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.  

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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? 

    

After spotting these wooden eggs at my local craft store, I decided it was time to finally open my wood burning kit and try my own twist on the Easter egg.  Though I definitely could use more practice, I loved the results.....let alone this new found hobby.  I especially like the idea of using these as part of an Easter table setting:

  

I've been seeing so many beautifully decorated Easter eggs this year, and thought I would share with you my favorites.  For those of you short on time, some of these only require five minutes!   

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Flowers and macaroons, who can complain?   

Cute packaging for a special lunch for your sweetie or kiddos:

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Dinner Party inspiration (via)

        

2.  We have a new tradition for tree-cutting day:  homemade hot chocolate and homemade marshmellows

3.  I made half-dipped pinecones (as well as "fully dipped") this year.  I love the way they turned out!

4.  After visiting my friend Laura's house and seeing her gifts already wrapped under the tree, I was inspired to wrap mine earlier and enjoy the process (rather than my usual stressed/hurried wrapping jobs).  I hope to continue this tradition- it really does add a lot!

Secondly, I'm very excited about this little DIY that happened last week.  I have this weird nostalgia about sleigh bells, because my parent had one on the front door of their house.  As a little girl, it was one of my favorite things to hear the bells during the Christmas season as neighbors and friends came in and out of our home.  Since having my own home, I have been on the lookout for a good priced leather one, but they all started at $100.  Once again, this year I came across this one while browsing Terrain's online shop for inspiration.  It was $128 (it's since been lowered to $96).  That's how this DIY came to be- and I spent a whopping $2.50.  Not bad, right?

1.  The only thing I bought was this container of bells from my local craft store.  I used an (old) man's belt we had in the back of our closet.....I'm sure you could also find one at your local thrift store. 

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 What you will need:  an old belt, wire, wire cutters, hammer & nail and/or drill  for the bigger hanging holes), twine, something to cut the leather (I used a wood chisel)

2.  I hammered a new hole close to each pre-existing belt hole.  Then I tied each bell with small pieces of wire.  I added a few more pairs of holes as needed.  

3.  I liked the diagonal cut of the Terrain belt, so I did the same.  Instead of using leather pieces to hang the belt I braided twine to add texture.....but if you would like to use leather strips it would be as easy as going to your craft store.  That's it!  

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2.  I overlapped pieces and connected them with the floral wire.  Make sure that all pieces are going in the same direction.

3.  Once the garland is up, trim off awkward pieces, and add more branches to bare areas.  Remember, it's supposed to look organic.....not perfect:). 

2.  Simple and sweet via

3. via Terrain

4.  Create your own advent calendar, by using these free downloads (here) and using iron-on transfer paper.