* Holiday Hostess Gifts *

Alright, it's been a week since I've last posted. I am officially a slacker.

I love the holidays - the food, the music, the functions - but what I do not love is the extra strain on my already busy schedule.

Between working full-time, Christmas shopping (which I've almost finished!) and maintaining what I consider to be a fairly active social life, I've had almost no time for projects around the house, let alone the energy it takes to write about them!

Hopefully once the upcoming marathon of festivities is behind me I'll get back on track, but in the meantime I'm just warning you, these posts might remain few and far between.

Since everyone reading this probably has a number of functions of their own coming up, here are a few ideas for cute and practical hostess gifts that won't break the bank...

Cheese Tray or Mini Cutting Board + Cocktail Napkins 

+ Festive Spreader

$20 or less and these items will always come in handy.

How About A New Take on the Cookie Jar?

If memory serves me, Winners has these bad boys on for $9.99!

Homemade Mistletoe!

You can never find it when you want it, so click here for some DIY inspiration and spread a little holiday love! 

Cheers!

KLI

Faux Fireplaces!

In the few days since I last posted, I've had lots of people come to me with the same question... "You have a FIREPLACE?!?!"

My reply? Hell yeah, I do!!! :)

Finding an apartment with an honest to God, wood-burning fireplace in the city is just about impossible, which is why it never occurred to me or to Marc to add it to our "must have" list while we were looking for a place.

Nearly two years later now, I can say that we absolutely L-O-V-E having our fireplace and the novelty hasn't worn off in the slightest!

Thanks to Marc's dad, who kindly hauls loads of firewood home from hunting trips for us (and delivers it right to our door!), throughout the fall and winter we're burning bright three to four nights a week!

For those who aren't so lucky, and long to cozy up fireside on the regular, there are a couple alternatives to consider...

I'd say the easiest alternative to the real deal is the "yule log", AKA the fireplace channel on TV during the holidays (which you can actually buy on DVD accompanied by music and soft crackling noises!) A step up might be one of those mini plug-in fireplaces with glowing plastic embers...

3D Insider

Home Shopping Channel

Not sold? Yearning for a real mantel where you can display photos or hang stockings? In that case, maybe this next idea will better suit your taste... GET YOURSELF A MANTEL!

Design Sponge

 

Who says you need a chimney to have a fireplace?! Whether you buy it or build it, your home can have a beautiful makeshift fireplace, complete with lights, candles,  or any other decor you could imagine for the new focal point of your living space.

Here are a few examples I've come across that may peek your interest...

Our Fine House

The Shabby Chic Cottage

Quirky Gastro

What do you think? Would you make the effort to create a faux fireplace in your home? If so, check out this great post I found on Apartment Therapy with full DIY instructions!

Have a great weekend!

KLI


P.S. Just a quick note to one of my best friends who will be getting married tomorrow... CONGRATULATIONS Nicole & Michael! Love you guys and can't wait to share in your big day! XOXO

  

O Christmas Tree, O Christmas Tree!

This weekend it seemed like everyone was putting up their Christmas trees and getting into the festive mood, whereas I had yet to give a thought to decorating.

I didn't want to put up my little tree if the place was messy, but wasn't feeling a deep cleaning either, and Marc certainly wasn't pushing for it, so it was up to me to get the Christmas ball rolling...

Finally late Sunday night I decided to just get it over with, and wouldn't you know it, from start to finish the whole undertaking took just a half hour!

Not bad, eh? Yes, it's small and currently a little cluttered by a box full of firewood and gifts, but I love having it up and I especially love that I don't have to think about it until after the holidays are over!

 

Since our place is fairly tiny, and can feel crowded even without seasonal knickknacks, I try not to go overboard with other decorations.

A couple festive tea towels or candle holders here and there, a snow-globe (my personal fave) and some lights, and we're done...

Will you go all out with decor this year or will you be keeping it to a minimum to avoid extra holiday fuss?

KLI