11.30.2012

$50 SHOP CREDIT! {CLOSED}


Happy Friday!!

I've been waiting for today all week because we are finally getting a chance to put our tree up tonight (woo-hoo!), and for the obvious much needed r&r! So, heck to the yes that it's finally here. 

I'm even ahead of the game with my post for Monday because I sat down and typed it, with some tears in my eyes, last night. But you'll have to wait until then to find out why. 

Today, you're in for a real treat.
If you follow me on instagram (@katiewkrysh), you got to see this sneak peek last night.

{how cute are these names?}


One of my favorite Etsy shops who sells the gorgeous necklaces above (they have quickly become a favorite of mine) and who has been ft. on this blog before, Nu Sans Bijoux, is offering a giveaway to win $50.00 shop credit to one lucky reader!

Also, if you want to shop now for yourself or a friend: 
use the code "KEEPCALMHOLIDAY" for 20% off any item.


The gold chain necklace pictured above, called "Rich Girl", is a convertible 3-in-1 necklace/bracelet and is only $29! If you win, you can get this necklace for free plus $20 more to spend in the shop.

Win/win.


One more piece from her shop that I love is this "Holla Back Girl" chunky necklace.
The chain style seems to be really popular right now!

This is only $39.00.


Of course there are some other beautiful necklaces and bracelets to chose from as well!


How to Enter:

Mandatory:
+Be a follower of Keep Calm and Carry On

Extra Entry:
+"like" Nu Sans Bijoux on Facebook (here)
+follow me on twitter (@katiewkrysh)
+leave a comment telling me your favorite item
+pin any item from the shop to one of your Pinterest boards!

Please leave a seperate comment for each entry.
This giveaway will be open until next Wednesday, and the winner will be notified here and via email. 
(please make sure you leave a valid email address so you can be contacted)


Happy Weekend'ing and Good luck :)

PS-Meant to tell you I loved seeing/reading all the link-ups yesterday!
So consider this me telling you. LOVED them. 

11.29.2012

SAW IT. PINNED IT. DID IT: NO SEW TREE SKIRT




Hello hello hello.

Come on down and join the partay!

We're back after a week off with another round of Saw It. Pinned It. Did It.
(also known as the partay)
Except for me it should be called Saw It. Pinned it. Glued It.
More on that in a minute.

I'm a firm believer in giving each holiday it's time to shine and since Thanksgiving has passed,
bring ON the Christmas crafts. Each and every one of them. I mean it.

I love me some Christmas and I love Christmas decor even more, if that's possible.

This week I tackled the No Sew Ruffle Christmas Tree Skirt.


I saw that bad boy and knew I needed to re-create it in my own way to put in the K household.
Burlap and ruffles are a winning combination in my book, and from weeks prior I think many of your books as well, so I decided to use burlap and red fabric. 

Here's how I did it:

You'll need-
-old tree skirt (to use as a base)
-fabric cut into 2 1/2" wide strips: I used approximately 2 yards of each fabric
-hot glue gun and glue sticks (lots of 'em!!) 


What you do-

First, you get your game face on.

Then, you lay out your old tree skirt.


Try and distract any furry animals in your home that are desperate for attention.
Or just try to get them off your tree skirt so you can work...



Cut your fabric into strips.

Start at the bottom of your skirt and by the edge where your opening is. Start gluing small sections as you go creating ruffles and gluing them down.









Continue to make layers and gluing down the fabric. 
Trim up any messed up spots and don't worry, it won't be perfect but you won't be able to tell when it's finished.




Ba-da-bing. Ba-da-BOOM.
You're done!

Making this type of tree skirt is really easy, but just make sure you have a lot of glue sticks on hand. Like 20. or maybe 30. ;)

I will take more pictures this weekend once we get our tree up, so you can see what this tree skirt looks like with our tree! Cannot.wait. I love it.


What do you think, how'd I do on this project?

Your turn to show us what you craft you made, recipe you tried cooking, or outfit you rocked!

Please remember the rules--
**We only ask that you credit the original source of your pin and that you include our button (below) and link to both me and Steph's blog somewhere on your post. To do this-just copy the text in the box below and paste it in your html for your post. Please, please, do this so we can follow along and other can join in on the fun, too!

Saw it. Pinned it. Did it.



11.28.2012

ON THE WISH LIST...



wish list




This year, there is not much on my Christmas list and that is a really great feeling to have!
It seems like the older I get, the harder it is to think of things. Wow, I can't believe how much I sound like my parents right now? Scary! I do really need a new black coat (for our upcoming trip that I will share soon :)), a pair of warm slippers, and would love to get my hands on the Urban Decay Naked Palette (I know I'm totally behind on this), but other than those items I'm stumped.

I do know that I would recommend all of the above items to you guys, though!

All 3 tops + the scarf (links are above on the names of the item) are from the fabulous Kiki La' Rue, and are must haves this holiday season. I own both the Fit To Be Tied wrap and In The Details sweater and love them both (use code "katiewore" for free shipping!). The wrap jacket is extremely flattering, warm, and even has a hood!




Also, this just in.

You can now get the beautiful pave link bracelet from Style Love Living for only $25
This bracelet looks identical to the one J. Crew is selling, but is much, much, much cheaper. 
I'm in loveeee.

For free shipping, use code: "keepcalm"


What is on your Christmas wish list this year?
Do you have any recommendations for me on what I *need* to add to my list?

Don't forget that tomorrow is another round of Saw It. Pinned It. Did It- hope you have your crafts ready!
Mine is getting there and I'm purtyyyy excited to share it with you.

PS-If I asked a small favor of you all, it would be to visit my friend Erin's blog and read her recent post about Isaac and how you can help this child and his family who is battling cancer.
Thank you in advance!


Linked up today with the super sweet Michelle from The Vintage Apple to share all of these pins and Jamie for What I'm Loving Wednesday! Adore both of these link-ups.


xo.

11.27.2012

MAKE THESE AS SOON AS POSSIBLE {CANDY BUCKEYES!}





Raise your hand if you're sick of me talking about the Buckeyes?
You know, that football team that is 12-0 but isn't eligible for a bowl game? 
Yeah, that one. 
#notbitter

I'm sure most of you are.
But, I promise you that today the buckeyes I'm talking about you will NEVER, ever, get sick of.
People pay big bucks to get candy buckeyes in their hands.

Mainly because they are made out peanut butter and covered in warm chocolate. 
Two of the best ingredients in all the land, yes?

Buckeyes are popular here in Ohio for the obvious reasons, but you don't have to be a football fan to be obsessed with these little balls of goodness. Friends from all over the world (ok, US of A) dream of eating these!

Since I like to make dreams come true, I've got the recipe for you today.

This was my first time making buckeyes because I just figured that since they tasted so amazing they would a. be really hard to make or b. I would mess them up terribly and give them a bad rep. 
Lucky for you (and me), neither are true.

They are easy to make and your friends/family will think you slaved in the kitchen for hours making them! 
Your significant other is guaranteed to love you that much more, too. It's proven. ;)

Get it? Got it? Good.

Candy Buckeyes:
recipe source

Ingredients:
+2 cups peanut butter
+1/4 cup unsalted butter, softened
+pinch of salt
+1/2 tsp vanilla extract
+1 pound icing sugar (powdered sugar)
+1 12 oz. pack of semisweet chocolate chips (ever since San Francisco-we are partial to Ghirardhelli ;))
+2 tbsp Crisco or shortening


What You Do:
+Mix the peanut butter, salt, and butter in a bowl. Place in the microwave for half a minute to soften the mixture. Mix in the vanilla and gradually mix in the icing sugar until it has the consistency of dough (I used about half the bag). Roll the peanut butter into balls about an inch wide. Place on cookie sheet and chill for about half an hour.


{don't mind my old cookie sheets. It's strange how I prefer to bake with these over our brand new cookie sheets, but I digress..}

+When chilled, stick a toothpick into the center of the balls to make dipping in chocolate easier.

+Place the shortening and chocolate in a bowl. Place the bowl over a pot of warm water and melt thoroughly. Take the peanut butter ball and dip in the chocolate about 3/4 through and leave part of the ball uncovered. Place the ball back on the cookie sheet. Do this for the rest of the balls. Place the sheet back in the fridge and allow chocolate to set.

+Remove the toothpick and smooth over the surface (with a spoon or something similar) to remove the hole. Serve.

Store in the refrigerator if you have extras.
My guess is you won't. ;)




So good. So good.

Have you tried candy buckeyes before?

If not, you pretty much need to make these tonight.
or for your next holiday party.
 or for the weekend.

OK, just make them.

PS-Today is my Dad's birthday! I am so blessed to have him!
Happy Birthday Pops...We love you!
{him this morning at the office}


xo.

11.26.2012

FROM THANKSGIVING TO CHRISTMAS CARDS.


Oh yeah, I have a blog. 
A blog that has been a little neglected the past couple days, but for good reason.  

It's so hard to get back into the swing of things, even after 4 days off! We had an amazing long holiday weekend and soaked up all of Thanksgiving's awesomeness! Thanksgiving day was wonderful being able to spend time with family we don't get to see very often, and of course eating good food that I normally would never make (the 3 lbs of flab residing on my waist I could do without..) I don't typically take pictures on Thanksgiving day...I put on my most comfortable and forgiving pair of jeans, a baggy but still cute sweater, and took the day off from social media (except 1 or 2 instagram pictures) to spend time with Billy and my family. It felt good and Billy even told me how much he loved not seeing a phone in my hand or snapping pictures left and right. Sometimes a break is good. 

Of course it was just icing on the cake (turkey?) that OHIO STATE beat Michigan on Saturday. I wish I could bring all of you here to tailgate for a home OSU vs. Michigan game, because it really is too hard to explain how crazy it was on campus. One would think that since it was snowing (flakes here and there) and was seriously frigid at 30 degrees that it would hold us back, but it didn't. Our friends had heaters set up in their tailgate tents and somehow it was still one of the best days in my 27 years. We had so much fun and the whole day I was surrounded by my best friends and Billy's family...couldn't get any better. 

Here are some of our Thanksgiving weekend snippets:

-made Buckeyes (a recipe you don't want to miss that I will post soon!) and did some crafting on my day off Friday before the boys came into town



-ate dinner at a new brewery/restaurant here in town called 101 Beer Kitchen

-stayed out way too late Friday night and got up way too early to head down to campus









-put hand warmers in not just our gloves but our boots too and for others, possibly down their shirts to stay warm ;)

-danced on tables for about 2 hours following the OSU victory! (seriously-about 20 of us were dancing on tables at the bar..was one of those "this is the greatest moment ever" things and it wasn't just the booze telling me that!)



-was in bed by 9pm that evening (I cheered for Notre Dame in my sleep)

-officially being in full Christmas mode! I decorated the house for Christmas this weekend, but we haven't had a chance to put up our tree yet so that will come soon. I'm pretty excited about it!

-ending the weekend by celebrating my Dad's birthday (which is tomorrow) at my parents house. We got my Dad a wine barrel cork holder for his wine room that he will have in his new house!

-made it to 1600 followers this weekend! Holy cow...that makes me extremely happy. Thank you ALL!!

Ooh, and how could I forget? I received our 2012 Christmas card in the mail that I made from Shutterfly early last week (gotta love those timely orange envelopes). I just chose a really simple design this year, considering I almost forgot about them all together, but they turned out better than I expected and every year I look forward to sending them out!

 I ordered this stamp...


and here are our cards:





{had to look up how to take a screenshot and share it this way because I wasn't thinking at the moment I ordered, and forgot to save it! ha...}

There is no way I'd do a card without little Rocky on it...especially when I could get away with including a picture of him in a lion costume. I know he's really happy with me about that.

So, did you decorate for Christmas at your house this weekend or order your cards yet? Did you watch the OSU game? I hope every single one of you had a lovely Thanksgiving like I did, and get yourself some great deals today for Cyber Monday!

*Outfit Additions is having a 40% off sale that ends today, so if you want some inexpensive cute jewelry head over there. 

....if you know about a deal that is too good to pass up today, pah-lease send my way. My wallet will thank you!

Linked up with pretty Sami for her Weekend Update blog hop.
 




11.21.2012

OBSESSING OVER....


Happy Turkey Eve everyone!


I can't believe Thanksgiving is tomorrow.
This week has just flown by..
even with me staying up late last night to go see Breaking Dawn Pt. 2, for the second time.
Yeah, I did. Still obsessed the second time around.

For the past couple of years, we have celebrated Thanksgiving with my Dad's side of the family, about an hour away from our house. This year we will be doing the same and I'm really excited to see everyone. There are usually 40-50 people that go and my family usually has a talent show competition as well. Still trying to figure out something for that..ha. 

Even bigger plans for the weekend, though.
On Friday, Billy's cousin, brother, and friend are coming in town for the Ohio State vs. Michigan (aka that state up north...sorry, had to.) game! Also known as "The GAME". I can't wait. I've mentioned this in the past, but this game is always the biggest game of the year (and biggest rivalry in college football) and we're usually up by 6 am ready to go. The week leading up to the game is known as "Beat Michigan Week" and the whole town/campus gets really into it.

 Currently I'm dying over the Nike Pro Combat uniforms they are going to wear for the game.....
oh, you haven't seen them? Allow me to show you ;)



I love.


If you have no ties to this game, how about you cheer on my undefeated Buckeyes?
Come on, you know you want to!

Anyway, let's move on to what I'm obsessing over on Pinterest this week.
{Follow my Pinterest boards: here
Linking up with the lovely Michelle for Oh, How Pinteresting! It's been too long.


A wine sippy cup?
I'm sold.
This would have come in handy last night when I snuck wine into the movie theatre
 in one of my breast cancer water bottles. 


love this look for hunters.


A bedroom as a closet...
hm, I can only pray I can make this happen in our next home.


Everyone needs a mason jar to go cup in their life, right?



Using crates for a bookshelf.


I have to admit, I'm all for the leather leggings trend.
I don't know if I personally will go for it this year, but I do love the look.


and I've always loved mixing winter shorts with tights.
Every time I try to pull this off, it's just too cold here to be able to.
Maybe I will try this year before it gets too crazy cold. 


A cute wreath snowman for your front door...love this idea.


So, who is decorating for Christmas soon and who is braving the crowds for Black Friday? 
I'm one of those that waits until after Thanksgiving to put up our tree and decorate, and typically we do it the day after, but since Billy's family is coming in town we are going to wait until Sunday to do it. It's a good thing I love them so much! Not going to lie, I'm pretty excited. Bring on the ornaments, stockings, lights, and cinnamon scented pine cones (that I already bought and are ready to go! Mmmm..)

In regards to Black Friday, me and Billy have decided after trying last year that our sleep is more valuable to us than saving some bucks. I just can't handle the crowds, the lines, and especially all the weird store policies like needing vouchers for this and that! Good luck to those who are brave enough to do it and have a good plan down pat to tackle it (my aunts have been doing it for years and are pro's!) 

I hope everyone has a wonderful Thanksgiving with your loved ones!

Follow me on instagram, @katiewkrysh, to have a look into my week/weekend...I'll be posting to that.

and don't forget-
GO BUCKS!!

PS-If you are shopping online at all, Kiki La' Rue is having a fabulous sale and a giveaway.
Use code GIVETHANKS for 15% off anything from Nov 21-25th. Becka is also giving away five $50 gift cards when they reach 5,000 fans on facebook!