Tuesday, December 17, 2013
3 Simple DIY Gift Wrapping Ideas
Last year I decided to get a little more creative with my gift wrap, and I enjoyed it so much that I knew I wanted to do it again. With R's sporadic naps the past couple weeks, it's become a little more challenging to find time for these types of crafts, so I've started doing them in fifteen minute increments over the course of a few days.
1. Carve a stamp out of a potato. Honestly, it's way easier than it looks, and remember it doesn't have to be perfect.
2. Use cookie cutters and doilies to add texture. After making the initial shape, I put down a layer of double stick tape, and then added bits cut from a doily to make these snowflakes. I also stole my friend Julie's idea and bought wooden gift tags and painted them with chalkboard paint.
3. Use washi tape to make shapes. If your especially short on time, this is such an easy way to amp up your gift wrapping this year
Friday, December 13, 2013
Christmas Past
First off, Congratulations Rebekah on winning the calendar! Message me your address:).
I thought it would be fun to bring up some Christmas crafts/projects from my house last year. I'm not going to lie, looking at these pictures makes me a little homesick for our New York home with all of its character and the beautiful old wood floors. It's easy to forget my 12 inch square counter space, and a storage unit full of things that wouldn't fit in our place. Now, for the glimpses into our Christmas past.
First up, that's surprised me by the amount of traffic it brings is this DIY garland from Christmas tree trim.
Half dipped pine cones, so simple but I still love them
Lastly, my DIY sleigh bells from an old belt.
Wednesday, December 11, 2013
DIY Chalkboard Christmas Art
This is the first year in a while that I've had a mantle to decorate at Christmas time. If I'm honest with you, I have been staring at my mantle for over a week trying to figure out what in the world to do with it. I needed something long that complimented our tall ceilings. I found a leftover piece of plywood in my garage, and so came about this easy DIY. I always have chalkboard paint on hand, so this mini project didn't even require an extra trip to the store.
( You're also getting a glimpse of our living room…..remember this post about the floor-to-ceiling painted brick fireplace? We've decided that needs to wait until we get hardwood floors. So, until then…..it's a work in progress:).
Friday, December 6, 2013
2014 Calendar Giveaway!!!
I wanted to take some time to thank you guys for following along with me this past year. I really appreciate your comments and emails, and am always surprised that out of all the blogs out there, you would choose to take the time to read mine. In effort to show my appreciation, I'm giving away one of my favorite 2014 calendars below. Cute calendars are kind of a guilty pleasure for me, so unnecessary but so fun. Merry Christmas!
To enter this giveaway you must 1. be a follower of RestlessOasis, and 2. leave a comment saying which calendar you would like. You can have additional entries by 1. Pinning the giveaway and leaving a comment with the link 2. Sharing the giveaway on FB and leaving a comment 3. Following RestlessOasis on instagram and sharing the giveaway with hashtag RestlessOasis and then leaving a comment. That's up to four entries which would mean four comments. (That's the part that seems to be confusing for people). The giveaway ends next Thursday and will be announced Friday the 13th (nothing weird about that…..). Good luck!
Wednesday, December 4, 2013
December First
Our family tradition is to get our Christmas tree on December first. For the past four years or so (no joke), I have been wanting to go to a tree farm to cut down our own tree, but it just hasn't happened. One year we couldn't find a tree farm where we lived, one year we were in the middle of a move, and then last year we found a tree farm and went…….but they said it was too dark and the cut-your-own-tree area was closed. This year though, this year my tree-cutting dreams came true. Honestly, it was perfect. A lot of times in life, we imagine these perfect scenarios that don't meet our expectations….but then there are times when they do, and that was our day. R was happy after a week of being sick and unhappy, the weather was beautiful, the farm was amazing (with about five different barns all lit up and complete with horse drawn carriage rides and farm animals), and there were warm drinks with a fire pit. What a sweet memory to tuck away for years to come. It really is the simple things in life, isn't it?
Ps. Also- pigtails happened for the first time this weekend, and it makes me just so happy.
R helping her dad with the tree stand….
Sunday, December 1, 2013
DIY Advent Calendar and Free Printable
For the past couple years I have been wanting to make my own advent calendar, and I almost missed my chance again this year. In case you are like me and the first day of December habitually creeps up on you (this year was extra quick with Thanksgiving being so late in the month, right?), here is my easy Advent calendar. I took out my sketch pad yesterday and made this simple design, scanned it onto my computer, and printed it onto paper bags from my printer. Here is the printable, if you care to make your own. I also made another garland from our Christmas tree trim like this one from last year.
*Hint- I printed on the side without a crease, and taped down the flaps before putting it through the printer. We also found that it worked best for the printer to tape the bag to a piece of paper.
Friday, November 22, 2013
Friday Favorites
Last night I was up off and on with a sick little one, so I'm predicting this weekend will be one of catching up on needed rest, with maybe a cozy fire or two. The rainy forecast begs for it. I love weekends full of adventures and accomplished projects, but the quiet ones at home are good too. Cheers!
This Living area
This garden (and house)
This workspace
and these links:
Joanna Goddard's new place designed by Emily Henderson
Made me laugh
Also made me laugh
13 travel tips
Most pescious thing ever
Small houses in Japan
The complete guide to concrete countertops
This dog bed
Best of Thanksgiving baking
5 gift topper ideas
Could I just live here?
Wednesday, November 20, 2013
House Tour: a Sydney house with Swedish Design
This home is a breath of fresh air. The natural light, wood tones, white floors, and simple design…..I'm in heaven. I saw it over on Simply Grove the other day and decided I had to share it with you. Enjoy.
Monday, November 18, 2013
More on Thanksgiving Tablescapes
Maybe I'm not the only one……I see tons of incredible tablescapes online and come away overflowing with inspiration. Not too much later, I usually realize the money behind these beautiful dinners is just much more than I want to spend and my excitement dwindles. Do you ever feel this disconnect? The choice between expensive and beautiful or cheap and uninspiring? I firmly believe that it doesn't have to be one or the other. Here are some simple touches that are more creative than costly, making your guests feel extra special this Thanksgiving.
* I always try to give credit where credit is due, sometimes it's difficult to find the true source of my images. If you find any that need to be credited elsewhere please let me know.
Friday, November 15, 2013
Friday Favorites
This transformation of an old library in Sydney via Rue
The styling of this pretty space
Advent calendar ideas
Typography cookies
This living room
Made me laugh
Pretty Fall dinner
This pouf
This girl's story has me very inspired
How gorgeous is this highway
Trying this soup next week
This couch
This calendar
Speaking of plywood
This beach house
Wednesday, November 13, 2013
Thankful Tree
I know, I know. It's mid-November and I'm a little late on doing a thankful tree for Thanksgiving. But instead of saying it's too late, I'm going to encourage anyone else (who November snuck up on) to make their own. My cousin has done a thankful tree for the past couple years, and I love the idea. This was honestly even more meaningful to me than I anticipated it to be. There is something about writing down on paper the things you are grateful for (in my case 50) and really giving them a lot of thought. This would be a good everyday practice, not one just reserved for Thanksgiving. From big things (my faith) to small (family dance sessions in the kitchen), it was fun coming up with my list. What are you grateful for?
Ps. You may notice we finally decided on just using a poly for our DIY table and going a more rustic/natural route…..just in time for the holidays. I'm almost ready to share our dining room with you...
Monday, November 11, 2013
Inspiration: Plywood
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