|
December 1, 2015

Holiday Decor with Pier 1

Holiday Decor with Pier 1 // shutterbean #pier1love

I’m going through a transition right now. I’m starting to (big gulp) like GOLD. I KNOW I KNOW, I don’t know what happened. If I told 20 year old Tracy who was a super stubborn SILVER ONLY lover, she would never believe me. She would also never believe that I am into fancy china and feel OK about capers now.  It’s funny how your tastes change, huh?

I was approached by Pier 1 to put together something Christmas related for my blog and so I thought it would be a good opportunity to test the waters on a Golden holiday. You know how much I loooooove to decorate a table & a mantle!   Here’s the thing though about this gold situation— I like a lighter gold– like a more champagne-like gold. The kind that you’re not sure if it’s silver or gold… Oh and I’m also starting to really like old brass. So, that’s what we’re working with.  Out of all of the Christmas Themes that Pier 1 has going on this year, I felt like their Champagne Shimmer Collection would work well with what I had in mind.

CONTINUE READING

|
November 30, 2015

Favorite Things: Holiday Gift Guide

Shutterbean Favorite Things Gift Guide 2015

It’s Cyber Monday (who even made that phrase up??!) and are we ready to do some shopping? I opted out of Black Friday and ate leftovers in my pajamas and binged on this show. In other words, I lived it UP.  Cyber Monday is usually more my speed. I like the feeling of finding all of my Christmas gifts from Amazon so I can exploit Amazon Prime Shipping. The shipping price is always what GETS ME to pull the trigger. PLUS….I can do it all from my pajamas and not have to wait in line. Thank you, technology. Today I put together a list of all of my favorite things that could/would/should make excellent gifts for the holiday season. That’s right, I’m playing Oprah today with My Favorite Things Holiday Gift Guide 2015 edition!

Here we go!

Watercolor Set– I’ve given this to a few people as gifts this year with this book and some aqua brushes . Cooper and I both have our own coloring sets and we take them on the go when we’re out & about. Super portable/ super fun/ a great way to add a little color to your journaling.

Prisma Colored Pencils– I treated myself to some fancy colored pencils. I love a set that has a tremendous amount of color. They’re a dream to color with. If you’re gonna gift them, make sure you throw in a few coloring book

Koi Brush Pens Game changer! I love these pens so much.  They’re sturdy and super saturated. That means I don’t mind when Cooper (who has such a heavy hand when it comes to drawing) uses them.

Calligraphy Set – Hoping to get more into calligraphy this year. I bought this set and am going to crack into it on Christmas break. It’s a GORGEOUSLY curated set and feels super regal. Your friend/family member who also loves handwriting will get a kick out of it.

Kombucha Kit– One of my favorite discoveries of 2015 was learning how to make my own kombucha. This kit helps with that! It’s been about 6 months since I started my first batch and I’m still going strong. Spread the kombucha love and get your friends & family their own kits. Add in a few bottles & a good book while you’re at it.

Leather Zipper Case– My friend Lisa has one of these pouches and they’re beautiful! I keep eyeing hers…but I am not sure if I want to get the silver or gold one. If you carry a big bag, you can consolidate with this pouch. It’s super sleek and glitzy so it instantly classes up any outfit. I will have one. Oh yes I will.

Illume Woodfire Reed Diffuser If you love the smell of campfires/fireplaces, you’ll love this reed diffuser. My house smells like this right now and it makes me supremely happy.

Juniper Ridge Christmas Fir Spray– We haven’t had a real Christmas tree since Cooper was born. We’re a white Christmas tree  household so we definitely miss out on the Christmas tree smell. I’ve been super impressed with Juniper Ridge’s incense and now I am OBSESSED with the Christmas Fir Spray. It’s the pure essence of Christmas Trees! I swear, it smells like we have a real tree in here now.

Urban Decay Naked Smokey Eyeshadow– The only eyeshadow I use! I love this palette because it has EVERY color I use to smoke up my eyes. If my high school aged niece didn’t already have it, I’d buy it for her in a heartbeat.

Cuisinart Ice Cream Maker– The main reason why I don’t make ice cream regularly is that I don’t have enough space in my freezer for the ice cream container insert and I don’t always remember to put the container in the freezer overnight. I bought this Cuisinart ice cream making because the compressor chills the insert while it churns! No need to think ahead and clear out room for your freezer.  Also- I highly recommend this ice cream container, this scoop and this book. All of those things wrapped up with a giant bow would make someone SO HAPPY this Christmas.

Polaroid Mobile Inkless Printer– I’ve been wanting to print pictures from my phone for awhile now and LOVE the fact that you never have to buy ink with this polaroid printer. Cooper and I make little journals with our pictures. It’s always exciting to see an image from my phone pop out from the printer.  Make sure you get extra paper!

Fujifilm XT-1  I’ve been using this camera as my main camera for the past year. I bought it to travel with (my Canon 7D can get really heavy) and I love it so much that I use it for most of my recipes here on Shutterbean. It’s so much fun to play with.

Nikon Coolpix Camera This is Cooper’s camera! I wanted something that was kidproof/waterproof/shock resistant and this one fits the bill. It’s great for trips to the beach or underwater shoots in the pool.

SUBSCRIPTIONS to GIFT!

Stitch Fix– Get your friend a gift card so they can try the service out!

Gift someone a Creativebug membership! First Month Free with Code: COZYCRAFTS– I love being able to access great tutorials & classes on my computer. Cooper and I have taken a few classes together and it’s SO MUCH FUN.

Curated Music + Food= Turntable Kitchen Subscription Box– For the music & food lover!

Birchbox Subscription– If you love trying samples of perfume & beauty products, you’ll love this.

Olfactif- I just started my subscription this month. Can’t wait to see what comes to my door!

If you plan on doing any shopping online, you should sign up with EBATES because you get cash back from your purchases. They also will give you the good promo codes for shops online.  All of you have to do is login to your account and go through their website and earn. They’ll send you a “big fat check” quarterly. A lot of big online retailers are on there, so I ALWAYS make sure to see if I can get cash back from a sale. When we bought our new fridge we got $75 back! Amazing right??   It costs nothing to sign up.

butwait

Here are some guides from the past if you need additional ideas!

HAPPY SHOPPING!

oprah!!!!

|
November 29, 2015

And I Quote:

And I Quote // shutterbean And I Quote // shutterbean

|
November 28, 2015

My Everyday Life: Week 48

Here’s what My Everyday Life: Week 48 looked like:

Teaching Cooper about light & shadows.

My Everyday Life: Week 48 // shutterbean

We set up a few shots and took pictures.

My Everyday Life: Week 48 // shutterbean

These were my Grandma’s glasses. They make me happy.

My Everyday Life: Week 48 // shutterbean

I make my own cranberry sauce. It’s so satisfying.

My Everyday Life: Week 48 // shutterbean

The yellow one.

My Everyday Life: Week 48 // shutterbean

We have a new tradition of playing Bananagrams & having tea. All three of us.

 

myeverydayweek48 My Everyday Life: Week 48 // shutterbean

A little riff off of this recipe…but with kale & eggs.

My Everyday Life: Week 48 // shutterbean

Look at this guy.

My Everyday Life: Week 48 // shutterbean

I’m starting to really like the spiky ones.

My Everyday Life: Week 48 // shutterbean

A leaf stuck to a white car.

My Everyday Life: Week 48 // shutterbean

Making my Thanksgiving place cards.

My Everyday Life: Week 48 // shutterbean

Volunteering at school.

My Everyday Life: Week 48 // shutterbean

My Thanksgiving TO DO list.

My Everyday Life: Week 48 // shutterbean

Introvert time…..

My Everyday Life: Week 48 // shutterbean

Means going on a walk and taking picture of flowers.

My Everyday Life: Week 48 // shutterbean

Before everyone arrived.

My Everyday Life: Week 48 // shutterbean

Getting my serving pieces organized.

My Everyday Life: Week 48 // shutterbean

Appetizer spread.

My Everyday Life: Week 48 // shutterbean

CLOSEUP.

My Everyday Life: Week 48 // shutterbean

Table….

My Everyday Life: Week 48 // shutterbean

WINE. A lot of it.

My Everyday Life: Week 48 // shutterbean

DIG IN.

My Everyday Life: Week 48 // shutterbean

Leftovers.

 

My Everyday Life: Week 48 // shutterbean

Waiting.

My Everyday Life: Week 48 // shutterbean

When we’re waiting, I edit photos and he helps me.

He looks like a different kid here.

My Everyday Life: Week 48 // shutterbean

Collaborative effort.

My Everyday Life: Week 48 // shutterbean

From another angle.

My Everyday Life: Week 48 // shutterbean

Cousins.

My Everyday Life: Week 48 // shutterbean

Day after Thanksgiving breakfast. Mmmmm cheddar jalapeño biscuits. 

My Everyday Life: Week 48 // shutterbean

Downtown.

My Everyday Life: Week 48 // shutterbean

Cooper asked for paper at a restaurant. Hmmmm?

My Everyday Life: Week 48 // shutterbean

Putting up our Christmas tree with a little sparkling wine last night.

My Everyday Life: Week 48 // shutterbean

Noodle steam.

My Everyday Life: Week 48 // shutterbean

A picture of health.

My Everyday Life: Week 48 // shutterbean

Sunbather.

My Everyday Life: Week 48 // shutterbean

Haze.

My Everyday Life: Week 48 // shutterbean

A space in between…. in our house.

My Everyday Life: Week 48 // shutterbean

I totally dropped this on the floor after I roasted them…. UGH.

My Everyday Life: Week 48 // shutterbean

Reminds me of cornflakes.

My Everyday Life: Week 48 // shutterbean

The yellow at the very bottom.

My Everyday Life: Week 48 // shutterbean

My first trip to the dump.

My Everyday Life: Week 48 // shutterbean

So cool to watch how it all works.

My Everyday Life: Week 48 // shutterbean

Sorry…I’m frying sage again. Can’t stop.

My Everyday Life: Week 48 // shutterbean

A holiday recipe coming soon.

My Everyday Life: Week 48 // shutterbean

Feeling grateful for friends, family, good health and YOU this week.

My Everyday Life: Week 48 // shutterbean

have a great weekend!

Week 48 in 2014

Week 48 in 2013

Week 48 in 2012

Week 48 in 2011

|
November 27, 2015

I love Lists Friday!

I love lists Friday! // shutterbean

Welcome to I Love Lists Friday. Let’s surf the internet together!

  1. I LOVE YOU, ADELE.
  2. Choose Gratitude.
  3. What do you do for houseguests? 
  4. GIMME these burgers.
  5. We need more models of female friendships that end.
  6. I love these Behind the Scenes photos of nature photographers.
  7. These Introvert Doodles are hilarious.
  8. This is my idea of fun.
  9. MMMMMMulled wine! 
  10. It’s not easy to be authentic & genuine in our society.
  11. I loved reading this post about Friendsgiving.
  12. On the wish list: this mug / this planter / these converse / this plate / this print
  13. Important Texts of 2014.
  14. I appreciate posh food, but I know that simple food can be just as good.
  15. Kids!! They’re the best.
  16. It’s Going to be OK – this was touching
  17. Passive Aggressive Notes are kinda my favorite.
  18. My current favorite dress is now 50% off.
  19. You should make some candy cane vodka this season!
  20. LET’S ALL MAKE STUFFING WAFFLES TODAY!!!

Hey! I was on the This Week for Dinner Podcast with my friend Jane Check out my episode! 

|
November 26, 2015

Happy Thanksgiving!!

Happy Thanksgiving!  // shutterbean

To those of you that celebrate Thanksgiving, I hope you are filled with friends, family, laughter and GOOD FOOD today. To all of you introverts, lock yourself in the bathroom for a few extra minutes and take a deep breath!  I wanted to take this time to thank  all of you that support my creative endeavors by coming here to Shutterbean. I am so grateful for your love and support. Have a wonderful Thanksgiving!

|
November 23, 2015

Last Minute Thanksgiving Ideas

Last Minute Thanksgiving Ideas to help you prepare for the big day! You'll find a good collection at Shutterbean.com!

Thanksgiving. Oof. It’s this week. Are we ready?? I just wrote out my TO-DO list and thankfully it’s not as bad because I got older/wiser and decided to divvy up responsibilities. I’ve got turkey, mashed potatoes, cranberry sauce, dinner roll & gravy duty this year. Oh and I’m gonna add a few appetizers as well and maybe make a pie. If you’re looking for some fail-proof/no fuss Last Minute Thanksgiving Ideas, then worry not!  I dug into my archives for you.

Thanksgiving, WE GOT YOU!

CONTINUE READING