Thursday, December 5, 2013

Gifts for Home


So far, I've bought Christmas gifts for my son, nieces, and one for a sassy girlfriend of mine, and that's it.  If you're looking for a gift for the home decor lover or hostess, here are my picks.  Enjoy!














































Softest Throw Blanket (you can have this monogrammed too)

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On Honey We're Healthy: I'm sharing my healthy beef burrito and fresh pico de gallo recipe





Autumn Statement 2013

Today is Autumn Statement day, when the Chancellor of the Exchequer (George Osborne) outlines spending plans and related matters for the coming years.

By happenstance, Iain Duncan Smith has slipped out a statement that the Universal Credit programme may not meet its 2017 deadline. Ironically, in September, IDS had told MPs that the 2017 deadline remained in place.

Wednesday, December 4, 2013

Eight Banks Fined For Rate Rigging

As per the BBC, the European Commission has fined eight banks a total of 1.7bn euros for forming illegal cartels to rig interest rates.

Tuesday, December 3, 2013

Christmas Decor in the Kitchen


You can easily spread Christmas cheer throughout your home, into the kitchen, by adding just a few decorative items, things you probably already own.  When I finally invested in a Le Cruset dutch oven a few years ago, I purposely bought red because I thought it would look so good during the holidays.  And it does! :) Even if you don't have any red pots or pans, you might have some colorful bowls or dishes you could incorporate into your decor.  










The red tray was moved out of my son's room temporarily to add more pops of color.  I found the cookie jar and wreath at Hobby Lobby.  I hung the wreath with an adhesive hook and figured I can take the wreath down while cooking if I need to.  Flowers or poinsettia plants would be great too. 














The towels are from Target and were hanging in our bathroom last year.  You don't have to keep putting things in their same ole place- have fun moving them around!  The red timer is perfect here too and gets a lot of use.  










The olive oil and balsamic vinegar are sitting on a wood tray with a sprig of faux berries.  Easy and pretty. 










And our thankful tree was exchanged for faux pine branches and berries from Hobby Lobby.  I used a foam block inside the urn to keep the branches positioned where I wanted them and to give them more height. 










I'm decorating our open kitchen shelving too, but I'm not quite finished with it.  Do you extend your holiday decor into the kitchen too?





Don't forget to link up your holiday mantels on Wednesday at Ten June & Our Fifth House.










You can see our "mantel" this year HERE.





And thank you to Kate (Centsational Girl) for including me in her Holiday Gift Guide this year and to Kristen (The Hunted Interior) for having me participate in her Ornament Round-up feature.  





On Honey We're Healthy: I'm sharing my favorite healthy hair product that helped repair my damaged hair. 








Sunday, December 1, 2013

Snowy Aqua & Mint Mantel


Being December and all, I think it's time to officially welcome Christmas into my home! I'm doing different colors schemes in different areas of our house this year, and the dining room is getting decked out in aqua, mint, white, silver and gold. 










The mint inspiration came from a new snowflake pillow that I paired with a white faux fur pillow inside our HomeGoods basket.










Since I recently made the "The most wonderful time of the year" art in a similar color, I decided to bring it into the room.  










I used items I already had in my house, but included two new items from Hobby Lobby: the NOEL letters and the reindeer.










I considered painting the letters like I did for my LOVE art, but decided I liked them the way they were sold.  The natural color balances out the bright aqua and mint. 










The reindeer did get a coat of silver and gold spray paint.  I also sprinkled silver glitter on him. You can find inexpensive reindeers here, herehere, here, and here.










Years ago, I bought a bunch of faux snow from Pottery Barn during an after-Christmas sale for just a couple of dollars and I reuse it year after year.  It's one of my favorite discount buys.  










Filling a large bowl with colorful ornaments is about the easiest way to add a festive decorative touch to your home.  I like to add larger ornaments on the bottom, then layer in smaller ornaments to fill in the gaps.  This mini tree is a favorite of mine because it's got gold tipped branches and a burlap wrapped base.  I added in some snowflake ornaments for added bling.










I've had the silver lanterns for a couple of year now and really like the simple shape and how the door opens so I can fill them.  It would probably be better if the top came off because it's a little tricky to get the ornaments and snow in then, quickly shut the door before it falls out!





Have you started your Christmas decorating yet?  You can link up your mantels to our Holiday Cheer Link Party on Wednesday!





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On Honey We're Healthy:  I'm sharing my secret for healthy hair.




















Friday, November 29, 2013

BLACK FRIDAY Shopping Deals with Coupon Codes & My Faves


Let's get right to it people!  Putting this post together could get me in some serious trouble, as in, "One for you, one for me!"  There are some major sales happening right now if you want to take advantage.  These sales make gift giving a little easier on your wallet, but also make stocking up on your wardrobe almost impossible to pass up.  Happy shopping- I'd love to hear what you end up with. :) 








DATES: Nov 29


CODE: TGIF






I love the black and white vibe Ann Taylor has going on.









DATES: Nov 25 – Dec 1







I always forget to shop Bloomingdales, thinking it's too expensive, but I found so many cute dresses for under $100- here are 3 BLDs.



Faux Leather Dress                    BCBG Scuba Zip Dress                 Lace Jacquard Dress



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C. Wonder // Save 30% off 3 items or more, full price or sale + free ground shipping.



DATES: Nov 27 – Dec 1


CODE: GIFTS30








Of course I love C. Wonder's home goods, but I pretty much die over their entire BRACELET collection.  They have really playful sweaters too. They are great alone, but would also be fun layered with a print button-down and necklace.








Winking Fox                             Penguin Stripe                                       Love



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Henri Bendel // Save 25% off your order over $100 and receive a $20 Splurge Card with every purchase.






DATES: Nov 29 – Dec 1


CODE: TURKEY25








Henri Bendel is one of my favorite shops- ever since one of my best friends took me to the signature store in New York.  Houston got one last year, but I have exercised admirable restraint.









Alphabet City Bangle       Ace Cocktail Ring      Stack Ring      Charm Strap      Metropolitan Cuff



If you have small wrists like me, the HB hinged bangles are awesome because they fit comfortably and you don't feel like you're about to lose one.  I love them and they have so many colors to chose from.





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DATES: Nov 29 – Nov 30


CODE: ENJOY










LOFT is a go-to for everyday work and casual clothes at a great price.  They have a petites section too, so I never have to hem the pants I buy there.





      Animal Print Blouse          Laux Leather Trim Legging          Striped Cowl Neck Shirt  






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Lulu & Georgia // 30% off orders over $50.



Code: THANKS30







Cheers Coaster                           Heart of Gold Print                       Moroccan Pouf   



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Minted // 15% off holiday cards $100+ / 20% off holiday cards $150+10% off all wedding 

stationery  



Code: BFHOL13 (holiday code), GETHITCHED10 (wedding code)



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Nordstrom // Save 25%+ off on select brands.




DATES: Nov 27 (10AM PST) – Dec 1 (10PM PST)





DATES: Nov 28 (10PM PST) – Nov 29 (10PM PST)







DATES: Nov 25


ALSO: Check out the 10 doorbusters for $10 on Dec 2.














                Naked2                             Juicy Tubes                                  Sephora Collection




*Affiliate links used. 








Thursday, November 28, 2013

Silhouette Sale with Promo Code HONEY & Easy Snowflake Decor


Happy Thanksgiving friends!  I hope you are enjoying your friends and family, good food and drink, and some extra relaxation time.  Later tonight, when you've had your fill, if you feel like doing some online shopping, I've got a coupon code for the electronic cutting machine, Silhouette.  I used my Silhouette Cameo to cut out snowflakes quickly, then hung them above my son's bed with fishing wire and thumbtacks.  He thinks they are so cool and told me, "thank you!" 









I've been wanting to make snowflakes for while, but wasn't looking forward to cutting them by hand.  I like the different shapes the Silhouette had online and I'm not sure I could've duplicated them very well. 











Silhouette is having a HUGE HOLIDAY SALE with some major discounts when you use promo code HONEY from November 28 - December 8, 2013.  To receive your discount, click HERE to make a purchase and use promo code HONEY at checkout.





I also found a cute saying in the Silhouette store (most designs are 99 cents) "The most wonderful time of the year" and put it into an inexpensive frame for instant holiday art.  



















You can purchase the following bundles using your promo code HONEY:





(1)   A Silhouette CAMEO®, Silhouette Studio® Designer Edition Software, a dust cover (the color is decided by Silhouette), a $25 download card, a hook, a scraper, a spatula, and a pick-me-up® tool for $229.99. Retail price for all of this would total $406.93 (over 40% savings!)







This Silhouette CAMEO® Holiday Bundle includes:





o        Silhouette CAMEO® electronic cutting tool


o        Power cable/AC adapter


o        USB cable


o        Silhouette Studio® software


o        $10 download card


o        12 in x 12 in cutting mat


o        Silhouette blade


o        Basic Instruction Guide


o        CAMEO instructional DVD


•        Silhouette Studio® Designer Edition Software


•        $25 download card


•        CAMEO dust cover


•        Silhouette hook tool


•        Silhouette scraper tool


•        Silhouette spatula tool


•        Silhouette pick-me-up® tool





Silhouette CAMEO® Holiday bundle: $229.99.     

You save $176.92 (43%)





(2)    A Silhouette Portrait®, Silhouette Studio® Designer Edition Software, a dust cover (the color is decided by Silhouette), a $25 download card, a hook, a scraper, a spatula, and a pick-me-up® tool for $129.99. Retail price for all of this would total $286.93 (over 40% savings!)







This Silhouette Portrait® Holiday Bundle includes:





o        Silhouette Portrait® electronic cutting tool


o        Power cable/AC adapter


o        USB cable


o        Silhouette Studio® software


o        $10 download card


o        8 in x 12 in cutting mat


o        Silhouette blade


o        Basic Instruction Guide


o        Portrait instructional DVD


•        Silhouette Studio® Designer Edition Software


•        $25 download card


•        Portrait dust cover


•        Silhouette hook tool


•        Silhouette scraper tool


•        Silhouette spatula tool


•        Silhouette pick-me-up® tool





Silhouette Portrait® Holiday Bundle: $129.99.    

You save $156.92 (55%)





(3)   A Silhouette CAMEO®, a Silhouette Portrait®, and two $25 download cards for $299.99. That’s right: If you buy a Silhouette CAMEO® at full price, you get two $25 download cards and a Silhouette Portrait® ABSOLUTELY FREE! Retail price for all of this would be $406.93 (over 40% savings!)







This CAMEO & Portrait Holiday Bundle includes:


  


o        Silhouette CAMEO® electronic cutting tool


o        Power cable/AC adapter


o        USB cable


o        Silhouette Studio® software


o        $10 download card


o        12 in x 12 in cutting mat


o        Silhouette blade


o        Basic Instruction Guide


o        CAMEO instructional DVD





o        Silhouette Portrait® electronic cutting tool


o        Power cable/AC adapter


o        USB cable


o        Silhouette Studio® software


o        $10 download card


o        8 in x 12 in cutting mat


o        Silhouette blade


o        Basic Instruction Guide


o        Portrait instructional DVD


•        2 $25 download cards





CAMEO & Portrait Holiday bundle: $299.99.    

You save $229.99 (43%)





(4)    40% off consumable products at silhouetteamerica.com. This excludes machines, subscriptions, download and gift cards. Cannot be combined with any other offers. Rain checks not available.





(5)    FREE SHIPPING on orders over $25.





To receive your discount, click HERE to make a purchase and use promo code HONEY at checkout. Happy crafting!









To see more Silhouette projects, you can check out their Pinterest boards.  





I'll be back tomorrow with some awesome BLACK FRIDAY deals.    I've been putting this post together for awhile and it's so tempting not to buy everything when there are such great prices!





Happy Thanksgiving!