DIY Gift Guide: 2013

Currently my mind is occupied primarily by 2 things: the flip, and Christmas... can you tell? When it comes to Christmas, my family and I have simplified in the past few years, so DIY gifts have been catching my eye lately.  There are so many amazing DIY tutorials out there in blog-land lately that its hard to pick a favorite.  Here are 6 easy DIY's that would please anyone on your gift list.

1.  These macrame bracelets from Honestly WTF are so adorably chic and easy to make, how can you go wrong?

2.  Can I interest you in a classy beer opener?  via Decor and the Dog

3.  I would find it very hard to actually use these beautiful spoons from Design Mom, but hello cute but not kitschy kitchen art!

4.  Had to throw one of my project in here.  This DIY ipad case is one of my favorite projects to date, and so simple!

5.  I can't seem to locate the origin of this bike horn turned iphone speaker, but wherever it's from, I want it!  I guess that means that it would make a great DIY gift!

6.  I think I'd be willing to handwash a few dishes if said dishes were as pretty as these gold painted mugs from Garland of Grace.  These would be an amazing gift on their own or filled with favorite treats.

It's Alive!

My Christmas tree, that is.  Since getting my own apartment, I've had the same fake little tree.  It's a very nice, full, psuedo-realistic fake tree, and the decoration has varied slightly from year to year, but I decided this year I'd shake it up a bit. Both this year and last, while perusing Home Depot, my attention was grabbed by these cute little potted trees for $25 a piece.

Considering I took a pretty much identical phone pic last year, I went for it!

It's a little Charlie Brown-ish, but I'm totally digging it.  She's got Pizazz!

And it got a custom pot thanks to rope and hot glue.

It grounds it and adds texture below the branches.  Small project for such an impact!

I also reused last year's DIY clay ornaments, although I'm thinking a new DIY ornament for this year is in order, don't you think?

My new tree topper that I purchased on our trip the other week is reminiscent of the light that I used last year, but much daintier.

As I mentioned last week, for the first time ever, the interior wasn't the only place getting a bit of decoration.  After a bit of hemming and hawing, I decided to go au naturale outside with real garland draped around the porch entry with simple white lights.  At night it adds just a little bit of 'sparkle' and makes me smile without making dear Hubby cringe- mission accomplished!

I've also purchased my FIRST EVER wreath!  Yup, I've never been a wreath person before, but this one from Target hit just the right note.

I'm sure some of the decorations will evolve a bit over the next few weeks as I play around with things a bit more.  It's definitely helping to get me in the Christmas spirit!  That and LOTS of Christmas music!  It's an addiction, that I only let myself indulge in for a month every year.  Who's with me? What's your favorite Christmas song or CD?

Oh Monday

As I sat down to write today's post, my phone blinged with a reminder that I had the final measure for Frankie's windows this morning and I was in danger of being late! I quickly brushed my teeth, threw on a hat and grabbed the car that was parked last in the driveway. Not my best call, but it was a good reminder why we own a 4 wheel drive car (which I was not driving)...... After all my rushing so as not to stand up the window guy, I'm still waiting. He's probably in traffic, but nonetheless forgetting and rushing in questionable winter weather isn't the best way to start a Monday.

The point of all this babbling (if there even is one) is that I'll be back tomorrow with a real post. Please enjoy this teaser of our Christmas tree/bush pre-decoration as consolation.