Decorating for Hanukkah

Wow, tomorrow is the first day of December and now is when it really feels like that festive time of year for me.  It's probably because I celebrate my birthday on December 14th as well as Hanukkah and Christmas in December too.  Hanukkah is early this year, starting tomorrow evening, and just today I am finally putting up holiday decorations.

I was inspired by this garland I saw on babble this morning.  It's colors in blue, silver and white suit Hanukkah and it's designs are for Christmas too.  I like these double duty decorations.

I picked up a few of these dreidels from Crate and Barrel last week.  Mostly because I loved the flower design on the bottom, but also because they were so inexpensive.  I seem to find a few new ones every year to add to my collection.

And of course you can't have a holiday without a DIY.  I love this fleece pom pom hanukkah garland I spied on Creature Comforts this morning.  Well I get better get off this computer and get busy decorating.  I have lots of things to do today, including Hanukkah decorations for a few other events as well.  I love this time of year.  How about you?

Thanksgiving Creative Thrift

I love this simple, organic centerpiece for the Thanksgiving table from the Blog Nog holiday series on Say Yes to Hoboken.  Every year we enjoy two Thanksgiving dinners, one on Thursday, the original Turkey Day and one on Saturday at our home so my husband won't miss out on his lovely leftovers.  Last year I borrowed my table decorating ideas from Design Sponge, so I've been waiting for a good simple, homemade idea to come my way again through blogging.  I think I might try this one with a couple of small pumpkins to pretty up the center of my Thanksgiving table.

Today I am thankful for...

A winter snow before Thanksgiving and being intentional with Thanksgiving printables.  What simple pleasure are you thankful for today?



{printables by Silverbox Creative Studio}

You Are Beautiful!

When I saw these pictures here, it reminded me of this song and I wanted to share it with you.  I wanted to tell you, you were made for a purpose.  You are captivating and beautiful.  You are the crown of creation, the final, astonishing work of God.  The King is enthralled by your beauty.  -Psalm 45:11.  You bring joy to my days and beauty to my life.  Listen and have a beautiful weekend.

love,

2011 Adventure Calendar

Yeah! I finally got my computer fixed. I didn't realize that my computer had about 47 viruses on it. I was starting to get really discouraged and thought that I just didn't want to blog anymore. I thought I just needed a new computer, but I really don't have the money right now to spend on the one that I want...so, a trip to Best Buy and $300.00 later and she is all fixed up. Now she loads pictures in like 2 seconds instead of 10 minutes, Soooo...I have no more excuses.  Just in time to order my 2011 Adventure Calendar from Our Little Love Nest.  I bought their Challenge Calendar last year and am still using it.  I'm can't wait to receive the new calendar.  After all those challenges in 2010, I'm ready for new adventures in 2011!

This Week...

 

Words to ponder from a good book,

Surprise Parties for friends,

Warm homemade bread,

New magazines to read,

Words to wake up to with your cup of tea.

 

xo,

 

Little Bits of Little Winter

My husband and I packed our bags and left Saturday morning, excited for a much needed getaway.  Off to stay at the trendy Ace Hotel and shop my first blogger sponsored event, Little Winter.  It was nice to put real faces to some of the blogs that I read and see all their handmade wares in person.  The beds in the hotel were a little firm for my taste, but the Little Winter handmade market was well worth it.  You might want to see for yourself...

Little Winter from anja verdugo on Vimeo.

I came away with few goodies for myself, ( Flora & Fauna 2011 Calendar from Mossiere, a pair of gold raindrop hoops by Favor Jewelry, a couple of cards from abby try again, and a feather kitchen linen by Herriott Grace) and my husband loved the Stumptown Coffee Roasters and the best Lebanese food ever at Nicholas Restaurant. Thank you Abby for the recommendation, and thank you Abby and Chelsea for hosting this beautiful shopping experience filled with so many creative artists and bloggers.

xo,

Lovely

You know how sometimes you are just surfing the internet and you don't even know how you got where you are.  Well that's how I found these lovely things.  'The Lovely Us' is a project created to help pay art school tuition for starving artists.  I thought this was such a lovely idea and decided to support them by ordering one of the decals designed by Kara for my own laptop.  Have a lovely day my friends!

Bijou and Boheme

I've been scouring the design blogs looking for ideas when I found a new blog that I love, Bijou and Boheme.  It all started when my son decided he wanted to be on his own and moved out a few weeks ago.  I've been a little sad since he moved out.  Actually, sometimes I really wanted him to move out.  It's that never ending struggle between dependence and independence that can wreak havoc with a parent-child relationship.  Well, anyway that's why things have been a little sporadic around here.  I guess I've been suffering a little bit from empty nest syndrome which I never thought would happen to me, but when your only child who you have raised for 18 years and has always been with you leaves, I guess one might be due for a little sadness.  Anyway, I'm doing better now and have decided to take over his space, of bedroom, bath and loft.  It's time to redecorate!  I'd like to redecorate the whole house, and that's how I happened upon this beautiful living space of Christine's.

I really like how she mixed and matched and put this space together.  Although it might take some time, I am tempted to do like she did and sell everything I have and start with a clean slate.

Enjoy!

Gifted Magazine

Have you seen the new online Gifted magazine by Ez at Creature Comforts?  It is filled with holiday projects, interviews with some very creative bloggers, downloadable gift tags, cards and paper and a gift guide for the holidays.  If you like her blog, you'll love this magazine.