09 December 2009

holiday home :: part I

a glimpse of my home and recent goings-on.


hallelujah. i've stumbled upon new favorite writing instruments. this is not to be taken lightly; my finicky rules and regulations regarding a good pen are strict. you see, my usual favorite pen, the pilot .007 was too slick for my christmas card writing. a tragedy which turned out to be a blessing in disguise because i've landed upon these babies and will be using them forevermore. and oh how i do love the dual tip pen. if only jane austen could've known them.


my quick and cheap strategy for hanging + displaying christmas cards, borrowed from the real simple archives. having no mantel and/or fireplace at this time of year can really get you down. however here is an excuse to use wide grosgrain ribbon and medium size clothespins. easy peasy lemon squeezy. they may stay up until june.


this photo is to illustrate the fabulous effect you have on me. when i posted benji's santa photo earlier this week a blogger mentioned that i should frame it. which would have crossed my mind if i didn't already have a whole folder on my virtual desktop labeled photos to print. must get on that. anyway thanks to her comment and encouragement, i ran to michaels with a frame coupon and to wal-mart one hour photo and now i have a little keepsake that i'm almost excited to box up for storage with my christmas decorations. i know getting it out next year will be like an early christmas gift. as if i'm burying a holiday time capsule. hooray for impulse good ideas.


my official christmas binder. i've really come to depend on my binder this year. i created it a couple years ago and have been filing away fun christmasy magazine pages ever since; gift ideas, party tips, and a running list of christmas card recipients. it's nothing fancy, a work in progress. but it completely works wonders. i keep blank ruled pages in the back for keeping track of what i've bought, what i've given and who gets what. that way i don't get my friend the same dvd i got her last year. i keep it handy so i can pull it out in the middle of the year if dan suddenly says something that sparks my gift idea imagination. jotting in it wildly is my forté. there is a section for homemade holiday treats (successful attempts and otherwise) and cute ways to package things up, etc. it's my december go-to. this year i added a large envelope for receipts. rather than stashing them in a drawer, i'll have them all in one place if any returns need to be made. start your binder this year. you won't regret it.


here are a few of the things i have stashed away for stockings. stay tuned for the '09 edition of my grocery store stocking stuffer list.

thanks again for your general enthusiasm and awesomeness. dan's office party is tonight. am hoping to doll up with your many great suggestions. times like these i pull out bobbi brown gel eyeliner and a slanted brush. that and viva glam V are my current + forever favorites.

21 comments:

Hannah said...

i so love that lip color as well! have fun at the party!

i may copy your ribbon idea...

Hil said...

love it all. have fun at your party!

Christine said...

Love your ideas for around the house! I have been searching for a interersting way to display my Xmas cards and have finally found it! Love the Xmas binder...I have one too! What would I do without Martha Stewart this time of year!! Your little man is adorable, wish you and your family a wonderful holiday season!!

Johanna said...

I bought that SAME bottle of coke for my hubby's stocking...it's hidden away till Christmas. Isn't it cute?
I just did a holiday home tour on my blog! showing what my home is looking like this time of year.
Also I have to say that I just love the fact that you have made a Christmas binder. How smart, how sweet, how fun!I told my mom about your idea for a Christmas binder (well all your bnders for that matter). Hopefully someday I'll get organized enough to do the same.
Merry early Christmas!!!!

Johanna said...

oh ya...and I loved your grocery store stocking stuffer list from last year. I made reference to it just a while ago on my blog.

Alicia said...

Love the Christmas binder - I have inspiration binders for everything: food, decor, fashion, vacations etc. Somehow Christmas hasn't made the list thus far & I think 2010 is the year that it's going to find a place on my shelves!

Jen Holtkamp said...

the binder idea is fantastic! thanks!

kh said...

I have Christmas photos of my kids from each year they were alive, starting with my oldest who is 7. it's a great joy to pull them out and take a moment to reminisce. it's also a great way to start out the season, being thankful for family.

your blog always starts my day out so well. thank you for your inspiration. always.

Jenni said...

I am so glad you framed it!!! Benji will most likely roll his eyes as you pull it out when he's in his awkward teen years, but I assure you it will become his favorite decoration to stare at when he comes home from college a few years later. :) Beautiful frame too!!! Glad I could pass on a little family tradition!

Christie said...

Makes me very happy to see my card in the mix of all the lovely other ones. :-)

LOVE the Christmas binder idea. You do realize you're your mother's daughter, right?

Eileen said...

I love that Christmas card display idea! I will have to use it, I've been trying to figure this out the past couple years in our little condo sans fireplace :)

I also am in awe of your organizing abilities.. a Christmas binder sounds really useful, maybe one day I'll put one of my own together.

Jaimie said...

i love everything about this post.

a.) dual sided pens are the bestest.
b.) what a great idea for cards. i have been wondering what i will do with ours.
c.) you will cherish that santa picture forever. it is darling.
d.) you inspired me to officially start some binders.
e.) have fun at the holiday party!

Miranda said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Miranda said...

well this is just a fantastic post! have been meaning to start a christmas inspiration binder for years...this may just be the year!

Unknown said...

Love the binder idea AND I have the same photo of the book-page wreath on my bulletin board.

My daughter & I each made one last year but her's turned out smaller than mine so we stacked them and it looks great! Got the pages from giveaway books at the library.

Destri said...

Oh Marta....A Christmas binder!!!! Honestly just when a girl thinks she couldn't be more unorganized, you prove her wrong. Love the framed Picture, love the stocking stuffers, I just bought honey for my hubbs, he like it...don't forget the toothbrush!

Lauren said...

I think I just died and went to heaven....A CHRISTMAS BINDER! OH MY GOODNESS, you are way too cool for words.

brooke said...

I love that picture of Benji in that awesome frame. I have framed pictures of my kids with Santa that are some of my favorite decorations.

Love the ribbon Christmas card idea. I'm stealing that.

the whyte house said...

love, love love the vellum pens. i deiscovered them in sept when i was addressing b-day invites for my husbands 30th. very useful on my cards this year.
that binder...sigh. i need one of those, for sure!!

[eeny] said...

I most defenitely have to start a Christmas binder... I collected so many holiday inspiration this year and have a couple lists for cards and presents... Thanks for sharing the idea, Marta.

summer said...

my, my. i am mopping up all the good ideas loaded into this one. can't wait for stocking stuffers '09! and i do hope that someone snapped a photo of the two of you at the office party. such a striking couple you make. (three cheers for dressing to the nines.)

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