whistle while you ...

I'm feeling a bit overwhelmed today thinking about all of the projects I want to tackle in 2012. Writing, tinkering, organizing, painting. Some projects I'll be starting, others finishing.



Before I get ahead of myself, I thought I'd just take a minute to slow down ...



and post some photos I took a month or so ago.



Of course this is the tinkered version of Snow White and the Seven+ Dwarfs.



Also known as a Cupcake Girl and Spool Sprites in "Tinkerese."



{Do you add a/your name to your photos? Sometimes I add my name, other times "tinkered treasures"}



I have always loved fairy tales and childrens' books and even studied illustration for a bit.



When I breezed by Rapunzel by Sarah Gibb at the bookstore recently, it was GASP at first sight. Luckily I added this lovely book to my Christmas list in the nick of time!



The retelling of the tale is wonderful and the images are absolutely beautiful in their detail.



Perhaps Snow White will soon have a fairy tale BFF (FTBFF?).

Another item to add to the list?! ;)

xo
elyse

nestled all snug

When they wake up, it will be Christmas.

From the sweet last page of our final-must-read-each-Christmas Eve-book I'll Be Home for Christmas by Holly Hobbie (yes -- that Holly Hobbie).

Wishing you all the magic of the season!

xo
elyse

last-minute gift bag idea

I want to share a quick idea that came about when I had just enough time to package teacher/school/bus driver presents but not enough gift bags. What to do?



I gathered red and white items: white lunch sacks, red and white baker's twine, gift tags and this fun set of assorted cupcake papers in three sizes from Ikea.



Next, I did a practice run of laying flattened and folded cupcake papers over a closed sack and liked what I saw!



Finally, I looped a length of baker's twine beginning from the back of the sack, stapled everything securely and added a gift tag. {At first I punched holes and strung the twine through but it was difficult because of the many layers.}



And now off to run some elf-errands!

Wishing everyone a very lovely, very happy and very healthy holiday season!

xo
elyse

keep calm and jingle on

It is a wonderful time of the year but sometimes it can seem almost daunting to me as I try to fit in every holiday activity I want to do in a matter of a few weeks. Not to mention that we celebrate both Hanukkah and Christmas (although there's really not much to do for Hanukkah except peel a lot of potatoes and apples). There are special cookies and crafts and decorations and shopping and cards. I've been trying my best to simultaneously keep up but still take it slow to savor the magic of it all. In the past week I have been sure to make time ...



for tea and treats with friends and was sure to use my favorite things



to decorate a village of gingerbread and dust it with a storm of confectioner's sugar



and make Gumdrop Guys with my boys



(More fun than building with Legos. Sticky but fun!)



to add comfort on the cheap, like these chair pads from Dollar Tree.

Me: So, how much would four of these cost?
My sister Betsy: Four dollars.
Me: Really? They're only a dollar???
Betsy: Really.
Me: Sold!



to decorate with unlikely things like eyelash glitter yarn as garland ... everywhere ... and Cavallini & Co. gift tags



to fill jars with glitter, salt and cupcake toppers, and gum drops and candy canes

{Meanwhile, I am thrilled to be writing a feature story about the beautiful home of a dear blogging friend -- details to follow!}



There's still much to do in the days ahead. Here's to keeping calm and relishing it all!

xo
elyse

sisters weekend

This past weekend my sisters and I met to celebrate the birthday and first anniversary of the passing of our mom. About a month or so ago, we decided the destination should be Cape Cod -- one of her favorite places. Ours, too.



Beautiful and serene in the off-season,



we stayed in a cottage room (at off-season rates!) at the luxurious Chatham Bars Inn.



We laughed, we cried, we exchanged small gifts. We even treated ourselves to room service. {Note the small jars of maple syrup}



And of course, we shopped! Stores weren't open late but here's a sampling of some of our favorites. {You might want to grab a cup of tea for this ...}

Casabella on Route 6A in East Sandwich is filled with inspiring displays of lovely home furnishings. Sparkling faux nests, appliqued furniture, signs, mercury glass and more. Owner Michele was gracious and sweet.








. . .

The Rose Victorian in West Dennis is like an amusement park for tea cup and saucer enthusiasts. Owner Kathy is as dear as a favorite relative. She even remembered us from a couple of years ago!









. . .

Picnic Fashion in Chatham, brought me to a screeching halt upon seeing it festooned in greens with bright pops of red. Stocked with wonderful stuff from vintage hankies to charming flatware to books. When my sisters and I inquired "where's a great place for dinner?" the owner Becky, made calls and circled maps better than our resort's concierge! {Thank you again}
> Picnic Fashion on Facebook





Cork board + push pins + baskets = CLEVER!









. . .

Chatham Village Antiques, which my oldest sister Betsy and I like for their "shabby-chic" room.





. . .

And a few priceless views along the way ...









My cherished sisters (in an unauthorized photo!)



and me, their little sister. :)



And remember the small jars from room service? We filled three with gathered sand, berries and lavender as a keepsake of our special weekend.

xo
elyse