Yesterday I was asked the dreaded question for the first time this year: "So, what do you want for Christmas?" Despite the fact that I love to shop and can usually find something I'd love to have when out and about with my mom, I drew the usual blank. What DO I want...?
According to The Hubs, a Porsche isn't 'realistic' so it was much easier to mentally compile a list of things I DON'T want, which isn't a bad place to start. Process of elimination and all. So in case you find yourself in a shoppish mood and my name pops into your head next to those sugarplums, here are five little things on my "Please Don't Get For Me" List.
And I promise I'll try to think of something I do want, in case you really do need some help - and I'll update my Tumblr someday.
1. Scarves. There are so many pretty ones out there but I wear them so rarely and have so many already that it will just end up rolled up in a drawer. Or hanging in my closet. I have such a hard time figuring out where to store them all.
2. Pajamas. I just got the cutest set from my mom for my birthday so I'm all set. I'm also kind of picky about my PJs. Sorry...
3. Socks. (Unless they're the really warm wool kind. Those are good.)
4. Books. I know... WHAT?? But you love to read! Yes, yes I do love to read but unless you know I'm absolutely going to love it (and that I don't already have it sitting on my nighstand in the pile of "Books I'll Read Someday") it's probably best to just let me pick my own.
5. Anything Dog or Cat related. I have two of each, in the flesh and that's enough for me.
So now the question is - What do YOU want? Or Don't?
Showing posts with label holidays. Show all posts
Showing posts with label holidays. Show all posts
Sunday, December 1, 2013
Friday, November 23, 2012
Friday, February 11, 2011
Valentine's Galore!
I've been a slacker this year regarding Valentine's Day - I still have some to finish and send! If you're anything like me and plan on doing some last minute crafting this weekend, these links will definitely help!
Happy creating!
Check out papernstitch's Weekend Links: V-Day DIY Edition for all sorts of crafty goodness
(I especially like the papercut template over on kind over matter!).
Everybody likes garlands! Especially a mini-heart garland from I Art U.
Twig & Thistle's Naturally Sweet Valentine Stickers have been making the blog rounds. Only natural I'd post 'em, too!
For general lovely inspiration, check out these gorgeous hearts from A Creative Mint.
Always appropriate in our house, some Valentine ideas for the nerd in your life.
A cute little printable card from on hand modern.
I haven't met a person yet who didn't like cupcakes. And cupcakes with heart toppers? Even better!
Lovely printable cards from Dizzy Wizzy.
Post-its and stamps: All you need to create these darling Post-It Love Notes from eat drink chic.
Making something sweet for those you love? You need these DIY goodie bags from WhipperBerry. Or these brownie bags from Twig & Thistle.
It's always good to have crafts for the kids - and aren't these coloring pages from Feeling Inspired just oh so cute?
Eat Drink Chic offers up some darling Valentine ideas. You've got to check out her Je t'aime mini cards and coffee cup wrappers.
For the not-so-sentimental among us, head on over to mmmcrafts for a valentine schmalentine printable card.
The perfect wrapping solution for your Valentine gifts from Kellie Medivitz.
Also making the blog rounds, Kate Spade's e-valentines.
And to catch all the things I've missed (and maybe some repeats...) head on over to poppytalk's Best of the Web for V-Day.
Happy creating!
Check out papernstitch's Weekend Links: V-Day DIY Edition for all sorts of crafty goodness
(I especially like the papercut template over on kind over matter!).
Everybody likes garlands! Especially a mini-heart garland from I Art U.
Twig & Thistle's Naturally Sweet Valentine Stickers have been making the blog rounds. Only natural I'd post 'em, too!
For general lovely inspiration, check out these gorgeous hearts from A Creative Mint.
Always appropriate in our house, some Valentine ideas for the nerd in your life.
A cute little printable card from on hand modern.
I haven't met a person yet who didn't like cupcakes. And cupcakes with heart toppers? Even better!
Lovely printable cards from Dizzy Wizzy.
Post-its and stamps: All you need to create these darling Post-It Love Notes from eat drink chic.
Making something sweet for those you love? You need these DIY goodie bags from WhipperBerry. Or these brownie bags from Twig & Thistle.
It's always good to have crafts for the kids - and aren't these coloring pages from Feeling Inspired just oh so cute?
Eat Drink Chic offers up some darling Valentine ideas. You've got to check out her Je t'aime mini cards and coffee cup wrappers.
For the not-so-sentimental among us, head on over to mmmcrafts for a valentine schmalentine printable card.
The perfect wrapping solution for your Valentine gifts from Kellie Medivitz.
Also making the blog rounds, Kate Spade's e-valentines.
And to catch all the things I've missed (and maybe some repeats...) head on over to poppytalk's Best of the Web for V-Day.
Tuesday, December 28, 2010
Oh, yeah! Christmas!
It was almost perfect. Quiet, relaxing, full of food and family and cheer.
The cat slept under the tree for days, avoiding the dog and enjoying the sunshine.
We have the best stockings, handmade by my mom. They are my favorite part of Christmas morning.
We traumatized the dog by putting things on his head. This one was the hubs:
This one was all me:
My amazing brother sent was super sneaky and sent this to my mom to give to me. A piggybank from Spain! I should save up for a trip somewhere...
My beautiful younger sister.
Our festive dinner table! My mom adopted a fun tradition from my great-grandmother called a Present Pie. The centerpiece is full of little gifts with long ribbons looped around. Everyone pulls a string, not knowing what present it's attached to! You can cover it with a Christmas cloth to make a pie if you want but we left ours open - it was too cheerful to cover up.
I officially joined the Purple Coat Club as my dad bought me the coat I wanted (I sent him a link the day after Thanksgiving, as the shop was having a 50% off sale and free shipping! Easy shopping for me and the sister... he got things for both of us!). My mom, sister, and I all have purple coats.
Mom made her traditional Christmas bread, ham, vegetables, and two kinds of potatoes followed by molten lava cakes and loads of cookies. We stuffed ourselves full; played Apples to Apples; read our new books and watched our new movies. We missed my sister in Africa and my brother under the sea - hopefully we'll all be together next Christmas.
Until then, have a wonderful rest of your week and a Happy New Year!
The cat slept under the tree for days, avoiding the dog and enjoying the sunshine.
We have the best stockings, handmade by my mom. They are my favorite part of Christmas morning.
We traumatized the dog by putting things on his head. This one was the hubs:
This one was all me:
My amazing brother sent was super sneaky and sent this to my mom to give to me. A piggybank from Spain! I should save up for a trip somewhere...
My beautiful younger sister.
Our festive dinner table! My mom adopted a fun tradition from my great-grandmother called a Present Pie. The centerpiece is full of little gifts with long ribbons looped around. Everyone pulls a string, not knowing what present it's attached to! You can cover it with a Christmas cloth to make a pie if you want but we left ours open - it was too cheerful to cover up.
I officially joined the Purple Coat Club as my dad bought me the coat I wanted (I sent him a link the day after Thanksgiving, as the shop was having a 50% off sale and free shipping! Easy shopping for me and the sister... he got things for both of us!). My mom, sister, and I all have purple coats.
Mom made her traditional Christmas bread, ham, vegetables, and two kinds of potatoes followed by molten lava cakes and loads of cookies. We stuffed ourselves full; played Apples to Apples; read our new books and watched our new movies. We missed my sister in Africa and my brother under the sea - hopefully we'll all be together next Christmas.
Until then, have a wonderful rest of your week and a Happy New Year!
Saturday, December 25, 2010
Christmas Cookies: The Year of the Beady Eyes
Wow, this is my 600th post!! What in the world have I been blogging about all this time? Since I love the holidays, it's appropriate today to be blogging about Christmas and cookies.
It's a tradition in my mom's household to make and decorate sugar cookies at pretty much every holiday. My mom has the best recipe. I've eaten a lot of sugar cookies but every sugar cookie I've eaten pales in comparison to hers. The recipe was handed down from her grandmother - and we all know that great-grandmothers have the best recipes.
This Christmas was no exception to the cookie decorating tradition. Several batches were already made and the frosting and sprinkles were laid out on the table when we arrived yesterday morning.
About decorating... My sister makes the most beautiful cookies. Ever. Hands down. To a certain extent, it takes the pressure off the rest of us because we know ours are going to look plain and ordinary in comparison. The hubs, on the other hand, usually decorates in themes. This year was the year of the 'red, beady eyes."
Case in point: The Polar Bear.
We all thought he was making feet for his polar bear but he was quick to point out that the brown stuff is dirt. Um, nice honey. (When I showed him this picture later, his comment was, "That looks like a kid did it." Ha!)
He got quite creative with his snowman but the 'red, beady eyes' he chose actually made the snowman more fun and less creepy than he was hoping.
Then he ventured into the world of multiple frosting colors with this little guy:
In case you were wondering, that's a clown fish. He doesn't have red, beady eyes for some reason but we barely managed to keep him from making a strong of fish poop come out the back (yes, I married an eight-year old). In the same vein as FiFi from last year, the cookie cutter shape wasn't originally a fish-shape - it was something else... and I'll give bonus points to the first person who can figure out what this one was. It's not too hard to guess if you just rotate the fish a bit in one direction...
The hubs would have decorated more cookies (I think this year he did five, which was a great improvement over the three he did last year!) but adding 'red, beady eyes' to a moon or a lighthouse just isn't as exciting as a polar bear. Though he certainly would have tried if we'd let him!
Just to give you an idea what he was up against - these are a few of my sister's cookies. Aren't they fantastic? Works of art, I tell you. It is hard to compete against Mrs. Claus.
I didn't even bother to take pictures of my cookies because they're so plain and boring compared to all the others but you can see a few of them in the bottom left corner of the picture above. As I typed this, my grandfather arrived for the day and my mom put a plate of beautiful cookies on the coffee table as a snark. And we're being called to open presents!!
I hope your holiday is filled with joy! Enjoy your festivities, whatever they may be. I'm off to see what is under the tree...
Pictures by me. Please don't use them without asking first. Because they're just that awesome.
It's a tradition in my mom's household to make and decorate sugar cookies at pretty much every holiday. My mom has the best recipe. I've eaten a lot of sugar cookies but every sugar cookie I've eaten pales in comparison to hers. The recipe was handed down from her grandmother - and we all know that great-grandmothers have the best recipes.
This Christmas was no exception to the cookie decorating tradition. Several batches were already made and the frosting and sprinkles were laid out on the table when we arrived yesterday morning.
About decorating... My sister makes the most beautiful cookies. Ever. Hands down. To a certain extent, it takes the pressure off the rest of us because we know ours are going to look plain and ordinary in comparison. The hubs, on the other hand, usually decorates in themes. This year was the year of the 'red, beady eyes."
Case in point: The Polar Bear.
We all thought he was making feet for his polar bear but he was quick to point out that the brown stuff is dirt. Um, nice honey. (When I showed him this picture later, his comment was, "That looks like a kid did it." Ha!)
He got quite creative with his snowman but the 'red, beady eyes' he chose actually made the snowman more fun and less creepy than he was hoping.
Then he ventured into the world of multiple frosting colors with this little guy:
In case you were wondering, that's a clown fish. He doesn't have red, beady eyes for some reason but we barely managed to keep him from making a strong of fish poop come out the back (yes, I married an eight-year old). In the same vein as FiFi from last year, the cookie cutter shape wasn't originally a fish-shape - it was something else... and I'll give bonus points to the first person who can figure out what this one was. It's not too hard to guess if you just rotate the fish a bit in one direction...
The hubs would have decorated more cookies (I think this year he did five, which was a great improvement over the three he did last year!) but adding 'red, beady eyes' to a moon or a lighthouse just isn't as exciting as a polar bear. Though he certainly would have tried if we'd let him!
Just to give you an idea what he was up against - these are a few of my sister's cookies. Aren't they fantastic? Works of art, I tell you. It is hard to compete against Mrs. Claus.
I didn't even bother to take pictures of my cookies because they're so plain and boring compared to all the others but you can see a few of them in the bottom left corner of the picture above. As I typed this, my grandfather arrived for the day and my mom put a plate of beautiful cookies on the coffee table as a snark. And we're being called to open presents!!
I hope your holiday is filled with joy! Enjoy your festivities, whatever they may be. I'm off to see what is under the tree...
Pictures by me. Please don't use them without asking first. Because they're just that awesome.
Thursday, December 23, 2010
Christmas is Coming!
I hope our neighbors like chocolate! These were so hard to give away - I wanted to eat them all! Those little cookie things in the top right corner are amazing. They're petite batons from Trader Joes. I could eat an entire box in one sitting (good thing they are small boxes!).
All packaged up and ready for the hubs to deliver. (Thanks, mom, for the boxes!)
I *think* all the presents are wrapped - now it's time to load them in the sleigh and transport them to Long Beach, where we'll be celebrating with my family. I especially love the present that's as big as the tree. Isn't it fun?? You'll never guess what's inside! The apple box is full of stocking stuffers, one of my favorites parts of Christmas gift giving.
Pantaloup got tired of chasing strings and balls of tissue around the house, so she's all curled up in the hubs' jacket. I know, Pant. I'm tired, too!!
All images by me. Please don't use them without asking first. Because they're just that awesome!
All packaged up and ready for the hubs to deliver. (Thanks, mom, for the boxes!)
I *think* all the presents are wrapped - now it's time to load them in the sleigh and transport them to Long Beach, where we'll be celebrating with my family. I especially love the present that's as big as the tree. Isn't it fun?? You'll never guess what's inside! The apple box is full of stocking stuffers, one of my favorites parts of Christmas gift giving.
Pantaloup got tired of chasing strings and balls of tissue around the house, so she's all curled up in the hubs' jacket. I know, Pant. I'm tired, too!!
All images by me. Please don't use them without asking first. Because they're just that awesome!
More Holiday Music, please!!
Target offers free song downloads here.
Hey, It's Christmas! Volume 1 available for free download here.
Album links take you to image source.
Hey, It's Christmas! Volume 1 available for free download here.
Album links take you to image source.
Wednesday, December 22, 2010
Last Minute Holiday Cards
Didn't get those Christmas cards in the snail-mail yet? Not to worry! Fossil has some totally cute holiday e-cards just begging to be sent. And they're free - no need for stamps!
Aren't they so fun and vintage-y? Click here to head on over and start sending!
Image via Fossil.
Aren't they so fun and vintage-y? Click here to head on over and start sending!
Image via Fossil.
Tuesday, December 21, 2010
Recent Weekend Recap
Well, lookee here! A weekend recap from the most recent weekend! And it's only Tuesday! We're making progress.
Once again, I was down south in Long Beach visiting the parents+sis. This makes who-knows-how-many weekends in a row and they were still begging me to stay!
Saturday's Holiday Open House - I made pumpkin pie bites to go along with the bajillion other sweet and savory goodies my mom put out. They had between 30-40 people stop by!
Pineapples for Hospitality
Manger Scene in Window
Merry Christmas Tree!
A Pink Friend. He can type on the computer and play the piano. Very talented little guy.
On Monday, my mom and I got a little crazy. We ventured out... in the rain... until it started pouring. I also got to play with my mom's iPhone to take these pictures! Sorry for the not-so-great quality but we haven't uploaded any nifty picture apps to her phone. Yet.
Disneyland Christmas Tree
On the bus, staying dry.
Oh, and I decided to become an elf until Saturday. Sound good?
Once again, I was down south in Long Beach visiting the parents+sis. This makes who-knows-how-many weekends in a row and they were still begging me to stay!
Saturday's Holiday Open House - I made pumpkin pie bites to go along with the bajillion other sweet and savory goodies my mom put out. They had between 30-40 people stop by!
Pineapples for Hospitality
Manger Scene in Window
Merry Christmas Tree!
A Pink Friend. He can type on the computer and play the piano. Very talented little guy.
On Monday, my mom and I got a little crazy. We ventured out... in the rain... until it started pouring. I also got to play with my mom's iPhone to take these pictures! Sorry for the not-so-great quality but we haven't uploaded any nifty picture apps to her phone. Yet.
Disneyland Christmas Tree
On the bus, staying dry.
Oh, and I decided to become an elf until Saturday. Sound good?
Saturday, December 18, 2010
Weekend Recap
I'm a little behind... this recap is actually from last weekend. These past weeks have been so crazy-busy that pictures from last weekend didn't make it to my laptop until today. Whoops!
This current weekend is just as busy as last weekend and at the rate I'm going, you won't hear about it until Christmas!
Regardless, the hubs and I hopped in the car last weekend to head south and meet eight - yes, eight! - of his friends at my favorite place - Disneyland!
It's snowy and Christmasey and full of Holiday Spirit and I love love love it!
I want to make one of these for the birds that live in our tree!
The Hubs went home after Disneyland but I stuck around LA to hit up Unique LA and Renegade with my mom and sister on Sunday.
I always feel awkward taking pictures at these shows so I didn't take very many. I did get to meet Danni from oh, hello friend - she had booths at both Unique and Renegade so it was a treat to meet her. I said hello and then followed it with something incoherent and crazy like, "oh my gosh i've been following your blog forever and you have the cutest blog and i love your stuff and your wedding was darling and your mom is so cute and i pray for her all the time" and she was sweet and gracious in return. I bet she gets that all the time...
Anyway.
I always seem to gravitate toward paper goods and this show didn't disappoint. A few of our favorite booths belonged to:
Sycamore Street Press
Joie Studio
Paper Pastries
Dee & LaLa
RockScissorPaper
luludee
The Art of Brittney Lee
Some images I snapped:
A fun little acorn tree - love the red baker's twine.
Encountered this little guy as decor for a booth. Don't you just want to scratch behind his ears?
LOVE their booth and business! What a cute little scooter!
The day was surprisingly clear and warm for December in LA.
How amazing are these views from the penthouse?
You can see all the way down to the port of Long Beach!
Also love this turret -
And this super-fun bike rack -
I hope you're all having a great weekend! I'll try to be better about my recaps... maybe a resolution for the new year...?
All images by me. Please don't use without asking first. Because they're just that awesome.
This current weekend is just as busy as last weekend and at the rate I'm going, you won't hear about it until Christmas!
Regardless, the hubs and I hopped in the car last weekend to head south and meet eight - yes, eight! - of his friends at my favorite place - Disneyland!
It's snowy and Christmasey and full of Holiday Spirit and I love love love it!
I want to make one of these for the birds that live in our tree!
The Hubs went home after Disneyland but I stuck around LA to hit up Unique LA and Renegade with my mom and sister on Sunday.
I always feel awkward taking pictures at these shows so I didn't take very many. I did get to meet Danni from oh, hello friend - she had booths at both Unique and Renegade so it was a treat to meet her. I said hello and then followed it with something incoherent and crazy like, "oh my gosh i've been following your blog forever and you have the cutest blog and i love your stuff and your wedding was darling and your mom is so cute and i pray for her all the time" and she was sweet and gracious in return. I bet she gets that all the time...
Anyway.
I always seem to gravitate toward paper goods and this show didn't disappoint. A few of our favorite booths belonged to:
Sycamore Street Press
Joie Studio
Paper Pastries
Dee & LaLa
RockScissorPaper
luludee
The Art of Brittney Lee
Some images I snapped:
A fun little acorn tree - love the red baker's twine.
Encountered this little guy as decor for a booth. Don't you just want to scratch behind his ears?
LOVE their booth and business! What a cute little scooter!
The day was surprisingly clear and warm for December in LA.
How amazing are these views from the penthouse?
You can see all the way down to the port of Long Beach!
Also love this turret -
And this super-fun bike rack -
I hope you're all having a great weekend! I'll try to be better about my recaps... maybe a resolution for the new year...?
All images by me. Please don't use without asking first. Because they're just that awesome.
Friday, December 17, 2010
Weekend Reading: Online Edition
Going Home to Roost presents Celebrate: A Winter Project Magazine
Sweet Paul's 2010 Holiday Issue
Creature Comforts presents Gifted: A Holiday magazine and gift guide
Lonny gives us a Mini Holiday Issue
Images link to source.
Sweet Paul's 2010 Holiday Issue
Creature Comforts presents Gifted: A Holiday magazine and gift guide
Lonny gives us a Mini Holiday Issue
Images link to source.
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