DIY Holiday Gifts

Yesterday we talked food gifts, and today we’re talking handmade DIY presents. I don’t know about you, but I would  much rather receive something small with lots of thought put into it than something pricey that was an afterthought. It just means more knowing someone spent their time rather than their money. Here are fifteen gifts that would be perfect alone or partnered with one of our suggestions!

 

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Pair with: a boot brush, a small rosemary bush for the porch.

 

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Pair with: simple earrings, a pair of bangles.

 

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Pair with: a pretty brass bell, bottle brush trees.

 

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Pair with: a few vintage ornaments, homemade pomanders.

 

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Pair with: a soft pair of gloves or mittens, a silk scarf.

 

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Pair with: hot toddy ingredients, a set of mason jars.

 

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Pair with: a set of mugs, mulling spices.

 

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Pair with: soup mix, a vintage pot.

 

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Pair with: gourmet hot chocolate, homemade cookies.

 

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Pair with: crackers and cheese, pretty cocktail plates.

 

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Pair with: letterpress place cards, a set of linen napkins.

 

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Pair with: a candle snuffer, a nice box of matches.

 

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Pair with: a bottle of nail polish, a pair of sunglasses.

 

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Pair with: a cozy scarf or blanket, a favorite board game.

 

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Pair with: an iTunes gift card, screen cleaner.

Click on each image to go to the project.
All photos copyright of their respective sites unless otherwise noted.

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Gifting with Pickwick & Weller

There’s not much better than a super soft, great fitting tee that goes with everything. If you haven’t already, meet Pickwick & Weller. Purveyor of affordable boutique-quality tees for men and women that are made right here in the USA, Los Angeles in fact. Friends Ashton Kutcher, Ryan Donahue, and Matt Rowe created the line in 2012, with a name inspired by Charles Dickens’ first novel – The Pickwick Papers. Pickwick & Weller has tees for him and tees for her, great basics to layer under winter clothes or wear alone.

I picked my favorite tee for girls and guys and chose a few gifts I think would be great go-withs! And get this – a discount of 25% off an order of $50 or more when you visit Pickwick & Weller through this link! You’ll take a brief survey about your shirt preferences, and then receive a discount code to use during checkout.

 

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Clockwise from center: The Harlan by Pickwick & Weller // Classic Canadian Mittens // Marble Clutch // Open Scarecrow Ring // Plus Blanket // Pepper Mill and Salt Grinder // Organic and Fair Trade Chocolate Set // Short Arc Earrings // Totem Necklace

 

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Clockwise from center: The Christian by Pickwick & Weller // Dopp Kit // Brass Money Clip // Antiqued Brass Bottle Openers // Alarm Dock // Waterproof Bluetooth Shower Speaker // Great Expectations Flask // Twig Wall Hooks // Push Pencil

This is a sponsored post and I was compensated for my participation. The opinions expressed are my own, as always. Thank you for supporting the brands that help keep Design Crush going!

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Happy Weekend

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01/ Dirds. Dog heads, bird bodies, lots of awesome.
02/ A vending machine for the art lover on a budget.
03/ Maybe, probably, the world’s first ever selfie.
04/ Wet Dog is just what it sounds like, which makes it impossible not to love.
05/ Photographer Jens Lennartsson made 600 action figures of himself for a self-promotion!
06/ Hilarious ad campaign from Harvey Nichols encouraging you to spend more on yourself.
07/ Check out Heritage, a heard of 99 lifelike animals drinking from the same pool.
08/ Hey dudes, if you need some help here’s a 60 second guide to dressing for the holidays.
09/ Lucid Stead, a mirrored cabin in the middle of Joshua Tree.
10/ Mosaics created with 10,000 Play-Doh dots, created by the coolest mom in the world.

This week on Design Crush:
Geometric abstract paintings from Jackalope Heart, plus an awesome discount!
Seventeen planners to get you planning 2014! (Only 25 days left in the year!)
And twelve more calendars for your consideration in part 5 of our roundups.
I played Oprah and shared a few of my favorite things.
Beautiful painterly textiles from Milk Farm Road.
Twenty-five projects full of DIY holiday decor!
A festive drinking glass project from Omar Sosa.
Sent out your holiday cards yet? Here are a few more to consider in part 4.
A pop-up shop full of handcrafted wooden skateboards – Side Project Skateboards.
Check out how we decorated for the holidays at Design Crush HQ!
I love a good end table, here are eleven I’m considering for my living room.

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A Few of My Favorite Things

I’m playing Oprah today! Hundreds of products cross my screen on a daily basis as I search out the best to share with you, and a girl can’t help but have a few favorites! And while I wish I had one of each of these fantastic pieces to give to every one of you a la Oprah, I hope my opinion will hold its weight in salt for you. Because these are all shops and creators whose things I own, that decorate my home and my self each and every day.

 

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Splendid Orlando Oxford. These shoes are a new addition to my wardrobe for winter and I love their sleek look (no laces!). Splendid‘s entire lifestyle collection is ultra-comfortable and effortlessly chic, which is perfect for my every day and mixes with existing pieces easily.

American Giant Womens Heavyweight Full Zip Hooded Sweatshirt. I’ve been a hoodie aficionado since junior high, but it’s tough to find one that doesn’t resemble a garbage bag on a woman’s body. This zip up from American Giant is not only sturdy, but made especially for us ladies. If I’m home I usually have it on over whatever I’m wearing, it’s that good.

Emily McDowell’s Foods of the World New York City Tea Towel. Emily McDowell just might be one of the funniest people I know, and her humor translates seamlessly onto her illustrated line of cards, dish towels, and other miscellaneous goods. This towel featuring a recipe that actually involves zero cooking is just the tip of the iceberg.

Warby Parker’s Durand Eyeglasses in Woodland Tortoise. Warby Parker has had my poor vision and my heart in its grasp for several years now. I just recently snapped up this pair from their winter collection, the round-ish lenses are super flattering and their buy 1/give 1 model is tough to beat.

Bloggers Love Cats + Bloggers Love Dogs 13-Month Calendars. Shameless plug alert! I teamed up with other well-known bloggers who are animal lovers to create these two calendar downloads featuring our pets. All proceeds go directly to the Humane Society of the United States and all of the little critters in need.

See Scout Sleep’s Nice Grill Cream + Vermillion Brass Buckle Collar. Both of my pups wear this collar and it stands up to their rough and tumble lifestyles like no other. All of the pet goods See Scout Sleep offers are high quality, environmentally-friendly, and handmade in Louisiana.

Cursive Design’s Apex Studs. Cursive Design is one of my favorite jewelry shops by far, I just love Sarah’s eye for detail. These studs, along with much of the fall/winter 2013 collection, were inspired by a project we collaborated on together for NYFW 2012. They’re molded from vintage glass and cast in yellow bronze.

Jaime Derringer’s Untitled 3. I’m the proud, happy owner of three works of art by Jaime Derringer. Her bold use of color and constant exploration of shape and space never leave me bored. And both Jaime’s original pieces and prints are super affordable.

 

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Pencil Shavings Studio’s Gold Lucite Tray in Palm Springs. Pencil Shavings‘ designer Rachel Shingleton has a great way with both color and pattern. It’s reflected in her shop’s incredible line of phone cases, trays, paper goods, and more!

Alexa Chung’s It. There’s no denying she’s the darling of the fashion world, but after ready through this pink linen-covered book filled with short musings and photos she seems down-to-earth as well.

Paloma’s Nest Custom Monogram Tiny Text Bowl. Paloma’s Nest creates some of the best heirloom-quality ceramics I’ve seen. I own one of these plates and have gifted numerous others over the past few years. You just can’t go wrong with a piece that’s lovingly personalized like these.

Gingiber’s Deer Tea Towel. I love shop owner Stacie’s whimsical, geometric illustration style used on all of her animal characters! Gingiber‘s prints, pillows, towels (and more) are always the highest of quality and meticulously checked over.

Whimsy & Spice’s Chocolate Orange Cardamom Shortbread Cookies. Whimsy & Spice‘s tasty baked goods make the perfect gift for just about any occasion. Now’s a great time to stock up on hostess gifts, snacks for overnight guests, and of course a little something for yourself.

Miró Watches from Urbantrait. Among an incredible selection of modern watches from Urbantrait, Miró definitely stands out. Made from stainless steel, hardened mineral crystal, and calf leather it’s sure to stand up to wear and tear for years to come. Mine has made me a watch wearer again after years of depending on my cell! Find your favorite from tons of men’s watches and women’s watches.

Meow Meow Tweet’s Grapefruit Rosemary Body Oil. Come winter, lotions just don’t cut it for me. I coat myself in Meow Meow Tweet‘s body oil before I get out of the shower and don’t need to re-moisturize until right before bed. Each amazing scent if filled with natural ingredients and infused with botanicals.

strawberryluna’s Morrissey Pittsburgh Poster PETA Donation. My favorite stop for gig posters, and it doesn’t hurt that strawberryluna is based in my hometown either! Allison and Craig do stellar silkscreening work for more bands than I can think to name, and on more posters than I can count that I own.

 

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Happy Weekend

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01/ The Shoot Pool Slide is the only pool slide I’ve ever been jealous of.
02/ An infinite real-life stairway to heaven.
03/ Detailed portraits created from thousands of hammered nails.
04/ A concept for a futuristic airport located on the River Thames in London.
05/ Beautiful mirrored infinity rooms.
06/ The 13 chairs that were never painted in The Last Supper.
07/ Do tears of joy and sorrow look different under a microscope?
08/ If you’ve lived in NYC, you know. Priceless reactions of people being slept on in the subway.
09/ Swarms of everyday objects that almost look alive.
10/ Popular internet cats embroidered on shirts!

This week on Design Crush:
Modern, timeless jewelry from Isobell. (And a 15% discount!)
Plenty of holiday cards in part 2 and part 3 of our roundups.
Perfect gifts from Baba Souk! (And another 15% discount!)
Forty-eight cocktails to get you through Alcoholidays 2013.
Giving thanks with photographer Jessie Askinazi.
24 Merry Days is back this year! 24 days, 24 bloggers, 24 giveaways beginning December 1st!
I hope all of our U.S. readers had a Happy Thanksgiving!
See how my month went via Insta November.

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Gifting with Baba Souk

Sometimes you find that perfect shop – let’s call it the sweet spot – that not only fits your own taste and style, but where you can also find the perfect gift for just about everyone on your list. That’s Baba Souk. Full of color, pattern, and inspiration, all under the online roof of an indie boutique.

And they’re helping to make your holiday shopping that much easier by offering a 15% discount with the code designcrush through November 30th! (Thanks, Baba Souk. You’re definitely on Santa’s Nice List this year!)

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This post is sponsored by Baba Souk. All words and opinions are my own. Thank you for supporting the brands that help keep Design Crush going!

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Isobell

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Oakland-based jewelry designer Melody Shirazi has definitely nailed the modern-yet-timeless look. Isobell pairs modern trends with 1920’s architectural design to create delicate, timeless pieces for today. They fit my personal aesthetic so well, and all of the stud earrings are screaming my name! You can see the beautiful Winter 2014 lookbook right here.

AND lucky, lucky you because Isobell is offering 20% off your entire purchase as well as free gift wrapping with the code CRUSH through December 31st!

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The Ultimate Cold Weather Wear Roundup

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ROW 1: Contrast Hood Coat – Carven // Gadwall Parka – Pierrepont Hicks // Vintage Tweed Coat – Marc New York    ROW 2: Hooded Wool Coat – Zara // Noisy May Oversized Coat with Faux Leather Collar – ASOS // Asymmetric Zippered Hooded Army Green Down Coat – ROMWE    ROW 3: Irregular Lapel Lacing Camel Coat – ROMWE // Black & White Grid Pattern Color Block Coat – 6KS    ROW 4: Winter Pea Coat – April, May // Blue Contrast Grey Panel Detachable Fur Hood Wool Blend Coat – ShePiner //  Hooded Faux Leather Trim Duffle Coat – Calvin Klein    ROW 5: Dacron Wool Coat – CiChic // Colorblock Ski Jacket – J.Crew // Asymmetrical Shirttail Coat – Vince

 

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ROW 1: Zion Lion – wool and the gang // Crochet Beanie Hat with Ball – Target // Cozy Knit Beanie – Bourbon & Boots    ROW 2: Chunky Knit Cap – The Woodlands // Icelandic Knit Pom Hat – LEIF    ROW 3: Knit Skull Hat – MISSONI // Edara Beanie – AllSaints // Carrie Pom Pom Hat – Club Monaco    ROW 4: Pommed Peak Beanie – Anthropologie // Dash Dot Hat – ALL KNITWEAR // Hat – IvoryRow

 

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ROW 1: Plaid Scarf – GAP // Black and White Wool Cowl Scarf – System63 // Touch Down Scarf – wool and the gang    ROW 2: Knitted Infinity Scarf – Christopher Fisher // Drawstring Neck Warmer – Bickley + Mitchell    ROW 3: Northern Flicker Infinity Scarf – Anthropologie // Foxy Roxy – wool and the gang // Fireside Scarf – Moorea Seal

 

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ROW 1: Duffy Knitted Gloves – Bernard // Mittens – nido // Colorblock Touch Gloves – LEIF    ROW 2: Oeuf Painted Nail Gloves (Girls) – J.Crew // Pimpernel Fingerless Gloves – Anthropologie    ROW 3: Bop Basics Cashmere Pop Top Mittens – SHOPBOP // Scandinavian Texting Mittens – Plush // Cashmere Gloves – Splendid

 

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Sweater Weather

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Imeri Boyfriend Cardigan – Cecilia Prado for Anthropologie // Oversized Knit Cotton Sweater  – Chinti and Parker // Triangle Shoulder Sweater – Chinti and Parker

It’s here, it’s finally here – SWEATER WEATHER! Cozy wools, cottons, and cashmeres as far as the eye can see. Winters here in Oklahoma are definitely on the mild side, so for me a good sweater is basically outerwear. Here are 12 I’ve got my eye on this season.

 

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Merino Leather-Pocket Sweater – J.Crew // Two-Tone Cashmere Sweater – Duffy // Asymmetrical Knit – Helmut Lang

 

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Crush Cashmere Sweater – Joie // Basic Fluffy Sweater – Chicwish // Leather Trim Tunic – Maison Scotch

 

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Square Boatneck Sweater – Vince // Brigitta Sweater – Steven Alan // Innis Sweater – Theory

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Holiday Dresses

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Cherie Dress – Anthropologie // Dutchess Satin Skater Dress – TOPSHOP // Love Shift Dress – ASOS

It’s that time of year! Plenty of dinners with family, plenty of parties with friends, and plenty of outfits necessary to make the whole season go off without a hitch. I prefer at least one dress that’s super versatile and can be changed up in a big way with the right accessories and footwear, and a maybe a second that’s a statement on its own.

 

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Texture Range Shift – Anthropologie // the Narie – M.M. LaFleur // Well Fancy That Dress – ModCloth

 

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Soutache Swirl Dress – Anthropologie // Leather-Center Studded Dress – Michael Kors // Premium Draw Waist Dress – TOPSHOP

 

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Amalie Dress – Anthropologie // Aurous Anniversary Dress – ModCloth // Apiece Apart Talia Vest Dress – MILLE

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