Holiday Sparkle Inspired

Vogue

It's easy to get *too* caught in the busy rushed part of this holiday season. It's so easy to forget the point of all of it - to laugh, to have fun with your family, to remember Christ, to give, not necessarily gifts, but meaning. Take a moment, relax, enjoy these images that reminded me of the stunning holiday season, with just the right amount of sparkle.

Jenny Peckham

Anne


NoaNoa Mini


Paolo

Wishing you all a Merry Christmas!

The Perfect gift for a Teen Boy

Book: "Payback Time"
Author: Carl Deuker
Purchase Payback Time

There are always a few people on your Christmas shopping list that are hard to find the perfect gift for, I know a few myself! And when I think of who, I think of my cousin and my little brother, my cousin, he is 10 and my little brother is 14.

I just finished reading "Payback Time" by Carl Deuker today, and while reading it I thought, this would make the perfect gift for a teen boy!

Daniel, unfortunately nicknamed Mitch on his first day of high school, is an aspiring reporter, however, he was a little dismayed when he found out he was going to be writing for the sports section in the new year. However, he soon finds out that it isn't so bad after all. Working with Kimi, who is the sports photographer, they uncover something that seems to be overlooked by everyone else. A two hundred pound 6 foot something football player that has a through fit for the big games that the coach isn't playing? Kimi and Mich set out to figure out his story, and soon their information leads to danger that they never imagined.

"Payback Time" was a great book! I have never watched a football game in my life, and I've never had an interest in football, even so, I felt myself enjoying reading in detail about the games and feeling the suspense as the games and story unfolded! The writing is clever and very easy to relate to. I think this would be the perfect gift for the hard to buy teen boy!

Disclosure: I was sent an ARC of this book to review and give my honest opinion on. All thoughts and opinions are 100% my own. I do receive a commission if someone buys a book from my Amazon link in this post.

How am I giving back this Christmas?

Two years ago a friend and I had a dream...

....The dream was to knit enough baby and preemie hats to keep all of the newborns in local hospitals warm this Winter. Our dream began to evolve into something so much more. Monthly knitting lessons began, we taught other girls how to knit baby hats on the knifty knitter, teaching them not only how to knit, but to explore there creativity. Soon enough, we had started a wonderful charity which was called "Hats of Love." The first Christmas our six girls, some under the age of 13 and some parents, we had knitted close to 200 baby hats to donate to our local hospital. This all started from two girls who had a dream to help out.

Every year we are expanding. In fact, we have branched out to two different organizations in two different counties. Our long term goal? To make baby hats for babies in developing countries. Our short term goal meant to be filled by this Christmas? 300 baby hats for the Childrens Hospital in the city. You see, the holiday's aren't just for getting - they are for giving as well.

Tell how you are giving this Christmas and be entered to win here!
In fact, every pair of soft soles purchase you make from Robeez through December 23rd - they will donate a pair to K.I.D.S! My favorite are these!

Unique Christmas Trees

Tis the season for Christmas Trees! There are so many unique ideas and I have seen a few trees that have swayed from the traditional path, but still look lovely! Take a peek:

I will admit - I usually think pink Christmas trees are somewhat cheesy, however, for some reason it "works" nicely in this room! From Making it Lovely

Why not a Christmas Tree out of ornaments? Found via automatism

A stick tree instead of a traditional Christmas tree! Again, it really works for this room! And it is very unique! The next picture is a view of it during night:

See it reflecting on the ceiling? This tree is from Made By Girl

This is lovely....


A very green and original Christmas tree! Plus - I love the purple! LotusHaus Blog

Which tree is your favorite? I think the stick tree might be mine!