Truce Clean

 

A few weeks ago, in the name of having pets and being chemical-conscious, Truce Clean sent me some of their cleaning products to try out. And since then their Crate Spray, Clean & Brighten, Shampoo for Dogs, and lavender & citrus Room Spray have been in heavy rotation. The crate spray freshens my dogs’ beds with peppermint, the cleaning spray makes my kitchen smell mighty clean, the dog shampoo is easy to use in its spray bottle form, and the room spray isn’t at all cloying. And because all of Truce Clean‘s products are so pure, most have multiple uses – the room spray can even be used as body spray!

The philosophy is simple: use commonplace ingredients (like vinegar, rubbing alcohol, and essential oils), add your own tap water, and reuse the bottle. All of these things make perfect sense and provide a product you can feel good about using all around your home!

 

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What to Wear Everywhere This Season

December is here and with it the Season of Numerous Parties! Every modern lady knows it can be a daunting task, you don’t want to wear the same frock to every get together and you definitely don’t want to break the bank. And let’s not forget comfort, a big one on my list. I’ve put together three outfits from jewelry to dress to shoes that are sure to bring the wow factor this holiday season. And of course, no holiday party is complete with the perfect cocktail!

 

First up is your best friend’s dinner party! You want casual with that little something extra. And you also want to be able to kick off your shoes and curl up on the couch when everyone else has left for some gossipy girl talk.

Edwardian Hand Necklace – Catbird // Mini Half Moon Earrings – by boe // Stackable Rings – Winifred Grace // Pendleton Warm Springs Knit Dress // Bucket Bag– Toast // Ginnifer St. Jude – milk & honey // Baileys Chai Swizzle

 

The obligatory work party, it’s either three hours of hell or a night of trying to catch the eye of your office crush. (Sometimes both.) In either case, you want to be dressed to impress.

Shapedrop Earrings – Madewell // DRUID Necklace – Nikki Montoya // Leatherette Shift Dress by Parc Boutique // Weve Snap Clutch – Nutsa Modebadze // Lily Wedge Booties – Loeffler Randall // Baileys Coquito

 

The ultra glam get together is where you really need to bring your A-game, but you already knew that. Sparkles? Check. Strappy heels? Check. Blingy hair accessory? Check. Maybe it’s a holiday gala, maybe a New Year’s Eve party, whatever the case go all out! It’s not every day a girl gets to wear head-to-toe sparkle.

Drinking the Stars Comb – ban.do // Two Tone Engraved Starburst Stud Earrings – House of Harlow // Sequin Shimmy Dress – Free People // Harlow Embossed Envelope Clutch // Kacy Heels – Pelle Moda // Baileys Martini

 

This post is sponsored by Baileys Irish Cream. Join us at creamwithspirit.com and help us celebrate women that live their lives #withspirit!

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24 Merry Days – Day #11 Giveaways

It’s Design Crush’s turn – Day 11 of 24 Merry Days – to give away some amazing things! We’re one of the lucky sites having not one, but two giveaway – for this virtual advent calendar filled to the brim with a new giveaway at a different blog each day through Christmas Eve. And since we’re only halfway through the month, you have plenty more giveaways to enter if you’re just now hearing about this fun collaboration!

 

There’s something perfectly wintery abut cozy fleece, which makes the Striped Fleece Laptop Case and Striped Fleece Backpack from POKETO especially fitting for this time of year. Try not to cuddle with them too much.

TO ENTER GIVEAWAY #1
Visit POKETO and tell me what else you find especially lovely in the comments section. For an extra entry LIKE Design Crush on Facebook and let me know you did! Note: You must enter each giveaway with a separate comment. U.S. entree only please.

 

May28th‘s InstaWATCH is so much fun! Choose any of your Instagram photos to adorn its face (That’s my handsome cat Peanut above!). Such a great personalized gift for yourself or someone on your list.

TO ENTER GIVEAWAY #2
Tell me in the comments section what Instagram photo you’d put on your watch face! For an extra entry LIKE Design Crush on Facebook and let me know you did! Note: You must enter each giveaway with a separate comment. U.S. entree only please.

Both giveaways end December 18th at midnight. Two winners will be chosen at random and announced here shortly after.

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Dream Christmas Dinner

Every December I fly back to Pennsylvania to celebrate Christmas with my dad’s side of the family. And while I love getting to see friends and family in my hometown, it’s always a bit hectic and I naturally wonder what it would be like if lots of things were different and I were hosting Christmas dinner at my house. It would (obviously) be amazing and no doubt tons of work, and maybe someday I’ll get the chance to find out. But for now here’s how the dream evening would go down, enjoy!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

THE APPETIZERS
Ricotta Flatbread with Pomegranate Salsa –  Family Style Food
Herb and Mozzarella Mushrooms with Garlic Toasts – Donna Hay
Bourbon Maple Toasted Pistachios – Lemons & Anchovies

THE BEVERAGES
Mulled Cranberry Apple Cider – the kitchn
Ginger Pear Cocktail – The Boys Club
Lemon Thyme Eggnog – The Kitchen Finesse

THE TABLE
Mono A Edition in Black – Peter Raacke
Mud Plates – Mud Australia
Cross Dye Basic Napkins – West Elm
Lempi Glass – littala
Evergreen Placecards – via Bloom
Raw Wood Placemat Set – West Elm
Spun Vinyl Runner – Chilewich
Mercury Votive Holders – West Elm
Numi Candle Holders – CB2

THE EATS
Roasted Brussels Sprouts with Lemon – Real Simple
Roasted Cabbage Slaw with Hazelnuts and Lemon – the kitchn
Orange and Pomegranate Salad – Brooklyn Supper
Domino Roast Sweet Potatoes – Brooklyn Supper
Corn and Potato Casserole with Gruyere – Some the Wiser
Quinoa, Sweet Potato and Dried Cranberry Stuffing – With Style & Grace

THE DESSERTS
Pumpkin Icebox Pie – Martha Stewart
Brown Sugar Custard Cranberry Tart – The Galley Gourmet
Spiced Persimmon Cake with Brown Sugar – The Kitchy Kitchen

THE DETAILS
Crackers – Toast UK
Wreath – IKEA
Votive Candles – House Doctor
Strasburg Tree Candles – Wisteria
Zinc Star Wreath Garland – Father Rabbit
DIY Holiday Gift Box Backdrop – Studio DIY
Mod Brass Trees – Jayson Home
DIY Wax Paper Candle Holders – Design*Sponge
Winter Playlist – Kinfolk Magazine

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Happy Weekend

01/ Loving these driftwood horse sculptures.
02/ How to stock the perfect winter pantry.
03/ I never finish a bottle of nail polish, DOSE minis are perfect.
04/ I wish I had a big mug of this lavender hot chocolate in front of my right now.
05/ Lollipops in grownup flavors.
06/ It’s a little late, but you can still make a DIY Beer Advent Calendar.
07/ Oh my gosh, I want to hide a gift in this confetti surprise jar so bad!
08/ This Is a Memory, audio recordings of strangers’ memories.
09/ I’ll be eating more of these now that I know how to easily seed a pomegranate!
10/ Beautiful macro photos of snowflakes and ice structures.

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Under the Tree

Vertical Row 1: Esme Winter Wrap // DIY Chalkboard Wrap // Reversible Blue Pool Wrap // Gift Boxes Wrap
Vertical Row 2: Faux Bois Boxes // DIY Dip-Dye Wrap // Handmade Pom Pom Wrapping Paper
Vertical Row 3: Pine Wrapping Sheets // Family of Trees Gift Wrap // Good Tidings Wrapping Paper // Rain-Dotted Birch Wrapping Paper

 

Vertical Row 1: Birch Veneer Gift Tags // Merry Gift Tags // Gift Tags
Vertical Row 2: Wooly Hats Christmas Tags // Rudolph Gift Tags
Vertical Row 3: Kraft Gift Tags // Holiday Stickers & Labels // Stars Gift Tags

 

Vertical Row 1: Silver Glitter Tape // Alice Patullo Printed Ribbon
Vertical Row 2: Tinsel Packing Tape
Vertical Row 3: Gold Glitter Tape // Don’t Open Til Christmas Packing Tape

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Herbarium Taste

 

We are what we eat, or so we’re told. By treating food as a technical subject, architect/interior designer Valentina Raffaelli uses illustrations to explain the properties, health benefits, and nutritional values of certain foods in a way that will have you eating more fruits and vegetables in no time. (via Design Milk)

 

 

 

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10 Awesome Handmade Hostess Gifts

We’ve all been there, a holiday party pops up or escapes your mind until the last minute and you’re left without a hostess gift. Of course it’s not a requirement to bring one, but it’s especially nice during the holiday season to thank the person/people welcoming you into their home with a little something special. Extra points for it not being a bottle of wine or bouquet you picked up at the gas station on the way over. Here are ten I’d still be smiling about the day after receiving, just click on the image to go to the project source.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

All photos copyright of their respective sites.

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2013 Calendars – Part 7

1. 2013 Vortex Letterpress Calendar by INK + WIT  2. Dreamcats 2013 Calendar by fieldguided  3. Letterpress Calendar 2013 by Lark Press  4. Modern Shapes Mini Calendar 2013 by Monkey Mind Design  5. A New Tribe 2013 Mini Calendar by Little Low Studio  6. 2013 Astrology Wall Calendar by Prismatic Print Shop  7. Beer/Food 2013 Calendar by redcruiser  8. 2013 Season Wall Calendar by Katie Vernon  9. 2013 Botanical Watercolor Wall Calendar by Fine Day Press  10. 2013 Typographic Desk Calendar by Ruby Red Design Studio

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