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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Favorite Things

Holiday Party Favorites

November 16
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Thanksgiving is just over a week away…and you know that means Christmas festivities will soon begin!  In fact, some people celebrate both holidays at the traditional feast, especially if this is the only occasion they can get together!  So I don’t really believe I’m rushing by sharing a couple holiday favorites now…giving you time to go out and grab them before they’re gone!  I love to entertain, and it’s especially fun during the holidays when the celebrations just seem to be extra festive!  But I also love easy decorations and disposable party supplies which make set up AND clean up a breeze!  Take a peek at a couple of goodies that are just right for celebrations without putting a dent in your Christmas budget…

easy, festive faves!

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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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Favorite Things, Holidays

Favorite Things!

November 11
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Aside from sharing all the goodies within the walls at Alice-Louise Press, I haven’t done a “favorite things” post for quite some time!  With Thanksgiving coming so soon, I wanted to feature some wonderful finds from another favorite place to shop…Target!  If I had the time, I believe I could wander the isles for hours…scouring even the most utilitarian displays in search of that perfect score!  They make it SO easy to stumble across items that somehow call to you!  I can’t even go in for a jar of peanut butter without leaving with at least one extra little thing…I guess they really know what they’re doing!  But that’s another story about the fine art of marketing…today I’ll stay focused on that feast at the end of the month and these favorites to help with the holiday!

get some goodies for Thanksgiving…

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Favorite Things, Holidays

Decking the Halls

November 9
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On what might have been the warmest day of the week, what was I doing?  Decorating for Christmas of course!  It was pretty funny that while we were working feverishly to decorate Alice-Louise Press with holiday festivity…we were actually feeling feverish due to the heat!  No complaints, however…I got to enjoy a beautiful day while decorating for the most festive season with my good friends AND with the shop windows wide open!  Not a bad Monday!  And by the end of the day the store was transformed into a holiday wonderland…filled with unique gifts, holiday cards and invites, and decorations to get your home ready for the season!  Take a peek at the magic…

Christmas has arrived…

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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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Holidays

Visions of Jack-O-Lanterns…

October 31
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Happy Halloween everyone!  I hope everyone ends the day with some trick-or-treating fun with family and friends…handing out the candy OR collecting it!  I’ll share a look back at my holiday…with best wishes for a festive evening!  Tonight, let the visions of the season dance in your head!

make some Halloween memories!

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