Ellia's 1st Easter Hunt 2014

Tuesday, 22 April 2014

Well, my sister Mercedes has done it again. She wanted to make a little video of Ellia with her first real Easter hunt. Ellia was more excited about the eating of the chocolate part, but she did such a good job with her hunt too!
 


Some of the video was filmed by Mercedes' boyfriend because Ellia clearly only wanted to hunt with Mercedes, her favourite person, by her side. Thanks TJ!! I just love having these mini clips of special events that have happened in our lives, I will cherish them forever.



music: Love - Lennon & Maisy

The two that made it happen...


Our Easter in photos coming soon!

xo nat

the perfect diaper bag

Monday, 21 April 2014

I'll admit, I've never been a diaper bag lover. While I was pregnant with Ellia, I remember searching the web and in stores to find the perfect diaper bag. I wanted something that was going to look great, was simply well made, and functional. I never found that bag. When we went to the hospital, I had this really obnoxious pink, pocket-less floral number that I had bought in Italy a couple years back. I vividly remember thinking that I would keep looking for that perfect bag because I looked silly carting Ellia's belongings around in a big, pink leisure bag. Fast forward 7 months to the time we were going on our first big trip to California. I still hadn't gotten a diaper bag and realized that I really did need something that I could properly organize for the plane and while we were away from home. Two days before we were to depart, I ran into a local boutique, found the largest, black diaper bag they had, and purchased it. I rarely used the bag after that, it was just okay. 

Fast forward again to last week when I received a package at my front door. The moment I laid eyes, and hands on this thing, I knew I finally had the perfect diaper bag. Guys, this thing is a game changer. Introducing my absolutely gorgeous Lily Jade luxury designer diaper bag!!


 photo LilyJadeWEB-1_zps7167332e.jpg 
I chose The Madeline in black and it seriously could not be more fabulous.  Lily Jade designer diaper bags are made with beautiful premium leather and high end fabrics. The Madeline can be worn three-ways, it has shoulder straps, and a strap for a cross body, or backpack option. I was immediately smitten with the backpack idea, it's genius. Ellia is a very busy girl and I am constantly on the move with her. The backpack is great because it still allows me to have both arms free, plus it just looks plain cool.  photo LilyJadeWEB-2_zpsa7c32774.jpg

One of the best things about this bag is that it has a 16 pocket removable "Baby Bag" that doubles as a stand alone counter organizer. It is completely brilliant and so practical. 
 photo LilyJadeWEB-3_zpsfd17b4d9.jpg
 photo LilyJadeWEB-18_zpsb811dd2a.jpg  photo LilyJadeWEB-19_zpsef9893b6.jpg
 photo LilyJadeWEB-4_zpsbb9495a0.jpg  photo LilyJadeWEB-5_zpsaba5f1ef.jpg 
It is important for me to be able to have my very large and heavy camera with me most of the time.  I would typically need to carry it in it's own bag, which is neither practical nor fun to lug an additional item around. It all fits in my Lily Jade bag perfectly, I was so thrilled to be able to pack everything I needed in there, it's kind of a small miracle of sorts, really.

I also just love the fact that this bag not only looks like a fabulous anything bag, but it can be used as a fabulous anytihng bag. I've used it as a purse already, and I definitely will again. It is such a great looking bag, I couldn't be happier!
I really do want to take this bag everywhere, it's just perfection and so useful. It is a wonderful accessory, stylish and practical all in one amazing bag.

The Lily Jade designer diaper bag is on sale right now until mid-May, so you should hurry up and order it now. I promise, you'll love this perfect diaper bag as much as I do!

xo nat

Easter Party

Tuesday, 15 April 2014

Awhile back I was contacted by Louis B an online children's concept store which sells some super rad clothing. They are in the process of opening up a Party Shop, and asked if I would be interested in becoming a Party Contributor. I recieve some pretty awesome party supplies and get to come up with ways to use them, how could I say no? It's like a dream job, really.

My first box consisted of some Easter party supplies and it just so happened Mercedes was visiting when it arrived. We put together this super easy and fun Easter sweet table using things I had around the house,  some new things purchased from the dollarstore and of course, the fabulous Louis B party supplies.

 
Photography & Styling: Natalie Spencer & Mercedes Papalia
mini cupcakes: Desmond & Beatrice https://desmondandbeatrice.com/
Louis B Party Shop: Table Cloth, Treat Bags, Straws, Cupcake Kit

the gold shelf

Monday, 7 April 2014

I've been wanting a shelf/buffet/sideboard for our entrance way since we moved in, somewhere that I could display some of my stuff that looks pretty and wasn't going to cost me a ton. I could not make a decision on a piece, I looked for months. If you didn't know, I am the most indecisive person on the planet. It's a super annoying trait. About a month ago my mother in law brought me some of her Style at Home magazines and there was one home that featured a room with the PERFECT GOLD SHELF and when my heart skipped a beat looking at it, I knew I had to have it. To my complete surprise it was an Ikea shelf, that the homeowner spray painted gold. The next day, that exact shelf was sitting in my garage, thanks to the most amazing hubs. 

Here's the shelf

The shelf is $70.00 in the US

Then I bought this spray paint from Lowes, 2 cans


I am in love with the results!!

 photo GoldShelfWeb-1_zpsb2cc3f5e.jpg 
I gold leafed these terracotta pots, it took under 5 minutes.  photo GoldShelfWeb-2_zpsff68f72f.jpg 
A watercolour print I painted (inspired by the lip print, you know the one)   photo GoldShelfWeb-3_zps2883ea5c.jpg  photo GoldShelfWeb-4_zpsf97bb003.jpg  photo GoldShelfWeb-5_zps96a769f4.jpg  photo GoldShelfWeb-6_zps7f2105b5.jpg  photo GoldShelfWeb-7_zps8ef2680a.jpg  photo GoldShelfWeb-8_zpsf4bffc24.jpg
print of my mom from when she worked in advertising  photo GoldShelfWeb-10_zps51d6a6be.jpg  photo GoldShelfWeb-11_zps31d6e0de.jpg  photo GoldShelfWeb-12_zps4b59c548.jpg  photo GoldShelfWeb-13_zps3e77daf5.jpg  photo GoldShelfWeb-14_zpsa95aa25c.jpg  photo GoldShelfWeb-15_zps6efcfbab.jpg  photo GoldShelfWeb-16_zps30b48e83.jpg  photo GoldShelfWeb-17_zpsed7a5f27.jpg
 photo GoldShelfWeb-18_zps217ffee9.jpg 
 
My sister Mercedes has been here for a week and helped me with the styling of course. Because she's awesome like that and so good at styling...clearly. She also has a matching one in her home, because we're cool like that.
 
 Thrifted globe and cameras
Horse head & faux sheepskin: Home Sense
Decanter & XOXO pillow: Chapter's/Indigo
 
xoxo
nat
glitter & the girls. All rights reserved. © Maira Gall.