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December 13, 2013

Warm Winter Candles

If you visit my home chances are there’s a candle burning. During warmer months it’s almost always my favorite burnt sugar scent, and when the temperature drops it’s something warm and comforting. An almond/tobacco I can’t get enough of or something with cloves and cinnamon. To me scent is a big part of the personality of your home that should be subtle yet evident the moment someone sets foot in the door.

ROW 1: Comme des Garçons hinoki candle // Woodfire Candle // Joya Candle ROW 2: no. 3 sugar & spice // Byredo Parfums Bibliotheque ROW 3: Mineral Goblet Candle // Whiskey in the Jar // Gleaming Bear Candle ROW 4: Firewood Signature // Jacinta Holiday Candle // Winter Is Coming

Posted In accessories, house and home, round up

December 12, 2013

My (Imaginary) Christmas 2013

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.)

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

Posted In accessories, christmas, cocktails, entertaining, holidays, house and home, make it, recipes

December 11, 2013

Ornaments Galore

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

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

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

Posted In christmas, holidays, round up

December 10, 2013

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!

Pair with: a boot brush, a small rosemary bush for the porch.

Pair with: simple earrings, a pair of bangles.

Pair with: a pretty brass bell, bottle brush trees.

Pair with: a few vintage ornaments, homemade pomanders.

Pair with: a soft pair of gloves or mittens, a silk scarf.

Pair with: hot toddy ingredients, a set of mason jars.

Pair with: a set of mugs, mulling spices.

Pair with: soup mix, a vintage pot.

Pair with: gourmet hot chocolate, homemade cookies.

Pair with: crackers and cheese, pretty cocktail plates.

Pair with: letterpress place cards, a set of linen napkins.

Pair with: a candle snuffer, a nice box of matches.

Pair with: a bottle of nail polish, a pair of sunglasses.

Pair with: a cozy scarf or blanket, a favorite board game.

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.

Posted In accessories, bags, christmas, entertaining, gifts, holidays, house and home, jewelry, kitchen, make it, technology, wear it

December 9, 2013

Holiday Cards – Part 5

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

Posted In cards, christmas, holidays, paper goods, round up

December 9, 2013

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!)

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

\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

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

Posted In christmas, holidays, paper goods, round up

December 9, 2013

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.

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

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

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

Posted In cocktails, recipes, round up

December 6, 2013

Well-Designed End Tables

Even though the coffee/cocktail table is the horizontal star of most living rooms, in my experience the end table gets far more everyday use. Right now I only have one – a collapsible metal table with removable tray – and am on the hunt for another. My space is mainly mid-century modern with a twist, so something along the lines of these eleven below would be ideal.

ROW 1: Slim Round End Table // Modern Accent Table with Drawer // Calvin End Table ROW 2: Stamped Metal Accent Table // Bel-Air Side Table ROW 3: Blue Dot End Table // Orly Accent Table // Jules Large Accent Table ROW 4: Swivel End Table with Gold Leaf and Mirrored Top // Safavieh Doreen End Table // Metal Accordion Side Table

Posted In furniture, house and home, round up

December 5, 2013

The Holidays at Design Crush HQ

In a normal year my Christmas tree goes up the Saturday after Thanksgiving. This year it went up the Friday before, I had the itch to decorate and scratched. I blame it on the perfectly chilly day full of sleet that that Friday was, but think it had just as much to do with the abbreviated holiday season we’re experiencing in the U.S. this year.

I love pulling out all of the ornaments I’ve collected over the past ten or so years. All pink, blue, silver, and white for the most part. For 2013 I changed things up a bit by adding silver garland to the mix, a first ever for any tree I’ve ever decorated. (If I’m too crazy for you, I totally understand.)

When I decorate for the holidays I don’t like to disrupt everything, but rather add here and there to enhance. A few ceramic faux bois platters on the cocktail table, a bunch of eucalyptus in a hippo vase, and of course some seasonal candies. A metallic snowflake hanging from a lamp, a few pomanders, and a candle on the credenza… we’re getting there!

The fireplace and mantel were strung with Edison bulbs and a banner begging for snow, as well as a few mercury glass and bottle brush trees. A set of silver finials and some woodland creatures help round it all out.

A few bits on the kitchen cabinets and a bauble on the hall closet door, a favorite card over there in the guest bath, and some gold tinsel hanging around a frame. That’s how we do Christmas at Design Crush!

Posted In christmas, holidays, my house

December 4, 2013

Holiday Cards – Part 4

1. You and You and You by People I’ve Loved 2. Cat Holiday Card by Hillary Bird 3. Half a Turkey by make-do 4. Christmas Vacation by Boxcar Press 5. Feliz Navidad Card by Rifle Paper Co. 6. Happy Holidays Printable Card by 10 ante meridiem 7. Holiday Cheer Letterpress Christmas Card by Rafftruck Designs 8. Fala Lala La by Whimsy Whimsical 9. Give Thanks Be Joyful Card by Sugar Paper, Los Angeles 10. Happiest of Holidays Cards by The Social Type

Posted In cards, christmas, holidays, paper goods, round up