It's Beginning to Look a lot Like Christmas

I've been spending the past couple of weeks getting the house all sparkly and Christmas-y. Tomorrow night we host our annual Christmas party - the one party a year where we banish all  persons under the age of 21 from our house so we can maintain adult conversation without having to referee miniature maniacs who are tweaked out on sugar. I love to go all out for this party! I channel my inner Martha Stewart - who I happen to think is way more down to earth than the actual Martha - and I get decorating!

• First, get yourself some glitter spray paint. Spray everything you come in contact with. I chose to spray cotton balls and, using a needle and thread, create a falling snow scene. (I can't wait to use the glitter paint to make these trees!) 
• Second, get yourself some pretty paper and cut it into strips for a paper chain. I remember making these as a kid and I was able to share this craft with my 5 year old. 
• Third, make gift wrap simple. I keep kraft paper, various ribbon and twine, and blank gift tags on hand all year. I just change the stamp on the gift tags depending on the occasion. That way I'm not overloaded on pricey giftwrap and the pile under my tree looks unified.  

Glitter painted "snow"

The classic paper chain

The Christmas Mantle (with a bit of my man in the shot!)

Easy & elegant wrapping - kraft paper, twine, ribbon, blank gift tags,  & a unique stamp

What are some of your favorite holiday crafts and decorations?

An Early Present to Myself!

I am very excited because I just bought myself this new record by She&Him. A Christmas record! And it red vinyl! Now the only thing left for me to do is to wait patiently by the mailbox...still waiting...

Are you going to get yourself an early present? If so, what is it?!

Wedding Redo

I've been scouting photographer blogs lately and have seen some beautiful wedding shots. Which make me wistful for a wedding. You see, I'm already married. I've had a wedding. And I want a wedding redo. On my wedding day I let a friend style my hair (badly), a relative do my makeup (badly,) my sister-in-law pick the bridesmaids dresses (I still can't apologize enough to my bridesmaids who wore them,) and I was bloated and in my first trimester (oops!) 

I don't mean to make it sound like it could have been an episode of my "big, fat redneck wedding." There were parts of it that were lovely! We were married in an old church that belonged to our friends who ran it as a theatre for experimental cinema. Our reception was at a funky little gallery. Our friends and family were with us and everybody had a wonderful time. It's just that at some point in the wedding process, I got exhausted with planning a wedding, work, an impending move AND baby. I sort of just threw my hands up and said "que cera cera!"

We don't even have many wedding photos that don't look like snapshops. I guess I'm going to have to dust off the wedding gown, buy my husband a new suit, and do a photo shoot in the back yard. Fake it 'til you make it, right?! Here's some inspiration:

photo by Samm Blake

from mimiandmegblog

Photo by Marianne Taylor 

greenweddingshoes.com

Photo by Samm Blake

What are your wedding inspirations?

Sometimes I Think I'm a Better Photographer With My iPhone Than With My DSLR

All of the above photos were taken by me on my iPhone. Now go check out photographer, Lisa Wiseman's "polaroids" series - taken with her iPhone.

Do you find yourself using your camera phone for everything too?

Christmas Card Time!!!!!

I've been planning the family Christmas card for months. I had been planning to do a family photo shoot for the card but I didn't have time so I settled on snapshots from the past year. I think it turned out okay though, don't you?
Does your family do holiday cards? 

The Hostess Gift

I am of the school of thought that one should never arrive at a party, dinner or cocktail, empty handed. Usually this means I run to the store en route and pick up a bottle of good, yet moderately priced wine to offer the hostess. This year I think I should class it up a bit. Maybe in addition to that good, yet moderately priced wine, I could toss in some whimsical wine glass charms. These Holly Go Lightly charms caught my eye!

Also, I am a sucker for stationary. Who wouldn't love to receive these beautiful notecards?

Penguin Book Covers from Anthropologie

Holiday Party Time

Shabby Apple

I know, I know. We haven't eaten Thanksgiving dinner and here I am talking about holiday parties. But really, those parties sneak up on you and before you know it you need to find a babysitter, a new dress, and a fabulous hostess gift! And if you're hosting, well, that will be a whole other post!

First things first, let's talk about the dress. I am all for a LBD, and this new one from Shabby Apple is what I'm hoping to wear to our annual holiday fete. I just love the classic silhouette.

Of course, I am digging the disco vibe of this little number from Jcrew.

JCrew

What type of dress are you thinking of the party season?