December 2013 archive
Miniature Cookware Ornaments
The post-holiday clearance sale madness continues, and my newest obsession is Sur La Table’s adorable, vintage-inspired cookware ornament collection. At a majorly discounted fifty percent off right now, I just may have acquired the whole set.
They’re so realistic you could use them in a child’s play kitchen.
Or actually use the little copper pan to melt butter.
See what’s still available here.
Vintage-Style Glass Ornaments
Okay, so I’m definitely a sucker for after Christmas clearance sales. Seventy percent off! So many adorable Christmas things. How can I resist? This year, in addition to the tacky discounted decor and really cheap wrapping paper, I found some hidden gems: vintage-style ornaments that look exactly like the ones from the 1950s that my grandmother used to have.
I found some at Target and Michael’s, the two stores I visited the week after Christmas. I’m sure other stores must have them too.
These are all glass and decorated to vintage-accurate perfection. Seriously, how can you not love the hand-painted glitter detail on these?
So I’m totally ready for next year! Bring on Christmas 2014!
Gift Wrapping Shoebox How-To
I’m going to let you in on a little trick I’ve been using for several years now. Instead of wrapping gifts in one-time use paper, I’ve devised a way to make reusable packaging that makes presents oh-so-adorable. Gift wrapping shoebox presents is pretty easy and fun-here’s how.
This is what you do:
1. Buy the nice paper that you love. These little peppermints stole my heart. Pink isn’t exactly the front and center color of the winter holidays, so I snapped these papers up.
2. Wrap shoe boxes like you would a normal gift, paying extra attention to the corners to make them look nice. Start with the covers (they’re easier) and then the bases.
3. Place presents in the boxes (you can add tissue paper as you would in a gift bag) and garnish with ribbons and gift tags (but anything sticky will ruin the paper on the box).
4. Save and reuse these babies for as long as you can. The packages look really classy, it’s environmentally friendly (wrapping paper isn’t usually recyclable), and it actually reduces wrapping time once you have a little collection made.
So there you have it-reusable gift wrapping shoebox ideas.
Beautiful, unique wrapping paper can often be found in little gift stores and boutiques. Here is a selection I found of truly unusual gift wrapping items that will make your gift wrapping shoebox masterpieces stand out in the heap.
Make Your Own Gingerbread Village
Gingerbread houses signify the start of holiday decorating to me more than anything else. I remember making miniature gingerbread houses made of gluten free crackers with my brother one year (I was gluten free before being gluten free was cool).
My cookie house decorating skills haven’t progressed much since I was six, but that doesn’t stop me from occasionally busting out the frosting bag and spice drops. I discovered a new gingerbread house kit that quadruples the fun-a kit to not just for a gingerbread house, but to make your own gingerbread village. The kits are available this year at retailers including Bed, Bath & Beyond. If prefer to make your own house, I recommend this silicone baking tray to make life a little easier.
This little village of gingerbread houses is nestled into a snowy hillside. Make your own gingerbread village and display inside for longevity, or get a cute photo opp outside like this:These little sugar chalets look so charming in the snow, don’t you think?
One final note on gingerbread: If the villages and houses are feeling a bit mainstream for you, try this bargain Gingercats Cookie Kit. Yes, it’s a real thing!
Winter Scarves
Scarves are a winter staple if you live anywhere even remotely cold. I love that they can make winter seem almost fun-add a new scarf to your outfit and you have a whole new look.
As part of my collaboration with Parc Boutique, I wrote the product descriptions for two new scarves that will appear in the new winter look book. Here’s a peek at them:
Stay warm and stylish!
