My (Imaginary) Christmas 2013

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Seriously, don’t even worry about bringing anything because I’ve got it all covered! Longtime readers might remember last year’s dream Christmas dinner as the start of this extravagant/gluttonous series I create for most major holidays. And let me tell you, I should really throw make believe parties more often because they’re so much fun! This Christmas I decided to go with plenty of color and whimsy with a dash of nature and DIY thrown in to keep it real. Hope you can make it! (Links and sources at the end.)

 

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THE DECOR
Felt Ball Garland – The Fickle Felt Tree
DIY Himmeli Garland – The House That Lars Built
Paint Dipped Ornaments – Bomisch
Pine Cone Wreath – West Twin Creations
Plated Glass Votives – Serena & Lily
Still Life Taper Candles – Anthropologie
Town Square Sculptures – Anthropologie
Wire Sprinkle Line Lights – CB2
Wood Chain Kit – Sideshow Press

THE COCKTAILS
Cider Pomegranate Smash – Clara Persis
The Bourbon Épice – coco + kelley
Hot Buttered Hazelnut Whisky – Adventure in Cooking

THE APPS
Brie and Cranberry Bites –  Crumb
Sweet Potato Tahini Crostini – Love and Lemons
Whipped Ricotta with Lemon and Olive Oil – Joy the Baker

THE TABLE
Blush Champagne Coupes – Monique Lhuillier
Colonnes Stemware – Anthropologie
DIY Pie Crust Place Markers – You Are My Fave
Gold Napkin Ring Set – West Elm
Gold-Dipped Flatware – Anthropologie
Nomades Table Linen – Anthropologie
DIY Reversible Tree Flatware Mat – Confetti Pop
Silver Manzanita Candelabra – West Elm
Verge Dinnerware – Crate and Barrel

THE FOOD
Apple Herb Stuffing – Smitten Kitchen
Balsamic Brussels Sprouts with Red Grapes – Nutrition Stripped
Cheddar Herb Baked Apples – JJ Begonia
Creamy Chive Potatoes – Annie’s Eats
Drunken Cranberry Sauce – The Speckled Palate
Hot Butter Bean Salad with Lemon – BBC Good Food
Kale Salad with Lemon, Almonds, and Pecorino – Heather Christo
Mashed Sweet Potatoes with Caramelized Onion, Brie, and Sage – Recipe Girl
Roasted Cauliflower with Lemon Parsley Dressing – Epicurious

THE DESSERTS
Caramel Apple Cake – Pinch of Yum
Gingerbread Coffee Cake with Ginger Cream – Dine & Dish
Pumpkin Bread Pudding with Dulce de Leche – Martha Stewart

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Ornaments Galore

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COLUMN 1: Emily Thompson Blue Juniper Globe – Terrain // Dog and Cat House Ornament – Crate and Barrel // Hand Painted Glass Ornament – Schemata    COLUMN 2: Black and White Hexagon – Melissa Maya Pottery // DIY Angled Starburst Ornament – Poppytalk // DIY Scandinavian-Inspired Clay Ornaments – Julep //  Geometric Gold Leaf Ornaments – Selfridges // Hand Painted Wooden Christmas Ornaments – 10 ante meridiem    COLUMN 3: DIY Balsa Wood Diamond Ornament – A Beautiful Mess // Forest Wood Ornament Set – Terrain // Hand Painted Sounds of Winter Bell – Free People

 

 

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COLUMN 1: North Ornament – Jessica Swift // Quill and Quiver Ornaments – Jayson Home // Silver Plated Glass Ornaments – Serena & Lily    COLUMN 2: Winter Icicle – Joel Haffner Studio // White and Gold Ceramic Christmas Tree Ornament – Hook n’ Loop // Porcelain Pinecone Ornament – LEIF // Silver Round Bell Ornament – Crate & Barrel // Snowshoe Ornaments – Henderson Dry Goods    COLUMN 3: Ornate House Ornament – Crate and Barrel // Round Navy + Copper Ornament – Honeycomb Studio // Silvered Glass Christmas Ornaments – Horchow

 

 

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COLUMN 1: Turned Wood Ornaments – Crate and Barrel // Felt Mistletoe – west elm // Matte White Ribbed Onion Ornament – Crate and Barrel    COLUMN 2: snug.trio – snug online // Soapstone Pebble Owl Ornament – Crate and Barrel // Ceramic Santa Ornament – Target // Golden Acorns Ornament – Stacey Winters // Paper Origami Star Ornament – Crate and Barrel    COLUMN 3: Wooden Creature Ornaments – Urban Outfitters // Agate Ornaments – west elm // Double Glass Sphere Ornament – west elm

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Molly McGrath

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Paper, neon, and Molly McGrath – an intoxicating combination to be sure. San Francisco-based McGrath’s former training as an architect is evident within her precise laser cut pieces. You can purchase Anemone or Sekar at LEIF. Now excuse me while I grab my Xacto knife and some paper!

 

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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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Holiday Cards – Part 5

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1. Holiday Beer by Snow & Graham   2. All is Calm, All is Bright by Thimblepress   3. Vintage Glass Baubles by Banquet Atelier & Workshop   4. Merry and Bright by An Open Sketchbook Design Studio   5. Little Lotte & Bear by Imogen Owen   6. Merry Christmas by Ecojot   7. Golden Snowflakes by Moorea Seal   8. Warm Wishes by Moorea Seal   9. Holiday Cheer by Dan Cassaro   10. Holiday Kaleidoscope by UnderConsideration

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Gift Tags (aka The Icing On the Cake)

Wrapping paper is awesome, ribbons and bows are grand, but for me the gift tag is where it’s really at. It’s the icing on the cake. That special, personalized touch that takes a gift above and beyond in my opinion. I used a variety of metallics, kraft paper, and label-shaped stickers this holiday and I find myself wishing I’d spied some of these sooner! (Psst… there are a few free download gems in there!)

 

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ROW 1: Critter Gift Tag Set // Printable Accordion Gift Tags // Bubbly Cheers Gift Tags    ROW 2: Chalkboard Wreath Gift Tags // Cream and Gold Gift Tags // Deco Gold Foil Gift Tags    ROW 3: Floral Be Merry Tags // A Gift For You Letterpress Gift Tags // Holiday Tags

 

 

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\ROW 1: Gold Foil Gift Tags // Gold Foil Holiday Gift Tags // Holiday Cheer Gift Tags    ROW 2: Merry Christmas Gift Tags // Holiday Wonderland Gift Labels // Letterpress Gift Tags    ROW 3: Letterpress Gift Tags // Merry Christmas Gift Tags // Mitten Gift Tags

 

 

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ROW 1: Modern Pine Gift Tags // Plaid Holiday Printable Gift Tags // Red Bayberry Handmade Gift Tags    ROW 2: Printable Reindeer Express Gift Tags // Ornament Gift Tags // Seasonal Shimmer Gift Tags    ROW 3: Sled Gift Tags // Stripes Gift Tags // Wood Veneer Gift Tags

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Homemade Sweet Treats, Savory Bites + Spirits

Every year I plan on making some sort of homemade goodies for friends and family who aren’t quite of full-on gift giving caliber, just a little something to say I appreciate you. And every year  December goes by way too quickly and my good intentions are dashed. As of now I still have a few weeks to make it happen this holiday and my fingers are crossed! I’ve narrowed it down to these sweet treats, savory bites, and spirits that can be packaged up all nice like and handed out.

 

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ROW 1: Candied Grapefruit Zest – Blogging Over Thyme // Chocolate Caramel Truffles – Donna Hay // Chocolate Truffles – Maldon Sea Salt Company    ROW 2: Cinnamon Pecan Brittle – Elana’s Pantry // Honey Chai Roasted Almonds – Joy the Baker // Hot Cocoa Popcorn – Shutterbean    ROW 3: Peanut Butter Fudge – Donna Hay // Peanut Butter Pretzel Candy – Martha Stewart Living    ROW 4: Pumpkin Spice Glazed Almonds – delicious by dre // Salted Maple Honeycomb Candy – Food52 // S’mores Mini Dippers – Kevin & Amandas Recipes    ROW 5: Spiced Chai Honey Roasted Cashews – Leaf Parade // Spiced Holiday Pralines – The New York Times // Torrone – Food52

 

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ROW 1: Apple Cider & Cheddar Soft Pretzels – Wallflower Girl // Black Tea Mini Crackers – Gourmet Persuasian // Cheddar and Asiago Poppyseed Crackers – PDXfoodlove    ROW 2: Chex Party Mix – raisin&fig // Crispy Parmesan Wasabi Soybeans – Brooklyn Farm Girl // Curry-Lime Roasted Peanuts – So hungry i could blog    ROW 3: Five Spice Maple Pumpkin Seeds – GI 365 // Fried Herbed Almonds – Cook Like a Champion    ROW 4: Herb Roasted Almonds – a house in the hills // Oven Dried Cranberry and Orange Peel Salt – The Chef’s Wife // Roasted Potato Chips – Mia Loves Pretty    ROW 5: Rosemary Garlic Popcorn – My Food Diary // Salt and Pepper Bagel Chips – plentytude // Salt Roasted Chestnuts – my blue&white kitchen

 

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ROW 1: Cranberry Vanilla Vodka – Baking Bites // Bloody Mary Gift Set – almost makes perfect // Ginger Citrus Infused Rum – Vegetarian Ventures    ROW 2: Ginger Beer – Beantown Baker // Cocktail Bitters – How Sweet It Is // Sweet and Sour Mix – She Knows    ROW 3: Irish Cream – Design*Sponge // Kahlua – Liv Life    ROW 4: Limoncello – Desserts With Benefits // Amaretto – cooking ala mel // Peppermint Schnapps – The Boys Club    ROW 5: Pomegranate Tequila – Family Spice // Spiced Rum – One Martini at a Time // Spiced Pear Vodka – One Martini at a Time

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