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By Sami, on December 28th, 2011
Okay so this is technically not a “Today’s Threads,” but trust me, you wouldn’t want to see what I’m wearing today. I’ve been sick for over a week with some kind of sinus infection/cold thing, so I’m in my jammies. Not doing a whole lot of jammin’ though. So, here’s what I wore to my Dad’s house for Christmas Eve.
From the bottom up: Red vintage boots: Bellini, loveyvintage, $30. White leggings: Marshalls, $8. Green polka heart jumper: Forever 21, found at Savers, $8. White top: Old Navy, $5. Clock heart necklace: I can’t remember who the designer is, but I bought it at Brazen Betties for about $30. Brown headband: 3 for $1, Dollar Tree, bought when I was making hair accessories.
I also got a haircut, which I was in desperate need of. Thanks to Mish <3.
By Sami, on December 24th, 2011
I haven’t been blogging this week because I’m taking a break from work, blogging, and soapmaking, as a way of celebrating my graduation ~ woo-hoo! But! I was making tra la las today and I wanted to share the recipe in case anyone is looking for an easy, last-minute treat to bring to a holiday party. Let’s get to it!
Cookie Ingredients {yields 3.5-4 dozen cookies}:
- ½ cup {1 stick} butter
- ½ cup white sugar
- 3 eggs
- 2 tsp vanilla extract
- 3 cups flour
- 1 tbs baking powder
Icing Ingredients:
- ½ cup confectioner’s sugar
- 1 tbs milk
- ¼ tsp lemon or almond extract
- nonpareils/sprinkles {optional}
Directions:
1. Preheat oven to 350° F.
2. Grease cookie sheets.
3. Cream butter & sugar in a large bowl until smooth.
4. Beat eggs and vanilla extract into creamed mixture.
5. Combine the flour and baking powder in a separate bowl; slowly add to creamed mixture. Beat well.
6. Roll walnut-sized portions of dough in your hands then drop onto greased cookie sheet.
7. Bake 8-10 minutes, until bottoms are golden brown.
8. Mix icing ingredients together.
9. Dip baked cookies into icing ingredients and sprinkle with nonpareils or other sprinkles.
Note: If you burn the bottoms, it’s very easy to scrape it off with a grater.
Note 2: Make sure you sprinkle on your nonpareils/sprinkles before the icing hardens, otherwise they won’t stick on.
Note 3: Always sample your delicious treats before serving. ;)
Thanks to Katrina over at Pugly Pixel for the velvet ribbons. Happy Holidays! xo
By Sami, on December 16th, 2011
My Halloween DIY Roundup was pretty popular, so I thought I’d do one for the Holiday season, too. Here are some neat Holiday-inspired crafts & DIYs I’ve found around the Internet:
1. Holiday Branch Decor via Remodelista. A very simple way to spruce {get it??} up a corner of the house for the holidays. All you need is a tree branch {I believe the one pictured is birch} and a string of white lights.
2. Cozy Winter Felt Wreath via The Inspired Room. This wreath is made entirely from neutral-colored felt squares and it’s so pretty!
3. Twine/String Ball Ornaments via Simple Mom. These holiday-themed string balls are very easy to make and they can be used as ornaments or as additions to centerpieces.
4. Sparkly Pears via Pretty Shiny Sparkly. Okay, this isn’t technically a tutorial, but they’d be very easy to make: pears + glue + glitter. I would make these not more than a few days before you’re having a party because real pears will go bad. Alternately, you could use fake pears.
5. Ladder Tree via CB2. Don’t have a tree? Or maybe you’d rather not cut one down or buy a plastic one? Stringing lights up around a ladder is a really cool alternative. I wish we had a ladder…
6. Mini Present Garland via Oh Happy Day. I love how fun, colorful and kate-spade-esque this garland is! It’s made with crepe paper and cereal/raisin boxes. I may go out and get raisin boxes just to make this! {And, of course, to eat the raisins.}
7. The Sweater Stocking via made. Turn your old/too-big/too-small sweaters into stockings! Genius! For those of you who can make more than a pillow on a sewing machine {something I still haven’t quite accomplished yet…}, this is a wonderful way to make personalized stockings for friends, family, or yourself!
8. Glitter Globes via kirtsy. My niece loves snow globes, so I’m going to box up these instructions and supplies and give them to her as one of her gifts so we can make one together. I might get too excited and make a bunch for the apartment, too.
9. Paper Ornaments via Etsy. I love these ornaments because they’re so unique. I’ve never seen any like them! Plus, they’re also pretty easy to make.
10. Pom Garland by Hank & Hunt. I realize I have a garland problem. Also a pom-pom problem. Also a sparkle problem. So, this sparkly pom-pom garland makes a little crazy with happiness. I can’t wait to make a bajillion! Poor Stan.
11. Hand-Drawn Printable Gift Tags via Hey Look. These printable gift tags are so pretty and simple, and they’re perfectly paired with kraft/butcher paper giftwrap and twine. A great simplistic look for wrapping gifts.
There are so many great holiday decor tutorials circling around the web, but I had to limit my list otherwise it would have gone on forever. Check out my holiday decor diy pinterest board for more inspiration!
By Sami, on December 14th, 2011
I’ve heard from a few readers and friends that they want to participate in the Conscientious Christmas Challenge, but they don’t really know of many independently-owned businesses in Connecticut. So, I’ve put together a list of places to shop, categorized by who might be on your list. Happy Holidays!
For the bookworm: Atticus Bookstore & Cafe (New Haven), The Book Barn (Niantic), The Book Rack (Vernon), R.J. Julia (Madison). If you can’t find books you’re looking for at any of these stores, skip Amazon and buy from Better World Books. They ship worldwide for free and, with every purchase, they donate a book to a child literacy program. Win-win!
For the chocolate connoisseur: Divine Treasures (Manchester), Knipschildt Chocolatier (Norwalk).
For the cupcake enthusiast: Bolo Bakery (Plainville), Sugarbelle (Glastonbury and West Hartford), Truffles Bakery and Kitchen (Farmington).
For the kiddies/kids at heart: Amato’s Toy and Hobby (Middletown and New Britain), Kiddly Winks (Canton), Once Upon a Child (Bristol, Danbury, Hamden, Manchester… they’re everywhere!), Toy Chest (West Hartford),
For the one that needs pampering/beauty queen: Apricot Blossom Therapeutic Massage (West Hartford), By the Sea (Branford, CT), Elle Nails & Spa (Middletown), envee salon & spa (Southington), Jennie Fresa makeup and skincare boutiquerie.
For the tea lover: The Green Teahouse (specializing in Chinese Tea Ceremonies, West Hartford) Simpson & Vale (Brookfield), Tisane (Hartford).
Got other ideas? Leave a comment! And don’t forget to submit your order to the Poor & Pretty Etsy shop by Friday, December 16th, to have it delivered in time for the holidays!
By Sami, on December 12th, 2011
I used Random.org to determine the winner of the Like a Fresh New Penny All-Natural Starter Kit, and the winner is…Erin Smith! Congratulations, Erin! I’ll be e-mailing you shortly. :)
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