Wednesday, December 28, 2011

Buoys in the Snow

Is anyone else experiencing unpredictable weather this year?  On Monday I was scraping ice off my windshield in the 30 degree temperatures, and on Friday it was 65 degrees and I was rolling down the windows to get some air.  I think these buoys covered with snow are the perfect images to show the irony of the recent temperature changes.  I'd take either snow or the beach right now!
[Images courtesy of GadNugget, TopixCool Librarian Photographer, & CT Post]

Just like a Gypsy

Sometimes I wish I lived in an Airstream with homemade curtains just like a gypsy...now I can't take credit for that line, that's all Miranda Lambert's Airstream Song.  But I definitely agree with her- the freedom, adventure, and traveling that would come with a gypsy's life seems very enticing.  When I think of a gypsy's lifestyle, I think of rich colors, layers of textures, and treasures found from various locations.  I hope this wedding mood board inspires you in the same way that this mysterious lifestyle makes me daydream.
[Images courtesy of Style Me Pretty, Ruffled, & Southern Aisle]

Tuesday, December 27, 2011

Snug and Cozy

It makes me so sad to see Christmas trees on the side of the road for the garbage man to come pick up! I hate saying goodbye to the Christmas season- just when everyone was becoming so jolly and cheery it seems like it was gone in a blink.  I'm hanging on to the last few days of the scent of pine filling our house, the last twinkles of the lights, and the last few leftover cookies.  I'm looking forward to a New Year filled with rustic details, snowy days, cozy blankets, and warm lit fires.

Sunday, December 25, 2011

Winter Wedges

Who said wedges were only for summer?  Rich textures like suede, leather, and snakeskin make these shoes perfect when paired with stockings, leggings, or trousers. Their rich, neutral tones can be combined with winter whites or dark regals- perfect for the colder temperatures.
[a. Kors by Michael Kors Malone,  b. Kate Spade Kiki, c. Seychelles Typewriter,  d. Aldo Melquiste,  e. Kate Spade Caelyn,  f. Steve Madden Roxxiee,  g. Seychelles Eye to Eye II,  h. Naughty Monkey Vice]  Bandolino Edoile

New Christmas Traditions

Our Christmas this year was filled with the challenges and excitement of blending old traditions with new.  Between trying to coordinate schedules, getting time off from work, and being 5 hours away from family, we had to let go of some of the traditions we had while growing up and create new traditions of our own.  I will never forget the night Chris and I went to pick out our Christmas tree. After singing Country Christmas carols on the way there, strapping it to the roof & digging out the ornament boxes, we restrung the lights and star garland until they were just right and hung ornaments that our parents had given us from childhood.  The tree was snowman themed, complete with a top hat and red bulbs.  Almost every ornament was a snowman that my mom and I had painted or collected while I was growing up.

I've always wanted to be one of those people whose packages are all wrapped in coordinating paper.  I'm proud to say that I was- each gift was wrapped in either brown kraft paper or navy snowman paper with twine and red ribbon.  Our stockings were also Snowmen, hung on reindeer hooks.  They looked so nice glowing by the multiple fires that Chris has made this season.  

Both of our families came to our apartment a few days before Christmas so that we could all be together to celebrate. Setting the table and cooking together was so fun, and afterwards we opened gifts and watched National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation (a tradition of both of our families that we could share together).  Dad made the neatest wooden shelf tray from rustic bard board and a snowman from light blocks to add to my snowman collection. And I had to include a picture of my first Kate from Chris :)

Our first Christmas together was different from anything we could have imagined- but it was perfect.  I look forward to many more Christmases together and can't wait for traditions to be made for the first time and celebrated for years to come.
[Photo editing courtesy of Instagram]

Merry Christmas 2011

I hope everyone has a wonderful Christmas surrounded by family and friends.  One of my favorite things about Christmas is wrapping gifts- my family would ask me to wrap all their gifts for other people, and I would happily say yes.  I hope the presents under your tree are as pretty on the outside as these stunning images.  But most importantly, I hope the best gift you receive is the time spent with your family. Merry Christmas to you and yours.
[Images courtesy of Brunch at Saks, Coco & Kelley, 79 Ideas, & Tumblr]

Saturday, December 17, 2011

Gift Guide: For Her

Pardon me while I'm being selfish...but here are a few gift ideas that any girl would like (not just me!) The neutral tones these items have make them transitional from one season to the next.  Except for that Anthro Christmas tree.  I'll just take that now and put it right on the mantle :)
a.  Anthropologie Printed Paper Tree
b.  Lia Sophia Cabana Necklace
c.  Pottery Barn Emmett Medium Jewelry Box
d.  Anthropologie Prospector's Prize Dangles
e.  Butter London Nail Lacquer

Thursday, December 15, 2011

Gift Guide: For the Couple

I am thankful for a productive weekend of Christmas shopping.  For me, one of the best things about gift giving (besides watching the person open it) is taking time to wrap it just right.  Brown craft paper and white paper doilies have been my go-to wrapping supplies this Christmas.  As for the gifts themselves- sometimes I think the hardest people to buy for is a couple.  Here are some simple gifts that both mr. and mrs. can enjoy.
a.  Garden & Gun Antler Note Cards
b.  Fifteen/Eleven Holiday Gift Tags
c.  Rocky Mountain Hardware
d.  Merry Christmas Burlap Pillow

Monday, December 5, 2011

DIY: Holiday Wreath

A few weeks ago I posted a montage of wreaths to inspire me to create a wreath of my own for the holidays.  I found a twig wreath base at Big Lots on clearance for $5...so I decided to start there.  I began to build off of the rustic style wreath and bought some berry springs and frosty branches from Michaels fake floral section. I also got some unfinished wooden letters to paint.  I simply cut the fake branches and twigs into smaller pieces and tucked them into the wreath using brown wire.  I painted the letters burgundy and hot glued them on top of the fake branches.  So easy! What do ya think?
a.  Twig Wreath
b.  Unfinished Wooden Letters
c.  Berry Spray
d.  Liquitex Basics Acrylic Paint
e.  Brown Craft Wire
f.  Natural Birch Branch with Glitter

[All my supplies came from Michaels and Big Lots, but above are links to similar items to help you build your own]