Scents of the Season

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One of my favorite ways to make my house smell amazing around the holidays is with simmering potpourri. In the spring I make this one, which is the same one Williams-Sonoma simmers in store. During the cooler months, I like a simmering potpourri that captures the smell of the season; orange slices (you can use just your orange peel too), cranberries, cinnamon sticks, cloves and star of anise. Simply put your potpourri into a pot and fill  ¾ full of water. Simmer on low heat and be sure to always keep water in your pot. Your whole house will be filled with an wonderful aroma.

Apple Cider Donuts

With Thanksgiving only a week away and thoughts soon transitioning to Christmas it created the perfect opportunity for my favorite fall combination; donuts and cider. I took a trip to Yates Cider Mill, and bought a gallon of cider and instead of buying their donuts I came home and made my own and used some cider to create a delicious apple cider glaze. These donuts require no complicated recipe. Simple buy Pillsbury Grands Flaky Rolls, cut out a circle center (fry these up for donut holes), fry in 350 degree oil until each side is golden brown, dip in an apple cider glaze (1-2 cups sugar mixed with cinnamon and apple cider mixed for a thick but thin consistency), allow to drip a couple minutes on a cool rack and enjoy with a cup of mulled cider. To reheat place in the microwave for 7-15 seconds depending on your microwave.

A Monogrammed Holiday

When it comes to monogrammed items I have two favorite websites, Marley Lilly and Personalized From Me To You.  Both websites offer fabulous goods at a variety of price points. Marley Lilly offers a wider variety of product. While Personalized From Me To You offers less products but custom draws your monogram for jewelry pieces making each one unique. With the holidays quickly approaching remember that monogrammed pieces are custom made and the wait time is a couple weeks in most cases. So order now to make sure you fabulous items arrive on time. Trust me… you don’t want to be like me last year!

Shop my favs:
1/2/3/4/5/6

Snapshots

 {working on thanksgiving decor}
 {my neighbor taught me her famous fudge recipe before I moved}
 {escalator to the top floor of macy\’s in Pittsburgh}
 {mulled cider on a cold night}
{my favorite ice cream at Sarris Candies: tropical twins}

DIY Chan Luu Bracelet

I have been lusting over Chan Luu bracelets for months now, but the price tag was a bit out of budget for something I knew I could make on my own. All you need is leather cording, beads, thread and a button. You can make the bracelet short (so it only wraps around your wrist once) or long (and have it wrap around your wrist multiple times).

What you need:
• leather cord (I bought mine at Michaels)
• round Beads
• size D Nymo thread
• needle
• button


Step 1: Measure your wrist and determine how many times you want the bracelet to wrap around. Double that number and add 3 more inches. For instance: 2 yards will get it around a 7 inch wrist about 4 times.

Step 2: Fold your leather cord in half. At the loop end, tie a knot about 3-4 inches from the end.  Be sure your button will fit into the loop. Attached binder clips to a piece of cardboard or use a clipboard and binder clips to hold the bracelet in place. Thread your needle. I used about a yard and a half for a single wrap bracelet. If you don’t have enough you can always knot the thread and glue it. Knot your thread to your cord and bring your needle up under the right cord through the center.

 Step 3: Bring the thread under the right.

 Step 4: and then under the left.

 Step 5: Repeat until you have your desired amount.

 Step 6: Add a bead to the thread.

 Step 7: Bring the thread under the right.

 Step 8: Through the bead.

 Step 9: and under the left. Repeat steps 7, 8 and 9 until you reach your desired length.

Step 10: Once you have your desired length repeat steps 3 and 4 until you match the same amount of thread at the top. Tie a knot and add your button to one side of the leather cord – knot it. Add glue to the end of your thread and you\’re finished!