Plenty of Time to Show a Little Love

The weather people have promised us a sunny and not too frigid winter day and I'm holding them to that. I hope you're enjoying a beautiful Monday wherever you live as well (but if it's sunny and warm, please don't tell me about it--I'm prone to warm weather induced jealousy).

Custom Fingerprint Art by Man Made DIY

Valentine's day is exactly one week away and I need to hop to it if I'm going to spread the love this year. I figured I may not be the only one who hasn't gotten her valentine on yet, so I gathered up some of my favorite quick and easy projects. You still have plenty of time to bring a smile to your loved ones' faces.

Paint Strip Valentines via Country Living

Yarn Love Sign by Family Chic

 I adore this love sign for Valentine's Day, but what makes me even more excited is that the possibilities for this so-simple-I-can't-believe-I-never-thought-of-it project are endless. I'm going to start spelling out all my favorite things in ribbons and yarn!

Valentine Necktie by thishumbleabode via Poppytalk Handmade

Nothing says "I love you" like a secret message. You should definitely buy this necktie for the man in your life, but if you're concerned that it won't get to you by Valentine's Day, go ahead and pin some tiny love notes to your beau's favorite items of clothing. If he doesn't find them on Valentine's Day, all the better--he'll feel loved for weeks.

The Teeniest Tiniest Cookies!

Photo by the supremely talented Sean Dagen for YOU + ME*

You may have seen our recent Valentine's Day post on Brooklyn Bride. If you hop on over to Holiday, Mary Ellen, the newest addition to our team, will give you the scoop on making these miniature cookies that are almost too cute to eat (I take that back. They're so perfectly tiny, you just want to eat them by the handful).

Wishing You Good Fortune In 2011!

Photo by Angela Gaspar for YOU + ME*

Happy New Year, friends! This year is going to be full of great things. I can just feel it.

Consider the photo above our virtual contribution to your luck for the year. Did you know that ring shaped foods are considered lucky in many cultures? I'm pretty sure they're even luckier when served all wrapped up in the Coral and Tusk lucky charms tea towel. We hope today is the beginning of a truly lovely year!

Highlights of 2010 & Goals for 2011

Photo by Angela Gaspar for YOU + ME*

Do you have any New Year's Eve traditions beyond kissing your honey at midnight? Miya and I happen to have the very same tradition with our respective husbands. We like to kick off New Year's Eve (or New Year's Day) by taking time to write down highlights from the prior year and our goals for the upcoming year. My husband and I finally compiled them in a book since part of the fun is re-reading and reflecting on them.

Wishing you an evening full of happy memories of 2010 and big dreams for 2011!

Photo by Angela Gaspar for YOU + ME*

Are you cozy by a fire, drinking eggnog with family and friends? We sure hope so. We're taking things easy through the new year, but we will still have some festive posts going up on Holiday. Here is a recap and a sneak preview for you:
- Mulling spices made easy
- Slowing down/a way for kids to feel good about giving
- A Christmas Eve tradition (complete with matching pjs)
- A tip for making sure your ornaments remain memorable

Oh, and I would love if you stopped by here on the 27th for a very special surprise for a very special someone (shhhhhh, don't tell Miya).

Merry wishes to you and yours!

The Smell of Christmas

Photo by Angela Gaspar for YOU + ME*

Two words: mulling spices. Visit us on Holiday for ideas on how to make them, use them, or give them.

It's Gingerbread Time

Claire's birthday gingerbread house

Join us on Holiday today for some gingerbread goodness--even a two year old can do it!

Do You Know What Are Unbelievably Delicious?

Photo by Angela Gaspar for YOU + ME*

If you said snickerdoodles then we should totally be friends. While I know there are a lot of tasty things in this world, there is a special place in my heart for the soft, cinnamon sugary goodness that is a snickerdoodle. I'm pretty sure it's the taste, but it may be something about the name too. After all, just try and frown while saying snickerdoodle.

If you join us over on Holiday today, you'll be whipping up a batch of these in no time flat. I recommend giving half away immediately. If you keep them all for yourself, I can't guarantee that they'll last more than two days and I don't want to be responsible for your sugar coma.

What Would You Do With These Goodies?

Angela Gaspar Photography for YOU + ME*

We'll tell you all about it as part of our Un-Gift Guide today on Holiday.

We hope your Monday is just the beginning of a lovely week!

A Gift for You!

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Happy Friday, friends. Has anyone else noticed that when Christmas falls on a weekend, it makes the whole month of December more hectic? One less holiday weekend means everyone with typical M-F jobs has to cram parties, cookie baking, caroling, present shopping, and tinseling into three weekends instead of four. I just realized that's why our weekends seem so jam-packed this year.

So my challenge for all of you is to take some time this weekend to enjoy the holidays in your favorite way. Maybe have a lazy breakfast of your favorite treat (may we suggest boozy cocoa and/or these muffins?) in front of the tree while listening to festive music or have a couple friends over for eggnog and gift wrapping.

Download me here

If gift wrapping is on the agenda, you're in luck! Our gift to you is a whole page of holiday packaging ready to adorn a present, bedeck a box of cookies, or tie on to anything that needs to look a little more festive. Skip on over to Holiday to download it today.

Enjoy your weekend!