Thoughts of Love

Happy Tuesday Everyone!

As the year comes to a close, I'm looking

back at the highlights of my 2011.

Look, I even made a charm bracelet:

Each charm represents a significant event.

Today, it's all about this heart in an envelope. I think it represents thoughtfulness -- one of the best qualities of my Uncle O. Uncle O is my dad's brother who loved to travel. He'd always send us a postcard from where he'd been or a greeting card to send some birthday love. Out of the blue, he would also call just to say hello. This October, Uncle O passed away.

I know, another death. It's heart-breaking. I hope I'm not making you depressed; I just wanted to honor his memory.

To my Uncle O -- this charm will always

remind me of your kind & gentle spirit.

Party on!

My Year in Review

I hope you all had a beautiful Christmas!

It's the last week of 2011 and I always get

nostalgic at this time of year.

My 2011 was a quiet ride on the highway

but with a few rattling bumps along the way.

To mark the significant events of my 2011,

I crafted this bracelet.

I made it out of inexpensive charms...

...and a string of beads.

{I happen to like black accessories,

thus the color}

Everyday this week, I'll tell you the story

behind each charm.

The first charm is for my father-in-law, Daddy Y.

Sadly, we lost him in March.

I chose a set of golf clubs & a golf ball -- he was

an avid golfer. Everyday I think of him and miss

his hearty laugh, generous heart, zest for

living and inspiring courage.

If you've experienced death in a family,

you know that it leaves a

hole in your heart.

While we miss him dearly, we

know that Daddy Y is in good

company and winning many

rounds of golf up in heaven.

See you again tomorrow!

A Delicious Holiday

One of my favorite indulgences during the

holidays & the winter months is

hot chocolate:

I'm an equal opportunity hot chocolate

lover -- thick, light, topped with

marshmallows or cream or with

cookies on the side. I love them all!

Are you still putting together

gifts for surprise guests or

instant meet-ups?

Here are a few more ideas

I found while browsing

on Pinterest:

A S'mores kit made of

graham crackers, chocolate

bars and marshmallows.

Reindeer pops made of peanut butter

cookies, chocolate, pretzels

and candy.

These packages of popcorn

are dressed up as snowmen.

The face and body are drawn

with a pen and the hat is

made of a glove & ribbon.

Cute don't you think?

May you have a happy weekend

and a truly Merry Christmas!

Here Come Santa's Reindeer

Christmas is just around the corner.

Gasp! Are you all set?

Here's a stocking that hangs on one

of our doors...I added Santa which

was a gift embellishment.

Now doesn't the stocking

look more festive?

Even with limited time, you can

still do some blah to TADA!

Need some last minute gift ideas.

Here's some I found on Pinterest:

Beer bottles dressed up as reindeer!

Just use pipe cleaners, stick-on eyes

and pompoms.

A wash cloth transformed

into another reindeer.

You can use it to wrap bars of

soap or other bath products

to give away.

Reindeer pops that kids will love.

Made of marshmallows

dipped in chocolate and

dressed up with

pretzels & candy.

Printed with Love

Do you give out holiday cards?

I love sending and receiving them!

This year, I sent out store bought cards.

There's nothing wrong with that.

When I can, I try to add a handmade

touch to my cards like these ornaments

from last year. But alas, sometimes

time isn't on our side.

I found these really cute prints on Pinterest:

A Christmas tree made of tiny foot prints

Another tree, this time, made with

hand prints

Check out these reindeer

also made of foot prints!

Ravishing Wreath Ideas

Hello Lovelies!

I'm in the thick of wrapping presents.

Some go under the tree, while some

are to be shipped off to family and

friends faraway.

I'm recycling boxes & shredding my

own paper instead of buying

packing fillers.

As I do this, let me leave you

with some ideas to decorate

your door:

A wreath made of cinnamon

via dilly dallas

A wreath made of corks

via Good Housekeeping

A wreath made of twigs &

scrap fabric

via huckleberrygumbo

More ideas here.

Enjoy your day!

Christmas Inspiration

Happy Monday!

I have to admit, this week is going to be

quite busy. I'm pretty sure you know

what I mean.

Take for instance, holiday baking that

needs to be packaged & given away.

That's why I've pulled some inspiration

from the web that I think are TADA!

For festive decorations for the

dining or coffee table:

A TADA! candy cane vase

Take a blah container and cover it

with candy canes {use tape to

secure them in place}.

Finish with a ribbon & fill

the vase with your

favorite blooms!

image c/o Ecopolitan Bride

Here's another idea:

Glass, berries & light

Fill glass receptacles with berries or

red candy. Add some candles

for instant TADA! & glamour!

image c/o 33 Shades of Green

See you tomorrow!