Style Lush

The Scents of Christmastime

By Lauren

Spring has the gorgeous flowers, summer the warm sunshine, and fall the spectacular leaves, but winter is the seasonal winner for me in at least one department: the way my house smells.  I can't resist the scents of cinnamon and spices, of a crackling wood fire and a real Christmas tree.

Source: downinthemeadow.blogspot.com via Amy on Pinterest

We all know there are dozens of ways to fragrance our homes these days, from the old standby scented candles to reed diffusers to plug-ins to wax bead warmers. My very favorite way to make the house smell delicious come winter, though, is on my stovetop. I fill a small pot or sauce pan at least halfway with water, then throw in a couple of cinnamon sticks, a handful of whole cloves, and an orange peel. I set the pot over low heat and just keep an eye on it now and then to make sure it still has water, adding more whenever it starts to run low.

This simple little mixture makes the house smell amazing, and, if you know where to look, it's really inexpensive. So far, I've found the best deal on cloves when I bought them from the international foods section of the mega-grocery in my area. (Who cares that they're some off brand I've never heard of? I'm not eating them!) Trader Joe's has inexpensive cinnamon sticks and very reasonable prices on oranges, too. 

What are your favorite wintry and holiday scents?

Gift List: Four-Year-Old Boy

by Elizabeth

So, here are some of the things that my (very. very spoiled) 4 year old is going to find under the tree this year:

Old Navy Christmas Pajamas (and the matching set for his sister). I think they'll probably get to open these early, maybe from St. Nicholas, so I can take lots of pictures of them in their pj's ahead of time. 

Source: oldnavy.gap.com via Elizabeth on Pinterest

Source: oldnavy.gap.com via Elizabeth on Pinterest

 

A new pair of shoes, which he needs anyway.  This was my other idea for St. Nicholas -- maybe at our house you leave out an old pair of too-small shoes and he leaves you a new pair of shoes every year? Could be fun. 

Source: zappos.com via Elizabeth on Pinterest

 

Some "frontier logs," which are just Lincoln Logs but made out of actual wood. 

 

Source: amazon.com via Elizabeth on Pinterest

 

Also, he wants one of those creepy fake dogs, so if they go on sale, I might throw one in the cart sometime between now and December 25th. 

Source: amazon.com via Elizabeth on Pinterest

 

A Hex Bug, because it's the one thing he obsesses most about at Target when we walk through the toy aisle. 

Source: amazon.com via Elizabeth on Pinterest

 

Speaking of bugs, he's also getting this giant thing, the Creepy Crawlers Mega Bug Exclusive Something Or Other Bug Making Set! Please note I bought this at Costco, and I did not pay $75 for it. What can I say, the child loves bugs. 

 

Source: amazon.com via Elizabeth on Pinterest

 

He's also getting a "typing machine" because that's the first thing he asked Santa for. It's surprisingly hard to find a nice working typewriter on eBay (damn hipsters) but I eventually won one. It is possible he thinks that he asked for a laptop, but too bad for him.  

 

Source: ebay.com via Elizabeth on Pinterest

 

Santa is going to bring him a bike, and although I had one all picked out at Amazon we tested them out last weekend at Toys R Us and I am glad we did because his ability to ride them varied wildly. This one is only mildy offensive and doesn't have any real toy branding on it, plus it was really easy for my shortish 4 year old to ride. As far I can tell it's only available at Toys R Us but they do offer free shipping.  

Source: toysrus.com via Elizabeth on Pinterest

 

I'm also giving him a mentos geyser tube (super cheap on Amazon) and six two liters of Diet Coke and six packs of Mentos in a giant box, because I am just that awesome.  

 

Source: paper-source.com via Elizabeth on Pinterest

 

I found the starter set of Hot Wheels Wall Tracks at Target in the $20ish dollar range. I am VERY prepared for these not to work all that well, just like most of the Hot Wheels stuff I've bought, and IN NO UNIVERSE would I pay the exorbitant $65ish dollars that Amazon wants for it, but for $20 I'm willing to try them out. 

 

Source: amazon.com via Elizabeth on Pinterest

 

Paintable dinosaurs, perfect for a kid who loves painting AND dinosaurs.  

Source: amazon.com via Elizabeth on Pinterest

 

He's also getting a bunch of little stuff -- a crank flashlight, some soap (he's a strange child, ok?), some bath bubbles, some more Hot Wheels, a paint set or two, some socks, etc.  

Although now that I look over this list I'm worried it's too short. ACK. This is totally enough Christmas presents for a kid, yes? Any last minute sure-fire winners for a 4-year-old boy who loves dinosaurs and isn't allowed to have guns or video games? 

(He's also getting a metric ton of presents from various family members, so I think this will be PLENTY. PLEASE ASSURE ME THAT THIS IS PLENTY OF PRESENTS BEFORE I GO LOSE MY MIND IN TARGET.)

My Stocking Stuffer Headquarters

By Jessica

 

You've seen our stockings, right?

 

We have monster stockings and they are crazy cool. Each of us has a different monster/pattern and regardless of whatever other decor I have up for the holiday, our stockings NEVER change. 

Because our stockings are so unique, I try to also keep the stocking stuffers funky and fun. I have some old traditions (the Lifesaver candy book, holiday Pez dispensers and those gross chocolate covered cherries that my husband loves, but I hate) but usually my favorite thing to do is just wander around World Market and check out their goodies, they have a bunch more in the store but here's a sampling of what I've found online.

I know a couple of people that are going to get this coal candy!

My husband is a pepper belly AND lover of chocolate, this would be perfect!

For the dogs, of course.

I doubt if Sprog will appreciate these darling nesting dolls but I'm sure I could find someone that would enjoy them.

No doubt I will just taunt my teenager with a new knit cap since he is never without one or

maybe one of these holiday rubber duckies. Of course the duckie gift will only work if I can somehow sneak "Rubber Ducky" onto his iPod without his knowledge.

How do you handle stocking stuffers?

 

{Photo credit World Market.com}

All I want for Christmas

by Christina

I have two running lists in my head. A real one that is within the limt of our budget and the fun one, which is so not. The fun one has things like an $1100 camera and assorted lenses and a $350 cuckoo clock, and, really, that's just the start of that one. My real list is still fun though and it's been a really long time since I've put any thought into it. Typically my husband just knows what to get me but this year he asked for a list. Lucky me!

(via amazon)

Love Florence so her new cd is a must.

OPI, Black Cherry Chutney becuase you can never have enough nail polish.

(image via steffels blogspot)

A house portriat, though it's too late to get this before Christmas, I'd still love one.

(via rebekkaseale)

And finally 3 of these for the cities that my husband and I have lived in. (Tacoma, Chapel Hill and Columbus)

(via bird avenue)

And black frames with white mats for them. A pretty modest list of but all of these items would make me so very happy.

What's on your list?

My Favorite Fitness Tracker: The Fitbit

By Tara

I am slightly Type-A when it comes to most things in my life. I need organization and analytics and details around me more often than not, or I start to get a little jumpy. And when it comes to diet and fitness, there's really no exception.

So, when my husband gave me a Fitbit for my birthday a couple of years ago, I kind of loved it. (And I guess getting excited over the gifting of a glorified pedometer by your husband is how you know you've either been together for too long, or you're just getting old.) The Fitbit itself monitors my steps and activity levels, as well as my sleep patterns, while the corresponding website includes a weight tracker and food journal. And now that they've added a mobile website and an iPhone app to the list, it's even easier for me to track what I've done through the day.

Not that I always do, sadly, because those holiday Double Stuff Oreos tend to multiply as they are going into my mouth, and I lose count from time to time, but, still, I like the app when I get around to using it.

{photo credit: fitbit.com}

At least it will help me work off those Oreos when the holidays are over ... right?

Fantastic Toy Storage from Land of Nod

By Sara

It's that time of year again ... time to clean out the playroom in advance of the avalanche of new toys that will take over our house come December 26th. Don't blame me, blame the grandparents. No matter how much we encourage them to keep it small, they always go overboard. And now that we have a three year old there is no "hiding" the gifts for later in the year. In the midst of cleaning and organizing, I realized I needed less bookshelf-type storage (does anyone else find the Expedit limited in functionality when it comes to the bigger toys?) and more "dump it in big bins and let go of trying to keep the pieces together" type of storage. 

Enter the I Think I Canvas Mega Sorter from Land of Nod:

Image from LandofNod.com

Friends, this sorter is the King of All Kid Storage. It's big but not too big, it holds an enormous amount of stuff, and, the best part, it folds flat when you don't need it. The sorter has three compartments so you can organize toys by type or even use it for laundry (bonus use after the kids outgrow the toys!). Ours is currently holding my son's entire collection of large-scale construction trucks, various sports balls, and his wooden train tracks that number somewhere in the hundreds (I told you the grandparents were out of control) with room to spare. I like that it's not too tall for our little guy to dig for things and it makes cleaning up a snap since all he has to do is toss his toys in. 

The Mega Sorter coordinates with the entire I Think I Canvas storage line from Land of Nod and, at $24.95, it's one of the most functional and best priced storage options I have seen and used. I highly, highly recommend.

Makeup Worth Repurchasing

By Rebecca

I don't wear that much makeup, but man, do I love it. I love trying new things, so it's rare for me to repurchase anything. I was rummaging through my makeup bag and realized that there are actually a handful of things I love enough to have bought more than once. Since they are all awesome (and very neutral), I thought I'd share them with you!

Item number one is something I have been buying for probably 10 years: the Revlon Colorstay eyeshadow quad in Coffee Bean. I honestly can't imagine someone who wouldn't look good wearing these. It's a collection of four neutral to bronzy shadows, two matte and two shimmery, and they are super flattering and magically coordinating.

The second item is L'Oreal's Colour Juice lip gloss in Passion Fruit Squeeze. I am constantly on the hunt for the perfect pinky-nude lip gloss. I have tried ONE MILLION candidates, but why am I fighting it? This one is around $6, lasts longer than most glosses, and I've probably owned three tubes of it over the years. Pick one up! You will not regret it.

 

And then we have the single best concealer I have ever tried: AmazingConcealer by Amazing Cosmetics. I am on my second tube and I will buy it forever. 

Yes, $42 is a ridiculous amount of money to pay for concealer. I realize this. And yet, it is so creamy and covers so well, I can't be without it. I use the "Golden Light" shade.

What are your repeat-buy cosmetics?

{Photo credits: drugstore.com, sephora.com}

LL Bean's Christmas Catalog

By Jen

I love getting the LL Bean Christmas catalog in the mail and daydreaming about what I would buy everyone I know for Christmas if I had unlimited money.

Even though I don't have unlimited money, one year I did order three of these -- one for me, one for my mom, and one for my sister. 

 
This year, I am also coveting these as gifts for friends. (Or you know, if someone wanted to get me one.) I mean, who doesn't need another good quality bag? And these come in all sorts of great colors, plus you can get them monogrammed. 

And how cute is this Snowman Family Kit for someone who lives where it snows? (Not us. We live in Georgia.) It comes with all sorts of little pieces to make three adorable snowmen. (Snow not included. Obviously.) 

{All photos: LL Bean}

LL Bean also has fabulous customer service. When I ordered the centerpieces, my mom's was shipped on a random tour of the country and didn't arrive at her house for weeks. When she told me that it still hadn't arrived, I called LL Bean and told them it never arrived. They overnighted her a new one, no questions asked. I mean, obviously any good company will do that, but I still remember how easy and pleasant that phone conversation was and it was more than five years ago now. As a bonus, this year LL Bean is offering free shipping with no minimum order. I suspect some of this year's Christmas presents will be coming from this catalog.

Currently Coveting: Clinique

by Natalie

I think Clinique was the first makeup I ever wore; in fact, I'm positive. It was back in the day when their lipsticks looked like this:

Remember those? The days of the green tube? I think (I mean, I'm pretty sure) that they don't look like that anymore. Anyway, my first lipstick was Clinique and I think it was an old one of my mom's, and probably was bright pink or some other color totally unsuitable for me, but I felt SO GROWN-UP. Wow. Meemmooriess! Anyway, I moved on from Clinique and probably hadn't purchased anything from them since high school, but have you tried anything from there lately? Because I'm kind of hooked!

I love their new Lid Smoothie... I'm partial to the Cashew Later color, which is a kind of shimmery neutral that's perfect for everyday. For night, I think that one of the darker metallics like Salt and Pepper would be fun.

I'm also newly addicted to their Airbrush Concealer, which manages to be light but also provide great coverage... I'm not sure how, but I'm a fan.

I'm also dying to try (but have not yet, so please weigh in if you feel strongly one way or another about this product) the Bottom Lash Mascara, which is appealing to me because I CANNOT do eyeliner on my bottom lid. It always looks like I've sloppily colored my lash line, and tutorials haven't helped, and YES I have resigned myself to never wearing liner on the bottom THE END.

So I'm intrigued by this mascara, is what I'm saying.

Anything from Clinique that you love? I may as well go ahead and add it to my wishlist, I think.

 

 

Countdown Advent Candle

By Leah

I just unpacked all our Christmas decorations and found something I've been waiting to use for years: advent taper candles.

I bought ours at the Bath Abbey gift shop while visiting inlaws in England for Thanksgiving several years ago (yes, I know celebrating Thanksgiving in JOE makes no sense), and I've been waiting and waiting and waiting to use them until I (1) had a kid and (2) had a kid old enough to appreciate the concept of a Christmas countdown. My son turns three in a few weeks and I think we're there.

If you celebrated Candletime this month and loved it, you could use an advent candle to continue the ritual into December (unless anticipating Christmas is antithetical to the spirit of Candletime? I don't know; do what feels good for your family, I guess). It's pretty straight-forward: every night you light the candle and let it burn down to the next number. You could use the time to sing carols, read a Christmas story, or just sit quietly and drink some hot chocolate.

Here are some advent candles you might like:

(NB: I searched Google and then Amazon, and most of what I saw was pretty traditional (read: resplendant rococo angels), so if that's your style you'll have lots of luck on your own, but otherwise, I've thrown in a few more modern interpretations as well.)

A quick and easy DIY advent candle from Mammajam (whose post includes notes on the religious origin of the tradition).

This is simple and gorgeous and comes in a variety of colors, but I can't even tell what country and language it's being sold from and in, or how much 35,00 zt is in American dollars, but it's just lovely, isn't it?

From I've Been Looking for That. (It's cheesy, yes, but you can't beat two for $2.)

Lego Countdown Candle. (I do not know why this is listed as $89.95 + $5.99 for shipping, but if you want it, there it is.)

Buy a box of 12 of this tree design for hostess/neighbor/teacher gifts (or a single for yourself).

I got your seraphim and cherubim right here: nativity scene candle.

If anyone knows where to find more advent candles of the modern variety, I'd love to know. Anyone seen a simple red and white horizontally striped candle? Or do I need to just make my own, maybe carve twenty-four marks into the wax of a plain taper? Stencil on some numbers with craft paint?  

(For more advent ideas, see Lauren's advent wreaths roundup, Lawyerish's advent for a toddler, Elizabeth's handmade advent calendar, Jennie's activity advent calendar, Christina's advent tree (maybe inspired by Elisabeth's post?), and of course the beloved Lego advent calendars. December starts this week! Happy counting-downing!)