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This may be a bit out of season for those of us here in the frigid US, but I can't help but admire the pretty styling of these shots for Ivy & Aster. Not to mention the gorgeous dresses.
All those lovely botanical prints make a beautiful, unique photo backdrop. And would also be a great idea for wallpapering a small wall, say in an office or creative space.
{images via Ivy & Aster}
Every year we give a little gift to our neighbors just to say Merry Christmas and to let them know how much we like them. This year I decided to do a little package of hot chocolate and marshmallows. But not just any hot chocolate and marshmallows: hot-chocolate-on-a-stick and homemade marshmallows. In the craziness that was the week before Christmas I didn't get a picture of my little packages but here you can see what the individual pieces looked like.
I wrapped mine up in a silver-starred cellophane bag and tied it up with some embroidery floss and instructions on how to make the hot chocolate (just mix with hot milk!) Both of these treats were adorable in the end and really simple to make. And they'd still be lovely to enjoy all winter long. Give them a try!
See last year's neighbor gifts here, too.
**Tips I learned: 1 - Don't bother putting the chocolate in a piping bag. Just press it into the mold with your fingers; it's a bit like play-doh before it hardens. 2 - Don't forget the cooking spray when you do the marshmallows. They'll still taste good, but they won't be nearly as pretty.
{images via giverslog and martha stewart}
Love the idea of making our own party blowers for our little family new year's eve celebration. This little project just made it to the top of my to-do list.
{image via martha stewart}
Hello, my dears. How was your Christmas? Did you spend it with family or have a little gathering with friends? This year was our first Christmas spent in our house with just our little family. It was lovely. A little bit crazier in the preparations than I remember it ever being before but everything worked out just perfectly in the end. On Christmas morning gifts were exchanged, a special breakfast was made and then... the stomach flu decided to pay us a visit. Luckily, it was just a 12 hour bug and today we're picking up where we left off - playing with new games, reading new books, and generally just enjoying each other's company.
I've also started thinking about the new year and what we'll be doing to celebrate it's coming. Our New Year's parties are pretty tiny and home-spun but I can't help thinking one of these vintage little black dresses from the Greedy Seagull would be perfect if we were ever to celebrate in more elaborate style.
Do you have a little black dress you love? Share with us where you found it!
{images via the greedy seagull}
I am completely in love with The Utility Collective's little wooden whale and his organizational talents. Attractive and useful desk accessories are the best. (Added bonus: I'm pretty sure it would double as a toy for the little one when I'm in a crunch to get stuff done.)
I found him on DesignStory this morning; it's by far my favorite great-deal-and-great-design-finding website. They always have the most beautiful and clever things for discount prices. Are you a member yet? (It's free!)
{image via design story}
...I would decorate it just like this. I think simplicity is the best way to go when it comes to Christmas decorations. And I love the look of fresh evergreen boughs.
Unfortunately, we're plum out of fireplaces at our house so we'll be dressing the front door up with a live wreath instead. We're still brianstorming where exactly to hang our stockings. Where do you hang your stockings if you don't have a mantle? If you do have one, what's your favorite way to make it festive?
{via alice lane}
Hello, my dears! How was your weekend? We had such a fun time getting our family photos done and starting our gingerbread house...we started a bit late night and it didn't take long before we noticed that Brady was already in sugar shock (literally jumping off the walls) so we saved the rest to finish tonight. I'll show you our sweet little house later this week.
Today I have the most important gift guide of all: the gift guide that's about giving back. Whether you're looking for a gift to give that will also give to someone else or you'd like to give a donation straight to a charity. Either way, you can feel good knowing that you're participating in what the season is really about: love and good will.
{clockwise from top: TOMS, $54; product(RED) penguin classics, $8 each; oxfam donations, $15 - $1,500; true love necklace, $135; j. muir dress, $118; jasmine box, $10.50}
TOMS - Buying a cute pair of shoes for yourself or a friend gives a pair of shoes to a child in need.
Product(RED) Penguin Classics - Buying a book you know they're going to read again and again gives 50% of the proceeds to helping eradicate AIDS in Africa.
Oxfam America Unwrapped - Set donation money straight to work by purchasing a dozen chicks, a vegetable garden or art supplies for impoverished families.
True Love Necklace - Part of the sales of this lovely necklace will be donated to help Haiti's earthquake victims.
Shabby Apple - 5% of all Shabby Apple sales are donated to Unitus, an organization that helps provide financial services to women in India. Plus, you have an opportunity to donate an additional $5 when you purchase something.
Servv - Buy pretty things like this jasmine box, handmade by Indian artisans, and support fair trade principles that help eradicate poverty.
There are also many other organizations you can just make a donation to. Like Microplace, where you can invest money to help the poor start their own small businesses (and get a $20 gift certificate for a friend). Or Feeding America, where you can donate in honor of someone you love, helping ensure that the hungry have enough to eat.
The ways to give back this season are endless! What are your favorite ways to help others during the hoildays? Do you have a favorite charity? Please share!
The last gift guide for this week is for the people on your list who love food. More especially, getting into the kitchen and up to their elbows in ingredients themselves. And maybe, if you're lucky, they'll invite you over for dinner afterward.
{clockwise from top: tea and crumpets apron, $32; secret ingredient collection, $60; bone spoon, $28; cooking classes at sur la table, $69; tea towels, 25$ each; nut cracker, $25; culinary tips book, $15; recipe cards, $28; gourmet sea salt sampler, $16; silpat, $18.70}
Have a lovely weekend, my dears! Do you have fun things planned? We're spending the weekend going to our first Christmas party of the season, making cinnamon rolls, and having family photos done. On Monday I'll be back with a non-traditional gift guide full of ways to give to more than just your friends this holiday season. It is the season of giving, right?
There aren't many things more fun than shopping for children. If money and spoiling weren't an issue I know I would always go overboard with gifts for the children in my life. There are so many fun and creative toys and books that children are guaranteed to love. Here are just a few of my favorites this year. (My son has the cars below and loves playing with them - he can take them apart, reassemble, and race as many times as his little heart desires.)
{clockwise from top: 52 activities cards, $6.95; alphabeasties, $14; toideloi stackhouse, $75 and up; let's play mail set, $50; jess brown rag doll, $140; rocking sheep, $ 439; set of 3 automoblox, $29.99; animal booties, $48}
My dears, have you heard the good news? The 2011 Planners are in the shop! Their lovely and even better than last year, with a gorgeous array of vintage-inspired colors and pewter wire binding. Plus, they're still the perfect size for a purse - or a stocking.
And here's more exciting news: I've just launched a brand new newsletter! The newsletter will be sent seasonally and is full of goodies including exclusive discounts and printables. Be sure to sign up now so you won't miss the Winter edition. You'll be glad you did.
