Amy's Wreaths + Weekend Plans

Use as inspiration / or purchase your very own wreath by Amy, here.


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weekend plans worth making:
dec. 15 / letterpress demo: tags, cards & papergifts @ Salt & Cedar
dec. 14 / music by prince rama @ MoCAD / 8pm / $10 cover 
hitachino ginger, white, red rice & espresso stout on draft @ Great Lakes Coffee
the meadow brook hall annual holiday walk / more info, here
a list of detroit christmas light displays

(photo source)

Photo Essay // A Parting Gift

I'm hosting a small gathering of a few close friends this weekend, consisting of a thoughtfully crafted autumnal menu. I've always enjoyed spending time on the simple details in hopes of my guests' overall experience to be a unique and charming one, so a parting gift was a must. Fortunately, I came across a selection of beautifully hand painted, oversized tea cups at Anthropologie that had just been marked down and thought they'd make a perfect little gift, but that wasn't enough. 

While shopping around Holiday Market later that day, I found one container of house made candied orange peels, and another of dark chocolate covered coffee beans—the sweetness of the orange peels balanced out bitterness of the dark chocolate coffee beans perfectly. I simply filled the tea cup with coffee beans and orange peels, then placed them in a plain brown paper bag and tied a bow of twine around to wrap. Simple as that.

DIY: Home Ideas

fabric lined glass jars

bobby pin catcher

upcycled memo board

alphabetize your recipes

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more great diy ideas: 
-50 mason jar diy's.
-diy savvy: Oh Happy Day!, The Perfect Pear, & Poppytalk.
-my diy pinboard.
-find colorfully designed washi tape at this etsy shop.

DIY: Underwear Rolls

Since time keeps inching closer and closer to Christmas day, I thought I'd share one of my favorite  simple and cute DIY projects! These underwear rolls make perfect small gifts for your secret santa, or to use as a fun stocking stuffers. I made a set for my sister and some friends a few years back, needless to say they were such a hit! Here's how...

g a t h e r

+ choice of underwear | hint |

+ silicone cupcake liners | hint |

+ clear cellophane wrap | hint |

+ pretty ribbon | hint |

t h e n

+ fold underwear in half

+ roll them up

+ place in cupcake liner 

+ wrap with cellophane 

+ tie ribbon around

+ voilà!

Before wrapping in cellophane, top these off with colorful paper confetti for added pizazz! Your friends will be so impressed with how creative you are! :)

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a few more lovely little ideas...

- minimalist lighter sticks & metallic candles

- holiday sweets for your gluten free friend

- letter press printed 3 month calendar,

- drape your gifts in gold foil bunting string. 

DIY: Candy Lights

Oh Happy Day! is a blog I recently came across that and is always filled with lots of creative and original activities and diy's. And if you enjoy her blog, it may be in your interest to check out her  pinterest as well. 

Homemade Cake Pops

Gather:

1 box cake mix (my favorite is red velvet)
1 container cream cheese frosting (16 oz.)
1-2 packages chocolate melts (white if you want to add dye)
sucker sticks
single pop bogs
ribbon to tie

Then:

1. After cake is cooked and cooled, crumble into large bowl.
2. Mix thoroughly with frosting, mash with hands.
3. Roll mixture into quarter size balls, lay on cookie sheet.
4. Chill for an hour or so in freezer.
5. Melt chocolate in microwave, on a lower power lever (if possible.)
6. Place stick into cake ball, gently roll in melted chocolate.
7. Top off with sprinkles
8. Stick cake pop into foam block to keep neat and up-right
9. After dry / place pop bags over top / tie ribbon around
10. Serve chilled / store in refrigerator
Makes approx. 60 pops

Sending Snail Mail

one | two

I tend to keep a modest collection of pretty cards and stationary on hand, and love when the opportunity to send out an actual card by mail presents itself!