a date with the christmas tree.

First of all, I have to apologize to all of you. I have barely been around, and I didn't mean to completely abandon my blog. A few things have been happening around here that have been taking up my time, and I think it is high time to share!

Number One... The shop has been busy! I am finally caught up on all of my current orders and would love for you to keep shopping. Order turnarounds will be very quick since I know that you all are needing things super quickly this holiday season, so shop now! The 1300th customer will receive some fab freebies in the mail, let me tell you! :) I'm almost there, eek! Maybe you need some cute gift tags for your presents? Maybe something to add in for a hostess gift at a holiday party? Or maybe some cute confetti to add to your Christmas cards? The shop's got it all. Go peek. :)

Number Two... It's the holiday season!!! Need I say more? What isn't going on at this time of year? Shopping for Christmas gifts, stringing up holiday lights, mailing out Christmas cards, planning a party for Andrew's class. Whew! I'm tired just thinking of all of this. More on the holidays in a moment....

And of course, Number Three... I have been wanting to spend an inordinate amount of time with my new boyfriend! Yes, you heard me right! I am now dating a new & super fantastic man and I am happy, happy, happy. I guess my blog comes second to that. :)

So now you all know where I've been and I promise I'll try to be around more. I love my blog, I love my readers, and I love to share ideas, inspiration, and what I've been up to. So thank you for sticking around and popping in to say hi when you do. It means a lot to me. :)

OK, like I said, more on Christmas now!
I have a date
with my Christmas tree
penciled in for Thursday.
We are going to pick out a tree that evening and start decorating it and I couldn't be more excited! Before decorating the tree however, I always think it is fun to take a look at some decor inspiration. Here goes....


The most adorable little tabletop tree. I adore trees this size. Easier to decorate, but still so festive and fun! This one is from that talented lady named Martha. :) I also am so in love with the tiny little trees lining the windows. So super cute!


I am not a hugely pink kind of girl, but this screams happiness to me! I love the iridescent glass ornaments on the tree and I think it looks like one big piece of candy. Love! {Also from Ms. Stewart!}


I do happen to think that Christmas is a time to incorporate all colors. If you toss on every ornament you have on a tree, it looks amazing. The reason for the season is not to make a color statement, and I think this tree looks fun and whimsical.
{From Country Living!}


Then again, the simplicity of this color palette is totally oozing charm as well. I adore the pillow mish-mash on the couch and love how sparse the tree is. And of course, I am a total sucker for anything paper-chain. Maybe I should get Andrew on that project?? :)
{Country Living, again!}


And finally, my favorite picture for this year. I love, love, love this!!! Everything is so happy in this picture from Country Living... from the flowers on the table that are not classically "Christmas," to the bright and cheery Christmas tree, to the eclectic mix of chairs at the dining table, and the most perfect chandelier ever, this is how I want Christmas to feel at my home.

Special.
Not perfect, but so special.
That's what the holidays are all about. :)
Happy decorating, my friends!
xo!

lemon meringue bars.

Happy Monday, friends!
I am back this week with a fantastic recipe to share with all of you.
Like, so fantastic, I could not stop eating these. :)

I love anything lemon, especially in summer.
And if you happened to miss my mom's class a few nights ago,
this is one of the recipes I made for her.
They were easy, and if you aren't into the idea of making a lemon meringue pie,
these bars were the perfect alternative.

{And here is my caveat for you as well: Martha gets real exact with her measurements, which is probably why these turn out so well. But it is so annoying. I can't stand it. But, get over it like I did and make these. You'll love Martha again, even if her precise-ness is nauseating! :) }

Lemon Meringue Bars
{From Martha Stewart}

2 sticks unsalted butter, softened
1 3/4 cups plus 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
1/4 cup plus 3 tablespoons confectioners sugar
2 tablespoons plus 1 teaspoon freshly grated lemon zest
1/4 teaspoon coarse salt
6 large eggs, plus 4 large egg whites
2 1/4 cups plus 2 tablespoons granulated sugar
3/4 cup plus 3 tablespoons fresh lemon juice

1. Preheat oven to 350. Make crust: Put butter, flour, confectioners sugar, 2 teaspoons lemon zest, and the salt in the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with the paddle attachment. Mix on medium speed until well blended.
2. Transfer mixture to a 9-by-13-inch rimmed baking sheet. Press batter evenly into baking sheet. Chill in freezer 10 minutes. Bake until golden, 20 to 22 minutes. Let cool completely on a wire rack.
3. Make filling: Whisk together whole eggs, 1 3/4 cups plus 2 tablespoons granulated sugar, the lemon juice, and 1 tablespoon plus 2 teaspoons lemon zest. Pour over crust. Bake until filling is set, 18 to 20 minutes. Let cool completely on a wire rack. Keep oven at 350.
4. Make meringue topping: Put egg whites and 1/2 cup granulated sugar in the clean bowl of an electric mixer fitted with the whisk attachment. Beat on medium-high speed until stiff peaks form.
5. Using an offset spatula or the back of a spoon, spread meringue over filling, swirling to create soft peaks. Bake until meringue begins to brown, 8 to 10 minutes. Let cool completely. Cut into bars. Bars can be refrigerated in an airtight container, up to 1 day.

PS.
Let me know if you try these
and fall deeply in love with them like I did. :)
Enjoy your Monday, xo! :)

fourth of july inspiration.

Martha is awesome and her crafts are darling,
especially for this weekend's holiday! :)

1. Clothespin Pinwheel
2. Patriotic Fans
3. Flag Patterned Fence Swag
4. Star Medallion

Happy crafting, xo! :)

digging out the old magazines.

I dug out all of the old Martha Stewart Kids magazines that my mom has kept for years. And may I ask, why did this magazine ever stop?! It is amazing. Every issue is full of the cutest seasonal ideas and now I am feeling extra inspired! :)

I'll be sharing some of these fun projects next week.

Andrew and I are headed to Washington to visit family next week,

but I will have lots of blog posts set for you all while I'm gone! :)

Do you have any crafts that you and your kids like to do together?

Do share! :)

Happy summer crafting, xo!

PS.

Giveaway winners will be announced a bit later today!!

last minute mother's day ideas.

Leave it to Martha to know what's up for Mother's Day.
Here are a few fantastic gifts you or your kids can put together last minute that are still extra-special for any mom. :)

1. These teacup candles are incredibly sweet and useful!
2. Make mom a delicious breakfast in bed!
3. Whip up some pink meringue drops. What a beautiful treat!
4. The perfect gift for small children to help put together... a coupon book!

Happy Mother's Day weekend to you all
and
Happy Pink Saturday!
xo!

valentine's day, the martha way.

Martha Stewart always blows me away. I try to think up clever crafts and projects, but then when I go to her website, I wonder why I waste my time when she exists. :) Here are my current favorite projects that I've added to my to-do list with little Andrew.

Um, I have no words. These are way too cute. I want these hanging all around me.

These creative little buggers are made with cupcake liners! Something that is totally cute and yummy in a cupcake liner without making my jeans too tight! :)

The perfect little craft for a child to help with. These bookmarks are a way to get your kids super involved and get them creating! The best part is that you can't go wrong- your kids can go crazy with stickers and cutouts and markers and these gifts just get cuter. :)

I thought this was a great craft and I think this one might be what Andrew and I make for the kids in his class. What a cute and personal way to spread some Valentine's Day cheer!

What kinds of crafts will you do this year?

Any more clever and creative ideas?!

xo!

a last minute gift how-to.

If you are wondering what to do about those last minute gifts, look no further! This is the perfect holiday gift, and looks amazing wrapped up in cellophane and a gorgeous red bow! Made out of old magazines, this Martha Stewart craft is not only easy, it is totally green as well! (And if you've got an old magazine just lying around, it's free, too!!) This also makes a beautiful hostess gift if you are going to a holiday get-together. :) Or if you want to make a few for yourself, gather a "forest" on your Christmas dinner table!



Watch the video here and see the how-to so you can make some of these fabulous trees for yourself! So far, I've made a bunch for gifts... and I'm still folding! And beware... They are super addictive! :)

Happy crafting to you all in these last few days before Christmas... what are you still working on? Are you all set for the holiday? I'd love to know how crazy this time of year is for the rest of you :) xo!

check this out - endless inspiration!

I have a serious love for Martha Stewart. I grew up watching her shows with my mom and have always loved what she does with respect to handmade. SO... I finally got with the program and checked out her Encyclopedia of Crafts book from the library last week and I am seriously overjoyed! It is amazing. Not only is it a beautiful book, which is always fun to thumb through, but it has step by step instructions on how to make a million different craft projects. Literally, the possibilities are endless. I browsed through the entire thing and felt amazingly crafty haha!!

This might be one I have to purchase, but being the book cheapskate I am at the moment, I'll just keep renewing it from the library for the time being. :)

Martha,

you've got me inspired again.

And now I might have to take up even more craft hobbies since your book is forcing me to do so. :)

And now I want to have your input... What is your favorite crafty book??

I'd love any book recommendations for the week! My library list is not long enough yet, haha! xo!