{Christmas Amazingness}

this is long overdue..

i've finally gotten around to downloading all the christmas pictures. 

our christmas season..condensed down to 14 pictures...

{fueling up on some cheerios before the madness begins}

{is it pressie time yet mom?}

{playing with her new cell phone, she'll have to get your digits..}

{mr. w's dad and susan came out to visit the week before christmas.
it was wonderful to see them!}

{is this how i do it?}

{zingers all for me??}

{roxy wanted to help}

{roxy is begging for attention..}

{mr. w is the bestest ever and surprised us with rockette's tickets!}

{terrible shot, but you have to see them all lined up}

{rockefeller tree}

christmas with a child is the best thing ever..

xx

{Holiday Tablescape Decor}

here's a few inspirational photos for a beautifully scaped christmas table this season:

beautifully festive and traditional red and green, 

this look is texturally balanced by blending the silver and glass with the natural elements, such as the faux wooden candle, the greenery, poinsettias, and holly berries..

{via}

this table oozes elegance, but all the glow from the candlelight helps keep it warm and inviting, not too stuffy. the trick here is to mix your candle sizes: blending columns, votives, and tapers to have all different heights. layering your decor over a mirrored "table runner" creates added glamour and reflects even more candlelight, making instant ambience. an added bonus: everyone looks good in candlelight! 

adding in some bouquets of flowers soften this look even more by adding a much needed natural element.

{via}

a light neutral color palette, pine cones, a few sprigs of garland clippings,
some tealights in antique jars, and a few linen table runners
 create a table that begs for hours of chatting with
 a big mug of hot cocoa after christmas dinner

{via}

if you're brave enough to host your christmas dinner outside this year,
what a beautiful way to do it! rustic, elegant, inviting, add a firepit for warmth and i'd be at this get-together in a heartbeat.

{via}

what theme will you do for your christmas table this year?

xoxo

{Etsy's Cozy Christmas Goods}

loving all the cozy christmas goods i found over at etsy tonight...

{gorgeous christmas cards}

{scentsational}

 

 

{for those of us with no fireplace}

{love}

{reminds me of my grandmother's christmas tablecloth}

i'm thinking any of these would make great last minute gift ideas...

cards//hazelwonderland

candles//themefragrance

candle holders//braggingbags

banner//nhayesdesigns

tablecloth//feralia

xoxo

{Bits of my Week}

{surprise flowers from mr. w}

{this weather calls for homemade pot pie}

{love a dark colored manicure}

{swinging...}

{...and wiped out}

{brightened my morning as i was up at 5am for work}

{love the doors on the UWS}

{gettin' our tree..}

{..which led to this}

{which taught her how to do this..}

{..preciousness}

{finally getting back into my workout groove}

hope you've enjoyed your weekend!

xoxo

DIY Peony Gift Bows

Here's a great last minute gift wrapping idea from Martha Stewart that's simple, easy, but looks like you took extra time making that special someone's gift look perfect!

With a little scissor work, basic self-adhesive bows are transformed into sumptuous blooms. For each "flower," cut the loops of one small bow and one large bow at an angle. Then affix the small bow to the empty center of the large bow. Coil a short length of matching ribbon; place the coil in the center of the small bow, and secure with double-sided tape. Showcase a single bloom, or pair with more matching ribbon.

Read more at Marthastewart.com: Gift-Wrapping Ideas

xoxo Hannah

Christmas Card Decor

Here's a cute way to turn your Christmas cards into some homemade "garland" this holiday season courtesy of Apartment Therapy.

Happy Monday!

xoxo Hannah

DIY Christmas Tree Tumblers

Oh the many possibilities this DIY drinking glass project creates! Gifts, candle holders, special party glasses... the list goes on and on! With just some glasses, a paint pen, and a bit of patience, these are an adorable way to add some extra flair to your holiday party this year!
You could paint drinking glasses as demonstrated. You could also use the same treatment on candle holders or on old Mason jars. You could simply trace an image by putting it on the inside of the glass and painting the outside. Or if you're feeling artsy, go ahead and free hand it! Silhouette glasses for each family member maybe? Or how about monogram glasses? You could also recreate your child's favorite animated character to make their new favorite drinking glass!
You'll simply paint the design onto the glassware with a paint pen (available at art and craft supply stores). After letting the paint dry the recommended amount of time (in most cases, 24 hours), bake the glasses in a 325 degree oven for 40 minutes. Make sure to NOT preheat the oven as sudden changes in temperature may break the glasses. Rather, put the glasses in the oven, set the temperature, let them bake for the proper amount of time, then turn off the oven and let the glasses gradually cool inside it. Then just fill with your favorite beverage or a candle and enjoy!

xoxo Hannah

DIY napkin folding

Just as bows are the traditional topping for a gift this Christmas season, they can also be the finishing touch on your Christmas table as well!

Simply tie a wide ribbon around a folded napkin. Carefully cinch the napkin at its middle to make it look like an oversized bow on each plate.

Enjoy!

xoxo Hannah

*courtesy of Martha Stewart*

Find of the Day

Today's Find of the Day comes courtesy of Etsy. I adore these upcycled paper wreaths made by Lana Manis of Simple Joys Paperie. Lana found a way of making a living out of her love of books, and I'm loving them too! The beauty of these wreaths is that they're filled with words from old books, giving them layers and layers of texture, content and meaning.
"I don’t destroy perfectly good books as a rule, and use books that are falling apart, have pages missing, or are damaged in one way or another.". I love the way these old books are being brought back to life in a whole new way to bring a smile to your day.


I think these could make an awesome unique hostess gift for all those holiday parties you'll be attending this season!

Check out all of her work at http://www.simplejoyspaperie.etsy.com/
xoxo Hannah

A Modern Christmas

I love the idea of decorating in a modern way this Christmas.

What a beautifully simple and elegant way to decorate the dining room for Christmas


Living in a small space sometimes, well, most times, makes for some creative thinking when it comes to decorating, especially for Christmas! Being as we don't have a fireplace, this year I put our stockings up in a more "modern" way! And they're still visible from the window so Santa will no where to come in ;)