November 30, 2010

Homemade Spirits.

I’m only speaking for myself here, but my holiday budget is tighter this year than it’s been in some time. I’m talking pre-career. The nice thing about that is that it’s made me think about the gifts I’m giving even more than I normally would. Starting today I’ll be sharing some ideas for handcrafted gifts to make and give.

Sure, I could buy a friend a bottle of their favorite alcohol at the liquor store, but something homemade might be even better. And cost a little less. And be a little cooler, just think of all the bottling possibilities!


Amaretto


Coffee Liqueur


Cranberry Liqueur

Posted In christmas, cocktails, gifts, holidays, make it
6
November 29, 2010

Holiday Cards: Part 1.

After seeing holiday decorations lined upon store shelves as early as mid-October, I made a promise to myself that I wouldn’t so much as mention Christmas until after Thanksgiving. Well, that day is finally here. Over the next few weeks I’ll share my favorite cards, a few recipes, some homemade/handmade ideas, and a lot of great things that could be given as gifts should you so choose.

(In most cases, the card shown is only a sampling of what the shop has to offer.)



1canoe2


A. Favorite Design


ash & anchor


Jack & Ella Paper Press


Kate’s Paperie


Pop Ink


REDSTAR ink


Rifle Paper Co.


Starshaped Press


Two Brunettes

Posted In cards, christmas, holidays, paper goods
6
November 23, 2010

Happy {Thanksgiving} Weekend.


{Annie Schlechter}

Wishing all of you in the States full bellies, lots of leftovers, many a nap, and a very Happy Thanksgiving. I’ll be taking the rest of the week off for some much needed downtime spent with family and a plethora of desserts.

+ Now you can make your own Pumpkin Pie Spice, because that stuff is ‘spensive.

+ The most adorable fireplace.

+ A Pumpkin Caipirinha, yes please!

Happy Weekend!

Happy Thanksgiving!

Posted In happy weekend, holidays, thanksgiving
9
November 22, 2010

Advent Calendar Roundup.

Advent calendars have always been a big deal for me. Whether it’s one from Hallmark or a more elaborate set-up involving pieces of chocolate or tiny presents, there was always one put up in our little house come December 1st. These are some of my favorites out there this year.


{Brooklyn Advent Calendar}


{Canvas Advent Calendar}


{DIY Advent Calendar}


{Advent Garland}


{Mini Desktop Advent Calendar}


{Wall Advent Calendar}


{Pinboard Advent Calendar}


{Uusi Advent Calendar}

Posted In calendars, christmas, holidays, paper goods
5
November 19, 2010

Happy Weekend.


{kristin~mainemomma}

+ If your playing Thanksgiving host you mights like these simple printables: a Thanksgiving paper chain + printable napkin rings + gift bags + all of these

+ Love this paper bag turkey for the kids’ table!

+ Hey designers, know what it takes to make a logo super suck?

+ Yet another idea for my paint chip collection.

+ I want to write myself a futureme.org letter, but am almost too nervous.

+ Quite possibly the best cat calendar I’ve ever seen.

+ Say hello to the Mrs. Shoppe!

+ Genius tutorial on making a modern coffee table out of a wooden pallet.

+ Anxious to try out a modern french tip manicure.

+ Jack Spade’s gift guides are the only ones that made me want to look.

Happy Weekend!

Posted In beauty bag, calendars, happy weekend, holidays, make it, online, paper goods, thanksgiving
2
November 18, 2010

A Thanksgiving Feast.

A mix-n-match smorgasbord of sorts. Basically any of these recipes can be paired together with one another for the Big Turkey Dinner or the day after. Or even a month from next Thursday. (That’s December 25th if you don’t have a calendar handy.) Happy menu planning!


Let’s start with the libations. Because as far as I’m concerned, no holiday is tolerable without a few. (Boozy Mulled Cider, Butterbeer, Maple Concord)

Soup is one of my favorite things to make. I plan to subsist on it all winter long. (Apple Soup, Pumpkin + Peanut Butter Soup, Sour Cream Soup)


Then we’ll move on to some hearty bread, it serves as a nice sopping device for the soup. (Bread Baked with Honey + Cream, Brown Molasses Bread, Parmesan Potato Bread)


Now onto a few traditional things, sweet potatoes for one. (Cookie Crusted Sweet Potatoes, Maple Sweet Potato Casserole, Grilled Sweet Potatoes)


And turkey for two, although these are recipes for leftover turkey since it’s easy enough to roast one. (Curried Turkey Salad, Turkey Cranchiladas, Turkey and Sweet Potato Hash)


And now onto the most important part of the meal. Pumpkin. And dessert. (Mini Pumpkin Pies, Pumpkin Custards, Pumpkin Rice Pudding)

Posted In holidays, recipes, thanksgiving
6
October 29, 2010

Happy {Halloween} Weekend.


{Katherine Squire}

+ Keep the vampires at bay with this garlic necklace.

+ Have you seen these spookified decoration displays from Making it Lovely and Brooklyn Limestone?

+ If I were in the market for a headstone this would be it.

+ For when you can’t find your phone but have internet access…

+ I’m a sucker for novelty cameras.

+ Check out this great tutorial for making your own pyrite bookends.

+ Sort of the BEST SANDWICH EVER.

+ Definitely making this chicken + noodles recipe within the next week!

+ Why has no one thought of cinnamon toast butter before?!

+ I didn’t have time to throw together a Halloween mixtape, luckily K.I.D. Collective did.

+ And so did Kitsune Noir!

+ Skull wallpaper. Yesssssss.

+ In love with this last minute costume, a flowing hooded cloak.

Happy Halloween Weekend!

Hey: Sunday is the last day to sign up for this year’s Calendar Swap! Get on the ball or miss out until next October. (And possibly be wandering around for an entire year in the meantime, clueless as to what month or day it is. But you know, your choice…)

Posted In halloween, holidays, house and home, jewelry, make it, music, online, recipes, walls, wear it
2
October 28, 2010

Halloween Goodness.


emma who

Spookiness

• The story behind Bram Stoker’s Dracula
• Granny Grimm’s Book of Ghoulish Grammar
• The Belmez Faces
• 10 Haunted Houses in the U.S.
• 4 strange cases of demonic possession
• The Witches of Salem

Craftiness

• 10 obscure, geeky DIY costume ideas
• How to make a Zombie Barbie Garden
• Colorful handcut paper leaves
• Loving this super simple costume
• Ominous DIY favor bottles (two words: Pop Rocks!)
• Loving this project for ‘Harvest Houses’
• Geekstravaganza Halloween decorations
• Forest Scene Pumpkin
• Print + stick zombie wounds
• Loving these morbid terrariums!

Partiness

• Would love to throw a Witching Hour party with the girls
• Get pumpkined!

Tastiness

• 15 creepy-cool Halloween party foods
• 12 super gross candies for trick or treaters
• Potted Pumpkin Pies (so cute!)
• Halloween Refrigerator Donuts
• Red Hot Devil Macaroon Lollipops

Drunkeness

• Mexican Pumpkin Punch
• Caramel Apple Martini
• Autumn Coffee (with a kick!)
• Vampire Blood Martini
• Holland Razor Blade

Posted In cocktails, entertaining, halloween, holidays, recipes
5
October 27, 2010

Mod Pumpkins.

I’m completely off the ball this year when it comes to pumpkins. I had the best intentions of getting mine a few weekends ago, but then got sick and not thinking about pumpkins so much. I’m hoping today’s the day. And since carving jack o’ lanterns can be time consuming I’ve decided to go this route, that of the Mod Pumpkin. Some poster paint (or tempera), masking or painters tape, and they’ll be good to go! {via Happy Mundane}

Posted In halloween, holidays, make it
4