Category: Create
Create, Holidays

Holiday Wrap!

November 30
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I can’t believe that December is almost here!  And the weird thing is that even though we’ve had these extra few days after Thanksgiving, I’m feeling a bit rushed to get all my holiday plans in order!  I have to keep reminding myself that it IS still November, even if only for the remainder of the day!  So I’m trying to keep everything in perspective and enjoy the process of decorating, shopping, and preparing for all the Christmas festivities that fill the days leading to the New Year.  One of my favorite holiday preparations is wrapping gifts.  I know it can seem a daunting task…and even though I love it, I can feel overwhelmed at times!  But lucky us, each year it seems there’s more options for easy gift wrap ideas…cute bags & boxes, prepared bows, darling tags, and all the extra trimmings you can dream up!  And with all these options at our fingertips, it can leave us with time to dream up some out-of-the-box wrappings or special ways to personalize a gift or two!  I’d like to give a sneak peek at some DIY gift wrap ideas…

dress up your bags & boxes!

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Create, Holidays

Christmas Countdown…

November 21
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Well, Thanksgiving is only a couple days away…and since it’s early this year, it does give some hope for those of us who are feeling like there’s just not enough time to get all the Christmas shopping started or the decorations hung!  I love it when we have those extra few days after the feast is over rather than the years when December 1 seems to be the day after Thanksgiving!  And since we have those extra days in our back pocket, we also still have time to put together a Christmas advent calendar…something that’s been a tradition in our home since the boys were little!  It’s such a fun way to count down the days to Christmas by unwrapping a little trinket each morning!  And even though my boys are getting older, I don’t think that’s any reason to stop the festivities…who says the fun has to end when you grow up?  So let me share how I’m preparing our advent this year, and I hope you can find some inspiration for yours…there’s still plenty of time!

get ready to count the days…

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Create, Holidays

At the Table…

November 18
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I can hardly believe that Thanksgiving is next week already!  The time really has flown this year…and my mom was right when she said that each year seems to go faster than the last!  But no matter how quickly it’s approaching, I still can hardly wait for our feast!  Each year my cousins and myself take turns hosting our family celebration!  But after we all got married we began serving up our Thanksgiving feast over the weekend so everyone could visit other family members on the actual “turkey day”.  This really became a fun tradition for a couple reasons…we get to spend the weekend together AND we get to have TWO fabulous meals!  This year we’re heading out to enjoy our holiday weekend, but for Thanksgiving Day itself I’m always happy to set a pretty table and collaboratively prepare a lovely meal!  And this holiday is extra special since we get to share our feast with family AND good friends!  So to have a little fun, I’m crafting up some whimsical place cards!  Let me share a peek at what will be on our table and I hope you can find some inspiration for yours!

whimsical & fun…holiday DIY!

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Create, Holidays

Feeling Thankful

November 14
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I think it’s pretty typical in November to be mindful of all the things we’re thankful for.  The Thanksgiving holiday is a nice reminder of what we should be doing all the year…counting our blessings, even in those times when they can be seemingly absent.  The fact is, no matter the situation, there’s always something to be thankful for…a kind smile from a friend, family that stands behind you, the chance to enjoy another day!  And I’ve also been trying to see each annoying hiccup in life as a moment to search for a blessing in there somewhere…kind of like the cup half-full attitude.  So for me, November is the cue to remind myself not just to be thankful at our traditional feast, but ALL the year through…or at least give it my best shot!  And with this thought in the front of my mind, I geared one of my DIY projects to tie right in!  So today I’m going to share my November centerpiece designed for us all to share a thankful thought or two…

counting blessings big & small…

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Create, Holidays

Christmas is coming…

November 7
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I know we’re barely into the second week of November but when you’re in retail it’s time to deck the halls!  Anyone who knows me well, knows that I love Christmas just as much as I love going to Alice-Louise Press to help update the displays…especially for the holidays!  By the time some of you are reading this I’ll be on my way to Perrysburg with my car loaded with Giggle goodies to add to all the wonderful things that have arrived in the shop just in time for the frenzy of holiday shopping!  Later this week I’ll share all the fun, the displays, AND some of my AL-P favorite picks, which might be hard to narrow down to just a few!  But today I’m revealing a peek at the Giggles I’ve been working on…and a glimpse of the holiday cheer that will be available today!  Check out the link above to my friend’s fabulous shop so you can get your holiday cards, invitations, party supplies, and unique gifts for everyone on your list!

Santa’s got some Giggles in his sleigh…

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Create, Garden

November Garden

November 4
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November reminds me a little of January…since both follow major holiday decorating, they can also leave your home feeling a bit barren after all the decor comes down!  But honestly, I actually enjoy the refreshing break…time for a quieter, more understated look in my home until December comes calling!  I also love the colors of fall…reds, yellows, oranges and the soft hues of dried wheat and grasses!  A table or buffet can look lovely with a pumpkin or two mixed in with branches & berries of the season, simply letting the beauty of nature shine.  And since I love sticking with natural elements throughout the month leading up to Thanksgiving Day, I thought some simple greenery might help to freshen up my rooms until it’s time for the holiday tree!  I’ve always wanted to create a coffee table terrarium and it seemed like the perfect time to add some green to my autumn color pallet!  All you need is a glass container, some mini plants, and your own personality!  See my first November DIY…a tiny garden fit for my table!

time for indoor planting…

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Create

I Spy November DIY

November 2
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Happy November everyone!  Can you even believe that October and all the trick-or-treat festivities are already behind us!?  This is the time of year where I love to enjoy the calm before the whirlwind of Christmas celebrations!  It can actually be difficult to not get ahead of myself and miss the wonderful joys that this month brings…like gatherings, feasts, and spending time with family!  Today I’d like to share some DIY projects that I have planned for the month…and not just for the Thanksgiving table!  I’m actually just showing a sneak peek…because quite honestly I didn’t have the time to complete anything I started!  That silly little thing called Halloween just got in the way!  But take a look anyway, and see if you can guess what the outcomes will be!  I promise I’ll share them all in their entirety throughout the month…and hopefully spark plenty of inspiration along the way!

a glimpse of do-it-yourself…

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Create, Holidays, Savor

Monster Munch!

October 19
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All week I’m sharing some really fun and easy snacks to serve up this October!  I love being in the kitchen during the holidays, but Halloween is exceptionally whimsical and forgiving when it comes to the outcome of the sugary creations!  It flings the pressure of baking perfection right out the window and allows us to have unfettered fun…which is exactly what we did!  Even the boys got involved preparing some sweet and even goofy additions to a holiday snack mix I’ll be serving up soon!  Have a look at what was brewing…

a monster good time!

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Create, Holidays

Holiday DIY

October 12
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Holidays are such a fun time to craft…even people who think they’re “craft challenged” (two words I don’t believe in!) find themselves putting forth an effort or two at getting creative this time of year!  Well, I happen to LOVE crafting and spend a good time of the year getting my fingers covered in paint, glue, and glitter!  But I too get extra excited about all the fun projects during the holiday seasons…and it seems as though there’s endless inspiration out there!  So when the opportunity came up to work with my friend and fellow blogger, Beth from Polka Dots & Picket Fences on a crafting article for a local magazine…I think it’s needless to say that I was THRILLED!  We both are regular contributing writers for the “Creative Corner” section of Village Life & Home.  It’s such a fun way to share inspiration for decorating, crafting, and entertaining…and this time we got to work together which made it all the more merry!  So if you live in the Toledo area and receive the publication, check out the festivity!  This month we decided to share some Halloween inspiration by coming up with a DIY “challenge”!  After a trip to the craft store, we made a list of some ordinary, holiday crafting items and each came up with several easy ways to use them!  Have a peek at some of my creations…and if you get the publication, read the entire article to get double the inspiration!

getting a little crafty…

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Create, Holidays

That’s a Holiday Wrap!

October 3
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Now that October is officially here it’s time to start thinking about all those spooky gatherings you might be headed to!  And if you’re a guest at an event or two this season, you may not want to show up empty handed!  Even though hostess gifts are never a requirement, they can be a lovely gesture of gratitude…a sweet reminder that you’re thankful to have had the opportunity to celebrate together!  I’m sure like many of you, finding the perfect token can sometimes be a challenge, but there is a tried & true gift that’s always easy and appreciated…a favorite beverage!  Whether it’s wine, sparkling waters, beer, or sodas, beverages always work and can be a useful addition to the host’s drink menu!  I will often take a bottle of wine to a party as a gift.  It can be opened that evening or saved for later, but something consumable is always an appreciated and an effortless choice…especially if it’s a last-minute gathering!  But if you want to gussy it up…I have a really easy way to dress up your bottle in holiday attire!  As most of you know by now, I’m a bit of a Target dollar spot addict!  I really can’t look away from that alluring section set up so smartly to reel in consumers like me as we enter the store!  The upside to my addiction is that most everything in those wonderful little bins are a dollar…keeping it somewhat affordable!  So let me share with you some wrapping inspiration that all began with some dollar spot finds!

string, paper, and tags…oh my!

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