Christmas Craft: Easy White Cookie-Cutter Clay Ornaments

It's been a whole week since I last posted...where has the time gone? Between wrapping presents, preparing for our holiday party this weekend and dealing with computer troubles, the time has flown by. 

...but I also managed to complete one last Christmas craft, an easy one that I hope you'll try in a spare 30 minutes: white, metallic-edged clay ornaments shaped from holiday cookie cutters. 

Decking Our Halls for Christmas

In the past three days, it has snowed twice (!). The freshly-fallen snow has created an ideal backdrop for pictures I've been intending to take and share of our holiday decorations. These pictures are so special, because they represent the first Christmas we're celebrating in our house.

I'm so excited to share them with you!

My Fave Out-of-the-Ordinary Holiday Movies

How do you get into the holiday spirit? One of the most popular, never-fail ways to turn any Scrooge into Buddy the Elf is with classic holiday films. But, we've all seen "It's a Wonderful Life" and "A Charlie Brown Christmas" enough to recite them, right?

Today, I'm sharing 10 out-of-the-ordinary films that--while not typical "holiday" films--have each have a hearty dose of Christmas cheer.

Christmas Craft: Everlasting Peace & Joy Boxwood Signs

Every Christmas, one of the most popular and meaningful messages in the Christmas cards I receive is this: peace and joy. The language of the holidays is especially hopeful, so I imagined up a surprisingly quick, affordable Christmas craft that celebrates these happy and merry messages.

Take a look at how I made them after the jump!

The Gnomes Book of Christmas Crafts

The holiday season is so special to me, in part, because it's the one time of year when I feel like a kid again. Do you know the feeling? Hanging nostalgic ornaments or spending time with relatives...all the festivities remind me of how magical the season has felt to me since I was a kid.

Recently I found a copy of The Gnomes Book of Christmas Crafts and it filled me with childlike delight. Let me tell you all about it!

Christmas Craft: A Tiny Winter Wonderland

It's that time again, friends--it's Christmas craft time here on Meet Me in Philadelphia!

I love spending the month making projects inspired by the season and sharing them all December long. Today, I'm sharing my first craft: a tiny winter wonderland.

Cyber Monday Deal on My Etsy Shop!

It's December already, can you believe it? Today is Cyber Monday, when anyone and everyone hunts for great deals on the internet. And, to join in on the online shopping fun, I'm offering a big discount on everything in the Meet Me in Philadelphia Etsy shop good today only!

Give the gift of handmade or vintage this holiday season with any of the affordable goodies in my Etsy shop--and today only--you can save even more with the code 'CYBER30' entered at checkout.

Handmade pillow covers, vintage pottery, cloth napkins, vintage prints...you name it, I've got it. You might find something you can't live without...now at 30% off!

P.S. I hope you all had a wonderful Thanksgiving and Hanukkah! Tomorrow, I share my first Christmas craft of this year. Don't miss it!

Nine Christmas Crafts from Years Past

(one / two / three)

Here we are, my favorite time of the year! Sure, most of us are out scrambling for great deals on gifts but I guarantee we're also all planning our holiday decor and crafts. Am I right?

Today, I'm sharing my favorite 9 Christmas crafts I made in years past before sharing my latest holiday projects next week.  Are you starting your holiday crafting this weekend?

Because No One Should Go Hungry on Thanksgiving

(original photo via Gourmet)

My month-long exercise in thankfulness is rapidly coming to a close, but before the month is up I have to give thanks for the basic necessities--food, shelter, clothing--that I've never been without. However I can't let the opportunity pass without pointing out that many among us aren't as fortunate.

According to the USDA, 15% of American households are "food insecure," meaning that they are uncertain of having or unable to provide enough food to meet the needs of everyone in the home. That's over 50 million people without enough to eat each day. These are our neighbors, our family, our friends, our fellow Americans.

A Month of Thankfulness: Elizabeth of The Little Black Door

Here we are readers, just a few days before Thanksgiving. Today, I have my last guest blogger of the month sharing her thoughts on thankfulness: the charming Elizabeth of Little Black Door. 

A Month of Thankfulness: Michelle of Armas Design

Today, I feel very fortunate to have the incredibly talented artist and blogger Michelle Armas here today sharing her thoughts on the month's theme. As someone who is spending her life on creative endeavors, I think we can learn a lot from Michelle's perspective on thankfulness.

A Month of Thankfulness: Michele of My Notting Hill

Is it just me or is November flying by quickly? This week, I've got a pair of Michelles (actually, Michele and Michelle) guest posting on the theme of thankfulness--isn't that great?

Today, the very talented Michele of My Notting Hill is here and I'm tickled at the way she ran with the theme of thankfulness, how she sees it in some very special mementos around her home.

Prepping the Jadeite Bathroom for Holiday Guests

Call me crazy for taking on a room redo this time of year, but Adam and I are tackling our charming vintage green bathroom just in time for Christmas!

We will be hosting my parents, brother, sister-in-law and niece for the big holiday for the first time. As a result, I want to get the cutest bathroom in our house functional (it's the only bathroom in our house that isn't!). The bones of the space are really special.

While the 'befores' leave plenty of room for improvement, let's talk about my plans for the 'after'.

A Month of Thankfulness: Kate of Kate Collins Interiors

Today I'm happy to host a very special blog friend of mine, Kate of Kate Collins Interiors, and her heartfelt reflections on gratitude, thankfulness and the joyous blessing she and her husband welcomed into their lives this year. I promise, you will need to grab a tissue or two for this post and will feel very thankful for your family after reading it.

Have Yourself an Etsy Holiday

(vintage trim / Lulu DK pillow / McCoy vase / abstract napkins / red bead garland)

Have you started your holiday shopping yet, readers? While I vowed to enjoy November in my month-long thankfulness series, I have been sewing and stocking my Etsy shop all month long to prepare for the shopping season. 

Since opening the Meet Me in Philadelphia Etsy shop in August, I have experienced steady sales and repeat customers. As a 'thank you' for the support, I am highlighting my favorite items in the shop today and offering a discount code to give you a jump start on your Etsy holiday shopping! 

A Month of Thankfulness: Sara of A Dose of Pretty

With another week upon us, I am glad to share a new guest post on the month's theme of thankfulness from another wonderful blog friend. Today, Sara of the lovely blog A Dose of Pretty stops by. Read on to see how she finds gratitude in the kitchen!

A Month of Thankfulness: Beth of designPOST Interiors

Are you all ready for another guest blogger? Today, I'm pleased to host Beth of designPost Interiors as she shares her thoughts on thankfulness. Take it away, Beth!

Meet Me on the Sofa.com US Blog!

Today's post is a quick, happy one for me: my den and I are featured on the blog of Sofa.com US!

The very friendly ladies at Sofa.com US reached out to me in early October after my den reveal, asked if I would allow them to share photos of my den and Bluebell sofa on their "Comfy" blog, and offered to sponsor the lovely pillow giveaway from last week. Yes and yes, of course!

Run over and see the post...perhaps you'll see more from me on the Sofa.com US blog soon, too.

Continuing with the theme of November, today I am thankful for:
The support from quality corporate partners. I'm not into marketing myself or this blog (I'm okay with that) so I'm incredibly flattered when products/designers/companies I believe in reach out to me because they find value in the content I'm producing here. Thank you, Sofa.com US!

My Latest Craiglist Finds

I don't like to brag because I'm convinced it's bad karma, but last week I made out like a bandit on Craigslist. Combined, my two finds were just over $100 which is a pittance compared to the beauty and function they add to our home. Let me show them to you!

A Month of Thankfulness: Paula of Two Ellie

Happy Monday, friends! As I posted on Friday, the month of November is dedicated to gratitude, blessings and appreciation here on the blog. I consider myself a fortunate gal in many respects, and one way I'm blessed is with a host of wonderful blog friends who will be guest posting here throughout the next few weeks on the theme of thankfulness.

Today: Paula of Two Ellie!

This November: A Month of Thankfulness

Today is the first day of November. Many of us are experiencing a subtle sugar hangover from Halloween or are starting to gather Thanksgiving side dish ideas; but here on Meet Me in Philadelphia, November means something a little different.

All month long, my posts will reflect the theme of thankfulness and gratitude for the many blessings I experience every day. Let me tell you all about it after the jump.

Quick & Easy Halloween Pumpkin Treat Bags

Tomorrow is Halloween and, while I'm not much for decorating with witches, bats or ghosts, I did get into the Halloween spirit by prepping a quick and easy treat bag to hand out.

Ikat Pillow Giveaway from Sofa.com US (a $160 value)!

Is there a better way to start a week than with an awesome giveaway? Have I got one for you...

My friends at Sofa.com US--who kindly reached out following my den reveal--were generous to offer two amazing pillows to give away to my readers. It's like the holidays have already started!

Our Harvest Tablescape

Sometimes, it's fun to craft just for the sake of crafting and that's just what I did earlier this week. I felt the urge to add a little fall feeling indoors so, with the simple addition of some paint and inexpensive craft supplies, I created a harvest tablescape in our kitchen. 

On Slow Decorating

I had a bit of an ephiphany during a Craigslist transaction recently. While it’s very unlikely that those words have ever been written before, I swear it was a moment that really made me think about the approach I’m taking in decorating our home.

Our First Experience Planting Bulbs

It's about time I posted an update on our gardening progress! I shared our fall gardening goals back in September and, more recently, posted the new planters at our front door. With the days growing shorter and the temperatures dipping lower, it's come time to start bulb planting--a priority on our gardening goal list.

We planted our bulbs this past weekend. And while it will take months to enjoy the fruits of our labors, I wanted to share the process.

Faux Bois Dining Chairs

Whew...it's already Thursday? I know I've been bad at posting this week but I've been busy resuming my non-vacation life...you know, grocery shopping, cleaning, prepping for trick-or-treaters, etc. One of my (many) errands this week: dropping off donations to one of my favorite thrift stores, which I did yesterday.

While there, I had the find of a lifetime--a complete set of 6 faux bois Louis dining chairs. I know, right? Oh, and they were $35 a piece. Let that sink in for a bit...

Ashley Shops Internet

(mirror / alarm clock / peony print / x-stool / horn bowl / pitcher)

One of my favorite things to do is shop, though I've definitely tempered my shopping lately thanks to budgets and all..you know, the un-fun but very necessary requirement of adult life. Even though I might not be whipping out my credit card every time I see something I like, I still love window shopping the internet. In the meantime, I'm sure to gather all my finds in my Ashley Goes Shopping board on Pinterest.

These six pieces are calling my name and I'd be super-grateful if anyone wanted to splurge and buy one (or all of these) for me. Bon shopping!

What have you found lately while browsing the internet? Help a recovering shopaholic out!

Made in Maine

(via Meet Me in Philadelphia)

I'm heading home to Philadelphia from New England today. Before I leave the topic of Maine all together though, I wanted to highlight a few of the great products that have the distinct feel of the Pine Tree State and can make any getaway to the state last a little longer. 

(via Meet Me in Philadelphia)

-Count the days as they pass with this calendar of classic Down East magazine covers.

-Warm your own cabin with a teeny-tiny log cabin incense burner from Paine Products.

-Cuddle close under a cozy heirloom-quality Swans Island wool throw.

-Foster a love for Maine with Robert McCloskey's Blueberries for Sal or One Morning in Maine.

Lobsters, scallops, clams or other seafood are optional (though heartily encouraged).

Happy weekend, friends! Glad to be back home!

A Quick Trip to Maine

Late last week, I snuck up to New England with my Mom. As the weekend began we headed up to Maine, specifically to Mount Desert Island to spend several days with my aunt, grandmother and some of my cousins. 

Though our intentions to visit Acadia National Park were unrealized thanks to the government shutdown, I still enjoyed my time on Maine coast during this gorgeous time of year.

Fall Comes to Our Front Door (Thanks to Terrain)

Let me preface this post by stating that I never win any contest, giveaway or raffle I enter. Ever.

But about two weeks ago I got lucky...no, not like that. I'm talking about winning something.
I got an email from the über-popular Joanna Goddard of A Cup of Jo announcing that I had won her recent $200 Terrain gift card giveaway! What the what?!?

Needless to say, I was thrilled. Awestruck. Dumbfounded. Excited! My winnings went a long way to bringing fall to our front doorstep and, today, I'll tell you all about it.

New Inventory in My Etsy Shop!

I'm happy to announce that I've added new handmade and vintage items to my Etsy shop!

Take a look at my brand new stock of handmade pillow covers, cocktail napkins and dinner napkins after the jump.

Links That Made My Week, 10.4.13 Edition

The first week of October has come and gone--can you believe it? The change in season must have given everyone the creativity bug because there were some inspiring projects and developments in the blog world.

Here are the links that made my week, 10.4.13 edition.

A Tale of Two Chairs

It was the best of times, it was the worst of times. 

And working to revamp this pair of decrepit $5 chairs embodies the worst of times.

This post is dedicated to all of those blog readers who wonder, "How does so-and-so make her blog projects look so easy?" I'm lifting the veil today and revealing that DIY projects don't always go as planned...at least not for me.

This is the tale of two bamboo chairs.

All The Den Details

Hello, friends! Before I begin I wanted to thank you from the bottom of my heart for the tremendously positive comments on my den, which I revealed yesterday. Your feedback overwhelmed me, honestly. I constantly remind myself that I'm not an interior design professional. I just follow my eye and my heart...sometimes, it actually works out!

Since a number of you wanted to hear about specific items, I'll break down all of the details of the space today.

My Den: The Big Reveal

This post has been a long time coming; but instead of expounding too much about it, I'll let the finished space speak for itself. Our den is finally "complete"--whatever that means. Elements in the room will definitely change over time but, for this moment in time, it feels very 'us'.

Take the full tour and be sure to share your thoughts! I'd really love to hear them.

Revealing My Den on Monday!

After months and months and months and months, I'm so happy to announce that I'll be revealing my completed (and very dark blue) den on Monday!

I've wanted to wait until everything was just right, and I think it's finally ready to share. I feel like this room is a really accurate reflection of my style--eclectic, antique, cozy.

Come back Monday morning to see the full reveal! Happy weekend, friends.

The Appeal of a Brick Floor

Pinterest has a way of enabling any fleeting design obsession, am I right? For me, it's all about worn brick floors in utility spaces like laundry rooms, mudrooms and kitchens right now.

Do you like this look? I promise to convince you of the awesomeness of a brick floor application with the super chic examples I've gathered.

New Exhibit: "The Enduring Designs of Josef Frank"

Is there a better way to start a week than with classic, colorful Swedish design? Definitely not.

As I wrote about Friday, the American Swedish Historical Museum in Philadelphia opened its new exhibition "The Enduring Designs of Josef Frank" last night. The museum kindly invited me to experience the Frank retrospective and I knew I had to share the details with you all.

Links That Made My Week, 9.20.13 Edition

Another week is coming to a close, but before we head into the weekend I want to express a little love for the links that inspired me this week in a new semi-regular series "Links That Made My Week." As the name suggests, I'll spotlight ideas and projects that are too good not to share. 

Without further ado, here are a few of my favorite posts this week, 9.20.13 edition. Enjoy!

Book Report: Martha Stewart's Decorating Details

My posts this week are taking on a certain autumnal theme, aren't they? And because this is the perfect season to curl up on a cozy sofa with a blanket and book, I thought I'd recommend one.

As we turn our focus towards nesting once again, I've found the perfect book to help inspire all those projects we'll each be taking on when the weather turns chilly: Martha Stewart's Decorating Details. The best part? It was published 1998, so you can buy it for only a few dollars!

Gardening Goals This Autumn

This is a banner day here on Meet Me in Philadelphia. For the first time I am delving into the topic of gardening, a topic that I've never known much about but always appreciated from the sidelines.

This is our first autumn as homeowners and--as any good gardener knows--this season is prime time for garden clean-up and the ideal time to prepare for beautiful results the following spring.

So, let's gab about the fall garden, shall we?

Indian Summer Paper Leaf Garland

Fall is my most favorite season. Is it yours, too? Here in the Philadelphia suburbs, the weather has been clinging to the warm temperatures in these final few days of the summer before the official start of the new season next Sunday. With the summer saying its long goodbye, I felt inspired to capture the soft colors of these early autumn days.

Today, I'll show you how I made a paper leaf garland inspired by the indian summer!

Pillows are Here! (Plus a Discount Code!)

Happy Monday, friends! I'm so pleased to announce that my first batch of pillow covers--made from a bevy of great fabrics like Marimekko, Lulu DK, Roberta Roller Rabbit, Thibaut and GP & J Baker--are now available through my etsy shop!

Finding Beauty in Utilitarian Materials

Lately I'm finding myself drawn more and more to the creative minds out there who see beauty and potential in the most humble utilitarian materials. Weird, right? For example, concrete, rope, and kraft paper are just few affordable materials that are readily available and waiting to be turned into one-of-a-kind accents for any home.

As the autumn approaches, I'm gathering ideas for projects I can tackle with a quick trip to any hardware or craft store. Perhaps you're feeling the itch to get creative this September too, so here's a rundown of my favorite easy-to-find utility materials that are begging to be reimagined!

Vintage Fruit & Veggie Artwork

This past summer--with its extended hot and humid weather--felt like the perfect time to pay some attention to our temperate finished basement. Today, I'll show you how I'm starting to make the space feel cozy, inviting and bright with the addition of vintage fruit and veggie artwork I've been hoarding for years!

Where Would You Put This Lamps.com Lamp? (A Giveaway!)

Hello, friends! Happy September! With summer behind us, we could all probably use a fun giveaway to sweeten the return to routine that comes this time of year.

I get approached more and more these days with solicitations to promote products or brands on this blog, but I usually hold off because the fit isn't always right and I only want to feature items on Meet Me in Philadelphia that I'd have in my own home. But, when Lamps.com recently reached out to me, I accepted enthusiastically. I really dig Lamps.com and dream of outfitting my home with their chic offerings, so that's good enough to share with my readers!

Announcing: My New "DIY Projects" Page

Chalk up this development to growth as a blogger, but I recently realized that I should add an easy-to-find, easy-to-peruse spot on this blog for past DIY projects that I've shared over the last three years. Searching through three years of archived posts just isn't any fun. So today, that page goes live.

If you're looking for DIY inspiration and you missed my projects the first time around, check out the new "DIY Projects" page at the top of the blog! Here are some of my favorite (and easy!) crafts that you can recreate in your own home:

A New Look for Martha Stewart Living (Plus a House Tour)

This summer, the latest issues of Martha Stewart Living arrived to subscribers' mailboxes with a new look. At various times throughout the magazine's 22 years in print, there have been revamps, changes in editorial staff and many "new looks" and, because I own 128 issues of Living, I've seen the changing face of the publication across a long period of time. Many changes were subtle and most amounted to the sustained success of the magazine as a "go-to" source of crafters, cooks, and gardeners alike.

After perusing the last two issues of MSL (the first two with the brand new design) I was struck by the overall change in aesthetic--more white space on each page, modern fonts used throughout and a youthful attitude to projects and features. Think: more colorful, more casual, more approachable.

A feature in the September issue of Martha Stewart--showcasing stylist Jessica de Ruiter's California home--that helps underscore this change. Let's take a peek, shall we?