My (Imaginary) New Year’s Eve 2013

After the craziness of Thanksgiving and Christmas I like to make New Year’s Eve more low-key. A come as you are get together with good friends and family is just what the doctor ordered for a great start to a new year! Want to dress up? Go for it. Prefer pajamas? That’s cool, too. We’ll decorate some with metallics and pinks and call it a day. Everyone can bring an appetizer or dessert and I’ll provide the cocktails – sound good? Mix and mingle as you please, and if you can’t stay awake until the ball drops? No judgement. Now that’s my kinda party.

 

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THE DECOR
Confetti Triangle Invitations – Oh Happy Day
DIY Confetti Wreath – A Subtle Revelry
Handmade Paper Bunting – Toast UK
Recycled Honeycomb Tissue Paper Pouf – Zipper Teeth
Happy New Year Garland – Anthropologie
Porcelain Hurricanes – West Elm
Silver + Gold New Year Tiara – Party 411
Black + Silver New Year Top Hat – Amol’s Fiesta Party Supplies
New Years Surprise Confetti – Anthropologie

THE TABLE
‘Larabee Dor Fete Mini Champagne Saucer – Kate Spade
DIY Happy New Year Cake Topper – Style Me Pretty
Floating Blocks Table Runner – LEIF
Glittering Flatware – Anthropologie
Gold Confetti Paper Napkins – Anthropologie
Mercury Glass Octagonal Hurricanes – West Elm
Metallic Print Glassware Set – West Elm
Pink Pop Side Plate – Burke Decor
Pink Dot Tablecloth – Hay

THE COCKTAILS
Black Rose – Kelley Moore
Cinnamon Maple Bourbon Sour – So… Let’s Hang Out
Cranberry Pear Mulled Wine – Couldn’t Be Parve
Cranberry-Orange Sparkler – Martha Stewart
Cucumber Gin Salt + Pepper Cups – Joy the Baker
Hot Buttered Rum – Not Without Salt
Sparkling Raspberry Cocktail – Apartment34
Sugar and Spice Russian – Waiting On Martha
Winter Punch – 101 Cookbooks

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Happy Weekend

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01/ A placemat set that features engineering blueprints for different foods.
02/ Bookhive is an interactive library display full of 400 “moving” books!
03/ Transfer, a project where partially painted hands blend into the landscape.
04/ A printable Letter to Santa if anyone in your house still needs to write theirs.
05/ In Variable Face a 22-year-old hides behind ordinary objects in a beautiful way.
06/ A quirky outdoor embroidery project that I looove!
07/ A beautiful photo series of the Texas tradition of homecoming mums entitled Mum.
08/ It’s late for holiday cards, but here are 14 cards to wish someone a Happy New Year!
09/ This marks 24 years of Sweden’s Ice Hotel and it’s inspired by Frankenstein.
10/ Create your own (virtual) snowflakes!

This week on Design Crush:
Have a listen to this month’s Mix #31: Everybody’s Got a Secret to Hide.
The December edition of eight art prints I can’t get out of my head.
This Cranberry Eggnog Bread is just the thing for Christmas morning!
Ten of my favorite December DIYs.
You’re invited to my (imaginary) holiday appetizer party!
Incredible hyper-real paintings of poorly wrapped packages by Yrjö Edelmann.
The only party clutch you’re ever need.
Our last round – part 7 – of holiday card covering.
The biggest giveaway we’ve ever hosted – $500 worth of dinnerware from Mud Australia!!!

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Hellooo 2013

Tait-Simpson-2013-Design-Crush

PHOTO: Tait Simpson

My plans for 2013:
• wear more sparkly shoes
• send more cards + letters
• go on more dog walks
• watch more movies
• draw + write more often
• buy more fresh flowers
• make more cocktails
• spend more time with friends

I’m anti-resolution, so this is my lighthearted attempt at keeping myself accountable for 2013 and beyond. Are you a resolution maker? Any good at it?

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New Year’s Party

New Year’s Eve is one of those holidays that’s really easy to hype up and then be massively disappointed by. My dream evening is a party at my own house, with friends who feel free to dress in cocktail attire or pajamas. Lots of appetizers – because by that point in the holidays we’re all bloated and tired of sweets – and plenty of cocktails. Throw in some party props and I’d be one happy girl ringing in 2013!

 

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THE DETAILS
Gold Fringe Backdrop – Wood & Grain
Ice Lanterns – Willowday
DIY Moon Pinata – Oh Happy Day
Scalloped Glitter Garland – Steph Loves Ben
Sequin Vase – Inspiring Pretty

FOR THE GUESTS
Foil Gold Bar Favor Boxes – Shindigz
Mini Gold Sparklers – TOPS Malibu
Glitter Cone Horns – Shindigz
DIY Mini Hat Fascinator – Her New Leaf
DIY Leather Crowns – Think Crafts

THE COCKTAILS
Apple Cider Cocktail – Sugar and Charm
Blood Orange Champagne Cocktails – Martha Stewart
Fig Sidecar – Valley & Co. Lifestyle
Fresh Cranberry and Vodka – Sweet Paul
Maple Concord – Etsy
Orange Margarita – Confections of a Foodie Bride
Sparkling Apple Sangria – Spoon Fork Bacon
Spiced Chai – A Beautiful Mess
Winter Thyme & Key Lime Cocktail – Sweet Paul

THE TABLE
Foil Dot Napkins – Anthropologie
Fold Unfold Tablecloth – A+R Store
Kamal Snow Dos Dinnerware – West Elm
Metallic Leather Coasters – Woonwinkel
Resin Champagne Bucket – Calypso St. Barth
The Countdown Glasses – Indigo

THE APPETIZERS
Bourbon Cocktail Meatballs – Authentic Suburban Gourmet
Buttery Roasted Chestnuts Bon Appetit
Lemon Goat Cheese Dip – Country Living
Mini Apple Calzones – Delightful Crab
Bourbon Infused Sugar Cranberries – A Subtle Revelry
Peach Prosciutto Ricotta Crostini – Bon Appetit
Prosciutto Wrapped Asparagus – Eat Drink Paleo
Roasted Red Pepper + Goat Cheese Truffles – How Sweet It Is
Sweet + Salty Roasted Almonds – Refinery29

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Hey There, 2012

PHOTO: hownowdesign

I chose this photo for this post a few weeks ago. Back when my stepdad’s mom was in the hospital for what we thought was going to be a quick bout with gallstones. Now as I type this we’re several weeks later, Betty’s been in the ICU for awhile, and I’m heading back to Pennsylvania a day after returning from Christmas because they don’t expect she’ll make it through the weekend. I guess I just wanted to let you know that it’s a really tough time around here right now, and my blogging break is going to be extended another week or so. I haven’t had time to get any guest posts together to fill in for me, but I think you understand. Family first, always. xo

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2011 Non-Goals


{via ffffound}

What is it about the new year that makes us take stock of our lives and ourselves? Time inevitably moves forward no matter what we do, but there’s just something about throwing the old calendar out and starting the new that makes us all take a closer look. After making my yearly goals (not resolutions) I found myself reading Erin‘s post about the exact opposite – non-goals. And I started thinking about the things that I manage to accomplish fairly well and would hate to change about myself.

  1. Keep finding amazing friends. You have a knack for knowing who you’re going to gel with immediately.
  2. Keep putting family first. They’re always there for you in the end.
  3. Keep having a soft spot for animals. They need you just as much as you need them.
  4. Keep up with the mad organization skills. They always pay off.
  5. Keep on learning, even from the most down and out circumstances. Life is a series of lessons.
  6. Keep trusting. (Maybe just listen to your gut a little more this year.)
  7. Keep taking risks. Even when they seem like safe bets to others.
  8. Keep taking naps. You’re really, really good at them.
  9. Keep staying true to yourself.
  10. Keep not settling. You’ll only regret it if you do.

What things about yourself are A-OK by you?

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Monday Goodness: Onward & Upward


Christopher David Ryan

Happy first Monday of 2011! I hope your year is off to a rousing start. This week is going to be a bit front heavy I’m afraid, Wednesday I’ll be heading back (once again) to Pennsylvania for Orthodox Christmas. That means things should officially be back to normal around here beginning next Monday. I can’t wait.

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Here’s to 2011.


Adam J. Kurtz
via Have and Hold

Truth be told I had some bigger things planned for New Years on the blog but, well, life sort of got in the way. (As life tends to do.) You might recall that in past years I’ve been a staunchly anti-resolution girl. And I can’t say that that’s changed for 2011. What I can say is that I have some things I want to pay a little bit more attention to.

1. Volunteer more often.
2. Get a new hobby. Like boxing.
3. Become involved in more creative collaborations.

That’s it. Three things. Three things that I actually want to do. And with that… beat it 2010. You sort of sucked.

PS: Thanks for hanging around for another year and reading Design Crush. It brings me more joy than you know!

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