gift it pretty

December 4, 2014

The Christmas season is upon us. Are you ready? I have purchased one gift. Yes, you read that right, just one. I find that if I shop too early, I spend more.  Mainly because I forget what I’ve purchased, then continue to buy and when Christmas Eve rolls around and I pull out all of the gifts for wrapping, I realize I’ve went completely over the top! This never happens to you?  Oh, okay, never mind…

One thing I love about gift giving is the wrapping. What can I say: I love a pretty package. I adore simple, but gorgeous gift packaging. I mention simple because I am not crafty, nor do I like a fussy looking package. Here are a few gift and packaging ideas all under $15:

gift_it_pretty_2This amazing coffee is from a small batch coffee roaster here in Ohio that I found on Instagram a few months back. Her packaging is what drew me in, it is absolutely stunning, but it’s the coffee that will keep me reordering. This great gift can be put together with these paper cups and put in a simple gift bag or box for giving this holiday season. The vintage tag is timeless and even better, you can download here with several other great tags, for FREE.

Another great gift idea is a lush green plant that the recipient can enjoy all year long. Purchase a pretty flower pot (purchased at BIG LOTS), insert any variety of house plant (purchased at WAL-MART), attach with pretty ribbon (I recycled this red satin ribbon from a gift I had previously received) and another of these FREE gift tags.  For about $10, you will have a beautiful gift that will last longer than the holiday season.

gift_it_pretty_1Of course my favorite gift to give would be something yummy. I baked up a quick batch of granola and filled 10 oz. kraft bags. I added a small felt doily (any craft store will carry some variation) and attached with the black and white ribbon (found at WAL-MART). I use this particular ribbon a lot in my gift giving because it has a classic look. You could easily attach another Christmas tag or even a sprig of evergreen from your own landscaping. I use a lot of the outdoor plants around our home when packaging gifts. They add a nice, natural element, especially when using the kraft color gift wrap.

Below are several of my favorite products for packaging up that perfect gift.

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1. Black & White twine  2. Kraft paper cups 3. FREE Vintage printable gift tags 4. Red & Gold double sided ribbon  5. Kraft window bags 6. Joy To The World Kraft gift wrap  7. White stackable gift boxes 8. Fresh Red Winterberry

I hope you and yours have a Very Merry Christmas and remember the greatest gift of all came wrapped in swaddling clothes and lying in a manger.

Love,

vickisig

 

Posted in give a gift, holidays | Tagged | 2 Comments

christmas cookie guide

December 3, 2014

I was reading Food & Wine magazine the other day when I saw a quote that perfectly summed up why I (and the rest of the world) love cookies.  “Cupcakes go in and out of fashion, but cookies and ice cream will never die” (Thomas Lauderdale) 

I have no idea who this Thomas fella is, but I have a feeling we would get along great.  Right now, specialty foods are “trending”, meaning that people are (literally) eating up small business’s that sell one item that they do really well.  I couldn’t agree more- whats better than gifting something hand crafted that’s totally yummy at the same time?  The packaging is great, the food is even better, and it’s usually got a story behind it that has you hook, link and sinker.

But cookies do something more, they add a magical sprinkle of nostalgia- a piece of Christmas tradition that is as important as the tinsel on your tree.  A food with the ability to zap you back into your grandma’s kitchen, now thats holiday magic.

If tradition in your home calls for cookies, you had better make them good (because after all, they will be remembered forever.)  To get your holiday baking season started, here are some of my favorite recipes that we have shared over the last few years!

maple_iced_oatmeal_cookies_1

(recipe here)

pistachio_dark_chocolate_cookies_with_sea_salt_1

(recipe here)

cranberry_chocolate_cookies_5

Cranberry Chocolate Cookies (recipe here)

cinnamon_roll_cookies_4Cinnamon Roll Cookies (recipe here)

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Gingerbread Kiss Cookies (recipe here)

Happy baking,

shansig

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winter air defense

December 2, 2014

Yesterday Jettie came up to me with a concerned look and said “what’s on my lips that’s scratchy?” Poor girl was experiencing her first losing battle to winter air. The chapped lips, cracked heels and uncomfortable dryness makes this time of year no fun for skin. Fortunately there ways to fight back. Here are some of my favorite tools:
winter_air_defense_11O’Keeffe’s working hands – yes, the packaging is not the prettiest but after years of my mom and husband swearing by this stuff I decided to give it a go…and it’s fantastic. 2Eltamd uv clear spf46 sunscreen – just because less skin is exposed does not mean you can skip the protection.  Wearing sunscreen on your face year round blocks those harmful rays that can damage the glow of youthful looking skin. 3Crane humidifier – we added one of these to our home last year and were pleasantly surprised by the difference it made.  Now we are waking up with less chapped lips and itchy noses from the dry forced heat air.  4Jack Black intense lip balm spf25 – speaking of chapped lips, place a lip balm loaded with moisture and spf in the pocket of every coat you wear.  This will keep those smackers very kissable.  5F21 plaid gloves – one sure fire way to keep the delicate skin on your hands from drying out is to avoid contact with air all together.  Gloves are a girls best friend in this case and bonus, they’re pretty. 6Nature’s Way extra virgin organic coconut oil – when choosing a moisturizer look for one that is oil based as opposed to water or alcohol.  We love coconut oil for our dry skin, it seals in the moisture especially in the harsh winter months.

xo,

brandyjsig

 

 

Posted in beauty, health & fitness, product love, skin | Tagged | 1 Comment

fair isle style

December 1, 2014

I’ll never be that person who has their gift shopping done by December 1st.  In fact I am still scrambling to get the house decorated.  Looking at all the prepared little elves’ instagrams with all their gifts “almost wrapped” makes me chuckle.  What on earth must that be like?  There’s a good chance I will never find out…especially in this lifetime.

Regardless of whether you’re an overachiever or procrastinator like me you will need a little festive attire in your wardrobe.  Fair isle is a classic staple that has seen a rise in popularity this particular season.  You can go all out with a jumpsuit or peek a pair of socks out of your boots – there is definitely a little fair isle for everyone.  (Including all those people on your list!):

fir_isle_style_20141Victoria’s Secret long jane pajama set 2F21 fair isle deer legging 3AEO fair isle legwarmer 4J Jill alpine fair isle pullover 5Free Spirit fair isle print thermal jumpsuit 6F21 fair isle stripe scarf 7Loft faux fur fair isle pom pom hat 8H&M jakuard knit sweater 9Topshop fair isle infinity scarf 10Shoptiques over-the-knee deer socks

Let’s not forget that today is Cyber Monday!  Most sites are offering big discounts (30% off AND free shipping at H&M – hello??!!).  Also don’t forget to shop through Ebates in qualifying stores and earn some cash.  Many are offering double cash back!

Happy Cyber Shopping!

 

brandyjsig

 

 

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magic

November 28, 2014

Sipping my coffee this morning and sifting through what felt like 100s of Black Friday emails I began to miss what I loved most about this time of year – the magic.  As a child it was impossible to escape.  Everything gave me goosebumps – from the lights, to the music, to that walk down the stairs Christmas morning.  I could never get enough of it.

Today I still love the magic.  In fact more than ever.  There is something about seeing it unfold through a 3 year old’s eyes…it fills my heart with more joy than I could have ever imagined.  And then there are times when I am caught off guard, in the middle of being an adult, and brought right back to my own childhood wonderment.  This ad by Burberry took me there.  Hopefully it will you too.

(FYI, the young boy starring in this ad just happens to be Victoria and David Beckham’s son Romeo.  He is beyond gorgeous and obviously talented.  But was there ever a question we wouldn’t be?)

Hopefully that made your soul tingle a little while scoring those holiday deals (or better yet while you are cuddled on the couch with someone you love).

Here’s to magic!

xo,

brandyjsig

 

 

 

 

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