Holiday Cookie Extravaganza

1. Chocolate Coated Peppermint Cookies – Clockwork Lemon
2. Double Dark Chocolate Shortbread Cookies – The View From Great Island
3. The Perfect Dark Chocolate Sugar Cookie – Sweetapolita
4. Chew Lemon Snowdrops – Bake Sale Week
5. Vanilla Almond Orange Cloud Cookies – Joy the Baker
6. Molten Chocolate Cookies with Sea Salt, Rosemary & Orange Zest – reading my tea leaves
7. Tangerine butter Cookies – Better Homes & Gardens
8. Chai Shortbread Cookies with Sea Salt – foodiecrush
9. Chocolate-Caramel Tartlets – David Lebovitz

 

10. Pumpkin Pie Cookies – Betty Crocker Recipes
11. Nutella Waffle Sandwich Cookies – Just a Taste
12. Cinnamon Puff Pastry Bites – Noshing With the Nolands
13. Cranberry, Walnut and Feta Shortbread Cookies – Kitchen Tested
14. Brownie Cookies with Maple Bourbon Buttercream – spicy icecream
15. Marshmallow Biscuits – Ginger Fig
16. Soft Almond Sugar Cookies – Confections from the Cody Kitchen
17. Apple Pie Cookies – Food Pusher
18. Brown Sugar Cinnamon Coconut Cookies – Chocolate Moosey

 

19. Chewy Chocolate Ginger-Molasses Cookies – Martha Stewart
20. Salted Chocolate Brownie Cookies – Seasons and Suppers
21. Chocolate Gingersnap Cookies – Jen’s Favorite Cookies
22. Coconut Thumbprint Cookies with Salted Caramel – Martha Stewart
23. Cream Cheese Cocoa Nib Cookies – rachel cooks
24. Orange Butter Cookies with Grand Marnier Glaze – Find Cooking
25. Dark Chocolate Dipped Coconut Macaroons – Barefeet In the Kitchen
26. Eggnog Cookies – Savory Simple
27. Fruit Cake Cookies – A Spicy Perspective

 

28. Brown Butter Ginger Cookies with Mascarpone Cream – Not Without Salt
29. Chocolate Peppermint Cookies – Fueling Endurance Performance
30. Cranberry White Chocolate Oat Cookies – Fabtastic Eats
31. White Chocolate Apricot Oatmeal Cookies – Provecho Peru
32. Peppermint Crinkle Cookies – Bakers Royale
33. Pumpkin Cookies – My Baking Addiction
34. Red Velvet Crinkle Cookies – The Novice Chef
35. Salted Caramel Shortbread Bites – She Knows
36. Satsuma Cranberry Sables – Brooklyn Supper

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Super Holiday Decor

Row 1: DIY Modern Christmas Tree Set – Curbly, Holiday Doormat DIY – A Beautiful Mess, Glittered Geometry Garland – LEIF  //  Row 2: Prop Some Art – Real Simple, DIY Modern Perforated Tabletop Trees – Curbly  //  Row 3: Naughty (& Nice) Boxed Glass Candles – ILLUME, Snow Globes – West Elm, ConfettiSystems Garland – West Elm  //  Row 4: Handmade Paper Star Garland – Toast UK, Teluria Candelabra – Note Design Studio for Klong, Glittered Twig Tape Candles – LEIF

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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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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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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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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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Ornamental

Vertical Row 1: Porcelain Santa // Sentimental Ceramic Gift Tag Set // Agate Ornament // Woodland Bronze Creatures
Vertical Row 2: Dip-Dyed Apple Green Ball // Natural Himmeli Ornaments // Origami Cub // Mercury Glass Monogram // Sputnik Ornament
Vertical Row 3: Porcelain Woodland Animal Set // Golden Nugget // Sequin Bow // Birds of a Feather Set of 7

I put my tree up earlier this year than ever, the Monday before Thanksgiving (I blame it on a thing called “Blog Time”). The dogs stared at it like I was completely messing with their minds, while the cats couldn’t wait to nap under it and chew on the lower branches. This was the first year where I didn’t have to use what I refer to as filler ornaments, cheap boxes of bulbs to fill in the empty spots between the ornaments I actually like. I finally have enough baubles for my silver, clear, pink, and blue glass tree – it was sort of momentous. The only new additions were a shiny silver starburst, a big white metal feather, a silver owl, and a mercury glass K (like the monogram above). Oh, and a silver-gold star for the tippy-top.

So, is your tree up and twinkling yet? Do you always put it up on the same day every year or just play it by ear?

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24 Merry Days

I’m so excited to be a Merry Blogger for 24 Merry Days! Audrey from This Little Street is the mastermind who rounded up a great group of bloggers who will be doing a giveaway (or two) from December 1st through the 24th, brilliant right? After all, this is the time of year to spread a little cheer if there ever was one. The project’s site is lovely and gives you a heads up as to which giveaway is which day on which blog. (Mine is the 11th!) And let me tell you, we have some amazing sponsors giving away things you’ve been coveting all year. I’ll be tweeting which blog is doing the giveaway each day, so I hope you’ll follow along with me at @designcrush if you’re not already. I’m so ready to give away all of the things!!

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