FAMILY TRIP TO BANFF

My sister, her husband and twin one year olds, just left us after spending two weeks holiday over here in Canada. It was sad to see them leave, we had such a great time of playing tourist, mixed with a whole lot of nothing/everyday chit chat and laughs. It's funny how when you show someone around your city,  you suddenly you realise how much you know. I found myself answering the questions that just a year ago I was asking someone else. It felt good and made me feel like this place is a bit more familiar and like home.

A highlight of their time here was heading to the Banff area. We had only driven through the rockies before on our way to BC, so it was nice to stay, relax and take a look around. Seriously this is a beautiful part of the country! If those majestic mountains don't turn your eyes heaven-ward, I don't know what will. A creative & majestic God exists for sure! You can never get the full grandeur of the view until you see it first hand, it seriously takes your breathe away.

We stayed in Canmore at this fine place. Who were very accommodating given we had four children under four (three in cots) with us. First time hot tubbing outdoors too...woo!
We visited the town, drove up to Lake Louise, visited the famous Banff Springs hotel, rode the Sulphur mountain gondola, had a delicious meal here, and wandered down main street of both Canmore & Banff. So quaint and pretty.

We were told we had to visit the Sweet shoppe in Banff, which we obligingly did. (Say hello to my sister above - miss you already Salem!)
I follow Dajana from All things lovely blog on instagram, and she had written a post about what to do in the area, it's worth a read. She recommended this place called Beavertails. I didn't really know what it was about, but boy oh boy, they were good. Below is a maple & skor topped pastry but Dave had the apple and cinnamon version and it was da bomb! I had beavertail envy! Just another reason we need to return so I can have one to myself!

I can't wait to head back to this area. I have officially added it to my 'happy places' list, and can't wait to check it out in a different season. C'mon summer! Have to you been to the rockies before? What are some of your "must do's"?

P.S. I had to include the last photo at Lake Louise; it makes me laugh everytime I look at it. And before you pay out my parenting, the photo makes it look a lot more dangerous than it was....Ellie was very safe!




Images // Copyright Polkadot Prints

STILL CALL AUSTRALIA HOME

Well, we're home! We jam-packed heaps into our time back home in Australia. So much so that I think with the addition of jetlag, it's taken a bit longer than normal to get back into the swing of things back here in Canada.
The main purpose of the trip was for my brothers' wedding to his lovely bride. A sunny day by the bay was the perfect setting for one beautiful & relaxing day! Gorgeous couple eh?

It was so refreshing to shirk the heavy coats of this Canadian winter and galavant around in dresses, and a sleeve-less wardrobe!
Our days were filled with family get togethers, hanging with friends, lots of sun, and all our favourite foods, oudoor eating, ice cream & sushi just how we like it.
I visited with Daneve of Ah Tissue, and Linda from Bubble & Sweet which is always fun to chat party things. We visited our home church who had an amazing larger than life tree centre stage for a Christmas series. So much fun and so little time.  
We've hit the ground running now that we are home. Only 7 days until Christmas...yikes, need to get my wrapping on! Yeeha Christmas!

C'MON AUSSIE, C'MON!

I'm signing off a little early to get ready for a trip back home to Australia for my little bro's wedding. I'm looking forward to the next couple of weeks, celebrating, long days of nothing, catching up with family & friends, eating some of my fave foods, and enjoying beaches and weather like this I hope!

I did have a new project to share, but that will have to wait until I get back. Things to do, bags to pack, travel packs to make!

I'm sure I'll still be sharing the instagram love @polkadotprints so follow along if you like!

Till my return...enjoy!
Jordan xo

COKE SPIDERS

Coke Spiders are as close to Halloween as I'm getting this year. I'm not really into all the spooky stuff, but it's such a big community holiday here in Canada, it has rubbed of just a smidge. (Not doing anything celebratory is kind of like being scrooge at Christmas!)

Reflecting on this holiday and growing up without it in Australia, the only thing I could think of that remotely related were 'Coke Spiders'. They're called 'floats' here and I have no idea where the name 'spider ' comes from, maybe the 'spidery' bubbles that appear at the top?? Anyway, regardless, they are yum and I proudly introduced Levi to them yesterday (his first shot of caffeine!).

Heres a tip when you're needing to make a lot of ice cream balls.


Then when you're ready to serve, pop each spoot + ice cream ball into it's own glass.

They actually remind me of my pre-married life, when I would go out to 'coffee' with another non-coffee drinking friend of mine and we'd both order these with a garlic bread. Weird combo I know, but we loved them, and now it's a great memory!

Enjoy!

Images by // Jordan - Polkadot Prints

SPONTANEOUS LIVING

I'm feeling a little young and spontaneous today as we've decided to make the most of a break between Dave's work contracts, and take a little mini holiday! Woohoo! We're off to the beach for a couple of nights...mid-week. Did you get that? Not even the weekend! We never do this kind of thing, so I'm really looking forward to a little breather before we head into the last few months of the year. Just what the doctor ordered I think. See you on the other side!

{Any shop Orders made in the next two days will be sent on Friday 16th Sept - thanks friends!}

Image The Fullness of Joy via Pinterest

Note:: This was the alternate picture depicting summer - funny right? Funnier still because that round green belly is probably what I will be looking like in my maternity bathers! Now that will be a sight!

NEW DESIGN :: Easter Gift Set PRINTABLE

The countdown to Easter is definately on! To help you celebrate this holiday at your place, I have designed a range of Easter Gift pillows and Polkadot Party Dots you can use to put some colour into your Easter weekend! Use the gift pillows for workmates, friends & neighbours. And the party dots are great for gift tags, cupcake toppers and table decorations. 

This is a printable file, so you can print as many as you like at home or through your favourite printer! There are two designs sets - stripes & blossoms, so something for everyone!

This Easter printable is now available in my store 

or on Etsy if you prefer. 

Real Life :: Back to reality from Sugarland

We had a great week with our friends. But, back to reality this week. It's great to have time off - I get time to think, plan and dream, and then when I get back into it all, the to do list is huge! Ha! 
So worth it & refreshing though!
One highlight of playing tour guide to our overseas friends was taking them up to the Sunshine Coast to the beach this past weekend. We visited a market where I struck a gold mine of cake decorating! Sugarland's website nor my photos do not do justice to this place packed full of cookie pops, cake toppers, cupcake papers etc. You can smell the sugar when you walk past!

I am itching to do something with these...

Valentines Placecard - FREE Download

It's valentines day soon, and while I am not a big fan of the huge commercialism of valentine's, it's still a great opportunity to tell those you love, 'I love you'. So, I thought I would give you a little freebie today - a valentines placecard you can use for an at home 'pink dinner' night, or a little love note placed on the bedside table of your special little someone. 

There are 4 designs in total ('wow' I hear you say!:) Using a colour palette of purple, pink & orange, the first two designs are a more modern angle, and then for the Valentines red & white purists, there are two designs for you too! :) 
Polkadot Prints Valentines Place Cards
Simply download the PDF, print the pages you want onto cardstock on your home printer, cut out, fold and voila!...placecards! 

Let me know how you end up using these at your place! 
Enjoy!

Holiday in the rear view mirror!

We’re back…We had a great time up on the coast relaxing in the UV rays (not much sun!) - we couldn’t pull our little guy away from the waves and the sand! There was a whole lot of nothing being done for the majority of the time. Mixed in with some shopping, swimming, reading & eating. Bliss!

We also celebrated our 5yr wedding anniversary on the 8^th Jan – time surely does fly!

Hope you had a great holiday. I still have one more week off work to help with preparations for my sisters wedding. I will be making the most of that! (and maybe even squeeze in some time at the computer to create some new designs I sketched up over the holidays!)

I’ve got tonnes more ‘invitation features’ ready to blog about…stay tuned!

We're all going on a Summer Holiday...

Happy New Year to everyone! We had a fun night with some friends down the coast, and I actually made it till midnight - a feat I haven't attempted for a number of years!

It's now holiday time in our house! We're off to enjoy the beach and some time with family. See you in a week -  browner, sandier and more relaxed ready for the year ahead!