Handmade Gifts {Etsy Finds}

For the holidays this year I am doing a lot of handmade/crafted gifts.  As I am short on time and because there are some awesome handmade goods out there, I am planning to do much of my holiday shopping on etsy.  Here are a few of my favorites that I think would make excellent gifts for women (I have already purchased a few or similar items as gifts or for myself)...

Genevieve Cowl Knitting Pattern (perhaps to make the gift yourself or as part of a gift for one who loves knitting projects) - AtellierTPK on etsy

Snow Cowl 12 - madebyscarlet on etsy

Soft Crochet Slippers - FiveSisters on etsy

Modern Mustard Hand Printed Tea Towel - ShopAmySullivan on etsy

Crocheted Granny Circle Christmas Decorations - peaqo on etsy

candle. peony geranium & neroli - paulova on etsy

Fabric Seahorse Family - Kirsty Elson Designs on etsy

Quintette Necklace - ViolasBoutique on etsy

String Cuff Bracelet - Thief & Bandit on etsy

Happy Birthday America

Hope that you are having a most fantastic and safe Fourth of July weekend!

Signs of the Season

Thank you all for your sweet comments and thoughts last week; I sincerely appreciate it.  They truly brightened my day.

The holidays are here!  There are signs of it everywhere you look in the city...

I kind of just want to move right into this last house.  Sure it would be super tiny... but it is so cute. And has an awesome location. 

Old Town is charming, it makes me excited to be right there at that moment.  Pretty awesome quality for a neighborhood, right?

Snuggling Up With A Movie

Something about this time of year has me wanting to snuggle up and watch the same-old movies.  Movies that have a little bit of twinkling lights, maybe some snow and maybe a happy little tune. 

These are a few of my favorites to watch this time of year...

• When Harry Met Sally (not totally holiday but has that holiday feel)
• Love Actually
• The Family Stone
• It's a Wonderful Life
• Elf
• Dan In Real Life
• The Holiday

What are your favorites?

Filling the Activity-Focused Advent Calendar

So what to put into an activity-focused advent calendar you say? 

Here is a list of things that may or may not be part of my advent calendar.  I aimed for a balance of things to prepare for (for example- those that look like to do list items!) and to enjoy the season, things that are more involved and those that are simple, activities that are a tradition and a few that are contenders to become a new tradition.  Essentially the things that I really want to be sure that we do this holiday season.  Some of these are location specific but could easily be changed for the programs in your neighborhood.

Pick out a tree
Sign up to purchase gifts for a needy child
Donate to the animal shelter
Watch It’s a Wonderful Life
Make holiday candy (homemade marshmallows, divinity & salted caramels)
Write messages in Christmas cards & address envelopes
Watch Love Actually with bubbly & cider
Go to the Music Box Christmas Show
Decorate tree
Make hot chocolate with homemade marshmallows
Make a garland
Make & decorate sugar cookies
Schedule massages for the week after Christmas (gotta use that 2 year old gift certificate!)
Go to the Holiday Brew at the Cultural Center (a musical performance)
An evening walk in the Gold Coast to see the lights
Go to Zoo Lights
Make a special/festive dessert
Go out for festive drinks
Watch The Family Stone
A Christmas tree lit dinner
Give neighbors a little package of cookies
Fill stockings for each other
Enjoy a cocktail together before making dinner
Go to the Christkindlmarket
A festive breakfast with Christmas music in the background
Open a gift early
Exchange gifts