gift guide for the hostess

We hope you all had a wonderful Thanksgiving. I know we have so much to be grateful for, so it was a special day for us to be with family and friends, and enjoy the love all around us. I was the one who cried {tears of joy} as I said what I was thankful for at the dinner table. I definitely got the ‘crying’ gene as we call it in my family – actually I think all 3 of us did – the gene that has us in tears for every toast and prayer at holidays and special events. It all started with grandma.

Now, we’re in Christmas mode. Hard to believe the jolly man comes down the chimney in about 3.5 weeks. Some of you may be shopping Black Friday deals today…wish I was doing a little retail therapy!

If your shopping today, or opt for a calmer day to shop, add some of our favorite hostess gifts below to your shopping list. It’s a nice gesture to bring a little something for the host/hostess – and he or she will be sure to enjoy any of these items.

Happy Shopping.

1. Cocktail Chatter Napkins, Anthropologie
2. Personalized Placemat, EInvite
3. Jar with Chalkboard Label {filled with cookies, of course}, Pier1
4. Santa Poo Pourri {spritz before you go, and no one will ever know – it totally works}, Amazon
5. Rosemary Tree, Terrain
6. Naughty and Nice Sock by Gumball Poodle, Urban General Store
7. Mr. and Mrs. Holiday Glasses, Furbish Studio
8. Holiday Basket with Mini Candles, Crate and Barrel
9.  Winter Wonderland dish towel, Anthropologie

{images via EInvite, AmazonPier 1Terrain, Urban General StoreFurbish Studio, Crate and BarrelAnthropologie}

fall inspired entry

As we get our homes ready for the changing weather, and we grieve the end of summer and try to embrace the chill of fall, we can go so many directions with fall decor. Warm, earth tones, shimmer and glam or rustic elements. Decisions. Decisions. Here’s some inspiration…tell us {e-mail, comment, facebook, etc}, what fall ‘look’ do you like best?

CHIC ENTRY


3 Wise Owls, Z Gallery {$19.95}
Gold Zag Tray, Etsy {$98}
Nate Berkus Multiple Taper Candleholder, Target {$19}
Nest Sphere, Z Gallerie {$9.95}
Parsons Console Table, West Elm {$350}
Between a Rock and a Lamp Base, Land of Nod {$79}
Clarissa Glass Drop Medium Round Chandelier, Pottery Barn {$399}
Nate Berkus Two Tone Mirror, Target {$34.99}

RUSTIC ENTRY

Jillian Totes Baskets, World Market {$24-$39} for under the table
Reclaimed Wood Console
, Hudson Goods {$695}
Birch Log Bundle, Shop Terrain {$22}
Love Nature Candle, Shop Terrain {$38}
Frame Chalkboard, How Does She {DIY tutorial here}
Sunset Quince Wreath, Shop Terrain {$98}
Rope Knot Table Lamp Base, Pottery Barn {$150}

{images via Shop Terrain, Hudson Goods, World Market, Pottery Barn, Jayson Home, Target, West Elm, Etsy via Up In The Air Somewhere, Land of Nod, How Does She}

Last Minute DIY Christmas Gift Ideas

If you’re like me, you’re still not done with Christmas gifts this year and Christmas is less than 2 days away. Don’t panic and take a deep breath. You’re not too late {well, a little}…just make your way to target or walmart, craft store or your closest “carry almost everything store” and make one of these lovely, thoughtful and DIY gifts. Channel your ‘inner-Martha.’

Nail Polish ‘MistleTOES’, Supreme Courtney

Holiday Cinnamon Stick Candle, Paula Deen 

Personalized Hot Cocoa Mug, Mountainside Bride

Grinch Pills, Craft Fabulous

DIY Recipe Book, The 36th Ave

Reindeer Beer {fun party favors for your friends}, friend via Facebook

Money Tree, Then She Made

{images via Paula DeenCraft Fabulous, Mountainside Bride, Supreme Courtney, Then She Made, The 36th Ave}

a few of our favorite things…

Girls in white dresses with blue satin sashes. Snowflakes that stay on my nose and eyelashes. Silver white winters that melt into springs. These are a few of our favorite things.

Yes, still obsessed with that movie, Sound of Music, and song. It just makes us happy.

It’s the time of year for our Favorite Things again.

It was hard to agree with one another 🙂 and limit the list to just 12, but we did it. Maybe you can treat yourself this year to one of our favorite things, buy for a friend….OR, wait a minute, EVEN BETTER, we have two giveaways from our list 1-6 and 6-12. So stay tuned every day this week for the giveaways.

1. For the Sex & the City fan and all-around fabulous lady: Brevity Custom Name Necklace, available at Fleur de Lis, a paperie {$195}
2. For the wine lover: Corkcicle, for the perfectly chilled glass of wine {$24}
3. For the hostess: friend: LAFCO House and Home Candle, available at Fleur de Lis, a paperie
4. For a friend: UGG Classic Boots for Women, available at Nordstrom {$195}
5. For the techie/mac product lover: iCHARGE All Backup Battery, available at Fleur de Lis {email jenna@fleurdelisapaperie.com} {$48}
6. For the new parents: Canon Rebel Camera

{images via Give Simple, Corkcicle, Brevity Jewelry, Canon, UGG, LAFCO House and Home}

sweater weather

We busted out the sweaters this weekend as the first flakes flew. As I put on my sweater, I thought about how cozy sweaters are, and how they feel like the warmth of “home,” curled up on the couch with my kiddos and hubby, with a cup of tea or coffee close by. So, why not incorporate a sweater’s feeling of “home” into the home. Some fantastic ideas below…

1. Sweater Box, Thrifty and Chic {DIY tutorial here}
2. Sweater Candle Holder, Knick of Time
3. Sweater Pumpkin, Confessions of a Plate Addict {DIY tutorial here}
4. Sculpted Origami Sweater Knit Pillow Cover, West Elm {$34}
5. Sweater Pumpkin, The Painted Home {DIY tutorial here}
6. Cable Knit Napkins, Elizabeth Anne Designs
7. Mug Cozy, Knit Storm on Etsy {$17}
8. Recycled Sweater Vase,Under the Table and Dreaming {DIY tutorial here}
9. Sweater Yet Vase, Modcloth {$17}
10. Sweater Lampshade Cover, Thrifty and Chic {DIY tutorial here}

{images via Modcloth, Confessions of a Plate Addict, Knick of TimeThrifty and Chic, West Elm, Elizabeth Anne Designs, A Painted Home, Under the Table and Dreaming, Knit Storm}