Good cocktails that are easy to prep are a must for the holidays, at least in my book. These Raspberry-Cranberry Martinis will do just fine.
Raspberry-Cranberry Martinis • 12-ounce container of frozen raspberry-cranberry concentrate, or frozen Cranberry Cocktail concentrate
• cold water • vodka
In a pitcher, mix the raspberry-cranberry concentrate with 1 1/2 to 2 containers of cold water (depending upon how fruity you want your drinks). Pour a jigger or so of vodka into each glass and top with the diluted concentrate, stir. (If you prefer you can mix the drinks in a cocktail shaker.)
I love versatile foods, the kind that can be eaten for multiple meals and it’s totally acceptable. These Cranberry Crunch Bars can be grabbed on your way out the door in the morning for a fast breakfast or warmed up with a scoop of vanilla ice cream sitting on top. Time saving at its best!
I mentioned possibiliTrees last December and still can’t get over their brilliant architectural design. Not only is this tree a great alternative to real and faux varieties, but also really easy to fold up and store. A major bonus in a world where square footage is highly valued. Each tree is handmade with care by the family business in Minnesota and comes in 2, 3 and 6″ models.
i always sort of tilt my head to one side and scrunch up my nose when i hear the saying actions speak louder than words. do they really? because, for me at least, words absolutely scream. which is why i like to give and get words as gifts. not because i like to yell. but because words stick to my heart way more than a grand gesture.
let’s start with a kiss for my love. because it always begins with a kiss, yes?
and once it begins, it would be lovely to keep it going. this’d be a pretty genius reminder for those who always seem to land on the naughty list… speaking of naughty, this is perfect for my friend whose pub behavior leaves me covering my pink cheeks and whispering ohmygod. no she isn’t. the splits? really? ohmygod. this is for my friend in jordan who dreams of peace, in both great and small measure… and this is for my friend headed to mali in a few months, whose dreams for the world are a bit more small, but no less great…
and this because it’s exactly how i wish they sail through life. plus i hope they reference obscure words in ordinary conversations. pronounced correctly. i will wear it until their hands grow. i am selfless like that.
this is for my girl whose everyday love is more perfect than any dream she could ever dream. plus it’s ruffly. and everyone loves a good ruffle. plus this print to remind her that nothing’s perfect all of the time. plus it’s from t.ruffles. and i’m hoping that everyone loves a good t.ruffle. this for my friend who needs to be reassured that she’s my favorite. even beyond turquoise or sour patch kids…
and this to remind us all that our most favorite thing of all is love. the easiest and most difficult gift to give, yes?
kelly? you know how i feel about you, so i won’t even tell you in front of all of your other lovelies. but i will send you two of my most favorite words for always always giving us your best: thank and you. by the way? my other two most favorite words together? kiss and me. good thing you’re in oklahoma.
one more thing. i’m karey m. and i spill words at mackin ink. i am also a t.ruffle girl. please visit when you have a moment.
This year, my husband and I have our eyes on a cute little fixer-upper, so we’re keeping the holidays as inexpensive as possible. We’ve made a deal with our families that instead of exchanging gifts this year, we’d like to pay it forward to five of our favorite “unsung heroes.”
Here are a few affordable goodies we plan to gift the people that make our lives so much easier!:
1. I didn’t know there could exist a gal that loves coffee as much as I do, but my barista does. I plan to gift her this tea scoop’n’clip for her morning fix!
2. I’d love to gift my tech-savvy programmer the Notepod. He’s the smartest man I’ve ever met, and loves to create new Apps in his spare time. The perfect pad for the perfect pal!
3. My hairdresser is going back to school in the spring to pursue a career in graphic design. This comb USB drive is perfect!
4. Have you ever looked at the fingers of a UPS gal? Our poor delivery worker, Sharon, has the most paper cuts of anyone I’ve ever seen. So bad, in fact, that earlier this summer, she came in and asked if we had a Band-Aid she could have. I gave her a few, along with some cupcakes we had on hand, and we were fast friends. A few weeks ago, I spotted these cuties and can’t wait until Christmas to gift them to her!
5. My favorite librarian once told me that she loved her job because of how the new shipments of books smelled (I couldn’t agree more, and my Amazon bill is proof!). I plan to gift her a can of this New Book Smell Air Freshener. She’ll be thrilled!
You can find Erin typing away at Design for Mankind as well as shelterpop, diy life and design milk (I don’t think she ever sleeps!) She has some great themed gift guides going on right now on DFM, so fly over and have a look-see!
This Chocolate Cranberry Tart has a little bit of everything for everyone: sweet, tart, crunchy, smooth. you name it. Now if only I had a bit of it in my tummy…
This modern nativity set by artist Oliver Fabel was the very first thing I bookmarked for the holidays this year. Each piece is handcrafted and available in German as well as English. Perfect for the household that wants to celebrate the meaning of Christmas in a modern way.
The end result of this Pipe Cleaner Garland project is jaw-droppingly gorgeous. I wonder if I have to patience and hand-eye coordination to pull through til the end? {via Design*Sponge}
Let the holidays officially begin! Starting today it’s my pleasure to play hostess to some of my favorite bloggers and their dream Wish Gift Lists. These are the gifts that they’d love to buy for some of the people on their own shopping lists. Pay attention because there are tons of amazing finds that I’d never have come across on my own!
1. Good Clean Dog by Seattle based body-care company, Sweet Petula. This natural line of canine skin care gives the most sensitive (and stinky!) pooches a chance to smell sweet. Gentle yet effective, all of our products are made with vegetable oils, herbal infusions and pure aromatherapy grade essential oils. Perfect for pampering your four legged friends.
2. Bonpoint. The French children’s couture house and online fashion boutique.
