holiday gifting: gals

There's still time! (Yes, I'm talking to you, Procrastinators.)
Just a few ideas for the ladies...



(gloves)



(initial ring; drawer liner; pouch; earrings; bangle)



(calendar)

holiday gifting: guys

Only 10 shopping days left! Some gift ideas for the guys on your lists...



(down sweater)




(Clockwise from left: mug; salts; book; sneakers; bag)




(wooden alarm clock)




(sweater)




(Clockwise from top left: watch; tie; socks; card holder)




(flannel shirt)


Tell me -- are you done with your shopping already? I'm about 80% there. Just looking for a few more things to wrap up my list for the year. Phew... it's exhausting!

xo, Kristin

christmas decorating

My love for the season only grows as I peek around the web...













These are just a small collection of my favorites, and it is without doubt that I could actually get lost for days just looking at all the inspiration there is out there.



(Images from top: glitter deer; peace joy love pillows; wood & wool tree; christmas block letters; felt ball wreath; twinkle tree and fireside chairs; champagne cooler; wish flags.)

holiday gifting: cozy

A few gift ideas for keeping cozy on blustery winter nights...

(Candle Trio; A Very She & Him Christmas; PomPom Beanie)




(Cozy Cup of Chocolate Gift Set; Shea Butter Lotion; Loop Funnel; Dot & Stripe Slippers; Perla Pillow)




(Blanket Throw)

What are some goodies on your holiday lists this year? Anything you're hoping to find under the tree?

holiday gifting: books

You can't get a cup of tea big enough or a book long enough to suit me.
~C. S. Lewis

Maybe it's because I love to read so much, but I've always thought that books make good presents. Here's a gaggle of books, some of which might just be under my Christmas tree this year...

For the nightstand -



For the kitchen -


For the playroom -


For the coffee table -





(All books available here.)

oh christmas tree

It was raining this weekend so I wasn't able to go out and get my Christmas tree, and though I know that I only have to wait a few more days for next weekend, I'm still a little bummed because I always decorate my tree on the Sunday after Thanksgiving.



To get me through the rest of the week I'll just keep looking at lovely yuletide photos like this to inspire new decorating ideas.

(Image via here.)

giving thanks + counting blessings

I am thankful for so much... Sharing the day with my family. Cooking with my mom. Smells of turkey wafting through the house. Breaking the wishbone.



...and pie. Lots and lots of pie.

Happy Thanksgiving!


(Pumpkin Pie recipe here.)

a few photos from our holidays

For my Christmas decorating this year I focused on just a few things and actually kept most of my decorations tucked away in their boxes. This year it was all about a "natural" Christmas. We had a live fir in the living room decorated with my favorite ornaments - lots of glittery glass balls and vintage handmade ornaments -, our stockings were hung at the fireplace and fresh flowers and pointsettias bloomed in vases and pots around the house all season. It was refreshing to keep things simple. And the vibrant greenery really brightened things up on gray days.

A view of our sparkly tree from the kitchen. On the lockers, I hung some hand-stamped doilies.

Our tree. Before we put the angel on top and added the white quilted skirt below. I forgot to get pictures of the "after"!

A vignette of fresh greenery - pine boughs, mums and winter berries - with a favorite ironware urn and retro silver candlesticks.

White mums and pine branches. I painted the edges of the pine cones in gold to add a little shimmer.

A new addition to the fireplace this year!

New addition #2!

Our chalkboard door with a merry message.

A simple fruit centerpiece. Stacked tangerines and sparkling beaded apples and pears on cake stands add a festive touch.

A floral centerpiece. Fresh flowers - mums, lilies and carnations - in an assortment of old jam jars and recycled glass jars.

I love the bright pop of red in an otherwise white and green bouquet.

I just love flowers. ;)

That's all for now.

Thanks for letting me share.

happy memorial day!

I hope you get this extra day off to enjoy in whatever way you wish.
A long weekend? That's a wish come true!

(Swings by JP Greenwood)

tgif + happy easter!

Wishing you and yours a fun-filled Easter.
(One that hopefully includes lots of chocolate!)

(Spring in Our Kitchen by Moline)

(Gosh, I love EVERY single photo she posts. I'd move in if I could!)

happy new year!

Here's to good things in the year ahead.

Little Birds' New Year on Flickr.

crafting: decorating with cranberries

Here are some lovely ways to decorate for the holidays - in a cheap and chic way. Ruby-red cranberries can be used in myriad ways to spruce up your home. Gorgeous.

Cranberry Topiary * Cranberry Table Setting * Cranberry Initial

(from Better Homes & Gardens ~ BHG)

gifts for a sweet-tooth

I'm sure these mouthwatering treats from Vosges Chocolate are every bit as delicious and decadent as they look. A perfect gift for the sweet-tooth on your list!

Caramel Toffee * Caramels * Dark Chocolate Truffles * Peanut Butter Bonbons

thanksgiving wishes

From the cranberry relish to the pumpkin pie and everything in between, I hope you have a joyful and delightful day.

Happy Thanksgiving to you and yours!

(Pinecone Turkey from Martha Stewart Living.)

thanksgiving table setting

It's only three days away, and I can't get Thanksgiving dinner out of my mind! Turkey and stuffing and cranberries... and pumpkin pie! Isn't this a lovely way to decorate the table for your holiday dinner?

Photo by the amazing Miki Duisterhof. Be sure to check out the rest of her portfolio. Inspiration guaranteed!

mini holiday cards

From the Inkspot Workshop Holiday '08 Collection...

I {heart} these handmade mini cards and their frosty white envelopes.

From top:
Pinwheel Snowman Cards * Mod Ornament Cards * Tree Bird Cards * Pinwheel Tree Christmas Cards