Behind the Blog

My little space on the internet is slowly growing, and I couldn't be more thankful. I love sharing my life, and this is a great outlet for me! I came across Laura Jean's post, and decided to recap my thoughts on some of my own blog's posts.

Favorite Post to Write || I would have to say it's those What's in my Bag ones. They're so much fun to write and take pictures for, and to read! I'm totally snoopy and it's fun to see the difference between what I carry, and what you carry around.

Most Frustrating Photo Shoot || My collections post. It was pretty difficult to get decent shots of all the polish while there was daylight. I really couldn't decide what order the colours should go in, and how to get all of them in one shot...ugh!

Post I'm Most Proud Of || My Fitness Journey v.01. Goodness, I am so glad that I got it out there. It took me forever to write, and to also get the courage to finally hit publish. It sat in my drafts for almost 2 months before I told myself to just deal with the anxiety. It's also doubled as motivation to get myself outside and to put down the bacon ;)

Popular Post I Didn't Think Would Be a Big Deal || How to make a headphone case. I didn't take measurements, and I made a small mistake by sewing the button on at the wrong time...but so many people have viewed it!

Post I was Expecting to Take Off That Didn't || Alright, so I know now that all of my old posts say "A Broke Bride" in them, but that's a lot of work to go through each and every post to switch it to "a la Maxfield", yeah? Honestly, I was expecting my Ad Swap post to take off a bit more, as it's essentially free sponsorship for up and coming blogs, or bigger blogs. I always take advantage of an ad swap when I see one (as I really have no funds

The Closest Pinterest Famous I Have Ever Gotten || Totally this DIY. I always got notifications that so-and-so has repinned it.

Quickest Post I've Ever Written || Always the Week's End posts. I always have the pictures and links ready to go, and they're fun to write too. 

Weirdest Search Term to Find My Blog || vampire stat? Apparently it's a website, too. There's nothing on my blog about vampires, so that's a little confusing.

I'd love to see what your answers would be! Let me know in the comments, or share the link in the comments if you do the post questions, too!

xo. Nicole

The Circle || Fall Favourites

I'm linking up with Kiki for The Circle link up. This month's theme is Fall Favourites! I've talked a lot about Fall and what I love about it, but I can't get enough. #sorrynotsorry ;)

Pictures courtesy of Treasured Forever Photography and of my mother-in-law.

1|| Favorite fall fashion/clothing item? 
Definitely scarves! They keep me warm during the day for most part, and they can really make an outfit.

2|| Favorite fall drink? 
I've worked at Starbucks, and could never stomach the pumpkin spice latte. Maybe I can now, now that I'm no longer working there? Otherwise, it's a caramel macchiato!

3|| What's something on your fall bucket list?
I shared my goals a couple weeks ago, but I have yet to follow through with some of them. The snail mail goal is easy, but the gluten free pie crust is still stumping me.

4|| Favorite fall recipe?

I tried making oatmeal last year, but that didn't work out. I don't think I have a recipe really, but breakfast for dinner tastes SO much better when it's cold outside.

5|| Halloween candy or Pumpkin Spice Latte?

Halloween candy, but I'll also go for a latte. Just not pumpkin spice.

6|| Favorite fall scent?

I love love love the smell of apple cider. That includes nutmeg, cinnamon, allspice, etc.! They just smell so warm and cozy.

7|| Favorite fall holiday?

Thanksgiving, and my husband's birthday. His is on October 12th, and Thanksgiving for us Canadians lands on the 13th. Woo hoo long weekend! It also marks 4 years of being together since our first date :)

8|| What is fall (weather) like where you live?

Oh my gosh, we've already had 2 days of snow and a couple frosty mornings. We've also experienced 29*C weather, and then snow the next day. I think Alberta just doesn't know what it wants to do during Fall. I don't think we really get one, as I hear the snow is coming soon!

xo. Nicole

Our First Christmas Cards!

So we've had a couple Christmas' together as a couple, but this will be our first as a married couple! Since we moved a whole province away from our friends and some of our family, and we're newlyweds, I wanted to start the tradition of mailing out Christmas cards to everyone! This year, I sent one to everyone who came to our wedding and then some more people. 

As soon as Allison from Crafted Love posted a link on Facebook about how she was/is designing Christmas cards for people, I jumped at the chance! She has done such an amazing job on our wedding invitations, my blog layout, and now our first Christmas cards! I originally asked for only 25, thinking it would be enough, but I was sadly mistaken. Where Allison sent my cards to be printed, they doubled what they printed and she sent me 50 cards! I was mistaken in thinking we only need 25 cards, as I've mailed them all out and I only have about 7 leftover. I know now for next year!

Allison also started making holiday envelopes! I forgot to take decent pictures of them (they are soooo cute!), but I did get one shot!

I also received some amazing news today! For the past couple months, I've been working in retail and just haven't been happy with it. I realized while working in retail that the only job I've ever had where I've been happy is as a Youth Care Counselor in a group home. So, I've been applying for Educational Assistants in the school system here, and I got offered a position this morning! I will be starting January 6! Things are getting better for us, after all the stress of our vehicles breaking down, being 'fixed', and breaking down again.

Did you send out Christmas cards this year? Please share!

xo. Nicole

Winter Sponsors • Megan!

Today's sponsor is Megan! Her and I went to high school together, but didn't really connect until afterwards. She's grown to be one of my favorite people and someone that I can talk to about anything.
Her blog is always really cool to read because she writes so beautifully. Since August though, she's been using her Tumblr as a blog! I think you should check it out :)

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Blog • Tumblr • Twitter

What is your favorite thing about the holidays?

Spending time with family friends!

What is your favorite holiday tradition with your family?

Watching the movie, "The Sound of Music" with my family. We've watched it every year for as long as I can remember!

Are you starting any new traditions this year?

This year I am working on Christmas, so I am missing it entirely.

What is your favorite holiday dish?

Turkey and cranberries is the best thing, ever!

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Working on Christmas day is a HUGE bummer :( The field of working in group homes can be tricky with the STAT holidays, because the kids sometimes don't have homes to go to for the holidays, so the homes have to stay open...which means some youth workers are working. I hope there are other days this month that you can see your friends and family! 

Thanks for sharing, Megan! 

xo. Nicole

Winter Sponsors • Shelby!

We're on to meeting our next sponsor for the winter here on A Broke Bride! Her name is Shelby and we became friends when we worked at Starbucks together in St. Albert, Alberta. Since then, I had met my then husband-to-be, (she witnessed the VERY beginning of our relationship and the sneaky texts during work), moved a city and then a province away, and now back to Alberta! We're now only about...an hour(?) away from each other! Since we became friends, Shelby has started her own blog, Ankkuri! 

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Blog • Twitter

What is your favorite thing about the holidays?

Wrapping gifts. I'd like to believe I'm a pretty fantastic gift wrapper. I always go all out with a theme, fancy ribbons & tags.

Your favorite holiday tradition with your family?

My family doesn't have a lot of traditions. For the holidays we always go to my sisters for Christmas Eve to exchange any presents.

Are you starting any new traditions this year?

We set up a Christmas tree for the first time in five years this year. My boyfriend & I bought a cheap small little white tree & a few red & silver ornaments.

What is your favorite holiday dish?

Yorkshire pudding! On Christmas Day we have a proper English dinner. & it's one of the few times a year we have Yorkshire pudding.

• • • • • •

Oh man, I can't even imagine not having a Christmas tree for 5 years! I'm happy you have one this year, and I hope you share your wrapping skills for the rest of us with the skills of a 12 year old, haha!

xo. Nicole

The Blogmopolitan Quiz!

Ooo this was exciting to come across! I love reading the monthly magazine, Cosmopolitan, and seeing how the celebrity cover stars fill this out. This is also a good way for you, my readers, to know me better! I hope you participate in the Blogmopolitan link up!

You can find the copy of the quiz that you can download yourself over on Erin's blog today! Have fun and let me know if you do it by linking me in the comments here!

xo. Nicole

 

Craft It Forward || What I Received!

A while ago, Sam from My Latest Obsession put up a blog post about Crafting It Forward. The idea is that you send 5 people a homemade gift and from there, those 5 people send a homemade gift to 5 more people, and so on. Well, I commented on Sam's post and I received my package yesterday! I've been following Sam for a while and have been watching her shop get better and better! They're also in the process of building a Tiny Home! 

Sam sent me a pack of 3 bracelets, 2 lip balms, an upcycled magnet, and a bath soak! The soak and the balms smell heavenly and I looovvee that she is using essential oils!

Would you like to be a part of Craft It Forward? The first 5 people to comment on this post will receive something special from me with the hope that you will do the same! Please leave your email address so that I can contact you :)

In the meantime, please check out Sam's Etsy shop, Sam Wish! She upcycles and makes a lot of cool things that make great gifts for the holidays coming up.
xo. Nicole