holidays

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honeycomb studio

There’s nothing I love more than giving a unique, handmade gift for Christmas (except maybe receiving one, of course!) and this year I happen to be head over heels OBSESSED with the work of Atlanta-based small batch ceramicist Courtney Hamill of Honeycomb Studio!  Each of her pieces is handmade, either on the wheel or cast…

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obsessed: boxwood wreaths

Is it too early to start talking Christmas decorations?  Considering there are less than ten weeks until the big day, as well as the fact that I’ve seen commercials on TV and decorations in shopping malls since August, I’m thinking that’s a negative.  The last few years, I’ve been keeping my Christmas decorations neutral and…

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memorial day bash must-haves

Memorial Day weekend is finally here!  The weather is beautiful, the pool is open, the fridge and pantry are stocked…the Stivers’ are ready to burn it down over the three-day!  Whether you’re hosting a barbeque, attending a party or just relaxing over the long weekend, here are a few essentials that will come in handy…

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valentine’s day gift ideas for less than $50!

Valentine’s Day is two days away, and if you’re like me and wait until the eleventh hour to purchase gifts for holidays and birthdays, OR if you’re just looking for something nice for yourself without breaking the bank, here are some goodies for less than $50! How adorable is this burlap monogrammed tote?  And for…

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happy 2013!

I have never been so excited to usher in the New Year!  Still can’t believe how fast this one flew by…2012 was full of its share of ups and downs for me, but I’m looking ahead to 2013 with optimism and enthusiasm for all the exciting things that are brewing! Wishing you all a wonderful,…

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lindsay letters

I did a double-take yesterday when I realized there is now only eleven days ’til Christmas!  I have to get my bum in gear and get some major shopping and gift-making done this weekend and I think Lindsay’s Letters is a fabulous option for adding a little Christmas cheer to your gifts, greetings and decor. …

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gettin’ my christmas on

This is the first time in the nine years my hubby and I have been together that we will be spending Thanksgiving and Christmas apart.  By military standards, that is quite a feat!  So, since it’s just me and my furbaby, I decided to keep the decorations simple.  The only thing I bought, besides the…

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10 entertaining must-haves for the holidays!

Party season is officially upon us and I can’t wait for my turn to host!  Whether you’re having a small and intimate dinner gathering or an all-out celebration, here are a few must-haves to make your bash a success: If you live for the scent of fresh-cut greenery during the holidays, you will LOVE this…

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monogrammed gifts from mark + graham for under $50

There is nothing better (or more personal!) than a monogrammed gift!  I would gladly monogram everything I own if I could,so if you want to surprise friends and family this Christmas with some monogrammed goodness, head on over to Mark and Graham, the recently launched site from WSH, the magic makers behind Williams Sonoma, Potter…

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quick fix for leftover trimmings from the tree

Thank you to everyone who entered the giveaway yesterday; I can’t wait to announce a winner this Friday!  We always get a Christmas tree the day after Thanksgiving and this year was no exception.  There are always a handful of extra branches that get trimmed off the bottom of the tree to fit it into…

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giveaway: book page wreath! (closed)

Nothing shows how much you care like a handmade, homemade gift…even if you didn’t make it!  Last year around this time I posted a tutorial on how to make your own book page wreath…it’s super easy, but it is a tad bit time-consuming, so I thought I’d give one away to a lucky reader today! …

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happy 4th!

I can’t think of a better way to celebrate our nation’s Independence Day than with good food and great friends. John Derian’s celebration at his Cape Cod home in Bon Appetit is my kind of get together – low key, casual and relaxed.  Oh, and it helps when the party’s right on the beach!  Below…