9 Simple Holiday Ideas to Try This Year

The holidays are in full swing here in SoCal --

and Christmas is only two weeks away!

The season always seems to fly by come December 1st,

and it can feel challenging to try and

cherish every moment

while also fitting in every holiday task & activity!

In hopes of bringing some joy (and ease)

to you & yours this holiday season,

I’m sharing 9 of my favorite simple

holiday ideas that I’ve loved incorporating 

in our home over the years!

From festive candle arrangements, 

to hostessing tips, 

to an easy Christmas cake,

these ideas are quick ways

to add more cheer to the season!

1. Homemade Christmas Potpourri

The smells of Christmas are almost as important as the decor,

And once you make this potpourri you’ll understand why!

This recipe is an instant way to put holiday in the air,

And it’s a quick way to create cozy Christmas feelings.

Simply slice one orange and lemon,

and add to a pot along with

4 cinnamon sticks,

½ cup fresh cranberries,

2 tablespoons whole cloves,

And 4 cups of water.

Leave the pot simmering on the stove,

and replace water as needed!

2. DIY Christmas Candles

These candles may be one of my favorite easy projects

to bring in some extra holiday cheer!

I like to use clear empty jam jars

but any glass vessel you have will work!

Add fresh cranberries and pine,

then fill with water.

Top with a floating candle and you’re set!

These festive candles will last a week or more,

and make the most beautiful 

illuminating arrangements when lit!

Grouping them together is almost an 

instant holiday centerpiece

Or sprinkle them around for Christmas ambiance!

3. Paper White Bulbs

Paper whites have long been a 

winter tradition at my house.

Every year around Thanksgiving,

I plant dozens of bulbs in

various containers,

using them both inside and outside!

It’s so fun to watch the bulbs sprout

throughout the season,

eventually blooming into a forest of

gorgeous white flowers.

Keep in mind, they do tend to grow fairly quickly,

so plan your planting time accordingly!

Once they are full grown,

simple wooden skewers can be used

to help prop up the sweet, tall blooms.

4. Fresh Citrus Arrangements

If you’re looking for the easiest

holiday arrangement,

look no further than your 

grocery store's produce section!

At the holidays, I love incorporating

fresh citrus around the house and gardens

since it adds the perfect California pop of color.

Add fresh lemons or oranges

to a basket or bowl,

tuck in fresh pine sprigs 

or citrus leaves,

and your arrangement is done!

5. Felt-Ribboned Presents

I love finding alternative ways of 

wrapping presents, other than traditional paper & ribbon.

Over the years, 

my biggest tip for wrapping has been

to use fabric as ribbons!

You can pick out as many yards of it as you need

at the fabric store, 

or use extra fabric that you have at home.

Simply cut it into desired widths, and you’re set!

One of my favorite fabrics to use

is felt, which comes in a plethora of colors.

It holds a bow shape incredibly well

since it’s a stiffer fabric,

And looks wonderful accented with 

fresh pine or jingle bells!

6. Fresh Pine Accents

At the holidays,

I love bringing in all different types of greens

to freshen and liven the space.

Whether it’s bouquets of fresh cut pine 

from Trader Joe’s,

Potted pines, 

or fresh produce,

these are one of my favorite ways of 

finishing off decor!

Potted pines on the mantle look gorgeous

next to hurricane candles 

ringed with cranberries.

Fresh cut pine & holly works well 

when incorporated into a 

centerpiece with candles,

or simply added to clear vases with water 

to create a festive look for not much money!

I even like to work in sprigs

in our bar area,

on shelves,

or in bowls of produce.

And once they dry, they can easily be replaced!

Another quick tip that brings in 

a holiday punch of color

is to use red ornaments

as filler for potted pines!

7. Showcase holiday glassware

After years of collecting holiday glassware,

I’ve accumulated quite a collection!

Pulling them out and putting them on display

is such an easy way of adding more

holiday cheer to your home!

I like to set out our vintage glasses 

on mirrored trays on our bar,

which makes them easily accessible for use, too!

These pretties have such a 

short lived season every year,

so they deserve a spotlight!

8. Simple Holiday Cocktail Party

The holidays can see overwhleming at times

with to-do lists, 

hostessing, 

crafting, & baking.

But throwing a holiday party 

doesn’t have to be a chore!

Pulling together a festive soiree 

can be done with a few quick elements.

Champagne is a must --

and gold bottles, if you can find them,

make them the star of the party!

I like to place them in an 

oversized champagne bucket,

but any bucket you have works!

Champagne glasses are next,

and simple ones can be bought in sets at Target!

Dress them up with quick wine charms --

I made some with a simple red jingle bell and wire.

Add a cheese & charcuterie board,

holiday cake,

and some pine springs throughout,

and you’re ready to host!

9. Easy Winter Forest Cake

There’s nothing easier and more festive

than this darling winter cake!

If you aren’t much of a holiday baker,

or find yourself with little time 

to whip something up,

then look no further!

This festive dessert starts as a simple

white bakery cake from the grocery store!

Next, it’s ringed with fresh cranberries,

topped with bottlebrush trees

2 cinnamon sticks

and a dusting of powdered sugar!.

You’ll be amazed how adorable it is

with such minimal effort required!

As always my friends,

I wish you love and joy

as you style your life

Vintage Brooch Cuff DIY

Today I am sharing my latest DIY

Vintage Brooch Cuffs!

It's a simple project 

that can have a large style impact
and
give new life to some treasured pieces!

I have been collecting 

Vintage Brooches for years now.

 I have found many at flea markets,

some have been treasured gifts

and

even some I have made from Christmas ornaments!

I have used many in some fantastic

Signature Statement 
Vintage Brooch Necklaces
I have a DIY
Here

But this year seeing all of the cuffs  out right now

gave me a new idea to give some of these 

beautiful Vintage pieces new life!

I have used them singularly 

for fantastic
Vintage Boho Cuffs!

I am just loving the mix of the Boho leather influence

with the vintage pieces!

Making these cuffs a style statement piece

for any years to come!

And even better

this is a quick DIY once you have your supplies sourced!

I started with a brass cuff base.

You can find these online from jewelry finding suppliers

or simply repurpose any cuff you have on hand

or
 find one in an inexpensive accessory store.

I cut leather strips from a thrift store skirt.

You could also cut strips from a leather chammy 

that you can find in car cleaning supply departments.

I have gotten some at even Target in the past.

Or there is always the fabric store or leather supplier.

I simply cut one inch strips to wrap around the cuff base.

Leather is fabulous not only for the aesthetic and texture

but also since the edges won't fray!

Before I started wrapping the cuff 

I cut two small rectangles

to finish off the side edges of the cuff.

The dimensions of these pieces

will depend on the size of your chosen cuff.

Simply wrap the sides of the cuff

to create a clean edge
folding the extra on the cuff inside.

Once the sides were covered

I simply wrapped the cuff with the leather strips

hot gluing as I went. I wanted an imperfect boho feel

so I wasn't too worried about the spacing

but doing a tidy job with the glue gun is really important!

Any  of the ends were finished off inside the cuff

keeping the exterior of the cuff the focal point and finished.

The next step is an important one.

Securing the Brooch to the cuff.

Once you have your chosen piece

you need to secure it tightly to your leather cuff.

I hate to impact the backs of some of my better brooches

so I try not to cut off the pin

and
just work around the pin back.

If you are using a brooch 

you are comfortable removing the pin back

it will make the securing much easier.

I find a good pair of clippers will remove the pin back easily.

Now I take some 24 gauge wire

and 

almost sew around the piece
front to back

in an attempt to get a tight centered point

with the wire.

A secure center point with the wire

is what is going to allow you to secure it to the cuff.

This is the only somewhat tricky part of the project

as each Brooch is entirely different.

I think of the wire as thread and sew around the piece

back to front

in the most invisible way possible

all the time woking towards a center point to end up.

It is best to get to a center point with two doubled wires

and
 the take the two in separate directions
once a secure center point is obtained

this is how you will 'tie' the Brooch to the cuff.

Find the center of the cuff

and 

simply tie the Brooch to the cuff on the back

twisting the wire 

to get a tight, secure Brooch placement.

Once this step is complete

simply twist the two ends together 

and
 press  the wires firmly flat on the back of the cuff.

The final finishing step is to take one more strip of leather 

to cover the exposed wire

gluing it  in the front
under the brooch
and
then covering inside the cuff with the same strip.

Make sure you finish your cuff
by removing any stray glue hairs.

That's it!

You know have a one of a kind 

Vintage Brooch Cuff!

Sure to be a Style Statement piece for years to come!

As always my friends

I wish you love and joy

as you style your life