Fabulous Friday!

Fabulous Friday!

How was the week? I’m not going to lie, it took the whole week to slowly get back into the groove and out of holiday time. We’ve had to really just go with the flow this week of getting up earlier, homework, lunches, getting out the door on time(ish!), after-school activities…you get it. With that...TGIF!

Wanted to share a few things that I saw this week that have caught my eye…

This video is amazing! Dread getting that duvet in the cover no more! Why hasn’t anyone shown me this before?

Need some organizing for 2015? I love whipping out the new calendar and agenda. I just ordered this fab set to organize myself.

Isn't this the coolest drawer?

Traditional Kitchen by Portland Kitchen & Bath Designers Kirstin Havnaer, Hearthstone Interior Design, LLC

This would totally be in Mr. Fix-It's dream world

Traditional Wine Cellar by Greenwich Architects & Building Designers Steven Mueller Architects, LLC

OOOH I’m obsessed with this app called Flipp.  The girls at the office told me about it. I’ve never been a price matcher because I felt like it took too much time. Not with the Flipp app. Easy. Love it. Slightly addicted. (Nope, I haven’t been compensated by Flipp, I just love it and feel like you will too. You’re welcome Flipp!) If the link above doesn't work for you, head over to the AppStore and download away!

 

Keep It Beautiful.

Keep It Beautiful Gets A Makeover + Soups On!

Hey everyone! Wow it's chilly in Ottawa today. Super cold! Bring on the down coats and furry hats.

Soooo, whatcha think? Keep It Beautiful has had a makeover! Like it? I wanted something fresh and clean. A new start for the blog for a new year. It still has kinks that I'm working on but wanted to show you what it's looking like so that I can still do blog posts as I'm working on the site in the background. You'll see that I added a new menu bar at the top with drop down buttons. However, you'll also see that when you click on them...there's nothing there yet. This is what I'm working on. My total lack of techy knowledge is what's holding me back on how to get these links to work. I'll get it figured out but bear with me! BTW, if you have a website that needs an update, I would be happy to recommend the company I used.

In the meantime, it's Wednesday Yummies! Here is a yummy soup that is delish, super healthy, filling and you can double the recipe to make alot! Win! Win!

Lentil Tomato & Kale Soup

 

I've been making this soup for years but just recently decided to add chopped kale in there. I chopped it up oh-so-tiny.

Soups On!

Keep it Beautiful.

Looking Back & Ahead!

Happy New Year! Did you have a lovely holiday? We had a great Christmas and really tried to take it easy and chill with our family and friends. We had lots of jammie and hanging around days. I think we all really needed the time to decompress and be together. The kids were adorable at Christmas, I wish I could package up their excitement and pure belief in Santa on Christmas morning. Feeling their joy, filled our hearts with warmth. Total cuteness.

Before jumping into 2015, I thought I would take a look back at 2014 and the posts that you seemed to like the best (according to my bloggy stats).

January 2014
Valentine's Day Envelope & DIY Dry Erase Frame (this one went viral on Pinterest!)

February 2014
How To Choose the Right Rug Measurements

March 2014
10 Things You Need From the Dollar Store

The Overwhelmed to Organized Series was a popular one, especially the dreaded...linen closet!

April 2014
5 Ways to Welcome Spring to Your Front Steps

A Perfect Cupcake for a Perfect Baby Girl

May 2014
I'm a Mom...And A Runner!

A Beautiful Soul

June 2014
Strawberry Rhubarb Crisp

 

Adding Texture To Your Space

July 2014
Chilli Coconut Chicken Salad

Mantle Goes Summer

August 2014
Cottage Living - Adirondack Chairs

DIY Refinishing A Hall Table With Chalk Paint

September 2014
Fall Mantle

A New Playroom For the Minis

October 2014
Mason Jar Series

Halloween Mantle

Fruit & Veggie Wash

Our Home Paint Colours

November 2014
Mason Jars Go Trendy!

December 2014
Christmas Home Tour

 

2014 has been an interesting year around here. I worked really hard to grow my blog and it has opened up many exciting doors that I never thought was possible the day I sat down and wrote my first blog post in 2012.

I returned to the office full time in April after my third maternity leave, which has been a big adjustment as I haven't been able to dedicate as much time to my blog as I was when I was home. However, I love being in the office and working hard on totally separate issues and files.

In May, I struggled deeply with losing my girlfriend Robyn. Losing her, hit me hard.  Two weeks after Robyn died, I ran the Ottawa marathon. It was that race where I hit bottom. Every step I took was an unraveling of my emotions about Robyn's death. It took me awhile to realize that it wasn't about my crappy race that day, it was about her and my anger at why such a beautiful woman was robbed of life.  Since that race, I ran a 5km with my Mum but haven't officially put my running shoes back on to hit the pavement. I'm just not ready. However, I'm determined that at some point in 2015...I will.
2014 has also been a huge year of opportunity. I was invited to be a guest on Daytime Ottawa and since that show, I've been asked to be a regular guest, appearing monthly. SO FUN! It's also been a fab year for my family which has been amazing.

Did you make resolutions for 2015? I don't typically decide on anything too serious, but I do have a few goals:

1. Be Organized: I believe that you have to live in the present! But if I can do it being more organized it just may make it a little more sane...especially with three kids :)
2. Be Realistic: I love a good challenge. LOVE IT! So, it's hard for me to say no. My goal is to be realistic and only (well try to) take on a realistic amount of stuff.
3. Get Back the Bod: My bod is begging me to get back to the gym. I'm not ready to get back into running so I thought I would switch it up and try the gym. I haven't been a gym girl since University so I'm looking forward to a new workout. Mr. Fix-It and I have a little health challenge going on so I'm game!

I have lots of ideas for Keep It Beautiful Designs this year and I can't wait to share them with you. The first one is a little reno happening on the blog. Stay tuned for a new look :) Woot! Woot! I'm also going to be broadening my scope a little bit. While home design is my passion, I'm also a mummy, a wife and a lady who loves fashion and travel. I want to share these passions with you.

By the way. Want to know what the colour of 2015 is? According to Pantone, the 2015 colour is...

MARSALA - earthy wine, red. Like it? Get ready to see it everywhere in fashion and home design

 

I want to thank you for your loyal readership and supporting this little corner of the internet with me. Whether this is your first time here today or you've been reading since 2012...thank you. Without you, this blog wouldn't be here. I also want to thank my fabulous clients. I have loved creating beautiful spaces with you! I wish you all love and happiness in 2015. I'm always excited to hear your ideas and can't wait to share mine with you. xo

Keep it Beautiful.

Christmas Home Tour

Well my friends, it's better late than never. I've been wanting to show you what I've been up to in the house for a couple of weeks now. Talk about cutting it close! Are you ready for the big day? I think we're finally ready and we're actually having a party tonight. It's a caroling party. A great way to be with our family and friends, sing some carols through the neighbourhood and share some bevvies and yummies.

Here's what it looks like at our house this year. I wanted to bring in lots of fresh greenery but still have some glam. Can't take the glitter out of this gal :)

 

 

Tis the season to eat shortbread, drink one too many cocktails and steal a kiss under the mistletoe.

From my family to yours...

Merry Christmas!

Keep it Beautiful.

Holiday Gift Guide- NORDIK SPA-NATURE WINNER!

Hi guys! Remember me? I'm sorry I've been MIA. I've been trying to stay afloat, like all of you, making my list and checking it twice! Phew! I've been on maternity leave so much in the last few years that I forgot how to manage my holiday schedule and work a full time office job. I'm sorry to have abandoned you all. I had so many holiday plans, crafts and décor to share with you but this year, I just couldn't produce fast enough with the amount of hours in a day. Being better organized is definitely one of my 2015 goals. I digress.

However, I know you have all been waiting to hear the winner of the fab Holiday Gift Guide Nordik Spa Giveaway

This is a fab prize. $200 gift card to Nordik Spa-Nature. If you've never been, you can hear about my experience here and it's a must if you live in the Ottawa area or are here for a visit. So fantastic for the soul.

This has been the most popular giveaway on Keep It Beautiful. Thank you all for entering. Keep entering into the contests when you see them.

THE WINNER IS....

BRENDA MCNALLY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

Woot! Woot! Congratulations Brenda. I hope that you will find some time during the holiday season or the New Year to visit Nordik Spa-Nature and enjoy all the relaxation it has to offer.

 

Well my friends, again I apologize for missing two weeks of what feels like one of the most important times in a home design & lifestyle bloggers year...the holidays! I remember when I worked in the magazine industry for a short period of time, we started our holiday edition in August. I'm thinking next summer, my brain is going to have to start going there. Yikies.

 

I won't leave you completely hanging. I have a little bit of a Christmas house tour to share with you sometime later this morning :)

 

 

Keep it Beautiful.

Get Your Holiday On! Mickey Goes Live & Gorgeous Kids' Craft

Hey guys,

Have a good weekend? Less than two weeks away till the big day. Crazy eh? I’m starting to feel the crunch of getting it all done. However, when I told that to Mr. Fix-It, he told me to chill out and relax. He’s right. Why get yourself all stressed out when the holidays are supposed to be about fun and relax? Taking that idealist thought and pairing it with reality, my mantra this week is to keep it all easy and simple. You should do it too.

 

And, when easy and simple feel like they’re flying out the window, just have a glass of wine and magically easy and simple come flying back in ;)

So, yesterday we had a great day with the kids. We took them to see Disney Live! Mickey’s Music Festival.

It was part of my Holiday Gift Guide this year. We told the boys in the morning that we were giving them an early Christmas present and they were super excited! What kid doesn’t want to see all their favourite Disney characters singing and dancing right in front of them?!

We had a blast. The show was only in Ottawa yesterday, but here is the schedulefor upcoming shows across Canada and the US. We had a blast, it’s a great day to spend with your minis.

If the show is coming to your city soon, you should go. Our kids were so happy, they danced and it was a really fun way to hang out on a Sunday afternoon. They both said they want to go again so we’ll be looking out for future shows and I’ll let you know when I hear of any.

After the show I had a little craft planned for the boys. It's really easy, they turned out gorgeous and they were so proud of them. Keep it in mind if your minis are looking to do a Christmas craft for your tree.

Isn't that ornament beauty? Here's what you need:

- Clear plastic balls (available at Walmart/Michaels)
- Glue
- Sparkles
- Paint

 

Just let your minis do as they please. My guys wanted to paint them first and then add sparkles. You can also just add drops of glue and get your sparkle on.

 

 

We had an extra plastic ornament so we added real sprinkles. How cute is this?

 



A few crafty supplies and you have a great way to spend some time getting your holiday on and adorable ornaments for your tree.

 

Keep it Beautiful.

 

Alicia