Pom Pom

I received this hat as a Christmas gift from my dearest friend. You may have sent the photo already on the C&C Instagram account....

I'm totally in love with it. While the color way I have is no longer available...

They do still have this one, and it's on sale.

Pommed Lodge Beanie

So if you need something cute and cozy to keep your head warm....this hat is pretty awesome! 

Christmas Countdown



When we were kids, December 1st was always a BIG day because we got to open our chocolate advent calendar for the first time. There wasn't really anything that special about them (the chocolate was probably sub-par to my current fixation with nice dark chocolate), but to us, they were everything.

 

 

Imagine my surprise on Saturday when a box arrived at the front door from Neiman Marcus (SCORE!). My mom showed up just like she did when we were kids, this time with the most incredible grownup advent calendar. Leave it to Christian Lacroix to take advent to the next level. 



 

This work of art will be so fun to open throughout the holiday season, and I know, unlike the chocolate ones, this will be around for a long time. Thanks mom!

 





C & C in the Kitchen: Belly Buttons

At Thanksgiving I was introduced to Belly Buttons. No, not the odd body part (I'm not a fan), these little amuse bouches of deliciousness. And, to top it off, they're crazy easy to make and the perfect treat to wrap up and give to teachers, colleagues, babysitters, friends, hostesses, neighbors…you name it. 

Belly Buttons:

Ingredients:

Square or round pretzels (Synder's of Hanover calls them Snaps)

Bag of Hersey's Kisses of your choice (I used half peppermint and half regular)

Bag of regular M & Ms (I used dark chocolate)

Directions:

Preheat oven to 250.

Line up all the pretzels on a cookie sheet. 

Place one kiss in the middle of each pretzel (the unwrapping is the prefect job for a child or your +1 - Dr. by was my assistant). 

Place in the oven for 4 minutes (or until the kisses are at the very beginning of losing their shape and melting)

Take out of the oven, place one M & M on top and push down to spread out across the pretzel.

Place in the refrigerator for 10 minutes to cool. 

Enjoy!  

XO

Katie

C & C Does Holiday Decor

By the time Thanksgiving rolls around I'm rearing for the holidays. Christmas is my FAVORITE of all - there's a reason it's called the most wonderful time of year! From the lights and fir-scented candles to peppermint everything (I'm looking at you Trader Joe's) there's nothing I don't love. Because Thanksgiving weekend is a busy work time for me, we decked the halls the weekend before. This was my inspiration...

This is my reality (the battery operated, wreaths were an addition this year from Balsam Hill and the magnolia wreath was a One King's Lane find last season). It's going to be an annual work in progress to try to achieve the above. 

We ventured out to Pine Valley Farms in Maryland to cut down our Frasier fir (for the third year). Dr. B did the cutting…I did the modeling. 

You may remember my post on collecting ornaments. I might suggest this travel trick for your own tree. It turns decorating into a walk down memory lane (new tree skirt from Costco was an October purchase - I love getting out of the gates early). 

For me, the rest of the house is all about subtle holiday accents here and there. Our living room coffee table tray is gussied up with some berry branches from Trader Joe's. 

One day I aspire to a collection of Simon Pearce evergreens, but for now, this lone tree stands proud on a mirrored tray. 

A mantle isn't complete without stockings…and some glitter. I picked up the glitter garland at Home Goods and the reindeer came from a store at home in Idaho (similar here, here and here). 

With a more modern color palette in the dining room, not conducive to the traditional reds and greens, traditional Christmas balls in not-so-traditional colors along with a bowl full of holiday cards are the perfect accent pieces (candle sticks from Home Goods). 

And to top it off, this giant metallic Christmas ornament was the find of the century (also at Home Goods) two years ago. 

Merry Merry decorating! 

Travel Tips That Will Change Your Life

It's me, Katie!

Last week I came across this article of 40 travel tips that will change your life forever and it had to be shared. There are a few that I'm definitely going to be using on my next trip. 

First, did you know you can create an "icognito window" when searching for airline flights? It makes sense that sites like Travelocity and Orbitz cookie your searches. I'm curious to see if this really works.

I've always got a charger and my headphones in my bag when we travel - and this idea of putting them in a sunglasses case is brilliant! 

While I always take a copy of my passport with me (better to leave the actual document at the hotel in the safe and put a print copy in your purse), keeping a scanned copy on my phone is an equally good idea! 

I usually pack for Dr. B, and this trick is genius! I'll be putting his belts to good use on our next trip. 

And I'll end with my own travel tip....you may remember around Christmas a post about my collection of ornaments. Whenever we go somewhere, I pick up an ornament. That way, every year when we put up the tree, we can recount all our travels. It's one of my favorite things about Christmas. 

Any travel tips they missed on the list?

Gift Guide: Stocking Stuffers

We're big into stockings in my family. When we were kids, we were allowed to open our stockings before our parents got out of bed, so you can imagine how popular they were (okay, and still are). Now that we contribute to the stuffing (it's not fair for my mom to do her own), I'm much more attune to what might make the perfect start to Christmas morning. Here are a few ideas.

Is your brother or sister known to get all their best ideas in the shower? Enter Aqua Notes!

For the germaphobe with sparkly whites, the Bobble Brush Toothbrush Stand is the answer. 

These spoke lights are perfect for the cycling enthusiast in your life. 

Got boots? You probably need Boot Sticks. 

For the nomadic traveler in the family, this "scratch map" will roll up in the stocking and a suitcase. 

For the family that can't keep track of their iPhone chargers, you'll definitely know which one is yours with this Sticker Face Set. 

To send the hint that you need a little more Italian-dining romance in your life, this set of twelve wine cork candles might do the trick. 

And, if all else fails, go with old reliable (and my personal favorite), a Starbucks gift card. 

And if none of these strike your fancy, don't forget about this personalized chocolate that Regan blogged about earlier this year. Happy stocking stuffing! 

Gearing Up For Christmas

Last year we featured these fantastic "Santa Bags" as a great addition to your Christmas traditions. Since I think they are so cool, I thought I would feature them again (and I know we have a lot of new readers).

This year the seller, Scriptingle, is offering them in a new red and white color combination. Sadly, they are only making 200 bags this holiday season, so you better get your order in quickly. 

Ready, Set, Shop

It's Black Friday, and I would imagine some of you are shopping (or have already been) today! So we thought we should add one more shopping destination to your list, Serena Italian Imports.

As you know (100 times over), C&C loves Angela Caputi Chainlink bracelets (and necklaces). Really, we can't get enough of them….case in point, and my collection has grown since I took this picture...

The bracelets go with everything! Remember this post from last year…I wore them with my holiday plaid!

Back to the real reason for this post…Serena Italian Imports is offering all C&C readers 15% off all purchased from now until December 22nd using the code CCHOLIDAY13. 

Besides the Angela Caputi bracelets, they sell a number of other really great Italian products including handbags, jewelry, and table decor.

So get shopping! And if you don't already have an Angela Caputi bracelet, may I suggest you get yourself at least one.

Products We Love: The Magnolia Company

I know it isn't even Thanksgiving yet, but I can't help myself. I LOVE decorating for Christmas. I recently stumbled upon The Magnolia Company through One King's Lane. Based in Barberville, Florida, this family-owned company makes the most beautiful magnolia wreaths and decorations. With our dark green front door, I knew this red lacquer magnolia stunner had to be mine. I can't wait to hang it in just a few weeks. 

But wait, there's more. They come in a variation of sizes and colors - 13 to be exact! I'm contemplating the silver or gold for over the mantle in our living room. 

And can someone please decorate with this incredible turquoise?!

If you're not yet in the holiday spirit, this colorful display of turkey and pheasant feathers is definitely a statement piece and another one of my favorites from their collection. 

With beautiful decorative items for year round, I'm telling you, don't miss out on a turn around their website. You won't be sorry (I can't speak for your pocket book...).

My Christmas Wish List

My want list is ever growing, but here is what I am currently wishing for this Christmas.

Oliver Bonas Cashmere Blend Eyemask $24.19

A Nixon rose gold watch (I like both)

The Spur $300

The Camden $275

K.slademade Leather Crossbody $160

J Crew Printed Makeup Pouch $25

And lastly, I love this Inkwash Tie-Dye Shift from Anthroplogie!

It doesn't look so cute in this photo, but it looks fantastic on fellow blogger Mary of Happily Grey!

I'm really head over heels for this dress! But let's be honest...there is nothing I really need. I guess that is why it is called a "wish" list and not a "need" list!