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christmas decor

Holiday Memories, and Moments.

January 18, 2015 By Lena

One of the best things in life is when you can connect a moment to a memory. Like, the smell of coconuts and thoughts of your favourite beach vacation. Or, biting into the sweetest strawberry in the dead of winter, making you long for lazy summer days. The sounds of children giggling at the same jokes you laughed at as a child.

The moments and memories you bring together over and over again because it’s food for the soul.

Yesterday, I picked up my new glasses, which happened to be a Christmas gift from my husband (they cost him an arm and a leg, but I’m worth it). Do you love them as much as I do? It’s my first foray in handmade frames… and these happen to be handmade in Paris by Caroline Abram. Worth. every. penny. I wear glasses 90% of the time, so it’s nice to feel fabulous!
DSC_0359aAs I put them on, I thought about this past holiday season, and how it always seems to fly by. Do you feel the same way? I feel like there is such a momentous build up lasting all of December (or, according to retail stores, 10 seconds after Remembrance Day ends) and then poof! December 25th happens, and it’s gone.

One of the best things about being a Nikon MOMents blogger is the reminder to capture those moments, which of course, helps to preserve the memories. And so yesterday, as I had a chance to enjoy my Christmas gift for the very first time, I once again thought about the holidays, and the food, family and love that made it special. Today, I’d love to share some of those moments with you. …

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Filed Under: Family Tagged With: #NikonMOMents, christmas decor, Family, Nikon D3300

Shopping Traditions: William Ashley Warehouse Sale

November 17, 2014 By Lena

Published posts on the Internet don’t lie. So, when I tell you that I’ve been a loyal customer of the William Ashley Warehouse Sale for over a decade, I have the proof to back it up. Just take a gander at this post from October 9th, 2008. Yep – it was one of the first posts I’d written on my blog! And in the brief article, I raved about the mammoth annual warehouse sale, which offers household, design and décor pieces for up to 90% off retail prices.

(I daresay it’s the hap-happiest time of the year.)

A kitchen table. A floor lamp. A handful of picture frames. Dozens of Christmas ornaments and too many baking supplies to count. And my most prized purchase: a vintage-inspired credenza that belongs in a Paris salon, but is happily set up in my sitting room. These are past finds at the William Ashley Sale.

This year, the sale has moved to a larger location in Vaughan (just off the 400). The space features 30,000 square feet of shopping, with over one million items up for sale! And as always, there’s more to the sale than William Ashley’s signature china and dishware – you’ll find Christmas décor, home décor, fashion items, candles, bath toiletries – even gourmet food.

Christmas shopping, anyone?

Last Monday, I had the enviable opportunity to shop the sale while it was closed to the public.
William Ashley SaleSince it’s tradition for my mom and I to visit the sale together, she was my special guest for the day. We spent a lot of time in the china and dinnerware section, simply because regardless of whether we need it or not, no one does fine china like William Ashley. And, Couture Platinum at warehouse prices? Yeah, you can see why we lingered. …

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Filed Under: Decor Tagged With: christmas decor, home decor, William Ashley, william ashley warehouse sale

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Lena Almeida

Toronto Blogger, Social Media Strategist for Listen to Lena Inc. Television & Radio Personality, Columnist and Speaker. Family Travel Expert. Star Wars Fanatic. Perfecting the Art of Conversuasion. Read More…

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