Friday

currently love

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:image: this little trusty notebook has carried all my ideas this month


the BIG holiday is upon us. i have been trying to squeeze every ounce of hours out of my days lately, just so i have something else to check off my list. i adore being in my kitchen preparing treats i have not attempted before (so far so good!) and dressing it all up in pretty packaging. i think, as i am getting older, i love mostly now the foods that holidays force us to make/eat rather than the gift aspect. i get more excited about the gathering of our family and special friends around the table more than anything else. enjoy your weekend and merry christmas :)

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:image: one piece of this white chocolate bark is delicious with coffee

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:image: this friendly reindeer greets us everyday in december

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:image: dusting homemade marshmallows. i used this recipe and they turned out fluffy and mouth-watering


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:image: my mother's silverware that i used as a child


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:image: our christmas tree. the woodland animals are my favorite.



Wednesday

a weekend retreat

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:image: lovely side street


this past weekend we traveled to st. augustine with our friends. this little town is our usual go-to for a quick relaxing couple of days. the laid back atmosphere, little shops, and quite the temperature change give us that out-of-state feeling, with only a three hour drive north. during the holiday season, the downtown area is decorated in white twinkling lights and greenery, and we can't help but get a little more giddy christmas is just a few days away.

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:image: my husband and myself, photo by b.c.

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:image: we were serenaded by santa, photo by b.c.

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:image: we had delicious wine and tapas for dinner here

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:image: lights display in downtown, photo by b.c.

Tuesday

for your favorite...

:friend:

laughing, shopping, eating dessert, saying silly things, that is what a friend is for; someone you share a lot of your life with and would do anything for. you know what they like and what they would love. when it comes to gifts for friends, i always say to get them something that they would not normally indulge in for themselves. make it a special gift...something that will remind them of you.

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:image: these come in a pretty array of colors; she'll be set for all year


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:image: she will love this delicate initial necklace; a great staple


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:image: she will rely on this soft wrap everywhere she goes


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:image: a pedicure gift to her favorite spa; need i say more?


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:image: every girl needs a great clutch. this one has a fun polka-dot lining.


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:image: these beautifully scented candles will become a regular on her wishlists





*these gift suggestions are also great for moms, sisters, and all the women in your life!

Friday

currently love

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:image: clever way to display received christmas cards


this week i was able to finish gift shopping and i am relieved of that. the past couple of years i think i was in denial of how close christmas was and waited until the few days before to even start shopping. now my only tasks are to start wrapping and baking. i am so happy the glorious holiday is just about a week away. more and more lights are going up outside in our neighborhood and it's really starting to sink in. this weekend we are taking a quick trip with some friends to st. augustine to see their grand light display in the historic downtown. i love short getaways...they are the icing of life. i'll be back with a tuesday blog.
enjoy your weekend.


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:image: my favorite, pink lady apples are just the right amount of sweet and crunch

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:image: new owl trinket dish to hold my wedding rings
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:image: can not wait to use these pretty cupcake liners from here

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:image: fun holiday nails for our weekend trip, i used this and this


Thursday

for your favorite...

:hostess:

if you are attending any holiday parties this coming weekend, i have compiled here a few reasonably priced gifts your host will love. i always think to bring something pretty, something smart, something sweet, or something drinkable. if you are just meeting your host, bring something sweet or drinkable. if a friend or family member is hosting, you can never go wrong with any of the above. have fun!

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:image: one of these stoneware baskets will be a hit with a tasty treat inside

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:image: give this adorable cupcake ornament for the tree, and you will always be thought of

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:image: any of these hot chocolate mixes with a pretty ribbon, anyone will be sure to love

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:image: the inner-designer of your host will love this book

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:image: this candle will make their house smell like the real thing

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:image: these fun kate spade thank you notes will make them smile
(hopefully one will end up in your mailbox!)








Wednesday

paper goods

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cardmaking is a hobby of mine. i try to make cards for all seasons but it seems i get especially energetic about making them for christmas. i send them out, give them as gift packs and cut smaller ones for gift tags. usually on a given night, i can make about four or five before i go to sleep. i love the effect that i can get by using craft scissors for a raw edge and i love the simple ease of double stick tape. i have quite a large amount of paper from this store that i buy in big stacks which is more cost efficient than separate sheets. if you're feeling a bit crafty, make a couple cards. you will be surprised at what you can come up with.


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:image: similar paper found here


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:finished result from last years batch:

Tuesday

chicken noodle soup


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i think i may be able to live on soup. i came across this recipe and have created it about 20 times this year. it is especially good if you may be feeling a little under the weather and need a homemade pick-me-up. i use left over chicken i have roasted from a night or two before and sometimes add spinach and even white kidney beans. during the summer i add refreshing lemon and parmesean. this has to be my most favorite soup. simple and clean and oh-so-good for you.


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Monday

a little snow...

:image: washington

if you're like me, and live in florida, you don't have the pleasure of seeing alot of snow this time of year. i have this image of mount rainier on my desktop and it always makes me feel a bit nostalgic of our trip to seattle, washington this past august. i love looking at all our pictures from that trip, especially now when i need a little cooling off from the humidity and a reminder that yes, in fact, christmas is in two weeks. i could always pretend that we are going to have a white christmas and turn on the a/c and throw on some socks.





 

Friday

currently love


i love this time of year. all the lights are strung and glowing and the holiday atmosphere gives me a warm, fuzzy feeling. i am constantly listening to this christmas album and looking forward to making cards this weekend. home is where i want most to be during this season, enjoying our decorated tree, cookie baking, and watching a plethora of christmas movies. enjoy your weekend.


: the tone of this album is easily addicting :


: these owls i enjoy all year long :

:image: tea-cup mug  (no longer available)

: drinking tea from this mug/cup makes my day a little sweeter :



: can not wait to start using my early christmas gift from my husband :



: great gift and christmas styling ideas in this issue :


Thursday

party time

'tis the season for holiday parties. knowing what to wear can be a daunting task.  i love a good print, but you can never go wrong with a textured black, warm neutral, or something with sparkle. festive beauty is simple: try a red lip or a confetti nail and you will be party pretty.










                                                       :image: deborah lippman