Best I've Read (this week)

Each week I come across so much online each week that I can't wait to to share... so I'm not! (waiting, that is...) 

Picture via A Merry Mishap, via Apartment Therapy

Here are some online goodies that made me happy as I stumbled across them this week... hope they make you happy  too!
* Crafty Gift Guide. 'Cause we all know you can never have enough projects going on at once
* Beautiful Gift Wrapping closet... who has room for this?! Ah, we can dream...
* Loving these holiday ideas: 2D Tree of Lights (amazing how something simple can be so pretty!) and the trend in Potted Christmas Trees (found via Little Green Notebook)
* DIY Foot Balm - great gift idea, even if just for yourself

Hope that everyone has a wonderful weekend!

Words of Wisdom: Passing Time

I've mentioned a few times before that I have a thing for quotations... just came across this one and love it... hope you do too!

Yummy Matzo

Roommates over the years found it strange, but I've always liked Matzo, as far as crackers go. As a kid we'd have it in our tomato soup (instead of more 'traditional' saltines or oyster crackers) - it has the perfect light taste + crunchy texture. And that's as far as my Matzo enjoyment has ever gone... until now.

Over at The Kitchn I came across this recipe for toffee & chocolate-covered matzo. The post explains "We call it matzo crack. It's just that addictive." Um, sign me up.

Picture from The Kitchn

Its perfect timing, too... this weekend we're headed to the 'burbs to celebrate Hanukkah with aunts, uncles, and cousins. My dad's side of the family is Jewish & though its not the most traditional celebration (Christmas trees are involved), it always includes lots of yummy latkes with applesauce. (Everyone leaves their coats in the car, or else you'll smell like latkes for weeks! :) The gift exchanges are really just for the kids, but I always like to bring a little something for the adults... and this will be the perfect little treat!

Paper Gift Topper (with a side of amazing)

I'm working to wrap the gifts for my young cousins & second cousins and was looking for ideas as to how to label/ decorate the boxes... and came across this project from The Crafts Department over at Martha Stewart. Seriously - how amazing is this?!

I don't know that I have the patience to do this on my own, but I love the end result. This would also be a cute way to create the labels for a buffet or appetizers for a Shower. So inspiring!

PS - In case you missed it, my jinglebell-and-holly present toppers from a few years ago!

Cranberry Holiday Decor

I came across these gorgeous topiaries via Apartment Therapy - wouldn't they make great decorations for this time of year?!

I'd be curious as to how long these would last - I know you can make garlands out of cranberries, to hopefully that means that the effort to make the topiaries (it does seem a bit tedious...) would make for a long-lasting display?

I'm not normally a big fan of eating cranberries (the slimy canned cranberry sauce totally creeps me out, though I know lots of people love it!), but this recipe for Cranberry and Pumpkin muffins may just help me change my mind! Doesn't that sound yummy?

Amazing Lamp Tramsformation

I came across this amazing project over on Dwellings by DeVore - she took these old lamps and some shades (both thrift finds)...

And created these!

Amazing, right?! Reminds me a little bit of these ones I was fawning over last year...

Supper Club: Game Night

I can't believe I am going to admit this, but my parents were right. See, when I was a teenager and my friends and I would complain that there is nothing to do, they'd suggest we play a game. And we'd roll our eyes and laugh and them, because that was just soooo dorky. Now, as an adult (when did that happen?!), I see the error of my ways and love a good Game Night!

The food part of a Game Night can be pretty simple, or you can focus on appetizers/ small plates that can be shared during the game playing.

The favorite games among my friends?! Catch Phrase is always fun and is great for a group. I like that it is a good ice breaker if everyone doesn't know one another well. My personal favorite is Cranium Pop 5 - this game is so much fun, you must try it! In the original Cranium, you had to perform the task (hum, draw, sculpt, act) your team landed on while traveling around the board, but in this version you get to choose what to do - the creative freedom is hilarious!

PS - sorry I've been a bit MIA around here... but thanks for sticking around! I have big plans in store!!