Tuesday Tip: Dovetailing Ribbon

I am thick in the throws of Christmas wrapping now that Thanksgiving is behind us.  I consider myself to be fairly well versed in many things related to gift wrapping but I learned new terminology and a new trick the other day while watching Eddie Ross on HGTV: dovetailing ribbon.

I always knew what dovetailing looked like:

I just didn't know the name of it.

I also didn't know this little trick:  To get even dovertails on either side, simply fold the ribbon in half and angle your scissors towards the bottom of your bow. 

Comes out nice and even every time!

New Etsy Item, Bebe!

I am posting a new Etsy item for sale today.  I finished this sweet little door/dresser hanger for a baby's room.  It says bebe (like the French do, right?) in soft gray wool on an ivory wool backdrop. It is filled with yummy smelling soothing lavender to help the baby go to sleep.  It is tied up with a hand dyed silk ribbon.  This is a great gift for someone who doesn't know the sex of their baby yet! 

Terrain

For those of you who, like me, adore Anthropologie, here's a little tip I learned about today over at Loft & Cottage.  The parent company, Anthropologie has opened a new store called Terrain which has a lot of the same awesomeness with a more nature-inspired, garden-y feel.  Their store is located in Glen Mills, PA - take a look at some of the goodness!

But, fear not.  For those of you who aren't in the vicinity of Pennsylvania, you can visit there online store.  Here are some of my favorites from their online site:

EAT napkins

 

Etched platter

Iron and Wood Butcher Block (vintage find)

Mistletoe Candle

Star Sconce

Polka dotted hand towel

Rope Pendant

Turkey Day Entertaining

We had nine this year for Thanksgiving dinner.  It was a bit of a challenge in our tiny house but I think a great time was had by all!  We had a good mix of guests including our dear friends from Scotland.  My friend Alice kindly brought over a card table and folding chairs and I tried to keep things simple by using paper plates and setting up a serve yourself bar.

I bought two large bouquets of flowers and spread them around the table and the house into smaller bouquets.  I left the bouquets on the main dining table until we pulled the card table up and spread candles and bouquets over to cover the card table as well. 

Dashes of flowers around the living room too...

...and on the bar...

Bud vases on a tray with wine glasses so guests could serve themselves.

I used my mom's beautiful silverware but wrapped it up into individual bundles tied with raffia and fresh rosemary so that it was easier for guests to just pick some up.  Another great thing about this idea is that I didn't have to worry too much about the linens being perfectly ironed.

And nice paper plates meant more time with guests and less time washing dishes.  With pretty ones like these, I'm not sure anyone even noticed they were eating off of disposable plates!

Hope your Thanksgiving entertaining was stress free and fun!

Stocking Stuffers

Hope everyone had a good, happy and safe Thanksgiving!  I've been absent on my posts lately due to prepping for the holidays and house guests but I am going to try to get back into a more regular routine of it. 

In the meantime, my husband asked me to write down some ideas for stocking stuffers for me.  So, I figured this was as good a place as any... 

Thymes Kimono Rose Candle (or lotion!)

Microplane Ribbon Grater

Anthropologie Take Me Everywhere Wallet

Ballet Russes Posts from Anthropologie

Gold Flower and Pearl Necklace from Etsy

Gloves

Am I missing any must haves in your opinion?

Wish List

Christmas is a comin'.  I know the purpose of the season is to think of others and that it is greater to give than to recieve and all (and seriously, I do believe that).  BUT, realistically, I know that my husband and my brother are going to buy me Christmas presents and that they have no clue what to get me.  So here are a couple of ideas. 

a cute cardigan from Anthropologie

Barefoot contessa - how easy is that?

Or basically any pretty book about interior design.  Love them.

Longchamp Bag - Le Pliage

Graphic Design for non-Designers from Paper Source

Voluspa Candles - let's be honest, any candles make me happy!

What's on your wish list?

Flatware Art

Saw this picture the other day and it reminded me of the flatware art I really liked from Wisteria that I showed on my blog months ago.

via Loft and Cottage

from Wisteria

another view of the Wisteria art

I don't know if this type of thing in a kitchen or dining room would be something I would tire of or appreciate for a long time.  I saw these oil paintings of flatware which I love even more - so realistic looking!

via Paintings in Oil

And this one of all forks...

via Ria Hill Pastel Paintings

The more I looked, the more I noticed flatware art was everywhere! 

via Home Decorators Collection

Vintage Flatware Print on Poetry Paper via Etsy

via Flickr

via Hue

via Sweet Tea and Linen's Etsy Shop

It's good to have friends!

Last April I posted about this UK company's hand towels (we all know I love a dishtowel).  I never thought I'd own them since I had no intention of ordering them and paying international shipping but my friends Kathryn and Charlie arrived tonight with their baby Eli and brought me the most fabulous dishtowels - three of my faves from this shop:

My all time favorite: The Mr. Tea Towel

Thanks, Kat!

F.O.E.C. love

You may remember back to a few weeks ago to when my new online buddy, Anne, awarded me with the F.O.E.C. award (First Official Etsy Customer).  Despite the fact that my husband's friend Wendy recently purchased two of my hats which I SO appreciate, she bought them from me directly.  So, I'd like to give a big shout out to my F.O.E.C., Anne - now we both share such an honorable title. Thanks, Anne!  Hope the baby enjoys! 

Gosh, better get back to knitting...