A Bird's Eye View

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Now here is a house with a fantastic view! I love the combination of the freshly white painted timber boards with the grey weathered shingles. That sun deck looks like the perfect place to relax with a coffee and contemplate that fabulous vista. I am huge fan of rolling green lawns and those white Adirondack chairs look perfectly at home there! Inside it's relaxed and inviting with a great use of natural materials and lots of texture to add warmth and character. It looks like nothing is too precious which makes for a great family home. 

Melissah xox

Images via A Life's Design

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Sparkle this Season! ...and a special secret shopper giveaway!

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Cyber Monday was great! Thanks so much to everyone who took advantage of our big sale! We were so thrilled to see so many orders coming in. It really does make us so happy when people get awesome deals....but more than that...we are so flattered when folks come to us for their special gift giving. They've got all the world to choose from...and they come to us!
So it's seems to be the norm now that Cyber Monday gets stretched out to Tuesday, Wed, Thur, and Friday...and we're certainly down with that. As orders come in we morph into Santa's helpers...making, making, making, into the night. So, just in case you didn't get to pick something up yet...not to worry...the 30% off sale is on through Friday!
And just in time for Cyber Week we made two brand new bits of Wearable Winter Wonderland! We LOVE these necklaces...we've deemed our Home for the Holidays collection! And the pics do not do their Glittery Goodness any justice...you gotta see them in person in order to take in all that sparkle.


Ok, one more thing on the topic of this fantastic Cyber Week. A Giveaway Announcement:
A Super Special Surprise Gift for One Cyber Week Shopper!
We're going to gather all of our sale invoices from the very beginning of Cyber Monday to the very end of Cyber Friday. From the invoices we'll select one lucky winner! So to be part of this giveaway all you have to do is take advantage of this fabulous week long sale. And by the weekend we'll pick a winner! The prize is a secret, a surprise...but we promise...it'll be something super fab! So, shop away...and maybe you'll win!
Once again, thank you, thank you, thank you, to all of you who've been supporting Handmade for the Holidays!
xoxo, Jenny






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Poppy Bright

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Today I am feeling like a little bit of colour inspiration and any shade of poppy, coral, orange and hot pink will do the trick. With summer only just around the corner and the Christmas shopping underway I'm in a bright and bubbly kind of mood. Can't wait to burst forth in summer colours, indulge in a few ice-cream treats and get down to the beach in my new coral beach dress - the perfect shade for summer!

Melissah xox

Images via 1, 2a, 2b, 3a, 3b, 4a, 4b

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Cyber Monday! Super SALE!

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Jeez, it's been warm here in Jersey. Just yesterday Aaron was riding his bike down the Asbury Park Boardwalk and everyone he saw was dressed in t-shirts, shorts, sunglasses...it was a bit incongruous with the Christmas songs being piped out of every store front. But I'm not complaining...I'll take temps in the high 60's anytime! I'm just wondering, with this beautiful weather...will anyone be home to take advantage of our fantastic Cyber Monday Sale? Ah, what am I saying...you guys can all shop from your tablets...or your iphones...right?
So, like I was saying...and as you can see above...We are having a BIG sale! Every single thing is on sale...30% off your entire order. Shop a little or shop a lot. It's the big ticket items where the savings is the best...like our big menu board...if you've been waiting to get yourself a room-maker like this...now is the time...you'll get a huge chunk of change off.
The sale starts tonight at midnight, New Jersey time...so you west coasters can get a jump on things if you like. And we'll be extending the sale 'til Friday...so it's actually a Cyber Week Sale!
Me and Aaron had a great Thanksgiving. It's so awesome to spend time with family...and eating pie ain't half bad either! And afterward, we were thrilled at the great turnout for our Black Friday Sale. Thanks so much to all of you who picked something up! I've included some pics here of some of our favorites. Despite that lovely weather outside we've been making sure to stay indoors and play the role of perfect Christmas elves. We've been working round the clock to have a bunch of stuff in stock. And I really want to say how much me and Aar truly appreciate you guys...you supporters of the arts. Whether you pick something up from us...or from one of our many amazing artist friends out there...you just totally rule for choosing handmade gifts straight from the hands of artisans. I'll take a handmade gift over anything, any time. I've been seeing so much fab artwork out there...I'm a HUGE fan of so many wonderful folks...and it pleases me so much to see them flourish around the Holidays! So...on my behalf and theirs...Thank You So Much to all of you fabulous collectors!!
Ok, that's it for now...get out there and get shopping...go Handmade for the Holidays! And take advantage of some awesome sales!
xoxo, Jenny


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A Beachside BBQ

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With summer fast approaching I am looking forward to beachside barbeques and a few days of camping with the kids. Nothing tastes better than sausages and chops cooked on an open flame campfire - well sizzled and slightly charred! We have a favourite picnic spot down the Great Ocean Road which is on a grassy patch right on the beach. It's well set up with gas barbeques, picnic tables and a perfect spot for catching a few waves or cooling down with a swim. And the best thing about it is if you forget the sausages there's a fabulous pub just across the road!!

Melissah xox

Images via Donna Hay, except 3  (For recipes visit Donna Hay Website)

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Coastal Luxury

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This grand and impressive beachfront property in Florida ticks all the right boxes - an ocean view, a pool, lots of white, plenty of character and interesting architecture. There are also a few other features which have caught my eye including the curved white concrete lounges on the top deck for soaking up the sun and contemplating the view. I love the lushness of tropical planting so that large palm tree really makes the front entrance adding scale and grandeur to the house and the exposed timber beams add a nice touch giving the house a rustic feel and a sense of history.

Melissah xox

Images via Atlanta Homes

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Top 10 Christmas Gift Picks from Jessica at Tisol

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When it comes to quality pet food and supplies on the Lower Mainland, Tisol has been the answer for many people for pretty much as long as I can remember. Not only do their stores offer a haven for pet lovers as well as help for pets in need, their distinctive orange and blue livery shows up at many events where pet welfare is high on the list. In fact, Tisol is so concerned about community that they’ve even set up a pet food bank where you can donate to help pets in need.

We asked Jessica Allison, assistant manager at Tisol’s Arbutus location, to share her top 10 picks for Christmas gifts for dogs this season. Jessica was happy to comply, with a list that made Casey and Finnigan’s tails wag in anticipation!

#1: Skinneez, stuffing free plush dog toy. For a safe long lasting playtime. Assorted varieties on sale. Dogs love ‘em!

#2: Buddy Biscuits, baked with love by Cloud Star. All natural, gingerbread men-shaped dog biscuits. Many different flavours, including peanut butter -- many a dog’s fave -- in both soft and crunchy textures.

#3: Hear Doggy. Plush dog toy. No more annoying squeaky dog toy. Your dog can hear it but you can’t. Different styles available in store. Is this one you want to get for your pet? You’ll know if you need it!

#4: Chuckit. The perennial favorite ball throwing tool. This one should be a staple in every active dog’s toy box.

#5: Dog puzzles: test your dog’s IQ. Interactive fun games. Eliminates boredom. Assorted variety and skill levels. Ask for help finding the right one when you’re in the store.

#6: Dexas collapsible pet feeders. For the dog on the go. Great for travelling during the holiday season.

#7: K + H self-warming dog beds. Radiates a dog body heat back to your dogs body, perfect for those cold winter nights especially great for older dogs with arthritis, or joint and muscle aches.

#8: Dog Christmas stockings. Okay, dogs don’t wear stockings, but the gift-filled ones we have for dogs are awesome! Takes the guess work out of gift giving. Many different sizes and varieties.

#9: R.C. Robson rainwear. The perfect coat to keep dogs warm, dry, and tres fashionable!

#10: Santa suit. Comes complete with red velvet jacket, with traditional white trim and Santa’s hat. Too cute for your holiday photos.

Check their website to find a Tisol location near you.

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Postcards from Portofino

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Feel like a bit of romantic romp around the beautiful fishing village of Portfino, wishing you were twenty again, then check out the mini film 'I found my love in Portofino' by famed fashion photographer Ellen Von Unwerth. It's the sublime new Cruise Collection from Christian Dior and it's packed full of divine fashion, heavenly handbags and lovely holiday moments. I was there in my twenties with my best friends and it brings back fond memories of days when I didn't have a care in the world! The 'Lolita-esque' model floats around cafes and hotel rooms, swims, dances, laughs and twirls her way round Portfino in a haze of Dior.    





This video is the extended eight minute version but there's larger format versions and shorter versions on You Tube - I thought it was a lovely escape from everyday life and I love the music. I feel like packing a suitcase and my video camera and taking off for a holiday!

Melissah xox

Images : here and here, video link You Tube


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