Champagne + Sparkles - last post of 2010

(source: 1, 2, 3)

2010 has been nothing short of an adventure. As I had hoped, I have learned life lessons, made new friends, been reunited with old and dear ones, been stretched to the limit, accomplished new things through the grace of God, and have been humbled through the love of my family. I really can't wait for 2011:D I am working on some resolutions. What are yours?? 

THANKYOU for being a part of this little blog and making it so much fun for me!

Don't you love this poster? It shares some pretty wise words by a pretty wise guy you might recognize;) Will see you in the New Year! You can bet I will be celebrating with champagne and sparkles...

Merry Christmas from my Family to Yours! + Photo Outtakes:)

Hello loves! I hope you are enjoying the Holidays with your family! There are TWELVE days of Christmas so we are still celebrating!! Christmas cards are going out late this year, but wanted to share these with you....I am sure those of you with kids can agree that you will get maybe ONE good photo out of 100 taken! I love looking at the outtakes though. So funny. My sister and I took each other's pics this year, and she did such a good job with making little G smile:)  

These boys make me so happy....

Also, I guest posted over on Jennifer's blog....one of my fave Style blogs:D You can see what my top three items I can't live without, what I would do with a million dollars, and personal style picks:) Come say hi! 

"Come and behold Him, born the King of Angels"

Celebrating with much joy the coming of the King....

Wishing you and your family a beautiful Holiday!

Holiday Inspiration - Guest Post

Clockwise 1. Ban.do 2. French by Design 3. Design Crush 4. WORC

I am guest posting today over on AB's blog! Come say hello!

Arrived safely in St. Louis and soaking up time with all of my brothers, sisters, and parents:)

Hope the Christmas spirit is starting to seep in for each of you!

Holiday Gifts in Jars Pt. 2

These are the little surprises in jars I promised to share:) I wanted to give something to our friends that they could re-use after the goodies were gone. If you need a last minute gift idea, here you go!

Supplies:

Glass Jars (Hobby Lobby)

Festive Ribbon

Holiday Tags (you can download the ones pictured here)

Ornaments (optional-easy to find!)

Old Fashioned Peppermints

Cocoa Mix

Easy Cocoa Mix Recipe:

2 cups nonfat dry milk powder

3/4 cup sugar

1/2 cup unsweetened cocoa

1/2 cup powdered nondairy creamer

1/8 teaspoon salt

And Congrats to Camille! You won the note card set of your choice from and Everything Nice!!

Will be contacting you for your choice!

Christmas Baking Inspiration

1. Homemade Peppermint Patties via Butterfly Foodie  2. Chocolate Peppermint Crinkle Cookies via Food Royale  3. Chewy Ginger Molasses Cookies via Sweet Tooth 4. Chocolate and Caramel Dipped Marshmallows via One Charming Party

We are heading to St. Louis tomorrow where 10 out of 11 of my brothers and sisters (we will miss you Jana!) + husbands + a few grandkids will be gathering for Christmas! Excitement would be an understatement. We literally have an "itinerary of fun" that we have mapped out. Besides, we only get to all be together once in a blue moon :) Baking Christmas cookies is on the list. Followed by a SERIOUS decorating contest. Do you all get to have some baking time with loved ones this week?

Something about food can really bring people together;)

Style Files: Crimson Red - Pt. 2

(source: 1, 2, 3, 4)

I am still crazy about this color, and of course Anthropologie has the perfect accessories in this shade.

And I was happy to find some braided inspiration:) I frequent braids quite often...especially on bad hair days. Lucky for me, my husband loves when I wear my hair in braids -yeah he loves my bad hair days?!

We are going to attempt family pictures this weekend in a very spur of the moment decision to do Christmas cards! Wish me luck! 

Fun Links for your weekend:

Don't forget about And Everything Nice's Note Card giveaway! The perfect little stocking stuffer!!

Check out this adorable free owl wrapping download from My Owl Barn.

Here is what I gave Ashley on the 7th day of Christmas...:)

This little fur vest is a perfect example of why, if I have a girl, it would be dangerous.

Gift guide for the guys and for your girlfriends.

DIY Feature: Gifts in Jars

(Christmas in a Bottle via the City Cradle)

(sewing kit in a jar - pinterest)

(cupcakes in a jar via mycakies)

Later on today I will show you the little gifts in jars that I am giving to neighbors. Thought I would also share these adorable ideas. Wouldn't you love to receive something like this? Such a fun and personal gift! I hope this sparks your creativity and gives you some ideas:)

12 Days of Christmas Gift Exchange - The 6th Day

The most perfect handmade necklace I ever did see!!

No seriously! Michelle from Studio Surface blog was my secret santa in Aspiring Splendor's 12 days of Christmas blogger gift exchange. She sent the gift in a handmade envelope, with a handmade ornament on back, filled with this handmade necklace from her shop. I keep staring at its delicate perfection. She must have known somehow that I LOVE accessories....hmmmm ;) 

Tune into Lemon and Lavender tomorrow to see what ruffly gift for her home I sent her way!

Sponsor Feature + Giveaway - And Everything Nice

Meet Anna from: And Everything Nice - She has a brand new shop of paper goods on etsy. Christmas cards, note, cards, and invites! She is such a sweetheart and I know you will LOVE keeping up with her! She is offering some last minute stocking stuffers in a GIVEAWAY! Your choice of note cards!

To ENTER (must be a follower or subscriber of IHOD):

- Simply visit her shop and let us know which note card set makes you smile:)

Extra Entries (separate comment for each):

- Favorite her shop on etsy <3

-Follow her fabulous blog!

- Blog, Tweet, or Faceook about the giveaway

example tweet: Just entered to win the #giveaway @inhonorofdesign for a notecard set of choice from @theniceblog

For the lucky lucky winner of Make Your Day Designs Serendipity Set....... #17 Swoodsonshoeclips!

Please email me your address when you get the chance! Thank you for entering!

Meet the Blogger: Rachel of Lovely Clusters

*I am so happy to introduce you to Rachel- one of my very first favorite blogs. She is bursting with talent and inspiration:) If you are a small business owner take note! :) 

Which has been the best aspect of blogging for you?

Being able to meet new people from all around the world that have similar interests to me. I feel like I am part of a great supportive community and I love how everyone is so nice and generous. 

What inspired the Lovely Clusters Gallery/Shop?

It actually started with a sentence that I saw on Rachel Ashwell’s blog. On one of her beautiful photos she wrote “clusters of loveliness”. I just adored how that sounded so I started thinking of a way I could use those words. I decided to create a theme on my blog where I would create a cluster of images whether it be by color, category or mini portfolio of an artist or designers work. During that time I started getting really into Etsy and got lost on it for hours on end. I felt like I was rummaging through a flea market. I thought that by cataloging my favorite items on my blog and by adding them to my favorites on Etsy, it would be a good way to go back and find lovely sellers and items, but the navigation wasn’t quite right. I am a graphic and web designer so I figured that I could design a website where you could easily find favorite sellers and items by color or category. Once I had that idea I mulled it over in my head for 2 months and one day I just decided that I had to do it. It has been so much fun ever since!  I love meeting new sellers from around the world and constantly being inspired by the large amount of creative individuals out there.

(source via Lovely Clusters)

What are your favorite resources for inspiration and creative ideas?

I am an internet junkie so I am constantly looking for beautiful photos from pinterest.com, flickr.com, tumblr.com and of course other blogs on my google reader. Lately I love browsing chic magazine and catalogs online on issuu.com.

(via Lovely Clusters Shops)

For small business owners, what have been the #1 tools for your success?
1. Online Networking with other small businesses and bloggers through twitter, blogging, facebook, and email. I would not be where I am today without it all.
2. I also don't know what I would do without photoshop. My internet browser and photoshop are the two things I open up first thing in the morning.
3. My camera has also been quite handy. I get the best responses when I add my own photos to the blog and its a great way to log my creative path. 

(source via Lovely Clusters)

Just for fun- what are your 5 must haves as a designer? My Inspiration Board , Photoshop, Printer/Scanner, Camera

Lovely Clusters

Blog | Twitter | Facebook | Shop Gallery

Handmade Holiday Gift Guide: A Little Glamour and Glitz

1. Turquoise Big Bow Headband - The Artisan   2. Camelia Necklace - Anapinatelier

3. Serendipity Necklace - Days Gone Design   4. Mini Bow Shoe Clips - No.144

5. Georgia Satin Clutch - EmmaGordon  6. ipod sleeve - ellivenstudio

7. It's A Wrap Bracelet -LeeLaLa  8. Swap Flowers Brooch - Vadjutka Jewelry

Here is the last of the Handmade Holiday Gift Guides! 

THANKYOU to everyone who submitted their shops! Had so much fun!

* You could win #3 by entering the Make Your Day Designs giveaway! Check it out:)

P.S. This is the last weekend my shop will open before closing for the Holidays! I will be offering a weekend long sale! 20% off your entire purchase by entering HOLIDAY20 in the coupon code section. Have a wonderful December weekend!

Advent Calendar 2010

Remember how I told you I was working on this surprise for my little family? Well on the feast of St. Nicholas I gave it to my husband to start our tradition with our kids. Each day is numbered from December 1st- 24th, counting down the days until Christmas. Each pouch will be filled with sweets, ornaments, and other surprises, along with a daily verse to help us remember we are celebrating the coming of the newborn King! 

These are so easy to make!

Supplies:

-Burlap fabric (about 1/2 yard)

- Cloth Bags (I bought mine from Hooray)

-Scalloped punch

-dowel rod or curtain rod

- rope string or cord

-Decorations (trim, mini ornaments, etc.)

Directions:

-Hand stitch the bags in rows along the burlap fabric (or just hot glue).

-Print or stamp numbers on scalloped punches

- Hole punch the tags and tie along the strings

-Add any extra decor items to personalize

- Fill with goodies and sweet messages

-Tie rope/cord along both sides of your rod and hang!

I hope this inspires you to try some of your own Christmas traditions you have been wanting to do. It made me so happy to see my little boy reach in the pocket to pull out his train ornament the first day:) Simple efforts can be returned with such simple joys!

Handmade Holiday Gift Guide: Papery Goodness

1. Special Delivery Tags - Snicklefritzandpj   2. Letter to Santa - Chickabug

3. Holiday Address Labels - BlushPrintables   4. Merry Christmas Stir Sticks - LemonandLavender

5. Note Card Series - And Everything Nice   6. A Gift for You Tags - thePrettyPaperie

7. Mae - Christmas Card - SimplyStated   8. Chic Personal Stationary - PixieChicago

9. Spool Trimmings - Hooray   10. 2011 Desktop Calendar - Grace Hester Designs

11. Smoking Hot Gent - LittleRetreats   12. Converse Save the Dates - Curtsy Invitations

Handmade, Affordable, and fun Papery Goodness for you to dive into!!! 

Visit these shops! You will <3 each and every one! 

Handmade Holiday Giveaway: Make Your Day Designs

I've had the pleasure of getting to know Colbey, the talent behind Make Your Day Designs. She creates beautiful step by step patterns that you can purchase online, and she also has finished products! Best of both worlds! She has generously offered the beautiful Serendipity Necklace and Bracelet Set! Handmade by Colbey with Vintage Italian Buttons!! Isn't is STUNNING?!

To Enter (must be a follower or subscriber of IHOD):

1) Visit her Finished Products Section and let us know which you are impressed by:)

Extra Entries (separate entry for each):

-Blog, Tweet, or Facebook about the Giveaway

*example tweet: Just entered the Handmade Holiday #Giveaway to win the Serendipity Set @inhonorofdesign.

- Subscribe to Colbey's blog

And the winner of the Gilded Bee Kit Giveaway......#70 Silenti Congratulations lucky girl! Please email me your mailing address:)

Gift Guide: Modern Mama Must Haves

Had to share you with you my personal top picks for the Modern Mama:)

1)  Mama's.Diaper.Bag - peacelovenpolkadots (every mama should have a fun diaper bag!)

2) Flannel Whale Sling - Mr & Mrs D'arcy (Going to be ordering one for my new baby)

3) Cassette Laptop Decal - Beepart (on my wishlist for jazzing up my work station)

4) Blanqi Bodystyler - Blanqi (I don't know what I would do without mine!)

Do you have any mama must haves? 

P.S. Its the last day to enter the Holiday Supreme Kit Giveaway from the Gilded Bee!

Sponsor Favorites: Harvester Products

Who doesn't appreciate something hand crocheted? I for one admire the patience and dedication it takes:) Here are some of my fave lovelies from Harvester Products! Her products are sweet and affordable!! I am dreaming of everything warm and crocheted right now in this freezing weather!

Harvester Products

Shop | Facebook

A little about the artist:

"Harvester Products was founded in 2009. My obsession with making crochet beanies prompted my husband to say, "Why don't you sell them?" Hmmm...why not? We brainstormed the idea of using the name Harvester, which is the meaning of my name, Teresa."

Thanks Teresa for sharing your talent with us!

Style Files: Bright and Bold Red and Green

(via Happenstance, Pinterest, This is Glamorous, Tulips and Flight Suits)

Get out your pops of Red or Green and get festive this weekend! Its December!!

I am really looking forward to the Holiday Fair tomorrow, Christmas Parties, and ending the weekend with Advent by Candlelight...an amazing event my sister put together for the women of our parish to help center our hearts for the coming of Christmas! 

Wishing you a wonderful weekend!

DIY Gift Tags: Free Printable Gift Tags

Dianna asked me to share a Holiday printable for her Give Thanks Blog Event. Simply download and print on cardstock, or print on regular paper to glue on holiday paper (as pictured). 

I hope these can come in handy for you! Don't you love wrapping presents?? :)

DOWNLOAD HOLIDAY FREEBIE

I am cramming in some crafting for my last Holiday Fair on Saturday! Wish me luck!


P.S. Don't forget to enter the Gilded Bee Holiday Kit Giveaway to package all those Christmas gifts!

Handmade Holiday Gift Guide: Happy Home

1. Holiday Yarn Wreath - Lovely Nest   2. Dauville Gold Brushed Bowls - One Sydney Road 

3. Burlap Wine Bags - South House Boutique   4. Royal Purple Wallflowers - Lilac Saloon

5. Wall Key Hanger and Vase - Old NewAgain   6. Holly Berry Soy Candle - Candles By Nature

7. Modern Bird Dessert Pedestal - Burlap + Blue 8. Charcoal Grey Ruffle Pillow Cover - Hettle Creative

Hard to choose from so many beautiful home decor pieces. These are all affordable, unique, and handmade! So visit these lovely artists and check out their other goodies!

*I have the Holly Berry Soy Candle...it is DIVINE! It smells amazing!