December In Pictures - Christmas

*For this month's in picture I decided to focus only on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day - enjoy*

P.S. You can follow me on Instagram: @elizabethpfink

Live: Autumn

Now that Winter is absolutely around us it seems fitting to take a few minutes to look back over the fall. So, let's see how I did on my to do list and my Fall reading list.

The to do list:

• Take a Walk Along the River - I did and it was beautiful
• Paint Guest Bedroom - *Sheepishly shaking head* No
• Listen to Music - This is a cheat, I already listen to a lot of music, but I made time for some extra tunes
• Finish the Quilt . . . - Nope didn't happen
• Host a Trick-or-Treating Party - Yes my house was filled with little people in search of treats
• Organize Bedroom Closet - I forgot this was even on my list until just now, so no it did not happen
• Go to a Bonfire - I was at two actually
• Spend Time in the Woods - That sounds creepy, but we do Celebrate Thanksgiving in a house in the woods, so totally counts
• Eat/Drink Lots of Pumpkin Flavored Stuff - Lattes, muffins and soups, oh my
• Wear Tights - All the time

The Reading list:

Best read - Gone Girl (Though not a happy read, nor will you like either of the main characters it is very well written)
Skip this one - The Particular Sadness of Lemon Cake (There is something interesting about the idea behind the book, but the plot is dull)
Swapped - I replaced Apron Anxiety with Julie Andrew's Home (And I'm so glad I did)

Now I'm ready to move onto wintery things! Yay!

Christmas Day

Christmas Bells by Henry Wadsworth Longfellow "I heard the bells on Christmas Day Their old familiar carols play, And wild and sweet The words repeat Of peace on earth, good-will to men! And thought how, as the day had come, The belfries of all Christendom Had rolled along The unbroken song Of peace on earth, good-will to men! Till, ringing, singing on its way, The world revolved from night to day, A voice, a chime A chant sublime Of peace on earth, good-will to men! Then from each black accursed mouth The cannon thundered in the South, And with the sound The carols drowned Of peace on earth, good-will to men! It was as if an earthquake rent The hearth-stones of a continent, And made forlorn The households born Of peace on earth, good-will to men! And in despair I bowed my head; "There is no peace on earth," I said; "For hate is strong, And mocks the song Of peace on earth, good-will to men!" Then pealed the bells more loud and deep:  "God is not dead; nor doth he sleep! The Wrong shall fail, The Right prevail, With peace on earth, good-will to men!"

Merry Christmas Friends! May your day be filled with the ringing of peace on earth and good-will to men! 

Live: Little Bit Of This Little Bit Of That

How about a little bit of non-Christmas chit chat for your Thursday. Okay let's go:

• It occurred to me this week that in six months I will be thirty. I keep playing this scene from Julie & Julia. I don't think it is going to be all that awful. 
• It is rainy and kinda dreary this afternoon, but I am looking forward to the new year and all the plans I have for it.
• Today is the official last day of Autumn, so I will be pulling together a round up of my Fall Reading List and my Fall Wish List. Look for it next week.
• I am working on a funny/fun crochet project right now. I'm only sad that it is using up the end of some of my favorite stash yarn. I can't wait to show you what it is in the new year.
• With colder, darker days I have fallen down a Hulu rabbit hole and have watched all of season one and half of season two of the USA show Suits (it is not that great, but if you are looking for something to turn on while you are folding laundry or whatever it is okay). 

So that is what is on my mind today. What have you been thinking about?

Give: For the Hostess with the Mostess

Christmas is only a week away and I have one more gift guide for you. This one is an important one, it is for all the lovely ladies that open their homes up to others during the holidays. All of these hostess gifts are under $20 and can be picked up easily at local stores.

1. Serving Dish - I really like this Three Part Dish from Target
2. Slippers - Who doesn't love a nice pair or slippers on a cold winter night and With Polk-A-Dots the best!
3. An Interesting Christmas Ornament - Something like this fancy Humming Bird should do the trick
4. Champagne Flutes and a bottle of Bubbly - Perfect for a small dinner party
5. Tea Box - Even better fill it with your favorite teas, bonus it could double as a jewelry box

Enjoy all those holiday parties! Wear a pair of Christmas earrings for me!

Dispatch from Chirstmasland

Here it is the Christmas home tour, I know you have just been dying to see it! I did end up pulling together an advent calendar using bottle brush trees and jars. I love adding as new jar everyday.

As I mentioned last week this year I choose to do the house up in pinks, white, gold and silver. I also really didn't want to buy anything new and I knew I already had Christmas decor to pull off the look. In the end I did pick up a few vintage ornaments from the thrift store for 10-35 cents each, maybe $3 dollars worth.

For the table tops (dining room, coffee and side tables) I followed four rules; something brass, something pink, something glass and something white. Ummm I love that brass deer so much, I kinda want him to hang out on my nightstand once all the Christmas decorations are boxed up.

A few other little details come from hanging the wreath I made for my apartment door, way back when. Dragging out the pink light up church, also from my apartment days and finally gifts wrapped in silver and gold (and pink and brown bag).

So I'm all ready for Christmas, now all we need is snow!

Okay one more tree shot before I go.

P.S. You can see my tree and many more sparkly beauties over at Nat The Fat Rat.

Give: Gifts for your Dad, Brothers, Husband or Any Guy You Love

Okay I'm just going to throw this out there, finding gifts for guys can be really hard. This year I am gift shopping for four brothers and my dad, so I have been spending a lot of time thinking about gifts that men would love to get. And what kind of friend would I be if I didn't spread the knowledge of manly gifts of Christmas present? So I give you my round up of gifts for the guys you love.

1. Food of the Month Club - My dad would love this Mustard of the Month Club
2. Food or Drink Related Art - This cool Whiskey Print would look great in a man cave
3. Cool Accessories for Lunch Time - The Stanley Thermos is a classic
4. Barwear - These Vintage Bar Glasses remind me of the set in Don Draper's office

5. A Movie Every Guy Loves - Trust me on this one, your Dad loves The Sting, all dads love it
6. Books by Their Favorite Author - The guys in my family are all fans of C.S. Lewis and his Cosmic Trilogy  make for a great read for adults that loved Narnia as kids

7. Cool Tech Gadgets - Try Wireless Headphones for the Technophile and phobe
8. A Funny Little Something - What Happened Last Night bandages for all those unexplainable bumps and cuts
9. A Wardrobe Classic - Be it a preppy tie or the perfect Jean Jacket a classic piece of clothing works for men of all ages

There you have it folks, I hope this helps with any guy friendly shopping you have left.

Celebrate: Pink and Metallic Christmas

Here is a little sneak peek of what you have to look forward to on Monday in a post I'm calling Dispatch from Chirstmasland (catchy, I know). In the mean time, you can check out my Pink and Metallic Pinterest board.

Give: What To Give Your Teenage Sister (or niece or friend)

 Today's installment of gift idea's is inspired by my sister Phoebe. She turned 13 this year and is way cooler than me, but that just happens to be how it goes. Anyway on with the gift list:

1. Cute Heart Sweater - It seems that this J. Crew sweater is sold out, but here are a few similar pullovers from target (hearts all over and not).
2. Note to Self Socks - I love the positive message these socks send every time you slip them on. I'd give I'm perfectly me socks.
3. Bright Blue Satchel - Enough said.

If you don't think you can buy something for her wardrobe may I suggest a little something to watch or read.

4. A favorite teen TV show - I'd go with Veronica Mars, though Gilmore Girls or The OC also rock.
5. A crafty book - If she is going to be home on Christmas break she might as well pick up a new skill, like embroidery.
6. Start a Collection of the Classics - Like the Penguin Classics Northinger Abbey. Best part you now have a go to gift for any occasion.
7. Good films or television - Basically BBC beats Twilight ALL THE TIME.

Finally the fun stuff!

8. Kitten Mittens - No not from this video, but for covering your finger.
9. Baubles - Maybe a funky bracelet.
10. Something fun for her room - Like a hanging Hot Air Balloon.
11. Or a poster for her walls - I love Katie Daisy's work.
12. Perfume - Yes this is Beiber perfume, I know, I know, but whatever!

So there you have it. A round up of what I would give a teenage girl. In fact I am actually giving my sister at least one thing on this list, but I can't tell you what because I know she will read this.

Make: Very Sparkly Christmas Wreath

Okay I might have gone a little over board with my Christmas wreath this year, it is very sparkly and a little crazy. Sit back and I'll tell you the story of the crazy sparkly gold-gold wreath.

I had this idea of a totally gold wreath rolling around in my mind so over Thanksgiving weekend I went to both Joann's and Micheal's and pick up gold wreath filler (on sale and with a coupon!) to take a part for my wreath.

I already had this wire wreath form kicking around my house (I picked it up at a thrift store for 99 cents a while back). So I just wrapped it with some felt I already had to create my base.

Once I "broke down" all the filler that I bought, it was clear I had way more thank I was going to need, so there will surely be more sparkly projects to come. In the end I just randomly glued the pieces to my base with hot glue.

In the end I think it actually looks fun and shiny hanging on my front door. And I know it will look even better when my house has a blanket of snow.

P.S. As I mentioned in yesterday's post, my camera is dead as a door nail, so the next few posts will have all cell phone pics (sure am glad I up graded to a smart phone!).

Give: My Christmas Wishlist

Have you finished your Christmas shopping? No. Yeah, neither have I. So I thought I'd pull together a few gift lists to share with you. And why not start with my own wishlist.

1. My camera died a few weeks ago, so I am in the market for a new one, I'm thinking something like the Nikon 1 J1.

2. I've also been wanted a more grown-up watch. I have been rocking a Fossil watch for most of my twenties, so I know they are great watches, but I think the time has come for me to more past the pink watch face. So I'm hoping to up grade to this The Stella Watch in Rose.

3. I do not wear much jewelry, I very rarely wear necklaces or rings and from time to time I will put on a bracelet, but wear a lot of earrings. So if someone is going to give me jewelry as a gift I'd like to get something like these beautiful pink drops.

4. Every few years I ask for perfume for Christmas, I think I am always in search of "THE" scent. You know the one that you will wear forever. Well this year is a perfume year and I'm asking for Coach Poppy (fingers crossed this is the one!).

5. Slippers are such a traditional Christmas gift, I even think someone gets slippers in Little Woman. If I'm going to be given slippers, I'd like cute Cowboy Slippers from Cath Kidston.

6. Finally in the fun and never gonna happen category. Who wouldn't love to find a vintage camper under the Christmas tree? I know I sure would!

What are you hoping for this year? 

November In Pictures

** I'm starting something new by sharing a collection of my favorite Instagrams of the month, this should be fun**

P.S. You can following my on Instagram: @elizabethpfink

Five Faves: Advent Calendars

Tomorrow starts Advent. Do you have an advent calendar for this year? Well fear not, today I have pulled together five ways to count down the days to Christmas that can be made out of things you already have at home or printed right off the internet.

Starting with this printable tiny city from Mr. Printables. They would go great on a windowsill or on top of a dresser.

 Second, I think it would be really fun to make 25 paper snowflakes (like these) to add to your windows one day at a time.

Idea number three, how cute would it be to make 25 of these clothespin dolls, you could make them all at once or make a new friend everyday!

Number four: If you feel like it isn't a true advent count down with out a few yummy treats or little gifts, you could easily whip up some paper cones to fill with your favorite special things.

And last, but not least #5 Glass Jar Snowglobes. I plan on filling 25 jars with faux snow and bottle brush trees, like these. And bonus I'll be reusing some of my dyed trees from last year!

Will you be making any handmade advent calendars this year? Do you have one you pull out every December 1? Do share!

Live: Well Lived Weekend

(looking out from my Aunt and Uncle's deck on Thanksgiving)

I certainly enjoyed my long weekend. It was full of family time, turkey eating, costume sewing (so much sewing), baby shower attending, game playing and much giving of thanks!

But now I am ready to turn my thoughts towards Christmas. I'm looking forward to rounding up my favorite ornaments, advent calendars, Christmas movies and cookie recipes with you over the next few weeks.

I hope you all had a great Thanksgiving!

Happy Thanksgiving!

As I run out the door to share a meal with 60 of my closest relatives I wanted to take a moment to wish you all a Happy Thanksgiving. I recently heard Ann Lamont one the radio talking about her new book Help, Thanks, Wow in which she writes about what she considers to be the three most basic prayers all people say; the desperate plea for help, the involuntary uttering of thanksgiving (she says that this prayer is really known as "thank you, thank you, thank you, thank you") and the often inaudible expression of awe at the created world. So this morning as I was thinking about what I would write to wish you a happy thanksgiving, it seemed better to take a chapter from Annie's book and in place of a list of all that I am thankful for (it would take all day to read) I wish you a day where you can give thanks for all the ways your needs have been met and you have been rescued from your trials and for every way you are amazed by workings of our glorious God!