Packaging Holiday Cookies ~

I am going to make holiday cookies (still undecided exactly which kind) 

for my lovely neighbors this year. 

So in the process of deciding which yummy treats to make, 

I started searching for fun ways to wrap the deliciousness. 

Here are a few to share:

 

 images: 1. countryliving.com, 2. traditionalhome.jpg, 

3-6. marthastewart.com, 7. bhg.com

Do you give your neighbors holiday gifts? 

If so, what?

Holiday House Tour ~

After a long and fabulous vacation, I got to come home to a mound of magazines - 

I gotta say, I was smitten! 

So, to kick off what seems like the "Holiday Season", I thought I would take you through a lovely holiday house tour thanks to Traditional Home.

I hope your Monday is great!

Happy Christmas Wishes ~

It is here - my favorite day of the year! 

Ever since I was a child, Christmas Eve has always been so magical and comforting all at once. And now I get to see that same excitement through my kiddos. 

 We have a fun-filled day ahead of us, followed by a relaxing day of pajamas, coffee and lots of smiles!

May your Holiday be filled with love!

Be sure to head over on the 26th - I have an AMAZING giveaway....I am sooo excited, I can't wait to share it with you guys!

Getting Ready for a Great Holiday ~

gingerella

I am off to do all my last minute shopping - my goal is to be at Costco with cart in hand right as they roll up those lovely doors!

I recently saw this on Gingerella and SIMPLY loved it so that I had to share...

A TOAST

TO NEAREST

TO DEAREST

TO THE CREW

TO CAHOOTS

TO THE ONES WHO'VE BEEN THERE

TO THE ONES WHO'LL BE THERE

TO DROPPING EVERYTHING

TO SAYING ANYTHING

TO NO JUDGEMENTS

TO NO DOUBTS

TO LOYALTY

TO TRUST

TO FAVORS

TO LIFELONGS

TO BEEN TOO LONG

TO NOTHING'S CHANGED

TO HAVING HISTORY

TO HAVING YOUR BACK

TO MOVING AWAY

TO NEVER TOO FAR

TO GROWING UP

TO SETTLING DOWN

TO YOUR SECOND FAMILY

TO FRIENDS

TO CELEBRATING THE HOLIDAYS 

WITH THOSE WHO MATTER MOST

I hope your last minute list is small and you are singing merrily as you wrap up your list!

Wrapping Ideas ~

Wrapping | Holiday Inspiration

How is your wrapping coming? 

Or, maybe I should ask, How is your shopping coming? I still have a few last minute items to pick up, but I am hoping to get most of my wrapping done today. Here are a few great ideas if you are struggling with your wrapping this year...

Images: 1. housebeautiful.com, 2. hgtv.com, 3. etsy.com 4-6. bhg.com 7. realsimple.com, 8. unknown

Do you have a theme to your wrapping? 

I think this year my theme will be "use up what I already have"!

Star Ornament ~

DIY | Holiday Project Inspiration

Are you looking for that last minute hostess gift, or how to dress up a wine bottle? Here is fun ornament you could use on your tree or to dress up a gift. 

I started by spray painting a paper mache star gold.

I then glittered the outside edge of the star.

Once dry, I added a paper embellishment made from sheet music, a dictionary page and a bottle cap (yes, I had to sacrifice drinking a beer to make this project)!

I then printed and cut out "merry christmas" and attached it with a little hot glue.

To finish it off, I added a simple black ribbon. 

It looks great over a wine bottle -

On your tree -

Or simply added to your holiday decor -

Our Christmas House ~

Decorating | Holiday Inspiration

I can't believe I haven't posted our holiday home yet - so here are a few shots to really get you in that holiday mood (insert Christmas music and eggnog latte here)...

I hope you have a merry weekend - We will be wrapping, partying and maybe a little snowshoeing!

Dressing Up a Stack of Books ~

DIY | Holiday Project Inspiration

I love books - old books, new books, stacking books. So I decided to dress up these guys for the holidays. 

I simply started with a few pieces of sheet music (yes, I still am using the 2 books I purchased from Goodwill forever ago) and a little glitter.

I rolled up the sheet music and added some glitter to the edges.

I then printed and cut out "i believe", added a bow and some jewels and placed it on my stack of books.

Super easy and quick. You could use any paper and ribbon you had on hand. 

Just a fun way to dress up a little corner of your home.