Treat Yo Self (This Blogger’s Anti-Gift Guide)

Happy Holidays! Today I created an anti-gift guide to help you treat yo self. Because while it’s important to get just the right thing for that cousin-once-removed-who-lives-in-Poughkeepsie, my main concern is that you, my dear friends, are enjoying the holidays. So in the spirit of that creepy classic “Baby, It’s Cold Outside,” I suggest going home tonight and distracting yourself and the one you love with mistletoe, libations, and vinyl. Here are a few suggestions to get things started…

Mistletoe: I made this mistletoe years ago, here’s a link to the how-to if you want to make your own!

My favorite sparkling rosé, Moët & Chandon, looks festive this time of year. But if you’re looking for something stronger, High West Whiskey has a smoky flavor that is perfect to sip by the fire!

Hers: Lingerie Set by Clo Intimo (bra / brief)

His: Santa hat, Happy Head Tees and Wood* underwear hip brief

Records: Bing Crosby, Nat King Cole, Ella Fitzgerald, Christmas Gift For You

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I apologize for my absence last week from the interwebs. Between work, colds, and an oh-so-necessary staycation, I found myself taking time away from the cellphone and the laptop in favor of cut paper, yarn, and lots of books. But, I’m happy to report that I missed you! So this week we’ll get back on a regular blogging schedule. I’ve been thinking about Christmas content a lot so please consider yourself warned!

*While I usually don’t have sponsored posts, you should know that Wood Underwear called me up about including them this season. We met them on our last trip to NYC and genuinely love their stuff. Thank you for sponsoring the links that are included on Hannah & Husband!

DIY Image Transfer

As I was doodling mandalas for DIYNetwork.com, I got an idea for a funky gift tag. In college, I played a bit with image transfers (like every other design student in history), and I’d been itching to try them again. So today, I thought I’d show you how I DIYed these gift tags using an image transfer. It adds such a personal touch and bonus: it’s super easy and quick–2 minutes + walk away for an hour + and 5 more minutes.

You’ll Need:

Mod Podge (Don’t worry about the sheen!)
foam brush
wooden gift tag
spray bottle full of water
an image to transfer*

*Note about the image: You can easily transfer a variety of images, but the easiest is a print made with a laser printer. If you want to make some bohemian printed gift tags like mine, click here to download the mandala I used from DIYNetwork.com

The first thing you’ll do is trace your tag with a pencil on the mandala. (I’d suggest doing several at once.)

Cut out your traced shape And put a good layer of Mod Podge on the image.

Lay the image on top of your tag and walk away.

Let it dry for one hour.

After an hour, use a spray bottle to dampen the paper. As it dampens, it will start to become translucent.

Gently start rubbing away the paper.

Alternate between gently rubbing away the paper and dampening until all remnants of paper are gone.

And that’s it! You can put a little message on the back of your label and then affix it to your gift.

Gift Guide for the Black Sheep

To the black sheep of the Internet: this gift guide is for you! While I may be a sparkly, falala-ing jingle belle this time of year, even I have grown tired of Blog Land’s shiny, monogrammed gift guides. Is it just me or do they all start to look the same after a while? Sure Kate Spade, minimergency kits, and cable-knit pom pom hats will always be a fab choice but, in my humble opinion, gift guide season has turned my blog feed into an indistinguishable sea of pretty pink lipstick and bubblegum. So today, I offer an alternative for your snarkier friends and lovers–those with a little bit of punk in their soul and just enough of a rebellious streak to endear them to your heart forever.

Sex Pistols’ Spunk, 1977 :: “I am an anarchist.”

Jonathan Adler’s White Lies Canister

Terrapin Moo-Hoo Chocolate Milk Stout :: Looking for a dark brew? My friends and I are absolutely in love this seasonal milk stout.

Cards Against Humanity

Onyx surrounded by pearls :: Ok, yes it is stunning and super femme, but there’s something about onyx that I’ve always found fixating. This ring from Tiffany & Co. is no exception.

I Wear the Black Hat :: Read Husband’s review here.

The Book of Vice: Very Naughty Things (and How to Do Them) by Peter Sagal

“Coal Rice Krispy Treats” :: As a side note, these will definitely be on my holiday party table this weekend. OMGyouguys.

Holy Blues Brothers Prayer Candles :: “Our Lady of Blessed Acceleration, don’t fail me now.” – Elwood

In all seriousness, if you need more ideas, here are my favorite gift guides this year:

Joanna Goddard of A Cup of Jo always has the best ideas, and her descriptions for the recipients are perfect!

Esquire’s 10 Best Gifts for Foodies is pretty killer.

And if you want the pretty blogger land list, Carly’s “A to Z Gifts” is absolutely fabulous!

6 Gift Wrap Ideas

This year, I’ve had a little too much fun wrapping gifts. Oh sure, Husband mocks my supply of back-up pom-poms, but during the holidays they come in super handy! As does my ridiculous collection of stamps, papers, & string. I like having an assortment of wrappings that are all personalized. I feel like any gift feels extra special when you take time to make the package unique. Don’t you think? So today, I’m sharing the love. Here are a few of the ideas I’m using this year.

1. Everyone loves pom-poms!

Everyone! I used a giant pom-pom on my package for our book club book exchange, and it was a huge hit.

2. Don’t buy gift tags. Use stamps to make your own!

I adore my Christmas stamp set. Here’s a similar one if you need your own: Reindeer to Your Heart Stationery Set from ModCloth

3. Two words: toy dinosaur

I really love finding cute ways to use little miniature animals. You’ll see a couple other ways in the coming weeks, but here’s one that I spray painted pink and glued to a clothespin to hold on a gift tag. Bonus: you can put him on the tree when he’s done holding the tag!

4. Chalkboard Tags

I used leftover chalkboard paint to make a few gift tags for the men in my life. (Then, they felt too manly and I put hearts all around the names.)

5. Washi Tape

Use washi tape to label your packages or add a little funky detail to the package.

6. SPARKLE!

Always sparkle! I used leftover tinsel, gold wash tape, and a glittered wand to wrap this one, and it may be my very favorite!

How do you wrap gifts? Does everything coordinate or are things a little more personalized?

Dress the Part: Sandy the Girl Scout

source unknown

Confession: I was a Brownie for only one year in elementary school. ‘Why did she quit?’ you may be asking yourself. Because the crafts just weren’t up to par. I know you’re shocked. Even then, I had a Martha-complex. Any fool can tie-dye a t-shirt, I wanted to learn to sew the dress.

However, upon reflection, there are many things I admire about the Girl Scouts. They teach girls to be confident women. They instill entrepreneurial skills. (Who doesn’t crumble each time they’re harassed by those sweet little pigtails & uniforms selling Thin Mints?) And I’d like to believe they give girls a taste for exploration–something seriously lacking in a world of hand sanitizer and helicopter parents. So today’s little ‘Dress the Part’ is dedicated to the girl I never was: Sandy the Girl Scout. Go on an adventure. Bring a little outdoors in. Buy your own badges off Etsy.

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Halloween Candy: Little Ghosts

Looking for another alternative to those expensive bags of store-bought candy? This one is simple and yummy! I first saw these little guys on pinterest, and I just had to try them. I used the large pretzel sticks, one and a quarter cup white chocolate chips and 2 teaspoons shortening. I slowly (slow is key) melted the chocolate, adding the shortening a little bit at a time. (The shortening is what thins the chocolate enough to dip the pretzels smoothly.) After letting the chocolate cool and set, it’s time to add the faces. I used black icing but on pinterest I saw that you could use mini chocolate chips if you’d like.

I also found it super fun to package these little guys. For a party, I used a little mason jar, fruit netting and twine. Then, for a couple of friends, craft paper and orange yarn.

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Although, I should probably warn you there is one serious side effect of this craft. I will be singing this song all weekend…

I miss the White Stripes. [ sadface ]

Hannah and Husband

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Treat Yo Self (This Blogger’s Anti-Gift Guide)