Author Archives: BAC

diy gift: festive cookies in a jar

If you need a DIY Christmas gift idea for friends, teachers, coworkers, the hostesses of the world or even a party favor, this post is for you!

“Cookies in A Jar” is a easy DIY project that anyone can put together and most likely with a few ingredients that you already have in your kitchen.

Craft Supplies:
Mason Jar (quart as seen here or pint sized – wide mouth also recommended)
Festive fabric (cut into squares)
Festive ribbon (for bows around the mason jar)
Recipe Card (you should include the recipe with the gift)
Cookie Cutter or Gift Tag (optional touches)

Cookie Jar Dry Ingredients (place in jar in this order):
1 2/3 cups of all purpose flour (can substitute gluten free too!)
1/2 cup white sugar
3/4 teaspoon of baking soda
1 cup of chocolate chips
1 cup of Christmas M&M’s (no one will judge if you add more)
1/2 cup of brown sugar

(Monogram Serving Tray: c/o Swoozies)

Recipe (include these directions on the card):
1. Add 3/4 cup of butter, 1 teaspoon of vanilla and 1 1/2 eggs to the dry mixture.
2. Place tablespoons of the dough onto an ungreased cookie sheet.
3. Bake for 8-10 minutes at 350 degrees.
4. Enjoy! Makes ~1 dozen cookies.

(I took this recipe from Julia’s Best Ever Chocolate Chip Cookies and modified it a bit.)

 And truly, what’s a better “from the heart” gift than homemade cookies?

You can also use this recipe to whip up your own batch of “from scratch” Christmas cookies! Let me know how it turns out and if you make some festive jars of your own!

cyber monday roundup

As promised, here is my roundup of popular Cyber Monday sales!

Did you miss Black Friday’s roundup? A lot of them are being extended to today as well.

Swoozies – 20% OFF everything (including Kate Spade) + FREE Shipping & $10 deals (code: CYBERMONDAY)

Nico & LaLa – SALE on NEW calendars

J.Crew – 30% OFF everything + FREE shipping (code: MONDAY)

J.Crew Factory – 50% OFF everything + FREE shipping on orders over $50 (code: HOLIDAY50)

Tuckernuck – 15%-30% OFF (codes: CYBER15, 20,25,30)

Drybar – 20% off bundles & FREE shipping

C.Wonder – 40% OFF everything (code: GIFTS40)

Kate Spade – 30% OFF everything (code: CYBER30)

Kate Spade Saturday – 30% OFF everything (code: GOFORIT)

Old Navy – 30% OFF everything (code: CYBER)

Gap & Banana Republic – 40% OFF everything (code: CYBER)

Ann Taylor – 50% OFF everything (code: SHOP50)

Ann Taylor Loft – 50% OFF everything (code: CYBER50)

Bloomingdale’s – take 20-%25% OFF everything – sale too!

ASOS – 20% OFF everything + FREE shipping (code: EXTRA20)

Anthropologie – FREE shipping (code: ONEDAY)

Piperlime – 30% OFF everything (code: CYBER)

Nordstrom – Up to 40% OFF

Target – so. many. sales.

Tory Burch – Holiday Sale Event 20%-30% OFF (code: HOLIDAY)

{Image via}

Check back for updates & tomorrow for a DIY Hostess/Christmas gift!

Black Friday Sale Alerts

Black Friday Roundup has begun! Even if you’re not braving the malls and shops today, you can still save from the comfort of your home – see below!

Kate Spade – Up to 75% OFF

J.Crew – 30% OFF everything in-stores & online (code: HOLIDAY)

J.Crew Factory – 50% OFF everything in-stores & online + FREE shipping on orders $50 or more (code: HOLIDAY50)

Gap – 50% OFF everything in-stores & online (code: BLKFRIDAY)

Anthropologie – 20% OFF everything

Ann Taylor – 50% OFF everything (code: ANNTHANKS)

 Ann Taylor Loft – 40% OFF everything (code: ENJOY)

May Designs – 50% OFF everything

Banana Republic – 40% OFF everything in-stores & online (code: BRGIVING)

Old Navy – up to 50% OFF everything in-store & online

Madewell– 25% OFF everything in-stores & online (code: FEAST25)

Jack Rogers – up to 50% OFF + FREE shipping

LuLu & Georgia – 30% OFF every order over $50 (code: THANKS30)

 C.Wonder – 30% OFF 3 items or more (code: GIFTS30)

Piperlime – 25% OFF everything + 40% final sale (code: GIFT)

 Design Darling – 20% OFF everything (code: THANKS)

 Pottery Barn– FREE Shipping & Monogramming

Club Monaco – 30% OFF already reduced prices (code: THANKS30)

ASOS – 20% OFF everything (code: GIMME20)

 French Connection – 30% OFF everything in-store & online (code: W13COUPON)

Bloomingdale’s – Up to 50% OFF + FREE shipping

Nordstrom – SALE

Neiman Marcus – up to 40% OFF sale & more

Kendra Scott – 20% OFF everything + FREE shipping (code: BFCM2013)

Rent the Runway – 20% off everything (code: RTR2013)

 Shop Bop – 15%-25% OFF select purchases (code: BIGEVENT13)

Sole Society – 33% OFF everything

Topshop – 30% OFF select items

Tory Burch – 20%-30% OFF select purchases

Be sure to check back for updates throughout the day, my picks & of course, for a full post on Cyber Monday over the weekend.

{Image via}

Happy Shopping! I’m off to brave the stores in person today.

Happy Thanksgiving!

Happy Thanksgiving from Hosting & Toasting!

I hope everyone is enjoying delicious food and wine with close family and friends.

We are freezing up here in DC but I am so thankful to have my family in town from the Sunshine State to celebrate today.

IMG_7019

P.S.

Kate Spade is having an early sale with up to 75% OFF NOW!

J.Crew Factory is now 50% OFF Everything & J.Crew is 30% OFF all purchases too!

Check back tomorrow for more sale roundups!

Now..back to the mashed potatoes…

holi-cards for everyone

I cannot believe that tomorrow is already Thanksgiving and this weekend we’ll be decking the halls at my house. Hello December!

I am currently updating my address lists and ordering my own Christmas cards for 2013. A few of my friends have asked me which companies I prefer for holi-cards so I’ve put together a list of some of my favorites below.

Some of these are completely custom, others you can use a template or add a photo. There is something for everyone no matter what your style or preference.

Nico & Lala
Tiny Prints
Swoozies
Minted
Invitation Box
Muffy Writes a Note
Zazzle
Paper Source
Kate Spade
The Dandelion Patch
Union Street Papery

On another note, how do you display your cards at home? I’m loving these fun DIY ideas.

 Images: 1 // 2 // 3 // 4 // 5 // 6