Monthly Archives: December 2011
The Design Therapist is: In
| December 19, 2011 | Posted by Linsi Brownson under announcements, Design, Inspiration, interiors |
Fresh for the New Year, I’ve decided it would be fun to start a new column called
The Design Therapist is: In
A chaise lounge or therapist's couch? You decide.
where I give free advice on your most pressing home design questions.
But I need your help – I need to know what you need to know.
Be part of the fun by contributing your question below! If I pick your comment for my first column, you’ll win something fun (not telling quite yet). So tell me your pressing questions and I’ll see what I can do! The column will launch January 2nd, so be on the lookout and tell your friends about this cool blog that gives design therapy for free.
Green&Chic: Last-Minute Homemade Gifts (Right From The Pantry)
| December 14, 2011 | Posted by Elissa C. under bathroom, cleaning, cooking, Create, do-it-yourself, Eat, food, gifts, Guest Bloggers, holidays, Home, Inspiration, kitchen, Projects, Seasonal, Sustainable Living |
Every year during the holidays, I find myself needing a last-minute gift for a thoughtful co-worker or neighbor who has graced me with something special. My circle of family and friends is rather small, which makes things easier when it comes to my end of things, but it is inevitable that I will receive a gift from someone that I wasn’t expecting. I really enjoy giving to people, so I always have a backup plan just in case. Most of the time it is of the homemade variety.
Take my kids, please!
I like to give homemade gifts because they allow me to express my appreciation in a creative way. While I am in the process of making, I get to concentrate on the recipient and kind of imbue the gift with a little extra love. I am giving them my attention and time (and blood, sweat and tears, depending on what I’m making). I also like to give something that can be shared with others, which is why I try to include a recipe or instructions on how to make it. For me, it really all is about sharing. Me sharing my energy by making and giving, and then hopefully passing the experience along.
I like to make edible gifts, but with the proliferation of fudge, cookies and cakes floating around the office at Christmas I think it’s nice to offer a little variety and mix it up with some savory snacks. This also helps balance out a workplace sugar coma. Below are links to a few homemade food items, including a delicious spicy nut mix that can be made well in advance.
Even some edible ingredients can be used to make pampering gifts. Brown sugar and honey can be mixed together to make a hydrating and exfoliating sugar scrub. Another great idea is making a natural countertop cleaner with just water, vinegar, a little dish detergent and some essential oils. Most craft stores carry spray bottles, or you can order them online. Add a custom label with ingredients (and amounts) and it becomes the gift that keeps on giving.
Try your hand at some of these easy last-minute gift ideas. Many of the ingredients and supplies are probably already in your kitchen. You could also invite some friends over for a gift-making party. Choose one or two ideas, have everyone bring an item on the supply list, and enjoy a glass of wine and A Christmas Story on the DVD player. Actually, if Ralphie had given his teacher one of these gifts instead of a fruit basket, he just might have gotten an A+ on his essay.
Get creative and use favorite recipes to create original gifts of your own. Your friends are sure to enjoy receiving them as much as you enjoyed making them.
Happy Gifting!
E
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Homemade Vinaigrette
(Recipe)
This homemade vinaigrette is a great gift for anyone on your list. This tangy dressing can be used traditionally (on a salad) or as a marinade for tofu or fish. It contains no artificial flavors, sugar or preservatives and can last in the fridge for up to a week. The main ingredients are olive oil, salt and pepper, which are found in most every kitchen. Assembly is easy and when done in mass batches, you could have enough gifts to cover everyone on your list.
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BBQ Dry Rub For Grilled Veggies or Meat
(Recipe)
Does anyone ever know what type of gift to give to a guy? Sure, you could just run out and buy some electronic gadget thingy (or a gift card — LAME!), but he probably has at least a dozen similar man items that just sit around collecting dust. That’s where this amazing BBQ dry rub comes into play. It is suited for grilling vegetables or white meat, and if you don’t live in Alabama like me (which is great for cold-weather grilling) it is versatile enough to transfer to the oven. I always like to write the ingredients on the label so it can be made again. Add a package of bamboo skewers and a basting brush and you’ve got a ready-made gift (and probably dinner).
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Chipotle and Rosemary Spiced Nuts by Ina Garten
(Recipe)
This amazing recipe comes by way of uber-chef, Ina Garten. She is the queen of delicious and anyone who receives this spicy snack will thank you (and probably ask for the recipe, so be a dear and include it). This gift is good for anyone and is a welcome change from the usual holiday party suspects like Chex Mix and cheese balls . Paired with a six pack of craft beer or luscious wine, and you have an instant party! These can be boxed or bagged and they also travel well, making them perfect for giving to your friends who will be traveling over the holidays.
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All-Natural Household Cleaners
(Directions)
I have been a fan of natural and vegetable-based cleaners for quite a while. Sometimes simple really is better, and the smell of this natural grime-buster can't be beat. It's safe around children and pets, making it the perfect gift for anyone who has recently moved, had a baby or just happens to be a cleaning freak. Perhaps I'll make some for my husband. You could add a few cotton towels and print custom labels for the bottles, then box it all up for the perfect housewarming gift. How thoughtful!
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Homemade Sugar Body Scrub
(Directions)
I saved the best for last. I have been making sugar scrubs for years and everyone who I have given them to has just flipped. I prefer making to purchasing because it is less expensive, more fun, and you can blend ingredients based on your friends' skin types for a truly custom gift. You can use salt, oatmeal, white sugar or brown sugar, and a variety of carrier essential oils. Avoid using mineral oil or vegetable oil (as used in cooking). These are not aromatherapy grade oils and I would not recommend that these be applied to the skin. Check out www.aromaweb.com for more information on carrier and essential oils. Oh, and be sure to make extra. After you've seen the results you're going to want some for yourself.
Le Salon Fete de Vacances
| December 12, 2011 | Posted by Linsi Brownson under Celebrate, cocktails, Create, Eat, food, Gather, holidays, Hostess, le salon, my house, Seasonal, weekend fun |
Sounds fancy but really, well, yes it was fancy! In a casual sort of way…
You’ve already seen my holiday decor extravaganza and you know what a geek I am about entertaining, so you’ll probably understand why I was so damned excited to host this holiday fete.
Here are a few photos from yesterday’s event:
On the table:
- banana chocolate chip muffins
- irish cheddar and creamy swiss with crackers
- apricots and tangy almonds
- candy canes (of course)
- cranberry and brandy – we need a name for that
- mimosas
- irish creme coffee
On the table:
- carrot salad (delish)
- caprese salad
- pasta salad
- caramel chocolate pretzels
- peanut butter kiss cookies
- chocolate chip cookies
- homemade fudge
No party is complete without a little Tarot Card reading, right? We knew Nicole L. was a fashionista, but a fortune teller too? Whoa, talent runs deep.
Holiday Decoration Extravaganza Pt. 2
| December 9, 2011 | Posted by Linsi Brownson under accessories, Celebrate, Create, Design, favorite things, holidays, interiors, my house, Projects, Seasonal |
Fa-la-la-la-la, the halls are decked!
The Tree
Buying a Christmas tree is like buying flowers – they’re expensive and destined to die. I never do well with flowers. Always let them go a little past their prime, then I have to haul them to the trash a stinky, rotting mess and I kind of regret ever having them at all. Christmas trees are even worse. They are bulky and hurt to decorate or water and totally messy to get rid of…and sometimes they start your house on fire. I’m all for the potted living trees, but unless you hire a company to drop it off and take it back you’re stuck with a big ass tree after the holiday. And it’s not like you can throw that thing away (one year I kept my potted tree on the patio for 9 months until it finally died of ‘natural causes’…mmhmmm)
It’s not that I never want flowers, sometimes I do (note to husband: sometimes you need to buy me flowers). And some years I want a real Christmas tree. It’s just that I like to have an alternative. And this year I found it.
This is a vintage wire retail display. What it displayed I don’t know. But I found it on Etsy and I snatched it up because it was exactly what’s been in my head for years. I made a felted ball garland and a happy little glitter star for the top. Isn’t she festive?
Christmas Town
When I was little I would spend hours with my Mom setting up her Christmas Village collection every year. I always loved pulling those delicate pieces out of their boxes and pretty impressed by the intricate details in each piece (I was also obsessed with dollhouses and anything tiny and house related. Go figure.). I don’t have nearly the space for a collection that big yet, but I did have an empty bar counter that was calling for some holiday love.
So I made my own village using the nostalgic houses and shops ornament collection that I’ve been receiving since I was born. I don’t have every piece but I’ve got most – and that was plenty to craft this tiny town.
The Table
No surface left untouched! Actually, I’m kind of a sucker for candles (it’s a dirty secret because I feel like that’s a tad cliche) so I was aching to have a holiday candlescape this year. I’ve run through countless tealights the past week and I have no intention of stopping anytime soon. Hey, it’s cheaper than the electric bill.
The Office
I’m all about the balls this year (ball ornaments people, geez) and loved the contrast of these iridescent ornaments with vintage book pages inside. It was super easy to make, took about 15 minutes for all of them. The stockings were a bit of a pain in the hoo-ha but now that they are done I’m loving the look of those on my garland as well. Gotta fancy up the office, ya know?
Do you think I’m a crazy, talented genius or a total dork? I’d love to hear your thoughts. Take that, Scrooge.
Holiday Decoration Extravaganza Pt. 1
| December 7, 2011 | Posted by Linsi Brownson under holidays, interiors, Seasonal |
I love me some holiday decor. But I don’t usually get down on the cheesy fake garland and snow, and I’m far too lazy to hang lights. I do, however, love tabletop and mantletop collections of holiday paraphernalia and pretty glowing candles.
Last week I promised a peak at my own decor, but a few new additions haven’t arrived yet so I’m holding off until it’s truly the holiday explosion of my dreams. Until then, I’m loving these:
No candy canes needed for this advent calendar
No holiday shindig is complete without Santa face mugs
Tasteful exterior decor with a splash of holiday thrown in.
Earthy and elegant, love collections of filled glass!
A great way to hang if you don't have a fireplace
All these are Pinspirations in my board Holly Jolly. Go check it out! Happy Holiday season.
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