Merry Christmas

Merry Christmas! I planned on posting something more brilliant, but the holidays seem to sweep us up, so I will leave you with joyful wishes and this lovely picture. The new year will soon be upon us, and I can't wait to make some goals and wishes for the coming months. I will check back in occasionally, but I may not see you until January, so I'll wish you a happy New Years now.

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Thanks to all your kind comments and wishes-- you encourage me to keep going. There is a blizzard outside of my window, and I plan on planting myself in bed and warming up my frozen limbs, so goodbye for now!

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{Melissa}

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(pic via ffffound)

Vintage Style

In a "sea of pinstripes, pocket watches, petticoats, and pearls" this vintage party kicks up plenty of style and old world charm. Megan alerted me to this adorable party hosted by Kate Gilliam and Cory Mason, feaytured in Bon Appetit magazine. A lover of the handmade, they party out in vintage clothes, drink made-from-scratch spirits, and enjoy plenty of music and food. Here is the full article, definitely worth the look. Here's what they said: "When we host a party, we make everything ourselves, from the invitations to the absinthe, and encourage guests to dress for the occasion. Our love of old-world extravagance and well-crafted cocktails transforms our parties from get-togethers to grand events."

I absolutely love the clothes. So glamorous! Maybe one day I could snag an invitation...

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So, if you are ever looking for an idea for an awesome party, try this one. Christmas Eve is finally here! Just wanted to post this amidst my own family party. I hope your holidays are filled with memorable moments, and I will see you tomorrow for the last day of our 12 days of Christmas!

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{Melissa}

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(pics via Bon Appetit)

Christmas Reading

Looking for a good book to read? I always read a ton during the holidays, and this Christmas is no different. This is part of my personal Christmas reading list:

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On my bookshelf...

1. Brideshead Revisited by Evelyn Waugh
2. Past, Perfect, and Present Tense by Richard Peck
3. Domino Book of Decorating
4. Ottoline and the Yellow Cat by Chris Riddell
5. So Brave, Young, and Handsome by Leif Enger
6. The Mysterious Benedict Society by Trenton Lee Stewart (just finished, really interesting read)

These are some of my must-read Christmas stories:

1. Olivia Helps with Christmas by Ian Falconer
2. The Polar Express by Chris VanAllsburg
3. The Jolly Postman Christmas by Allan and Janet Ahlburg
4. Toot and Puddle: I'll Be Home for Christmas by Holly Hobbie
5. Olive, the Other Reindeer by Vivian Walsh

What do you like to read for the holidays? Tomorrow's Christmas Eve! I can't believe it, I am soooo excited! Be back tomorrow with another post!

{Melissa}

(pic via Kate Spade)

Dear Santa...

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I know there was that time with the gum... and I didn't mean for her to get stuck there for hours... but I swear, I really have been good ;)

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Did your Christmas letters ever look like that? You would be surprised what mine would say... find those here from the lovely stationery goodness created by Delphine. I also love these journals and this paperweight and this letterpress calendar.

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Now, write those letters soon, so you can get those requests in!

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{Melissa}

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(pics via Delphine via bedlamofbeefy)

Winter Soup

Nothing warms you up better than a bowl of hot soup on a wintry day. Here are some of my favorites:

Chicken soup. Love the chunky veggies. Recipe here.
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Farmhouse Chowder. One of my all-time favs. Recipe here.

The colors are so vivid in this Chunky Turkey Vegetable Soup. Recipe here.

Always good to stick to a classic. Tomato Soup...yum. Recipe here.

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Find more yummy recipes in the winter soup section here. (Can you tell I check out this website a lot?)

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{Melissa}

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(pics via Martha)

Holiday Goodies

I like to cook, but even more, I like to bake. One of the best things about the holidays are the yummy treats you get to make. This is a recipe for a Linzer cookie sandwich with cherry or raspberry jam filling. I made these for a Valentine's party a while ago, but cut out hearts in the middle instead. I love the powdered sugar with the tree--so cute. These are great to make because they taste so good, but aren't really heavy, so it is a nice addition to all the other sugary or chocolate stuff we eat during Christmas.

But... if only chocolate will do, this recipe is really yummy, and perfect for any chocolate craving. The name says it all: Outrageous Chocolate Cookies :) Find it here.

Happy holiday baking!
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{Melissa}
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(pics via Martha)

Christmas Movie List

One of my favorite things to do during any break is watch movies. And the best part about this break? Christmas movies. I looooove Christmas, and Christmas movies are the best. This is a list of my must-watch list:

1. White Christmas
2. It's a Wonderful Life
3. Christmas in Connecticut
4. The Holiday
5. The Grinch
6. Little Women
7. Polar Express
8. The Family Stone
9. Christmas Vacation {family tradition :)}
10. Meet Me in St. Louis

Lots of oldies mixed in with traditional goodies. What is one of your favorites? I think White Christmas is my favorite. There is just something about the end scene where they are all singing that always makes me cry. (I know, cheesy...)

It's a holiday movie marathon tonight, so I''ll be up late. Only 6 more days until Christmas!

{Melissa}

(picture of Christmas in Connecticut)

Gift Guide Part Two

Remember all of my woeful stories about finals? Well...I am finally done! Now I can do some fun stuff over the holidays. One of my favorite things is to be crafty, so for this gift guide, I wanted to post about some of my favoirte crafty gifts.

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Don't you love the headband? At first you'd think it wouldn't turn out cute, but it looks really cool. I also love the other ideas, creating a montage of red and white candy jars, or making candles out of vintage tea cups (here's the how-to). I would love some of those as a gift.

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I am officially settling down in my bed to read a book that finally isn't required reading, so I will see you tomorrow for another post :)

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{Melissa}

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(pics via Martha and Country Living)

Gift Guide Part One

Looking for gift ideas still? Here is part one of some of my favorites. I love new cooking stuff, even if I don't always use it ;) These ideas are all about monogramming. Nothing says you've put thought into a gift like personalizing something. Put someone's initals on an apron, linen dishtowels, or have Williams-Sonoma make personal goodie packaging for the cook that loves to give away their creations.

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I am one final away from freedom! I am (almost) a happy student on vacation!

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Have a good time Christmas shopping!

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{Melissa}

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(pics via Country Living, Martha, and Williams-Sonoma)

Stockings & Pajamas

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I love getting new pajamas the night before Christmas. It gives you something to look forward to, and something new to snuggle up in. I love the top picture with the red striped pajamas and the long wool stocking. There are so many variations of stockings, you can't really go wrong. I posted two other ideas I thought were cute. I love the idea of a red and white stocking, and the last pic uses scarves to make theirs.

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I woke up to more snow on the ground, which is great, except for the driving. I love it anyways.

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Have a good Tuesday morning!

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{Melissa}

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(pics via Martha and Better Homes and Gardens)

Advent Calendars

I love Christmas countdowns, and with ideas like these, who wouldn't?

1. This idea is so fun, especially for younger kids. The goal is to fill the mittens with small gifts or messages throughout the days of Christmas to countdown until Christmas Eve.


2. These are from an etsy shop I found; each bag is imprinted with the days of December.


3. I loved this idea, so simple. From Denise at d.sharp, you can even download the numbers here to make your own. Not only is her blog fantastic, but her design is so lovely. Label simple envelopes and string them anywhere.


4. This calendar countdown is made from baby socks. I love the image of them lined up in a row. Found here.

Try these ideas out, or save them later for next year. Nothing's better than counting down to Christmas!

{Melissa}

(pics via d.sharp, Martha, and nuvonuva)

On the 1st day of Christmas...

To kick off the Christmas holiday, we decided to do 12 posts for the 12 days of Christmas featuring some of our favorite Christmas ideas. To begin the 1st day, I wanted to share some great wrapping gift ideas.

Anything pretty on top makes it extra special.

Give a little something extra with a gift card and tie it with luxurious velvet. The yellow color is divine!

Fabric and string makes a yummy treat cozy and inviting.

I loved this idea when I saw it. Each rain boot is stuffed with presents and goodies. You could even do this in place of stockings.

With labels like these, people will fight over which gift is theirs.

Speaking of pretty little gifts, its drawing time! I just wanted to say thank you for all those people who commented-- I always love to hear that my posts aren't too horrible :)

Me and Megan had a lot of fun packaging these-- that is usually my favorite part! We made pom-poms for the top (this tutorial helped) and included a Christmas Wendy Addison ornament for some glitter (you can't have too much).

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Drum roll...... randomly generated by the magic of my fingertips....

Congrats Melissa and Christie! Send us your mailing address and we'll get them in the mail soon.

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Thanks for playing along! Be on the lookout for a post tomorrow!

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{Melissa and Meg}

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(pics via Hostess, housetohome, Martha, and Country Living)

Loves of Late

Lately I have been in love with tweed and plaid. Don't ask me why. All you have to do is look at my recent fabric purchases-- I'm officially head over heels.

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Just for you, a little montage of lovely inspiration-- a little Toast, J.Crew, Domino, and vintage goodness. Maybe it can inspire something lovely.

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{Melissa}

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(pics via Toast, J.Crew, Domino and Life)

A giveaway just for you!

Hello again--I hope everyone is enjoying the holidays. In about 1 week and a half I will be able to fully enjoy mine. Finals will be over, classes will be finished...I'll be in heaven.
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I know that I mentioned this awhile ago, but the giveaway is finally here! Megan and I wanted to share some of our favorite things for the season, items we love to use and enjoy. There are two bundles to give away, which means two winners!
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Take a peek below:
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1. Yummy lemon lip gloss from C.O. Bigelow. Definitely a must.
2. Domino mag. Need I say more?
3. Easy Healthy cookbook. Great recipes, and ingredient conscious-- perfect for any New Year's Resolution.
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Package #2
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1. Easy Soups cookbook. Warm delights to combat any blustery day.
2. Oprah at Home Magazine. This color issue has the best room makeovers.
3. Lip gloss from C.O. Bigelow. Minty fresh.
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There is a major snow storm brewing outside, so it's almost time for me to burrow under the covers, but I just wanted to drop in and share the goodies.

We hope you enjoy-- just post your name in the comments and we'll pull the winner sometime next Sunday, the 14th.

I'll be posting later during the week, so be on the lookout. Have a great day!
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{Melissa}

Michael Woolley

Check out these awesome photos by Michael Woolley. Boy, if I could travel to the places these were shot at, I would be in heaven.

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Be on the lookout for a giveaway in the next day or so. Can't wait! One of my favorite things is giving things away, and I am super excited about this one!

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Have a happy Friday tomorrow. I know I will, because the weekend shortly follows!

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{Melissa}

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(pics via Michael Woolley)