Gifting 101: A few gifts you should be buying NOW for Christmas

January 19, 2015

I’ve always tried to stay one step ahead when it comes to holiday gift giving. I usually take advantage of the after-Christmas sales and pick up a few gift items for the coming year. January is a great month to begin creating a gift list and checking out stores for sales. Several of my favorite stores have amazing clearance events going on right now and there are some fabulous items to be had. I’ve rounded up a few of my faves in case you want to get a jump on your 2015 holiday shopping.

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Mark and Graham is one of my favorite online shops and when it comes to monogrammed accessories, they have some amazing items to choose from. All of their monogrammed items make great gifts for Christmas or any other gift giving occasion for that matter.

Gift shopping for men is always a challenge. This Leather Credit Card Case–($19.99) is a great buy and makes the perfect gift men {and women}. And if you have someone graduating this year, it’s a great grad gift too.

A classic like this Monogrammed Weekender–($119.99) is a gift that will last a lifetime.

Who wouldn’t love this Leather iPad Envelope–($59.00). Available in 9 colors.

I’m all about zippered pouches that I can fill with essentials and throw in a larger handbag–so many uses for an item like this. Striped Zip Pouches-($34.99-$35.00)

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If I’m out shopping the day after Christmas, Pottery Barn is one of the stores I always go to. I love finding holiday ornaments, tabletop items and textiles on sale. Here are a few items that I think are worth adding to your gift closet.

How fun is this Globe Ice Bucket–($54.99). Because it has a chalkboard exterior it can be used for any occasion and when not in use as an ice bucket, I think it would make a pretty cute nut or candy bowl.

Luxury at a great price. Faux Oversized Mohair Throw ($39.99-$55.00)

These Alphabet Tags-($3.99) are just adorable and their classic design means you can use them now until Christmas. And don’t forget that tags like them can also be used a napkin rings, wine bottle tags or as holiday ornaments.

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Crate and Barrel is also a store worth shopping after the holidays. Here are a few decorative items that are definitely worth buying.

If you’re looking for a unique gift for someone who loves to decorate I highly recommend these Brass Letter Art pieces. They are a great buy at $9.97 each and are available in letters and numbers.

January is a great month to pick up seasonal candles and these Branch Taper Candles are definitely a stylish steal. $2.97

Stocking up on wrapping paper after the holidays can save you a lot of money when Christmas rolls around next year. I love the elegant style and color of this Lacy Snowflake Wrapping Paper and love the price even more–$3.58!

When it comes to setting a holiday table, you can never go wrong with classic white dinnerware. This Nordic Plate ($2.47) is really pretty and has a design that will work from fall through Christmas.

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There are lots of deals to be had right now when shopping the after Christmas sales so start making that list of checking it twice. Christmas is only 339 days away.

For more gifting ideas, read all about my essentials for a well stocked gift closet here.

Happy Shopping!

(favorite ) Shopping Sources for Knobs and Pulls

January 17, 2015

When it comes to decorating, there are a lot of decorative elements that I’m obsessed with.

I love bamboo picture frames and brass planters. I have a weakness for decorative boxes and animal print pillows. I rarely ever pass up a piece of milkglass or ironstone when I’m out antiquing. And then there’s my love of decorative knobs. Whenever I’m at Anthropologie or Hobby Lobby, I always visit the knob bins. The bins are like jewelry trays and I just love checking out all the sparkly, colorful knobs and envisioning how I can use them to update a piece of furniture or use them on a diy project.

I recently looked through a basket when I store my knobs and realized I have quite the collection. Some of the knobs I have plans for and others I just loved and couldn’t pass up. Last year I gave our bedroom armoire a makeover and UpStyled it with paint and knobs from Hobby Lobby.

Decorative knobs are one of the most cost-effective decorative elements you can buy, to easily and quickly transform a piece of furniture. But finding the perfect knob can sometimes be a challenge. To help you with the hunt, I’ve compiled a list of my favorite knob sources and what each of them has to offer.

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Easy Candy Cane Treats

December 23, 2014

I ventured out to a couple of store yesterday to return a couple of items and boy was it madness. While store shelves are looking bare, there is one holiday item that you can always count on finding up to until Christmas Day–Candy Canes.

If you’re in a pinch for a holiday treat, here are a few ideas you can make in a flash using candy canes.

Candy Cane Marshmallow Pops

North Pole Cupcakes

Peppermint Bark Cheesecake

{if you don’t feel like baking, buy a cheesecake from the store and add crushed candy canes on top}

Enjoy!

Last Minute Holiday Gift & Decor Ideas {with links}

December 22, 2014

Ok, it’s crunch time. If you’re still in need of a few Christmas gifts or need to add a few more decorative elements to your home, I’ve got a great round-up of quick and easy gift and decor ideas.

You are definitely going to be inspired so get ready to gift and decorate!

LAST MINUTE GIFT IDEAS

First up is this amazing DIY blanket scarf from Amy of the MomAdvice blog. Read this easy tutorial and then hop in the car and head to your local fabric store to grab supplies to make a scarf or two for someone on your list..including you!

tip: In a pinch you could also cut up a holiday tablecloth and get the same results!

This Grown Up Hot Chocolate is an easy gift to put together and is something both men and women will enjoy.

tip: you and find all of the ingredients for this at the grocery store

I showed you the Christmas Candy Tubes I made for my family a couple of weeks ago but wanted to share them again in case you need a quick gift for the mailman, grandkids or the hairdresser. Instead of filling your tube with candy like I did, fill it with money, lottery tickets or even a jewelry.

tip: if you can’t find mailing tubes at a store, cut up the cardboard inserts that are in your rolls of gift wrap

When all the big box stores are sold out of cold weather goods, head to your local thrift store on Christmas Eve and pick up a few sweaters so you can make some adorable DIY Mittens like these.

How cute are these DIY Wine Goblets. A trip to the Dollar Store and the Sharpies you already own and you’ve got a great gift. A

Add a bottle of wine or DIY Coasters to Up-Style your gift.

And don’t forget how easy it is to turn a plain mug into an awesome Ribbon Wrapped Mug Christmas gift.

LAST MINUTE CHRISTMAS DECOR IDEAS

When it comes to last minute holiday decorating, head to the yard and clip a few branches and sprigs of greenery. Coat a few of the branches with white spray paint and add the bundle to a decorative vase.

Yvonne over at StoneGable created these beautiful arrangements and has even more last minute decorating ideas to share with you over on her blog.

Take that left over ribbon you have lying around and wrap a few of your everyday pillows for a quick and easy Christmas Pillow update for your sofa like Cassie from HiSugarplum did!

If you’re holiday centerpiece still needs to be done, use a few of the wrapped gifts under the tree to create a Gift Box Centerpiece. So cut and so easy!

All it takes to create an ornament display for your mantel at the last minute is a few ornaments and a glass container.

Free Printable Christmas Gift Tags

December 21, 2014

It’s happened to the best of us! The gift shopping is done and you sit down to wrap all your gifts only to realize that you don’t have any gift tags on hand.

Option 1 is to head to the Dollar Store or Wal-Mart and pick up some not-so-cute tags

Option 2 is to stay in your pajamas and print some of these free downloadable gift tags.

Here are FIVE of my all-time favorite printable gift tags.

I love the retro feel of these tags! 21 Free Printable Christmas Tags from Shanty 2 Chic

A bit of crafting is required but these adorable ornament tags as well worth the work. Ornament Gift Tags from Please Note Paper

The beautiful calligraphy tags will look fabulous on a gift but I think they would also make a great Christmas card. Gorgeous Calligraphy Gift Tags from The Hive Studio

I love the whimsy and artsy feel of these tags. Holiday Gift Tags from Kelly Murray

Lia and I were in the Scotch Most Gifted Wrapper Contest together in 2012 and this is just some of her amazing designs. Chalkboard Christmas Gift Tags by Lia Griffith

Happy Wrapping!

All Wrapped Up For Christmas

December 20, 2014

T-minus 5 days and counting until Christmas.

The Christmas shopping is all done and boxes have been shipped. Things are starting to settle down around here and that has given me a chance to get most of my holiday gifts wrapped.

I love wrapping gifts and it was so much fun this year to coordinate my gift wrap with my holiday tartan plaid theme.

Here’s a look at my 2014 Holiday Gift Wrap and a few tips that will help you put the finishing touches on your own gifts.

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Christmas Decor / In The Bedroom

December 19, 2014

Happy Friday!

I wanted to pop in today and share how I decorated our bedroom for Christmas.

My goal was to keep things simple and incorporate my holiday tartan plaid theme in some way. I also wanted to use the JOY marquee sign I made last month at the Home Depot Do-It-Herself workshop.

I hope you enJOY the tour!

Since the color foundation of our bedroom is black and white, it was easy for me to add in red, green and plaid along with a few holiday touches.

I love lots of pillows on the bed and also love to mix patterns and colors. The black and white sheets came from HomeGoods are my absolute favorite. I also purchased the red pillowcases from HomeGoods.

The black shams and quilt came from Target and the red and white patterned pillow covers and green velvet cover are from Ikea.

I added some silver decor, all purchased at Hobby Lobby to my night stand. During the day I move the disco ball to the ottoman at the foot of our bed so it sparkles in the sun.

The JOY sign is a project that blogger and woodworker Ana White developed for the Home Depot workshop series. To make my sign unique, I added the molding trim and outlined each letter with gold metallic paint.

The light have a timer so the sign comes on in the evening and goes off right before we go to bed.

Our black armoire was the perfect perch for the JOY sign and I hung some greenery and ornaments from each corner to make it feel really festive.

{and check out that red and hot pink throw I snagged at C.Wonder for 50% off. It just so happens to be my signature color combo–yeah me!}

I hung a wreath on the head of the bed and kept it simple with a red and white bow.

I drape the reversible scarf/throw I purchased from Purple Peridot over the foot of the bed when I’m not wearing it.

The red pillow covers are from Ikea and the black and white striped monogrammed pillow was a gift from my friend Tina who blogs at Encore Creations.

Thanks for stopping by.

Grab a cup of cocoa and come back tomorrow when I’ll be sharing my holiday gift wrap and a few gift wrapping tips with you.

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Holiday Welcome Basket

December 18, 2014

Hello there! Who else besides me is wishing for a snow day?

I could really use a day with no commitments, sitting in front of the Christmas Tree, reading my ever-growing stack of magazines.

Speaking of relaxing, many of us will have family coming to hang out and relax at our homes for Christmas.

One of the ways I help holiday guest feel comfortable in my home is by making them a Holiday Welcome Basket. I fill the basket with items that will make their stay comfortable and enjoyable.

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