Its December 14th. You know what that means? Time for a Happy Birthday Shout out to my blogging partner in crime!!*

Tinsel Drink stirrer tutorial via Martha, spotted today at 100 Layer Cake.

We’re going to a Christmas Carol sing along at church tonight (followed by Cookies and Cocoa, duh) which is the perfect activity for our xmas obsessed birthday girl. Wish we could have you all there to join us!

image via simplemom

*She’s also the best roomie, construction assistant, cupcake fiend, and overall friend a gal could ask for.

Is there anything better during the holiday season than the atmosphere of candlelight amongst the glitter? A great set of candles can really round out any decor, creating the holiday spirit with just a few flames. Sets of low votives can be placed throughout the house with little worry about wax dripping or fire hazard. Here is a round up of my favorite sets. These could  be displayed as a full set, broken up to be given as individual hostess gifts, or displayed as a set of four as a compact advent set. Which one is your favorite?

[Click on the images to be directed to the sites]

garnet hill

luminology

west elm

alyssa ettinger

crate + barrel

Wapa Porcelain

roughfusion

Time for another set cataloging the beauty captured in each day’s small moments. This tenth was our annual neighborhood craft show. Its always so exciting that for one day a year we can put our etsy wares out for folks to come and see in person. The show wasn’t as well trafficked as last year, which was a bit disappointing, but we met a couple people who read the blog (hi!), and some new neighborhood vendors. Those captured in photos below are Joel Gregory who makes insanely beautiful hand made cutting boards (contact us for his info if you want to know more, he doesn’t have a website), and Erin from Decorate Yourself.

After the show, we took a quick stroll through the Greenlake pathway of lights on our way to the Bethany Community Church Christmas Concert. A full but wonderfully festive and gratifying day.

To see a bunch of other festive holiday sets, hop over to A Bit of Sunshine

Hey everyone, remember if you live in the Seattle area to take a few minutes out of your busy holiday season to stop by the Ravenna Neighborhood Arts and Crafts Sale to say hi and check out all the wonderful goodies. Its a fundraiser for Seattle Parks and Rec Teen Programs (A Portion of each vendor’s sale for the day goes to support this cause). We really would love to meet you!

If you need directions, etc, I’ll be on twitter during the show @RavennaGirlB

See ya there!!

[ Also, don't forget there is still time to enter our giveaway on Michaela's Blog. Win $20 store credit to either of our shops! Merry Christmas to you!!!! ]

We have Christmas visitors.   Pretty special ones in fact, ones that only come around during this one month a year….

First, let us introduce you to Toby, short for Tobias.

He is our Elf on a Shelf.  Although, reality is that he is our “Elf on a Mantel” since we have that new home for him!  Construction completed right before he arrived from the North Pole.  Toby is pleased  that he observes us come home, and then spies on all of our movies and crafty living room projects.   He has a permanent smile on his adorable face and takes the prize for elf with the longest eye lashes.

During the day, he and our other special guest play together.

She patiently waits around in our living room by day…. illuminated after dark…. covered in glittery greatness….

….

and her name is… VIOLA!

She’s darling.

Viola, can you stay through the winter?

I am already in anticipation of my forthcoming separation anxiety…..

link up with the Christmas cheer blog party here: