Baby's First Christmas Wishlist

I am beyond excited about celebrating Christmas with my little one next year!! Since my little guy will be around 8 months old by next Christmas, we won't be able to do all the fun things that older kids get to do. But let's face it - these holiday memories are really for me & my husband!

Here is a list of a few things I want to do with my new little family:

1. Decorate the Christmas tree together as a family! 

2. Take creative Christmas photos of our little man 

3. Sing & dance to Christmas music

4. Color some holiday pictures & send to the grandparents from the little artist

5. Dress him in a nice holiday outfit

6. And maybe a costume or two...

7. Or at least give him this adorable reindeer hat I bought on Etsy 

 8. Make red & green play dough 

9. Bake Christmas cookies

10. Use Washi tape to create Christmas scenes on the wall!

11. Make a Gingerbread House

12. Go outside & play in the snow

13. Read him a classic Christmas bedtime story

14. Write a letter to Santa 

15. Create & hang a couple Christmas ornaments on the tree, just for him

What do you want to do for your baby's first Christmas? Anything you wish you would have done? Do you have any more ideas for me to add to the list? For more inspiration, visit my Pinterest Board: Baby's First Christmas. Happy dreaming!

xo kristen genevieve

DIY Christmas Lantern

A few years ago, I discovered the beauty & versatility of apothecary jars. So because its Christmastime, I decided to create this lighted gold & red ornament themed jar. It's so easy to do!

I used cheap white lights (22ft) from the Christmas Tree Store, but you can get lights just about anywhere this time of year! I also got these fun glittered plastic ball ornaments. I have found that plastic works easier than glass since you have to do quite a bit of maneuvering and its just easier not having to deal with glass breaking. 

The trick is to take a step back and visualize how you space out the different style ornaments. You'll wrap virtually the entire strand into the jar, so there will be multiple adjustments along the way. Make sure you pull the lights to the side (rather than center) of the jar so they can light the ornaments more easily.

That's it! So easy! Send me a photo on Twitter or Instagram of your creation! I would love to see it. Happy decorating! :)

xo kristen genevieve

Celebrating The Festival of Lights: It's Hanukkah!

Manzanita Candelabra from West Elm. Love!

I grew up Catholic. Catholic school, church every Sunday, First Communication, Confirmation, all of that. But when I met my husband, I knew I wanted our kids to experience his family's traditions, too. His family is part of the Reform sect of Judaism, but his generation is non-practicing. They said a few prayers here & there, but being the youngest of six, my husband missed out on the memories of those traditions to a large extent.

Now that we're pregnant and it's Hanukkah, I've been thinking a lot about how to learn and teach our kids about Judaism. I can learn a few short prayers, put up some decorations and make latkes, but how will I be able to convey the true meaning of the holiday? Time will tell. Please let me know if you have any resources that would help me learn more about Reform Judaism!

For now, I'll just make some of the traditional foods and find some fun crafts and decor to get in the spirit! Check out my Hanukkah Pinterest Board for more ideas. :)

 Classic Latkes by Martha Stewart. I haven't tried this recipe, but they look nice and crispy. Do you have a good crispy recipe that you like? Please share it with me!!

 

Sufganiyot recipe from Martha Stewart. Jelly filled goodness! Again, let me know if you have a better recipe!

 Fun Hanukkah book for early learners. I got this for my niece last year! She loves it. :)

Dreidel napkin rings. So fun!

Hostess Gift Idea: Olive Oil!

Do you have any ideas for celebrating Hanukkah with kids? Do you have a blended family that celebrates both Hanukkah & Christmas? Any suggestions on resources for me to look into that would help me learn more about Reform Judaism and how to teach traditions to kids?

xo kristen genevieve

Christmas Is On Its Way!

My Christmas tree last year!

Maybe its a pregnant thing, because this year, I've been abnormally obsessed with Christmas music since the beginning of October! I've held off setting up decorations until now, but as soon as Thanksgiving is over, you bet your bippy I'll be hanging lights & setting up the tree! 

When I was a kid, Christmas involved so many fun traditions. On Christmas Eve, my family went to church in the afternoon, then drove around the neighborhood spotting Christmas lights & decorations. Then at home, we would eat fondue together, and then each kid would get to open one present. The next morning, my brother, sister & I would rush downstairs at 5am and sit in front of the glowing tree, mesmerized by all the presents, until we were allowed to wake my parents at 7am. 

At the time I met my husband in college, I assumed most families had similar traditions. I couldn't have been more wrong! He comes from a family of non-practicing Jews that eat ham & celebrate Christmas! My husband & his five siblings recognized Hanukkah with a brief celebration, but mostly looked forward to Christmas. He never went to church obviously, but his family traditions were more focused on gathering around food. As a child, his father was the head chef, making steak with bernaise for dinner and eggs benedict for Christmas breakfast. 

Now that we're pregnant, I've spent a lot of time daydreaming about our family's future holiday celebrations. I appreciate that my husband's family genuinely enjoys spending time together, and makes a point to be a family. I also love how food-centered Christmas was in his home. From my family, I appreciate filling the home with Christmas spirit - decorations everywhere, Christmas music playing all day, and watching Christmas movies together by the fireplace. 

I look forward to blending our family traditions together. I actually think I'm more excited as an adult for Christmastime, and especially watching my kids open presents and knowing that I brought them the joy & memories of Christmas that they will remember and pass on to their kids. :)

So to get in the Christmas spirit, I found some fun crafts & decorations that I've collected on my Pinterest for the holidays. Hope you enjoy! :)

 A booklover's lamp! So creative!

Scented Fir Christmas tree topiaries covered in cloves, peppercorns & coffee beans. I love these! I found them last year on Etsy, and I've been wanting to try to make them ever since.

My husband doesn't get it - bubble lights just remind me of home!

DIY Cinnamon ornaments. Great idea and would smell amazing!

German smoking men - another thing that just reminds me of home. They are so awesome!! But hard to find!

Dress up a mason jar with some birch, sticks & twine for a gorgeous, rustic candle. I love this idea for a cabin-feel tablescape.

Simple, clean, neutral entryway decor. 

As a kid, I remember our neighbors having a full set of rattan reindeer lit up with the sleigh in tow. My brother & I got so excited every year when they popped up in their yard! This set is from Pottery Barn.

Where is your favorite place for Christmas/Hanukkah decor shopping?! I've found some fun things on Etsy lately, but I'm always looking for new ideas. Check out my holiday boards on Pinterest for some ideas I've collected already!

What are some of your holiday traditions? Did you find it difficult or exciting when blending those traditions with your spouse?

xo kristen genevieve

Chalkboard Art DIY

Today I wanted to do a little something different on the blog! Since becoming pregnant, I've loved seeing the pregnancy weeks photos with chalkboards. I searched all over to find an inexpensive chalkboard that still had a beautiful, vintage look. I found some great options on Etsy that fit my style, but they are just too expensive! Most are over $50!! No way. I knew I could do it for less. 

So I decided to take matters into my own hands, and create a chalkboard that was not only less expensive, but a little more unique than the boards I've seen on blogs and Pinterest. I stopped by Michael's and found this awesome tree stump slab that reminded me of the table settings I had at my wedding. I grabbed some chalk, some cheap foam brushes and Martha Stewart's Chalkboard Paint. The only other thing I used was a cardboard box to protect my carpet, just in case, but you could easily do this outside. The total cost: $20!!! Without Michael's coupons!! I love saving money! :)

Step 1: The Blank Canvas

I love LOVE the wood/tree bark look. So gorgeous and totally fits my natural/hippie personality. 

Step 2: The Coating

The most difficult part of the project is keeping the edges clean. Just be patient and it'll turn out fine! I followed the directions on the bottle and ended up doing four coats rather than the suggested two coats because of the wood texture.

Step 3: The Final Product!

I read reviews saying Martha Stewart's chalkboard paint was a little glossy, which I did find to be true. However, I don't love a completely clean chalkboard, I like when a chalkboard is dusted with chalk. So I wrote on the board with white chalk and smudged it around with a paper towel. So easy!!


I'm really excited about this project and it inspires me to do some more DIY for the blog. What do you think?! Do you have any other ideas for displaying the week by week pregnancy progress other than chalkboard art? Any DIY ideas that you think I should do? Let me know! I love hearing from you :) 

xo kristen genevieve

Chalkboard Art From LilyandVal

Whether you love finding DIY inspiration or just enjoy collecting wall art, LilyandVal on Etsy is a great place to start. Her hand painted chalkboard art & prints are unique and just darling, but also very affordable! This post is not sponsored, I just adore this chalkboard art!

Julia Child quotes. Favorites!

Great nursery poster!

For all the Willy Wonka fans out there...

Love is all you need. Every time I hear this phrase I want to burst out in song!

Hope you love these! Have you found any unique prints or wall decor? Please share them with me! I'm looking for more kitchen prints at the moment.

xo kristen genevieve

Stationary Obsessed!

I love unique stationary. Because we live in a world of texts, facebook, twitter & email, it really means a lot to me when I receive a letter from someone in the mail. In turn, I also want to give back that goodness! So became by stationary obsession. 

Last week, I was wandering the internet searching for unique stationary, and I found a blog called Oh So Beautiful Paper that highlighted the most gorgeous stationary I've ever laid eyes on from Ladyfinger Letterpress! 

 From the calligraphy down to the constellations on & inside the envelope, I love it all!

I'm also loving the seafoam & green mix of colors. Baby girls don't all have to be pink!

 Who doesn't love the chalkboard paper look?! Plus, the star wheel is actually turnable!

A look at how this perfect circle was created.

All photos credited to Natalja Kent.  

xo kristen genevieve