see stuff

alternative christmas trees

December 6, 2013

 

six alternative christmas tree ideas

It’s decided. There will be no tree up at our house this year.

It’s not so much getting everything out and put up, it’s putting it away that I don’t feel like dealing with this year. Especially when we’ll be out of town for the actual holiday and barely home over the next two weeks to even enjoy it. So this year, I’m searching for a festive tree that’s fun to put up and comes with a super fast tear down. So here are some fun Christmas tree alternatives to bring some festiveness to your house with a much simpler clean up plan. Continue Reading…

freebies + downloads, stuff steph loves

giveaway with uncommon goods – closed

December 4, 2013

UncommonGoods Giveaway

How’s that holiday shopping going? If you’re anything like me, you have a long ways to go. (read: not a lick of shopping done yet) Luckily today I’ve partnered with Uncommon Goods to help make shopping a little bit easier.

Uncommon Goods is a privately-owned retailer founded in 1999 and headquatered in Brookyln, New York that features unique designs and handcrafted gifts created in harmony with the environment without harm to animals or people. Their mission is to support and provide a platform for artists and designers. Over half of their products are hand-made and most of them are created here in the US. And if there’s one thing to know about this blog, I’m all about handmade, so this company is definitely one I can get behind!

On top of having a seriously unique product selection, they’re constantly encouraging creativity in the community with Design Challenges and How to Make It Events that connect local artists and designers and help creative professionals to improve and develop their businesses.

So what can you find at Uncommon Goods? Something for everyone! I perused through their Christmas Gifts ideas, personalized gift ideas and gifts for Women found here, here and here and picked out some of my favorites for everyone on your list. Continue Reading…

make stuff

how to knit a chunky infinity scarf

December 3, 2013

knit scarf

(01.25.15 UPDATE) This post has been getting a lot of traffic lately, thanks for stopping by!  This pattern, and all of my patterns assume a basic knowledge of knitting, i.e. you already know how to cast on and off and know basic stitches. Enjoy the pattern!

It’s December! It’s cold! It’s time for scarves and other warm things!

If  you’ve been into any retail store the past month or so I’m sure you’ve seen these chunky knit accessories gracing every display shelf and mannequin. I thought they all looked so warm and cozy and not to mention FUN to make so I decided to make one of my own. Since it’s made out of thick yarn and huge needles this is a quick project that is perfect to work on road trips (or really any time you feel like knitting). Keep reading to see how I did it! Continue Reading…

life

hello, december

December 2, 2013

 

hello december

December is here and I am totally not ready for it.

Last week, and really all of November, I was filled with the Thanksgiving season and feeling grateful for everything and everyone in my life. However, now it’s time for the official Christmas Season and I’m totally not there yet. I came across my “monday musings” post from this time last year and I already had the tree up,  cookies baked, and new holiday diy’s ready to be posted. I was a certified holiday superstar. What happened?

B and I walked Lucy through the our neighborhood’s season opener, the Village Lights tonight and I tried to snap a few pics to get a bit of holiday spirit on this post today. But when I came back to look at the pictures they were all (well, the two I took) blurry, and not that cool bokeh blurry, just bad, blurry photos. Even my camera is being a scrooge today.

I’m sure I’ll get into the spirit soon; once presents start to get wrapped and the holiday parties begin the holiday cheer will just be overflowing.  But not today. Today I am not ready for December.

Who knew a late Thanksgiving would throw things off so much? What about you? Are you ready for the holidays?

life

thirty thankful things part 3

November 27, 2013

The final installment of thankfulness!

ready, set, go!

21. I’m thankful for my city. Columbus is awesome. There’s so much going on here and it’s continually getting cooler.

22. It snowed today. Winter is here (for this week, anyway)  but that’s OK because I’m thankful to have four seasons every year here.

23. I’m thankful to have been a part of Columbus Design Week[s]. The program has been more successful than I could have ever imagined. I can’t wait to see how it grows.

24. I’m thankful for this blog and the welcoming community that goes along with it

25. and that I have access to internet basically whenever I want it.

26. I’m thankful for our upcoming wedding. It’s still a year out, but I’m thankful we get to plan a day to celebrate us

27. I’m thankful for the scenic drive we have coming up this week to see Brandon’s family

28.  The three (yep, THREE) Thanksgiving dinners we’ll have.

29. And the hilly roads I’ll go running on because of the above dinners.

30. And finally, I’m thankful that today is my last day at work for the week!

I hope everyone has a wonderful, safe, and tasty holiday! Happy Thanksgiving.