FOODIE: HOLIDAY COOKIES

Here are some cookie recipes that I will be baking with the kiddos....

via Czekolada Utkane

via Sweet Treat Eats

via Reclaiming Provincial

LOCAL LOVE: ASCOT + HART

Local mama Jen Coleman (she was our Nesting feature for November) has launched Ascot + Hart with Cali mama Wiertzema. It's an online shop curated by the masterminds behind Target Does it Again. If your familiar with both stylish woman you know they have an incredible eye. The shop is stocked with their own designed tees (pictured above) and artwork along with boots, wallets & jewelry - items they truly wear on a daily basis.

Ascot + Art

CRAFTY: DIAMOND GIFT TAGS

Hi you guys! Brooke here of Pure and Noble with a Christmas DIY. I love adding a little bling to my Christmas gifts, especially since I use kraft paper from the Dollar Tree for all my wrapping. I love being able to draw directly onto the paper or add creativity in the accessories (bows, toppers, gift tags) versus the paper. Here’s an easy DIY for all you crafty Mommas that are looking to make big impact without spending a lot of cash.

Chances are you’ve been receiving lots of boxes in the mail due to all of your online shopping. Those corrugated boxes are perfect for all kinds of DIY holiday decor including these fun gift tags...

Materials needed:

corrugated boxes

scissors

ruler

pencil

paint

markers (I used Sharpies)

ribbon (I used baker’s twine)

needle

First clean all tape and labels off of your box and open box up so that it lays flat.

  

Next, using a pencil and ruler, make diagonal lines along inside of box. My lines are 2” wide.

Once your lines have been drawn, cut out all of your diamonds.

Next cut triangle tops off diamonds.

Then paint your favorite colors and allow to dry.

Once the paint is dry, add lines to create diamond trompe l’oeil. (I used metallic Sharpies in gold and silver.)

 

Using a thick needle, I poked a hole through the corrugated board and ran my baker’s twine (found at Target in their Dollar Spot section) through it.

 Using a black Sharpie, I added the obligatory “To:” and “From:” labels to the back of the gift tag. Here’s where you can play even more… add designs to the back of the tag, loves notes, etc.  

FIVE THINGS I LOVE RIGHT NOW: FLORENCE ROLANDO FROM PIROUETTE

Florence Rolando is the rock star of the family lifestyle and children's design world. She's a talented writer, she pioneered the kids indie trade show movement, consults countless fashion brands, writes for THE coolest kids publications (hello MILK Mag) and pens the kids design/fashion/lifestyle blog Pirouette. Oh, and she is also a mom.
I am lucky to know her and I am thrilled that she is sharing with us what she is in love with right now.
If Pirouette is not on your blogroll, bookmark it today. Look for the parent and child interviews she does with families around the globe. Very cool.

1. Dandy Star Lightbox - Bedside lamps or ambiance lights, they bring a nice happy touch to the house!

2. Hat by Ryan Roche - Just the perfect accessory of the moment.

3. Rose Water by Jess Brown - My face’s best friend, morning and evening.

4. DVD : Top of the Lake - A Jane Campion serie, quite dramatic and very beautifully done.

5. Post-it for I-pad - These have just become indispensable - Love when I find a sweet note from my children on them!

Check out Pirouette and read more about Florence here.

BEHIND THE PAGES: MORE VINTAGE LIVING - BROOKE FISH

I loved Brooke's house and found so many ideas for my own home. Here are a few more photos for you to admire...

Brooke covered a canvas with fabric to make this headboard/art over the bed in the guest bedroom.

Ar

The sewing side of the guest bedroom.

Wall of art in the bathroom.

Living room filled with mid-century modern finds.

Entwined antlers placed on the dining table.

 Detail shot of the living room where Adam Fish's photography hangs above the couch. I also love the spray painted mason jars filled with feathers. 

Check out Brooke's blog, Pure & Noble where you can find her DIY tutorials and to get inspiration for your life and home.

All photos by Carter Rose

GUEST MOM RANT: JULIE FISK OF KVIL

 

  How I ruined "Frozen" for my kids

 I saw “Frozen” with my kids last week and fell completely in love with it. Honestly, I don’t remember ever being THIS excited about a kid’s movie, even when I was a kid. I mean, I ran out & bought the soundtrack the very next day & I’m already planning another trip to the theater so I can see it with my kids a second time. I’ve even developed a girl-crush on one of the “Frozen” characters, Elsa. Believe me, if I could bleach my hair white and start wearing glistening gowns to work, I would.

Sadly, it’s that exact enthusiasm which is killing “Frozen” for my kids. I know because we were driving around yesterday, blasting the soundtrack like usual when my favorite song “Let it Go” started. I said, “Oooo, it’s my SONG!” My daughter responded with a groan and then said, “You know, you’re kind of killing this movie for me.”

WHAT?

She wasn’t alone either. Her little sister, who was also sitting in the backseat, sounded off with something that sounded like “HARUMPH!”

I was so floored that I had no response for a minute. It had never occurred to me that my love of something might cause it suck for my kids. Makes sense though. When did a kid ever LOVE something that their parents LOVED? In their eyes, I was taking something that was rightfully theirs & claiming it for my own. It’s totally not fair, right? I get it.  

That doesn’t mean that I didn’t react like a spoiled brat.

I was quiet just long enough for my daughters to realize how upset I was. Then I asked my oldest, “How would it make you feel if I told you that I didn’t like something, just because you loved it?”

“I guess it would make me feel pretty bad.”

Then the 6-year-old starting back-pedaling. She yelled out, “EMMA SAID IT! NOT ME!”

Just to hammer my point home, I popped the CD out of the player and handed it into the backseat. “Here, you can just play it in your room.”

The guilt trip was thicker than peanut butter on toast, but it was effective. When we walked in the door, my oldest ran straight to her room & started playing “Let it Go” at full blast. Then she chased me through the house until I stopped and hugged her.

“I’m sorry Mom. We can always love the same things. It’s more fun that way. I PROMISE!”

I might have laid the guilt on thick, but it worked like a charm. Mission accomplished. Now, we can once again share our love of “Frozen.”  

But will she forgive me when I dye my hair white?

Hang with Julie on her show Zazza & Julie on 103.7 from 5:30am - 10am. She will be our guest ranting about being a mom of two here on Mom.Edit. every month.

LOCAL LOVE: #GivingTuesday

After all the shopping madness....Black Friday, Cyber Monday....it's time to embrace #GivingTuesday and to think of charitable efforts instead of consuming. One local program we are passionate about is Wee Volunteer, a non-profit that encourages children to help out in their community with age appropriate volunteer opportunities. We profile Wee Volunteer in our December issue and tell you how you and your family can help out with Meals on Big Wheels this holiday break. Check out all the upcoming programs from Wee Volunteer here. What a great way to teach your kids about philanthropy.

image via Wee Volunteer

 P.S. Instead of the popular #selfie, why not post an #unselfie on social media to let everyone know how you are giving today!