Merry Merry!

 Thanks to Pinterest, I found a way to put up a little tree in my little house.

Two of my favorite ornaments: the Frog Prince and the Slipper...

.. And one of my mom's handpainted ornaments. Every year she chooses a different color scheme. In 2004, it was pink with pearls.

And if I needed any more reminder I am officially an adult? I was giddy as I put up my very own Dickens' Village, sent to me by a dear aunt.

I hope you have a wonderful holiday!

Inspirations: Christmas Interiors

From traditional red and green, to the unconventional aqua and white (yes, please!), here are a few of my favorite decked halls!

So ornate yet so clean. Love the damask wallpaper and ribbon accents.

Everything Aqua!

 The tartan ribbon and hardwood paneling. So very manly chic!

Pink and Sassy, with a bit of black to keep it from being kitschy.

A vintage vibe-- love the magnolia in the porch planters!

Candy + Christmas = Something for the bebe!

RED and GREEN(ery)!

Simply sublime... aqua and white

The gorgeous, perfectly shaped tree that puts my little artificial tree to shame (Bless its heart.)

A Nutcracker Christmas

And, while I know this is a wide angle exterior shot, I just love it so much I can't not post:

JOY!

Christmas, by Linus.

The Results: DIY Wedding, Seed Packet Favors

I realized I have documentation of the "after" from this "before" post! I hope it helps someone. I would love to hear about it if you decide to use this!*

I got a lot of great "advice tags" back as well-- my favorite? "Be careful on the honeymoon. Babies come quick."

*Note: One visitor made a great suggestion of using sticky labels rather than paper + adhesive. The only reason I didn't do that was because I'd already printed the labels... but the stickers are a much better idea!

Anyway.

ANYWAY

People are unreasonable, illogical, and self-centered,
LOVE THEM ANYWAY
If you do good, people will accuse you of
selfish, ulterior motives,
DO GOOD ANYWAY
If you are successful,
you win false friends and true enemies,
SUCCEED ANYWAY
The good you do will be forgotten tomorrow,
DO GOOD ANYWAY
Honesty and frankness make you vulnerable,
BE HONEST AND FRANK ANYWAY
What you spent years building may be
destroyed overnight,
BUILD ANYWAY
People really need help
but may attack you if you help them,
HELP PEOPLE ANYWAY
Give the world the best you have
And you’ll get kicked in the teeth,
GIVE THE WORLD THE BEST YOU’VE GOT ANYWAY.

-The "Paradoxical Commandments," displayed on the wall of Shishu Bhavan,

Mother Theresa's children home in Calcutta

Head Full Of Doubt, Heart Full Of Promise: Avett Brothers

We Love FREE! Free Printable Labels

I'll admit it: I don't have the best track record when it comes to balancing a checkbook. Those who know me best are aware of this and love me anyway, and think it's hilarious (unless I am married to them).

While an admitted shopaholic, I am also an avid bargain-hunter.

I've decided to start sharing some of the great online bargain finds I've come across. Let's start with printable labels, shall we? Once you've gotten these downloaded, you can print them out as many times as you'd like. Click on each picture or caption to go to the actual site where the printable will be at the best quality.

Enjoy! And thanks to all the folks providing these freebies!

Printable vintage labels (fill in with item of choice):

Blog World Label

Valentine's Labels (of course, free!)

Miss Cutiepie blog

Want a great project for DIY that will impress guests while visiting your W.C.? Go from these Apothecary labels....

To these awesome bottles and towels!

Everything Etsy

101 Pretty (and FREE) Printables! Grab 'em!

Look, Mom! Placemats that are fabulous, beautiful, and can be thrown away without guilt after Uncle Seymour spills his inevitable fifth glass of red wine on them...

ohcrafts