Don’t get stuck in a wrapping rut this holiday season. Melinda Morris, owner and visionary of Brooklyn-based paperie, Lion in the Sun, offers these tips to make your gifts shine on the outside.

1. Think outside the paper. Fabric, scarves, tote bags, jars are the perfect eco-friendly way to keep your gift under wraps.

2. Waste not, want not – use extra scraps of paper for paper ribbons, decorative fans and flowers on other gifts. Double-sided wrap is even better.

3. Color code. For big families, color coding gifts for each not only makes a pretty picture under the tree, it is a huge time save for Christmas morning.

4. Stamps, stickers, and more. Choose one base color for the gift wrap and buy it in bulk. Then personalize each gift with stickers, stamps, decorative tape, twigs, feathers, and leaves.

I’ve been thinking long and hard about what I really want to receive this holiday season and I’ve decided to go towards a more practical approach (really good excuse) to get some awesome pieces I’ve been swooning over the past few months. Well, I’ve been working on getting my mounds and mounds of paperwork under control, my books set beautifully on a shelf, and I need a better way to transport my laundry from the home to the garage. So my list consists of stylish decor that will help me get organized throughout my home after a pretty hectic holiday season! Here are some of my choices…..(I’ve even included a few items from Lucy + Ellen I would rather keep for myself!)

Lucy + Ellen

Sadie Olive

Kristen Beinke Photography

Ethan Ollie

Restoration Hardware

xoxo Jennifer

I always read through Real Simple’s website for fun and innovative ideas for the home. I love some of their new holiday decorating tips they came up with for inexpensive and fun ways to decorate for the holidays! It’s definitely a must read article for those of you wondering what you can do for that ‘wow’ factor with your holiday decor. My favorite idea is grouping vintage ornaments on beautiful ribbon that hang from your ceiling. I also love the retro christmas lights wrapped around a wire wreath form! We’re decorating our home this week and I can’t wait to try some of their tricks of the trade!

xoxo Kristen

Instead of exchanging gifts, every year my friends and I have a desert party before the holidays. It’s not exactly great for our waistlines, but it is so much fun! Today, I was looking up festive treats to bake and I came across a fabulous blog with the most creative recipes called My Baking Addiction. There are so many amazing deserts, I can not choose just one! Take a look at the choices below… what’s a girl to do? Maybe I’ll just have to make all of them… I better start doing some crunches!
Want the recipes? Click on the recipe names below each image!

Mini Pumpkin Tiramisu , Peppermint Brownies

Smores Whoopie Pie , Symphony Brownies

Pecan-Bars , Butter Blondies

xoxo Kristen

I’m always looking for special pieces to give to friends and family, products that are different and something I’m hoping they haven’t received before. Well, I stumbled upon this seriously amazing shop called Herriot Grace and I have fallen in LOVE with everything about them! From their beautiful products, to their images, to the fact they are a father and daughter duo, I really wanted to share this amazing company with the rest of you.

Their products range from beautiful handmade linens for the kitchen, to wood pedestals, to little cake flags; everything is so special and unique in its own way. Thanks Herriot Grace for providing beautiful handmade products, I’m so excited to make my first purchase!

xoxo Jennifer