Category: Favorite Things

Favorite Things…

January 20
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It’s mid January and, for some of us, about that time of year for feeling the winter blues.  But I’ve got just the fix for those dreary days…some favorite finds that will be sure to bring on the happiness!  Great goodies for pampering yourself, entertaining friends, or offering to those that might need some cheer!  AND Valentine’s Day is less than a month away now so it’s time to start thinking of heartfelt trinkets to dish out to all those sweethearts on your list!  Have a peek at some favorites I picked up for all of the above…simple gifts for my family, my home, and my friends with the goal of creating opportunities to celebrate not just the holiday but winter itself!  I will, of course, share where I found all at the end of the post…so get ready to grab some

wonderful winter pick-me-ups!

Favorite Things

January 6
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I know Spring is several months away…and I’m truly not trying to rush winter!  I really enjoy the snow (when we get it!) and love the long nights by the fire!  But a quick trip to the grocery store led me to a favorite find that I just couldn’t pass up!  I had to think for a sec to make sure I shouldn’t wait to purchase this touch of springtime, but worried that they might quickly be gone–I grabbed one to take home!  Winter has me wishing a bit for something green and fresh…so I often buy a bunch of flowers or potted bulbs to bring life into the house until the seasons change again.   Today I’d like to share this fave that I can enjoy now…and later when spring shows it’s happy face!

sweet, springtime succulents!

Cookie Fun!

December 23
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So it’s time to make those last holiday cookies to indulge on…or maybe leave out for the Big Man!  Even though we have PLENTY of sweets to eat around here, I just don’t think my holiday would be the same without some freshly baked & decorated Christmas cookies…making the kitchen smell heavenly as well as “sprinkled” with adornments that should be on the cookies but somehow end up just about everywhere else!  That’s how I like my kitchen to be in the days before Christmas eve!  This year I found some new cookie cutters that I just couldn’t resist!  And though we’ll still make some trees, stars, or reindeer…I thought the boys would have a little fun with a twist on the gingerbread men.  See the whimsical addition to our traditional cookies…

ninjabread men!

Favorite Things…

December 14
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The calendar is approaching Christmas day and I hope all of you who are in the holiday race to find the perfect gifts have crossed the finish line!  I’m sorry to say that I’m not even close to finished with my shopping…but fortunately there IS still time!  And if you find yourself in the same position as me…you’re probably hoping to come across some holiday gift ideas!  As you know, I love to share…and today I’d like to highlight something that you might want to give to a girl in your life!  A friend of mine just recently wrote the most wonderful book that is designed to guide young girls on their life journey.  I’d heard buzz about the book but admittedly, I really didn’t know that much about it.  As luck would have it, I’ve been working with her a lot recently and had the opportunity to read portions of Total Package Girland then I was curious!  Certain passages caught my attention and I realized that girls of ALL ages might benefit from her wise words…so I bought one!  After reading it I truly have to say that this book gave me such insight, inspiration, and encouragement!  And though it’s intended for adolescent and teen girls and the situations they face, I believe that the messages in this book can provide guidance no matter what age we are!  Her words offer advice on how to handle good and bad situations…finding the confidence to stand up for yourself and others in graceful ways.  She speaks of prioritizing…to learn how to keep what’s really important in your sight and shuffle the rest to the back of the stack!  She explains how to make solid, independent decisions…but to recognize when you might need to ask for help.  The book touches on many life lessons such as leading a healthy lifestyle…and getting enough sleep! (i love that one!)  It also includes advice on money and time management, motivation to strive for strong academics, and the importance of finding quiet, personal time for yourself but also serving others!  I would actually love for my boys to read it…maybe a “Total Package Guy” will be on her literary horizon?  So if you’re hoping to find something special…you might not have to look any further!  I’ll have the link for how to get one at the bottom of the post!  If you’ve got a girl and you need a holiday, birthday, graduation, or “any time” gift…you might want to consider Total Package Girl!

inspiration with no age limit…

Stuff the Stocking!

December 7
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It’s so much fun to search for all those little tokens to pop into stockings!  I think I almost love filling those fuzzy socks on the mantle almost more than placing the packages under the tree…when Santa’s running behind of course!  I sometimes like to use mini stockings to fill in place of a gift for my friends or family…especially when I find several little goodies that are just right for the recipient!  Besides, it’s a fun alternative to spill open that sweet sock and see all the wonderful trinkets hidden inside!  For me, the stocking is so fun because it’s not just filled with little treats but that they’re not associated with monetary value and are far from being the most popular gift on the market…they’re just thoughtful tokens of love and appreciation!  So I’ve found some little goodies that will make their way into many of the stockings I’ll be filling this year!  I’d like to share these with you…just in case you see something you love, you’ll have plenty of time to go out and get it!  Or, simply find some inspiration for the stockings you’ll be stuffing this season…

fill ’em up with tiny trinkets of joy!

Favorite Holiday Deals…

November 18
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Okay…I’m addicted to the dollar bins at Target!  I can’t help myself when I walk into the store…they just lure me in hoping to find that perfect bargain!  The good thing is (or maybe it’s a bad thing) I always seem to find something!  I guess at a dollar or two I can’t often go wrong so I’ll continue to search in those glorious little racks…and though I’m quite certain most of you look there too, I’ll still share my favorites–just in case!  Since I also have a passion for plaid…these latest found treasures are perfect for all my upcoming holiday gatherings!  Have a peek…and if you see something you like–you better go get ’em before they’re gone!

perfectly priced plaid!

Favorite Things

November 13
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Even though the brisk winds were blowing last night…they weren’t strong enough to keep the holiday shoppers from missing the joy!  At least it wasn’t snowing!  But if you missed the Downtown Perrysburg Holiday Open House yesterday, not to worry!  It’s only mid November so plenty of the goodies offered last night will still be in the shops throughout the season!  Today I’d like to share some of my favorite things from Alice-Louise Press!  We still have plenty of time to gather all our Christmas supplies and find the perfect gifts or stocking stuffers…but I’ll make it even easier for you to get your treasures early by sharing some goods from one of my most favorite shops!

these are a few of my favorite things…

A Little Nostalgia…

October 23
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I’ve said it many times before but I love Halloween…and part of that comes from my own childhood memories!  Though we didn’t have access to all the stuff that’s available now, I grew up decorating and crafting for the holidays and have so enjoyed carrying that tradition on with my family!  One of my most vivid memories of Halloween crafting with my mom is making black paper cats with long curly tails and displaying them throughout our home!  I also remember excitedly heading to the basement where all our holiday decorations were stored to carry up the boxes which held all those special trinkets!  So when my mom presented me with a holiday gift some while back, I was instantly transported to my childhood home and all those Halloween memories!  The gift, a reproduction of tiny candles that I so fondly remember, was all wrapped up in a darling box displaying an illustration of each!  You may remember these sweet guys as I do!  My mom had them all…and I can remember like it was yesterday carefully unwrapping each from the tissue paper they were stored in…finding just the right spot in the house to place them!  Today I’d like to share this simple Halloween favorite…

holiday memories!

Holiday Sips & Spirits!

October 21
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I don’t really know much about stocking a bar cart…but ever since I found mine at a garage sale I love keeping it ready for cocktails, hot cocoa, summer refreshers–and even sweets!  Mine most likely doesn’t follow bar-cart etiquette…but I love to use it to display my glasses and decanters along with a few libation accessories!  If we have guests coming, I can roll it where we need it and add whatever drinks we decide to serve.  Until we have company, it’s fun to use seasonal touches to perk it up while it serves as storage for some of my barware and paper products.  If you don’t have a traditional bar cart, not to worry…you can make a “sips” station just about anywhere!  A small dresser, kitchen cart, side table…whatever goes!  Even a tray works double duty for serving up some liquid refreshments…and is even easier to transport!  A few holiday additions to whatever you choose and you have the perfect spot for sips & spirits!  See some simple ways to dress up your drink station!

add some “spooky” to your sips…

“Eggcellent!”

October 14
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My youngest absolutely loves hard boiled eggs…he could eat them by the dozen!  So when I stumbled across this hard-boiled egg mold in the shape of a skull–you know I couldn’t resist!  I know it appears like perhaps I live at Home Goods…but I really don’t go there all that often.  However, when I do make a trip I tend to really snoop around for all the little goodies they have tucked here and there…and ALWAYS keep my eyes open in the impulse isle!  I know it’s a trap–but I usually find an inexpensive treasure and it is indeed where I found this little guy!  Not only will it be fun to make a favorite healthy snack…it’ll look darn cute for the holiday too!  Take a peek at my “eggcellent” favorite find…

hard-boiled Halloween!