Monday, December 2, 2013

something to wish for



I would say my wish list this year is a bit unique compared to most years. Mostly because our needs are met and our home is small, therefore, we could bear to get rid of more things. However, that doesn't eliminate all desire for new things. Most things I would like to incorporate into our home, are things I want to make - new furniture pieces that will fit more appropriately, and wall decor from our adventures, my own prints. I've been more and more selective about what I print and how I display it (frames can be so expensive, so I've been searching for alternative creative means. DIY). Next, I'll share things for the kiddos, and items that I've already purchased to be added under the tree this year :).

Holidays become increasingly more meaningful when you have kids. I want them to understand the value of such days, and learn to genuinely appreciate them. Past years we have gone all out for them. A lot of that can be credited to missing out during deployments. Since then, we've realized we were getting away from what these seasons truly mean. While we still love to give gifts, we ensure they are more meaningful. They are selected with care, needed, and are useful - which is why I found it fun to create this little list. Thinking about the things we all really want or need, I hope eliminates things that get left in drawers once the excitement passes. All while bringing us closer together as a family and learning these values as a whole.

Something to wish for: First, a darling tea towel and recipe card set. I've been incorporating new recipes into our meal plans, and since I do much research online and fuse many together at once, if I don't write it down, I'll likely never remember. These would be so cute to add to my grandmother's book! When I make bread I use all kinds of random towels to cover the dough, this tea towel would be perfect.

Something you need: our kitchen is in need of a new cutting board, and finding quality wood products can be costly, which is why I love these items: this small cutting boardthis larger one, and these wooden spoons.

Something to wear: Learning to dress appropriately in the winter here in the PNW has made all the difference in my life. I enjoy the outdoors here so very much, and all year round when I'm smart about it! This knit beanie is fantastic - maybe I'll learn to knit sometime! :)

Another something to wish for: I have a lot of bags for different things. With the amount of road trips we take, condensing the things I have into one accessible and fashinonable bag will be the most reasonable for me. Most of my bags are tote-like, and fall open, others are too small (like my purse). I really like this one, it reminds me of a similar denim one when I was a teenager and traveling with my dad.

And lastly, something to read: the Kinfolk table - well, you really can't go wrong with a well written and photographed cook book, can you?

What's on your Christmas wish list? Share yours below!
And don't forget to enter into the giveaway!

16 comments:

  1. I'm just asking for a camera lens, so it's pretty big-ticket and I'm letting my family off the hook for smaller things this year! :)

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  2. "our needs are met and our home is small." exactly how we feel this year. because we will be traveling to india in the spring, we decided not to buy each other gifts now, and are instead scheming up memory-making christmas eve/morning ideas! we will write a letter to each other and put the letter in each other's stocking. his family is helping to pay for a new camera for us, and we are just doing a stocking-type gift exchange with my family. we've put a lot of thought into ways to keep the spirit of christmas while living on a budget and also not needing very much!

    m @ handfuls

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    1. How exciting! I look forward to seeing your journey unfold, and so clever to find more creative ways for the holidays :).

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  3. That knit beanie is so pretty! I could see myself wearing that for sure!

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  4. what wonderful finds! i would love ALL of the above :) for Christmas, i am just asking for a weekender bag from everlane + a new yoga mat.. short + simple! looking forward most to spending time with family :)

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  5. What a lovely post. I completely agree with you, when getting gifts for others (and myself), I often think, 'will they make good use of this?' For me, it's a turntable this christmas to spin some feel-good tunes over the summer and beyond.

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  6. beautiful pieces... i totally agree with you- i've definitely felt such a change in my attitude about christmas now that i have kids. it was always meaningful to me, but now it is SO much more meaningful. i put so much more emphasis on family, and it makes it really special. they love the presents, but i think growing up with having family gatherings an important part of it will be of significance. especially when they are older!

    lovely post... that backpack and that hat are just perfect.

    -amber
    http://thesiblingrivalries.com

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  7. I love the tea towels by Leah Duncan too - so pretty!

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  8. My sister collects vintage tea towels! I love the feel and print of these and nice price point on that backpack! I may have to get that as an xmas present for myself :)
    atelier zozo

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  9. I'm in love with those tea towels...I've been obsessed with triangles and arrows lately! Also, I have an absurd amount of knit hats...I literally wear one everyday to walk Avery to school. You kind of have to around here!

    My list is pretty simple...new boots, a couple books, new leg warmers, and a new copy of the Colin Firth Pride and Prejudice on DVD. I'm an easy gal to shop for. : )

    P.S. Thank you so much for all your sweet comments. I've been trying to catch up on blogs, and yours has been one of my favorites to read! I love all your photos too! :)

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    1. Thanks for all your comments Stephanie! I've loved following along on your blog too :).

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  10. Yes the holidays are so much more meaningful once you have kids and it's actually crazy how you look at life with a new lens. :) I think my favorite is that adorable bag.

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  11. i'd love that backpack, please...

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  12. How cute are those tea towels! I love them!

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  13. It's very important for me to have Christmas gifts be meaningful or meet a need, rather than just "throwing a gift at" someone. So when I'm really desperate I go for 'experience' type gifts. It sounds like you've definitely put a lot of thought into what type of items you'd like to have around your home!

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