2016

Coming to the end of a year is always a time of reflection for me. Adam and I love to sit and chat about what we have achieved, ups and downs, things we want to work on for the coming year and everything in-between.

2015 was a wonderful year for me. I married Adam, which was the most unbelievable day and the journey we began together since saying 'i do' has been pretty magical.  I have never understood 'forever' like I do now. We got to celebrate with loved ones before honeymooning in Siena. Italy was so great, and we got to explore into the Tuscan hills; a highlight being a farmstead visit to a small family owned winery where we got to taste a selected of wines and eat homemade bruscetta. I won't forget it anytime soon.

Another highlight for me was something I have been dreaming about for a long time and when the day finally came, I had to pinch myself. In May I dropped my hours at my 'day job', then in September I took the leap and quit completely. Being able to pursue Little Me Paper Co full time is beyond a dream come true and I am thankful everyday for everyone who has helped me along the way to achieving this huge goal. I am positive that 2016 will be a great year for my Little company, and I can't wait to look back at what I achieve.

Another couple of lovely moments was watching my brother get married, and also seeing my baby nephew be born. Having a new little one in our family is indescribable.

As for 2016, I have a few hopes, goals and ambitions that I would love to tackle both personally and within my business.  Since my studio is located within our home, it is often hard to switch off from work - especially around deadlines. Adam also owns a small business, so in our busy times we are both so swamped and it's easy to forget to 'stop & breath'. So, this year, I would love to achieve BALANCE.

Another goal is to work on living simply. I am super sentimental and love stuff and things, and I am a bit messy too...SO, I would like to clear my mind, my space and live within a simpler and happier space surrounded by things that bring me true joy.

Cooking has always been important to me, so cooking more recipes and striving to reach a healthier routine to include exciting recipes and a work out routine. I know i need to 'make time' for this, as I find when I am busy the first thing that goes out the window is eating and treating myself right. So this one is important this year.

All of these small goals will feel like  huge successes as I conquer them, and I can't wait for what 2016 will bring our family and our businesses. I am grateful everyday for this life I am living, and am excited for what the future holds.

What are some of your goals?

Love Leanne xox

What I'm working on...

I thought it would be a good idea to keep you all up to date with what I am currently working on! As we sneak into September the first thing my mind switches to is Christmas, so...I have been working full throttle on a Fall//Christmas collection that I will be launching real soon. I have also been busy putting together our 2016 calendar. This is something I have never done, and I am really so excited to be launching my first ever calendar - and in true Little Me style, it's got puns, lots of 'em! I am also working with a local jewelry designer on a Christmas gift pack, this is something totally new for me - but I love the lady I'm working with and trust her whole heartedly, so I'm certain together we will come up with something fab!

I am excited to launch our new range and to add them to our wholesale catalog. Keep your eyes on our social media (especially instagram, cause instagram is the best) @littlemepaperco. Where I will be updating you on the launch!

Chat soon!

Leanne

Cleanse

Happy September everyone! Oh my goodness, sorry for the lack of posts the past few months. Believe me when I say they have been so busy, and exciting, and I didn't have much of a chance to just sit and be with my words - so that is why I am getting to this now. So much has changed since my last post, most importantly I am now a wife, a Mrs, a married women. I can't even begin to explain how incredible the wedding was - it was the happiest day of my life, so far and Adam and I were surrounded by so much love it warmed our hearts. I will do a proper post on the wedding as soon as we get our pictures back from our photographer and the wedding video. Yipee. Can't wait to show you all!

Since getting home from our perfect wedding vacation in England, I have had the intense urge to have a HUGE clearout, a cleanse if you will. Not in the dramatic sense of getting rid of everything I own, but to uncover a more simple way of living, eating and being. Adam and I both love simplicity, and find having too much 'stuff' to be very stressful. Unfortunately, I am good at collecting 'stuff' so this is a vicious cycle.

I would like to  take a journey to simplify our life in 4 ways.

• Capsule closet of clothes
• Healthy eating
• Yoga/Working out
• Work / life balance

The first is a mountain for me. I own SO MANY clothes, but only wear a handful of them. I am weirdly sentimental about clothing (I wore this on such and such day awwwwww). But I feel like I need to separate the emotion from the reality, and have a massive clothing overhaul. I know that I could donate 80% of my clothing and that way I would be able to create a capsule closet of go-to clothes.

Healthy eating is incredibly important to Adam and I and we are constantly striving to balance living a very busy lifestyle, with spending the time on cooking good and healthy meals. I want to find some 'go-to' recipes, and to hold eating right at the top of our priority list. I would love to spend more time on  cooking delicious meals, and reap the way it will make us both feel.

I am keen to set aside time to workout everyday - especially now I am working from home full time it's difficult to pry myself away from my work. I think it's incredibly important to be active everyday and it helps me so much with boosting my energy.  For a while I was following the T25 workout program and I was honestly feeling amazing and so motivated...but I got a bit bored of it and it fizzled out. I am not really into the gym, but I really like 'routine' workouts so I would like to get back into yoga and have some amazing youtube videos bookmarked, and in the winter i plan to sign up for some dance classes.

Work/life balance is a tricky one when both me and my husband own small businesses. But we are both determined to set aside time to dedicate to each other and our family and friends. We operate our small businesses from home, so it's especially difficult to 'shut the door'  on it. We are both working on dedicating 'work hours' to our businesses and taking some time off in-between for fun and adventures!!

I will keep you up to date with how these things are all going for me, and I would love to hear from you and your journey to cleanse your lifestyle!

Chat soon,

Leanne

My first year

Every morning I log into time hop. I absolutely adore this app, if you don't have it, make sure you download it. It basically tells you what you posted on social media last year, 3 years ago or even 10 years ago. I love to reminisce about times gone by. Anyways, today my time hop let me know that 1 year ago today was the day I started Little Me Paper Co. I started Little Me last summer as I needed something to help keep my creativity alive between acting gigs, and whilst I was working full time. This time last year I was working in an office full time as an administrator, this was always a 'just for now, not forever' job that allowed me to follow my acting dream. However, it just wasn't enough and I was unhappy - I needed something more, something that would inspire me everyday. So I started painting again, I have always loved painting and art and have said that if I didn't go to drama school, I would have definitely ended up at art school. Basically as long as I'm being creative, I am happy. So...I started Little Me to focus my attention and it all started with Etsy and a couple of custom watercolour portraits. I remember vividly getting my first order and it was a mess, I literally stared at the computer screen for 20 mins like, OHHHHH SHIT, NOW WHAT?!?!. I remember scrambling around and asking every question I could think of in the etsy forums (Thanks you guys). But I did it, I got the orders out! I opened my shop at a good time because it was just as the organized Christmas shoppers started looking for custom portraits, and I started getting busier and busier.

I decided to apply to a local Market called Market Collective, and to my disbelief I got in. I then knew that I had to expand to some 'grab and go' items like greeting cards and prints. Market Collective was a BIG deal for me, it was the first time I got to see my customers face to face, and it was the first time I saw people react to my scribbles and it really made me so happy. Seeing a group of friends giggling at my work, or letting out a big 'awwww' is just indescribable. I strongly believe that Market Collective gave a big step up to start taking my 'business', seriously. I have since been a vendor at several MC events and have loved growing with them, and being part of the incredible community that Calgary holds.

This year I have worked at expanding my product line, and finding my style and where I sit in the etsy world and the online world. I'm getting there and have loved being able to connect with customers all around the world via social media, particularly my friend Instagram. I just love instagram so much and have met so many amazing friends through it (oh hey, follow me @littlemepaperco).

Basically, what I'm trying to say is. HOLY CRAP IT'S BEEN A YEAR AND IT'S BEEN AMAZING! and stressful and full of learning and making mistakes and picking myself up and celebrating and all the feels and you guys. Seriously. Thank you. My 'hobby' is now my biggest income and I am just giddy with excitement to write that and to imagine where my company will be 5 years from now. It's seriously indescribable. I'm so happy, thank you. Thank you so much!!!!

Be My Valentine

I can't believe we are into February already, where is time vanishing off too? As we hit the 1st of February, suddenly I had an influx of valentines cards orders. I know it's not everyone's cup of tea, but any day that celebrates love is a winner in my books. With only two weeks until the big day, I wanted to share with you some of my favourite love day finds from Etsy.

This super cute card is perfect for the Canadians out there! It's FishCakeDesign and it can be found {here}

 

 

 

Julie Ann Art understands my relationship. You can find this one amongst a whole host of awesomely cheeky Valentines cards {here}

 

This card says it like it is. By the super cute LetterHappy it can be found {here}

 

 

 

You can find this 'I love you like cats love boxes' card in my Etsy shop.

 I am offering 10% off everything with coupon 'WCCG10'

 

 

Enjoy finding your bestie, soul mate or husband/wife a Valentines card. There are so many amazing ones to choose from!!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

4 months to go.

Okay wow. 4 months until I marry my best friend. As we stepped into a new year it all suddenly felt real- in a good way. I am so excited for my wedding day, I have had so much fun organizing and planning and have refused to sweat the small stuff. When I got engaged I made a vow that I wouldn't allow myself to get stressed about the day, there have been a couple of worry-wart moments. But mostly, I have stayed true to my word.

I have been busy browsing Etsy for stationery ideas and have come across so many unique styling ideas. We are having a travel themed wedding, so it is super fun to see all the cute details we can add to our day.

My favourite purchase from today were these amazing mini vintage envelopes from verryberrysticker. They are the perfect nod to our theme, without being too much. I am so aware that wedding themes can get tacky and become too much, so we are being really careful to just have small details.

 

{Buy them here}

 

 

 

 

I have had the idea to create mini portraits for all my guests for the place settings, but I'm not sure if this is a good idea yet or not...Hmmm...

 

 

I will be blogging more in the lead up to our big day. I hope you will come on the journey with me!

 

What are you excited about this year?

 

 

 

Leanne xx

 

 

 

 



2015

{hello adventure}

Happy new year everyone. 

It feels strange to be stepping into a new year,  as it feels like only yesterday that we bid farewell to 2013. The end of a year always leaves me pensive, thinking of the year that has past and imagining what is in store for the new year. As always, a new year is a time to reflect and to find ambition in the year ahead. 

I have been blessed with an excellent year, one full of challenges  but full to the brim of happiness and love. Every year I take a few moments to illustrate a dream board for the year to come - I include hopes for the year, ambitiions, inspirations, challenges, everything. I prop it up on my makeup table so it is always infront of me, reminding me of what I had hoped for the year. I enjoy this approach more than strict “resolutions” as I don’t really work very well with rules, and like the idea of inspiring myself better. It’s always exciting to look over the previous years wishes - some things get left behind, others become the focus. On my board last year, right in the center was “Little me paper co: open an etsy shop” and when I wrote that on the 31st December 2013 it was only a dream, an aspiration that I hoped would come true in the new year. Now, 1 year later - I opened my little etsy shop, and it is a dream that is now a reality.  I am so overwhelmed with excitement as to what i have achieved since August, and what I can potentially achieve this year. 

I am looking forward to setting myself some goals for my Etsy shop and in my personal life. 2015 is a huge year for me as I endeavour to make my passion my full time job, and above all, I get to marry my best friend in May.

Thank you to everyone that has supported me so far on my journey, and welcome to all the new faces. I hope 2015 is your best year yet!!!!

Leanne xx

2016

Coming to the end of a year is always a time of reflection for me. Adam and I love to sit and chat about what we have achieved, ups and downs, things we want to work on for the coming year and everything in-between.

2015 was a wonderful year for me. I married Adam, which was the most unbelievable day and the journey we began together since saying 'i do' has been pretty magical.  I have never understood 'forever' like I do now. We got to celebrate with loved ones before honeymooning in Siena. Italy was so great, and we got to explore into the Tuscan hills; a highlight being a farmstead visit to a small family owned winery where we got to taste a selected of wines and eat homemade bruscetta. I won't forget it anytime soon.

Another highlight for me was something I have been dreaming about for a long time and when the day finally came, I had to pinch myself. In May I dropped my hours at my 'day job', then in September I took the leap and quit completely. Being able to pursue Little Me Paper Co full time is beyond a dream come true and I am thankful everyday for everyone who has helped me along the way to achieving this huge goal. I am positive that 2016 will be a great year for my Little company, and I can't wait to look back at what I achieve.

Another couple of lovely moments was watching my brother get married, and also seeing my baby nephew be born. Having a new little one in our family is indescribable.

As for 2016, I have a few hopes, goals and ambitions that I would love to tackle both personally and within my business.  Since my studio is located within our home, it is often hard to switch off from work - especially around deadlines. Adam also owns a small business, so in our busy times we are both so swamped and it's easy to forget to 'stop & breath'. So, this year, I would love to achieve BALANCE.

Another goal is to work on living simply. I am super sentimental and love stuff and things, and I am a bit messy too...SO, I would like to clear my mind, my space and live within a simpler and happier space surrounded by things that bring me true joy.

Cooking has always been important to me, so cooking more recipes and striving to reach a healthier routine to include exciting recipes and a work out routine. I know i need to 'make time' for this, as I find when I am busy the first thing that goes out the window is eating and treating myself right. So this one is important this year.

All of these small goals will feel like  huge successes as I conquer them, and I can't wait for what 2016 will bring our family and our businesses. I am grateful everyday for this life I am living, and am excited for what the future holds.

What are some of your goals?

Love Leanne xox

What I'm working on...

I thought it would be a good idea to keep you all up to date with what I am currently working on! As we sneak into September the first thing my mind switches to is Christmas, so...I have been working full throttle on a Fall//Christmas collection that I will be launching real soon. I have also been busy putting together our 2016 calendar. This is something I have never done, and I am really so excited to be launching my first ever calendar - and in true Little Me style, it's got puns, lots of 'em! I am also working with a local jewelry designer on a Christmas gift pack, this is something totally new for me - but I love the lady I'm working with and trust her whole heartedly, so I'm certain together we will come up with something fab!

I am excited to launch our new range and to add them to our wholesale catalog. Keep your eyes on our social media (especially instagram, cause instagram is the best) @littlemepaperco. Where I will be updating you on the launch!

Chat soon!

Leanne

Cleanse

Happy September everyone! Oh my goodness, sorry for the lack of posts the past few months. Believe me when I say they have been so busy, and exciting, and I didn't have much of a chance to just sit and be with my words - so that is why I am getting to this now. So much has changed since my last post, most importantly I am now a wife, a Mrs, a married women. I can't even begin to explain how incredible the wedding was - it was the happiest day of my life, so far and Adam and I were surrounded by so much love it warmed our hearts. I will do a proper post on the wedding as soon as we get our pictures back from our photographer and the wedding video. Yipee. Can't wait to show you all!

Since getting home from our perfect wedding vacation in England, I have had the intense urge to have a HUGE clearout, a cleanse if you will. Not in the dramatic sense of getting rid of everything I own, but to uncover a more simple way of living, eating and being. Adam and I both love simplicity, and find having too much 'stuff' to be very stressful. Unfortunately, I am good at collecting 'stuff' so this is a vicious cycle.

I would like to  take a journey to simplify our life in 4 ways.

• Capsule closet of clothes
• Healthy eating
• Yoga/Working out
• Work / life balance

The first is a mountain for me. I own SO MANY clothes, but only wear a handful of them. I am weirdly sentimental about clothing (I wore this on such and such day awwwwww). But I feel like I need to separate the emotion from the reality, and have a massive clothing overhaul. I know that I could donate 80% of my clothing and that way I would be able to create a capsule closet of go-to clothes.

Healthy eating is incredibly important to Adam and I and we are constantly striving to balance living a very busy lifestyle, with spending the time on cooking good and healthy meals. I want to find some 'go-to' recipes, and to hold eating right at the top of our priority list. I would love to spend more time on  cooking delicious meals, and reap the way it will make us both feel.

I am keen to set aside time to workout everyday - especially now I am working from home full time it's difficult to pry myself away from my work. I think it's incredibly important to be active everyday and it helps me so much with boosting my energy.  For a while I was following the T25 workout program and I was honestly feeling amazing and so motivated...but I got a bit bored of it and it fizzled out. I am not really into the gym, but I really like 'routine' workouts so I would like to get back into yoga and have some amazing youtube videos bookmarked, and in the winter i plan to sign up for some dance classes.

Work/life balance is a tricky one when both me and my husband own small businesses. But we are both determined to set aside time to dedicate to each other and our family and friends. We operate our small businesses from home, so it's especially difficult to 'shut the door'  on it. We are both working on dedicating 'work hours' to our businesses and taking some time off in-between for fun and adventures!!

I will keep you up to date with how these things are all going for me, and I would love to hear from you and your journey to cleanse your lifestyle!

Chat soon,

Leanne

My first year

Every morning I log into time hop. I absolutely adore this app, if you don't have it, make sure you download it. It basically tells you what you posted on social media last year, 3 years ago or even 10 years ago. I love to reminisce about times gone by. Anyways, today my time hop let me know that 1 year ago today was the day I started Little Me Paper Co. I started Little Me last summer as I needed something to help keep my creativity alive between acting gigs, and whilst I was working full time. This time last year I was working in an office full time as an administrator, this was always a 'just for now, not forever' job that allowed me to follow my acting dream. However, it just wasn't enough and I was unhappy - I needed something more, something that would inspire me everyday. So I started painting again, I have always loved painting and art and have said that if I didn't go to drama school, I would have definitely ended up at art school. Basically as long as I'm being creative, I am happy. So...I started Little Me to focus my attention and it all started with Etsy and a couple of custom watercolour portraits. I remember vividly getting my first order and it was a mess, I literally stared at the computer screen for 20 mins like, OHHHHH SHIT, NOW WHAT?!?!. I remember scrambling around and asking every question I could think of in the etsy forums (Thanks you guys). But I did it, I got the orders out! I opened my shop at a good time because it was just as the organized Christmas shoppers started looking for custom portraits, and I started getting busier and busier.

I decided to apply to a local Market called Market Collective, and to my disbelief I got in. I then knew that I had to expand to some 'grab and go' items like greeting cards and prints. Market Collective was a BIG deal for me, it was the first time I got to see my customers face to face, and it was the first time I saw people react to my scribbles and it really made me so happy. Seeing a group of friends giggling at my work, or letting out a big 'awwww' is just indescribable. I strongly believe that Market Collective gave a big step up to start taking my 'business', seriously. I have since been a vendor at several MC events and have loved growing with them, and being part of the incredible community that Calgary holds.

This year I have worked at expanding my product line, and finding my style and where I sit in the etsy world and the online world. I'm getting there and have loved being able to connect with customers all around the world via social media, particularly my friend Instagram. I just love instagram so much and have met so many amazing friends through it (oh hey, follow me @littlemepaperco).

Basically, what I'm trying to say is. HOLY CRAP IT'S BEEN A YEAR AND IT'S BEEN AMAZING! and stressful and full of learning and making mistakes and picking myself up and celebrating and all the feels and you guys. Seriously. Thank you. My 'hobby' is now my biggest income and I am just giddy with excitement to write that and to imagine where my company will be 5 years from now. It's seriously indescribable. I'm so happy, thank you. Thank you so much!!!!

Be My Valentine

I can't believe we are into February already, where is time vanishing off too? As we hit the 1st of February, suddenly I had an influx of valentines cards orders. I know it's not everyone's cup of tea, but any day that celebrates love is a winner in my books. With only two weeks until the big day, I wanted to share with you some of my favourite love day finds from Etsy.

This super cute card is perfect for the Canadians out there! It's FishCakeDesign and it can be found {here}

 

 

 

Julie Ann Art understands my relationship. You can find this one amongst a whole host of awesomely cheeky Valentines cards {here}

 

This card says it like it is. By the super cute LetterHappy it can be found {here}

 

 

 

You can find this 'I love you like cats love boxes' card in my Etsy shop.

 I am offering 10% off everything with coupon 'WCCG10'

 

 

Enjoy finding your bestie, soul mate or husband/wife a Valentines card. There are so many amazing ones to choose from!!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

4 months to go.

Okay wow. 4 months until I marry my best friend. As we stepped into a new year it all suddenly felt real- in a good way. I am so excited for my wedding day, I have had so much fun organizing and planning and have refused to sweat the small stuff. When I got engaged I made a vow that I wouldn't allow myself to get stressed about the day, there have been a couple of worry-wart moments. But mostly, I have stayed true to my word.

I have been busy browsing Etsy for stationery ideas and have come across so many unique styling ideas. We are having a travel themed wedding, so it is super fun to see all the cute details we can add to our day.

My favourite purchase from today were these amazing mini vintage envelopes from verryberrysticker. They are the perfect nod to our theme, without being too much. I am so aware that wedding themes can get tacky and become too much, so we are being really careful to just have small details.

 

{Buy them here}

 

 

 

 

I have had the idea to create mini portraits for all my guests for the place settings, but I'm not sure if this is a good idea yet or not...Hmmm...

 

 

I will be blogging more in the lead up to our big day. I hope you will come on the journey with me!

 

What are you excited about this year?

 

 

 

Leanne xx

 

 

 

 



2015

{hello adventure}

Happy new year everyone. 

It feels strange to be stepping into a new year,  as it feels like only yesterday that we bid farewell to 2013. The end of a year always leaves me pensive, thinking of the year that has past and imagining what is in store for the new year. As always, a new year is a time to reflect and to find ambition in the year ahead. 

I have been blessed with an excellent year, one full of challenges  but full to the brim of happiness and love. Every year I take a few moments to illustrate a dream board for the year to come - I include hopes for the year, ambitiions, inspirations, challenges, everything. I prop it up on my makeup table so it is always infront of me, reminding me of what I had hoped for the year. I enjoy this approach more than strict “resolutions” as I don’t really work very well with rules, and like the idea of inspiring myself better. It’s always exciting to look over the previous years wishes - some things get left behind, others become the focus. On my board last year, right in the center was “Little me paper co: open an etsy shop” and when I wrote that on the 31st December 2013 it was only a dream, an aspiration that I hoped would come true in the new year. Now, 1 year later - I opened my little etsy shop, and it is a dream that is now a reality.  I am so overwhelmed with excitement as to what i have achieved since August, and what I can potentially achieve this year. 

I am looking forward to setting myself some goals for my Etsy shop and in my personal life. 2015 is a huge year for me as I endeavour to make my passion my full time job, and above all, I get to marry my best friend in May.

Thank you to everyone that has supported me so far on my journey, and welcome to all the new faces. I hope 2015 is your best year yet!!!!

Leanne xx