I'M GOING TO ALT...SAN FRANCISCO

Earlier in the year, Alt announced they were doing a day long Alt conference in San Fransisco. I have always wanted to go to the original in Salt Lake, but since I missed it in January, this new location was looking pretty good. There was a mad rush when rego's were released, so it was a bit like getting a 'golden ticket' when my registration went through. (I held my breath everytime I had to go to a new screen and got the confirmation just before their system crashed. Talk about edge of your seat! Haha).

All this to say....there are more tickets that have just gone on sale! You can register here. I'm sure these will also sell out, so I'd get on it if you missed out.

I'm an extrovert, but not a huge networking kinda girl, so that kind of makes me a little nervous. But, I just can't wait to go and just be inspired, sit & mix amongst those I admire and just soak up being in a creative environment. (not to mention a little getaway for mummy! : )

Are you an Alt conference veteran, do you have any tips for me? let me know if you're going to the San Fran day too, would love to meet you in the flesh!

SPRING LONG WEEKEND HAPPINESS

We've had a long weekend here this weekend. It marks the beginning of camping season apparently. And I'm told the chances of snow from here on out are reduced heaps. (A friend told me that the only month of guaranteed, no snow, is July...yikes! : ) So fingers crossed, this lovely weather will be sticking around!

We brought our bikes over here, so we dusted those off last week and have been riding most days since it's been nice out. Having the wind in your hair (err...helmet) and sun on your body, just brings a smile to my face. Love it, love it, love it!

I've also been envying all those attending the NSS this week. I've been ogling at all the booth displays in my instagram feed (@polkadotprints). So inspiring. I dream of one day having my own stationery & party line! Wouldn't that be fun. : )

I'm also working on projects for Christmas (ahhh yes, it is only May...crazy!) so lots of ideas needing to be put down on paper and designed this week. Happy week to you! xo

P.S I just had to include these two pics. Ahhh my little girl...love her!

KIDS' QUIET BAG ESSENTIALS

With no family close by for those short 'can you mind my kids?' appointments, Levi & Ellie have been hiking along with me more than usual in the past year. One thing that helps me with the waiting and entertaining on the go, is having a quiet bag hanging in the hall cupboard, ready to grab on the way out the door.

I was planning on making and designing my own freezer stencil bag (because I now live in a country that actually sells freezer paper and I've been itching to try it). But then I found these bags at Forever 21 for $1.50...and...well, you just can't beat that. (thanks Christine for the heads up!).

If you think one of these would work at your place, you can of course put whatever in it you like in it. But to get things going, here's ours. Let's take a look inside:


Something to colour - think crayons or pencils (textas don't look too good on a Dr's couch!), stencils, stickers, colouring book, activity book, blank notebook etc.

Something to play with - These wooden cars, game & beading tube I got at Superstore for like $2 or $3 each. But think, silly putty, little dolls, paper dolls, dinosaurs...whatever you kid is into. For me, these toys are just for the quiet bag. They don't get played with at home. It keeps them special and engages for a bit longer! Every second of quiet counts...

Something to read - These are what is currently in ours, but change them up regularly to keep them guessing!

Then, hey presto! Hang it in your hall cupboard or with your handbag so it's easy to just grab and go as you're walking out the door.

MOTHERS DAY MUSINGS

These guys make me a mum. I love them so much.

I always try and mother with the vision of seeing my two gorgeous kids grow in character more than anything else. I love them, but sometimes I just don't do as well as I'd like. Just this week we had a showdown over making a bed before school in the morning, a toddler tantrum over a water bottle, and a day that just needed to end at 3.30pm. But, that all turns out inignificant when this morning Dave told me while gift shopping yesterday, Levi wanted to buy me "a beautiful dress". How sweet is that? Seriously that kid takes me from the pulling my hair out, to getting all lovey dovey.

I'm so aware that this motherhood thing is like a roller coaster ride with it's ups and downs. But I'm also aware that I am not riding this puppy on my own, but there is a train full of women...screaming right along with me! You encourage in all areas of my life, you advise, you tell me that 'that is normal'. Thank you my friends. I couldn't do this thing alone.

Happy mothers day friends xo

GLUTEN & ALLERGY FOOD PICKS :: SHOP NEWS

I mentioned last week that I have recently found out I have some food allergies. It's a little depressing, I'll admit, but I am determined it not to let the joy of food be lost and hosting parties can still happen! So  please enter my latest shop addition - the Allergy Food Pick

These are new to my shop, can be shipped world wide. 
There are two pack options: 

Gluten Free 12 pk
Allergy Free Mixed 12 pk (inclues two of each; sugar, dairy, gluten, wheat, nut & egg free)

If you are a fellow party host-er, or a creator of beautiful dessert tables, you will most likely be aware of the unfortunate increase in food allergies. With these food picks you need not fear! These allergy alerts will add to your food display and make it really clear to your guests which foods are a-ok to enjoy!

Please let me know if you have any questions about them or if there is a specific allergy you were after and I will be happy to help you out!

Note: the Cupcakes in this shoot are completely allergy free and the recipe can be found here. The icing recipe is from this book. 

Images // Copyright to Polkadot Prints

DREAMS THAT TURN OUT, & DREAMS THAT DON'T...(& OTHER WAFFLINGS!)

This post turned out to be a lot more text and photos than I'd first planned...just a warning, but read on to hear where we are & what happend to the lodge :)

Today is my 500th blog post. Kinda crazy. Kinda cool. I don't even want to go back and look at my first post, I cringe! I am so thankful I've grown and changed over the years. I wish I could share more of life with you, but I am learning to just be in this season of raising young children. I have more ideas than time allows which can be frustrating. And it's hard at times when I'm tempted to look around & see what accolades and accomplishments I could achieve, but I am reminded to keep my blinders on, look straight ahead, be me, live in the 'now' with a vision of the future. So much more like me.

I was going to write about our first year of living in Canada today, so when I saw the old 500 post mark, it couldn't be better timed I don't think. While my sister was visiting, we marked our one year anniversary here. On the actual date, we went out for a bit of a ten pin bowling session followed by dinner. It was such a fun family activity. We need to do that more!

When I reflect back on our move here; we left Australia with a 3mth, newborn baby, who is now walking around & chatting; We had all our stuff in packed up in boxes for months, and now I feel like we have created a home. We knew nothing of the banking, phone, and health systems here, let alone the different grocery brands and products, and now I'm feeling a little more pro in all those things. It's interesting that you can live in an English speaking, developed country, but still feel a sense of culture shock! Oh those early days...I'm so glad they are behind me! (Have any of you moved overseas and felt like that?)

Originally you may remember we moved to Canada for this lodge. Making it a little more mod, and running it with my hubby's family. Well, lets just say things didn't work out the way we planned (let's hear it for family business - haha!!) and so last August we moved to Edmonton for work for Dave. I never really mentioned it here because we thought it was just temporary. But we've been here for 8mths now. When we arrived in Edmonton we knew two couples, and now I feel like we have connected in with a church, school and a social group of friends. It's becoming so much more familiar and is better for our family than the remoteness of the lodge.

We have been living in a two bedroom apartment for the first time in our married lives...I'll have to show you around sometime.  But that will be for another day!

We don't know what the future holds for certain (but who really does anyway?). We have some dreams and plans, so we are just wisely waiting to see when & how that all works out, and we really can't say where we will be in a years time from now, coz honestly I never thought a year ago I'd be living in Edmonton of all places. (I hear Bamuda is lovely though...that's tempting after experiencing the longest winter of my life!) But I'm not complaining. Living 10 mins from one of the biggest malls in the world is kind of a perk, and does something in balancing out the 'too cold to even go outside' moments.
I don't know if you even care about where I'm living, but there is a part of me that feels like I've been keeping a secret from you for the past few months. Of course that is never my intention. Like I said earlier, I don't have time to post all I want to about my design world, let alone my personal world! But, I have had a few of you lovely regular readers asking me about the lodge, so I hope that fills you all in. And the rest who didn't ask....thanks for reading anyway! Here's to adventures ahead, I've kind of just invited you all in on the journey! :)

Thanks for being here!
Jordan xo

Images :: Top to bottom, L-R // Family Bowling night to celebrate our one year in Canada // The lake just steps from our lodge // The bear bell I put on my pram when going for a walk at the lodge...no joke! // Logging country // Canada Post // Even the toilets are different // Yellow school buses are for real, not just the movies // Moose & snow plows on the loose, just everyday signs here // Quadbiking at the lodge // Setting off to Edmonton // Dave & Ellie reflecting on life // Our first 'Fall' was beautiful, I now know why people love it so much!

SPRING PARTY DRINK CHARMS + FREE PRINTABLE

Happy Monday folks. I was so chuffed to see my Down in Garden party shared on Babble last week (a lovely surprise thanks Gabrielle!). Seriously. Happy, happy.
With spring arriving, it's definitely heading into party time on this side of the world. Things are even getting warmer here in Edmonton too...it's been a long winter! : )
Enter my latest freebie for you all. These party drink charms are a great addition to your party arsenal as we head into barbie, outdoor living kind of weather. Throw away the paper cups and niko (aka sharpie) and pull out these re-useable tags made from Shrinky Dinks. And next time you're at a party and ask for a refill, you can tell them "mine's the mint/peach/aubergine one..."

Here's how:


1. Print this freebie design onto Shrinky Dink paper
2. Cut out and punch holes ready for hanging
3. Be mesmerised by the way the tags shrink down in size (enlist a small child to add to the wonderment)
4. Use ribbon or a silver charm ring to attach tags to your drinks. I used silver elastic for these mini glasses which worked really well.
5. Party On without mixin' germs!

NEW PARTY STATIONERY FOR MINTED

 I've just submitted these designs to Minted's latest competition for kids' party invitations & party decor.

I'm sure I'm beginning to sounds like a broken record asking you to vote all the time, but it's all run by competition and the only way to get things up for sale! Minted really are the leaders in personalised stationery and I'd love to have more of my product in the mix.
I'd really be so grateful if you would log in and vote for them:

Fossil Dig Invitation
Fossil Dig Party Decor
Little Red Invitation
Little Red Party Decor
Pit Lane Invitation
Pit Lane Party Decor
Sunshine & Rainbows Invitation
Sunshine & Rainbows Party Decor

And did you know you can be a party ambassador of Minted and get your party stationery for free?Now that's worth a vote right?? : )

ON MY BOOKSHELF

My mum can attest to the fact that I'm not the fastest reader at the library. And I'm normally not very adventurous choosing my own books. I have to have a solid recommendation to read a novel for instance. Given my reading habits, it often means I don't often finish books or just 'read' ones with pictures - yay design books! Ironically I love books themselves, pretty covers, different paper textures, type and idealic quaint bookshops...ahhh. Weirdo I know.

Since Christmas I've read a few winners though that I feel are worthy of sharing. Maybe you can add them to your bedside table collection and you can tell me some I should add to mine!

BLOG INC. by Joy Cho - Wow, this one is worth every penny and I am sure I will head back and reference it again in the near future. What an honest and practical look at this weird world of blogging. I really like the specifics and stories of those who have 'gone before'. Joy is truly the expert and the fact that she is so approachable and transparent earns this book a big fat tick from me. On a personal note, I emailed Joy a few weeks back about something blog related and she replied straight away. I know this often isn't possible for so many 'blogging heavies', but the fact she gave her advice so quickly and willingly, makes me like her even more. Even if you don't want to read about how to blog, you should follow hers! Her little girl Ruby reminds me of my two adopted Korean sisters when they were young. Ca-ute!

FACING UP by Bear Grylls - Is Bear Grylls' story of climbing everest. This might seem a real random amongst the other titles, but I love a good biography and this was definitely gripping (excuse the pun : ).  I think I finished it in like three or four days...unheard of for this snail-paced reader. I liked all the everyday details about living at such high altitude (ever wondered what your pee looks like when you're dehydrated??), and appreciated that like he says in the book; technology can put a man on the moon, but it's only through human effort you can reach the highest summit of earth. Maybe one for the man in your life too!

KARA'S PARTY IDEAS  by Kara Allen - Born from her blog & now shop of party inspiration and supplies, Kara is a whizz when it comes to planning parties around a theme. I liked that most of the parties in this book are exclusive and haven't appeared on her blog before. I have to be honest, when this arrived I was a little disapointed it wasn't a hardcover with full-bleed images (like my fave party book), but it does have a CD of printables you can use for your own events, so that's a big plus in my books.

I WILL CARRY YOU  by Angie Smith - Another personal one and biography - love me a good true story! This story is really close to my heart after losing three babies to miscarriage and having one of my closest friends going through a similar situation to Angie & her husband. It was real and raw and had me reaching for the tissues a number of times. I wish I'd read this months ago. So healing. It's also a helpful tool if you know someone who is grieving in some way. Powerful.

IT'S ALL GOOD by Gwyneth Paltrow - I found out recently that I have some allergies to diary, wheat and eggs. The trifecta hey? Needless to say, this little baking and cooking lover is on a steep learning curve changing from traditional baking to working with alternate ingredients (that actually taste good!). I just bought this book last week, and already I've found a 'go-to' muffin recipe and other meal ideas that actually taste like the 'real deal' and work with the rest of my family too. And if I look like gorgeous Gwynnie on the front cover afterwards, then that's a bonus!

______________________________________________________

As I write this, it's snowing outside. A perfect weekend for staying indoors and snuggling up with a good book. Unfortunately we have a full weekend with a fun marriage conference, birthday parties and Sunday lunch plans, so no lazy days for us. But please send me your fave reads at the moment. I need some more ideas! 

Have a good weekend! xo

Images // Illustration by Polkadot Prints. Cover shots via Amazon & Book Depository

HELLO HANDSOME FOR SALE

Hooray!! I won!!! Thank you to all who voted for my Minted Minibook designs. I can now proudly say I have one for sale!
I have to be honest it's pretty stiff competition and has taken a couple of different competitions to finally get one on the board, but I'm so thrilled.
You can find it here. And don't forget to check out all the other Minibooks. I think they're a great idea for share a bit more info and few more photos than a regular birth announcement!

P.S I have a couple of invitation designs & party decor ready for your vote if you're able. (Click on each design and give me a five (hint, hint!) I will give you a huge virtual hug and an enthusiastic "Thanks so much!"