{was} on holiday

{image via}

Sorry for the lack of posts.  I decided to take the holiday season into full swing and take some time off of blogging.  Spent the past week at the in-laws.  Soaked up some r and r, holiday cheer, yummy food and of course family time... did I mention yummy food?!  It was blissful!  I have some catching up to do and many things to share, so I'll be back into my regular posts asap.

alternative christmas trees ~ ideas for those who think outside the box {part II}

In addition to Susan's guest post we had on Monday, here are two more ideas I found to the alternative Christmas tree.  One's creativity can go so far, I love it!!

{use chalk}

{use books and bulbs}

~ both images via ~

follow me

I have always been a major fan of pinterest, but always was a searcher/viewer and not an actual "pinner."  Well, I've started to pin on my board and would love for you to follow me.  There's a ~follow me on pinterest~ link in red on the right hand side of my blog, just click that and it'll direct you. Hope to see you on pinterest! :)
Here are a few images on pinterest that have recently caught my eye. 

alternative christmas trees ~ ideas for those who think outside the box

I have a special treat for all of you.  We have a special guest post today...

Hi there Blissful readers, Susan Hazel here from Under the Cottonwood.  When Colleen asked me to do a holiday themed guest post, I jumped at the chance to share a fun new holiday decorating idea: alternative Christmas trees.  As a little girl, we always had a fresh cut fir tree.  It made the whole house smell of pine and the memories I have of picking out the tree are priceless.  But, having a live tree is not always practical.  For example, this year, I am living in an apartment and my boyfriend and I will be spending the holiday with his parents (who undoubtedly have a lush fresh pine, tree, aptly decorated).  I love decorating for Christmas, but I didn't want to buy a tree since we wouldn't be at our home for the holiday.   I wanted to have the essence of a Christmas tree without the actual tree, so I went for a small faux silver tree, with a few delicate ornaments.  I love the silver tree, but there are a whole slew of other ideas out there too.  Take a look:

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Photo Credits: 1. Simply Grove 2. Apartment Therapy 3. MarthaStewart.com 4. Pinterest 5. Not Martha 6. I Need Nice Things 7. West Elm  8. Decor8

what i'm lovin'

{Crème Brûlée Trio}

I have a few Laura Mercier makeup items, but never realized the line carried body and bath products.  I do love the makeup items I have {like this and this}, and I'm sure that every product in the line is amazing.  With the winter weather calling for dry/chapped skin and hot baths, I think that every girl would love any of these products.  It's "what i'm lovin'."

{Crème de Pistache Scrub}

{Soufflé Body Crème Sampler Set}

cute engagment photo

[image via]

Saw a cute idea for an engagement photo.  Love the use of the wedding ring and the scrabble letters.  Would also be cute to use lettering for the wedding date or for the engaged couples name.  The ideas are endless...

lavanila {products for a baby}

{the healthy baby bundle}

I came across LAVANILA and noticed that their baby products received great reviews.  All the products are 100% natural, pediatrician approved, chemical free, and contains 30 essential vitamins and minerals.  If you're a new momma or a friend who's got a baby shower coming up, this would be a wonderful gift for the new baby.  You can check out all the products here.

{baby butter}

{baby block}

holiday gift wrapping

Now that all the gifts are purchased {or at least we may hope so}, it's time to start wrapping all the presents for your family and friends!  Let your creativity shine with your festive wrapping skills.  Need some inspiration??  Here are three ideas you can use to let your gifts stand out from the rest.  They will either be opened first or saved for last.  Enjoy and hope you find these beautiful and useful.

[all images from pinterest]

DIY idea

I was at Anthropologie this weekend and came across a DIY idea.  There were mason jars filled with holiday elements and glitter (to replicate snow).  Here's how I would recreate this cute and festive decor, would be a great gift too.

1. If you don't have them already, purchase mason jars with the lids.
2. Hot glue gun holiday elements such as Christmas trees or a snow man to the inside of the lid.
3. Take the glass jar and scoop glitter and other festive bits like sequins or extra-mini pine cones into the jar.
4.  With the jar resting on its base, put the lid onto the jar and tighten, then turn upside down.

what i'm lovin'

Wow!! Look at this amazing clutch by Kate Spade New York.  The gold sequins and the black leather make just the perfect combo, oooh.... and the chain strap.  I really do think it shouts Holidays!! It retails for $295 at Neiman Marcus.  It's "what i'm lovin'" or shall I say lusting over.

on my mind

Here are a few photos of what's been on my mind ~ they are all holiday related.  With the holiday decor adding a festive touch in my home to the tree, oh and the Christmas music playing in the background as I cook dinner, this holiday season is in full swing.

{my white tree adorned with gold ornaments ~
my inspiration came from these}

{my new holiday party dress that I'll be wearing tomorrow night ~ the style is similar to this dress, except mine is black and shimmery}

{my new NARS duo eyeshadow in "Bellissima" that I picked up at Sephora, next to an apothecary jar of colored ornaments}

the wedding party

[photo via] 

I came across a photo of a bride and her bridesmaids.  Yes, I counted correctly and she had 11 in her wedding party.  Yes... 11.  I had five in mine.  Is there a number of when there are just too many in a bridal party or is the number endless? 

a holiday dress

[via Topshop $100]

what i'm lovin' ~ holiday cards

 {use a strand of lights}

Don't you just love receiving holiday cards in the mail?  Especially, ones with photos? Well... it's time to start preparing for the annual holiday card.  Last year I used a picture of the hubby and I when we were at Disney World (can't go wrong with a photo of the Happiest Place on Earth).  This year, I would like to do something a little more creative and festive.  Here are a two ideas that I love, so I thought I'd share them. 

{use a festive banner}

on my mind

When I was at my in-laws during the Thanksgiving holiday, my m-i-l and I went shopping.  I ran into a white Christmas tree at one of the department stores and I haven't been able to get it off my mind.  It was so beautiful and I am tempted to go find a white artificial tree.  Even though we are always out of town for the holidays, I am so eager in finding a white tree... to have up for about three weeks.  Here are some inspirational photos and it's whats "on my mind."

[three photos above via apartment therapy]

[via style at home]