Extreme Valentine’s Day Roundup

This roundup turned out to be a little haphazard. I’ve been bookmarking things here and there since early January and didn’t realize just how much I’d pulled together to share. So if you’re looking for the right gift for your sweetheart, a tasty cocktail or sweets recipe, free printables, or any number of other things… well, there are 80-some of them willing and waiting below!

 

Valentines-Day-1-Design-Crush

ROW 1: Instax Heart Glitter Frame // Beary Favor Bags DIY + Free Printables    ROW 2: Heart of Glass Mug // DIY Heart Drink Stirrers // Cherub’s Cup Cocktail    ROW 3: Custom Leather Banner Keychain // Valentine’s Day Cocktail // I Heart You Fill-In Books    ROW 4: Love Sux Conversation Heart Pin // Be Mine Heart // DIY Watercolour Heart Cookies

 

Valentines-Day-2-Design-Crush

ROW 1: Raspberry Mousse Meringue Hearts // Big Time Love // Many Moons Card    ROW 2: By Your Side Card // Bisous // Let’s French    ROW 3: Heart Sing // I Really Like You // DIY Confetti Treat Box and Printable    ROW 4: DIY Eucalyptus Heart Wreath // My Anchor // Always & Forever

 

Valentines-Day-3-Design-Crush

ROW 1: Forever Card // I Love You Card // Beautiful Smile Card    ROW 2: You Repulse Me the Least // Ombre Heart Blank Folding Card // Venn Diagram Love Card    ROW 3: You’re the One // Smitten Gold Foil Card // The Heart Cleansing Sponge    ROW 4: Printable Valentines // Bananas for Your Art Print // 5 Minute Paper Bag Valentines

 

Valentines-Day-4-Design-Crush

ROW 1: Lou Lou Heart Hipster // Readymade Be Mine Neon Sign // DIY Conversation Heart Cookies    ROW 2: DIY Love Tokens // DIY Flair Valentines // Heart Shaped Cookies    ROW 3: Printable Gift Wrap // DIY Colorful Paper Fortune Cookies // Tattly Heart Set    ROW 4: DIY Etched Heart Flair Pins // Heart Cake Knife // Big Love Ice Cream Bowl & Spoon

 

Valentines-Day-5-Design-Crush

ROW 1: Strawberry Heart Hand Pies // Red Velvet Melting Moments // DIY Heart Manicure    ROW 2: The Underpinning // DIY Envelope Liners // Red Velvet Sundaes    ROW 3: DIY Valentine’s Day Bath Bomb // I Love You Copper Foil Card // I Love You the Most Card    ROW 4: Crazy Love // Lucky for Us // Raspberry Chocolate Cups

 

Valentines-Day-6-Design-Crush

ROW 1: Heart Bun Tool Kit // DIY Hand Holding Hearts Pop Up Valentines // Red Velvet Popcorn    ROW 2: Heart Drink Stirrers // Sun Printed Heart Valentines // DIY XOXO Valentines Painted Planter    ROW 3: Printable Valentine’s Day Postcards // DIY Mini Bouquets // Love Card    ROW 4: DIY Breakfast in Bed Tray // DIY Square Lollipops // XO Valentine

 

Valentines-Day-7-Design-Crush

ROW 1: Beaming // DIY Envelope Wraps // DIY Gold Heart Garland    ROW 2: Single and Psyched Patch // The Pink Lady Cocktail // Crochet Heart Garland    ROW 3: Printable Rap Lyric Valentines Cards // H’Eye There Printable Valentines // Melted Chocolates with Edible Gold Foil    ROW 4: DIY Mini Eclairs // Printable Valentine’s Day Posters // Heart Eye Emoji Patterned Cake Roll

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Happy 2016 + My Intentions

Paperless Post-Design Crush

Paperless Post

I wasn’t planning on showing up here before Monday, but like a lot of you I’m feeling introspective with the new year upon us. (Happy 2016!) I stopped making resolutions years ago – the guilt and disappointment are a bit too much when I fail – but this year I’ve settled on a few intentions. (Resolutions by another name? Most likely.) And just like writing them down on a Post-It and sticking that note to the fridge, sharing them here holds some accountability for me.

Take better care of myself. Since turning 36 in November I’ve realized this really is the only body and the only life I’ve got. I plan on making big efforts to get my diabetes even further under control, as well as continuing with my daily regiment of vitamins and eating well. Hoping to get more physical activity into the mix as well. (Ugh.)

Work on that whole work/life balance thing. I’ve been struggling with this since taking Design Crush full-time four years ago, and have yet to find a decent balance between the two. My hopes are to spend more time with friends and family, as well as open myself up more to relationships. (Because honestly, I just haven’t made the time or effort. And I’m not getting any younger.)

Try at least one new recipe a month. I’ve fallen into a kitchen rut. Since my diabetes diagnosis back in 2014 I’ve had to relearn my eating habits and cooking hasn’t been nearly as pleasurable. I’m starting small with one new recipe a month, and hoping I fall in love with the process again and more on to one new recipe a week.

So there you have it. What are your intentions for 2016?

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Merry Christmas to All

Poinsettias-Design Crush

Photo: Kelly Beall

Before I cut out for a week and a half of family and presents and way too many cookies, I want to wish you all a happy holiday season. No matter which of them you choose to celebrate. Without you Design Crush would cease to exist and I would cease to have the job I was made for. I’ll be taking my first break from the site in over 2 1/2 years through the new year and I’m looking forward to coming back rejuvenated and full of inspiration in 2016!

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You’re Invited to Christmas Brunch

you're-invited-christmas-brunch-Design-Crush

I can hardly believe Christmas is a week from today! The holidays always seem to sneak up on me, but the unusually warm weather we’ve been experiencing here on the east coast has really thrown everyone for a loop. It’s been more of a challenge than usual to get into the spirit, but I’m doing my best. I’ve also been thinking about the brunch my family will be sitting down to Christmas Day and what it might include – and you’re invited.

 

deck-the-halls-Design-Crush

ROW 1: Buffalo Plaid Stocking // Choose Joy Banner // Felt Ball Wreath    ROW 2: Metal Cap String Lights // Nomad Candle // Painted Tin Merry Christmas Sign    ROW 3: Paper Top Star // Poplar Cone Tree // Porcelain Cityscape    ROW 4: Selenite Fireplace Logs // Teak and Brass Tree Stand // Wooden Tree

 

at-the-table-Design-Crush

ROW 1: 3-Piece Marble Trivet Set // Abbesses Plates in Green // Cotton Tablecloth    ROW 2: Heathered Napkins // Iridescent Serving Utensils // Kinto Dew Glass Tumbler    ROW 3: Lily Pad Tray // Maple Wood Kitchen Utensil Set // Marble & Wood Cheese Boards    ROW 4: Marble Ceramic Dinner Plate // Ombre Bottlebrush Trees // Painted Concrete Candleholders

 

brunch-on-Design-Crush

ROW 1: Black Tea and Cardamom Cake // Blood Orange Buttermilk Upside-Down Cake // Bourbon-Cherry and Almond Dutch Baby    ROW 2: Browned Butter Sweet Potato Squares // Caramelized Banana Bread with Gingersnap Butter // Cranberry Curd Tart    ROW 3: Eggnog Custard Oatmeal Brûlée // Make Ahead Orange Clove Rolls // Orange Pomegranate Scones    ROW 4: Ricotta Goat Cheese Polenta Bake // Roasted Broccolini, Bacon, and Caramelized Shallot Quiche // Salt Crusted Potatoes

 

drink-up-Design-Crush

ROW 1: Blender Eggnog // Dark Hot Chocolate // Mulled Apple + Tangerine Cider    ROW 2: Mulled Winter Punch // Pineapple Cinnamon Sangria // Pomegranate and Orange Champagne Punch

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The Coffee Lover’s Gift Guide

To put it simply, I adore coffee. I started drinking it when I was a kid, and as I grew older the ratio of milk to coffee changed drastically. These days I happily switch between French press, pour over, and drip depending on my mood and how much time I have to brew. One of my vices is seeking out the newest technology and products in the world of coffee, and a slew of the latest is from none other than KitchenAid. That’s right, the brand that’s responsible for one of the most iconic mixers is also fluent in coffee beans and modern design. I pulled together a few gift ideas for the coffee lovers in your life, depending on their preferred brewing method – have a peek below.

 

KitchenAid-pour-over-Design Crush

Brew Milk Pan // Merienda Flatware // Pottery Tumbler

I know what you’re thinking – that looks just like a drip coffee maker. But it’s not. For the coffeehouse experience at home, the new KitchenAid Pour Over Coffee Brewer precisely heats and pulses the flow of water, then steeps like a manual pour over which allows the grounds to bloom. The result is bright, clean, and full flavored coffee without diluting.

 

KitchenAid-siphonbrew-Design Crush

Salt + Sugar Spoons // Sugar + Creamer Set // White Kam Mug

The science and flavors of siphon brewing come from vapor pressure pushing the water up through the siphon tube. After that vacuum suction and gravity draw the coffee down through the grounds. The dramatic KitchenAid Siphonbrew has simplified this process to extract a cup of coffee that showcases all the flavors of your favorite beans. The brewer is made of high quality glass and stainless steel to be a true thing of beauty.

 

KitchenAid-precision-press-Design Crush

Enamelware Pink Spouted Milk Pot // Form Brass Milk Jug // Pink Everyday Mug

A French press brews a bold, full-bodied, robust cup of coffee. KitchenAid’s Precision Press was developed to ensure the best French press coffee can be brewed conveniently at home through simple technology and sleek, functional design. It even features an integrated timer and scale that  measures brew time and the precise ratio of coffee grounds to water for the perfect brew.

 

KitchenAid-burr-grinder-Design Crush

Apothem Bronze Coffee Scoop // Rounded Canister with Leather Tie // Hasami Brown Porcelain Mug

Each of these three brewing methods demands a specific grind size to extract the proper flavor. Grinding your beans to the precise size just before brewing is a key element in brewing the best possible cup of coffee. KitchenAid’s Burr Grinder offers a level of precision and consistency with its fifteen different grind sizes.

 

KitchenAid-5-Design Crush

This post sponsored by Single Edition Media on behalf of KitchenAid. All words and opinions are my own. Thank you for supporting the brands that help keep Design Crush creating fresh content! Follow KitchenAid online at Facebook, Instagram, Pinterest, and Twitter for product updates and discounts.

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Mega Holiday DIY + Printable Roundup

DIY-and-Printables-1-Design-Crush

1/Paper Evergreen Holiday Wreath  2/DIY Paper Cut Christmas Wreath  3/DIY Geometric Wreath  4/Minimal Holiday Wreath  5/Black and White Gift Tags  6/DIY Paper House Luminaries  7/Holiday Gift Tag Printables  8/Printable Holiday Treat Labels  9/Vintage Noel Banner  10/Winter Fruit and Greenery Garland

 

DIY-and-Printables-2-Design-Crush

11/DIY Christmas Tree Confetti Cones  12/Marbled Paper Chains  13/DIY Hanging Eucalyptus  14/Branch Stocking Display  15/Pine Needle Garland  16/DIY Holiday Pom Pom Garland  17/Mod Tree Printable Treat Labels  18/Christmas Tree Party Invitation  19/DIY Light Box Marquee  20/DIY Tinsel Letter Garland

 

DIY-and-Printables-3-Design-Crush

21/DIY Fringe Christmas Trees  22/Holiday Gift Wrap Download  23/DIY Gingerbread House Gift Boxes  24/DIY Wrap for Pattern Lovers  25/Free Printable Christmas Wrap  26/Felt Leaf Garland  27/DIY Foam Gradient Trees 28/DIY Holographic Garland  29/DIY Live Holiday Wreath  30/DIY Pom Pom Tree Topper

 

DIY-and-Printables-4-Design-Crush

31/Printable Holiday Cards, Gift Tags & Wrapping Paper  32/Printable Gift Wrap, Gift Tags, and Holiday Cards  33/Holiday Gift Tags  34/Free Printable Holiday Tags  35/DIY Disco Ball Snowman  36/Evergreen Printable Holiday Party Invitations  37/DIY Gold Holiday Laurel Leaf  38/DIY Ceramic Bells  39/Dried Orange & Cinnamon Garland  40/Mini Christmas Tree Piñata

 

DIY-and-Printables-5-Design-Crush

41/DIY Wood Gift Tags and Ornaments  42/Santa Joy Christmas Printables  43/Snow Gift Wrapping  44/Mylar Pom Pom Garland  45/Black and White Gift Wrap  46/Disco Ball Wreath  47/DIY Scratch-Off Gift Tags  48/DIY Christmas Tree Drink Stirrers  49/Asymmetrical Wreath  50/DIY Filipino Christmas Star

 

DIY-and-Printables-6-Design-Crush

51/Fluffy Knit Garland  52/Gingerbread Cookies Cityscape  53/Christmas Printable  54/Printable Holiday Tags  55/Printable Holiday Gift Tags  56/Printable Watercolor Stroke Gift Wrap  57/Merry Christmas Wrapping Paper  58/Holiday Window Painting  59/Printable Holiday Garland  60/DIY Scandinavian Christmas Tree Skirt

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Alcoholidays 2015

Alcoholidays-1-Design-Crush

1/Cranberry Ginger Whiskey Smash  2/Butterscotch Eggnog  3/Cranberry-Apple Cider Punch  4/Pomegranate Vodka Fizz  5/Apple Brandy Allspice Fizz Cocktail  6/Fig Manhattan  7/Wassail  8/Cranberry Shrub Cocktail  9/Spiced Blueberry Rum Punch  10/Apple Orange Hot Toddy

 

Alcoholidays-2-Design-Crush

11/Persimmon Collins Cocktail  12/Pumpkin Punch Cocktail  13/Citrus Sting  14/Gin Citrus Punch  15/Ginger Blood Orange Margaritas  16/Cucumber-Infused Gin and Grapefruit, Black Pepper Fizz  17/Thyme & Citrus Moscow Mule  18/Apple Thyme Cocktail  19/Lemon Rosemary Bourbon Sour  20/Christmas Caipirinhas

 

Alcoholidays-3-Design-Crush

21/Chambord Ginger Beer Cocktail  22/Clementine Prosecco Cocktail  23/Key Lime Cooler Cocktails  24/Fig and Lemon Fizz  25/Rose + Rosé Bourbon Cocktail  26/Pear Spiced Sangria  27/Sparkling Pomegranate Punch  28/Cranberry Ramos Gin Fizz  29/Cinnamon White Russian  30/Jingle Juice Holiday Punch

 

Alcoholidays-4-Design-Crush

31/Boozy Chocolate Horchata  32/White Glogg Mulled Winter Wine  33/Cardamom Rose Gin Tonic  34/Pina Colada Milk Punch  35/Candy Cane Peppermint Punch  36/Cranberry Thyme Gin Tonic  37/Maple Bourbon Smash  38/Spiced Cranberry Paloma  39/Chai Tea Cocktail  40/Quince Hot Toddy

 

Alcoholidays-5-Design-Crush

41/Whiskey Hot Chocolate  42/Cider Bourbon Jam Cocktails with Ginger Beer  43/Pomegranate Poinsettia  44/Spiced Pineapple Rum Hot Toddy  45/Red Ruby Grapefruit Ginger Cocktail  46/Hard Cider Spritz  47/Spicy Rosemary Rhubarb Margarita  48/Black Peppercorn + Cranberry Shrub with Gin  49/Tamarind Whiskey Sour  50/Orange Cranberry Blended Margaritas

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Mega Ornament Roundup

Mega-Ornament-Roundup-1-Design-Crush

1/Carved Paulownia Star Ornament  2/Hand Painted Pink Suzette Ornament  3/DIY Cinnamon Stick Himmeli  4/DIY Balsa Wood Ornaments  5/DIY Christmas Ornament Trio  6/DIY Clay Ornaments  7/DIY Color Blocked Ornaments  8/DIY Kintsugi Gold Fixed Christmas Baubles  9/DIY Leather Gemstone Ornaments  10/DIY Metalworked  Hand Stamped Geometric Ornaments

 

Mega-Ornament-Roundup-2-Design-Crush

11/DIY Mod Wooden Ornaments  12/DIY Paper House Christmas Ornament  13/DIY Paper Star Ornaments  14/DIY Papier Mache Fruit Ornaments  15/DIY Watercolor Ornaments  16/DIY Watercolour Printed Fabric Baubles  17/DIY Wooden Tassel Ornaments  18/DIY Fabric-Covered Christmas Tree Ornaments  19/DIY Glitter Dust Filled Balls  20/Geometric Glass Ornament Set

 

Mega-Ornament-Roundup-3-Design-Crush

21/Light Pink Ball Ornament  22/DIY Faux Ceramic Ornaments  23/DIY Painted Pattern Holiday Ornaments  24/Pink and Orange Colorblock Christmas Ornament  25/Pink Ombre Finials  26/Porcelain King & Queen Ornament Set  27/Precision-Cut Wood Ornament Sets  28/Ready Made Snowball Ornament  29/Scales Ornament  30/DIY Stitched Leather Ornaments

 

Mega-Ornament-Roundup-4-Design-Crush

31/Wooden Bell  32/Wooden Jewelry  33/Woodshop Monogram Ornament  34/DIY Gold Glitter Ornaments  35/Galactic Gold Ornament  36/DIY Gilded Feather Polymer Clay Ornaments  37/DIY Temporary Tattoo Ornaments  38/Mercury Ornament Set  39/Ceramic Animal Ornaments  40/Turned Wood Drop Ornaments

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Mega Christmas Cookie Roundup

I’ve done it – blocked a day off the week of Christmas to bake my face off. A few years ago I attempted to talk my now 91-year-old Grandma into taking a step back and only making her infamous nutrolls. It didn’t go exactly as planned, so now I simply tell her how many cookie recipes I’m making so she can see the reasoning behind my request/demand. I’ll probably end up baking between five and seven different varieties, but need to narrow the list down from these FIFTY. Help a girl out?

 

Mega-Cookie-Roundup-1-Design-Crush

1/Sweet Raspberry + Tahini Sandwich Cookies  2/Slice and Bake Spice Cookies with Citrus Glaze and Sea Salt  3/Old-Fashioned Almond Gingerbread Cookies  4/Almond Butter & Maple Cream Gingersnap Sandwich Cookies  5/Caramel Fluffernutter Chocolate Chip Cookies  6/Chocolate Orange Sandwich Cookies  7/Coconut, Oatmeal, and Cherry Jam Thumbprints  8/Gingersnaps with Apple Cider Glaze  9/Swig Sugar Cookies  10/Rosemary and Apricot Shortbread Cookies

 

Mega-Cookie-Roundup-2-Design-Crush

11/Pumpkin Molasses Cookies  12/Honey Cookies  13/Chai Spiced Sugar Cookies  14/Milano Cookies  15/Chocolate Caramel Ginger Cookies  16/Chewy Triple Ginger Cookies  17/Cinnamon Roll Cookies  18/Cocoa Cinnamon Sea Salt Cookies  19/Cranberry Bliss Cookies  20/Thin & Crispy Coconut Cookies

 

Mega-Cookie-Roundup-3-Design-Crush

21/Brown Sugar Toffee Cookies  22/Salt & Pepper Cocoa Shortbread Cookies  23/Almond Espresso Cookies 24/Butterscotch Gingerbread Cookies  25/Cranberry Orange Pistachio Cookies  26/Thin and Chewy Spiced Oatmeal Cookies with Brown Butter Icing  27/Orange Spiced Sugar Cookies  28/Chai Spiced Shortbread  29/Salted Gingersnap Mallomars  30/Clove and Molasses Lace Cookies

 

Mega-Cookie-Roundup-4-Design-Crush

31/Malted Chocolate Sandwich Cookies  32/Blood Orange Vanilla Bean Meringues  33/Star Anise Spiced Dark Chocolate Sables  34/Spice Sugar Cookies  35/Spicy Gingerbread Linzer Cookies with Orange White Chocolate Ganache  36/Peppermint Drops  37/Citrus Cornmeal Shortbread  38/Cranberry Orange Almond Shortbread Cookies  39/Brown Sugar Toffee Cookies  40/Colorblock Sugar Cookies

 

Mega-Cookie-Roundup-5-Design-Crush

41/Cappuccino Cookies  42/Gummy Bear Cookies  43/Smoky Cardamom Ginger Molasses Cookies  44/Butter Crunch Cookies  45/Caramel Stuffed Soft Gingerbread Cookies  46/Pink Champagne Cookies  47/Jumbo Maple Sugar Cookies  48/Chocolate Peppermint Biscotti  49/Cranberry Almond Cookies  50/Whole Grain Eggnog Cookies

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