Hi, Friends-

Wow. How did the holidays sneak upon us? If you are a bit like me, you are thinking, “Is it already December?”

In my house, December means madness as I try to create my way through my holiday list.

There are days filled with peppermint cookie baking, dusting off vats full of glitter, ordering lux reams of paper, dashing to the store for pom poms, rummaging through the garage for bundles of wire, and creating, wrapping, taping, shipping all the way to January!

Things might be a bit different this year because of the pandemic, but one thing remains the same.

It’s a perfect time to create something special for someone special.

Let’s chat about 5 ways I can help you make your holiday week an easy one!

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1) The Best Holiday Cookie - Ginger Giants

Yes, I am giving you my secret cookie recipe. It’s hands down the best winter treat that has ever crossed my lips or anyone who has tried this stellar cookie. Yes, it’s easy.

2) The Minimalist Wreath

Here is an easy DIY that makes a beautiful addition to any holiday house or a terrific gift!

3) Working Dog Wrapping Paper or Holiday Kitten Wrapping Paper

A great way to wrap up all the special gifts that need wrapping!

4) A Simple Art Print

Why not give an art print as a gift? No in-person shopping required and it supports an artist!

5) The DIY Party Sweater

This is the easiest and most festive DIY ever! You will need fun pom poms, safety pins, and a fluffy sweater. It’s the perfect Zoom Holiday Party attire!

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Friends, let me know how the DIY projects go this week and I am wishing you the easiest holiday week ever!

This post contains affiliate links.

Hello! Thanksgiving is right around the corner. Who has been thinking about what to bring the host on the day of the great Thanksgiving Day feast? No, I'm not talking about pie. I'm talking about the gift given to the host that shows she is appreciated for getting up at the crack of dawn to shove a robust bird in the oven and stand on her feet for twelve hours to cook up a showstopper of a meal. If you are like me, I wait until the very last minute to find a host gift. I end up bringing either a festive dish towel or a bottle of just ok wine. Neither of which makes me gitty. I can only imagine the host is also pretty apathetic about the turkey clad dish towel and so so wine. The bottom line is, gift giving takes a certain knack and talent. One has to know a bit about the recipient and then get creative. In this case, creativity is the hard part. Forget that, gift giving is just downright hard.

Today, however, I have researched and dug deep to find a list of "The Ultimate Creative Hostess Gifts For Under $40." In fact, most are under $20. They are unique, useful and creative! Today's project is to get a jump on a host gift and create prepared gratitude by jotting down what your host might love to receive. Here are some suggestions.

1. AmazaPens {affiliate link} are a terrific way to create lovely, colorful and spectacular designs. After all the guests leave and the leftovers are cooling in the fridge, the host will be thrilled when she unwraps her AmazaPens where she can create an artful moment to melt way the holiday stress.

2. STEAM Kids Christmas {affiliate link} is a terrific book that inspires girls (boys too) and adults alike to have fun learning through STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Art, and Math) projects. This might seem like an odd host gift but it is bursting at the binding with cool projects the kids can do while the turkey is cooking in the oven. For a short time, the eBook and printed book will come with a STEAM Christmas Coloring eBook too! They will create a much-needed distraction so the turkey can get on the table and the family stay at peace.

3. Glass Macaron Ornament Set From West Elm is an even better gift than an actual box of macaron cookies because she will be able to enjoy these little treats for years to come. Create joy and smiles this holiday and next with these little sparkely gems.

4. Soul Paper Holiday Cards Gift Set is a beautiful way to tell the hostess she's special. This sweet little pack of holiday cards is hand created and professionally printed by artists Alexandra Mathews. What is a better way to tell a hostess she's special than these lovely cards? Plus, they will create a new way for the host to pass on her thanks and holiday spirit to someone else.

5. Herbivore Detox Bath Salts is a perfect way to say thank you for taking care of me for the day! These blue clay, dead sea, bath salts will melt away the stress of the holidays. Your host is bound to fall into a lovely nights sleep after she soaks in these naturally and wonderfully scented lavender and eucalyptus soaking salts. They will create bath heaven!

6. Mariage Frères Esprit de Noël Tea is a lovely way to say to your hostess that she is worth every drop of this festive, beautifully flavored, orange, cinnamon and clove tea. It is a glamours addition to every holiday table and creates the perfect accompaniment to a slice of pumpkin pie.

7. CB2 Trio Vases (not available online currently) are triple the thank you! These pint size vessels will hold just a few perfect flowers and will be darlings at a celebratory table for years to come. They will continue to create memories years into the future and let your host know you appricate all her hard work.

Well, Let me hear how the gifts go over and see you tomorrow wild turkeys. 

This post contains affiliate links.

Season's Greetings again! Surprisingly, the holidays are right around the corner. If you are like me, I procrastinate on finding the perfect gift. Then I run out of time. Which means, I can never find the perfect gift and I end up gifting socks. Well, not this year! This year I started early and I am providing everyone "The Ultimate Gift Guide For The Creative Woman." It's filled with gifts at every price range. This guide has many super-duper, special gift options for all the wonderful women in my life and yours! You will be sure to find something that will delight any daughter, sister, niece, mother, grandmother, girlfriend, aunt or wife. Today's project is to create a gift list for every woman in your life and get shopping. Let's take a look below.

1. STEAM Kids Christmas {affiliate link} is a terrific book that inspires girls (boys too) and adults alike to have fun learning through STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Art, and Math) projects. Creating a new way to learn has never been so fun. This is a great gift for a teacher, mom, dad, grandma, grandpa or kid at heart!

2. Nike Internationalist Premium are super stylish kicks for all the ladies on the go. Gift these special sneakers and you are sure to bring a smile to any finicky teen or chic aunt. These little darlings create a style with just the right amount of casual girl cool.

3. All Clad Stainless Steel 3 qt Saute Pan {affiliate link} is an amazing cooking pan for the Julia Child in your life. Creating never tasted so good! Bon Appetite.

4. Bando Sticker Book {affiliate link} is a super cool book of well, stickers. However, this isn't just any typical sticker book. This book contains stickers like "Fries before Guys" and heart emojis. Any little sweetie will sure to fall in love with these little gems. Creating with these stickers will turn anything into a hip, cultural project of self expression. 

5. Apple iPhone 7 in Rose Gold is a great way to snap fabulous photos and create long lasting memories. Also, it's dang pretty. Did I mention there is also a STEAM Kids Coloring book {affiliate link} that can be downloaded and printed? It's a great way to keep everyone keep busy during winter downtimes. After all, winter is coming.

6. Poppin Initial Notebook in copper is the coolest metallic notebook out there. What could provide a sweeter and more lovely place to create and jot down ideas, dreams and an offical bucket lists? 

7. Buxom Lip Polish Collection is a festive way to add a little shine or shimmer to any woman's stocking. These glossy little gems, make lips minty fresh and create instant polish morning, noon or night. Great for mom and sisters alike.

8. AmazaPens {affiliate link} are a terrific way to create lovely, colorful and spectacular designs. They are a great gift for teachers and coloring book artists alike.

9. Anastasia Beverly Hills Modern Renaissance Shadow Pallet is for all those beauty addicts out there have been on the hunt for just the right pallet of colors for the old peepers. Each of these darlings looks great layered on every skin tone. These velvety smooth shadows create a cool sophisticated girl look that young and golden ladies alike will love.

10. Denik Goal Digger Blank Notebook is an amazing notebook that features different artists on the cover. A portion of the sales go to building schools worldwide. If there is one gift that a creative woman would want, it's receive something creates change in the world. Put three of these on your list or nine. Everyone can use a notebook that gives back. In short, gift this one!

11. Fragonard Eaux De Toilette Perfume Set just smells delightful. Every woman can create a signature scent that will delight and inspire her everyday.

12. Blue Sky Alpaca Organic Cotton Yarn {affiliate link} is a lovely gift for any woman who loves to knit and create the softest and most lovely keepsakes for all the people in her life. The yarn is washable, warm and an absolutely divine to create with. 

Well, I have some shopping to do for all the creative women in my life. Let me know how the gift giving goes and happy gifting everyone!

Day 125 - Hey. "Are You My Mother?" Who doesn't love that book? It reminds me that Mother's Day is right around the corner. I need to take a break from thinking about business stuff and do a DIY project for mom. What mom doesn't love a good spa treatment? How about lemon sugar hand scrub for mom? It's fast, delightful and mom's digits will never feel better. Let's do this!

Ingredients Needed:

• 1 cup olive oil
• 1 cup course sugar (organic or brown sugar)
• 20 drops of lemon essential oil 
• 4-8 drops of tea tree oil (for healthy nails)
• 1 adorable container 
• Lovely Mother's Day Tag and Ribbon (printable here)

Step 1: Place olive oil in a bowl and mix in the sugar.

Step 2: Add the essential oil and mix.

Step 3: Place in adorable container. Add ribbon & tag. Mom's present is complete!

Let me know how mom likes here spa treatment! See you tomorrow.

Day 108 - Hello there. It's Sunday. I am going to jump right into the project for today. It is to create a list of at least three things in which you are grateful for today. I have been talking about the "Go Fish" birthday party on the blog and it went off with a bang yesterday. It was a true gift of a day. The weather was beautiful, the birthday boy was thrilled, the DIY decorations were fun and I didn't drop the cake on the floor. Plus, everyone seemed to have a super time. However, what I was truly grateful for were the friends and family that came to celebrate my son's 3rd birthday.

My son came into this world 3 years ago six weeks early. It was a stunningly stressful time in our lives. The day he was born there was so much up in the air. We didn't know if he would live but we held him tight for weeks in hope he would be ok. There was so much we didn't know. Would he be sick? Would he have developmental needs? A heart condition?

Today, he is a sweet, loving and healthy little boy who is very passionate about trucks, fishing and following his sister around. I looked at him today and all the people around him and thought "Wow. I am lucky to have this stunning resilient little boy. I am incredibly lucky that he is having a third birthday. I am lucky that he lived to see all these loving people around him. I hope I can teach him how to be incredibly grateful for all the people who love him today and in the future.

To all of you who came out today to celebrate, thank you. With gratitude.

Day 22 - Hi again. Whew. We made it to the weekend! Today's project is special and dedicated to the big & little boys in our lives. I was thinking we might have some free time this weekend? Maybe 10 min or so to search the internet for some smoochable gifts for those lover boys?  Cupids arrow seems far away but February 14th is right around the corner. Yep, that's right folks. We are two weeks away from being knee deep in conversation and chocolate hearts.

While I usually make homemade Valentine's for the boys in my life and call Valentine's day complete, I thought it might be fun to create a list of gifts that are dapper, fun and super cool. Take the suggestions below as a starting point for your list.  Oh boy, bring on Valentine's Day!

1 - Heart Shaped Headphone Splitter, 2 - Carter's Valentine's Day Pullover & Pant Set , 3 - Nixon Watch, 4 - Theo Chocolate "My Cherry Chocolate Bar", 5 - Onitsuka Tiger Serrano Sneaker, 6 - Fragonard Eau de Hongrie Cologne, 7 - Pair of Thieves Dad + Kids Socks Pops Mike, 8 - Ray Ban® Caravan 58mm Aviators, 9 - Bruder MAN Fire Engine