1. Terrain rosemary tree, $58
2. Anthropologie recipe bookmarks book, $10
3. Lucero vinegar & olive oil gift set, $19.95
4. The Chef Set page flags, $6.50
5. Anthropologie milk bottle measuring cups, $24
6. Crate & Barrel marble wine cooler, $26.95
7. Terrain homemade cookie stamp, $22
8. Anthropologie apron, $32
9. Crate and Barrel bell jar and saucer, $10-19.95
10. Anna Joyce hand-printed napkin set, $35

A recent shopping trip with one of my faves made me realize that I have a small (ok, large) obsession with holiday decorating. But when the munchkin and I cracked open our holiday storage bin, I was kind of horrified at its contents.

Aside from the unexpectedly small heap (I forgot I went on a manic purge while pregnant and nesting last winter), there were a whole lot of tsotchkes that left a lot to be desired.

So what does one do when faced with inadequate holiday decor? Why turn to Pinterest for inspiration, of course!

I feel a Michaels trip in my future! I’m loving everything natural and eclectic. I’m going to hunt down some crafty ideas that munchkin can tackle with me and that we can reuse every year.

We pulled out a Nutcracker she painted last year and a little papier-mâché tree she decorated and her face completely lit up. I need more of that!

Speaking of my munchkin and her holiday excitement, tonight is the first night of our new Christmas countdown tradition!

I was a little nervous that collecting 24 winter/holiday-themed books was going to be too pricy, but I popped into a local secondhand children’s store and nearly squealed with excitement when I saw that they 1) sold used books for $1.50, 2) were having a buy three get one free sale and 3) had a whole bin that was filled to the brim with holiday books.

Total score! I bought 16 books there for under $10 (I also happened to have a credit and a coupon). Combine those with the few we had at home and the three I picked up at Barnes and Noble and we’re all set!

I wrapped them up in craft paper that I embellished with clearance ribbon (notice the blue zebra print for my girl!) from Michaels, ribbon scraps I found around the house, raffia and some stamps I found in her craft bin. Half of them are now sitting under the mini tree she has on her dresser (we’ll move all of them underneath our big tree when we set it up this weekend!).

Are you starting to get into the holiday spirit? I want to hear about your decorations and traditions!

1 Rachel Pfeffer Designs necklace, $98
2 Cursive Design necklace, $64
3 Urban Aviary necklace, $40
4 Sparklefarm necklace, $35
5 Jaros Designs earrings, $52
6 NY Metals bangles, $32
7 Foundling wrap bracelet, $38
8 Tinah Dee ring, $460
9 MXM Jewelry earrings, $25
10 Moon Over Maize necklace, $82

1 Old Navy grandpa sweater :: 2 River Valley Designs personalized guitar pick
3 Restoration Hardware survival kit in a sardine can :: 4 Isotoner smarTouch gloves :: 5 Uncommon Goods cardboard animal head :: 6 Uncommon Goods BBQ briefcase :: 7 Crate and Barrel beertender :: 8 Betwixxt Ron Swanson mug
9 iPhone telephoto lens :: 10 Dirty Deeds Soaps shave set

painted pumpkins, stenciled pumpkin, and floral centerpiece pumpkins

Now that Halloween has come and gone, you have to use up your ridiculously gorgeous decorated pumpkins before they get all nasty on you.

To me, pumpkin is such a deliciously cozy smell and taste. It makes me think of being all curled up under a warm blanket with a chunky knit sweater and a comfy pair of slippers. It’s so comforting!

I’ve been trolling the web for tasty pumpkin recipes and decided to spread the joy of my findings to you:

1 homemade pumpkin pie spice :: 2 pumpkin spice latte :: 3 pumpkin butter :: 4 pumpkin cream cheese muffin :: 5 pumpkin spice cannoli :: 6 pumpkin hummus :: 7 pumpkin pasta :: 8 no bake pumpkin cheesecake sandwich cookies :: 9 pumpkin spice cupcakes for two :: 10 pumpkin Nutella cupcakes

Don’t they all make your mouth water? From sweet to savory, I kind of need to try them all! I might just have to have a pumpkin party.

Do you have any favorite pumpkin recipes for me to try?