Mason Jar Magic - Holiday Special

I love Mason jars and I love getting them filled with yummy things to eat and drink so I thought I'd post a few of my favorite Mason jar presents from around the web.

How about some Hot Chocolate along with some great toppings. Sure to warm you up on those cold winter nights. 

I couldn't resist this one given the play on words. It's a great idea to thank your guests for coming over and saying hello and it's a low cal snack to boot! 

Is there any better kid pleaser than a Mason jar filled with cookies and topped with a Dinosaur?

Have a Jurassic Party and give them as favors. 

and for those of you who would prefer to give something other than food, why not consider this sewing kit from anthropologie.

Click on picture to be brought to source. 

Happy giving!

xo Tracey

Happy Valentine's Day!

To all my readers and all my friends I am sending you lots of love and happiness and wish you a very Happy Valentine's Day!! xoxo Tracey

Share the Love with some Chocolate Heart pops

Aren't these chocolate heart pops cute! What better way to share some love with those around you! Click here for recipe.

Happy New Year!!

I intend to - you?

via

New Year's Party Confetti and downloadable invitations

This is one of the easiest diy's you'll ever see. Just use a two or three hole punch to create some dots (personally I would use colored paper) and then fill up a glassine envelope of your choice. You can also add a saying such as the one above by using letter transfers or by setting up your printer to print on the envelopes. You could also just print out a label and place it on the envelope. Hand the packets out to your guests and then open and toss at the stroke of 12. Instant party! (clean up not included). Photo via.

Need to send out a last minute invite to a New Year's Eve party? Don't sweat it, Poppytalk has created 5 downloadable invitations for you to use. Check them out here. 

Country Christmas

Merry Christmas Everyone!

Christmas Card Freebie from My Life Box

Anna-Rose from the blog My Lifebox has designed a few Christmas cards for you to download for free! My favorite one is Rudolph (gotta love that red nose!) but there are two more for you to print as well. Please click here for the downloadable cards. 

Winter Inspiration

I must admit that I'm not feeling very inspired right now and I know it shows on my blog so sorry about that. I'm just not a winter person - I have trouble dealing with the no greenery and the constant cold. It just sucks the life out of me. So, in an effort to look on the bright side, I am sharing some of the things that I do love about Winter with you. Hot chocolate, the smell of cinnamon and a crackling fire. Combine all three with a book and you have the making of the perfect afternoon. 

all photos via my tumblr

DIY: Boxwood Mini Wreath

We got hit by a snowstorm this weekend and now it is not only snowy but freezing! I am so happy that I've almost finished knitting my new scarf - it sure is going to come in handy this year if December is any indication of how the weather is going to be! 

This photo kinda sums it up perfectly so I thought I'd post this mini wreath DIY. Go on over to Poppytalk for the instructions. 

DIY: Cement Christmas Tree Ornament

Isn't this a great little DIY. You can impress your guests with your DIY prowess and decorate your tree at the same time! Go on over to Fellow Fellow for the instructions. 

Peppermint Marshmallows

The idea of peppermint marshmallows may seem strange at first but doesn't that sound totally yummy? I think so. Talk about your perfect accompaniment to Christmas. Forget the standard offering of candy canes and whip up a batch of these to get your friends talking! Go on over to A Beautiful Mess for the recipe.

DIY: Paper Bag Advent Calendar

I love this simple and economical advent calendar diy. Click here for full instructions. 

Christmas Cookies

One of my favorite Christmas traditions is baking cookies. I dig out my mothers old recipes, put on some Christmas music and bake until I run out of butter. Another favorite Christmas tradition of mine is eating those same cookies. I mean who can resist right? Last year a few of my friends got together to bake cookies and made gifts out of them. Each friend baked a different kind of cookie and then they were all put together in a gift box. Let me tell you I was one happy camper when I got one of these cookie laden gift boxes as a present. What an awesome gift! Cookies can also be used as decorations. Check out this Christmas cookie wreath......sorry I got distracted, those tarts are calling my name!

Photos via my Christmas Pinterest Board.

DIY: Mason Jar Oil Candles for Christmas

I took one look at these and had to post the DIY! I can't wait to make them - what a great idea for a Christmas decoration. Here's the how to:

You will need:
One 1/8 "Nipple" (available in the Lighting Section of Home Depot or Lowes)
Two 1/8 Couplings (also in Lighting)
Two 3/8 Washers
100% Cotton Lamp Wicks
Your Choice of Oil: Coconut Oil, Olive Oil, Peanut Oil, Lamp Oil, Liquid Paraffin Oil
Mason Jar and Lid
Decorative Elements (Optional): Pine Cones, Shells, Coffee Beans, Stones, Vanilla Beans, Herbs, Spices, Fruits

Instructions:
If the lid to your jar is a regular one (no hole), drill a hole using a 3/8 drill bit. 
Push the nipple through the hole.
On each side of the lid, add a washer and then a coupling.
Make sure the nipple and coupling are flush with the top of the lid.
Thread a cotton wick through the nipple; it will be loose at first, but will expand once it is soaked with oil.
If you want your candle to be decorative, add pine cones or other elements.
Add the oil to the jar.
Attach the completed lid to the jar.
Wait for the oil to soak the wick before lighting.

photo and instructions courtesy https://www.facebook.com/TheSmartWitch

DIY: Halloween Treat Bags

Aren't these awesome!! Amy from this heart of mine posted them and I just love them - especially the ghosts and the milk carton ones. For Amy's post and instructions click here. 

Happy Holidays!

I wish you all a wonderful holiday season! May your time be bright and filled with promise for a wonderful New Year! Thanks to everyone who has supported this blog - I look forward to bringing you beautiful decors in 2013!

xxx Tracey

Happy Holidays!

I wish you all a wonderful holiday season! May your time be bright and filled with promise for a wonderful New Year! Thanks to everyone who has supported this blog - I look forward to bringing you beautiful decors in 2013!

xxx Tracey

Eco Friendly Christmas Tree

If you are environment conscious and don't want to buy a real Christmas tree then how about making one out of scrap wood. I found this one on-line and I think that the addition of the all white ornaments makes it really special.  However, adding some red ornaments would really make it pop!

Eco Friendly Christmas Tree

If you are environment conscious and don't want to buy a real Christmas tree then how about making one out of scrap wood. I found this one on-line and I think that the addition of the all white ornaments makes it really special.  However, adding some red ornaments would really make it pop!

Shabby Chic Christmas

Vintage French Sled with Lili posing for us.

Vintage grain sack Advent Calendar

French zinc wash bucket

Antique tin ceiling tile turned into a frame

Vintage enamelware filled with flax seeds and candles

There are so many great ideas here I don't know where to begin. These photos are all from a website called Dreamy Whites which specializes in French Farmhouse décor. Lately I have found myself falling slowly in love with this type of look. I have tinkered with the idea of adding some elements of French Country into my own home but have never really been able to visualize it until now. I think 2013 will be a time for some change!