WHY DIDN'T I THINK OF THAT ?

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DRINK IT UP AND SAVE THE BOTTLE

I've been saving green wine bottles, but have no idea why. I just decided I liked the green glass and was going to use them for something {hoarding?}. I don't know why I thought you needed proof, but here is the photographic evidence.

I suppose I was thinking of using them for vases or something, but now I have a new plan! Wait for it...

A few weeks ago when I was at Amy's house {more here}, she had these beautiful recycled wine bottle tumblers. It was love at first sight. She bought hers at a fabulous store {Enjoy Co} in Granville, but I told her how I'd be saving bottles and she recommended taking them to a glass shop to have them cut. Brilliant! 

Since then I've searched out my options - just to make sure. There are a lot of DIY tutorials out there, but you have to buy a glass cutter and quite frankly I'm a bit accident prone. I could just purchase them... there are Etsy stores and shops aplenty; however, after finding this post {she said they only charged her $3.50 per glass to cut them!} I think the glass shop route is where it's at. Not only is it the cheapest option, but then I get to use those bottles I've hoarded. Now we're talking.

{Bottlehood - about $40 for 4}

Just a little note: I soak the bottles in a pot of hot soapy water, usually over night. If there is any residue left - Goo Gone is a miracle product.

BROWN PAPER PACKAGES TIED UP WITH STRINGS...

Does it still count as Wednesday's post if it's 11pm? I hope so! Today I arrived home to a package at our front door... my bakers twine {I just learned what it was called}! This year I am wrapping our packages something like this...

I already owned the kraft paper, but I needed the string. I found a great deal on it from Whisker Graphics. Not only was the price for the entire spool just $15, but shipping was only $3! They sent the cutest little "thank you" pouch wrapped with bonus string in all colors, and it was filled with six adorable tree stickers.

and now because I know it's going to be stuck in your heads as it is mine, below are the lyrics to aid you...

Raindrops on roses and whiskers on kittens

Bright copper kettles and warm woolen mittens

Brown paper packages tied up with strings

These are a few of my favorite things

Cream colored ponies and crisp apple streudels

Doorbells and sleigh bells and schnitzel with noodles

Wild geese that fly with the moon on their wings

These are a few of my favorite things

Girls in white dresses with blue satin sashes

Snowflakes that stay on my nose and eyelashes

Silver white winters that melt into springs

These are a few of my favorite things

When the dog bites

When the bee stings

When I'm feeling sad

I simply remember my favorite things

And then I don't feel so bad

BE MERRY.

We stayed in a lot this weekend. For some reason staying in during this season somehow seems a little bit cozier and nice. I feel a little less guilty for being a hermit. I chalk it all up to the tree. I decided to make my own burlap flag banner for the wreath we hung on the front door. It was a sad little wreath that needed something. My friend showed me the banners here and I decided to give it my best shot.

What do you think? I was really happy with how it turned out. Next time I would just glue the flags over the twine instead of sewing them! My hand was cramping up by the end. Thankfully I had wine to ease the pain.

OH CHRISTMAS TREE

This year I didn't feel like unwrapping each of our ornaments out of their little boxes. I wanted to do something new, simpler, and old fashioned. I would love to use antique glass balls, but Bailey the cat would probably break a few by Christmas. He does love to bat at the ornaments hanging from tree. I decided to use pine cones; luckily I found a set of pine cone ornaments at Target so it saved me having to make them (they came in a pack of 8). I dry-brushed half of the pine cones with white paint. Then I added white snowflakes and red wood bead garland (also from Target)! If you have a bigger tree decorating budget than we did, West Elm has wool red ball garland that I have seen in person and love. Sigh...how I love you, West Elm. Why must you be so expensive? I digress; below is the finished product and I love our new tree (so does Bailey)! How do you decorate your tree?

Last night we stayed in and watched movies with no lights on except the tree. Is there anything better? I also made a burlap banner for our wreath on the front door. Here is a little sneak peek! More to come Monday.

{ps. that is an aveda holiday candle we have burning... they are SO good.}