Holiday Permission

This is your permission.

Permission to be fully you during the holidays.

Permission to be sad about what isn't, while joyful about what is.

To not allow others' anxieties, hang-ups, and issues to become your anxieties, hang-ups and issues.

Permission to feel lost and yet found.

To be whole. To be rooted. To be free.

To feel grounded in the middle of everyone else's chaos.

You get to decide.

You are in charge. 

And isn't that a lovely thing?

Sending hugs, peace, and light to you,

Free Holiday Printables

Hello friends and Happy Monday!

I've been busy making you things, and I have two free holiday printables for you!

First up is a coloring page:

The idea behind this page came from my son Ben, which makes me love it even more. Who wouldn't wish for presents and candy falling from the sky? No one I know, that's for sure! 

Click here to download the coloring page!

And if this isn't even coloring fun for you, You can also grab my printable holiday coloring book with six fun pages here! These pages are perfect for holiday parties and family gatherings.

And for that second printable, I got so obsessed with the different motifs in the coloring page that I turned them into a set of holiday gift tags!

There are eight different cheerful tags, ready to be attached to gift bags, boxes, or any package you desire! They would also be fun embellishments for your holiday scrapbooking. 

Click here to download the tags!

And because I couldn't stop there, I also turned it into a pattern!

I pretty much want to wrap all of our Christmas gifts in these happy houses. Or move into one of them. I mean a candy cane roof? Come on. 

I added it to my Zazzle shop as wrapping paper and ordered a roll...SUPER excited to see how it turned out! You can see it here. 

If you share the printables on social media, I'd love to see how you use them! Tag me @mandyfordart! 

Happy printing & even happier holidays!

XO,

{getting cozy}

Things are looking all glowy and cozy at our house these days...

My goal is to cover as many spots with twinkle lights as possible. 

Ones like this are my favorite.

Ben helped me with the little shelf display above. He picked out all of the pieces and I did a little rearranging and added the lights. We make a good team!

 

And oh how happy I am to have these kitchen shelves to add little snow-topped houses and holiday cheer to! 

The rest of the house may look like a tornado went through, but at least I have these happy scenes to distract me!

Did you do holiday decorating over the weekend?

XO,

{4 gifts link-up: need}

Happy Thursday friends!

Today is the second week of our 4 gifts link-up, and this week we're focusing on things we need. I know, this sounds kind of boring, but "needs" can actually be fun too!

I've put together some needs for everyone in our family, and hopefully it will give you some ideas for yours! 

First up, my boys... 

slippers // hat & gloves // LeapPad case // art portfolio

Now that the weather has gotten much colder, they need some gear to keep their feet, hands and head warm. I love these grown up style slippers, and the hat set is in Landon's current favorite "color", camo. They both have tablets, but no case for them, so we really should get something to protect them on car trips. And finally, this art portfolio is a great idea to wrangle the art projects they make on a daily basis.

And now for my husband... 

electric blanket // coffee grinder // pepper mill // leather satchel

He has been having a horrible time sleeping, and said that having a super warm blanket helps, so an electric blanket would certainly improve his sleeping situation. A nice coffee grinder and pepper mill have been on his list for quite awhile now, and those are kind of kitchen "needs". And finally he could really use a bag for his laptop and this leather number is nice and manly. 

And finally a few needs for me...

curling iron // hair dryer // knee socks // laundry sorter

I honestly can't remember when I bought my current curling iron. But let's say I definitely had it pre-motherhood, and it is looking a tad worn. And while I'm at it, my hair dryer is looking pretty shabby as well. And now that I'm wearing my tall boots almost daily I could use some new knee socks. This last one is really for the whole family, but we desperately need a new laundry sorter. Ours is ripped and too small for our growing laundry mounds now that the boys' clothes are much bigger, so on the list it goes!

So there are a few things on our family "need" list this year. What is on yours? Link up with us below!

An InLinkz Link-up

{handmade holiday gift guide}

Welcome to our first ever Handmade Holiday Gift Guide! Alyson and I hope to make this a yearly thing. The two of us love to support the handmade community and this is our way of showing a little love. We don't charge the vendors, we do this because we truly love supporting each maker. There are so many amazing gift ideas in this guide, something for everyone on your list. 

The best part? There are DISCOUNT CODES and even a GIVEAWAY! 

So, be sure to scroll all the way through!

Mason Jar Tumber - The Mason Bar Company 20% off: HOLIDAY20  //  Aztec Zipper Pouch - Luma Stitchery 10%: HANDMADEGIFTGUIDE  //  Ladies Cowl - Knit One Too 15% off: MERRY15  //  Leather Tassel Keychain - Permanent Baggage 2 for $20 Keychains: 2for20Keychain  //  Chevron Tote - Little Ms Fancy Pants  //  Gold "Love" Mason Jars - House of Jars 15% off: GIFTGUIDE

Joy Mason Jar Sign - Eventually Cottage 15% off: JOY  //  Fox & Plaque Cookie Cutters - Ruffled Paper 20% off: THROWCONFETTI  //  Monogrammed Bath Towels - SoChick Handbags & Embroidery  //  Pajamas All. Day. Mug - Melissa Creates  //  Reclaimed Wood Tray - Made in the Meadows 10% off: HOLIDAY10  

Fuchsia & White Striped Scarf - The Root Collective 10% off: HOLIDAYGUIDE14  //  Arrow Tote - The Barefoot Shoppe Free Shipping: FREESHIP  //  Herringbone Infinity Scarf - The Barefoot Shoppe Free Shipping: FREESHIP  // Red Lace Boot Cuffs - Forgotten Cotton 15% off $22+ purchase: Alyson15  //  Weaving Thru Wonderland Hat - Oikos Handmade 20% off: HANDMADEHOLIDAY20 

Reversible Camera Case - Cozy Cameras 10% off: HANDMADEHOLIDAY  //  Whipped Body Scrub - Bizzy Fizz Bath Treats 15% off: AMGG14  //  Fabric Hoarder Sign - Hollow Glen 15% off: GIFTGUIDE15  //  Love Story Sign - Prim & Proper Signs    //  Coffee & Jesus Mug - The Olive Tree  //  Houndstooth Camera Strap Cover - Drawstring Studio 15% off: HOLIDAY15 

Brass Heart Necklace - The Joyful Jewelry Box 15% off: ALYSONMANDY  //  Map Bracelet - Dandy Tiger Design 10% off: HANDMADE10  //  Honey-Bee Bracelet - Blushing Pixie Jewelry 15% off: SAVE15  //  Love Birds Necklace - Boy Cherie  //  Silver Bracelet - Belinda Carmichael Silver Jewelry  // Hammered Stamped Rings - Amy Cornwell  //  Aloha Necklace - Sassy Lemonade 15% off: HOLIDAYGIFTGUIDE14

It's Awesome Time Shirt - The Printed Pallet 15% off: HGG15  //  Home State Sweatshirt (all states available) - Home State Apparel 10% off: ALYSONM

Guitar Pick - Beadsoul $5 off $25: GIFTGUIDEDEAL  //  Wristlet Key Chain - Designs by Sew and Sew 15% off: MYGIFT15  //  Mountain Man Body Spray & Beard Tonic- The Gnarly Whale  //  Wooden Desk Organizer - Hollow Glen 15% off: GIFTGUIDE15  //  Dr.Who Mug, Notepad & iPhone Case - Melissa Creates  //  Custom Beer Caddy - Down in the Boondocks

Leather Flower Headband - Fiber Bungalow 15% off: MANDYSBLOG15  //  Beth Headband - Nora Rose Handmade  //  Xinia Bracelet - Hands Producing Hope 15% off: CHRISTMASISCOMING  //  Personalized Bangles - Ckys The Limit  //  Hand Painted Wooden Bead Necklaces - Coral and Cloud //  Monogrammed Plaid Scarf - Hill Girls Designs  //  Mustard Scallop Scarf & Turban - The Lil Cupcake 15% off: HOLIDAY15  //  Crystal Headband - Sweet Ties Hair Ties 20% off: GIFT20

Fabric Letters - Crunchy Farm Baby  //  Wooden Love Bookmark - BK Inspired 15% off $20+: HOLIDAY2014  //  Dream Pillow - Addie & George 10% off: HANDMADE10  //  Be Brave Mug, iPhone Case & Notepad Set - Melissa Creates  //  Monogrammed Hoop Art - Pinwheels and Burlap 15% off: ALYSON //  Deer Feltidermy - Pocket with Posies

Neck Ties & Suspenders - Eva and Dell 20% off $25+: GIFTGUIDE20  //  Let's Move Mountains Shirt - Elseware Co 15% off: HOLIDAY15  //  Donut Grow Up Sweatshirt - The Styled Child  //  Baby Boy Booties - Dapper Darlings 15% off: ALYSONMANDY  //  Bow Ties - Lennon and Co  //  Beachy Keen Shirt - The Printed Pallet 15% off: HGG15

Personalized Name Pillow - Aspen Lane 15% off: GIFTGUIDE2  //  Fox Stuffed Animal - Hefferilts Felt  //  Personalized Bear Hoop - Hoopsy Daisy  //  TeePee Print - This Girl Doodles Free Shipping: NEWSITE

Chevron & Burlap Table Runner - Ooh Baby Designs 5% off: WINTER  //  Dish Towel - Aspen Lane 15% off: GIFTGUIDE2  //  Hand Painted  "M" - Made in Neverland 10% off $25: 10HOLIDAYGIFT  //  Air Plant Cube Planter - See and Asters 15% off: ASTERS15  //  Coffee Cozy - La Belle Madeleine 14% off: XMAS14  //  Flower Burst Burlap Pillow Cover - Sewing Sunflowers 

{not sent from my iPhone} Notecards - Red Letter Paper Company 15% off: ALYSON14  //  Funny Holiday Card - The Detroit Card Co  //  Home Alone Christmas Card - Bow and Arrow Art 15% off: MERRYMERRY15  //  Fox Warm Winter Wishes Card - Leroy Lime  //  Holiday Card - This Girl Doodles Free Shipping: NEWSITE

State Print - CaPow 20% off $25+: HOLIDAYCELEBRATE  //  State String Art - Sweet Mama Makes 10% off: SWEET10  //  Skyline Print (any city) - Paper Finch Designs 15% off: ALYGUIDE  //  US Fabric Map - Sewing Sunflowers  //  Personalized State Wooden Tray - Grace Langdon 20% off $20+: GIFTGUIDE  //  City Map Wine Cork - Daisy Mae Designs 10% off: GIFTGUIDE

What if you fly  //  Feeling Alive  //  Life is Sweet  //  Throw Confetti
All prints from Ruffled Paper - 20% off: THROWCONFETTI 

Mini Pies - Crumbtastic 10% off: HOLIDAY  //  Snickerdoodles Cookie Mix - Mixin' Mama 20% off $25+: BREASTFEED20  //  Chocolate Peanut Butter Fudge - Oh Fudge Store 
That's it! So many fabulous gifts for everyone on your list! Take advantage of those discount codes & don't forget that when you're shopping handmade you want to shop a bit earlier, as most stores close up for the holidays in early to mid- December! 
Be sure to enter the giveaway below for you chance at winning a whole bunch of awesome goodies!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

XO,

{Christmas with World Market & a Giveaway!}

Not to disrespect the turkey, but I'm already itching to get out all of my Christmas decorations. There is just something so super cozy about a house all decked out for the holidays, isn't there? I also have fun adding new items each year and trying out new locations for all of my decor.

World Market has so many great items for the holidays this year...no matter what your style you will find something you love. I put together a little wish list of items from their holiday shop for you that will be sure to put a lot of jolly in your holiday...

Here are eight wonderfully cozy and perfectly Christmas items that I would love to have in our home this holiday season...

1. Die Cut Alpine Clock
2. Bottle Brush Trees
3. White Natural Fiber Deer
4. Aqua Boiled Wool Throw
5. Natural Fiber Standing Baby Deer
6. Jolly Santa Throw Pillow
7. Ivory Felt Snowflake Placemat
8. Cinnamon Sticks Pillar Candles

I just can't get over how darn cute that clock is. Let's take a closer look just for fun...

SO CUTE!

In addition to all of their lovely Christmas decor, World Market also has an exciting new contest for your to enter!

Life of Pi is the story of an Indian boy named Pi, a zookeeper’s son, who survives a disaster at sea and is thrown into an epic journey. While adrift in the middle of the Pacific Ocean, he forms an amazing and unexpected connection with another a fearsome Bengal tiger. The movie opens in theaters November 21, 2012. You can watch the trailer for Life of Pi here: http://www.lifeofpimovie.com/#!/watch-trailer

The Life of Pi Sweepstakes

• Grand Prize package includes: a dream trip for 2 to India and a $1,000 World Market Gift card.
• There will also be 3 runner up prize winners that will each receive a $500 World Market gift card!
• The Life of Pi Sweepstakes runs from 11/17 - 12/28.
• If you share the sweepstakes with 5 of your friends (via FB share or email) you can receive 5 additional bonus entries. This is part of the registration process when entering. Users can also enter daily for more chances to win.
• Enter online at http://worldmarketsweepstakes.com/ or https://www.facebook.com/worldmarket?fref=ts

And the first 100 customers to shop in-store this Friday will receive a FREE Limited Edition Life of Pi ornament and a FREE Life of Pi movie ticket. The first 100 customers to shop in-store on Saturday, 11/24 & Sunday, 11/25 will receive a FREE Limited Edition Life of Pi Tote Bag and a movie ticket. How fun is that?! 

Want a chance to win your very own Life of Pi totebag and Limited Edition Christmas ornament? Enter below and two lucky winners will get just that!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Visit World Market online:

WEBSITE - http://www.worldmarket.com/home/index.jsp

TWITTER - https://twitter.com/#!/worldmarket

FACEBOOK - http://www.facebook.com/worldmarket

GOOGLE+: https://plus.google.com/116195269616123281160/posts

PINTEREST - http://www.pinterest.com/WorldMarket

This post is part of a social shopper marketing insight campaign with Pollinate Media Group™, but all my opinions are my own. http://cmp.ly/3/KqtZiE.