If you read last week’s leisure post (link here) you know that I wasn’t exactly on the ball this year with getting our tree purchased, up, and decorated. But we had success this past weekend, and it was great to have an activity with the kids since the dreary rain thwarted our efforts to head outside for a little skating or sledding. My decorating style for Christmas trees has gone through a number of transitions through the years. All white and glass ornaments when we didn’t have kids, no ornaments the years where it was just too tempting for the kids to pull them off (which, coincidentally, were the years when I was exhausted from having a baby under age 1), and for the past few years, a combination of glass, tin, and wood ornaments. I store the tin and wood ornaments in a separate bin so that it’s easy for the kids to shuffle through and pick out those that they would like to hang.
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December 2014 archive
Overcast Overrun
We are in the midst of an impressively long stretch of overcast skies in Minneapolis, with the only changeup in the weather occurring with different variations of what happens with the moisture in the air, such as dense fog like in these pictures, or full-on rain, as was the case for most of yesterday. It’s weather that makes you want to feel cozy in whatever you’re wearing and it seems natural to mimic the colors of what surrounds you. I love the soft feel of this comfy cream sweater, and how I can layer it with casual yoga gear or dress it up by pairing it with nicer alternatives, such as this black shift and tights.
Madewell dress (sold out, similar here) | Evereve sweater | DKNY tights | Anthropologie earrings | Banana Republic necklace | Tory Burch handbag | Ugg Australia booties
Double Duty Gift Wrap
In the next two weeks chances are you’ll be heading to someone else’s house for a meal, celebration, party, or event and chances are you’ll be bringing a goodie of some sort – whether it be a sweet treat, wine, or bubbly. Try this simple and unique approach to packaging up your token of appreciation or party contribution, which doubles as another gift for the host after opened. More detailed directions are below, but basically it’s securing two sides of a tea towel with a simple stitch that can easily be removed so that the recipient then has the towel to enjoy. If you’re looking for treat ideas, check out earlier posts with recipes for caramel party mix (link here) and homemade granola (link here). If going with homemade options such as these, make sure to package them up in a plastic bag prior to putting in the tea towel.
These are holiday themed, but this idea can be used at any time throughout the year. Anthropologie always seems to have darling dishtowels, which I can never justify purchasing for myself. But as creative gift wrap for goodies? Absolutely. How cute would these be for a baby shower?