An Easy Holiday DIY for You + Your Cat

 

If you share your home with a cat (or three) they’re in the Christmas tree half of the time it seems. I took a cue from them and created this two-for-one DIY project inspired by their antics and Fancy Feast Feastivitieshandmade gift guide for cat lovers.

Fancy Feast Feastivities is a celebration of the ultimate ways to delight cats and cat lovers during the holidays. This year’s theme is all about inspired holiday entertaining, so you’ll find the gift guide contains plenty of gifts for the cat-loving hostess in your life. The creativity of the makers involved pushed me to come up with something I knew my cats would love playing with, rather than buying something they’d probably bat around for five minutes and never look at again (like real kids!).

 

 

Your cat can play to their heart’s content with their mega glitter pom pom toy, while just the addition of ribbon turns it into a sparkly decoration that can bring a festive touch to a doorknob or tree branch in your home. I plan on making a few more of the smaller ones to add to the outside of gift boxes as well because they’re just so happy looking!

 

 

Supplies
• glue gun and glue sticks
2-inch styrofoam ball (for the cat toy)
• 3-inch styrofoam ball (for the decoration)
• various sizes of glitter pom poms
• ribbon
• catnip

 

 

After heating up your glue gun, start by distributing the largest of the pom poms evenly over the ball’s surface and gluing down. Work progressively through the other sizes (I used three different ones), using the smallest pom poms to fill in any leftover spaces. If you’re working on the larger decoration, make sure to leave a small space to attach a ribbon for hanging with the hot glue as well. Allow to cool for five minutes before placing in a closed ziploc bag with catnip for a few hours. Your own ornament should be ready to hang after those five minutes as well.

 

 

My cat, Peanut, especially loved this toy. He batted it around the room for at least ten minutes, picking it up in his mouth and giving a good shake before putting it back on the floor and running around the room like crazy again. I may need to make two more for the other cats! And if you have any of the larger pom poms leftover I guarantee your felines will go crazy for those on their own as well.

This post sponsored by Fancy Feast Feastivities. All words and opinions are my own, as always. Thank you for supporting the brands that help Design Crush create fresh content!

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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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