Birch + Bird Vintage Home Interiors

Are you as surprised as I am at how fast this year passed us by?  I really do wish I could slow down the clock.  So many wonderful things happened this year and I can’t wait to find out what 2011 brings to our family and friends.  Among all my cherished memories, the beginning of Birch + Bird is quite a monumental one.  It just goes to show you that a leap of faith can land you a family’s worth of great friends, stories and adventures.  And I look forward to the next chapter.

We are so busy these days and I hope for all of us that we can find a better balance.  My calendar is always so full and like Lily, at the end of the day I wonder where the time went.  Do you do the same?  I hope to fill my fresh 2011 day planner with more fun this year.  Scheduling time to play with my kids, to go to yoga, to read a book or to do whatever it is I’m into at the moment, on a daily basis.  I guess that’s a pretty basic concept but you know how it is…life takes a hold and you need a little kick in the pants.

Before I sign off my last post for the year, I have to say that I am so very thankful for my devoted husband, two precious children and loving, supportive family and friends.  And I get a little warm in my heart when I think about what Lily and I accomplished this past year.  I’ve learned so much and I really couldn’t have done it without my “business partner”.  I don’t know about Lily but it feels a little strange to have our shop “closed” right now.  I miss answering emails, packing up orders and chatting with the sweet ladies at the post office.  I think we’re both eager to get the shop back open.  We’ve got a pile of new treasures to share with you and there’s a tonne of new treasures that we still need to find.

And thank you too, for reading our words and for visiting our shop.  We appreciate it so much.  May your calendar be filled with more enjoyment than you can handle this year.  Cheers!

I’m not usually big on making New Year’s Resolutions…my goals to get to the gym more often, to eat better, to be more frugal and friendlier to the earth continue year ’round! But over the past few months, especially since Rachel and I have have been busy with our shop while juggling life and families, I’ve started to feel like I’m not enjoying as many of life’s little moments as I should be. It’s so easy to get distracted and overwhelmed by all of the little tasks I need to accomplish in a day and all too often it feels like a bit of a blur when the day is done. While making my to-do lists for the year ahead, I’ve also been taking mental notes about some more personal things I’d like to change in my life and my sister-in-law, Amy, who also happens to be one of my oldest and dearest friends, gave me a book that is spot on to the thoughts that have been lingering at the back of my mind…

You’ve likely heard of Gretchen Rubin‘s book, The Happiness Project. I started reading it right after writing my last blog post and was so excited after reading just the first chapter! Gretchen spent a year focusing on improving her life as it was and choosing to be a happier, more loving and more grateful person. Like her, I’m not depressed or even unhappy but I do feel like I could be giving back a lot more to the world and people around me. I am so blessed with a wonderful family, a great (and handsome!) husband, three healthy and happy kids, and many amazing friends…not to mention a faith in God that’s helped me through many rough patches along the way! But, in Gretchen’s words, “Time is passing, and I’m not focussing enough on the things that really matter.” Enough said! Time to zone back in and take action before I get too set in my zombie-mom ways! The book is broken down into 12 monthly chapters, and January’s focus, fittingly, is on Boosting Energy and her top 5 resolutions are Go to sleep earlier; Excercise better; Toss, restore, organize; Tackle a nagging task; Act more energetic. Perfect to start of the New Year, right?

Some of these lovely Etsy finds would be excellent daily reminders to keep me on task….

1. Farouche 2. TushTush 3. Lucky Bee Press 4. Type Posters

I absolutely love these recycled felt pillows by Alexandra Ferguson! Hard to ignore your resolutions when they’re propped next to you on the couch…which would you choose for the year ahead?

Alexandra Ferguson

A happy home isn’t created by furniture or decor, I know. But I do believe in surrounding oneself with things you love, especially with things that conjure up good memories and make you smile! I found these bright and lived in spaces on Pinterest and would love to curl up with a good book or share a cup of tea with a good friend in any of them…please share photo credit links if you come across them!

All found via Pinterest with bad links…please comment if you know where they’re from!

Shira Sela runs a lovely Etsy shop, Shirae, and I absolutely adore the way her illustrations portray emotion and moments in time so simply yet beautifully. The names of the following prints are also very symbolic of our walk through life…Happy Moment, Coexistance, Healing, and Looking Forward.

1. Happy Moment 2. Coexistance 3. Healing 4. Looking Forward

I would love to hear any tips on how you manage your time and juggle life without missing out on the special moments and little details…please share!

I hope you all had a wonderful Christmas and are now enjoying a few days to rest up before New Years celebrations.  Our Christmas was jam packed with 5 straight days of gatherings with friends and family, lots of food and catching up.  All the busyness has definitely caught up with me and I’m looking forward to getting our home back in order.  I’ve got a few New Year’s resolutions running through my head these days.  How about you?  Are you the new years resolution type?

Dark teal walls have been really catching my eye, lately.  Don’t you just love this moody colour?  I could see it in almost any room except for maybe a kitchen but I’m easily swayed.  Like Lily, getting out my trusty paintbrush is definitely on my to-do list this year.  I’ve got a few lingering projects that need to be tackled.  I’d love to use this colour in my own home somehow.

In the current issue of Canadian House and Home, an even darker shade of teal is used on the walls and it makes my heart skip a beat.  What do you think of the kelly green accents?   I love it and I think just about any colour pairs well with teal.  A pop of yellow, red, orange or white would look so very sharp.

I think organization and tackling unfinished projects just might be my theme for 2011.  There are a few rooms in our home that could use some sprucing up and I look forward to sharing the before and afters.  Not to mention the areas in my home that have become a little more disorganized than I would normally like them to be.  I’ll be sorting, tossing and donating like mad.  I can’t wait!  Do you have any new years resolutions of your own that you would like to declare?  Let’s hear it!

I know we all say it but, seriously, where did the past year go?!? It’s hard to believe how much has happened in the past year and it’s exciting to think of all of the possibilities for the year ahead! This time last year, owning a store was just a sprout of an idea for Rachel and I and now our shop has been up and running for six months and we have this blog to keep us continually inspired by the endless supply of designers and creative folks out there in the web world!

Design*Sponge

On Sunday, I was so excited about the year ahead that I packed Christmas away much earlier than my January 3rd norm, organized some drawers and closets and even managed to squeeze in some Boxing Day shopping online…phewf! I am bound and determined to start the year off organized and with a plan of attack for the many projects, goals and achievements I hope to check off my list for 2011. That being said, however, I came across this image and plan to print it off  and repeat it out loud daily…many, many times!

Jones Design Company via Holly Mathis Interiors

As I’ve said before, I’m a list person and I find that saying my goals out loud often spurs me to get them done sooner than if they’re simply written down where only I will see them. While cozy on the couch with my man in the height of relaxation last night, we came up with our top 5 projects for our home and life that we hope to accomplish this year and here they are…

Ambitious, yes, and we likely won’t finish everything on our list but I’m ok with that. A vacation is a priority though, even if it’s just a long weekend in Vegas or on a mountain snowboarding somewhere, sometime in the next couple of months…no kids allowed! What are some of your goals for 2011?

We will be celebrating New Year’s with some close friends and piles of children this year. Between the other 3 couples and ourselves,  there will be 11 kids in a cozy cabin and things are bound to get a little rowdy, possibly even for the grown-ups come midnight! Here are some festive ways to count down the New Year in style…

1. Martha Stewart 2. Martha Stewart 3. Hostess with the Mostess 4. Julia Rothman via Design*Sponge

What are your countdown plans? Do you include children in your celebrations or enjoy something a little more glamourous? Whatever your plans, be sure to include some sparkle and, of course, some bubbly!

Our house is abuzz with anticipation for Santa’s arrival but I have a feeling that  the over abundance of goodies and sweets is at least partially to blame for some of the bouncing off of the walls! I haven’t done as much baking as I usually do but I did make sugar cookies, gingersnaps and a couple batches of peppermint and chocolate almond bark. If you’re looking for some last minute recipes and/or baking inspiration, the following blogs are always happy to oblige…

My friend Julia introduced me to Bakerella a couple of months ago and her cake pops are truly incredible! She’s in the midst of a book launch yet always finds time to show some of her latest creations, and creative they most definitely are! Aren’t these nutcracker and tree pops adorable?

If you haven’t discovered They Draw & Cook yet, I highly recommend taking a peak. People from all over the world submit illustrated recipes of all types of dishes. They are beautiful and could easily be printed off and added to your own collection of recipes or even gifted…

Ultimate Peppermint Bark and Maple Butter Tarts

Canelle et Vanille is one of my favourite food blogs. The pictures and styling are so simply lovely and each of the recipes sound and look delicious! I love that a gluten free option was included for this Pear & Hazelnut Frangipone Tart recipe…an easy alternative to include when baking for family and friends with allergies.

Wishing you all a deliciously warm and family-filled Christmas full of treats, laughter & love! Merry Christmas!