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Holiday Wish List | Top Etsy Picks

 

The holidays are right around the corner and that means shopping, and lists, and fun... but mostly shopping! For the next few weeks, the Fab*Blog team members will each be creating holiday shopping lists of their own with tons of great picks! Today, I'm up, and I have put together my "Top Etsy Picks." Etsy is a wonderful site for all types of artists out there and allows them (and us) to buy and sell handmade items of all sorts. From clothing and jewelry to paintings and sculpture, Etsy has a bit of everything.

1. Stay Toasty - This black and white cashmere hat is a great accessory and perfect for winter. Don't be caught without a great jacket to keep warm in. Stay toasty in this adorable gray wool jacket.
2. Stay Radiant - Be sure to stay gorgeous with cute handmade jewelry. This pair of leaf earrings and flower necklace are a great way to add a little extra pop to your favorite holiday outfit.
3. Stay Organized - Keep your belongings organized with these great finds. A delightful leather wallet clutch will keep your money in check. And you're sure to have visitors this holiday season, so keep your place in order with this great sun bookshelf.
4. Stay Calm - With all the chaos of the season, you're sure to need some time to yourself. Pick up some of this body scrub or a calming set of candles to relax and enjoy.
5. Stay Stylish - A bright bag or fancy headband is the perfect way pep up you're wardrobe.
6. Stay Creative - Add some flare to your abode with some great art. I've chosen a few pieces that call to me, but there's tons of great art to choose from with all different styles.

Last but not least Stay In Touch! Keep your family in the know with a Photo Holiday Card!

Image Credits:

B&W Cashmere Hat (sanchia845), Graydon Wool Jacket (FloremarkShop), Fiona Earrings (candysart), Arden Necklace (RachelleD), Leather Wallet Clutch (TheFigLeaf), Sun Bookshelf (briannakufa), Caicos Soy Candle (sydneyhale), Rock Star Detox Body Scrub (SpaGoddess), Pumpkin Bag (PloylyMingzyBb), Woodland Flower & Berry Headband (BeSomethingNew), "Reach It" Print (monjojo), Original Abstract Painting (nataera).

Photo Holiday Cards:

Candy Colored Holiday, Baby Reindeer, Hannukah Circles, Sweetest Greetings.

Thanksgiving Traditions | What's Yours?

Thanksgiving is right around the corner and I find myself getting very excited for another huge, delicious dinner with my family and friends. In preparation for eating galore with no qualms about it and lounging with the people I love most, I have put together a few of my favorite Thanksgiving Day traditions.

Family & Friends. Of course we all love being around the ones we love for the holidays. For my Thanksgivings, I am usually with my mom's parents and her side of the family. The photo at the top left is from a Thanksgiving dinner we had couple years ago. Not a ton of people, but just right.

Macy's Day Parade/Football. At some point in the chaos of everyone greeting, catching up, cooking, and munching, the TV will be turned on and the parade or football is a sure pick. Although... it will most likely be muted as my Papa can't stand the TV.

Before Dinner Prayer/After Dinner Joke. Before everyone digs into all the delicious food, everyone stands around the table holding hands while a prayer is said in thanks. After dinner, while all the food is settling, someone will inevitably ask Papa to tell his traditional Thanksgiving day joke. This joke is by no means the funniest thing you'll ever hear, but the reason we all love it, is because at the end of this G-rated joke that involves a lizard, a turtle, and a rabbit, there's a bad word, and hearing Papa say this word just cracks everyone up. He'll say it slowly and deliberately, and we all listen intently, waiting for him to say it, and at the the end there will be a huge outburst of laughter.

Black Friday Shopping. Usually, the day after Thanksgiving, my mom and I will wake up a little early and grab the newspaper to check for any great deals. It's mostly the search through the paper that we enjoy over a nice cup of coffee and some breakfast. Then, as everyone else starts waking up, we'll recruit a few people who may want  to join in on the day of shopping.

I've also selected a few of my favorite Thanksgiving cards and invites. These colorful invites are perfect for fall. And, if you have children, the Little Artist cards are a great way to show off any of the masterpieces your child brings home from school!

So what are your favorite Thanksgiving Day traditions? Any out-of-the-ordinary routines that you and your family look forward to on Thanksgiving? Let me know! Best wishes for a great holiday!

Image Credits:

Parade balloon, shopping bags, football game. 

Invitations/Cards

A Time for Thanks, Cornucopia, Autumn Swirls, Oak, Autumn Art.

It's a... Baby! | Stylish Baby Must-Haves

It's been a while since we've seen a baby post here on Fab*Blog, so the time is right for a little baby love! I've put together a pink and blue post with lots of adorable birth announcements and irresistible baby must-haves.

Start out with a colorful birth announcement like the ones shown here (middle column). Each have a unique style and is a great way to inform friends and family of your new bundle of joy. Make it even more special with a picture-perfect photo of your baby, like the ones here (top left, top right), taken by photographer Paula Kennedy.

Then, pick up a handmade onesie from etsy. I found these two (middle left, middle right) from etsy seller CantaloupeCorner. With lots of super-cute options, you're sure to find something just right!

Finish off with a pair of stylish booties from Robeez and you're set! Sure, socks are the go-to for infant footwear, but why not change it up with a great pair of tiny shoesies for your little one?

These are just the beginning to some great shopping options, so get out there and have fun with it. Whether you are out buying for your own little one or for a friend, you can definitely find some cuter than cute and highly unique gifts!

Image Credits:

Baby girl photo, Baby boy photo, Girl onesie, Boy onesie, Girl shoes, Boy shoes.

Birth Announcements:

Sweet Dreamer, Polka Dotted Arrival, Argyle Diaper Pins, Special Delivery in Blue.

This and T[hat] | Accessorize with Hats!

This past weekend while on an excursion to Target, I came across this adorable, black cloche hat. Now I'm not really one for hats (outside of the tom-boy phase I went through when I was 12), but this one was way too cute to pass up. I wasn't sure when I would be able to wear it, but it was a must-have. This was my inspiration for today's post: weddings and engagement shoots in which the bride or soon-to-be bride is wearing a hat. I don't see it very often, but in the photos here, hats look like the perfect way to add that extra bit of personality. Whether you're wearing a white, pillbox hat on your wedding day, or taking an engagement shoot with your favorite fedora, hats are a great way to accessorize!

Check out this great vintage shoot by Clayton Melton in which the bride is wearing a tiny birdcage veil and the groom is sporting a fedora (top right). Or, this adorable shoot by Sarah Yates also using a fedora (bottom left). Both are a definite must-see!

In my search for new and different ways to incorporate hats into weddings, I came across a post on the Green Wedding Shoes blog about the bridesmaids wearing floppy hats for, say, a casual beach wedding. What a fun idea!

What do you think? Have you been to a wedding in which hats were incorporated, or even used them in your own wedding? I'd love to see more on this adorable trend!

Image Credits:

Pillbox hat, feather clip with french veil, vintage bride/groom, lake shoot, floppy hat, top hat.

Invitations:

Jingle Wedding Bells, Silver Paisley Print

Where the Wild Things Are | Have a 'Wild' Party!

It's almost here! 3 days till "Where The Wild Things Are" comes out in theaters and we're pumped! I think we all have a memory of this book from sometime in our past, whether it was from our parents reading it to us or ourselves reading it to a little one. The book evokes so much imagination with it's great illustrations of 'wild things' and fearless adventure, it's a little kids' dream! As soon as previews for the movie started coming out, I was hooked. The music from the film (which I've already downloaded) is amazing, the costumes are beyond unbelievable, and the main character seems delightfully lovable!

Already, I've come across lots of 'Wild Things' themed parties. And what's a party without invitations? Jungle Party, Giraffe Linen, and Leopard Green would start off your party just right! All aspects of your party can have the wild theme. Check out the cake made for this birthday party (top left). The mom who threw the party had a pin-the-tail-on-Max game, masks, and a book reading. Or, check out the photos taken by Kristen Eldridge (bottom left) of another 'wild' birthday party. They are so bright and whimsical, it makes me want to have a wild-themed party of my own! Be sure to see the rest of the party photos here. Even adults can get in on the theme with a cute pendant necklace from Etsy (bottom right),or this awesome rustic canopy bed from Anthropologie (top right).

It seems like this movie is going to be quite a hit with children and adults alike! I'll definitely be at the movies this weekend, will you?

Image Credits:

Green Monster Cake, Where the Wild Things Are Official Site, Anthropologie Canopy Bed, Wild Things party, Baby wearing Max costume, Frame Pendant necklace.

Support Pink | Breast Cancer Awareness Month

As everyone surely knows, football season has begun again. Not particularly of any interest to me, but to the guy in my life, it's huge. Now, I don't normally sit to watch an entire game of football, but on Sunday nights (and sometimes Mondays too), I give in to watching the sport in order to spend a little quality time with my guy. As I sat watching this past Sunday, I noticed that most all the players were wearing pink, which Jeff reminded me was for Breast Cancer Awareness month. I love that these rough and tough guys are out there wearing a particularly feminine shade of pink in support of such a great cause. It just makes me smile. I can't say that it got me any more interested in the actual game play, but I was curious as to how many pro sports got involved with this cause. Turns out, pink is popular in more sports than you'd think, as you can see above. 

In an effort to support the fight against breast cancer, we have a series of invitations designed for Pink Initiative of which 100% of the proceeds will be donated to the Breast Cancer Organization. Check out Polka Umbrella, Pink Pattern Pop, and Pick in Pink for Pink Initiative as well as lots of other perfectly pink invites.

Whether you are buying it or wearing it, support pink in any way you can. It's a great color for an even greater cause!

Image Credits:

Football player, baseball player, hockey player, pink souvenirs, bull rider.

Derby Party | Inspiration from the New Movie, "Whip It"

This past Saturday, I went to see the sneak preview of Drew Barrymore's new movie Whip It. With Ellen Page, Marcia Gay Harden, Kristen Wiig, Juliette Lewis, Jimmy Fallon, and of course, Drew Barrymore, it was definitely entertaining and had a great story behind it. When I first saw previews for the movie a couple weeks ago, it made me think of the roller skating parties I used to go to when I was in elementary school. It was always so much fun! Now, I know skating leisurely in circles with friends doesn't really compare to roller derby, (those girls are tough!) but why not take inspiration from it and have a derby party! Invite your girlfriends to relive the fun of skating parties with an exciting, new twist.

Pick up some roller skating themed invites. Roller Skate Fun and Skating Party are perfect!

Play dress-up. Tell everyone to wear a derby-style outfit. Bright colors, shorts or a cute mini skirt and tights are a great start. Be creative, anything goes!

Come up with nicknames for each other. All the girls in derby have awesome nicknames based on their physical attributes, personality, or name. Check out this list of registered names or come up with your own, like Drew's "Smashley Simpson" from the movie.

And if skating is not your thing, check out the movie. Grab a few of your friends and catch "Whip It," out this weekend, and let me know what you think!

Image Credits:

Rental Skates (top left), Roller Rink sign (top right), Ellen Page (bottom left), Whip It movie scene (bottom middle), Whip It movie scene (bottom right).

Shoe Shift: Weddings | Change Your Shoes!

 It's time for a change... A change in shoes, that is! Recently, I've been noticing a huge number of brides who have been trading in their solid white satin pumps for some colorful and comfortable alternatives, and I have to say, it's a great idea! I've never really gotten into the idea of wearing pumps on my big day (whenever that may be). I'm 5'10 so being taller is not really something I'm looking to accomplish, and with that height comes size 11 shoes (yeah, I said it), so finding cute pumps is never as easy as I would like. I guess for my wedding day, a massive search for shoes is one of the smaller tasks, but when so many different shoe options are the trend, why not get in on it? Check out a few great finds...

Need the height, but still want to be original? How about these pumps from Shoe Missy (top left)? This company will customize a pair of adorable pumps for your big day, like these that read "Rock 'n Roll Bride."

Want to get your whole wedding party involved? Check out this awesome skater/goth wedding (middle) with black and white sneaks to keep everyone coordinated.

Want to wear your go-to chucks? This bride had a great idea by matching her converse to the violet sash on her wedding dress (middle right).

Are you a do-it-yourself kind of girl? Create a work of art on your shoes by pulling in elements of your wedding theme (bottom left).

Want to take it to the next level? It doesn't stop at shoes. This bride wore a colorful pair of stockings with her sneakers (bottom middle). I'm sure the guests were quite surprised when she showed these off!

And don't forget the invitations! This line of Mindy Weiss invitations is one of my favorites. I love the cute brides and bridesmaids in their tiny pumps!

You can find lots of ways to personalize your wedding attire, and with a great pair of shoes hiding right under your gorgeous dress, you'll feel chic and comfortable!

Image Credits:

Rock 'N Roll Pumps, Skater/Goth Wedding, Bride wearing Chucks, Sunflower Sneakers, Bride in stockings.

Invitations: Vintage Couple, Bridesmaids Shuffle, Vintage Blonde Bride.

Unique Wedding Treats

Sweet treats strike again! The girls here at Fab*Blog share a love for all things sweet, particularly cupcakes, which you may see in an upcoming post (hint hint). For today's post, I have put together a few unique wedding treats along with some bright and colorful invites that will satisfy any palette! Now, I'm not sure about you, but I love all kinds of sugary confections.  Check out these treats used not only to sweeten the big day, but as a gorgeous compliment to the wedding décor.

This cute baggie filled with Lego candies was just a small piece of the Lego fun that was incorporated into this wedding shot by Caroline Tran. The groom's hobby was perfectly paired with elegant details to make this wedding beautifully sweet. Be sure to check out the rest of this great Lego-themed wedding on Caroline's blog.

How adorable are the lemon drops used in this flowery, summer wedding? These glass jars filled with eye-catching, yellow lemon drops are a great way to add a pop of color to the muted blues and creams of this wedding shot by Hugh Forte. See more of this charmingly bright wedding on Hugh's blog.

Ever thought of cotton candy for your big day? How about giant lollipops? It seems that whether you're going for soft and whimsical, bright and playful, or anywhere in between, sweets are a great way to make your big day just a little sweeter.

Stay tuned here at Fab*Blog for more delicious treats coming soon!

Image Credits:

Lego Favors, Lemon Drop Wedding, Cupcakes, Cotton Candy, Lollipop. Invites: Pink (Sweet Polka Pattern), Red (Spicy Circles), Yellow (Hampton Seagrass), Green (Emerald Cut), Turquoise (Turquoise Baroque), Lavender (Hydrangea).

Fall Matchup: Soft & Muted or Bright & Bold?

There's something about fall that everyone loves. Whether it's the gorgeous harvest leaves, the slight change in weather, or the start of holiday planning, fall has a way of influencing us all. I've never really been able to appreciate the full effect of fall living in Florida my whole life, but I do know that there is a day every year when I can go outside and feel a noticeable difference in the air. There's something about that first day that makes me long for a real fall season. And since fall is the perfect time for a wedding, I have put together two great fall color palettes and leave it for you to decide: Soft and muted or bright and bold? Tell me what you think!

Image Credits:

Left Column: Natural Vine Crown by Etsy seller whichgoose, Bridesmaids in silver and champagne, Bride with gold sash. Middle Column: Oak, Retro Circles, Persian Sunset, Prune Passion, Sparkling Autumn. Right Column: Autumn table decor, Groomsmen neckties from Etsy seller Toybreaker, Flower girl dresses.