Instagram love

These last few weeks have just flown by and I suppose it doesn't help that I simply can't keep my eyes open.  Yesterday I sat down at 2 after having a nice lunch and then before you know it I woke up at 5:15 in total darkness. Whoops. Baby growing sure does take a lot of energy. I've slowly but surely been getting ready for all things holiday and just need one more gift to get. Are you guys ready for the holidays?

As I mentioned, the husband and I stopped off at Renegade Craft fair on Saturday and I picked up a new Lerf Ewe cup to add to our growing collection, I think we are up to 7 now! I just love how no two are alike and artist Klai is such a wonderful person to chat with. We have grown to know her over the years and even though we see her only once a year she always remembers us. Talk about a great memory!

The husband has started to get things up on the wall to get ready for baby, it only seemed natural to put up our do your best print for her. I also hung a photo of the husband and I that we took for our baby announcement and a darling mouse illustrated patch. I still need to paint the frame but am not sure as to what color...these are sitting right above a dresser that is a creamy white so I'm just not 100% as to what color I want it to be.

And lastly in this weeks Instagram love is our main holiday decor. Our fireplace/radio/record/8 track player has been all dolled up with festive packages and a few natural ornaments. Since we live in a small apartment and didn't want to drag a full size Christmas tree up I opted for a small rosemary bush. Last year I made that fabric bunting and decided it would be the perfect way to spruce up our little bush. Not a whole lot of color but its just the way I like it, simple and to the point. How have you decorated this year?

images by our designed life on instagram

Holiday inspiration part 1

Over the last few weeks I have been gathering image after image of holiday decor ideas for my Mom and I, this year we are changing everything up as far as decor and are attempting to make almost all of our Christmas decor. Thankfully we started in mid November! Its coming along great and we have a growing collection of lovely handmade items, they always feel way more special when you put it together with your own two hands. For today I thought I would share a few of the images I've been drawing inspiration from, seems I can't get enough natural elements this year... there is just something about having the smell of evergreens in the house that makes me all giddy.
It is so simple to bring the outdoors in, I may forgo a tree this year for something like that mantle of small potted plants. I love the idea of being able to keep the plants alive, who knows maybe I can even plant one somewhere in our growing garden. I've done the rosemary shrub before and walking into a home with rosemary is intense, the smell can get quite strong but is still lovely. And how pretty is that floating candle in the cranberries!? Such a simple way to bring in color, scent and lighting.

 photos via good housekeeping, martha stewart, hello yarn and bhg

Keeping with the crafting theme, its important to get everyone excited, especially the kiddos. This year my entire family (we are a large crowd of 20+!) is going to craft our very own wreath and will be participating in a contest to guess the maker of each wreath. Should be very interesting we have some fun personalities in my family. These would be the perfect craft for the kids to get in on and would still fit in with our more sophisticated holiday decor.

 photos via family fun, bhg, martha stewart and create paper blog

And because nothing says holiday decor like baubles and ornaments, here are a few examples of how to embellish a bit of your decor. You can find super cheap bulbs everywhere and for the less then gorgeous ones (why is there always one color or design in a package that doesn't really belong?), glitter can be your best friend. My Mom decided she wanted to change all her colors from the typical red and green to a chic purple, gold and green palette, very beautiful and classic. Have you done anything to get in the holiday spirit yet?

photos via apartment therapy, bhg and daily mail

DIY ruffled skirt

I know I know, its the week of Thanksgiving and I'm talking Christmas, but when you are crafting all your holiday decor you need a giant head start am I right? I came across this ruffled beauty from the seriously crafty Marian of Miss mustard seed and bookmarked it right away for a possible project this year. A no sew Christmas tree ruffle skirt? Yes please. Seems relatively simple, I'm thinking it would look great with a simple pattern too. You can see the entire tutorial here and do stop by Miss mustard seed for amazingly beautiful inspiration and crafts that are actually do able!

photo via mustard seed interiors 

I wish I could do this

Sometimes I come across something that no matter how hard I might try, I will never get to look as good, and well, Glory from Glorious Treats is one amazing lady.  My mouth literary dropped when I came across her vintage pastel Christmas table. Can you say incredible?  I love that she used colors that don't necessarily reflect the holiday, but fit it perfectly.  And the detail in the treats.... oh my.

If this got your mouth watering, just check out the rest of her blog, you won't regret it.  Its a great stop for kitchen inspiration and good ol' eye candy.

photos via glorious treats

Photo of the day, The last of Christmas

The last of Christmas

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This gold guy almost found himself in the trash heap.  Found it nestled deep in the tree before it got hauled away to be chopped up for our garden.  Till next year, little ornament.

We decked the halls

Hope everyone had a lovely holiday.  My families holiday tradition is to get together on Christmas Eve and celebrate with good food, family and a whole lot of presents.  (Don't worry, this was for about 25 people!)  And of course, Uli had to get in on the action.

The day before and day of, my husband and I created tons of sweets for everyone to enjoy.  This year we made brownie bites, graham cracker cookies with truffle filling, peppermint bark, fruit cups and sparkling cranberries.  Took forever, but having snacks that are vegetarian made it worth the work.  I also made a vegan casserole!

Another tradition, my Mom's homemade sopapias.  My Grandma used to make these when I was little and they were a huge crowd favorite.  Since she passed, my Mom has taken on the huge task of making them.  They are totally simple and taste amazing!  Think fried flour tortilla dough filled with beans.  Yum!!

Do you have any family traditions?  We also incorporated an ugly sweater contest, a round of "Posadas"- a short prayer also passed down through my family, and even a game of White Elephant.  Happy holidays friends.