Happy Holidays!

I wish you all the merriest of Christmas and the brightest of new year! Thank you for reading and supporting this little blog. I have some goals for 2009 as I'm sure you all do, and I can't wait to share them with you! I'll see you back here in January!

*Photo source: Sprinkles Cupcakes

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Happy Friday: Last Minute Ideas

I don't think I need to tell you that Christmas is only 6 days away (how did that happen?)! We finally purchased our tree, finished gift shopping, and mailed cards earlier this week. I was so upset that it took so long for us to get our act together, but I am a perfectionist when it comes to these things. Melissa is encouraging us to put less pressure on ourselves, when clearly there are bigger things in life than having the perfect Christmas decor! However, I'm crossing my fingers that my internet orders will arrive by the end of today so I can mail them tomorrow! Shoot, it's going to be crazy at the post office. God bless the mail and shipping folks!

If you still need to some ideas for the holidays, here are some things you can still do this weekend with a few hours and/or a small budget. Have a great weekend!



~Photo credits~


1. Purchase some small potted plants and embellish with a festive ribbon.
via Better Homes & Gardens
2. Printable calendar by Little Brown Pen. For just $5, you can purchase a PDF file and print out
as many copies as you want to give as gifts. Just be sure to use a heavy cardstock.
3. Love him or hate him, you have to admit that Eddie Ross's DIY wreath is easy and gorgeous!
4. My husband loves a moderate amount of Christmas decor like this. How much easier can you get? via small space style

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In the Mood...

Holly of decor8 is encouraging her readers to share who and what is inspiring them via mood boards. I'm unfortunately having a difficult time taking a photo of mine, because as luck would have it it has been raining and overcast here in San Diego (not that I mind the change in weather :) )! And we all know that natural light from sunshine aids in creating great photos. Holly is accepting mood board admissions until today, so go!

In the meantime I'd like to share what's inspiring me right now, via other people's mood boards:

This is similar to my current mood board: reds and greys

I love the colors and the same exact tearsheets I have from domino

So simultaneously charming and peaceful

*Photo credits*
saffronknitworks
maliburachel
Studio Pink

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A Late Happy and Restful Weekend!

I would be remiss to not wish you all a happy and restful weekend! Mine is definitely not going to be restful! I had to work today and again tomorrow, as well as attend a party after both shifts. And if that wasn't enough, we still need to buy a tree! Well, at least with these images I can pretend to be calm and well- rested!

With such a beautiful color combination, this is a true
creative sanctuary!

Love the sunny room with its cherry blossoms!

*Photo Credits, top to bottom*
~mood board by Veronica TM
~sfgirlbybay
~ via Two Peas in a Bucket

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It's a (Pretty) Wrap!

I'm participating in a few gift swaps this holiday season. Most are inexpensive (under $10), which does require some creative thinking in order to get a beautiful item. So far I've enjoyed the process, and I've found some wonderful gift ideas that don't cost a lot of money. Yay! Now I'm looking for beautiful and creative ways to present these gifts. I believe that the wrapping is as important as the gift itself. These ideas are such a treat--- who can resist not opening them?
1. You can't go wrong with using recycle papers. A variation to this idea would be to use kraft or butcher paper. You could embellish it with rubber stamps (potato stamps will work too!) or stickers. 2. The talented Margo gave this to a friend who moved into her own apartment for the first time.
3. You can find the instructions this Martha Stewart project here.
4. A personal favorite since high school: Using last Sunday's paper to wrap gifts.
5. Use items found in nature. Just make sure it's ok to collect that pinecone or leaf--- some public parks and wilderness reserves have strict laws about that.

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Design Freebie: Gift Tags

Looking for something to top off that wrapped gift? I suggest you print out these Delight gift tags on a cardstock. Best of all, they're free! Also, be sure to check out Delight for some unique gift ideas!

*via Creature Comforts

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Holiday Dining

We were supposed to host a Christmas feast of sorts this past weekend, but unfortunately we had to cancel it at the last minute for various reasons. Luckily for us some good friends invited us to their home for dinner, so all was not lost in terms of party fun. I refuse to be depressed at this time despite the trials and difficulties we are currently facing as a family and as a nation. I remain hopeful and optimistic because there is someone greater than this universe; shouldn't we dwell on the meaning of the season rather than on the stress?

I would like to share some of the holiday entertaining inspiration I've saved. Did I mention that my friends who hosted the fabulous dinner party have a gorgeous home matched only by its equally gorgeous decor?















*Photo sources: Martha Stewart, Hostess with the Mostess, Habitually Chic

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