Stocking Stuffer Alert: Bath and Body Works Products

I walked into Bath and Body Works the other day, and realized I had forgotten my coupon from a recent mailing for a free gift (up to $13 value) when you spend $10 or more.  I spoke to the manager, and lo and behold they honored the deal sans coupon!  Yippee! 

The foaming soap pumps were 3/$10 (regularly $4.50 each), so I bought three soaps and then got an aromatherapy bubble bath in my favorite scent.  So for $10 I got three gifts and something special for me, a retail value of $26.50, for $10!  WOOT!

I was thrilled when I saw this coupon come through another blog.  Now, I can't promise it will work because I can't identify the website from which it came.  It's not on the main B&BW site.  However, since I was able to get this deal by just asking nicely, I thought I'd post the coupon in the hopes they will honor it anyways.  So go ahead and try, it's worth a shot to get some great products at rock-bottom prices.  Let me know if it works for you!

Don't Miss Out: Giveaway Ends Soon!

Don't miss your chance to win a handpainted personalized ornament from CutNGlue!  Visit here to read all the details and see more of Angela's handiwork.  There are so many people on my gift list that would love this-- I bet you know someone who'd love one, too.  Contest ends tomorrrow night, so take just a moment and click on over to enter TODAY!  {I promise I'm not trying to be bossy, I just don't want you to miss out!} 

Change in the Game Plan

"Blessed are the flexible, for they will never be bent out of shape."

You may recall my elaborate description of our Thanksgiving menu and Part One of the "Game Plan".  I've been brainstorming tablescapes and getting pumped up for hosting my parents and in-laws for the big meal!  My grocery list is typed, my free turkey certificate ready, and place card paper ready to cut.  I was even going to write "gobble" on each paper and rest it neatly in each wine glass.  Doesn't that sound delightful?

The best laid plans.

It became clear within 3 minutes of speaking to my mother-in-law that my father-in-law is not feeling well enough to travel the hour to our house this year, and we need to go there.  She asked if I'd host Christmas instead.  My "Martha Moment" of hosting Thanksgiving this year might be shattered, but Christmas?  I'll take it! 

I grew up in a household that hosted a big get together on Christmas Eve and then spent Christmas Day hanging out in our jammies eating leftovers, opening gifts, and spending hours playing with our new toys or reading our new books.  Yes, it's a heavenly as it sounds.  I've spent the past 8 years doing to the opposite of that and spending all Christmas Day driving from my parent's house to my in-laws, a 6 hour drive.  Spending such a special day in the car STINKS.

Even though the drive is shorter now, getting dressed up and driving two hours when I'd rather be snuggling with the little one in front of our own tree takes a bit of the joy out of the day.  I'm so happy that people will be coming to us this year!  Even if this means I need to cook a semi-big dinner instead of just a big brunch or eating leftovers I'm THRILLED.  Especially since I might just have to do it in my jammies.  I'll make sure they are festive.

Therefore, I'm changing the Game Plan.  I offered to bring the Sweet Potato Casserole and Martha's Mashed Potatoes to my in-laws.  I might also try to squeeze in the Cranberry Sauce despite knowing my mother-in-law is making a cranberry relish (is that bad?  I already bought the cranberries).  I still want to make the Roasted Butternut Squash Soup, so I'm going to make it for my guests that are visiting this weekend instead. 

Now, I can set my sights toward spending the day just being thankful I have such a wonderful family. And after Thanksgiving is over I can start scouting Christmas recipes!  Yippee!

Speaking of being thankful, I'm hosting a Gratitude Party starting on Tuesday and running through Thanksgiving weekend.  It's a chance to link up your gratitude posts or take a moment to comment about what you're thankful for this year.  I hope you'll join in!  And I'd LOVE if you'd spread the word so others can join in, too.  In fact, you'd might say I'd be awfully grateful.  :-)

Thanksgiving Thursdays: A More Modern Tablescape

Lately, I've been challenging myself to think outside the box when it comes to decorations and this holiday is no exception.  I found some wonderfully inspiring photos on the web and can't wait to share them with you!  Please understand that I still love pumpkins, bittersweet, and pinecones but I'm looking for ways to modernize them a bit for my own table.

Here is my Thanksgiving tablescape from last year.  It was so bland.  I'm certainly not going to get worked up about it because, well, it's just a table.  And I had A LOT going on with a newborn just out of the NICU.  But I think it's a good base, and hope to find some great ideas to jazz up what I already have.  Forgive the terrible photos-- not only was I not thinking about blogging at the time, but I also probably had 5 dishes going at once on the stove and just wanted to snap a photo before the chaos ensued.

Now for the inspiration.  HGTV gets the party started with these outstanding vignettes:

 Tablescape #1:  What I love about this arrangement is that it can be done very inexpensively.  I've found vases like the ones shown at T.J. Maxx and Ikea for under $5.  Fill them with acorns (or cranberries, small pinecones, cheap coffee beans, or even wine corks) and you have instant chic!  The grapevine pumpkins can probably be found at the dollar store or on clearance after Halloween, and the tableware is basic white-- always a good choice when you are buying dishes.

 

Tablescape #2:  Use a couple of candleholders that you already have, add cheap-o white candles (with no scent, of course-- don't want to compete with the food!), and spraypaint a few leftover gourds.  If you have fancy silver rimmed dishes use them, otherwise use cheap chargers to get this modern look!

 

Tablescape #3:  Again, use basic white dishes and jazz them up with some amber glassware.  You can find similar glassware at the dollarstore or Ikea  -- sometimes even the grocery store (not as nice quality, of course, but if you only use them once or twice a year it won't matter)!  As for bittersweet, you can buy a good fake and keep it for following years.  OR, it grows in the woods and you can often find it yourself for free (my new favorite word).

These inspiration boards from Real Simple have me drooling with envy.  Okay, that's gross.  Let's just say I'm green with envy and forget I said drool in a post about tables.  Regardless, if you visit Real Simple they'll give a source guide of where they found each item.  Just don't drool on them.

Inspiration Board #1:  I love dandelion seed motifs.  When I was in fifth grade I had this stationary with a mouse blowing dandelion seeds and... oh, whoops, getting off track.  Needless to say, dandelions make me happy unless they are growing in my yard.  I did an internal happy dance when I saw these dishes!  Oh, and artichokes!  I really want to make a wreath with hydrangea and artichokes.  Maybe next year.

Inspiration Board #2:  The lime green and brown color scheme is a welcome change from traditional oranges and browns.  Not sure how I feel about the "ant" napkin holders, but you could use silver napkin rings and maybe tuck in a nice branch or even use lime green/ brown ribbon.

Want more cheap ideas?  Hit the produce aisle!  

Asparagus?  Check.  Artichokes?  Check.  Green beans?  Check.  Go crazy, see what you can find at the grocery store and wrap it around a candle!

(Source)

I wish I had a photo of this, but I hot glued little tags similar to the one below to small ghost pumpkins one year as place cards.  Here's another simple idea:

(Source)

You can dry these slices yourself or get them at Michaels.  These would transition well into Christmas decor, too!

(Source)

I'm hosting a gratitude party starting next Tuesday here at Making Lemonade.  I'm hoping you'll stop by sometime next week to either link to your Thanksgiving Gratitude posts or just comment on one or two things you are thankful for this year.  I know, it's cliche... but so important.  Please join us!
 

I'm happy to have found some cheap, easy ideas for jazzing up my table. Now I just need to get crackin' on them!   I'd love to see what ideas you have or have found, so feel free to link below in the comments!

I'm linking this to Tablescape Thursday at Between Naps on the Porch. If you like tablescapes, be sure to check out this blog!

All-Around-Great-Gift Alert: Elm Studios

I'm IN LOVE with the products from Elm Studios.  I think that for personalized, custom pottery the prices are extremely reasonable.  As I was scrolling through the shop I spotted several pieces I *have* to buy for friends and family!  Better yet, there is a giveaway on Etsy It Up for your own chance to win a piece of your choice.  I know that diminishes MY chances of winning but I'm all about the sacrifices, people!  How could I NOT share this with you?  Good luck!

Aren't they amazing?  Priced between $18-$20, I thought they'd make a great gift for someone special!

Stocking Stuffer Alert: Body Shop Grab Bags

I was going to have a whole post dedicated to just stocking stuffer ideas, but I'm afraid that if I wait then the deals will expire.  So I'm going to post them as I find them, and then perhaps collect all the links in one post at some point.  I know I was trying not to post anything about Christmas until after Thanksgiving, but please indulge me these few posts so I can get them to you in a timely manner.

Enough of that, here's the deal~

For $15, you can get a grab bag from Body Shop that are worth at least $50, and some are worth over $75.  They include at minimum the following:

• 1 Full-size 6.7 oz Body Butter
• 1 Spa Wisdom™ Product
• 1 Mini Gift
• 1 Accessory
• 1 Makeup Item
• Some of the bags will contain additional surprise items.

Limit 2 per customer. While supplies last.

These would provide you with lots of stocking stuffers!  I can think of many people who would appreciate these products.  I was a teacher, and I know I would have LOVED something like this!
You can find them here.  Enjoy! 

Giveaway: Adorable Personalized Ornament!

I've been admiring Angela's handpainted personalized ornaments from her Etsy shop, CutNGlue, for some time now.  I've been following her blog and know these are flying off her virtual shelves-- and with good reason!  I was thrilled when she offered a personalized name ornament to give away to a Making Lemonade reader because I think they add a wonderful personal touch to your holiday.  If you win, you'll get one similar to the style in the first three photos (with your chosen name of course).  Honestly, I can't wait to see my daughter's name on one!

I could go on and on about how fabulous they are, but I think the photos speak for themselves:

In addition to the handpainted names, she also offers initials:

I think these would be great gifts for just about anyone on your Christmas list.  They could be gift tags, added as a final touch to your gifts.  They'd make great party favors too, and as Angela suggested you could fill a bowl with them and have that as a centerpiece.  I also thought it would be fun to buy a few and spell out a word or a name... NOEL, JOY, PEACE all come to mind.  Or maybe your last name, and hang them from a window?  See, so many ideas!

All of the ornaments come individually boxed and ready for gift giving.  I'm sure you can think of plenty of people on your list that would love one!  But first, enter to win your own handpainted name ornament below-- just in time for the holidays!

INITIAL ENTRY:  This one is SO EASY--  Just tell me what name you would put on the ornament.  That's it!  Don't forget to leave your email address or make sure it's in your profile.


ADDITIONAL ENTRIES:  Leave a comment for each one so I can count all your entries

• Visit CutNGlue and leave a link in the comments below with another ornament you would like
  
• Become a follower, or if you already are one let me know!
• Add the Making Lemonade button to your blog (TWO extra entries!)
  
• Blog or Twitter about it, and leave a link in the comments 
• Comment on any other post on my blog, and let me know which one below
• Add CutNGlue to your favorites on Etsy
• Purchase something from CutNGlue during this giveaway-- FIVE extra entries!
  

As always, you can find the rules here.  Open to US and Canadian residents, and the contest will end at 11:59 PM on 11/24/09. Winner will be chosen using Random.org.  Good luck!  And thanks, Angela, for an awesome giveaway!