December 2009 - Design Crush

December 31, 2009

Happy {2010} Weekend.

I cut out New Year’s resolutions a few years ago after making too many unfulfilled promises to myself and feeling bad about it. I’m not knocking them if you’re a fan, I’m just no good with such a big weight on my shoulders. (I’ll lose 50 lbs. I’ll . I’ll single-handedly be responsible for world peace.)

I’m more of a believer that instead of resolving to do something, we should try to make smaller life decisions that are part of our day to day existences. I plan on trying to drink more water, keeping in closer touch with friends and family and starting to landscape around my house. Easy enough because I know they’re all possible without too much trouble. What are your goals for 2010?

And because I’ve been out of the loop for the past few weeks, some of my favorite posts that have graced my reader recently:

+ DIY Origami Box Ornaments with a great step-by-step tutorial :: Creature Comforts

+ Super cute free holiday tags, perfect for a homemade goodie gift! :: Creature Comforts

+ A bevy of holiday packaging freebies :: Benign Objects

+ A clever free printable holiday card :: Creature Comforts

+ Sad I didn’t see these really well designed desktop wallpapers sooner! Downloaded for next year :: Nien Studios

+ A great Christmas mix of songs both new and old :: m.writes

+ And a fantastic mixcast full of indie Christmas tunes, too :: kitsune noir

+ Pretty red and aqua holiday downloads :: Eat. Drink. Chic.

+ Loving these type-centric gift tags :: Wiley Valentine

+ And these gift tags :: Creature Comforts

+ And these tags and labels :: Creature Comforts

+ And these gift tags, too! :: heysusy

+ Did you see Livy’s gorgeous vintage village that she made? :: A Field Journal

+ 12 Days of Christmas boxes for you to fill with goodies :: The Dieline

+ Insta-gift: print these free recipe cards and labels :: mstetson design

+ I’ll be busy printing out this 2010 calendar this weekend! :: poppytalk

+ And this one :: redblackbrown

+ I can hardly believe this printable pocket calendar is f-r-e-e! :: Creature Comforts

Happy Weekend + Best Wishes in 2010!

Posted In calendars, downloads, happy weekend, holidays, make it, music, new years, paper goods

December 31, 2009

The Moment Jars.

The Moment Jars is a breathtaking project that’s a collaborative effort book. Visit the site and put your own moment in a jar. A fitting way to kick off 2010, no? {via swissmiss}

Posted In collaboration/project, online

December 31, 2009

The Daily Eat: Cinnamon Sour Cream Cupcakes + Cinnamon Roundup.

{recipe and photo Culinary Concoctions by Peabody}

Quite possibly the most creative cupcakes I’ve ever come across. Let me introduce you to Cinnamon Sour Cream Cupcakes with Oatmeal Raisin Buttercream Frosting. They’re minis so pace yourself!

1. Cinnamon Bars 2. Cinnamon Biscotti with White Chocolate Chips
3. Cinnamon Bun Ice Cream 4. Cinnamon Rolls + Chocolate Rolls
5. Cinnamon French Toast Cupcakes 6. Cinnamon Raisin Swirl Bread
7. Cinnamon Spice Pumpkin Bread 8. Cinnamon-Caramel Bread Pudding
9. Kulach 10. Snickerdoodle Blondies
11. Spiced Cake Cookie Sandwiches 12. Streuselkuchen

All recipes and photos via/copyright their respective blog sources
unless otherwise noted there within.

Posted In recipes, round up

December 31, 2009

The Ideal New Year’s Party.

I’d greet guests at the door wearing this…

And this…

And of course, these. Which probably wouldn’t last on my feet for long.

There would be plenty of bubbly flowing and guests wandering around with these beauties in hand.

And nothing would be served but dessert.

{via Ruby PR}

And this would be sitting in the corner, warming chilly hands and feet.

While this set the mood overhead.

And plenty of candlelight of course…

And music…

And dancing…

And magic.

And when the ball dropped at the stroke of midnight…

{New York Times}

Everyone would have someone to ring in the New Year with.

{via ffffound, no source}

Yes, exactly like that.

Posted In entertaining, holidays, new years

December 30, 2009

Picture It: Twinkle Lights.

{Luphia loves}

{Around the Bend}

{Stephanie Congdon Barnes}

{Raincooper}

{Idle Type}

{via ffffound, no source}

{audream}

Posted In picture it

December 30, 2009

On the Rocks: New Year’s Eve Cocktails.

You know the drill, no holiday is complete without a bevy of alcoholic beverages to help you ease your way through. Here are a few I have my eye on as possible NYE contenders…

1. Cranberry Maragrita 2. Glogg 3. Holiday Citrus Punch
4. Mulled Wine 5. Pear and Cranberry Bellini
6. Pomegranate Champagne Punch 7. Sparkling White Sangria
8. Warm Eggnog 9. Wassail Punch

All recipes and photos via/copyright their respective blog sources unless otherwise noted there within.

Posted In cocktails, entertaining

December 30, 2009

The Daily Eat: Cinnamon Bun Bread.

{recipe via Baking Bites, photo via Framed}

Now this is my kinda recipe: all the yumminess of something that takes hours (RE: cinnamon rolls) cut down and to the point (RE: Cinnamon Bun Bread).

Posted In recipes

December 30, 2009

PARTYPARTY.

I’m a bit behind on this one, but I couldn’t not share the PARTYPARTY line by CONFETTISYSTEM. Love it. Shiny, sparkly things and bright colors. It’s what New Year’s Eve should always be about.