Category: Life & Home
Vintage Style Ornaments
Last year I posted about my after-holiday shopping score of vintage style ornaments that looked exactly like the glass baubles from the 1950s that my grandmother used to have. These delicate, hand-painted gems have an air of sophistication and elegance that modern resin ornaments can’t match.
A Mid-Century Christmas
The beautiful handpainted glass spheres are just as trendy today as they were half a century ago. Most of them have miraculously lasted without breaking (although she did once wistfully tell me about dropping and smashing an entire box of ornaments, so there were once way more in existence).
Where to Find Vintage Ornaments
Not only are vintage and heirloom ornaments one-of-a-kind, they’re also a sustainable choice for the holidays. Decorating without buying new is always a win for Planet Earth. If you’re shopping for vintage Christmas ornaments, check thrift stores and also Etsy, which has a lovely selection of mid-century Christmas decorations for not too much money.
Take these vintage red satin ornaments for example, which are selling on Etsy for only $3! Or buy a whole set of 8 vintage glass ornaments that look like they came right out of my Grandma’s closet for $32, which is not more than what you’d spend on modern, made-in-China ornaments at most stores.
Watercolor Print Art Giveaway
Welcome to December! Let’s celebrate by kicking the month off with a giveaway just in time for the holidays. I am so excited to share the fine art of Jennifer Ahern, an incredibly gifted watercolor artist from Milwaukee.
Confession: I don’t usually love abstract art, but I absolutely adore this design. You know when certain pieces of art are so appealing that you just want to keep looking at them over and over? This piece Jennifer sent me, Complementary Colors Abstract, is like that for me. I keep seeing images within the design-the brush strokes remind me of falling fall leaves, and I see the strings of a harp in the upper portion. Everyone I’ve shown it to sees something different in this piece, and I love that!
Jennifer doesn’t just do abstract art-she has a wide range of watercolor prints, all reproduced on top-of-the-line Hahnemule acid-free rag paper from Germany. The paper is remarkably similar in thickness and texture to watercolor paper, making the prints look like originals! The winner of the giveaway will receive their choice of 8 1/2 by 11 inch print from Jennifer’s Etsy shop. Here’s another example of her work that I love. If you’re looking to give art for a gift this holiday season, her shop really has something for everyone from kids to discerning art critic adults!
Which of Jennifer’s pieces is your favorite?
The Unique Gift Ideas Guide
This post contains affiliate links, and I will be compensated if you make a purchase after clicking on my links. As always, all opinions are my own.
This gift guide, sponsored by Modcloth, features unique gift ideas hand selected by me to make even the hardest-to-shop-for giftee smile. And the best news? They’re all under $30.
For the Savvy Stylista
Art nouveau-inspired styling wins me over every time. Wing your way into the heart of the discerning fashionista in your life! The Whimsical Wingspan Necklace looks like a unique find from a specialty shop, but it only costs $15.
For the 80s Ladies
Anyone with a fondness for the 80s will adore this mug, but it’ll be the biggest hit with ladies like myself who remember playing with their own flock of My Little Ponies.
For the Cat Lover (or really anyone with a sense of humor)
Anyone with a cat or a sense of humor will delight in this book. Win all the points at a gift exchange with this clever and unique gift idea.
For the Quirky Coworker
Chances are good that you’ll be the only one to give the recipient a zen garden this year. And The More You Gnome Zen Garden comes with gnomes, making it pretty near perfect. Give it to a coworker so you can swing by their desk to use it, too. It will make everyone in your office happier, so it’s a win all around.
Noticing November
Tips to Stay in the Moment This Month
Welcome to November! The months of my fashion illustration calender just keep flipping by, and it seems like everyone is anxiously looking forward to the holidays. As soon as we pass by Halloween and are into the second-to-last month of the year, it seems like it’s all about the holiday rush-Black Friday shopping, holiday decorating, and excitement for New Year’s. Now, I love all the post-Thanksgiving holidays as much as the next lifestyle blogger, but isn’t November supposed to be about, you know, the holiday that’s actually in November?
With stores opening earlier and earlier on Thanksgiving day and Christmas decorations going up right after Halloween, I started to think about how I want to stop and enjoy what I have, right now. Instead of wishing fall away in excitement for the holidays, I want to really be present in the moment and notice November for what it has to offer. There will be plenty of time for the holidays after, I promise.
Here are a few ideas I have to help me be present this month. Have ideas of your own? Please share them, I’d love to add to my list.
Tips to Stay in the Moment in November
1. Enjoy the fall weather! Temperatures will be dropping before we know it, so I’m relishing the chance to wear cute falls coats before the serious down needs to come out. Plus, it’s still the perfect time for cute knitted headbands and sleek, flattering boots.
2. Take time to enjoy the calm. The flurry of holiday activity will be upon us in full force soon, so enjoying this calm before the storm is essential to avoiding holiday stress and burn out.
3. Look to four-legged inspiration. Borrow a friend’s dog for a walk (seriously, you can borrow mine) or pet a friendly cat. Animals really remind us to stay in the moment! Dogs really couldn’t give a howl about how long your to-do list is for the holidays. They just want your attention-now.
4. Notice the beauty of fall. November doesn’t have a reputation for being a beautiful month, but that doesn’t mean it’s without its own beauty. It just might take an extra moment to pause and notice it.
5. Gear up the gratitude. “The crazy thing about being thankful is that it’s the shortest distance between feeling OK and feeling great,” writes columnist Kim Ode. We have weeks of the holiday season devoted to giving and receiving, but just one day for gratitude. So the weeks leading up to Thanksgiving are a perfect time for focusing on gratitude (even if what you’re grateful for is that the holiday season is right around the corner!).
Media Kit For Bloggers Giveaway
This giveaway is especially for my fellow bloggers. I’ve teamed up with Lix Hewett for a giveaway of one of her stylish media kits.
Media kits are essential for every presenting your brand and stats to the world and with these gorgeous, custom-designed beauties you’re sure to make a fabulous first impression. And with this media kit for bloggers giveaway, you could get yours totally free.
Custom Media Kit Design for Bloggers
Here’s a closer look of a media kit Lix designed for a fashion blogger. I love the incorporation of photos and the clean style.
For more of Lix’s work, check out her blog and Etsy shop! She is offering a special of 10% off everything in her Etsy shop for Pink Paperdoll readers with code YAYFALL. The code is good through October 31st, same as the giveaway.
Media Kit For Bloggers Giveaway-Enter:
Host: Lix / A Classic Notion [Lix Hewett Design] Co-hosts: Marielle / This Flooded Sky · Miranda / A July Dreamer · Abbie / The Pink Paper Doll · Samantha / Coco Butter Blog · Dawn / Leroy Lime a Rafflecopter giveaway
