Entertaining

NYE Recap.

As promised, I have a few pictures of my New Years Eve decorations to share today. I know lots of people hate on New Years Eve because it’s usually expensive, cold, and overhyped… but I have a hard time hating on a holiday that celebrates with cases of champagne and sparkly tiaras.

My color theme for the party was bright pinks and jewel tones, and  I got to use some of the gold polka-dot glasses that I received as a gift to hold clusters of carnations. Then I used remnants of Ikea fabric to cover the bar and whipped up a banner out of leftover felt from my tree skirt projects.

And I made another sign for the living room, also with leftover felt. Plus I got some festive confetti balloons from the party store — I thought they were part of the plastic but later realized when one popped over my head that they were in fact just clear balloons filled with real confetti!

I also repurposed my felt garland from the Christmas tree and wove it around tables and hung it from windows and picture frames, it was worth all of the tedious cutting and sewing now that they’ve been used for multiple events!

Overall the night was a success! How was your New Years Eve? Did you play hostess too?

Life

Back in the swing of things.

Are you getting back into the swing of things after the holidays? It always amazes me how much of a struggle it is to get back into work-mode after several days away from my computer, I have such trouble regaining my focus. But I do have some goodies up my sleeve this week, like pictures from my New Years Eve party, my birthday plans, and even a calendar giveaway to help you keep those New Years resolutions to stay organized!

Speaking of resolutions, did you make any this year? I’m notorious for writing a long list of unattainable and contradictory goals like “Stick to a budget, save money” and “Be more stylish, buy bolder accessories.” Last year was the first year I actually stuck to a resolution, I pledged to grow my hair out for Locks of Love. I haven’t cut it yet, but boy is it getting long! I think the key was that it was a reasonable goal, so I need to mull over what a solid, attainable goal can be for myself to work on this year.  I’d love to hear what your resolutions are!

Image via Tumblr

Recipes

Sweet treats.

It’s an all-carb day here at DomestiKatedLife… first bread, now sweet treats! I took my new Flour Bakery cookbook for a test run today and made milk chocolate hazelnut cookies for my New Years Eve party on Friday. The taste as good as they look, and they smell even better.

I definitely recommend picking up a copy of the book, it’s a little complicated but with some precision and patience, the results are very, very worth it. I have to try out the infamous sticky-bun recipe next!

Travel

Carbohydrate eye candy.

We still have a few days until New Years Resolutions kick in, right? I had to share one last tidbit from my trip to Quebec last week… delicious carbohydrate eye candy.

Life

Baby it’s cold outside.

Are you hiding inside from the blizzard? Or stuck at home for a few extra days? This snow is a treat, mostly because I have no place to be — I’m happily stranded.

My only regret is not picking up some hot cocoa before the snow hit. I had a delicious sugar-rimmed cup when we were in Quebec that I just can’t seem to get off my mind. Stay warm!

Life

Christmas cards.

Finishing up a few last Christmas tasks before I head out to celebrate with family in New York… among them, finishing up mailing the cards that I got from Rifle Paper Co. I’m having a hard time sending them out, they’re so cute that I want to keep them for myself!

DIY

Recycled Christmas.

Quebec City is the pinnacle of Christmas decorations, they go all out with garland and lights and ornaments. I snapped lots of pictures of the holiday trimmings, but the ones that really caught my eye were actually made out of recycled bubble wrap. They looked so pretty that I didn’t realize they were made of recycled materials until I got up close. I thought it was fitting for a holiday that causes so much excess trash!

Life

Sweet tooth.

I just got back from a very relaxing weekend away in Quebec City and I have to say, going through my pictures on my camera I’ve realized that the very best part of the weekend was sampling a stack of delicious macaroons. I wish I had saved some for when I got home!

Life

Notice anything different? We got a makeover!

Given my inclination for changing up my decor, my outfits, my hair styles … it’s a surprise that my little blog hasn’t been given a face-lift since I started it almost 2 years ago! It was long overdue.

Lots of thanks to Alaina at Live Creating Yourself — she is a rock star and totally captured my aesthetic with her creative design. Plus she was insanely patient with me and my … well, Type A tendencies. If you’re looking for a blog redesign I highly suggest you send her note!

If you read in an RSS feed, be sure to click over and check it out; let me know what you  think!

Life

Tied up with a bow.

Just a few more presents to wrap up and then I’m all done with my Christmas list! I found super cute wrapping paper at Target so the presents looks delicious underneath my tree. Almost too pretty to unwrap… almost.

 
 
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