Obviously I had trouble narrowing down my favorites. I have known Gina for a while, and am completely amazed by her ability to run a beautiful blog and shop. She is continually reaching new heights in design and product styling. Especially love her recently released Great Gatsby line. I ordered a headband for V which she custom sized and the quality is superb.
Acute Designs is offering a $50 Shopping credit to a lucky IHOD reader. Enter through rafflecopter below! Best of luck!
*In Honor of Design Readers can also receive 20% off through the end of the week with code “IHOD20”!
I loved every bit of Holly’s first book, Decorate, so when I heard she was coming out with a workshop book, I was thrilled. Every page is eye candy, but the best part is, there are practical tips, and a step by step guide to designing your space. There are concrete and relevant questions with room for note taking to get your ideas flowing for what room you want to conquer. This came just in time for me. I devoured it from front to back over Thanksgiving break. I was in serious need of guidance for our living room since we are starting from scratch. Hence, the textile inspiration board. Taking real notes and real steps is a big deal for me…;)
I told him to pull something out of the pockets, and he went straight for Day 23!
He told me it said “Good morning Gabriel one two six.” Not exactly, but close enough;)
Did you have an advent calendar growing up? We had an ornament one that we would re-stuff with the same ornaments every year just for the fun of opening those doors each day. My mom had a Jesse tree for us as well. I wanted to continue the advent countdown with my family so I actually made this advent calendar a few years ago. This is the first year little Gabriel really understands what Christmas is (“a big birthday party for Jesus”), so Gabe and I are looking forward to introducing him to all the wonder Christmas can bring. I filled these pockets with sweets and a daily gospel passage. By Christmas Eve, the whole nativity story will be read. Its a simple way of keeping the advent focus of preparing for the best day of the year! (Advent actually means coming in Latin, so its a whole four weeks to prepare for the “coming” of the King.) I hope he comes to love this tradition.
Supplies:
Burlap Fabric (28 in. wide x 44 in. long folded in half)
24 Muslin Drawstring Bags 3.5 x 4.5 in. (find some here or here)
Red cardstock or linen paper
Circle or scallop punch
Hole punch
Wooden rod (3 ft.)
Ribbon
Gold ink (optional)
Instructions:
1) Fold your burlap in half and spread your pockets evenly across in rows.
2) Hot glue the sacks on the back edges (place paper or something inside so it doesn’t glue top) to fabric.
3) Punch the red paper with a shape you like, and add number stamps (or hand draw).
4. Hole punch the scallop circles and loop through and tie to each bag in sequence.
5. Decorate your muslin bags. I used the end of a pencil and carved a triangle to stamp gold patterns.
6. Place calendar over wooden rod, tie ribbon on each end and hang wherever you like!
7. Fill with surprises of your choice. If you would like to use the daily gospel readings, I made a printable sheet you can download for free here.
Do you have a fun advent calendar post you want to share? Leave the link:)
We can probably all agree that Christmas music has the ability to brighten the gloomiest of days. Right? Well I have a whole playlist that I go through from the start of advent through Christmas day. My family has probably a thousand and three Christmas traditions, and music is a part of that.
The Christmas Albums that Top My List:
1. Bing’s White Christmas album will always top the list. I have listened and danced to this album with my sisters for as long as I can remember. It immediately brings Christmas spirit into my heart.
2. Manheim Steamroller – Christmas in the aire and Extroardinaire. My dad would always save this for Christmas morning before all of us would trample downstairs. It was the signal that St. Nicholas had come. I probably will continue this with my own children:)
3. White by Craig Kaelin. I have had this on repeat this week. Incredibly peaceful. I can’t get enough.
4. Andy Williams. This tops both Gabe and I’s favorites list. The classics always hit home. We even had this as a record. Who doesn’t love his rendition of “Its the most wonderful time of the year?”
5. Little Women. I can’t even get started on this or my overly sentimental heart will weep. It reminds me of the happy memories of growing up with many sisters, and we all love this one especially at Christmas time.
Honorable Mentions:George Winston, Sarah McLachlan, Chicago (my dad’s fave), Charlie Brown Christmas, and Mariah Carey, Amy Grant (my mom’s fave)
I always get pumped about sharing new shops with you all. Isn’t Rebecca’s line beautiful??
She combines the classic with the whimsical, and it makes for a unique site full of accessories ranging from jewelry to totes. It is only a two person team behind their work, and they do an incredible job.
One of you lucky readers will win $50 to spend on whatever you like!
Cheers to long weekends, husband’s being off work, lots of snuggle time with chubby cheeked babies, and an endless source of baked goodies. It makes for a hangover of a Monday though, doesn’t it??
I felt like sporting some winter whites to welcome the cold weather;) The only problem I have with this beautiful blue knitted number above… is that its so soft and fluffy that I want to doze off standing up. Its basicly a cowl neck pillow. Yes its true. A dream puff of winter warmth. I have been eyeing up every piece of clothing in this color and now I have an excuse to wear it on multiple occasions.
Hope you all had a grand holiday! The countdown to the most wonderful day of the year begins! Love, Anna
The True Beauty Files
A lookbook for the modern modeste.
“The beauty of a woman is not in the clothes she wears, the figure that she carries, or the way she combs her hair. The beauty of a woman is seen in her eyes, because that is the doorway to her heart, the place where love resides. True beauty in a woman is reflected in her soul. It’s the caring that she lovingly gives, the passion that she shows & the beauty of a woman only grows with passing years.”
We have some family in town that has to leave tomorrow, so we are celebrating our thanksgiving today! I already smell like bacon and celery…an odd combo. Anyways, thought you might like a peak at what our table settings will look like. I just spray painted some mini pears and pumpkins for the place card holders and used an exacto knife to cut a slit for the name tags.
I have two pairs of chubby little hands helping me in the kitchen today while my husband hangs Christmas lights. These are the things that fill my heart to the brim, and that I am most thankful for. Wishing you all a very blessed thanksgiving with loved ones!
