I recently had the exciting opportunity to interview the talented and adorable Genevieve Gorder, from the HGTV show, Dear Genevieve. I learned two things: 10 minutes is not as long as you’d think and conducting an interview with your toddlers in the room is not the wisest decision.

I also learned that Genevieve is just as sweet and friendly as you’d expect.

2009 was the worst year of my life.

I lost my dad suddenly and unexpectedly 7 days before I was flying home with my 2 year old and 3 month old baby for a visit. I had already started packing. It has been much harder to cope with than I could have ever imagined or try to describe here.

Just over 6 months later I was brimming with a ton of nervous energy and needed something to do, something positive to focus on, something to help my mind escape, something for me, to help me heal.

I thought I would end my holiday posts with some beautiful tabletop ideas. I love a pretty table. What I love most about many of these photos is that you can use them as inspiration to 'shop your home' for a similar idea.

How To Make Your Santa Photos Part Of Your Holiday Decor

Red and white are a beautiful holiday colour pairing. It is so fresh and bright and happy.

It’s been two weeks since our kitchen reno started and it has been a great experience so far. I love the new cabinets and the storage is seriously life changing.

We are living without a sink or countertop right now but it is really not as bad as I thought it would be. Actually, I kinda love that I have an excuse not to cook so much.

I recently made my television debut {eek!} on Rogers Daytime Toronto to share some creative stocking stuffer ideas that will make every member of the family feel special Christmas morning.

My tips:
shop smart: buy gifts online, in large stores like walmart and in one or two trendy shops

I love Christmas. And I admit it: I love getting presents. And because I love getting lots of gifts, I like finding everything at a great price. Then I can get more. Selfish? Maybe. But also smart.

So when Walmart asked me to check out these four small appliances for holiday gifts I was all over it.

We are renovating our ugly kitchen and I have no excuse not to learn how to use something more complicated then my toaster. Plus I want stylish accessories appliances to adorn my beautiful new counters.

I lived in Stockholm for a year and fell in love with Swedish design. These prints, by Therese Sennerholt, are one of my favourite new discoveries. I found them on the site dwelling gawker {which I now also love}.

I'll let the art speak for itself...

{sometimes I surprise myself by being pretty damn fantastic}

and my personal favourite:

Don't you love them!!

Gunn Family Kitchen Reno {First 3 Days}

I have been in kitchen reno hell for 3 days now.

Only it’s not the reno part that’s hell. It’s the decision part.

My Own Private I Don’t Know.

Granite or quartz?
Hood or over the range microwave?
Reduce the window trim or change the cabinet layout?
Where exactly on the doors do I want the knobs?
And on and on and on......and guess what? I. Don’t. Know.

Sometimes having a blue Christmas can be a good thing.

Tomorrow is the day I have been waiting for.  I have lived with the ugliest kitchen ever for five long years. But tomorrow that is all going to change.

We are getting our new kitchen.

Sure, I have not picked out the counters yet {it’s so hard to choose!} and I need to special order some hardware {I am super picky} but the ugly cabinets are getting torn down.

I have a basement full of Christmas decorations but that does not stop me from adding to it every year {much to my husband’s dismay}. Here is my wish list for this year:

I really want a wreath like any of these.

Advent calendars are a must have in my house, but I like mine to be pretty. I’d like to add this one from nouveau designs to my collection. It would look so beautiful framed.

Whether it hangs on your front door or temporarily replaces art in your home, a wreath offers an opportunity to introduce nature, your crafty side or a little sparkle. Here is a gorgeous gallery of wreaths to inspire you to deck your walls.

I love decorating for the holidays. The sparkle, the colours and the chance to transform a space all make me happy. I started this year {yes, already} with my dining room. I wanted a simple sophisticated look and I am pretty excited about the results so far.

A fireplace is often the centrepiece of a room, a cosy spot to gather around. It can also be a fantastic opportunity to showcase your design style. I went in search of some inspirational photos of fireplace mantels and it was not an easy task. Looking for pretty mantels was driving me mental. But don’t worry, I am not one to give up; I found some beautifully adorned mantels along with some tips for you to apply to yours.

-group a small collection of similar items