Jeff Östberg

 

Swedish freelance illustrator Jeff Östberg does so much lovely personal and editorial work it’s tough to choose favorites. Urban life, relaxation, music, and fashion are all prevalent themes throughout, created in his signature muted pastel palette. East personality loosely based on individuals Jeff happens across in daily Stockholm life.

 

 

 

 

 

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Sweatered Up

 

If the day’s high of 19-degrees is any sign of the winter that’s to come, I’d better stock up on sweaters ASAP. My favorites are the big, chunky knit styles but it’s a good idea to a have a few more formfitting pieces in the mix as well. If you’re already in the middle of this polar vortex with me, take a peek at these twenty sweaters that will hopefully hold you over until… April? More than half are on sale for up to 40% off! (Just click on each image.)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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Feel Good Gifts

Enrou

This time of year one tends to start thinking of what they could’ve done better, where they could’ve done more. The good news is that it’s never too late to challenge yourself to up the ante, and that means choosing fantastic gifts to give this holiday that do double-duty. Ones that give back and mean a little something extra to the giver, the receiver, and the company you’re buying from.

Thrive Market Membership. Great deals on organic and non-GMO foods, and for each year-long membership sold Thrive donates a membership to a low-income family.

The Bee Cause Project Honey. For every online purchase of BeeCause Honey, 100% of the proceeds will be donated to one of the school hive projects sponsored by The Bee Cause.

Three Avocados Coffee Subscription. They’ll send 100% of the profits towards clean drinking water projects in Uganda.

The Basket Room. This purchase directly supports the weavers to increase their livelihoods and become less dependent on self-sufficiency farming. Each basket comes with a thank you card from the cooperative who made your basket.

Enrou. Meaning en route – or on the way – to a better world. All of their home goods and gifts are selected for their beauty, quality, and ability to provide opportunity to artisans from around the world.

 

The Little Market

The Little Market. An online fair trade shop working through cooperatives and social enterprises, The Little Market’s artisan partners improve the quality of life in their communities in a number of ways, including literacy workshops, business training, and health programs.

31 Bits. This jewelry shop creates dignified work opportunities for artisans worldwide while providing customers with a place to purchase fairly made products. Fair pay, sustainable wages, safe working conditions, and a family-like atmosphere make all the difference.

The Giving Keys. It started with a hotel room key worn as a necklace and continues by helping those who have been affected by homelessness.

Causebox. A quarterly subscription box that features brands and items dedicated to doing good all over the world. Many featured brands donate a portion of proceeds to charities and/or may employ local artisans, use ethically-sourced goods, and more.

 

Causebox

PupJoy. For your pups, PupJoy donates $2 from every box to BISSELL Pet Foundation, which assists animal welfare organizations providing resources to reduce the number of animals in shelters and rescues through pet adoption, spay/neuter programs, microchipping, and foster care. They also support small business manufacturers when sourcing their products, and all of their treats are made in the U.S.

Obakki. This shop creates classic and refined styles for the modern woman while The Obakki Foundation, Obakki’s philanthropic counterpart, focuses on providing clean water and education in Africa. Obakki absorbs all administrative fees for the charity, allowing 100% of the Obakki Foundation’s public donations to go directly to its charitable initiatives.

Especially Puglia. Adopt a hundreds-years-old Puglian olive tree for one year and support the farmers and producers who keep traditional harvest and production methods alive. Comes with a 3-liter can of extra-virgin olive oil plus a ceramic cruet to serve it from, an adoption certificate, and three additional bottles of oil, one every three months.

Vinfluence Wine Subscription. Choose 3 or 6 months, each box contains three wines from a boutique winery and for every bottle they ship $1 is donated to City Harvest, Sustainable Harvest International, or Fiver Children’s Foundation.

Other ideas:
Newspaper or magazine subscriptions – support free press!
Passes to local museums/attractions – keep it local!
Donations to food pantries or a homeless shelter

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Holiday House Tour

 

Some of you mentioned wanting to see more of the house after our curb appeal preview and office tree – ask and you shall receive! (Well, some of the time at least.) I’d mentioned keeping things more minimal than usual this year, and I have to admit just how good it feels. It doesn’t feel like the entire place has been upended and I’m not dreading the breakdown of it all next month. Am I onto something here?

 

 

 

I made room for a few of my favorite decorations on the bookcase in the living room, two pink bottlebrush trees that I’ve had for more than a handful of years and a few unfinished wooden trees with my reindeer friend who can’t stand on his own.

 

 

The hall closet door has become the place where all holiday cards are gathered as they arrive. I love watching it fill up and overflow onto the wall! It brings a little dose of joy into an otherwise neglected corner of the house.

 

 

 

The mantle and hearth are simple yet festive. My favorite shade of poinsettia – faded red – sits atop the mantle and a strand of battery-operated mercury glass lights are strung below. The mercury glass gets carried down to the floor with the addition of my growing tree collection, I’m currently up to four with the tallest standing around two feet.

 

 

 

A little bit more mercury glass on the dining room table and a big pitcher full of eucalyptus and greenery. It lasts throughout the season and then some when watered regularly! The little canvas snowman on the credenza makes me smile, which is the only reason I looked for when decorating this year.

 

 

The bathroom off the dining room has one of my favorite wreaths on its door, a grapevine decorated with pinecones and felt mistletoe. There’s also a vase on the counter with a bunch of dried evergreens that I’ve left up since last Christmas, simply because I like them.

 

 

Last year I bought my friend and I this same wooden owl, and mine is proudly perched near the cooktop in the kitchen. He brings a much needed dose of color and merriment to an otherwise undecorated room as well as a reminder of her.

 

 

And finally – the tree. This is the first real tree I’ve ever had, a Norfolk Island Pine, and insisted that it be potted so that I can either plant it outside or keep it potted indoors once the season is over. It’s giving off a lot of Charlie Brown vibes, but I really love it. It has not one but two tops, can’t hold heavy ornaments, and can barely support the two strands of lights on its branches. But the charm. In spades, for days.

So there you have it! Not the most heavily decorated place, but all the things I love which is really what it’s all about.

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You’re Invited: Christmas Brunch

I miss doing big Christmas dinners, but brunches have their own kind of charm. There’s definite appeal in being able to do so much prep work the day before, and it’s nice being able to put out an equally sweet and savory spread that caters to everyone’s tastes. I chose recipes that are easy to grab and eat while you’re catching up around the tree to pair with a selection of cocktails and traditional non-alcoholic options. As far as decorations go, this year I’ve really been drawn to fresh greenery, golds, and glass – you’ll see all three below in decor as well as on the table. (If you’d like even more inspiration check out prior Christmases 2013, 2014, and 2015!)

 

Live Eucalyptus Garland // Boxwood + Myrtle Half Wreath // Glittery Stars Garland // Green and Silver Tinsel Tree // Clear Igloo Globe String Lights // Jewel Votive Holder // Brass Laurel Wreath // Skultana Small Candlestick // Walnut Tree Skirt

 

Boozy Blood Orange Punch // Breakfast Bramble Cocktail // Cardamom Coffee //
Creamy Almond + Cashew Nog // Hot Blender Chocolate // Winter Vanilla Paloma

 

Battuto Serving Bowl // Belgian Flax Linen Table Runner // Dauville Dinner Plate // Instant Karma XL Platter // 5-pc Ivory Flatware Set // Marble Trivet // Marta Double Old-Fashioned Glasses // Seafoam Enamel Tray // Beaker Glass Tea Light Candle Holders

 

Apple Walnut Strudel with Cardamom // Bacon, Egg, and Toast Cups // Butternut Squash Breakfast Muffins // Cinnamon Streusel French Toast Cups // Easy Vegetarian Make-Ahead Breakfast Casserole // Easy Twisted Pumpkin Spice Danish // Gingerbread Scones // Mini Cheese Quiche // Mixed Berry Croissant Bread Pudding // Orange, Vanilla & Cardamom Challah Wreath and White Chocolate Glaze // Roasted Rosemary Beets // Spiralized Potato Thyme Casserole

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Brittani Rose

 

These unique paper-cut portraits by Brittani Rose are incredibly awesome. Whimsical yet modern, these custom pieces would be perfect for any special occasion – can’t you just imagine one as a holiday card?! Brittani creates self-portraits, couples, family, wedding, and even pets. You can even send along a background you’d like included. Order your own custom paper portrait in her shop!

 

 

 

 

 

 

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Plenty of Pajamas

Cozy Crew Lounge Pants

Christmas pajamas were never a thing in my family growing up, I choose to blame it on being an only child, like so many other things. (Joking. Mostly.) A few years ago I started adding pajamas to the wish list my mom inevitably asks for each November, and now I’m happy to report it IS officially a thing.

 

Classic Stripe Woven Tee + Pants Set

 

Navy Stripe Chambray Shirt + Pants Set

 

Cotton PJ Pants

 

Tartan Check Nightshirt

 

Pajama Set

 

Red Stripe Pajama Set

 

Sleep Shirt

 

Thermal Pajamas

 

Tipped Vintage Pajama Set

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Printable Winter Nights Gift Wrap + Tags

 

This holiday we’ve teamed up with surface pattern designer Vivian Kvitka, aka the Good Viv, to bring you a gorgeously illustrated printable! Vivian created art full of wintery holiday windows, constellations, and stars that was turned into gift wrap and tags for you to print and cover your gifts with. The mustard and indigo lend themselves to all December holidays, whichever you celebrate, and can be used all winter long. The download includes colored as well as black and white versions of the gift tags, letter-sized sheets, and 11 x 17″ sheets. Enjoy!

Download Winter Nights Gift Wrap + Tags HERE

 

 

 

 

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Mega Christmas Cookie Roundup

I’m way behind on, well, everything this holiday season. (Very unlike me.) Next weekend I’ll need to cram in any and all baking I plan on doing before Christmas and I haven’t even chosen my recipes! Do you make the same ones every year or search out new? I’ve rounded up 48 cookie recipes that look irresistible for you to consider.

 

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1/ Marshmallow Christmas Wreaths   2/ Coffee and Cream Shortbreads   3/ Gingerbread Cranberry Linzer Cookies   4/ Llama Orange-Spice Cookies   5/ Thin and Chewy Spiced Oatmeal Cookies with Brown Butter Icing   6/ Chocolate Peppermint Ganache Cookies

 

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7/ Sugar-Dusted Macaroon Trees   8/ Raspberry Almond Shortbread Thumbprint Cookies   9/ Chocolate Gingerbread Petit Fours (GF)   10/ Sugar Cookie Bark   11/ Lemon Poppyseed Shortbread   12/ S’mores Cookie Sandwiches

 

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13/ Citrusy Chocolate Chip Cookies with Rosemary Salt (GF)   14/ Black and White Brownie Sandwich Cookies   15/ Chocolate Sugar Cutout Cookies   16/ Salted Caramel Shortbread Thumbprint Cookies   17/ Cinnamon Apple Pie Cookies   18/ Spicy Ginger Sandwich Cookies filled with Pumpkin Butter

 

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19/ Matcha Shortbread Men   20/ Swedish Chocolate Cookies   21/ Espresso Caramel Shortbread Bars   22/ Peppermint Sugar Cookies with Cream Cheese Frosting   23/ Eggnog Cookies   24/ Brown Butter Shortbread (GF + SF)

 

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25/ Coffee Sables   26/ Mini Chocolate Thumbprint Cookies   27/ Lemon Olive Oil Cookies   28/ Red Velvet Snowflake Cookies   29/ Rhubarb Linzer Cookies   30/ Crispy Spicy Almond Rococo Italian Cookies

 

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31/ Brown Butter Sugar Cookies   32/ Split Second Red Jam Cookies   33/ Chocolate, Orange, and Almond Biscotti   34/ Citrus Cornmeal Shortbread   35/ Mexican Chocolate Sandwich Cookies with Dulce de Leche Filling   36/ Dark Chocolate Cranberry Oatmeal Cookies

 

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37/ Salted Caramel Sugar Cookies   38/ Chocolate Blackout Cookies   39/ Chocolate Chip Spelt Cookies with Pecans + Orange   40/ Cardamom Linzer Cookies with Cinnamon Persimmon Jam   41/ Christmas Spice, Hazelnut & Chocolate Cookies   42/ Intense Brown Butter Shortbread Cookies

 

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43/ Decorated Honey Gingerbread Cookies   44/ Mitten Cookies   45/ Festive Italian Pizzelle   46/ Milk Chocolate Cookies and Cream Cookies   47/ Allsorts Sugar Cookies   48/ Orange Cranberry Cookies

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