Creating a Personalized Notebook Christmas Present with Plumb

This year I'm all about personalized Christmas presents. I think because it's my daughters first Holiday season I want to commemorate it in a special way and personalization is a really great way to do that. So when I received a few of the beautiful notebooks from Plumb it gave me the perfect idea for an easy DIY that will be a super special gift for any parent or grandparent. I used their stack book, which conveniently has a little window cut out on the first page, perfect for this project. But you can easily create a window like this in any good quality notebook. Like I did with the Plumb Spiral Journal. Directions below.

Supplies
Notebook
Photos or some other imagery
Ruler
Pencil
x-acto knife (or scissors)
glue

Instructions
1. Print your photos or other imagery.
2. Cut out the photos with the x-acto knife (or scissors).
3. Measure out the window on first page of notebook, based on how large your image is. (give at least a 1/4 inch margin on all sides of image).
4. Cut out window with x-acto knife (or scissors).
5. Measure where the image will go on the 2nd page.
6. Glue image to 2nd page.
7. Ta Da! You have yourself a beautiful, personal and affordable gift.

Thank you to Plumb for sponsoring this post.

DIY: Stamped Wrapping Paper

I really got into making my own hand-stamped wrapping paper this year and I’m so excited about the outcome so I thought I would share here. For this DIY you have 2 options, one is simpler and the other a little more complex, so you can decide which you have the energy to take on. For the more complex version I designed my own stamp and hand-carved it out of a linoleum block, so it's a little more time consuming. For the easier version I bought a stamp that I loved, or you could use stamps you might already have lying around the house.

WHAT YOU'LL NEED
Roll of plain wrapping paper (try to find a paper that is thin enough for good wrapping but sturdy enough to take the ink and not tear when worked with. Another option is to use older wrapping paper you don't care for and print on the backside. 

Linoleum block

Carving tools

Paint roller

Block Printing Ink

-or-

Store Bought Stamp

Ink

*Pretty ribbon or twine for wrapping

INSTRUCTIONS

1. Choose a solid color paper.
2. If making your own stamp, design or find a stamp design you love and print it.
3. Transfer design to Linoleum block
4. Carve out design.
5. Roll out ink and apply to stamp.

6. Stamp paper with design (I eye-balled it because I like a more organic look, but feel free to measure out a grid for a more exact look.
7. Let dry and then wrap up your presents!

Store bought Stamp version below.

Last Minute Thanksgiving Sides

Happy day before Thanksgiving! This is one of my favorite holidays mostly because it's all about the food :) And for those of you who are cooking the big meal tomorrow I thought I would share some last minute sides recipes that I've been thinking of making. I know it's super last minute but this post is for the procrastinators out there. Enjoy!! Links: 1. Roasted Winter Squash Salad with Goat Cheese via Gourmande in the Kitchen 2. Crispy Skin Salad with Buttermilk Dressing from Sweet Paul Magazine 3. Wild Mushroom Tart via Bijouxs.

Happy New Year!!

Ok so I know this video has been getting a lot of play around the internet but I had to share as well because it's basically the cutest thing that ever existed! I wish everyone a super duper New Year filled with delicious food, exciting travel, and fulfilling relationships, and anything you could possible hope for!

For My Mom

Dear Mom,
This post is for you! To remind you that you are a pretty stellar human being and not just at being a mom, even though I would say you have more then succeeded at that as well. Your example of how to be a strong, independent, creative, smart and funny women has inspired me into the person I am today, and I continuously rely on your advice and opinion to get me through most days. I wanted to make sure you know how much I appreciate you even if it doesn't always seem that way. Happy Mothers Day to you this weekend as well as all the other mothers out there.
Images below are of my beautiful mother.

Vacation!

I just booked tickets for me and my sweetie to San Juan Puerto Rico! I'm so super excited, it's a much needed reprieve. I'll probably be posting some more about my trip but for now I just leave you with this lovely image of San Juan by Stanislav Ginzburg, a photographer I featured earlier this week.

Merry Christmas!!

Well I'm off to Minnesota for the holiday, I hope everyone has a cozy, yummy and relaxing vacation. I will be back posting on Monday like usual but I leave you with this image to inspire warmth and cuteness during your holiday.

source

Weekend Project - Holiday Decorating

Although I already decorated my tree last weekend, and spent an exorbitant amount of time making a handmade popcorn and cranberry wreath, I seem to be possessed with holiday spirit and there are a couple more projects I really want to get done. So this weekend my poor boyfriend is again stuck doing sweatshop labor for my dream of the perfect holiday apartment. Below are a couple of d.i.y. projects I found around the web that I hope to tackle. What about you guys have you done any fun holiday projects or seen any cool ones you hope to do? please share I'd love to get more ideas and see what others are doing.

Top:  DesignSponge DIY Ruffly Felt Wreath

Bottom Left: Martha Stewart Snowy Balloon Ornaments

Bottom Right: Martha Stewart Three-Dimensional Doily Ornament