Dream Christmas Dinner

Every December I fly back to Pennsylvania to celebrate Christmas with my dad’s side of the family. And while I love getting to see friends and family in my hometown, it’s always a bit hectic and I naturally wonder what it would be like if lots of things were different and I were hosting Christmas dinner at my house. It would (obviously) be amazing and no doubt tons of work, and maybe someday I’ll get the chance to find out. But for now here’s how the dream evening would go down, enjoy!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

THE APPETIZERS
Ricotta Flatbread with Pomegranate Salsa –  Family Style Food
Herb and Mozzarella Mushrooms with Garlic Toasts – Donna Hay
Bourbon Maple Toasted Pistachios – Lemons & Anchovies

THE BEVERAGES
Mulled Cranberry Apple Cider – the kitchn
Ginger Pear Cocktail – The Boys Club
Lemon Thyme Eggnog – The Kitchen Finesse

THE TABLE
Mono A Edition in Black – Peter Raacke
Mud Plates – Mud Australia
Cross Dye Basic Napkins – West Elm
Lempi Glass – littala
Evergreen Placecards – via Bloom
Raw Wood Placemat Set – West Elm
Spun Vinyl Runner – Chilewich
Mercury Votive Holders – West Elm
Numi Candle Holders – CB2

THE EATS
Roasted Brussels Sprouts with Lemon – Real Simple
Roasted Cabbage Slaw with Hazelnuts and Lemon – the kitchn
Orange and Pomegranate Salad – Brooklyn Supper
Domino Roast Sweet Potatoes – Brooklyn Supper
Corn and Potato Casserole with Gruyere – Some the Wiser
Quinoa, Sweet Potato and Dried Cranberry Stuffing – With Style & Grace

THE DESSERTS
Pumpkin Icebox Pie – Martha Stewart
Brown Sugar Custard Cranberry Tart – The Galley Gourmet
Spiced Persimmon Cake with Brown Sugar – The Kitchy Kitchen

THE DETAILS
Crackers – Toast UK
Wreath – IKEA
Votive Candles – House Doctor
Strasburg Tree Candles – Wisteria
Zinc Star Wreath Garland – Father Rabbit
DIY Holiday Gift Box Backdrop – Studio DIY
Mod Brass Trees – Jayson Home
DIY Wax Paper Candle Holders – Design*Sponge
Winter Playlist – Kinfolk Magazine

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Happy Weekend

01/ Loving these driftwood horse sculptures.
02/ How to stock the perfect winter pantry.
03/ I never finish a bottle of nail polish, DOSE minis are perfect.
04/ I wish I had a big mug of this lavender hot chocolate in front of my right now.
05/ Lollipops in grownup flavors.
06/ It’s a little late, but you can still make a DIY Beer Advent Calendar.
07/ Oh my gosh, I want to hide a gift in this confetti surprise jar so bad!
08/ This Is a Memory, audio recordings of strangers’ memories.
09/ I’ll be eating more of these now that I know how to easily seed a pomegranate!
10/ Beautiful macro photos of snowflakes and ice structures.

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Under the Tree

Vertical Row 1: Esme Winter Wrap // DIY Chalkboard Wrap // Reversible Blue Pool Wrap // Gift Boxes Wrap
Vertical Row 2: Faux Bois Boxes // DIY Dip-Dye Wrap // Handmade Pom Pom Wrapping Paper
Vertical Row 3: Pine Wrapping Sheets // Family of Trees Gift Wrap // Good Tidings Wrapping Paper // Rain-Dotted Birch Wrapping Paper

 

Vertical Row 1: Birch Veneer Gift Tags // Merry Gift Tags // Gift Tags
Vertical Row 2: Wooly Hats Christmas Tags // Rudolph Gift Tags
Vertical Row 3: Kraft Gift Tags // Holiday Stickers & Labels // Stars Gift Tags

 

Vertical Row 1: Silver Glitter Tape // Alice Patullo Printed Ribbon
Vertical Row 2: Tinsel Packing Tape
Vertical Row 3: Gold Glitter Tape // Don’t Open Til Christmas Packing Tape

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Herbarium Taste

 

We are what we eat, or so we’re told. By treating food as a technical subject, architect/interior designer Valentina Raffaelli uses illustrations to explain the properties, health benefits, and nutritional values of certain foods in a way that will have you eating more fruits and vegetables in no time. (via Design Milk)

 

 

 

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10 Awesome Handmade Hostess Gifts

We’ve all been there, a holiday party pops up or escapes your mind until the last minute and you’re left without a hostess gift. Of course it’s not a requirement to bring one, but it’s especially nice during the holiday season to thank the person/people welcoming you into their home with a little something special. Extra points for it not being a bottle of wine or bouquet you picked up at the gas station on the way over. Here are ten I’d still be smiling about the day after receiving, just click on the image to go to the project source.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

All photos copyright of their respective sites.

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2013 Calendars – Part 7

1. 2013 Vortex Letterpress Calendar by INK + WIT  2. Dreamcats 2013 Calendar by fieldguided  3. Letterpress Calendar 2013 by Lark Press  4. Modern Shapes Mini Calendar 2013 by Monkey Mind Design  5. A New Tribe 2013 Mini Calendar by Little Low Studio  6. 2013 Astrology Wall Calendar by Prismatic Print Shop  7. Beer/Food 2013 Calendar by redcruiser  8. 2013 Season Wall Calendar by Katie Vernon  9. 2013 Botanical Watercolor Wall Calendar by Fine Day Press  10. 2013 Typographic Desk Calendar by Ruby Red Design Studio

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Win It: UGallery

This Is Only a Temporary Solution (Deer) by JenMarie Zeleznak

Today we’re talking about art in an often neglected space: the kitchen! With all of the cabinets, countertop necessities, and inevitable space issues most kitchens present it’s easy to see how the walls go under our radar. In fact, the only space my kitchen offers in the wall department is the backsplash. In the four years I’ve owned my home I haven’t really bothered to do much with it, but after some thought I realized it’s the perfect place for a miniature art gallery!

 

Coney Island Beach, New York by Bryan Solarski

That’s why I’ve partnered with UGallery, to make my once boring backsplash the exact opposite. I hung two prints, but you could also set frames on the counter and lean them against the wall. I wanted the art to be the focus, so I opted for simple glass frames with no edge. I hope to continue filling in the space over the next few months for the total gallery effect.

Now here’s the fun part, you have a chance to win the same two prints from UGallery that I have on my walls! Coney Island Beach, New York by Bryan Solarski and This Is Only a Temporary Solution (Deer) by JenMarie Zeleznak. The beach photo is sure to make you think of summer all winter long, and the whimsical watercolor will make you smile each time you catch a glance.

 

Congratulations to comment #22 Kirsten!
This giveaway is now closed.

 

To Enter:
1. Follow both Design Crush and UGallery on Facebook.
2. Leave a comment here saying you followed both.
3. Do it before Tuesday, December 11, 2012 at midnight CST.
4. Cross your fingers! A winner will be chosen randomly and posted here.

UGallery is also offering Design Crush readers 15% off of your entire purchase when you use the code designcrush15 at checkout through December 15th!

Giveaway Rules + Disclosures. U.S. entrees only.

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Ornamental

Vertical Row 1: Porcelain Santa // Sentimental Ceramic Gift Tag Set // Agate Ornament // Woodland Bronze Creatures
Vertical Row 2: Dip-Dyed Apple Green Ball // Natural Himmeli Ornaments // Origami Cub // Mercury Glass Monogram // Sputnik Ornament
Vertical Row 3: Porcelain Woodland Animal Set // Golden Nugget // Sequin Bow // Birds of a Feather Set of 7

I put my tree up earlier this year than ever, the Monday before Thanksgiving (I blame it on a thing called “Blog Time”). The dogs stared at it like I was completely messing with their minds, while the cats couldn’t wait to nap under it and chew on the lower branches. This was the first year where I didn’t have to use what I refer to as filler ornaments, cheap boxes of bulbs to fill in the empty spots between the ornaments I actually like. I finally have enough baubles for my silver, clear, pink, and blue glass tree – it was sort of momentous. The only new additions were a shiny silver starburst, a big white metal feather, a silver owl, and a mercury glass K (like the monogram above). Oh, and a silver-gold star for the tippy-top.

So, is your tree up and twinkling yet? Do you always put it up on the same day every year or just play it by ear?

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