Gift: Holiday Wrapping.

Holiday Tree Gift Wrap

Now with Halloween done away with, the inevitable happens. Christmas music and festive lights fill every space, eggnog is enthusiastically stocked and consumed, talk of snow and plans for the upcoming year ahead makes an appearance in most conversations. 

The holiday season is upon us!

I do love this time of year. There's something very cozy about it. If only I had a fireplace to sit in front of while I sip my whiskey-spiked eggnog. 

Holiday Woodland Gift Wrap

Holiday Woodland Gift Tags

Earlier this year I designed and made plans to produce my own holiday wrapping paper and gift tags, but with our upcoming move it became clear I didn't need the added stress. 

It seems a waste not to do anything with the designs though, so I'm happy to offer them as free templates to you all. It does mean there isn't as much surface space for the wrapping paper, but it should wrap tinier gifts quite nicely. 

Holiday Tree Gift Tags

All 4 templates fit 8.5" x 14" (legal) size paper and are available for download from the following links:

Holiday Woodland Gift Wrap
Holiday Woodland Gift Tags
Holiday Tree Gift Wrap
Holiday Tree Gift Tags

Happy early Holidays! xo

Wander: Vilnius, Lithuania

 

Lithuania has a rich history going back centuries, taking architectural influence from their Pagan roots, the French, the Italians and subsequently the Russians as well. 

What I found interesting (and not at all expected), was Vilnius' narrow Medieval streets as well as its Renaissance, Baroque and Gothic buildings! Given Russia's occupation, it's amazing they had the decency to leave most of Vilnius' Old Town alone. The city's beautiful character charmed them too, I guess?

With naming Vilnius a Unesco World Heritage Site, much has been done to preserve the integrity of this section of town. While many buildings look to be on the brink of falling over, people still inhabit them. Whether they're safe structures or not, is another question. Although, from where we were standing it looked as though architectural engineers are kept quite busy here.

Creatively speaking, there's so much to draw inspiration from. With all of its complexities, dark, long history and ultimate beauty, I would definitely say Lithuania is worth exploring! I'm really happy we included Vilnius on this holiday, not just for personal reasons, but also for a deeper appreciation of Eastern Europe's triumphant nature. 

We'll most certainly be back! 

Home.

My posts about our European holiday haven't ended yet, I have a couple more at least.

But I've been writing this post in my head for a while now and thought it was finally time I shared it in a more public space. Tales of Europe can wait.

It's hard to know how to feel, really. Home can mean so many different things. It can represent a place, people, a story, a collection of memories and even a feeling. 

Whatever your definition, we've definitely made Vancouver home these last 7+ years. A more beautiful place to call your own, there could never be. We count ourselves lucky to have had the life we've had here and the friends we've made over the years. Vancouver has forever changed us, and that's something we'll gladly take with us wherever we go.

And the all-too-glamorous 'wherever' has turned out to be Toronto. Yes, that's right. We're moving back, and likely no later than late January/early February. I'd say I'm as shocked as many of you, but then again, I think I always knew that's where my heart had remained all these years and where I would eventually return.

That city gave me my first concert, my first design job, my first apartment, my first cat Charlie and my first REAL love, Kevin. Those kinds of milestones are pretty tough to beat and when you have that kind of romanticized connection to a place whether it be a faded memory (real or imagined)...the pining tends to be difficult to shake. Over the years, the thought of moving home to Toronto had come up a lot, but then we'd sit by the ocean and look up at the mountains and all distant memories of a former life would fade. Life in Vancouver was too great to give up. Why even consider walking away?

The truth of the matter is, we could give you hundreds of reasons for 'why', but the one that speaks stronger than the rest...

We're ready! What excites us more than anything else – we get to come home to a place that feels familiar yet feels completely brand new as well. A chance to rediscover Toronto with new and curious eyes feels like a real gift! 

We will of course forever look at our years in Vancouver with absolute pride and smiles. Not seeing the mountains or breathing in that fresh air everyday, yeah, we'll miss that. We'll miss our friends and we'll miss this city that has truly been home for the past 7+ years...but it's time to redefine what home means to us, with family nearby. 

Wander: A sort of homecoming. Lithuania.

Feeling like I've come home.

Why come to Lithuania? Where is Lithuania?

We often got quizzical looks when we mentioned Vilnius being part of our travel plans. Much of Eastern Europe is still unchartered territory for the average traveller, so we understood anyone's surprise. Especially when its lumped in with our other heavy-footed destinations of Scotland, Berlin and Paris.  

I've always proudly identified as Lithuanian (at least in part), as I'm first generation Canadian on my father's side. As Lithuanians of a certain generation, my grandparents lived through atrocities that we have never been privy to know. Between hiding from the Nazi and Soviet armies, their last few years in Lithuania must have been filled with absolute fear, distrust and God knows what else. My father was born inside a German DP (displaced persons) camp and at the age of 6 months, he and my grandmother bravely escaped by boat to Canada. My grandfather left several months before to work as a minor in Northern Ontario. He was determined to firmly root his family in a new life away from the chaos.

Knowing part of your own history is quite dark, you're both in awe of your grandparents' strength and determination but also horrified this could ever be possible and you weep for their innocence. Lithuania finally gained its independence from Russian occupation in 1991, which has had a strong impact on how the country has flourished since. 

I have a rooted connection to my heritage, but I lacked any connection to the land itself. Being an artist there's always been something inside of me that felt very in-tune with my Lithuanian (and French) heritage. When we began planning our month-long trip my husband made a huge plea for Lithuania. Yes, Kevin was the main force behind our decision to visit my 'homeland'. 

My vision of Lithuania growing up was often a place of fear, despair and sadness, but eventually of triumph and determined spirit. My trepidation with visiting was that of fear itself. Fear I would regret coming. Fear I would find a total disconnection to the people, culture and land. Fear my heritage was only a blood line and nothing else. You have such admiration and pride for your ancestors that I feared I'd leave with a confused identity.

What my time in Vilnius has shown me is that I am in fact, Lithuanian. Our short time there brought me solace and a new sense of 'home' and belonging. While this was a personal trip to my 'homeland', it also opened me up to a whole other part of Europe!

Eastern Europe doesn't get the credit it deserves. While Western Europe is being overrun with tourists, Eastern Europe has its own thing going on. 

We'll most certainly be back! In the meantime, I've come away with a full heart and plenty of inspiration to feed my new found creativity.  

I'll share additional thoughts on our time in Vilnius in a separate post. Stay tuned.  

Wander: Berlin, after my own heart.

Whenever we spoke of our travel plans to Berlin we were often told, "Berlin is great, you'll love it...but it doesn't really look like Europe." 

That last comment was always an interesting one to me. Europe is often perceived as the "old-world" and visions of beautiful and decorative early century buildings flood the mind. Did I expect to find that in Berlin? No. About 90% of it had to be rebuilt after the war due to all of the destruction it had sustained. Would that change my perception of its worth or affect how we experienced the city? Not at all! 

Those big beautiful buildings found in other major European capitals are gorgeous, yes. But there's so much more to a city for me! It's the people, the culture, it's infectious energy and promise. There's an obvious beauty to Paris or Rome, whereas in Berlin you have to look a bit deeper which is why I find it so fascinating.

At face value, Berlin appears rough around the edges with its graffitied Soviet-style architecture which graces many parts of the city. But there lies the beauty!

Given Berlin's VERY dark history, I found Berliners to be very resilient people who have embraced change. They've had to rebuild (literally) and imagine new identities for themselves to numb the memories of the past. The creative presence found on every wall, and every passerby is a testament to that change. There is a creative energy here that I have never encountered in any other city. It's rather difficult to put into words what I mean by that, except to say open yourself up to Berlin and you'll see what I mean. 

After all, Berlin is all about self-discovery. 

A few things we've learned while in Berlin:

- Berliners are very friendly and ready to chat

- it's a very international city, with ex-pats from every place

- it's not all sausage and sauerkraut

- to be curious

- bike culture is alive and well

- public transportation is easy to navigate

Wander: Berlin, Germany

Sprechen sie Englisch, bitte? Do you speak English, please?

This is our first time visiting Germany, and I suppose the first place neither of us could speak the language. So upon landing in Berlin our lack of German was immediately sobering. Tegel is probably the most chaotic airport I've ever flown into (and that includes Heathrow) - pair that with a couple of tired travellers who don't speak the language...fear certainly took over.

What we quickly learned though is most people in Berlin speak great English. As long as you're prepared to learn a few greetings, niceties, work on pronunciation and at the very least know how to ask them if they sprechen sie Englisch, they're more than happy to converse with you in English with a smile. 

We feel much braver exercising what we've learned and are inspired to look into language classes when we get home. German may not be the prettiest language but its a really fun one! 

Being in Berlin the last several days has been nothing short of amazing! The people here are great - friendly and fascinating! The sights, the food, the graffiti and the eclectic culture that envelopes you as you wander through, has an infectious effect. There's something about Berlin that feels like coming home. Especially if you're a creative person! The fashion and overall style of Berliners is exactly what I'd fill my "personal style" Pinterest board with. 

In just a short few days, Berlin has captured my heart and my imagination too. The thought of leaving makes me sad as I feel we've only just scratched the surface, but I'll forever dream of a return trip. 

And when we finally get back here, we'll be armed with a whole new vocabulary.

Ich liebe dich, Berlin. I love you, Berlin.

Ps. I'll be following this up in the next few days with a second post about Berlin.

Wander: To walk among Scots.

To state the absolute obvious, Edinburgh is an OLD city with many tales to tell. Every block you pass through has seen its share of dramas, battles, and love stories dating back centuries. The same could be said about the rest of Scotland. And of course Europe.

Being from Canada, our own history is just a blip in time compared to the history that has existed here. I mean, you can't help but appreciate knowing some of Scotland's more "modern" buildings are as old as your own country. 

I've never had a head for remembering historical battles and/or dates - a "history buff" I am not. But there is something to be said about walking streets, alleys and sweeping landscapes that embody so much life.

Any place will have a spirit about it. Scotland just so happens to walk among many. 

Wander: Edinburgh, Scotland

Kevin and I road-tripped through Ireland several years ago, we've wandered London a couple times too. The UK is not new to us and there is no place we feel more at home or are surprised by every time we visit.

Our trip to Ireland so many years ago really inspired our interest and love of whisky which has only deepened with time. Visiting Scotland to take in its history and its yummy whisky roots, well, we've talked about taking this trip for a while. 

We've rented an apartment in Edinburgh through Airbnb and our plan was to keep our plans fairly loose and treat this city like it were our own. 

Edinburgh is quite small and we realized, very walkable too. Despite its small size there is so much to discover! The key is to let yourself wander. While wandering ourselves I found a beautiful quote that could easily keep us company while we travel Europe this next month. 

"Not all those who wander are lost"

Fitting for life as well. 

A few things we've learned while in Scotland:

- The Scottish are lovely, warm people

- Haggis is delicious

- Whisky tastes better on this side of the Atlantic

- Eggs, and fish 'n chips too

- After a week of hearing it around you, a hybrid of an accent takes shape! Apparently mixing a Canadian accent with a Scottish one creates a softened Irish lilt

- Don't travel like a tourist. Embrace your new surroundings like they were your own.

Wander: Europe bound.

Kevin and I are headed to Europe tomorrow.

We haven't been back since 2009 and let me tell you, my body and mind has been aching for it ever since.

I grew up with European grandparents, so I've only ever felt a step away from this culturally rich and eclectic continent. Every time I'm back there, it feels like coming home.

We'll be gone a month to explore Scotland, Berlin, Lithuania (where my heritage lines lay) and Paris. I've already been to Paris, but this time I get to explore it with the husband in tow. A more romantic end to what is promising to be an enriching trip, there could never be.

I plan to share random anecdotal thoughts, daily photos and musings here throughout our trip. I hope you find it interesting! I can't wait to get started!

mk xo

(Taken with Instagram)

Shop: Pretty Paper Please

 

Branding solutions is what I offer my clients on a daily basis. When I had to turn the tables and think about how to brand myself and stationery line... it became a whole new challenge.

As part of my consignment/wholesale business series over on Lotus Events' blog, I've shared my insights on branding yourself in today's post. 

I'll be covering lookbook design, line sheets and catalogues over the next few weeks. Make sure to follow along!

Travel: Victoria, BC

 

 

After losing Charlie just over a week ago, Kevin and I needed some time away for a bit of a break from our thoughts.

We decided to take the ferry trip to Victoria, BC and make a long weekend of it. We hadn't been back since 2003, and boy, has the city changed!

It still has its old-town charm but with a much younger character than we remembered! Block after block of local coffee roasters, craft beer microbreweries and amazing new restaurants, the city has become a definite food haven. And you can't help but get lost in some of those views.

This trip was exactly what we needed.