Koru Kate Finds: Simple Pleasures

Last Saturday, this winter-loving girl finally got what she had been not-so-patiently waiting for: SNOW!  We received about five inches of the white, fluffy stuff, just the perfect amount to turn our city into a winter wonderland.  It wasn't enough to bring the world to a halt with closed stores & such.  But RZ & I decided it was enough to bring our world to a halt. 

We bundled up & headed outside with our Beagle Bailey for a fun, winter walk:

Beagle Bailey wasn't thrilled at first & spent the first five minutes trying to convince us to go back inside.  The humans prevailed.  Once we got to the snowy park, he really got into the spirit of things.  He was running & jumping in the snow like an excited puppy.  Adorable!

He even humored me by posing in the snow for the perfect winter photo: 

It was the most fantastic winter afternoon with RZ & our pup.  Lots of smiles & laughter.  The fun lasted long after we headed home:

The day grew colder & colder until night fell while we stayed warm & cozy inside.  We did little except nap, read & relax.  Dinner called for a delicious meal delivered from a new restaurant & entertainment was watching a movie by candlelight.  I loved every last moment.

In day-to-day life, I'm guilty of getting caught in the hustle & bustle by constantly working towards my latest goal or lusting after the latest shiny, new object.  It's so easy to forget the simple, wonderful pleasures like a lazy day spent with my husband & our pup.  Today's Koru Kate Finds is Simple Pleasures- find them & enjoy them!   

First Look, snow-style

When I was a Bride planning my Winter Wedding, there was not a lot of inspiration to be found in wedding blogs or magazines.  Spring, Summer & Fall weddings were clearly favored. Thankfully, two years later (wow, where did the time go?!), Winter Weddings are getting more of their well-deserved time in the spotlight.  Here at Koru Wedding Style, I will never tire of featuring Brides & Grooms enjoying their Winter Weddings.

How about a Winter Wedding gem like this?

Such a stunning black & white image of a Bride & Groom sharing their First Look in a snowy landscape. This Winter Wedding delivers big time!


Photo by Alison Conklin via

Holiday Card Evolution

In what seemed like a flash of brilliance, I chose to send homemade Christmas cards this year.  I enjoy making cards & I adore the holiday season so why not?  Sure, crafting 50+ Christmas cards would be my largest cardmaking project yet.  Oh yes, of course I would find the time for this project during the busy holiday season. 

Looking back, I identify that moment as a stroke of insanity! 

Allow me to take you on the journey of the Koru Kate Holiday 2011 Card from inspiration (I'm so excited to make my holiday cards!) to reality (What in the world was I thinking?) . . .

Six weeks ago, I pinned a snowflake card as my inspiration:

One trip to Paper Source, one trip to AC Moore & one raid of my craft armoire later, I had Version 1 of my holiday card:

A few minor tweaks of colored card stock & patterned paper later, I was happy with sweet Version 2 of my holiday card:

Bright Version 3 of my holiday card on RZ's choice of classic holiday red card stock:

A few more of lovely Version 2 on my choice of icy blue card stock:

I'm a complete sucker for details so every card has a snowflake stamped on its butt:

I'm pretty proud of my humble holiday cards.  We dropped the first batch in the mail last night; the second batch should be ready this evening.  I've glued my fingers together, I've smudged countless snowflakes, I've wondered if the project would ever end.  But there is a definite satisfaction knowing I created our newlywed holiday cards with care & love for our family & friends.

Will I make my holiday cards next year?  Ha, by then I will have forgotten the insanity & I will think it's a fabulous idea!  

Photo 1 via, Photo 2-6 by Koru Kate