5 Cozy Things For The Weekend

Warm up with homemade soup (this is my fave recipe!)!

Cozy up at the cottage!

Stay in and catch up on bad TV or read your favourite blogs!

Live in a cozy sweater...Take time to paint your nails & sip tea or hot chocolate...Happy Weekend! xo

Whiskey Pines Inspiration - French Alps Styles

I am always looking at ways to make Whiskey Pines that much better. This cottage in the French Alps really caught my eye and has inspired some decor changes to le cottage. The colour, coziness, open concept, and layered textiles really spoke to me.

When you are thinking of a beautiful retreat - this place definitely has everything one would want in a cottage.

Images: Desire to Inspire

{My Long Weekend} In photos...

My long weekend has been fabulous & I hope you can say the same of yours.

My weekend highlights:

• My bro got a new pup - still doesn't have a name. Suggestions?
• The garden finally got some much needed rain.
• DIY'd my little superhero a cape.
• Ry & Jeff both caught two lunkers.
• The weather has been delightful - even with the rain!

{Celebration} Weekend & Birthday Mixes

Who doesn't right?

Excited to spend the weekend at Whiskey Pines with Family/Friends to celebrate special person this weekend!Beautiful dinners, music, and atmosphere will surround the weekend!Excited to play some birthday games for my nephews 4th bday!I am putting together the most epic loot bags!Weekends + birthday celebrations are AMAZING! So much fun times, laughter, and silliness! This weekend we are celebrating my uber cute nephews birthday at the cottage. He is turning four and told me yesterday that he can't wait to be a new number. Cute, right?

Being the super stellar aunt that I am - I have some super awesome games planned for the kidlets, super overstuffed loot bags (remember how exciting it was to get a loot bag at the end of a birthday party!?) & I'll be getting enough junk food they are forsure going to be on a sugar high all weekend!

Hope you enjoy your weekend!!!!

{A Little DIY} Picnic Weights

On a rainy Whiskey Pines Weekend I did a little DIY with my mom and friend Moediz. We sat around the kitchen table during  and made these cute little picnic weights. Unfortunately, my sewing machine broke down early into the process - so we had to sew everything by hand. Nonetheless, it took all day - but I love the outcome!

What you need:

• Assorted fabric & lining scraps (4 1/2' squares)
• All-purpose thread
• Vinyl scraps (3" square)
• Polyester fiberfill
• Embroidery floss
• Hand embroidery needle
• Removable fabric marker
• Play sand
• Paper scrap
• Tape
• Spoon

Steps: {allow for 1/4" seam allowances}

1. Draw the shapes onto a piece of paper to make the pattern for each weight + the base - but if you want the free patterns, you can find them, here. I drew my own.

2. With wrong sides together, stich two weights, leaving a 2" opening.

3. Roll the paper scrap into a funnel shape; tape. Fill the opening with sand, using the funnel and a spoon. Install the machine zipper foot onto the amchine, and then stich the opening closed.

4. Thread a hand embroidery needle with two strands of embroidery floss. Embroider the faces in the picture above - or make your own like I did!

5. Install the standard machine foot onto the machine. With right sides together, stich the cat perimeter, leaving the lower edge unstiched and a 2" opening along one side edge for turning.

6. With right sides together, pin the vinyl bottom perimeter to the lower edge; stitch. Turn the cat right side out through the side opening. Place the weight inside the bottom. Firmly stuff the cat with fiberfill.

7. Slipstich the opening closed. Pinch the cat to evenly distribute the sand and fiberfill.

8. Host a wonderful picnic and use the weights to hold your blanket down!