Cozy Winter Gift Idea: Tea in a Jar

We’ve been really enjoying the especially chilly and crisp weather in the Pacific Northwest. While temperatures have dipped into the teens overnight, the days have been clear and lovely, with those soft pastel hues dancing across the late afternoon sky as the sun falls beneath the trees. It’s the perfect time of year to regroup and take a deep breath and savor the little things. So bundle up, bring a tea in a jar gift over to a friends’ house and plan on sipping and visiting all afternoon by a cozy fire.

This little project is so easy you really don’t need many steps: fill up a jar with loose tea and top with a lacy doily and tag. Secure a tea strainer to the top and you’re set. {Did you see our DIY for these winter escort cards?}

DIY: Valley & Co.

Voila! A sweet and easy peasy winter gift. How are you staying warm and occupied during this chilly month?

Fun with Hpnotiq and Prim & Prep

This is a Sponsored post written by me on behalf of Hpnotiq for SocialSpark. All opinions are 100% mine.

Did you see our 14 makeup tips from Blush Makeup Artistry earlier today? Well we're continuing to roll out the ruffled carpet for you brides-to-be today with an inside scoop on Prim & Prep. Hpnotiq has a super fun website geared to the ladies we're excited to spread the word about: Primp & Prep is a one-stop shop for cocktail recipes, music and beauty tips and tips for life for you and your pals! It's perfect to peruse in anticipation for girl's night - whether you're staying in our hitting the town and painting it pink! Aleah's loving the easy access to all of these elements in one funky site. My favorite elements are the cocktail boxes that link you to tasty recipe and the beauty tips {nail colors for your horoscope? Brilliant!}.

I can see many of our blushing brides-to-be visiting Primp & Prep to share tips and gossip with their bridesmaids and pals, especially before their night out before the big day. What girlie girl wouldn't love to get ready for fun with inspiration all in one place?

So put your hair down music up! Check out the Hpnotiq Primp & Prep website and let us know what you think about the goodness! What fun!

You must be 21 years or older to drink alcoholic beverages and as always, please remember to drink responsibly.

DIY Winter Terrarium Magnets

We took a break. A much-needed break. The time between Christmas and the New Year is always a time we take off, though this year we were still knee-deep with client work and projects, so while we were able to savor this time we didn’t get a chance to totally unplug. We came back recharged. Filled with purpose. A simplified approach to life. Our business. Our blogs. We’re back fired up and ready to share. To learn. To hopefully inspire. You likely know we strive to share creative ideas on the daily. We’re going to continue this but amplified. Why not create more of a community where our readers are involved in our posts and have discussions? So stay tuned as we not only continue to share snippets of our wedding, event, and magazine work and DIY projects and recipe, but also our Book Club 2013. Creative business chats. Blogger challenges. Sound like a plan?

Kicking off our new mantra of living, laughing, loving, creating, and doing {even} more, we’re sharing this little ditty of a DIY. Enjoy!

 

liquid nails {you could use another high strength glue} || little metal spice containers  {try a storage like Storables store or a craft store}|| magnets || goodies to fill the containers

 Step 1…Take your magnets and be sure they’re sized to fit on the back of the containers. Glue the magnet to the back of the container and let dry.

Step 2…once dry, fill your container with little goodies you’ve collected. We chose glitter, a little pinecone, and acorn and lichen we gathered on a winter stroll. You can choose to glue the pieces into the container if they need to stay put.

Cute!

We’re suckers for touches that are thoughtful, yet simple. Who wouldn’t love to receive these as a winter gift? You can fill them with so many items, too: buttons, gems, spices….whatever tickles your fancy! 

 Photos and DIY: Valley & Co. Lifestyle

So, whatdya think? Are you in? What are you fired up about going into this year anew? We’d love for you to share! What are you going to create? Any must-read books we should dive into or recipes we must make?

Today’s Musings

DIY: Winter Escort Cards

The holidays have come and gone and we’re taking a deep breath. Focusing on making 2013 extra wonderful and fun. Striving to love, laugh and create even more. To hopefully continue to inspire, to plan amazing events and to just breathe in what we do and savor each moment. We hope you enjoyed what we shared in 2012 – let us know what you enjoy and what we can do better. We’re all ears! So let’s kick off the year with a fresh wintry escort card project we’re eyeing for one of our upcoming events that’s market-inspired. Quite perfect, we think!

            round Kraft paper tags {you can make or purchase} || twine || a wintry stamp and stamp pad || hole punch || pen 

Step 1. punch two parallel holes on your circle tag

Step 2. stamp your tag and write your guests’ names on each. Let the ink dry.

 Step 3. tie twine in a knot to the left hole on the tag.

Step 4. lay out your napkin flat {we like ours with a lacy doily for winter} and place the tag on top.

Step 5. take the tag and wrap the twine around the back of the napkin and cinch the other hole with a knot. Trim excess. 

Kinda romantic, isn’t it? We could see this used in so many fresh winter weddings or parties, couldn’t you? Add a lichen-covered branch or simple fern frond for a touch of Mother Nature.

Replicate this project for birthday parties and Valentine’s Day by swapping out the stamps and colored ink.

Photos and DIY: Valley & Co.

 What are you excited about in 2013, friends?