December 14, 2012

Friday Faves 12.14

in friday favorites, Home Decor with 4 Comments

ONE Sycamore Platter on sale for just $15 from Crate and Barrel, TWO Wooden lanterns in two sizes, small is $59 and large is $129 from West Elm, THREE Instant collection of winter white $24 from Elizabeth Rosen Art, FOUR Mercury glass hurricane $13 from Target, FIVE Letterpress coasters $10 for a set of 8 from Type A Press, SIX heart mug $8 from West Elm, SEVEN White Fur Pillow $20 from Target.

Whew… it’s been a week! I hope you’ve enjoyed some of the Christmas spirit that has been going on around these parts because it’s not going away anytime soon.  The holidays are my favorite time of year and I’m going to pack as much in as possible.

This weekend we’re headed to a few holiday parties and I’m going to do a little decor work for a friend.  I am hoping to get enough time on Sunday to make a few batches of Christmas cookies as well.  What is on your agenda?

Have a FESTIVE Friday and weekend guys!

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December 13, 2012

Hand Made: Lacquered Pattern Trays

in Hand Made with 8 Comments

It’s been a while since I posted about these DIY lacquered trays while I was in India this past July.  I got so many emails requesting a tutorial, I decided now is the best time because these make really cute handmade Christmas gifts.

The reason I stalled on posting this tutorial for so long was because the plain trays are pretty unique. Usually, I prefer to only post with materials that anyone can get a hold of, so I felt it was unfair to post a tutorial using trays from a more obscure source.  Mine are from Muji, but you can use any plain wooden tray that you find which doesn’t have any other type of adornment on it already.

Anyway, on to the trays!

A few coats of decoupage followed by a few coats of clear spray glaze are what give these trays their shiny surface.  I love the contrast of high shine with the texture provided by the linens used for pattern. Wrap them up to show them off because they deserve to been seen.

If you’d like the step by step, continue reading for the full tutorial! If you just like to gaze at pretty pictures, stay right here!

Continue Reading…

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December 12, 2012

A Happy Little Hostess

in Party Style with 3 Comments

Everyone wants to share something meaningful and fun with their party hostess and a bottle of wine (although surely useful around the holidays) won’t help you to stick out from the other party guests.

Here are a couple of fun, unique gifts that you’ll be happy to give and any hostess would be more than happy to receive.

ONE chic Kate Spade ornament will be a yearly reminder why they love you. TWO mulling spices for a warm winter night in later this season THREE not just your normal calendar for the new year FOUR good olive oil FIVE quirky fun diary SIX a little pizzaz for their Christmas sweater or ‘do

With simple gifts, presentation is key.  Get some pretty ribbons, glittery tissue or whatever it takes to show that what’s inside is special!

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December 12, 2012

24 Merry Days!

in act now with 0 Comments

Love advent Calendars?  We do too.  We are halfway through the 24 Merry Days giveaway and I’ve been talking and tweeting about it for a couple of weeks now.  The entire event was put together by Audrey of This Little Street and is 24 back to back days of giveaways done by 24 different bloggers with 24 really wonderful prizes.

I know I just completed a full week of giveaways, so I’d been a little on the down low about this, but it’s really an amazing opportunity to get to know some fabulous brands and bloggers. Each giveaway lasts one week and today at 5pm we’re unveiling the prize over on Mint, but the fun doesn’t stop there.  Eight other giveaways are still going on and you can enter to win prizes like a queen Duvet set from Crane & Canopy on Happiness Is, a teapot from Gretel Home on Hank and Hunt and more!  Snoop around the interactive calendar HERE to check out all the prizes, and don’t forget that I’m day number 17!! coming up!

Have a wonderful Wednesday!

p.s.  my site was down for a few hours yesterday, so you might have missed my second installment of Simple, Seasonal – my holiday tips and tricks which are so simple you won’t have to take a trip to the store.

 

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December 11, 2012

Simple, Seasonal: Salt Votives

in Hand Made, Seasonal, Simple with 18 Comments

As promised a couple of weeks ago when I told you guys I’d have some seriously simple, but wonderful decor ideas, here is one that may not even require a visit to the store.  A little rock salt, some tealights, and assorted drinking glasses can make you look like a holiday rockstar in no time flat.  Arrange the candles among small side tables in your house or down the center of a table grouped together for big impact.

It doesn’t get any simpler, but isn’t the outcome so pretty?  If you’re interested in previous ‘Simple, Seasonal’ posts here was the first!

I hope you have a FABULOUS Tuesday!

P.S. the eleventh merry day of the 24 Merry Days is going on today over at Design Crush!  Head over for a magical giveaway!

 

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December 10, 2012

Home for the Holidays!

in Home Decor, Seasonal with 22 Comments

I’m back home!  Did you have a great week of giveaways while I was taking a little R&R? I sprung into Christmas action as soon as we landed trying to get caught up with my holiday decor.  We spent Saturday morning picking out the perfect tree, and just like last year went with the root ball tree to replant in our yard after the holiday.

True to my predetermined Christmas decor theme, I stuck with winter whites, gold, silver, and browns/copper for this year.  Although I don’t feel like a ‘theme’ is always necessary, it definitely helps me to keep focus as I roam aisles of christmas cheer and reel in my thoughts to remain cohesive throughout the season.

The main change I made this year was to remove red from my palette and include levels of brown, bronze, and copper.  It meant that I didn’t have to splurge on new decorations, but just swapped out one color for another.  Adding some luxe texture like fur adds another level to this snowy theme that isn’t just represented on the tree.

How do you think the theme executed from concept to reality?

I have a ton of fun decor DIYs and tips to layer onto this foundation which I’ll be sharing over the next two weeks – Get ready for some fun and exciting new ways to amp up the holiday in your home (some you won’t even have to make a trip to the store!).

Have a LOVELY Monday!

 

P.S. We have giveaway winner!  I’ve contacted each winner by mail if you’ve won, so check your inbox!

P.P.S. Can’t get enough giveaways?  I’m participating in 24 Merry Days - a big event of 24 days, 24 bloggers, and 24 amazing giveaways.  Today head over to Oh the lovely things to check out the prize!

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December 7, 2012

giveaway week: $200 at Minted! – GIVEAWAY CLOSED

in act now with 97 Comments

We’ve reached the grand finale of our House of Earnest Holiday Giveaway Week!  It’s been an amazing week with so many wonderful brands who all came together to work with House of Earnest on these giveaways and donate prizes for you all to win.

…but there is still one more. One amazingly lucky reader will win complimentary holiday cards from Minted – up to $200!  Have you seen their collections this year? They’re holiday cards are designed by indie graphic designers and printed on heavyweight luxe paper. I have been having so much trouble narrowing down my options, but I think I’ve finally decided the design I’m getting.  Before I divulge that information, however, I want to hear which design is your favorite! This is such a big giveaway, that we’re only running it today – it ends tonight, so hurry up and enter!

 

**THIS GIVEAWAY IS NOW CLOSED AND A WINNER HAS BEEN NOTIFIED**

 

HAPPY FRIDAY!

 

p.s. really love giveaways?  I’m also participating in the 24 Merry Days.  Today’s 24 Merry Days giveaway is over at Hank and Hunt.

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December 6, 2012

giveaway week: Illume candles – GIVEAWAY CLOSED

in act now with 160 Comments

Just a few weeks ago, I showcased the Monogram Collection from Illume as party favors and as namecards for my harvest dinner party.  I have just been smitten with their products lately and am beyond eager to share the joy with you!

The Naughty & Nice candles aren’t only witty, they’re actually made to go together.  Nice smells like sugared vanilla cream and naughty smells of woodsy musk.  Burnt together, the scents layer and mix so nicely, you’ll know that you certainly can’t have nice in your life without the naughty!

So, are you ready for this?  Not only do you get to enter to win both all three of these nuggets of joy, but ALL readers get 15% off and Free Shipping on the entire site!  That’s pretty nice, right?  Stock up on gifts for all those loved ones and holiday parties – just enter HERNEST at checkout!

To Enter the Naughty and Nice giveaway – **THIS GIVEAWAY IS NOW CLOSED AND A WINNER HAS BEEN NOTIFIED**

 

Have a NICE Thursday!

 

p.s. really love giveaways?  I’m also participating in the 24 Merry Days.  Today’s 24 Merry Days giveaway is over at This Little Street.

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December 5, 2012

giveaway week: Ella Lou Turkish Towels – GIVEAWAY CLOSED

in act now with 115 Comments

We’re back for another giveaway!  It’s no secret that I love luxe linen, whether it’s sheets, towels, or coasters.  You name it, I love it.  The reason is because linen gets softer with time and as a natural fiber it holds up amazingly well to lots of washes.  Ella Lou is not only sponsoring a giveaway for House of Earnest readers, but they’re also a House of Earnest sponsor!  I have enjoyed getting to know one of the co-founders, Lindsay, over the past few months and am so excited to share their story and seriously perfect towels with you.

These luxe linens are 100% organic linen made in Turkey by traditional weaving methods and are carefully selected and imported for their customers.  We’ve got our hands on some of the first hand towels from their new collection, and couldn’t be happier to be giving them to you!

Today we’re giving one lucky reader TWO punchy orange hand towels and ONE Orange Blossom beach or bath towel.

To Enter **THIS GIVEAWAY IS NOW CLOSED AND A WINNER HAS BEEN NOTIFIED**

 

Happy Wednesday, guys!

 

p.s. really love giveaways?  I’m also participating in the 24 Merry Days.  Today’s 24 Merry Days giveaway is over at That’s Happy.

p.p.s. I’m hosting these giveaways all week in an effort to distract you from the fact that I’m on vacation in the Caribbean.  If you’re not into being distracted, you can follow my adventures on Instagram and see my Ella Lou turkish beach towel in action!

 

 

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December 4, 2012

giveaway week: Olive Box – GIVEAWAY CLOSED

in act now with 149 Comments

It’s Day Two in our week of giveaways and I am SO excited to share this one with you!  Launched this past September, OliveBox is a monthly subscription service which delivers paper and lifestyle goodies to your doorstep every month. OliveBox has teamed up with some of the most coveted artists and specialty paper boutiques to offer you a themed surprise each month that you’ll love.

OliveBox is a fabulous idea for that someone crafty on your gift list and is so wonderful and unique in that it keeps on giving for many months.  Here is the bonus news – Readers who sign up this week get 10% off of their OliveBox order (just enter houseofearnest10 at checkout)!

…but ONE lucky reader will get one OliveBox for free in this giveaway!  There are five (5) ways to enter!

To Enter: **THIS GIVEAWAY IS NOW CLOSED AND A WINNER HAS BEEN NOTIFIED**

 

Happy Tuesday!

 

p.s. really love giveaways?  I’m also participating in the 24 Merry Days.  Today’s 24 Merry Days giveaway is over at The Sweetest Occasion.

 

 

 

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