DIY: Ornaments

Happy Monday! I gave in and bought a real tabletop tree last week! We put up a fake tree this year and I was missing the smell and life a real one brings to the house. Since I haven't done this before, I needed new ornaments and decided to DIY them of course!

I bought clear glass bulbs at the craft store and just filled them up with paint. I mixed colors in some and did some solids. I love the way they turned out! They look so much more expensive that just buying colored ornaments at target!











Have you done any last minutes DIY projects for Christmas?

The It List!

Happy Friday! Hoping to make a little progress on our bedroom this weekend...painting the dresser and DIY'ing a bench. We'll see. I always have high hopes!



Happy Friday!  Take some time to check out these great links!

• i love that features the best beauty trends for the holidays... including the bold red lip (a la Taylor Swift). Check out her tips!


• the capital barbie rounds up sweaters for men - which happens to be my favorite gift to give this time of year!   See what her top picks are.  (find the capital barbie on twitter!)


• the posh blog has her gift picks for teens - aren't they so hard to buy for? I love her ideas and this little camera is too fun! (find the posh blog on twitter!)


• suze wears clothes puts together three fun looks around this gorgeous floral scarf.  See how she styles it up! (find suze wears clothes on twitter!)


• second street east DIY's a holiday wreath - the finished product is gorgeous and it looks so simple!  Don't miss this tutorial! (find second street east on twitter!)


• sweetie pie style rounds up her inspiration each week in a not-to-be-missed post.  I'm drooling over this statement wallpaper for a powder room! (find sweetie pie style on twitter!)


• free to be stacia lee pulls together a really gorgeous casual holiday look. I am now completely drooling over this lace top! (find free to be stacia lee on twitter!)


• a spot of whimsy hits the nail on the head with another thought provoking post in her "she" series. Check out the simple but thoughtful post!  Don't you want to be this gal? (find a spot of whimsy on twitter!)


• gs lillian manages to convince me I need an orange coat and matching shoes this winter with just one post.  Doesn't she look amazing? (find gs lillian on twitter!)


• the tiemann girls give a quick diy on how to make the perfect bow from tulle. I am in love with this idea... time to get wrapping!


• the daily be (formerly 'things i do think wear see love dream') wears one pair of khakis in two different outfits.  Check out her looks and be inspired for khakis beyond business casual! (find the daily be on twitter!)


• so much to smile about rounds up a fun gift guide for the homebody that I am loving.  Candles, blankets and cozy clothes, yes please! (find so much to smile about on twitter!)


• rachael, really says 'merry december' with this gorgeous fall/winter outfit.  If you are in a warmer climate... you know fall just arrived! (find rachael, really on twitter!)

the IT list is produced weekly by Jill of good life for less, for info on how you can be involved - click here! 

See you Monday!

Guest Posting: Holiday Wish List

Just popping in to let you know that I am guest posting over at FiFi Cheek today!



Go check it out here!

Christmas Gift to Ourselves

So the hubs and I have been talking about what to get each other for Christmas for a while. We originally decided on a new mattress (since ours is just a hand-me-down) but it isn't bothering either of us. I sleep just fine, so why drop a big chunk of change on that? So we recently decided to do all new bed linens (including mattress pad, pillows etc.), which is perfect because I want to makeover our bedroom. I plan to do white sheets and a white duvet and am open to suggestions! Do any of you have sheets that are ah-mazing? If so, please share! For the duvet, I have been wanting this from Lands End for a while...



It is a linen duvet but I love the coral/red border around it! For some reason, I have not been able to pull the trigger. If I go with this, my whole plan is off since the color is all wrong....do any of you have a linen duvet? I don't even know if I would like linen?

If I order today, I will get $40 off so any suggestions are welcome!

Are you making any big purchases this year for Christmas?

iPad Case

I was browsing in J Crew last night and found the CUTEST iPad case. Except there is a problem. It is for the 2 and I have the original. But I figured I would pass it along in case you are in the market!





Find them here. Best news? They are on sale. Please someone buy this!

DIY: Wreath

My wreath philosophy is the simpler the better and this DIY is both visually simple and simple to make!

I picked up some garland (white pine?) at Home Depot and a wreath form and floral wire at Michael's.





Just unroll the garland and use the floral wire to attach it to the form. I went around twice, once on the outermost ring and once on the innermost ring.



Then I just looped a piece of grosgrain ribbon around the wreath and tied a bow. It is hanging on a command hook stuck right on the glass, which has been there for two months with no problems! Impressive! (My husband won't let me get rid of our storm door...boo!)

Sorry you can see my reflection in the mirror... in sweats. It was a sick day for me and that was as good as it was going to get!







I love this because it is like the wreath equivalent of the messy bun, which I rock on a quite regular basis!

Design*Sponge at Home Giveaway Winner!

Emily from Main Street Chic! By the way, she has a super cute blog! Definitely go check her out!

I will see you back here tomorrow for some Christmas DIY!