Friday, November 30, 2012

Friday's Letters


Dear husband, I love you. Thank you for completing your "honey-do" list in its entirety today. That makes you pretty darn awesome. Dear Bentley, please stop sticking your nose in the tissue paper stuffed in the gift bags under the tree. I know you like the crinkling sound the tissue paper makes, but the presents need to stay pretty. Also, why are you eating a dead leaf this very moment? Eww! Dear job, you've left me in need of a manicure. When I went to the bank today, I realized my nails were still covered in red and green paint from the handprint wreaths we made this morning. Dear sleep, I miss you! Dear 6 a.m., you STILL suck. Dear December, when I wake up, you will be here! FINALLY! If you are here, that means the 25 Days of Christmas on ABC Family starts. That means channel 42 will be the ONLY channel on our television for the next month. Woohoo! Dear Amanda, you make some darn cute babies! Isn't my youngest niece ADORABLE?!   

Until next week,
Miranda

Wednesday, November 28, 2012

Ornaments, Nutcrackers and Stockings: A Peek at Our Christmas Home


Greetings readers!

It's time to share with you this year's Christmas decor and all those fun craft projects that made it all happen. (I told you - it is really is the BEST time of the year!) 

Our color scheme of choice for this year? Red and black to match our recent living room makeover, of course. I know black isn't typically a Christmas color, but it works. I promise! Of course, we have a sprinkling of green to accent our main colors as well. 

Our wrapping paper and gift tags are from Hobby Lobby. Each year after Christmas, I try to raid Hobby Lobby for next year's gift wrapping supplies because it is always at a really low and irresistible price. I really like the wrapping paper I found for this year because it has glitter on it and I love sparkly things. As for the ribbon, it is all leftovers from our wedding back in September. :)




Now then, Bentley asked me to share this ornament with you because it is his personal favorite. 


I received this ornament last year from my parents. Each year, we are given a Christmas ornament that usually reflects a significant event from the past year. I had brought home a furry, little three-month-old Yorkie the month before who stole the hearts of his fur-grandparents (and me!). Naturally, the arrival of their first fur-grandbaby had to be commemorated with an ornament. It is a tradition that I love and plan to carry it on with my children.

Next, I'd like to share my Christmas window with you! In our apartment, the living room has one HUGE window which offered me the perfect display for my nutcracker collection.


I collect nutcrackers. Each year, my mother gives me one so I've got a pretty impressive collection going now (all of them are not in the window).


To complete my display, I purchased some cardboard triangles from Hobby Lobby and stenciled "Merry Christmas" on them to make a banner. I got a little too excited about my project and took a picture of my window before it was completed. I'm sure you noticed I haven't placed the "Christmas" up yet. I did that last night though so don't worry!

Next on my Christmas craft list was my ribbon tree!


I used a basic tutorial from Stacy over at She's {kinda} Crafty to create my tree. Again, I used some red organza ribbon left over from our wedding. The other ribbon is also from Hobby Lobby which was a dollar a roll. 

To bring just a little bit more Christmas into our home, I tied some green, glittery ribbon to our red pillows. Now, they look like presents! No - the green ribbon was not left over from our wedding. HOWEVER, it was left over from gift wrapping. :)


My last Christmas craft was a door hanger. I have one for fall and thought it'd be cute to have a Christmas one as well. I used a cardboard letter ($1.49), some fuzzy ribbon ($3) and some left over gift wrapping ribbon to complete my Christmas "W." Isn't he cute?



Well, there you have it! The Winslett's first Christmas tree complete with decked halls. I'd love to see your Christmas decor so send some pictures my way. I'm already picking crafts for next year - like new stockings!



Thanks for reading. I've got a 12 Dates of Christmas date tonight with the Mr. which means you should be able to read about it soon!

Love Always!
Miranda















Saturday, November 24, 2012

The Ultimate Etsy Christmas Gift Guide: For the Christmas Lover


FOR THE CHRISTMAS LOVER 

Personalized Christmas Stocking: Red and White Collection
1) Personalized Christmas Stocking by Pink SlipInspiration - When I have children (and a fireplace for that matter), these stockings will be mine!

Set of 25 Linen Drawstring Advent Calendar Sacks/Bags

Personalised Heirloom Christmas Santa Sacks / Christmas Sacks

The Ultimate Etsy Christmas Gift Guide: For Pet Lovers


FOR THE PET LOVER

DIY Kit Cat Toy Simple and Fun to Sew
1) 5) DIY Kit Cat Toy Simple and Fun to Sew by misohandmade

HEAVY DUTY Webbing Dog Collar with Personalized Buckle
2) Heavy Duty Webbing Dog Collar with Personalized Buckle by LaserPets - I love this because Bentley is either chewing his name of his tag or completely losing it. Solves both those problems!

Doggie Dope Soap on a Rope - All Natural - BIG BAR of Soap - Dog Shampoo Bar with Essential Oils - Dog Bone - Dog Stocking Stuffer
3) Doggie Dope Soap on a Rope by DopeOnARopeSoap - Hehe! This is just cute!

The Ultimate Etsy Christmas Gift Guide: For the Harry Potter Lover


HARRY POTTER LOVER
Harry potter Deathly Hallows iphone case, Iphone 4 Case, Black Wooden Iphone case, Iphone 4S case, for Iphone 4, 4s, 4g
1) Harry Potter Deathly Hallows iPhone 4 case by wesweetlife - This is just neat and it looks like real wood almost.

Hogwarts Alumni Harry Potter Geek Grey T-shirt Women's Girl's Ladies Tshirt Tee

Customizable Harry Potter Acceptance Letter with Hogwarts Express Ticket
3) Customizable Harry Potter Acceptance Letter by OutlawHeartPaperCo - Give the gift of Hogwarts this Christmas season. :)

The Ultimate Etsy Christmas Gift Guide: For the Zombie Enthusiast


FOR THE ZOMBIE ENTHUSIAST

I've Got A ZOMBIE PLAN Charm Bracelet For The Zombie Apocalypse
1) I've Got a Zombie Plan Charm Bracelet by PlayBox - This is pretty awesome, right?

Zombie Survival Kit - travel size - great gift for men, nerds, survivalists
2) Zombie Survival Kit by saplingnaturals - Specially designed soap to mask your human scent. A must have for a zombie apocalypse.

Walking Dead Zombie Funny T SHirt
3) Walking Dead Zombie Funny T-shirt by OutbreakApparel - Loving it!

**For the original gift guide post or to view other lists, click here!**

The Ultimate Etsy Christmas Gift Guide: For the Munchkins


FOR THE MUNCHKINS

Fort Building Kit
2) Fort Building Kit by aLittleParty - How stinkin' awesome is this?! I would've killed for a fort building kit when I was a kid. 

Girl Crayon Wallet - Happy Garden 2 - LAST ONE
3) Crayon Wallet by busybeezchickadeez - My future children are going to be so spoiled...

Monthly onesie Set in Pink, Blue, Red or Light Purple
4) Monthly Onesie Set by BumbleBabyDezigns - If your munchkin is a new arrival or still waiting to make an appearance, this gift would be adorable! I love the idea.

**For the original gift guide post or to view other lists, click here!**