I’ve already written out my Christmas cards. There, I’ve said it. It’s just that once Thanksgiving shows up everything seems to snowball, free time included. It’s all spent shopping for the perfect gift or attending yet another ugly Christmas sweater party. You know how it goes, I know you do.
But I always feel a touch of remorse once I see all of the beautifully designed holiday cards, so I bookmark them all for possible lovelies to send out next year. And of course, to share with you all. Over the next three days I’ll be posting a three-part roundup of cards from my very favorite shops. (Note: I’ll only be posting one per shop, so if you like what you see click on the link to check out more!) I hope you enjoy them as much as I do and maybe even find the ones you just have-to-have!
It’s Thanksgiving Week, which means food, food and even more food! And while I can hardly wait for my Mom’s cranberry sage stuffing and our annual dessert contest, I’m also thinking about ways to use up the inevitable leftovers. And there are always lots of them. Especially turkey. Which is why I’ve dedicated this week to the tasty bird. Do you have any go-to recipes to use up your Thanksgiving feast the day after?
I never eat as many sandwiches as during the holidays. They’re fast, easy to make and most of the time only help to make room in the refrigerator for even more, yes, food. But they can get boring oh so quickly, so I’m always looking for ways to mix it up. I think I’ll make a few of these Grilled Turkey and Brie Sandwiches with Cranberry Chutney for my Mom and I to enjoy during our Black Friday Shop-a-thon throwdown!
The Coffee for One French Press would be perfect to curl up with on a cold weekend morning. Or at the office if you have a crappy brew there. All you need is access to hot water and ground coffee.
• another use for my ever-growing paint chip collection, these brilliant housewarming party invitations :: Oh So Beautiful Paper
• simple paper hurricane covers for your Thanksgiving spread :: A Little Hut
• whimsical wedding programs and thank yous featuring a darling illustration :: Oh So Beautiful Paper
• super cute printable cupcake and teacup notes for the holidays (or any days) :: Creature Comforts
• modern Thanksgiving invitations that I’d love to send out :: Blonde Designs
• clever invitations to a cookie swap :: Brooklyn Limestone
• a nice collection of miniature and tabletop Christmas trees for home or work :: Apartment Therapy New York
• Under $100 Holiday Serving Platters – because everyone needs at least one :: Shelterpop
• check out these DIY pretty fabric pumpkins for a little *pop* :: Design*Sponge
Happy Weekend!
Sleepy King has some of the most huggable stuffed handmade woodland creatures ever. I have two little cousins who just might be lucky enough to call one their own come Christmas Day!
I’m tempted to make a batch of these little Hot Chocolate on a Stick sweets because they’re way too cute for their own good and I think they’d be great stocking stuffers. But I’m pretty sure I’ll be hard-pressed not to just eat them like lollipops before they ever find their ways to my gift listers. {via the kitchn}
One of my favorite holiday traditions is the advent calendar. I’ve had one every December for as long as I can remember and my mother still buys me one each year (I’m not allowed to purchase my own!). As a child it always hung in the very same place, the closet door in the living room, and since college it’s adorned my refrigerator. Here are a few that really stood out to me this year, some you can purchase but most can be made with a few simple supplies!
A traditional take on the advent calendar, each of the twenty-five windows revealing a symbol of Christmas. Printed on thick watercolor paper, which gives a texture to the print and a substantive quality to the piece. Sturdy enough to be used year after year.
For the individual that never wants to leave home without receiving their advent treat. And those who like to wear the same sweater for twenty five consecutive days…
This one’s a freebie! Just follow the link to an email address and they’ll send you a .pdf to download. I’ve already got mine and am planning on constructing it this weekend!
I love what Hillary did here, instead of receiving a gift or treat each day a snowflake is unrolled and revealed. On Christmas Day the entire garland will be full and you’ll have one more decoration!
This solution is to make an advent calendar with notes and clues. Each spool has a daily note that wrapped around it will lead the recipient on a hunt for their presents.
The functionality of the Coffee Time Coffeeset is awesome. Designed by Elise Berthier, the porcelain set of six coffee cups and stirrers comes with its own serving tray. The cup lids keep the coffee warm and then offer the dual function as saucers. And it’s compact, making it perfect for apartment living where cupboard space is so scarce!
I’m participating in a cookie swap next month and have been searching high and low for the perfect recipe. Fifteen people are signed up which equals a maddening 180 cookies to be baked. These unexpected Sweet Potato Cookies are at the top my list of possibilities at the moment.
