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Friday Finds :: Christmas Ideas on Pinterest

Not surprisingly, I’ve been spending some too much time on Pinterest gathering inspiration for the Christmas season. I’m sharing some of my recent faves today, but be sure to drop by my Christmas Ideas board for over 200 more. If you haven’t already started decorating… it will motivate you for sure!

urban chic christmas tree // Apt 34black and white ribbon for Christmas tree diy art deco chandelierwhite christmas tree with gold himmeli ornamentschic holiday table-setting // via coco+kelleyimage sources top to bottom: 1// 2 // 3 // 4 // 5

As you can see, I’m still in a gold holiday mood!

And like many, I was saddened by the news of Nelson Mandela’s passing yesterday. He was an incredible leader and through love, peace and justice touched millions of lives.

Nelson Mandela #quote

xo

cristin

 

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Read full story By on December 6, 2013 in 5 favorites, Christmas, Entertaining, Features, Friday Finds, Holiday, pinterest, tabletop

Gold Holiday Decor + Gifts

disclosure: This post contains an affiliate links, which means Simplified Bee receives commission if you make a purchase using this link.

 

Shiny metallics are everywhere this holiday season and I’m most drawn to the festive golden hues. A touch of gold communicates elegance, warmth and richness. Yet, if overdone, can be gaudy, tasteless and down right tacky. So be careful not to go too crazy!

Here are some of my gold holiday decor and gifts for the season…

gold holiday decorations and gifts // Simplified Bee

1  // 2  // 3  // 4  // 5  // 6  // 7 // 8 // 9 // 10

It’s Cyber Monday too, so if anything catches your eye, be sure to drop by the associated link today because many of these items are on sale!

Happy *golden* holidays,

Cristin

*some of these links are to Simplified Bee affiliates, but of course I only select items I love!

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Read full story By on December 2, 2013 in Christmas, discounts, Entertaining, gift guide, Holiday, holiday decor, Parties

The Gifter :: Outgift the Party

As we head full steam into the holiday season, along with it comes all those parties. Whether it be your office party, neighbor’s holiday open house or intimate dinner with family and friends, it’s bad form to arrive empty handed. Bringing a thoughtful gift for the host or hostess is always appreciated, but what’s appropriate to give? This week, the folks at HomeGoods and POPSUGAR are having #TheGifter crew uncover the best gifts at amazing prices, perfect to “Outgift the Party.” Here are just some of the many ever changing gift ideas I discovered at my local HomeGoods this week… be sure to follow Simplified Bee on Instagram #TheGifter to see them all!

crystal highball glasses - hostess gifts #thegifter

These exquisite crystal highball glasses by a high-end designer are perfect for your bff’s holiday bash or the newlywed’s dinner. The set of four is an absolute steal at $29.99 at HomeGoods compared to $60 at department stores. I’ll drink to that!

gourmet balsamic vinegar - hostess gift #thegifter

Food and wine is always a welcome gift for holiday dinner parties. This gourmet vinegar is a great, unexpected present for the hostess that loves to cook. The packaging is so fabulous, I wouldn’t even wrap it… simply add a gift tag, red bow and you are ready to go!

swedish holiday coasters - hostess gifts #thegifter

These Swedish drink coasters with tree cut-out would be a lovely, practical gift for just about any host or hostess.  The beautiful Alder grain makes each coaster unique.

celebration party crackers - hostess gift #thegifter

For the office party these British celebration crackers with little surprise trinkets inside gets my vote!

What’s your favorite gift to bring to a Christmas party? Be sure to tweet the images of the hostess gifts you discover with #TheGifter and you just may win a TJX $500 gift card!

Happy shopping,

Cristin

*Disclosure: This post was sponsored by TJX through their partnership with POPSUGAR. While I was compensated to write this post about TJX #TheGifter, all opinions are my own.

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Read full story By on December 1, 2013 in Christmas, discounts, Entertaining, Holiday, home accessories, HomeGoods, Parties

The Land of Nod Holiday Party + Discount Code

Last Thursday I had the pleasure of co-hosting  The Land of Nod holiday event in the San Francisco Bay Area. Michaela, my fab intern last summer and blogger, co-hosted with me, and along with The Makery Los Altos and The Land of Nod, we had the best time! Over 100 guests enjoyed a special night of crafting, conversation, and shopping. 

Michaela and I designed a fun holiday vignette using lots of bright & colorful The Land of Nod products – a fabulous shopping destination for baby & children’s furniture, decor, accessories, toys and more. As a nod (no pun intended!) to being at The Markey, we featured a kids’ craft area with the play table, adorable zig zag stockings, and a Christmas tree decked with the cutest pom pom garland and ornaments. To ground the space, we created a chandelier out of brightly hued ornaments. We were thrilled with the way it turned out!

Land of Nod Holiday Partychandelier made of holiday ornaments
white Christmas tree - Land of Nod Holiday Party #NodEvents

Land of Nod gave us an adorable Cottage Dollhouse to decorate for the event. I had so much fun decorating it that I even created valences with left over fabric samples.

Land of Nod Dollhouse by Simplified Bee #NodEvents

It’s now the home of my kids’ “Little Bunny and Blue Bunny” and they are very pleased with the new digs. Always nice to have happy clients! 

The Land of Nod Cottage DollhouseMichaela decorated the outside with  flowers in the window boxes, wreaths and garland. So cute!

The Land of Nod Cottage Dollhouse - Christmas Decor

The Makery hosted our event and if you haven’t heard of their shop and live in the San Francisco Bay Area, get your bootie down there ASAP! It’s a crafters dream 🙂 Full of every craft essential you could imagine, the Makery hosts amazing parties, workshops and has unique supplies and decor for custom parties. Everyone who came to our event had a ball making little adornments for their Elf on the Shelf characters. Each guest left with one, which I thought was the cutest thing ever! 

craft suppliesvintage elf-on-a-shelf decorating - Land of Nod Holiday Party
Holiday cocktail with red straw
Happy Holidays - chalkboard sign

In addition, there were eight other The Land of Nod parties across the whole United States last Thursday…

Atlanta
Joni Lay of Lay Baby Lay
Boise
Kirsten Grove of Simply Grove
Charleston
D.C.
Rebecca + Suzanne of A Feteful Life
Kansas City
Carrie + Morgan of Ampersand Design Studios
Los Angeles
Kelly Lanza of Studio DIY
Nashville 
Salt Lake City / Provo
Kirsten Krason of 6th Street Design School
And to give you a head start on your holiday shopping, The Land of Nod would also like to extend a 15% discount on all of their products using discount code: BEEBLOG

Happy shopping!

Cristin

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Read full story By on November 25, 2013 in baby and children, Christmas, color, discounts, Entertaining, Holiday, Uncategorized