggs! 

Place a bundle of them on a decorative paper napkin 

(I purchased all of mine from the Jacaranda Tree on Mt. Pleasant in Toronto) in a chunky glass bowl. 

At each place setting is a vintage liquor glass and a few stacked plates adding a nice height to each place!

This yummy lemon loaf cake is from The Flaky Tart

{All images taken by Sara Russell Interiors}

Click the picture below to see the post at Style at Home!

I wish you and your family's a very Happy Easter!

xo sara