Month: December 2017

Bribes for Santa

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Milk Glass//Cake Stand//Dessert Plates//Napkins

One of my favorite things about Christmas is getting to make Candy Cane Cookies. I had these cookies for the first time at my uncle and aunt’s house many moons ago during a Christmas baking extravaganza. Ever since, they have been my favorite cookies and one of the things I most associate with Christmas. Ever year, a few weeks before Christmas, I ask for the recipe from my aunt and uncle as it’s a super secret family recipe, and they are kind enough to share it with me. It’s one of the ways I know they love me because I’m one of the only family members that has it! The recipe comes from my uncle’s mother, Lois Lucille Herrin, and they’ve been my uncle Mark’s favorite cookies since he was two. I love continuing the family tradition by making these cookies every year. While I can’t share the recipe with you, I’d love to know if your family has their own secret family Christmas recipe.

As an adult, I don’t usually leave out cookies for Santa anymore, but because we’re celebrating Christmas in our first home this year, it’s making me think of all my Christmas traditions from growing up. One of my favorite was leaving cookies and milk out for Santa and finding that they’d been nibbled on in the morning. This year, I decided to take an “adult” take on the theme of leaving out cookies for Santa and decided to “bribe” him with the very best treat I know of – Candy Cane Cookies! If he doesn’t put me in the “Nice” column after sharing these cookies with him, I don’t know what it will take. I also loved these gold-rimmed milk glasses, nice/naughty plates, and striped Christmas napkins to complete the theme.

Do you have certain things that make it feel like the Holidays in your family? I’m certainly looking forward to devouring some of these cookies as well as having a few days to relax with family.

Gifting for the Humble Abode

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This year, home for the holidays has a special meaning for me because it’s the first time Tom and I will celebrate Christmas in our very own home. One of the first things I did in preparation for the Holidays was to go out and buy the largest tree that would fit in front of our windows. I’ve always loved a tree in front of a window because not only do you get to enjoy it, but those on the outside do, too.

When it came to thinking about gifts for the home, I gravitated towards really unique items that would really make a house a home. Those things that show others a bit more of your personality and make coming home feel special.

I really love the idea of pairing this acrylic book stand with a gorgeous coffee table book. I have lots and lots of coffee table books that I absolutely love and while they look good sitting on a shelf or the table, I’ve hardly ever seen a guest look at one. I like the idea that you could open your favorite book to your favorite page and encourage guests to thumb through it. Continuing with the book theme, I’m feeling like my bookcases could use a little kick. I love the idea of pairing these beautiful bookends with your most tattered and beloved books to create a beautiful contrast on your cases.

I also looked for items that I thought would make a space cozy and bright. I’m completely obsessed with these pillowcases by Elizabeth Few. I saw them first at Roxie Daisy here in Charlottesville and have been completely in love ever since. I also love the idea of using this coverlet during the holiday months. How amazing would an emerald green velvet coverlet look this time of year.

And last, but not least, those emoji notecards. Last year, I got some emoji cocktail napkins that I just love, and I wanted to continue the theme. My husband has been really into writing handwritten letters this year, and I love the fact that these pair the best of technology with a good, old fashioned note.

I hope you find something in here that will bring a special touch to the homes of those you love this year.

Merry Merry!

All The Things She Wants for Christmas

Gift Guide 2017 - Her

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I have a confession to make. Even though I’m almost thirty, I still make a Christmas list each and every year. Last year, I happened to share my digital Christmas list with my girlfriends when we were out shopping for the holidays. I’d recently started making my list in Google docs and adding pictures and links so my family and friends could easily shop my Christmas list. You see I just don’t see the point in having someone spend hours during what’s already a stressful time of year picking out something they think I might like only to have me go and return it a week later.

This year, I’ve decided to share my Christmas list a little more broadly with not only my family, but those of you who might be looking for great gifts for your loved ones this year. This first gift guide is really focused on clothes, shoes, and accessories for the women in your life, and I hope to include similar ones for home, travel, and beauty before it’s too late to ship presents in time for Christmas.

One theme you’ll notice about my gift guide as it includes not only my love for all things simple (that white coat) and the things you might want to pair with it to give it a little oomph, but it also showcases my love for an incredible pattern (that bomber jacket). Speaking of that white coat, when I was in college, my dad offered to buy me a dressy coat for Christmas very much like the one pictured. Unfortunately I turned him down because I didn’t feel grownup enough or responsible enough to have a beautiful ladylike coat (hello frat basements), but if there’s one thing I could go back and change now it would be saying yes to that coat even if it hung in my closet for the next ten years. You see I think that’s the beauty of buying something classic. While you might not wear it everyday, over the course of many years, it’ll really begin to payoff. That being said, while I love going for a classic gift for the holidays, I think it’s also really fun to give something that’s really unique and special and not at all practical that the receiver probably would never buy for themselves. Ultimately, I think that’s the fun of the holiday season, it’s a time when it’s completely appropriate to spoil those you love just a little bit whether it’s with something you know they’ll love for years to come or something they are dying to have right now.

I’m curious though, what’s on your Christmas list this year? What kind of gifts do you like to give? Are you the classic gift giver or the completely impracticable, but amazing gift giver? I hope you’ll share your thoughts in the comment below.

Here’s wishing you all a wonderful Holiday season filled with lots of cheer!