hint o' the holidays

It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas! Last night was the first night Nick & I were able to take some time to decorate. We're hosting a small gathering of close friends this weekend so it was time to get cracking! With some Christmas music in the background, and A LOT of laughs, we made some seriously cool bunting, and set up my baby tree. Above is a little hint of what it all looks like!

The bunting is made from strings of twine, some fabric pendants and paper pendants. I always seem to have random paper/fabric lying about my apartment, so we managed to scrounge up enough of these two patterns to fit Happy Christmas! I cut some letters out of paper and spray glued them onto the pendants. We then literally sewed the pendants on with needles and thread. We had some leftover ornaments, so Nick had the great idea of stringing them along the bunting as well. So fun! We took so many photos, and I definitely will post them later, along with photos from the party on saturday. {maybe even a Bunting How-To!}

Also, to start some of you in the festive spirit, a little tunage to boost your mood mid-week!

Enjoy!

Photos via myself on Instagram

what brought me here

Yesterday was my 26th birthday. At first thought, I freaked a little. The thought of no longer being in my early 20's, the thought of truly being an adult...I'm not ready, I can't be! But as I began thinking more and more, and reflecting on how much I've gone through, even in the last year...I am ready and excited to see what this year will bring! My day was complete with birthday singing from my work peeps {Thanks Melissa, Jacki, Sun & Julia!}, a lunch date with a bestie {thanks Amanda!}, a little pampering, a lovely chat with my mother, beautiful and thoughtful gifts from Nicholas that cut right through to my heart, an evening filled with a yummy dinner made by him too, tuns of laughter and love. I couldn't ask for any more...and I didn't want the day to end.

Today, on my first day of being 26, I am filled to the brim with love but also humbleness...how did I get so blessed to have such an amazing partner in crime who I met on HIS 26th birthday {hello Nicholas!}, loving family & such encouraging friends. It's some kind of wonderful!

Here's a cheers to a fantastic friday and great weekend. To all those in the U.S., happy thanksgiving!

Photo via myself

let it linger

My apologies for the lack of posts lately. Life has definitely been going at lightning speed, but I couldn't be more thankful for where I'm at! With my birthday happening this week, I always find myself reflecting on what's happened within the year, and what I've learned. Most people take New Year's to reflect and make resolutions, but for me, my birthday marks an accomplishment of another year. I have learned SO SO much in my age of 25...love, patience, selflessness, humility, encouragement, what it's like to really be a faithful and supporting woman, and a whole slew of other emotions & life lessons. At the risk of sounding like a woman in love, I have never felt more alive than I do right now! How blessed I am.

With all of that being said, lately I have also been trying to figure out what I want this blog to be, and am taking some time with that. It originally started as a scrapbook of design ideas and cool things, but has progressed into much more of a lifestyle blog...I hope to slowly incorporate more fun things into For Design's Sake and hope you'll bear with me. Nick and I have been doing a tun of cool projects lately and I really want to share them with you! I haven't been sure how to start it {whether it be a weekly thing, or just a progress report}, but am open and welcoming ideas and suggestions on what you would like to see & read!

Happy monday to you all!

Photos via myself, photo edited by Nick Pilon

then sings my soul

Aside from a birthday celebration tonight, Nick & I don't really have any weekend plans...and it's just how we want it. After many weeks of going to and fro, we finally have made some down time. Oh to wake up on a saturday morning, make breakfast and just see what the day brings! Some of my favourite chill days include nothing but some good ol' tv, a classic book or even just a brisk walk out in the fall air...

What about you?

Photo via Pinterest

amidst the hollows and valleys

Last night I had the awesome experience of seeing The Civil Wars live at The Phoenix, with my concert peeps. {hello to Amanda, Justin and Nicholas!} Post-show, we were all talking about how beautiful their voices sounded together and that they are just as amazing live, as they are on their album. It's always such a delight when that happens! Each song was meticulously played and every verse turned into poetry. Makes me wish I was that talented in music! If you ever get the chance to see them, you should, you will not be disappointed...

Photos via The Civil Wars Tour Diary by Allister Ann

in the dead of night

"...There wasn't a sign of life left, except... by now, there were no more screams. I realized that I was alone, with fifty or sixty of those things just... standing there, staring at me! I started to drive, I - I just plowed right through them! They didn't move! They didn't run, or... they just stood there, staring at me! I just wanted to crush them! And they scattered through the air, like bugs."

– Ben, Night of the Living Dead

Happy Halloween!

think envisage

I am learning how cool it is to be surrounded by so many creative people every day, even more so now that I'm dating a designer. How wicked is it that we can all be creative, but in various ways? Our life experiences, interests and knowledge guides us each down a different path, and a different solution for a project. Nick just finished his personal website and I wanted to share with you all. Seriously killer...Check it out!

the world goes 'round

I have been in serious "deal with it" mode for a few weeks with so many things, and now I finally have an opportunity to take a deep breath and do a blog post. Yay! My life hasn't been filled with too many creative things to share lately, but I do have a few plans with the boy to make some seriously awesome crafts as Christmas presents...but I can't reveal those til later! I am though, hoping to photo document all of these things and more over the next little while! I want to share it all with you, and hopefully inspire you to create your own gifts for any occasion. It just feels better giving a homemade gift, doesn't it?

In the meantime, I wanted to share some snapshots of what's been going on in my life. Let's start with this past weekend. The handsome boy and I just took a roadtrip to see some of our mutual friends in Ottawa. {Also a shout-out to Jenna & Travis, who didn't make it in these photos...} The entire weekend was filled with non-stop laughter and well... A LOT of food! I love these guys SO much and couldn't have asked for a better first experience in Ottawa! Can't wait to go back!

Photos by myself, Nick & Christen {A big thanks to Nick for photo editing these suckers!}

a midsummer's day

I know this is a long time coming, and promised these photos ages ago, but time was lost somewhere in between September & October...and I can't seem to find it. I assisted Amanda a while back in the summer with this gorgeous and cozy wedding. What a blessing it was to be able to not only share the day with Mark & Emily, but capture some of the moments, so they can share them for years to come. Here are a few snapshots that I managed to get. Hope you enjoy!

Photos via myself

a bushel and a peck

Even though the day started off cold & blustery, my two best girlfriends, Amanda & Daniella and myself headed off to the little town of St. George to go apple picking. Starting off with a yummy breakfast and a catchup sesh, we then headed to the Orchard farm. The sun finally came out and it was a beautiful day filled with way too many apple snacking, silly shenanigans, and non-stop laughter. Thanks girls, for an awesome day. Fall has officially begun!

Photos via Amanda & Myself

over the rolling of waves

I love everything about the sea. How massive and undiscovered some parts are, how cool creatures live in the depths, and how beautiful the sound of waves are on the shoreline. The size of the seas really make you realize how small you are amongst this earth! I came across this really awesome wallpaper by Abigail Edwards today and it made me smile. How these simple lines and curves can so easily describe these massive wonders! How cool would this look in a nursery or just one big wall in your home studio? Her other illustrations are cute too...I LOVE the simplicity! Super sweet...

Photos via Design*Sponge

amongst the rubble

Life, in all its wonders has been so ridiculously busy. I also really hate typing out that excuse, life is always going to be busy, let's face that fact right now! So no more apologies...only thank you's. This post is a thank you to all my family, friends and you amazing readers for sticking with me even through the busy times. You rock!

Photo via Pinterest