Wrap It Up

It's almost here, it's almost here, Christmas day is almost here! "I absolutely loooove Christmastime!" Eloise anyone? If you know me well, you know I like checking things off my to-do list and being as productive as possible. 

This year I was a little down to the wire, which let's be honest stressed me out a bit, but all the shopping and wrapping is finally done.

I'll be honest again, I judge a book by it's cover. So when it comes to wrapping up my gifts, it's all about presentation. Last year I went all out with yarn pom pom balls and Christmas trees adorning my gifts. This year, I kept things more simple by using custom giftwrap from Tiny Prints!

I added a little personal touch to some of their wrapping paper designs by changing the colors and adding my name to the paper. Like I said before, it's all about presentation! Yarn, ribbon, candy canes and bows helped spice them up a bit too!

I mean how cute do these look under the tree? Only 6 sleeps till Christmas!

Annie

Healthier Eats and Christmas Treats

Did you catch this Black Bean Brownie mix I posted in my gift guide yesterday? This summer, my fellow SCOUTern Savannah showed me Kylie's blog and I've been obsessed ever since! Kylie has a soft spot for sweets, but works to feed her sweet tooth with healthier sweet treats! 

Kylie recently started selling her own mix for healthy black bean brownies. Once I caught wind of this I quickly ordered three bags to give as Christmas gifts. One for Savannah, one for Molly, and then I had to save one for myself!

I have been wanting to try black bean brownies for a while so this was just the perfect thing! The mix is only $9 and they make the most delicious dark chocolate fudgy brownies I have ever had! Watch Kylie's video below to see how to make them!

A can of black beans, applesauce, one egg and the mix make up these brownies. Don't let the black beans scare you, they only make them better and healthier! A tip when making--I suggest using a food processor instead of a blender! I was limited to a blender and it just makes it a little harder to get them fully mixed!

Spreading the love via Snapchat! Merry Christmas friends!

You can buy your brownie mix here!

Annie

What I Think is a Legit Gift Guide

I love a good gift guide, I think I've mentioned this before. Emily, Liz, Julia, Meg and Katie, all have some great ones, but honestly, I don't think I've ever actually bought something I saw on a gift guide. They are all so cute, but usually filled with your run of the mill standard gift ideas. 

I've put together a few of my favorite things, some goodies I've found around the web, and a few things I'm actually gifting this year. Hopefully this gift guide is worth your time and helps spark some ideas for your own gift giving needs! 

1. Scout 3-Way Bag ($22). I have this bag and it is fabulous. It fits all of my toiletries and makeup when I travel. I love how the separate compartments keep my lotion from spilling all over my blush brush etc. 

2. Blue Eye Brown Eye calligraphy set ($60).  Lauren from BEBE calligraphy is my girl! I've taken her class twice and she taught me so much. You can now buy her beginner set and do on online class via Brit+Co.

3. Slouchy pom pom beanie ($9).  The perfect gift for friends or roommates! 

4. Yeah...ImmaEatThat black bean brownie mix ($9). I already bought a few of these mixes. I saved one for myself and sent two to my foodie friends Molly and Savannah. I made the brownies yesterday and they are incredibly fudgy and delicious (and healthy!) 

5. Gold ear buds ($9). For all those people getting the new iPhone 6 for Christmas, 1. I'm jealous 2. these would be perfect for them. 

  

6. Moscow Mule mugs ($17). A hot item this Christmas, but these hammered copper ones are my favorite!

7. Fujifilm instant camera ($100). In our generation of having to take a picture of everything, I'm all about this instant/polaroid camera. 

  

8. Beaded by W tassel necklaces ($30). You've heard me gush about my girl Whitney, but her necklaces make the perfect gift! Email her at beadedbyw@gmail.com to get your order in before Christmas. 

  

9. Olivia Pope wine glasses ($15). Perfect for your wino/Scandal obsessed friend or family member. 

10. Evelyn Henson iPhone cases ($34). I've posted about her prints, but I'm kind of squealing over her phone cases. 

Happy gift giving! 

Annie

Join The Pack

There's nothing I love more than getting a letter or package in the mail. I've signed up for Birchbox and Stitch Fix in the past for the pure reason of knowing I'll get a monthly package in the mail. Packed Party has the similar idea of getting a boxed gift in the mail, but it is built on the idea that's "Better to give than to receive!"

Packed Party is all about celebrating the little things. You don't have to have a bunch of people to have a packed party, a party can be celebrated by just you! Treating a friend with a personal party may be just the thing she needs to brighten her day. 

Packed Party is an individual box with themed contents and a note explaining why it was sent. Carefully picked goodies are included in each pack, but the catch is that you don't know what the contents are until it is received. Surprises are more fun anyway!

So far Packed Party has a break-up pack, pity pack, birthday pack, miss you pack and a pampered pack. Wedding packed parties are soon to join the list! Check out their site and see all the ways you can send a friend a little party!

When a good friend became a part of the party, I loved finding out more about this little package. Packed Parties can be sent for just $45 and are the perfect way celebrate the day! Join the pack and send a party!

 

all images courtesy of packedparty.com and Packed Party's Instagram

I've always loved a good party. 

Annie

DIY Yarn Gift Wrapping

I'm so excited about this little post! I am guilty of judging a book by it's cover and I'm no different when it comes to presents. I love a pretty wrapped package. Wrapping presents is one of my favorite things to do at the holidays, next to baking of course. I always helped my mom wrap presents growing up. 

For these yarn wrapped gifts, I bought kraft paper from the dollar store and different colored yarn from the craft store. Follow below for the steps on how to create your own yarn gift wrapping!

1. First take your yarn and wrap it around your package however you like. I did a cross in this example, but I also just wrapped in one direction or used a combination of colors. 

2. Now for the pom pons: For smaller pom pons, wrap the yarn several times around three or four of your fingers. For bigger pom pons, wrap yarn around your whole hand. Once it is wrapped pretty thick, slip the yarn off your fingers.

3. Cut a small piece of yarn and place it horizontally under the wrap. Tie the yarn up in a knot so it created loops on either side of the tie. Make sure you leave a little tail so you can attach the pom pon to your package. Then, cut through the loops. Here is another DIY on pom pon making.

4. Trim up your pom pon so it forms a ball shape.

{Use different colors and different sized pom pons to cluster together!} 

{Green yarn wrapped around in a cone shape to resemble a Christmas tree}

Be sure to send me pics if you use this DIY for your Christmas gifts. Happy wrapping!

xo annie