2013 holiday card

Sending out a uniquely designed holiday card is something I have wanted to do for years. This year has been filled with lots of change, so I wanted to chronicle it all with a year in review card. Since this approach to holiday cards is becoming more popular each year, there are lots of inspiring examples on the web. If you're interested in sending out your very own version, you can!

1. Design your own. Be sure to check out one of my favorite examples by Amanda Jane Jones for inspiration.
2. Select a customizable card like this one on etsy.
3. Choose from one of the many designs available at minted.

I started the card design in early November, working on it in my free time, and was able to send most of the cards in time for Christmas. That's actually a record for me. Creating content for the card was a lot of fun because I had a reason to reflect on 2013 - the highlights, the lowlights, and the unexpected. Even if you aren't creating a year in review card for yourself or your family, I encourage you to take a few minutes and reflect on 2013 before we leap feet first into a brand new year.

Do you guys save your holiday cards each year?

holiday gift wrapping

Luckily all of the wrapping goodies arrived in time to wrap our Christmas gifts. Just in case you missed the gift wrapping inspiration post, you can take a peek here. I had so much fun experimenting with different wrapping techniques and I am excited to share my favorites with you.

I even learned how to make pom-poms with this incredibly, intuitive video. You can too. It's actually pretty simple. For mine, I used thick yarn from the container store but you can use regular yarn as well.

What do you enjoy most about wrapping gifts?

gift wrapping inspiration

This holiday season has been different for me. For the past five years I've worked retail during the holidays, in addition to my day job. While I appreciate the sacrifices those who work crazy hours during the holidays make, they are indeed sacrifices. At times it was difficult to find the joy of Christmas when watching people fight over parking spots, push their way to the front of lines, and taut off not-so-nice things to those working day and night. While I enjoyed helping others find thoughtful presents for loved ones, I'm grateful to spend this holiday season reflecting on all that I have and spending more time at home. I've even started a gratitude journal, which has been really great and helped me focus more on what I have and less on things I want. Fortunately, this season I have been able to really embrace the holiday spirit and with that, I've rediscovered my love for wrapping gifts.

Don't get me wrong, I've always love wrapping presents. It is so rewarding to give and even more so, to take care in every little detail of the gifting process. For me, this means picking out thoughtful gifts and making them look pretty by personalizing the package to suit the person who will open it on Christmas.

My style has always been a little different. I've been using kraft paper for years, even though my family didn't really get my simple and natural approach to gift wrapping. Luckily, others have embraced kraft paper and invented creative ways of using it to create amazingly simple, yet beautiful, gifts.

Over the last several weeks I have found lots of inspiration: via Penny Paper Co, here via artifact uprising, here

I have compiled my favorite wrapping inspiration here.

01  herringbone ribbon - penny paper co 02  merry and bright stamp - lindsay letters 03  fresh fir + red berries - No purchase necessary. Trim a little fir off the base of your tree. You just might find berries outside of your stoop. I did. 04  square prints - artifact uprising 05  tags - penny paper co 06  cotton drawstring bags - penny paper co 07  bakers twine - knot & bow 08  blossom wrapping sheets - rifle paper co / kraft paper - the container store 09  gold washi tape - minted 10  gold + translucent take out containters - container store

I hope to use these wrapping elements to craft thoughtful presents for loved ones and share the result with you just before Christmas. Stay tuned!

holiday decor

Slowly but surely I'm getting into the Christmas spirit. This year we purchased our first real tree. It's such a treat to smell the fresh scent of fir every time we open the door and I'm totally guilty of trimming sprigs off the tree's base to spread goodness around the house. I love placing evergreen sprigs and red berries everywhere; It's so simple and yet so pretty.

One of my favorite holiday traditions is hanging stockings. Since we don't have a traditional mantle, we make do by hanging our stockings on the built-in in our dining room. These stocking holders were a sweet gift and I'm hoping to fill them with black and white photos before Christmas. There's still time though, right? 15 days to be exact.

Aside from my newly-gifted coffee cup ornament, this garland is one of my favorite additions to our holiday spread. I only wish I had ordered more.

What are your favorite holiday traditions?

modern thanksgiving tablescape

Lately I've been trying new recipes and, for a brief moment, even considered hosting a modest Thanksgiving meal at our home with friends. While our holiday plans have changed a bit, it hasn't stopped me from researching alternative recipes or daydreaming about decor for our very own celebration in the not too distant future. Below I've compiled some inspiration for the perfect Thanksgiving tablescape.

1 string lights  by onefortythree  |  2 large beech bowl by wind & willow home via brika  |  3 small beech bowl duo by wind & willow home via brika  |  4 bubble beverage dispenser via anthropologie  |  5 stripe napkin by ortolan organic  |  6 almoco flatware via design within reach  |  7 bergamo cookware via anthropologie  |  8 pair of breakfast cups via folklore  |  9 tipped writing desk via folklore  |  10 blogger Oh Joy apron collaboration by hedley & bennett | ruby's children apron by hedley & bennett

Here's a glimplse of last year's set-up.

What inspires your holiday tablescape?