Advent No.7: Deck The Halls with Dominique

 

I’m Dominique, blogger at www.gustoandgraceblog.com. My husband and I live in Austin, Texas with our dog, Nola and beta fish, Shapiro. Gusto & Grace is a creative outlet that mirrors my DIY approach to life and challenges me to live creatively, even when I don’t feel inspired. My hope for Gusto & Grace is that it becomes a supportive community for creatives and a source of inspiration for all who read it. I hope to live with a little gusto and a lot of grace.

1. What does Christmas mean to you? Christmas means being festive and merry. It means celebrating the birth of Jesus (cake and all). It means spending time with family. And now, in my first year of marriage, it means making new traditions. 

2. What is your favorite thing about Christmas? I love the decorating. I love my collection of Christmas ornaments and am excited to build my collection of Christmas decor year after year. This year, so far, I have added some Martha Stewart glittered garlands, a 3 ft silver to gold ombre tree, and a mini silver tinsel tree with vintage ornaments. I'd love a collection of large bottlebrush trees and a vintage ornament wreath. 

3. What is your day to day "uniform" for winter? Jeans, a cardigan, and smoking slippers. 

4. What are your top 3 beauty/makeup essentials? Face wash, my Bobbi Brown compact with blush and basic eyeshadows, and Revlon Colorstay eyeliner. I also think everyone should have a Sonicare toothbrush. 

5. What is your favorite Holiday food dish? Peanut Butter Kiss cookies. 

6. What is your most favorite Christmas tradition? Receiving a new Christmas ornament from my mom each year and (formerly) attending my friends' annual Christmas in Black and White parties. 

7. What are your Top 5 Christmas movies you like to watch? Elf, Home Alone, The Santa Claus, the claymation Rudolf and Frosty, and Miracle on 34th Street. 

8. What gets you in the mood for the holidays? It doesn't take much. I am a Christmas lover and start shopping for gifts and decor as early as September. 

9. Describe your worst fashion faux pas? I think the worst in the world is socks with sandals, but mine is probably not spending much time on my hair. 

10. Which do you prefer, velvet or corduroy? Explain why. Velvet, because corduroy drapes would just be wrong and IF I wore either on my person, a velvet blazer would beat corduroy pants. 

11. Name 3 items on your Christmas list? Restoration Hardware giftcards, books, and vintage jadeite mugs.

12. What makes your home extra cozy for winter? Land O Lakes Mint Hot Chocolate and the blanket warmer on my wishlist.

13. What are your top 3 things you've been eyeing this season. (Housewares, fashion, beauty, etc.) Rose gold wedges, Kim Seybert Christmas stockings, and a French bottle rack. 

14. Name 3 things you are gifting others with? Ooh! I wish I could tell, but I know some of the people I have purchased presents for read StyledByRyn. 

15. Do you like surprises or do you like to know what you're receiving? Anyone who knows me knows I like to know. I also like to buy and tell.

16. What is/are your favorite store(s)? And why? Target and Anthropologie. Target, for affordability and collaborations, Anthropologie for inspiration. 

17. Describe the perfect outfit? A blouse with fun details (my favorites have swiss dots and scallops), a jeweled necklace (think j. crew), a high waisted skirt, cameo earrings, and flats. 

18. What is your favorite perfume/scent? Lavender/mint essential oils blend.

19. Do you prefer to light candles or use battery operated candles? Which scented candles do you like at the moment? I can't remember ever using a battery operated candle. What's the point? My favorite scent in Voluspa's Goji Tarocco Orange

20. Do prefer heels or flats? Any brands you like? Flats. My favorite pairs are Charles Phillip, Vera Wang, and Pilco and the Letterpress

21. Do you have any blogs you like to read? I read so many blogs every day... A few favorites are Young House Love, Style Me Pretty Living, Sprinkle Bakes, and the Hunted Interior.

22. What are your favorite Christmas tunes? Any albums that are on repeat this year? She and HIm's Christmas Album is my favorite. I also love Michael Buble singing any Christmas song, Dave Barnes' Christmas Tonight and Dara Maclean's Bethlehem Skies. 

23. Do you shop on etsy? If so, can you recommend 3 shops you like?  Jennifer Morris Beads, BackToZero, and ForYoo

24. Do you like Pinterest? If so, what do you pin more of: Home, style or cooking? Oh Pinterest.... it might be easier to say what I pin least which is style. I pin a lot of home decor, DIY, and recipes. Follow me! http://www.pinterest.com/gustoandgrace/boards/

25. What is your signature color for nails/lips this season? Since I've got big lips and a big mouth, I've always felt like joker wearing lipstick and mainly worn sheer lipgloss. I need to get over that. For nails, I'm loving deep red and nude. 

26. What is your favorite scripture? I love Proverbs 31:25. It is a great reminder of values to model myself after. 

27. What is your ultimate Christmas carol? O Holy Night. It has been my favorite since I sang and signed it at church when I was nine or ten. 

28. Do you prefer to give or to receive more? I enjoy giving more, but every year, without fail, I receive more than I could have dreamed of giving. 

29. What has been the best Christmas gift you've ever received so far? That's tough! Maybe the dollhouse kit my (now husband) gave me last Christmas. http://gustoandgrace.wordpress.com/2013/07/16/christmas-in-july-and-my-new-house/

30. Any charities you're giving to this year? Other than dropping a few coins in the Salvation Army buckets, I haven't planned any donations yet, but am looking for opportunities.

 

Merry Christmas! -D

Advent No.6: Remembering with Melina

Melina Stamati is currently living in Thessaloniki Greece and has a passion to see people encountering the love of Jesus in her country and other nations. After coming back from Bible College she has been involved in social justice in her nation, worship and youth ministry with the passion to see people united to lift up Jesus and people come to know Him.

 

Just before…..

What I love about Christmas is that people pause from their every day life and stop to gaze on Jesus birth. They look for ways to give, to connect with family, to even make peace with people with whom relationship has broken. What is it in this season that make people want to have everything right before the new year comes in? I don’ t know about you but many times Christmas season reminds me the urgency just before the rapture. This urgency that tells us that life is just more than what we see. There is something higher to live for. You were born for a cause. You are not just an accident… What if we lived each and every day with the same urgency, with the same sense of purpose that only eternity gives? Like a a new reality….lets say heaven… was coming to find us to be ready… the same as a new year is coming? What words would you wanted to say? What people would you wanted to meet? What would really matter for you? What if we were about to gaze not just Jesus as a small child but the Crucified and Risen Lord that paid for our redemption? Friend, He is real, He is Love. You can meet Him today and have Christmas everyday in your heart! Because He wants to be born in your heart and show you how much He loves you and how much you mean to Him. Receive Him today, He is beautiful! Just whisper His name, Jesus, and He will come and make everything new! Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!

Melina Stamati

Thessaloniki, Greece

Twitter & Instagram: @melsta28

Advent No.5: Christmas Cooking with Jenny

 

 

My favorite Holiday Recipes

What is this Christmas season without freshly baked cookies, hot cocoa and the smell of a freshly cut Christmas tree in your house? Well, it can be done without these things, but no doubt it makes for a warmer season.

You always have those tried and true recipes that find their way into your “traditions”. I want to share a couple of those with you. Maybe they’ll become your tradition too.

The first I want to share with you is Cranberry Raisin Bread Pudding.

Oh.My.

I seriously could eat a whole pan of this if someone didn’t stop me.

First of all, I like bread….like, a whole lot.

You can take the chocolate just give me the carbs. That’s my view on it.

So it’s easy to see why this is one of my favorites.

You can only get fresh cranberries at the grocery store around Fall and Winter. So as soon as I see those little cranberry bags of goodness, I immediately think: PUDDING, MADE WITH BREAD? YES.

In this recipe, it adds a lemon-vanilla sauce to go on top of it. To be honest, I don’t think it needs it, but my sister says it is boring without it.  I am not a fan of lemon-tasting things, so that could be why I don’t think it needs it.

My recommendation would be to make the sauce the first time. Then you can decide.

Here is my first favorite Holiday recipe:

 

CRANBERRY RAISIN BREAD PUDDING

 

2 large eggs 

1/2 cup sugar 

1/2 cup butter or margarine, melted 

3/4 cup half-and-half 

3/4 cup pecans, chopped (optional-I never do)

1 (16-ounce) raisin bread loaf, cut into 1-inch cubes

1/2 cup fresh cranberries 

Lemon-Vanilla Sauce

Preparation

Lightly grease 8 in square pan 

Stir together eggs and next 6 ingredients; spoon pudding mixture into a lightly greased 8-inch square pan.

Bake bread pudding at 350° for 25 minutes. Serve with Lemon-Vanilla Sauce

LEMON VANILLA SAUCE 

1 vanilla bean, split

1 cup water

1/2 cup sugar

2 tablespoons cornstarch

1/8 teaspoon salt

1 tablespoon butter or margarine

2 tablespoons grated lemon rind

1/3 cup fresh lemon juice

Preparation

Cook vanilla bean, water, sugar, cornstarch, and salt in a saucepan over medium heat, stirring until smooth and thickened.

Stir in butter and remaining ingredients, and cook until thoroughly heated. Remove vanilla bean.

I hope you went and made this immediately!!! And I hope it filled your heart with holiday cheer. Now go grab yourself another serving. This time, put it over some vanilla ice cream.

You are welcome.

The second recipe I want to share with you is something my family makes every Christmas morning.

We got this recipe from a family friend. Every time I eat this, it makes me want to go to their house and hug them.

It’s that good.

Mexican Breakfast Casserole

2 7 ounce cans Chopped Green Chilis

6 Corn tortillas, cut in 1 inch strips

1 lb cooked breakfast sausage (turkey or chicken ok)

2 cups shredded cheese (cheddar)

12 large eggs

½ cup milk

½ teaspoon salt,

½ teaspoon garlic powder,

½ teaspoon onion powder

½ teaspoon black pepper

¼ teaspoon cumin

2 large ripe tomatoes, sliced thin

The day before, Grease 9x13 pan. Layer half of the tortillas, sausage, chilis and cheese in the pan. Repeat Layers.

Mix eggs, mlik, and seasonings In a medium bowl and pour over the casserole. Arrange tomatoes on top of the casserole. Saran wrap and place in fridge overnight.

The next day, Bake at 350 degrees for 45-55 minutes.

Serve with salsa, sour cream and guacamole.

Easy! And amazing.

So I hope you enjoyed some of my favorite Holiday Recipes.

Thank you dear Lauryn for allowing me to be a part of your amazing blog!

Friends, hope you have a Christmas that is MERRY and BRIGHT and full of good food, family and fellowship.

Xoxo

jenny

Advent No.4: Ruth's Memories

 

Hello, my name is Ruth Yaroslaski and I live in Seattle with my husband Nate. We’ve been married for 2 ½ years and I can honestly say that I am a very lucky girl. We’re both photographers and together have created Yaro Photography. I love being married to someone who is also creative and who enjoys similar interests. This year will be our 3nd married Christmas together and been fun to start new little traditions of our own around the holidays.

Growing up my family never really had set traditions, but we had special little things. We would try to have pancakes with blueberry syrup, we would drive around looking at Christmas lights, and on Christmas Eve we would go to the candlelight service at our church.  My favorite “tradition” that I have tried to do every year (some years go better than others) is going to the Nutcracker ballet. My mom used to take my sister and I almost every year and it is my favorite ballet. I loved getting to dress up, and going to the theater to watch a beautiful ballet.  When the holiday season comes around those are the memories I am most found of.

Now that I am married, it has been fun to start little memories of our own. So far our “tradition” has been to pick an evening to have “our Christmas” since we spend the actual holiday with one of our families. We dress up and go out to a fun restaurant for dinner. Then we come back and exchange gifts with each other. We try to plan something different every year and its been fun to do that together.

I still enjoy doing the little things I did as a child when we go back to visit my family, but I think its important as a couple to start new things of our own together.

 

Hope You Have A Very Merry Christmas!

-Ruth

Advent No.3: Chatting with Caitlin

 

Hey there, it's Ryn. I asked my lovely friend Caitlin, to answer a few questions about Christmas & a wee bit of fashion... Hope you enjoy! Also you can follow her on instagram: @thecaitlinhelena and www.withcaitlin.blogspot.com : )

 

 

1. What does Christmas mean to you?

In the show Community, the character Abed says "The meaning of Christmas is that Christmas has meaning." That sounds a little abstract but that explains exactly how I feel.

Not to get too deep into it... I went to a Messianic Synagogue for a few years where they don't celebrate Christmas and while I went there I didn't celebrate it either. Their reasoning is that the birth of Christ is not a Biblical Moed (or God appointed occasion - the events He explicitly instructed the Jews to observe. The death and resurrection of Christ is what they celebrate at Passover) and Christmas was originally planned on Dec 25 to replace a pagan holiday that the church wanted people to stop celebrating . Also, according to the Jewish Calendar, Jesus' birth actually falls in September or so...

Anyway, after growing up with my mom trying her hardest to be creative in keep Christmas Jesus centered in our family and then essentially taking a hiatus from Christmas for a couple of years, I came to a point where I re-evaluated how I wanted to celebrate the season. Between me and God and not just what my environment was doing. 

I came to the realization that, no matter when you choose to celebrate it, remembering the coming of our SAVIOR is a wonderful, admirable, and recommended thing to do! And that this time of the year just begs to be celebrated! We get cozy with loves ones, decorate our homes in a special way, and special scents are in the air. We cook things we normally wouldn't and take comfort and gain warmth from hot cider and cocoa. It is a time of giving. Our jobs give us time off to be with family and some of us get a little extra cash in the form of a Christmas bonus. People remember what it is to think about what other people like and want.

I love 'holiday brain' in the workplace where people are easily distracted by a flurry of new snow out of a window and take time to leave little gifts on co-workers desks. People do special baking projects and those who would never sit down and paint a piece of art decorate gingerbread men or cut out paper snowflakes.

Christmas is such a meaningful time for so many different reasons and though the reasons vary slightly from person to person, the general air of excitement and celebration is unifying and unique to Christmas.

2. What is your favorite thing about Christmas?

Cozy pajama cuddles and the smell of fresh greenery in the house. 

Also, I have been looking forward to meaningful moments with cashiers as I wish them a genuine Merry Christmas. It seems to mean so much more than just, "Have a nice day." 

3. What is your day to day "uniform" for winter?

Cozy sweater, skinny jeans, wool socks, oxfords. I have a couple favorite scarves that I wear like crazy too. 

4. What are your top 3 beauty/makeup essentials?

(Good mascara and an eyelash curler go without saying)

Lip stain for everyday wear. I use Revlon Just Bitten Balm Stain all day. My colors for this season are Precious and Adore.

Liquid black eyeliner for the perfect cat eye. I use a healthy alternative brand, Zuzu Luxe, because I had an allergic reaction to drug store brands.

A good pigment cream blush. NYX is a great inexpensive option. You can find it at Urban Outfitters.

5. What is your favorite Holiday food dish?

Mashed potatoes!! I love potatoes in any form and mashed is always a good way to eat them. 

6. What is your most favorite Christmas tradition?

I haven't gotten to do it in a long time but, until I was in 4th grade, I lived in Central New York and we got to go to the tree farm to pick out and cut down our own Christmas tree. We brought a saw and wandered around until we spotted the perfect one. As a little kid, I enjoyed playing in the snow while we searched and sometimes my mom or brother would pull me in a sled. It was fun to analyze the trees and make sure we got one with no thin spots and a nice point on the top. 

7. What are your Top 5 Christmas movies you like to watch?

White Christmas is pretty much the only one I watch. Maybe Christmas in Connecticut too. I'm not a sappy Christmas movie girl.  

8. What gets you in the mood for the holidays?

The chilly weather and cozy sweaters. I love sweaters!!

9. Describe your worst fashion faux pas? 

I used to always slick my hair back into a tight ponytail. I've spent more of my life than I would like to admit looking like a bald little boy!

10. Which do you prefer, velvet or corduroy? Explain why.

I don't have any of either. I say corduroy because it is warm. Sometimes I want something warmer and cozier than jeans and some good cords, I believe, would do the trick. 

That said, I would love to have a long or 3/4 sleeve forest green velvet a-line cocktail dress for Christmas parties. 

11. Name 3 items on your Christmas list?

Harney & Sons Classic Tea Collection

Shawl knit cardigan

Suede block heel ankle boots

12. What makes your home extra cozy for winter?

Candles (I don't have a fireplace so they'll have to suffice) and plenty of blankets! My husband doesn't understand why I always want to buy more knit throw blankets. I want all the blankets!!

13. What are your top 3 things you've been eyeing this season. (Housewares, fashion, beauty, etc.)

Black opaque tights to go under shorter dresses

Knit throw blankets

Sweet white collared blouse to go under sweaters

14. Name 3 things you are gifting others with?

Calendars with pictures from my honeymoon in Greece for family. 

Homemade linen sprays with essential oils for co-workers

Round Rock Honey Lip Balm for stocking stuffers

15. Do you like surprises or do you like to know what you're receiving? 

I am all for surprises!! I am not the person shaking gifts to guess what's inside. 

16. What is/are your favorite store(s)? And why?

I love shopping online. 

Zappos is awesome for shoes and it's always free shipping both ways. If you call in an order and get VIP web access it's overnight shipping!

Amazon is good too because it has practically everything for good prices and you can qualify for free shipping on certain items. 

Etsy is another favorite of mine because I can get unique stuff and support small businesses. 

17. Describe the perfect outfit?

Ugh. That's tough. My tastes change based on the occasion and my mood. I usually dream up a perfect outfit for a specific event and end up frustrated because my budget doesn't keep up with my imagination and fashion tastes.

18. What is your favorite perfume/scent?

I never wear perfume but I love to wear essential oils. I use Young Living's Thieves oil (which is a clove/cinnamon-ey blend) for deodorant. I've had people tell me I smell like Christmas. And it fights off illness!

19. Do you prefer to light candles or use battery operated candles? Which scented candles do you like at the moment?

Lighted candles hands down. The warmth and scent from a real candle is most of the point for me!

I prefer unscented beeswax candles. The pure, sweet, honey smell is all I need. I've also read that burning pure beeswax candles helps purify the air. 

20. Do prefer heels or flats? Any brands you like?

I prefer the look of heels but they have to be comfortable for me. I like that comfort brands like Born and Clark's are making comfy heels that are also very cute! I even have a pair of cycling heels by Merrell. 

21. Do you have any blogs you like to read?

I am always inspired by Gusto and Grace. I also like Gluten Free Goddess (best GF pancake recipe!). 

22. What are your favorite Christmas tunes? Any albums that are on repeat this year?

She & Him's Christmas Album is darling and a new 'classic'.

I also like to listen to Celtic renditions of Classic Christmas songs. They can be very beautiful and ethereal. 

There's always moments though where I need Bing Crosby to croon me a tune or liven things up with a silly Christmas song. 

23. Do you shop on etsy? If so, can you recommend 3 shops you like?   

Etsy is so good! Don't make me pick just 3 shops I like!! Here are 3 shops each for several different categories:

Stationary: Sincerely Yours Paper, CharmAndGumption, The Frantic Meerkat

Jewelry: Truche, LemonSweetJewelry, ManiDesigns

Men's Accessories: Fox and Brie, CelebrateToday (hand stamped cuff links), Harris Tweed Products and Gifts (Scotswahae)

Technology: Schuttenworks, Anima Shop, Smartwood Gallery

(And a bonus for reeeeally cute kids clothes: FleurandDot)

24. Do you like Pinterest? If so, what do you pin more of: Home, style or cooking?

My Pinterest habits border on addiction. I'm always referring back to what I've pinned though so I rationalize that it's enriching my life. 

My habits vary depending on the season and if I'm focusing on a specific project. I'm always pinning recipes and fashion ideas as I see them and right now, having just gotten married and moved into my first apartment, I have pinned a lot of home decor ideas. 

This time of year I definitely have a secret board with Christmas gifts I'm planning on getting people.

25. What is your signature color for nails/lips this season?

Red or Wine lips and taupe or matte black nails for occasions and going out. 

For every day I stick to a pinkish nude lip and clean nails. I keep it simple when I am required to wake up early and look presentable. 

26. What is your favorite scripture?

Psalm 46:1 "God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble."

So many times I just want to call out "Help!". To know that God is not just there for me, but that He is my VERY PRESENT HELP. I take refuge in Him and find strength. He is my answer and I can always be confident that he is helping me.

27. What is your ultimate Christmas carol?

Away In A Manger has a special place for me. My mom used to sing me to sleep with it all year long when I was a child. And when I was sick, she would rock me and sing it. I vividly remember hearing her beautiful singing voice resonate in her chest where my head would lie while we rocked together.

My favorite to hear is Carol of the Bells. It can be done so beautifully in many different ways.

28. Do you prefer to give or to receive more?

Of course I love getting gifts but it is so thrilling to give a gift you're proud of and have put thought and/or work into. There's nothing like it!

29. What has been the best Christmas gift you've ever received so far? 

I can't think of any one gift. This year will be my first married Christmas and being able to make new traditions and find our own niche I think will be a very special gift.

30. Any charities you're giving to this year? 

Starting last year my husband and I decided to always put together Shoeboxes for Operation Christmas Child. We have so much fun doing it and now you can track which country your box is sent to and better imagine what child got your gift. 

Caitlin, Thank you so much for writing for me! You're the best! Merry Christmas!

 

Merry Christmas to you all! - Ryn

Advent No.2: Baking with Shae

Let me begin by introducing myself, I’m Shae, blogger and creator at Hello Homebody (hello-homebody.com). I married my husband, Drew, last year and I am so excited about spending our second married Christmas together!

Christmas really is the best time of the year, in my opinion! I love the shopping, decorating, and driving around looking for Christmas lights. But my favorite part? All of the cooking, baking, and projects! I love a good recipe or DIY at any time of the year, but Christmas time is just full of them.

Today I have a simple Hot Chocolate Mix recipe that you can make at home. Read on to see how you can turn this mix into pretty stocking stuffer or party favor!

Malted Hot Chocolate Mix Recipe
Needed:
3 cups powdered sugar
2 1/2 cups powdered milk
1/2 cup malted milk powder
1 cup dark cocoa powder
1 teaspoon salt
2 teaspoons cornstarch

In a large bowl, mix together all the ingredients until well combined. Store in an airtight container.

For serving: use 3 to 4 tablespoons of the hot chocolate mix for 8 ounces of hot water or milk.

I like to use disposable frosting piping bags to create a pretty layered mix, perfect for gift giving! Take a bag and fill the tip with mini chocolate chips, add several large spoonfuls of hot chocolate mix, and top with mini marshmallows. Secure the top of the bag with a twist tie.

Use twine or ribbon to create a bow over the twist tie. Add a small tag with serving instructions, or use a marker to write the instructions right onto the bag.

 

-Shae

Advent No.1: Ryn's Traditions

My favorite holiday is actually thanksgiving. But my second favorite holiday is Christmas. Christmas time for me has a whole lot of traditions (New & Old) involved into just the name.
Each Christmas is different. But each of them are so wonderful.

This may sound strange to you, but I enjoy minimal Christmas decor. I don't enjoy decor where it looks like Santa threw up. But with that being said, I adore mercury glass, neutral sparkly things and my favorite is when we get a real live Christmas tree.
It's almost magical that way! and snow, decor isn't complete without snow!

Traditions seem to come & go. But the memories of us enjoying those traditions will ever fade.


4 traditions come to mind that I've enjoyed through the years.
1.) Going with my mom and sisters to Neiman Marcus for luncheon around Christmastime.
2.) Going to the nutcracker with family and getting dressed up.
3.) Starting the StyledbyRyn's Advent blogs. I started this last year and I enjoyed it so much, that we're doing it again. I have 12 lovely ladies sharing traditions, memories & fashion. So tune in every day to enjoy your advent! Comment if you'd like!
4.) Going to Holiday in the park with friends! : )

I'll be posting everyday on Instagram to let you know I have posted that days post!  @RynB
Have a very merry Christmas! Love you all- Ryn