sigh... delicious!
Just finished reading...
Yum! Say what you will about these books but I can't stop smiling since finishing New Moon two days ago. Let yourself go. Read them for what they are... entertainment, a delightful fantasy... you won't regret it. Grin. Thank you Stephenie Meyer. Can't wait to read Eclipse. Maybe next week, I'm still enjoying the high from this one!
Oops... had this all ready to post but never got to the computer to publish it yesterday! Hope your Christmas was wonderful!
Okay, this one tops even the last one and at $1125. makes The Advent House look like a bargain. It's from FAO Schwartz and is no longer available but totally deserving of a post!
It's handmade from Germany and I found this description as wists:
Handcrafted and meticulously handpainted in Germany this giant solid-wood advent calendar is sure to become a treasured part of your family's Christmas tradion for generations to come. Elegant and heirloom-quality, it's sized to fit comfortably on your mantel. Children will delight in turning the windows around each day to reveal figurines inside the house. Don't just look forward to Christmas; look forward to counting down the days.
Check out some photos of the details inside at this site.
Okay, this is the one I really want! I especially love that it will fit on a mantel. What a lovely focal point, besides the tree. I would decorate everything to coordinate with this lovely piece! Do you think it will come up on ebay at a price point The Husband could live with!?!
photo via Luxist
photo via Martha Stewart
Love all the bright colors in this quick handmade advent calendar . There's a chocolate coin attached to each numbered circle. Cute, simple and very versatile.
Okay, this Ornament Tree isn't technically an advent calendar but I think it could work perfectly as one. Wouldn't it be fun to choose twenty-five beautiful little ornaments to fill the tree with?
There's even a link to the template for making the boxes. I'm not sure how well this idea would last from year to year but it sure is cute!
Fontanini makes this magnetic Nativity Advent Calendar. What a wonderful reminder of the true meaning of Christmas each day.
Wow, I think I might have to start collecting advent calendars. There are so many that I love. All these years we haven't had ONE and next year I'll probably end up with TEN!
This At the North Pole Advent Calendar from Chinaberry is fun. It has vinyl stickers that you can place wherever you want each day and the last day the kids get to send Santa off to bring toys to all the good girls and boys. Fun!
Is it really the 18th already?! So much to do still, so much to do!
This dollhouse advent calendar is sweet. The girls would love it. Pretty how it folds open like it does. So fun to peek into all the little rooms and see how the family is getting ready for Christmas!
Or should I say calendars? Love 'em both!
This simple advent calendar is a lot like the one at Target and Restoration Hardware. Love the snowflake motif! It's the Hallmark 25 Days of Merry - Christmas Countdown Calendar.
Here's a similar version from PID.se, a tad more modern. So bright and pretty! Love how they mixed up the days and the red on red numbering!
Oh, oh, oh... loving this idea at Sunset Magazine! The Modern Advent.
Always looking for another clever use for those adorable little glass lidded tins and this advent calendar is a great one! Head over for a complete tutorial. So, so, simple!
P.S. The metal tins listed in the tutorial do not appear to be available at Paper-Source but these ones are available at The Container Store.
P.P.S. Or these come in a pack of 25 (perfect) and you could just attach your own magnets.
P.P.P.S. Or these that come in many sizes! Okay, that's it. No more post scripts!
How sweet is this Chirp Chirp Necklace?
And how about these pretty, little Afternoon Tea Hair Clips?! Sweet stocking stuffers! Still time to ship before Christmas?!
How about a Cookie Sheet Advent Calendar?! Another very clever and customizable option.
Here's a pretty vintage-y one from Teresa McFayden. Lots of inspiration for making your own! Check out her tutorial here. This would be so, so cute hanging in a kitchen and a sweet gift for a friend! Geesh, I think I'm going to be busy crafting all sorts of advent calendars next year!
If you're not feeling the DIY thing, you can pick up a cute pre-made one, like this one from Etsy.
Okay, I love these garland ideas! Too fun!
The Stocking Advent Garland by Soule Mama. She sewed up these sweet little stockings and strung them into a garland. Use up your pretty scraps or have a blast choosing lovely fabric. Embellish them to your heart's content! Fun, fun!
Or you could buy this premade String of Stockings Advent Calendar by Kathe Kruse... darling!
Or look at this idea at Family Fun using storebought socks and clothespins. Super easy and wicked cute! How fun, choosing all the different socks!
Oh, and look Martha has a version of this, too... the Baby Sock Advent Calendar!
You could even use hats or mittens to make your own like this one from Garnet Hill. Or mix it up and use hats, mittens and socks.
Making one of these would be such a fun, creative project. I'm putting it on my list of holiday crafting for next year!
How pretty are these Evergreen Snowflakes? So clever and simpler than wiring together garland! Click here for how-to.
How pretty are these Peppermint-topped Brownies!? So pretty and peppermint-y... love it! Perfect as a gift for the neighbor, wrap a few up in a shiny tin and tie on some red and white bakers twine. Pretty and peppermint... perfect!
via Posie Gets Cozy
The L.L.Bean Cabin Advent Calendar looks like a fun one. The kids would love all those little doors and windows, although I'm sure at some point they would try to adopt it as a dollhouse of some sort!
This one from Sur la Table is the same idea but in faux Gingerbread form.
And Martha sells a similar style in paper. The Advent Calendar Cottage Kit probably wouldn't last for too many years but it sure is cute.
Check out this cute advent calendar that Blue House Mom made. Amy at my words made one, too. Go see it here. Simple, sweet and so customizable.
Loving these Advent Calendar Pockets that you can make yourself! The white and red is so pretty and peppermint-y but they'd sure be cute in any color combination! Go to allsorts to download the pattern! Then go here to download the cute little dangles hanging from the buttons (scroll to bottom of post- they can be used as gift tags or ornaments, too) and take a peek at how pretty the original pocket garland looks in the artist's bedroom! Oh, and while you're there check out the pattern for these adorable little elf clogs!
Some belated photos from lovely autumn. We were on our way home from church on a brilliantly beautiful Sunday and decided to take a leaf-peeping detour. We came across a particularly lovely location and the stars aligned! The children were in church clothing still, my camera happened to be in the car and the perfect photo-op presented itself! This never happens and will probably never happen again. Here are some of the results...
Love the rock wall, love the kids, alas they never all look in the same direction at the same time. Why is this? What are they looking at?
Once again... every possible direction.
Okay, they're all looking at me but notice the tentative look on Princess' face...
This is how she looked a moment later. Cha-Cha and The Boy were obviously much more comfortable with this location! No worries, The Husband was just out of the frame ready to catch. Also, the limb was quite a bit lower than it appears.
The Boy loved the tree...
The girls (especially Princess) preferred the rock wall.
Such sweet memories of a sparkling fall day and taking time to enjoy it with my family.
This Mittens Advent Calendar from The Company Store is clever and nicely done. The more I look at it, the more I like it(go to the site and zoom in on the pretty details). It would be cute in the kid's playroom... the green is just right. Hmmm... I think it's going on the short list. Maybe I'll have to get different ones for different rooms... one for each child perhaps...
This Mirrored Advent Calendar from Target would be pretty reflecting candlelight and colorful ornaments. Not sure that all those mirrors and sticky little fingers would work so well together though!
The Christmas Countdown Calendar from Land of Nod is a cutie. It's on sale and they're offering free shipping, too! Love the idea of filling the little pockets and removing one each day to reveal sweet little holiday designs.
Princess is 7 on the 7th!
Happy Birthday to the sweetest, gentlest, most considerate little girl we know!
We LOVE You!
Okay, I saw this one I couple months ago when I very first started looking for Advent Calendars but I wasn't sure about the quality. It was $30., which is certainly reasonable, but I wasn't in love.
Well, I have to tell you I looked at it again the other day while perusing for calendars and it was on sale for $15. plus free shipping(love, love, love free shipping)! For that price it's worth a gamble. Even if we just use it for a year or two while we find the perfect one.I've placed my order and I'll let you know! And I'll continue looking...
Sorry, this beauty is no longer available but I think it deserves a post just the same.
The House Advent Calendar from Restoration Hardware is exactly what I had in mind. And I missed it... maybe they'll have another one just as pretty next year!? I'm going to keep looking though, I'm sure there is something else just as lovely or lovelier still out there to find!
There are three new elves in Santa's workshop!
Stop by and say hello!
It takes a bit to load, but so fun! Elf yourself! Enjoy!
This Heirloom Wooden Advent Calendar from Yonder Star Christmas Shop is a cute one.
Check out their Family Tree Birthstone Ornaments when you stop by. Pretty...
And their wide selection of Nativity Scenes. Everything from this lovely Handcarved Wooden Set from Madagascar...
To this unusual Irish Nativity Scene. They really do have quite a selection!
Check out this pretty little Solitude Snowglobe, from the Sundance catalog.
And I'm loving their Egg of Glass ornaments!
