Discount Code?

Does anyone know if Crate and Barrel has a coupon available besides the free shipping?

Give a Little Bit...

I recently learned about an organization called Kiva on the Design*Sponge website. Kiva "connects people through lending to alleviate poverty". It is a peer loan service for entrepreneurs in developing nations who would otherwise not have the means to further their business. I think it is important to support people who are striving to help themselves and Kiva gives you that opportunity. Plus, since it is a loan and not a donation, you get your money back within six months and you can then turn it around support someone else!

You can choose where who you want your loan to go to and you learn about why they need the money and how they will use it. I decided to loan to Evelin Ruth Juárez De Ramírez. 

Evelin lives in El Salvador with her husband and two children. She runs a clothing kiosk and the money from the loan goes to help her further her business. I just signed up and loaned on Friday, so it should be interesting to see the updates and stories about her business as they roll in. 

Alternative Ideas for Ornaments

When my mom and I went to Ikea this last time, they already had their Christmas stuff out. They had some really cute, simple coordinating ornaments in big tubs and some other similar sets in, well, sets. I decided to buy them and see what I could come up with. I didn't do a very good job, but remember I'm still new at this. And I'm not a natural.

Here it is with the lights out.

Kinda looks like a shrine, doesn't it? Well, like I said I'm definitely not a natural, like Mikael is. She claims she's not "crafty", but I beg to differ.

These are absolutely stunning and they are made with foam, ornaments from Walmart, and "snow" from Target. Can you believe it? Well, of course you all can, you guys do stuff like this all the time!

And Redhead did basically the same thing I did, yet her's looks a GAZILLION times better.

 

 

And Lauren from Little Big Nest just hung a bunch of ornament on a wire hanger and made it look magical (and expensive)! 

 

 

I am so jealous of all the natural drive and talent all you wonderful ladies seem to posses. 

I have seen all the DIY Christmas links at NewlyWoodwards and I have been mighty impressed. Has anyone made anything they haven't yet shared with the class?

Stocking Stuffers

My Oma (grandmother for you non-Germans) always had fancy-schmancy guest soaps when we were younger. After these soaps were used a few times and no longer looked pristine, she would let up play with them in the tub. I don't remember much about my childhood, but I do remember the soaps. 
I have four female cousins on my moms side of the family and apparently they all remember the soaps, as well. I brought it up at Thanksgiving and Oma said she has been cutting them into her laundry! She brought out the soaps that remained, three small flowers and two Santas. We split them up and each took one home. It's silly, but I guess they were an integral part of our lives at that time. Or at least an important part of how we viewed our grandmother.
Recently I started noticing soap makers on Etsy, there are 1,967 pages of soaps acually. They are definitely not your grandmothers soaps (ha), but some they are fun and funky and unique. I thought as an extra little gift for the holidays I would get each girl a fun "guest" soap that matched some part of their personality.

(FigLeafSoap)

(FigLeafSoap)

 

(LoveLeeSoaps)

 

(LoveLeeSoaps)

 

(LoveLeeSoaps)

 

(PepperApothecary)

I thought the buttons would be perfect for Trish, the seamstress.   Obviously no one would get the penis, I just thought it was funny! LOL! Some of these would make great hostess gifts to keep a stash of for emergencies, too! Never hurts to think ahead, even though I never do.

Gingerbread House

My cousins and I had lots of fun Thanksgiving weekend making  a Gingerbread house!

It's not the greatest design and follow through, but we had fun! Plus, how many others can say their Gingerbread house has a Monster Truck and a pool!

Trish thinks it's pretty awesome! The pool was her idea.

BTW, my little cousin (she's 17), made her dress.

It's Electric Blue and taffeta and pretty freakin' rad (what word are kids using these days?), if you ask me!! 

Lovely

Has anyone ever seen a prettier face?

Thanksgiving Treats

My boss receive a book entitled Hello, Cupcake! for Christmas last year and for some reason brought it in to work recently. I was smitten. Everything in the tutorial cookbook is ADORABLE! And very simple, too.
At my grandmothers, for Holidays, the grandkids are not expected to act like adults. We are not asked to bring a dish, or help out in the kitchen. While this can be a relief at times, sometimes it is also nice to be treated as a grown-up. Especially when you have a house, a fiance, a big girl job, and two fur-"babies". So I decided this year that I would make cupcakes! Yay! Only problem is, I've never made cupcakes before. Well, not really a "problem", as I am a fairly good cook, so the baking part was no trouble, but I completely underestimated the time and financial commitment that fancy cupcakes take. I chose to make the "T.V. Dinner" cupcakes and the " Larry the Turkey" cupcakes.

 

I went to Schnucks on my lunch break to buy the supplies. It took forever since I don't bake much and I wasn't sure exactly what I needed. I had decided that instead of the Peas and Carrots cupcake you see in the first picture, I would make a Sweet Potatoes and Marshmallows one. So I needed lots of orange Starburst, but I didn't know how many... And I also decided that instead of Chocolate Pudding, I would make Stuffing. That was easily accomplished with Betty Crocker Ice Cream Praline topping. So I got most of my stuff at the grocer, but I still had to stop at a cake decorating specialty store for the rest, Karen Ann's. She was really nice and incredibly helpful.  Anyway, after 5 hours of baking and decorating, here are the results.

I think they all turned out really great, but it was definitely hard work. You'll notice there are no Larry's and there are also two random "Pudding" cupcakes. I ran out of time and the will to live. Just kidding. But it was 11 pm, I had run out of orange Starburst, and I was tired. So, I deemed it "good enough". I am the queen of "good enough", BTW. But they were a big hit (especially the mashed potato ones), so I was happy.

So what did you guys make for Thanksgiving? Did you host? Or just make a little treat like I did?