cookie beauty

I love this image from Martha Stewart.

etsy holiday

So many fun vintage party finds on etsy. I stumbled upon these here, here, here and here. 

holiday table

I just love this table setting by Chelsea of frolic!

holiday DIY's

I spotted these amazing salt dough ornaments on red thread, which led me to Katy Elliot's beautiful blog... choc full of amazing DIY holiday projects! Some of my favorites, above. Check out Katy's blog for much, much more.

what to do with those holiday cards?

What to do with all of those holiday cards when the season is over? As a stationery designer, I like to hold on to each year's haul. ALL of it- the good, the great, the bad and the ugly. It's a great way to do 'market research' and to see what else is out there. It's also serves as a reminder as to just how many cards I need to order next year (I WAY under-ordered this year...I hadn't taken into account the new friends via my son factor). I used some pretty leftover cord from present-opening, tied them all up, and slipped them into a large envelope from Paper Source and labeled them 2008. I put my own card on top, so I can keep track of our holiday cards each year as well. Do you do anything creative with your cards?

holiday odds & ends

I'm starting to wrap up this week's posts and am left with an odds & ends pile of 'stuff', that I can't bear not to post - simply to archive them, if nothing else.

My all-time fave Christmas tree via MS Kids; lovely pom-pom ideas via Black Eiffel; advent calendar and gift tags from my friend Brooke; super creative ideas for the Charley Harper puzzles at Old Navy via Creature Comforts; jingle garland, deer placecard box and cellophane wreath from Design Sponge; vintage holiday party pic (with hilarious commentary) via Peak of Chic.

holiday centerpieces and table settings

I can hardly believe we are less than 4 days away from Christmas! Where has the time gone? I'm scrambling to get all of my holiday-inspired posts out before we hit the big day. 

Setting the table for a holiday gathering is sometimes a last-minute affair. I've chosen the above settings because they are all both beautiful and achievable.

From top: Once Wed is doing a fantastic series of table-setting ideas (top six photos). Remember the lovely Victorian table from earlier that was a favorite? I'm currently in love with the owl and bird from the 'kitschy' wedding and the paper doily chandelier. Remember: wedding ideas can easily translate to everyday entertaining as well!

Remaining photos: candlelight table from Pure Style; apple tiers from Frolic (not really a holiday photo, but I think this can be done for a festive table as well); deer-inspired setting by emma's designblogg; bubblegum in glass container from Eddie Ross; candy-cane urn via Desire to Inspire; white table setting from Cookie...look closely- there are amazing milk container tealight 'houses'.