Giveaway: Choice Item from Julie Sinden Handmade

November 20, 2012

I have a beautiful and cozy shop to introduce you to today. Julie Sinden items are all handmade, constructed of wool and high quality materials, and incredibly stylish. One of the best features is that the material keeps you super warm in these blustery months ahead. I want to take a horse and carriage ride in that bottom right number;)

Julie Sinden is generously offering an IHOD reader their item of choice! Lucky you!

Easy entry options below. Open to international readers. Best of luck!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Rhinestone Bib Necklace DIY

November 19, 2012

Last week was a whirlwind, and I can’t believe we have arrived at thanksgiving week.

Little V is finally on the mend, but now Gabe is down. Lets see if we can all make it to thanksgiving dinner in one piece! No matter what, I am cooking lots of food. Its the meal I have been looking forward to all year! 😉

This is a DIY that you can make to dress up your holiday party outfits. You can even wear it over a casual round neck blouse with jeans. Many fun options:) I just used some left over rhinestone appliques I had on hand, but you can use any applique shapes or trims.

Supplies:

Fastener

Needle and thread

Fabric with white felt backing

Rhinestone trims or appliques with iron on backing (find a bunch here)

hot glue

Instructions:

1. Measure and cut out your bib shape and wrap around your neck to make sure it fits! You can create any type of shape on the ends as you like.

2. Sew your two part fastener piece to each side of the bib (on the rounded edges) Test to make sure it hooks well.

2. Cut up your rhinestone appliques into small pieces, and arrange around your fabric.

3. Hot glue the pieces to secure (stays really well with iron on backing and doesn’t show)

Hope this gives you some new alternatives to your Christmas lineup:)

P.S. Updated the IHOD Gift Guide post with ALL of the exclusive discounts for the featured items and sites. Some of the codes expire soon so don’t miss your chance on some great deals!

IHOD Holiday Gift Guide 2012

November 12, 2012

Its finally here:) This year, I decided to tackle the IHOD Gift Guide despite my common sense telling me to let it go and save the time. I knew the hours it would require, but to me, this is a way of giving back to the handmade community I was once a part of, supporting small business America, and giving my readers a big fat Christmas Gift. I couldn’t let it go. I have to say, I am so happy I plugged through. I have a feeling you are going to love this one!

I really hope this proves to be a helpful guide to you this Holiday Season in making your hours of waiting in line shorter and your time with your loved ones a little more special. The guide is jam packed with affordable gift options and exclusive discount codes. You will also discover many handmade gift and recipe ideas from brilliant bloggers to add a personal touch to your gifts this season.

Special thanks to these pretty amazing ladies who made this all possible:
Andrea Dozier- Andrea Dozier Photography
Kiersten Frase- Oh My Veggies
Jenny Batt – Hank and Hunt
Amanda Marshall – Marshall’s Abroad
Natalie Pirvey – Creme de la Craft
Leah Bergman – Freutcake
Morgan & Carrie – Ampersand Design Studio

Full list of discounts you will find throughout the guide:
Minted – 10% off any holiday purchases. Obtain code here.
Rifle Paper Co.– 10% off the featured section with code IHOD10.
Eloise Renouf Prints – 15% off entire site with code IHOD15
Judy Kaufmann – 15% off the I love my city print with code CITY15
Paper Fashion – Free shipping on all orders with code PAPERHOLIDAY
LeMode Accessories – Free Shipping on all orders over $40 with code IHOD
Skoope Home – 10% off sitewide with code IHODGG10
BLANQI – But a long fit Black Bodystyler, get a second bodystyler free
Mochi Things – 15% off entire order with code IHOD15
Loren Hope – 15% off Red Stud Earrings with code IHOD15
Jerseys Freshest – 10% off Mitten Card with code IHOD12
Waiting on Martha – 15% off Initial Necklace with code IHOD15
Gaby Burger – 15% off Tessa Necklace with code IHOD15 until Nov. 19th
Jen Ramos – 20% off with code LOVEHOLIDAY until Dec. 2nd
Velina Bracelets – 15% off Cicely Bracelet. Email erica@velinabracelets.com for code
The White Ribbon – 10$ off Gold Ballet Flats with code IHODGOLD
Design Darling – 15% off Gold Foil Notebook or Gold Lacquer Tray with code IHOD15
The Silver Acorn – 25% off your purchase with cold Silver25 until Dec. 25th
A Sensible Habit – 15% off canning stamp with code IHOD15 until Jan. 31st
Printing Grounds – 15% off Tea Towel Set with code IHOD15
Twig Creative – 20% off wooden cameras with code IHOD20
Hilary Frazier – Free shipping on Pink or Blue Felt Booties with code HFFREESHIP
Bla Bla Kids – 10% off site with code IHOD10 until Dec. 19th
Freja Toys – 10% off site with code EXTRA10 (check out Christmas sale) until Dec. 30th
Natty Bratty – 10% off Felt Bows with code IHOD10
Oompa Toys – 12% off for new customers with code 124IHOD until Dec. 31st
A Summer Afternoon – 10% off Wooden Tool Bench with code IHOD10
Soap for your Soul – 10% off Shave Brush or Shave Soap with code IHOD10
Hella Slingshots -15% off with code HELLASLINGSHOTS
Ruby Rockwell – 15% off entire site with code RRW0106
Roxy Marj – 15% off Spotted Envelopes with code IHOD15
Chi Chi Dee – 15% off Turban Headband with code IHOD15 until Dec. 12th
Banana Splits Boutique – 10% off sitewide with code IHOD10
Fort and Field – 20% off sitewide with code IHOD20
Olive Manna – 20% off sitewide with code IHOD until Dec. 31st
Besotted Brand – 30% off Initial Wax Seal Stamp with code IHOD30

I hope you enjoy, and please by all means, share the gift guide with loved ones and friends. It would be so much appreciated! Let the Holiday Season begin:)
Love, Anna

Giveaway: Bellafusion Bubble Necklace + Shop Credit

November 6, 2012

You know I love finding boutiques with loads of cute finds at affordable prices right?

Well here’s your official introduction to Bellafusion🙂 I have a list of favorites but I highlighted a few above. Excited to team up with Bellafusion to give away this stunning Ornella Necklace + $15 shopping credit! Easy ways to enter via Rafflecopter below. Open to U.S. and Canada only.

Best of luck!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

True Beauty Files: The Senti-mentalist

November 5, 2012

{Sweater: Gap (similar), Tank: Guess (thrifted), Coated Jeans: H&M (similar), Flats: F21 (similar here or here), floppy hat: H&M , Necklace: c/o LYLIF, Tote: Asos}

Gabe bought this hat for me on our last date.

I am drawn to hats (surprise- its an accessory;)) and I like to think of it as something I inherited from my grandmother. She has quite the collection of hats of all shapes and sizes, and they each have a story to go with them. My grandparents never had much money, but she always made sure to look her best and wear her finest to church on Sundays. This hat made me think of her as soon as I tried it on.

I am realizing more as I get older how much of a sentimentalist I am.

I don’t think I will be sleeping much in the next few days as the elections approach.

So much is at stake, and never has the country been so divided on moral issues in my opinion. (Well at least not since the Civil War.) Gabe and I already voted with early voting here in GA. Trying not to stress, and just keep praying God will allow us a strong leader for our country. I think with young children, the future has never felt more important.

Happy voting!

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.”

~ Audrey Hepburn

Welcome November + Weekend Round Up

November 2, 2012

November came to remind me that its the stable fall month with an even crisp air and no major ups and downs in weather:) We have a cool weekend ahead here in Atlanta. I can’t stop thinking about the northeast and all those affected by Hurricane Sandy. I wish I could be there to help with my own two hands, but seeing news stories and coverage about the comradery the states are showing each other is so encouraging to hear.

{Boots: old but similar here or here}

On another note, I am cooking Thanksgiving dinner for the first time this year. (!!!) Oh the angst and anxiety I get just thinking about it. I am no Martha, and this is serious business. Any cool recipes or tips to share? Please help a girl out!

Happy weekend friends. Love, Anna

The Craft Pack released an e-book called Hip and Handmade Holiday. Just a glance and you’ll see why its worth the download:)

Giant photo prints of old family photos. So doing this.

Amanda shared a Seasonal Sangria recipe I am pretty sure you won’t want to miss.

This would make a humorous (and possibly mean) joke on a photographer, but its pretty sweet.

Fun and clever pottery pieces in this etsy shop.

*Check out this weeks giveaway from Vanessa Adáo here.

November 2, 2012

So thrilled to be a style contributor here on Little Miss Momma. I think so highly of Ashley so I am honored to be on her team! My name is Anna, and I am a design and lifestyle blogger over at IHOD. We have some fun things to share in the coming months:)

I know with Thanksgiving and Christmas coming up, I get lost in planning meals and outfits for my family and little ones. I rarely if ever have more than 15 minutes to do my hair. For real! So these are quick and easy ways you can dress up your top knot this Holiday Season.

These are easy accessories you can make yourself or take as ideas and inspiration:)

Remember scrunchies? I went through a phase of sewing my own in every color under the sun. Oh what a comical for-shadowing of my DIY future that would be. This rhinestone wrap is basic rhinestone bridal trim attached to a piece of stretch elastic. You can purchase rhinestone trim here (These would make great gifts too!) or buy at a local craft store. The elastic trim is great to have on hand for headbands as well, and I always get mine from this etsy shop. Pre-measure your rhinestone trim to wrap 3/4 of the way around your top knot. Just hot glue a couple inches of your elastic piece to either end of your rhinestone trim and let dry.

Rhinestone bobbies.

I would scout out some real sparkly gemstones or rhinestones for this one. So many possibilities. Use E-6000 or super glue to attach to flat pad bobby pins. (Found mine here.) These are fun to layer under your top bun.

You can purchase stretchy gold sequin elastic trim from Hobby Lobby. While your there, pick up some alligator clips. Hot glue the trim (pre-measure) along the back of the clips.

Stick a few underneath your top bun for a little glam and holiday fun.

Pretty simple, right? Hope you enjoy! Be sure and show us your fancy top knots!