The After Party

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This epic blog party is now coming to a close. It was SO much fun putting all these wonderful holiday vibes out there and sharing some fun projects with Blogland! I'll admit that it wasn't perfect. I had to skip some posts because of some technical site issues and I missed a few in the evening when something personal came up, but it's not about that. It's about sharing fun things with my blog community, meeting new friends through the comments, and having a good time. If there's one thing I've learned from being a blogger for 6 years, it's that you should never apologize for living your life!

So I hope everyone's Christmas season is "merry & bright" and that they spend as MUCH time as possible with their families! I have many more fun Christmas themed posts on the way along with some everyday ones too! Thanks for partying with me today!

<3
E

DIY: Ceramic Plate Wall Art

Here's another little idea for an inexpensive, DIY gift that you can make for someone special. There are SO many things you can do with this project which is what makes it so much fun! It's one of those quick projects where you can just dump out everything in your craft arsenal and make it work! (Thank you Tim Gunn)

Supplies:
1. ceramic plate (you can find these at any craft or hobby store)
2. rub-ons or clear back stickers
3. ribbon
4. scissors
5. popsicle stick or bone folder
6. measuring tape
7. plastic gems

Step 1:

Measure the diameter of the flat portion of your plate to determine your useable area.

Step 2:

Choose your favorite rub-ons to use and peel the backing off. Hold it up to your plate to get an idea of how your design will look.

Step 3:
Cut out your design to cut down the excess material, then use your popsicle stick to firmly rub over the design to adhere it to the face of your plate. Carefully peel back the plastic.

Step 4:
Use ribbon to trim your plate or use as a hanger. I also decided to add some gems to mine to make it look like the dandelion is being blown away!

Misc Tips:
*Non-cardstock stickers work best like the flexible ones with clear backings.
*Get creative and decorate your plate with washi tape! It's cheap and repositionable!
*If you don't want to hang your plate on a wall, you can lay it on your dressing table and use it as a trinket dish for earrings!

I hope you liked this tutorial! When I hung mine up in our hallway, I got more than the obligatory "Good job, babe!" from Ian, so that's saying something!
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E

Giveaway: Mini Pillow from Arrow&Ink!

As you know, Tori & I recently had our first venture as co-founders of Arrow&Ink and we would like to wish all the Glow-in-the-Dark Soul blog readers a Merry Christmas with a little giveaway of a mini pillow!

These little pillows are SO cute. You can use them to display brooches, pins, & earrings or just toss them in an armchair with a bunch of other pillows for a charming look!

Tori & I both have one and we love them for decoration and functionality!

The best part is that you have the chance to win one for yourself before they are released in our coming etsy shop! All you have to do is comment below with your name and favorite accessory you always pull out for parties and events during the holidays! I'll announce the winner tomorrow here on the blog!

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E

The Many Uses of Kraft

photo by pipii, text by meKraft paper is a beautiful thing. I've been obsessed with it for about... 6 years now? If you haven't yet discovered how amazing it is, you are MISSING OUT! This holiday, make it a kraft Christmas! Pick up a cheap roll of kraft at your office supply store and see how many uses you can find! It's pretty, environmentally friendly, cost efficient, challenging, and crafty! Here's some inspiration:

envelopes and letters

gift wrap!

glitterly mobile

kraft as a table cloth! Drawing on the place settings would be SO much fun.

Give your potted plants and mini trees a "fresh from the nursery" look with a kraft wrap on the base.

disposable holiday wall hanging

book covers to give your shelves a rustic holiday flair.

cone tree love

photo ornaments with white gel pen accents

star packet advent calendar

bold and graphic gift tags
What are you going to make? I want to try my hand at either some kraft snowflake patterns or gift wrap goodness. Either way, make it happen! You'll be glad you did!
<3
E

P.S. We had some technical problems with a few of today's posts going live, so I've decided just to skip those 2 posts and give them to you later this month as a fun holiday treat. Don't worry-- it wasn't any of the giveaways! More of that coming up, so stay tuned!

Guest Post: Tori's Peanut Butter & Chocolate Candy Recipe

Hi everyone! I'm Victoria (aka Tori) you've probably heard Elaine mention me before. She's my best friend and I'm so excited she asked me to guest post for her Merry and Bright blog partaaaay! So lets get to it! This recipe is super yummy, super easy and super quick because it doesn't even require using the stove - just a microwave. It's a great addition to your holiday party spread or makes a special handmade gift to give to anyone.

What you'll need:
1 package of almond bark (usually 1 lb.)
1/2 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips
1/2 extra crunchy peanut-butter

Place almond bark in a medium microwave-safe bowl. Stirring frequently, microwave until almond bark melts (about three minutes.) Be careful because the bowl can get a little hot.

Stir peanut-butter into melted almond bark until completely mixed.

In another microwave-safe bowl melt the chocolate chips the same way as the almond bark. However, the chocolate chips don't take as long to melt, and will over cook and get hard quickly so keep a close watch!

Thinly spread peanut-butter mixture out on a large greased/buttered baking sheet. I promise there is enough mixture to cover the bottom of the baking sheet. Dollop the melted chocolate over the peanut-butter mixture and with a small spatula or butter knife, swirl chocolate evenly throughout.

Pop that baking sheet into the refrigerator and allow to chill for a couple of hours until the candy hardens. Then break into smaller pieces. The candy won't melt at room temperature so it's okay to set out for parties. Store in an airtight container in a cool place or even in the refrigerator. I think you could even add extra chopped peanuts if you'd like an even crunchier candy or try using peppermint bark swirled with the chocolate! Yum!

To give as a gift, I picked up some clear cellophane bags from the baking isle at my local craft store. I made tags with kraft paper and washi tape, and tied them on with some gold-flecked, red ric-rac.

And that's it! I told you it was super simple and I hope you enjoy the recipe! Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays! xo

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Side note: Tori is going to be re-launching her blog starting the beginning of January 2013, so I'll be sure to link you up when the re-launch happens! She's going to have lots of inspiring things happening and you'll want to be in on it! :)

"I just like to smile; smiling's my favorite!"

Kevin McAllister would be proud

I couldn't resist a blog party without sharing some of the funny things I've come across in the past few weeks with Christmas humor. I love a hilarious take on Christmas-- like a lousy but awesome 90s movie. :) Here's a few of my faves.

My sister sent me this and I about died.

"I know him! ...I know him!"

Holiday Tattoo Man

SO. SO. Funny.

I just... I can't. HA!
For 2013, we're planning to do an "awkward family photo" for our Christmas card. It's going to be epic.

Hope that brightened your day!
<3
E

Winter Wishes

I always have a few too many wishes on my wishlist. Downside: I'll never have enough money to obtain all these wonderful things! HA! Brightside: I'm always easy to shop for. Here's some of my current material lusts:

mountain cushion

personal library kit

this print that reminds me of my Phoebe

monogrammed chain clutch purse in sunshine yellow

the most precious of succulents
I'm hoping my husband takes his pick from these pretties. HINT HINT, IAN! ;)
Link me up to some of your obsessions, pretty please!
<3
E

Best Wintery Reads for the Bookworm

I get A LOT of my reading done in winter. Every year I set a goal of how many books to read and I probably accomplish 2/3 of my goal during the winter months! I compiled a list of some wonderful books to curl up on the couch with this December!

1. Heidi is a childhood favorite for me! I love the setting and the time period! The scenes in the mansion she goes to live in make me feel cozy! (I know it's not under the best of circumstances, but I can't help but picture Christmastime around that big house!)

2. The Golden Compass is almost completely set in the wintertime snow, so it makes the imagery extra vibrant! All the snow, polar bears, and arctic adventures are so thrilling!

3. The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe from the Chronicles of Narnia is also a classically wintery read! Not to mention Mr. C.S. Lewis and his Christian wiles set a wonderfully warm path of symbolism to our Saviour, Jesus Christ! There's nothing more Christmasy than that!

4. The Princess Bride is just a good, old fashioned, lighthearted fairy tale! All the adventure, action, fantasy, and love make for the perfect all-encompassing story for a snowy day inside.

5. Dash & Lily's Book of Dares, I've heard, is THE best holiday book in the YA section you will find. Just all around, gosh-darn sweet! The collaboration between the authors makes for a faceted but complementary patchwork of Christmas magic.

6. The Bridge is Karen Kingsbury's latest book set against a Christmas plot backdrop. The cover is dreamy and makes me feel all warm inside. The love story and self-discovery is heart-warming as well!

7.Sweetly by Jackson Pearce isn't a winter, Christmas, or holiday book of any kind. But seriously-- it is CHOC FULL of sweets, treats, and chocolatey goodness that reminds me of a gingerbread house of deliciousness. Not to mention it's a retelling of a classic fairy tale, Hansel & Gretel, so that makes gives it an age appropriate nostalgia that you can't replicate. Mmmm.

<3
E

Style Crush: Candy Cane Stripes

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It sounds like a line, but one of my favorite Christmas candies is the candy cane. Seriously! I have a full box of the mini canes on my coffee table right now right beside an almost-empty box because we have consumed them in less than a month! Candy canes bring about a favorite pattern too which is stripes! Winter is the perfect time to bust out all your striped long sleeved henleys and striped scarves and put them to good use. Look at all these pretties!

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+Oooooo i love fashion so much. As little money as I have right now, it makes me want to go shopping for some fun pieces I can mix with other pretty patterns like some winter plaids! What's your current style crush!?
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