Bridget Jones’s Diary. I love the movie, I love the book and without fail I always want to start a diary after watching it.

My theme this year is pretty eclectic as far as colors go. My goal is to find new ways to use what [...]]]> What I call the “mantel” is actually a shelf in the dining room. I picked this up for free about three years ago in our apartment building in Brooklyn. So glad I did!

My theme this year is pretty eclectic as far as colors go. My goal is to find new ways to use what I already have. I love decorations that can be used in multiple ways.

The wooden santa is a favorite of mine! A couple of years ago I asked my moms friends if they has any old decorations that they weren’t using anymore and this santa was in the box of cast-aways. The wreath was a recent purchase from Magpie and Cake. I am 100% in love! I’ve been wanting to make a yarn wreath of my own, but when I spotted this one on sale, I couldn’t resist. I love how beautiful it is with my Christmas decor, but also love that I can use it year-round.

The apothecary jar was a wedding gift. I’ve used it for everything from holding crafting scissors, to moss for my jewelry display. I simply filled it with last years Christmas bulbs for a festive addition to the mantel/shelf.

The candelabra is from Goodwill and was used in my Halloween display. I might polish it for the holidays.

The red candle holder is from the college party days. I’ve used it in centerpieces with wreaths, or just a simple addition to the coffee table.

The knitted stockings were purchased at the Joanns after Christmas sale a few years ago. The felt stockings were gifts, and the glitter skeleton key was a recent Wal-Mart purchase for a dollar.  The glitter garland is from Michaels (half-off) and I’ve been using it on my jewelry table.

And there you have it, Holiday mantel decorating!

Simon ♥

Here’s what you need:

Yes, this is it. Honestly it’s hard to go [...]]]> I can hardly call this a recipe because they’re so easy to put together. These chocolate hazelnut bites can be assembled in less than 5 minutes and cost around $4 to make. Not only are the impressive looking, but they’re delicious.

Here’s what you need:

Yes, this is it. Honestly it’s hard to go wrong when Nutella is involved, no? I love to bake, but occasionally we all need something to bring to a party or gathering that is easy. I love how versatile these phyllo cups are. You can fill them with pratically anything and I’m convinced they will be delicious.

Fill you cups with a heaping teaspoon of Nutella.

Arrange on a white platter. I love my collection of white dishes, they make everything look better.

Top with slivered almonds or hazelnuts it you’re lucky enough to find some. Viola! Easy, impressive, inexpensive dessert for the holidays!

Variations:

Drizzle tops with white chocolate, or caramel.

Whip cream cheese (room temperature) with the Nutella for a cheesecake-ish dessert.

Whip sweetened heavy cream, fold into Nutella for a mousse-like texture.

Or top with twists of orange rind.

This guest post is written by Miranda who found a way to turn an often dreaded day into a memorable holiday tradition with her Mom. Here are her tips for making Black Friday a success.

Chances are you’ve heard the horror stories about Black Friday and maybe you’ve seen news clips of stampeding [...]]]>

This guest post is written by Miranda who found a way to turn an often dreaded day into a memorable holiday tradition with her Mom. Here are her tips for making Black Friday a success.

Chances are you’ve heard the horror stories about Black Friday and maybe you’ve seen news clips of stampeding crowds at WalMart.  But I’m willing to bet you know a few people who have score some killer deals by dragging themselves out of bed at the crack of dawn to go shopping.  (I’m one of ‘em.)  Whether or not to shop on Black Friday is a decision you’ll have to make for yourself.  If it’s not your thing then I fully support your decision to stay in bed.   But if the siren song of a door buster sale proves impossible to pass up (there’s always someone to buy for – family, friends, Toys for Tots, you) let an old Black Friday vet pass along a few tips before you find yourself standing outside an electronic store at 4AM.

Plan ahead.

I don’t care if you’re a free spirit every other day of the year; Black Friday is a day for planners.  The absolute worst thing to do is decide at the last minute where you’re going to go or what items you’re after.  This is not a time to play it by ear; this is a time to strategize.  Pick up the local newspaper on Thanksgiving Day and sort through the Black Friday ads.  Be prepared to see more ads than actual news stories.  Ads are great because they give you a tangible way to see who has the best deals and what time each store opens.  They’ll help you prioritize where to go and when.  Keep your store locations in mind too.  Strip malls are your friends.  That iPod might be $10 cheaper at a store across town but is it worth the time and energy to go so far out of your way? Probably not.

Go to bed early and eat some breakfast when you wake up.

One year I stayed up all night in line at Circuit City with my friends and it was one of the most miserable experiences of my life.  By 7 AM we were cranky, exhausted, and mostly empty-handed.  Not worth it.  Unless you’re willing to camp out all night for a shot at being one of the ten people who gets a deal on a flat screen TV your best bet is to ride that turkey coma to an early bedtime on Thanksgiving. Try to get at least seven hours of sleep.  Take a shower when you wake up and make sure you eat a decent breakfast.  Remember, protein is your friend.

Be nice.

This seems self-explanatory, right?  It’s true there are some crazy, nasty people who hit the stores on Black Friday.  Some people will try to jump the line and get inpatient waiting in long checkout lines.  But you’re better than that.  A little kindness goes a long way with fellow shoppers, with your shopping companions, and with – wait for it – store employees.  You think you’re frustrated waiting in line?  So is the person who had to haul their cookies into work to run a cash register at 4 AM.  Smile.  Say please and thank you.  Make polite conversation.  Be a decent human being.

Divide and conquer.

Your goal at any given store should be to get in and get out as soon as possible, but you’re going to spend a lot of time waiting in line.  There are never enough cash registers to keep up with the shopping crowd.  This is a reality of Black Friday shopping and you need to accept it now.  If you need several items from one store your best bet is to split up from your shopping buddy (mine is my mom) so you can grab what you need and hop in the checkout queue.  If it looks like you’re going to be waiting for more than 20 minutes it’s not a bad idea for one person to hop in line while the other grabs one last item but do not, under any circumstances get in line with one item and hold things up while your companion tries to grab everything on her list.  Not cool.

Treat yourself.

I think if you’re willing to put in the Black Friday effort you should get something out of it.  It’s a great feeling when you score a deal on a gift for someone you love but since they won’t unwrap that present for a month I’m a big believer in the smaller, more immediate reward.  So get yourself a nice bottle of lotion while you’re shopping at Bath & Body Works or add some door buster DVDs to your personal library.  Every year when we’re done shopping my mom and I go to Bob Evans for a big, comfy, late-breakfast.  We laugh and rehash our deals (past and present) over pancakes and coffee.  It sounds silly but that’s one of my favorite holiday traditions.

I’m so excited to announce that today begins my Home for the Holidays series! Starting today and running right through Christmas my blog will turn into a holiday idea extravaganza. Everyday you will find posts with fresh decorating ideas, shopping guides, DIY gift ideas, holiday crafts, recipes and much more!

As I’ve gotten older [...]]]>

I’m so excited to announce that today begins my Home for the Holidays series! Starting today and running right through Christmas my blog will turn into a holiday idea extravaganza. Everyday you will find posts with fresh decorating ideas, shopping guides, DIY gift ideas, holiday crafts, recipes and much more!

As I’ve gotten older and moved away from home the traditions have started to fade. This is my way of finding new traditions and challenging myself to make the most of the holidays in this new chapter of my life. I hope you will join me here every day to find ideas for your family and home this holiday season!

I’ve always loved old fireplace mantels, but since we don’t have a fireplace in our house I decided to hang a shelf in the dining area for decorating. I picked this shelf up along with a lot of our furniture from the basement of our old apartment in Brooklyn. I pretty much stalked and [...]]]>

I’ve always loved old fireplace mantels, but since we don’t have a fireplace in our house I decided to hang a shelf in the dining area for decorating. I picked this shelf up along with a lot of our furniture from the basement of our old apartment in Brooklyn. I pretty much stalked and haunted the basement of our building ready to catch any old cast-aways.

After our Halloween party I’m usually completely done with Halloween. I loved Halloween as a kid and I’m still disappointed that towns usually hold it on every other day except for on Halloween. If it lands on Saturday, they have it on Thursday. If it lands on Monday they have it on Tuesday. I’m convinced that there is no good day for kids to trick-or-treat.

Remember Halloween in the 90′s?! Mark Summers Halloween special! Right after dinner, right before trick-or-treat. Awesome. I miss you Mystery Magical Special!!

Was I talking about decorating?! When I buy decorative stuff I almost always make sure I can use it in more than one way. See that old stack of books? I use that in my jewelry display along with the little metal sugar holder. Those damask plates look good during Christmas too. Of course, a bottle of absenthe and those martha stewart favor bags could be cut out and framed. The candelabra was purchased at Goodwill for about two dollars. Put a crow on top and it looks like it came from a haunted mansion.

I’m so excited about the time of year; fall is my favorite season. The crisp, cool air, pumpkins, spices, leaves, Halloween, apples…it’s all good to me. Next weekend [...]]]> So the studio is getting really close to being finished, I love it in here and it has quickly turned into my favorite room in the house.

I’m so excited about the time of year; fall is my favorite season. The crisp, cool air, pumpkins, spices, leaves, Halloween, apples…it’s all good to me. Next weekend my mom and dad visit (hopefully sister too) and I’m hoping to make a trip out to Sinkland Farms for pumpkin picking, hayrides and kettle corn.

I’ve already got one of these hanging in the car:

I’m planning out our fall porch. Things are looking a little shabby out there right now.

Pumpkin Ideas:

(via www.countryliving.com)

I saw these stenciled pumpkins a couple of years ago and I’ve yet to give them a try. I think this technique could look nice on those those light green guards and pale pumpkins.

(via www.marthastewart.com)

These look incredibly time consuming, but so lovely. I may attempt this, will you come save my sanity?

(via Rachel Denbow: Smile and Wave: Fall ’09)

This is my favorite fall color palette. That lime/celery green, violet mums, and deep orange pumpkins. I spotted a chair planter in town yesterday painted this same green with those purple mums and I’m sorta kicking myself for not getting it. The place is closed until Tuesday.

We’re also working on a plan for an edible garden in the front yard. Which is scary because we are not green thumbs and kill everything out of neglect. You have to water, fertilize and weed. I’m doing good if I remember to water and feed myself. That aside, we’re thinking one of those hose/hole automatic watering systems are needed for our neglect. Anyhow…edible garden. The best light is in the front yard and those bushes are thriving, but they’re bushes and you can’t eat those.

Just a little dreaming and scheming:

(via Gapers Block)

(via Lorna’s Sass at Large)

(via roomu)

(via green matters)

I didn’t realize how much I liked to cook until I moved to Brooklyn. This had [...]]]> This is a week late, but as it goes I just uploaded these photos today. The holidays are in threes around here, but I only took pictures of the second one. Cooking had something to do with that.

I didn’t realize how much I liked to cook until I moved to Brooklyn. This had nothing to do with Brooklyn but more with my influences. As it turns out most creative bloggers are not only great with a paint brush or the sewing machine, but also masters of the kitchen. This inspired me and made me realize that cooking had less to do with frozen or convenience foods and more to do with passion and creativity.

And so I cooked and learned and documented the process. A process that is still evolving and growing and one that keeps me excited about the 1,176 meals (give or take) I consume each year.

Thanksgiving was the usual suspects: turkey, mashed potatoes, sweet potatoes, rolls, mixed greens salad, broccoli, stuffing and pumpkin pie. The turkey was heritage and local. The broccoli and salad were local too. The stuffing had bacon, though good, needed to be more crispy. The potatoes and rolls were from the pioneer woman, of course, the master of comfort food. And the sweet potatoes and pie were from Josh’s mom and step-dad.

The blue dishes were my grandmother’s. It’s nice to have connectedness through them and as a little tradition with myself. I used them in Brooklyn when it was just me and Josh and again here in Virginia.

The other two Thanksgivings were great too. One in West Virginia with my family and some pretty hilarious antics going on this year with my aunt. And another with Josh’s dad with delicious roasted lamb and potatoes.