How We Hacked Our Way to A Pretty Cute Christmas Card

 

I had thought I'd been super on top of it, scheduling a holiday-card photo shoot early this fall. But then it didn't go as planned. (Here's why.) Then, life got busy, and December rolled around and I realized I had no good photos to use for a card. I thought about skipping cards entirely, but then decided I'd throw my own impromptu shoot together, and hack my way to a decent Christmas card. And it worked!

I decided to nab my pictures on a weekend in early December when we went to get our Christmas tree at our local garden center. I posed my (relatively uncooperative) kids in a series of festive-ish shots including in front of wreath- and pointsettia-displays, and nestled among some cut trees so it almost looked like we were in a forest. Then, they had the idea to sit in front of a pinecone display, and take some shots!

I shot and edited all of the pics on my phone (two wreath shots and a pointsettia made the final cut), and ordered the cards online later that afternoon. And I'm pretty happy with the way they turned out! (The only thing I don't love is the fact that they're wearing their winter coats. But it was freezing that day, so what can you do?) Not bad for an hour and an iPhone, huh?

I hope you're having a great holiday, whatever you're celebrating. We're in my childhood home in Maryland for Christmas, then heading back home tomorrow, and then off to Stowe, Vermont for a few days after that. (Skiing for my husband and the kids; reading in the lodge for me.)

Merry everything to all!

Holiday Cards for Procrastinators (a.k.a Why New Year's Cards Are Awesome)

 

I am usually painfully late sending out my holiday cards. I almost always wait until the last possible minute to order them (thank god for express shipping), and then send them out a day or two before Christmas. This year, I actually thought ahead and ordered my family's cards before Thanksgiving (a personal record!). Great, right? Well, it could have been if I hadn't spent the next three weeks patting myself on the back, while simultaneously putting off actually addressing or sending them. Once again, I didn't get them out until the week of Christmas.

Well, if you're a natural born procrastinator like me, I have a solution for you: New Year's cards. The beauty of New Year's cards is that you don't have to deal with them during the weeks of pre-Christmas craziness...because they're New Year's cards! You're basically supposed to send them late. You have weeks after the holidays to mail them. I'd say as long as you get them out by January 15th or so, you're golden. (But let's face it: People are still saying "Happy New Year" until the end of January at least, so I give you official permission to get them out any time before February.)

This year, in addition to my family's cards, I had hoped to send holiday cards to my blog/work contacts, but then didn't get around to it with all of the holiday nuttiness. That's when it hit me: New Year's cards, baby. 

Check out my finished cards above. I went with this design from my beloved Minted once again. (And, of course, I had to reference blowouts!) I express-ordered them and they arrived two days later. Now I'll be (very leisurely) sending them out over the next few weeks.

All of the sentiment, none of the stress. New Year's cards, people. Trust.

Did you guys send holiday cards this year? And are you a big time card-procrastinator like me?

Disclosure: Minted--a brand I have long used and trusted--provided me with complimentary holiday cards, but all opinions and ideas are my own.

Our 2015 Holiday Cards!

I just got my family's 2015 holiday cards in the mail and wanted to give you guys a little peek. I loved our 2014 holiday cards, so it was an easy decision to go with Minted again this year. Love them for so many reasons: The creating and ordering process is fast and goof-proof, there are so many great designs (I love the metallic foil styles, especially!), and the cards are beautiful and very high-quality. 

I went with this style with gold-foil lettering. (The foil doesn't really translate in these photos, FYI, but it's so pretty and shiny in person.) The main photo is from a trip we took to Jackson Hole, Wyoming, for my uncle's wedding earlier this fall. This year, I also added a few additional photos and a mini year-end recap on the back. 

I'm so happy with the way they turned out! Now let's see if I actually get off my butt to address them and mail them out before Christmas! #eek

Did you guys do holiday cards this year? Where did you order yours from? Tell me below!

Disclosure: Minted provided me with complimentary cards for consideration, but I was under no obligation to post about the product if I didn't love it (which I do!). As always, all opinions are my own. Thank you for supporting the brands that support The Sparkly Life!

The Best Personalized Name Labels For Kids

FYI: I retouched my phone number on these photos for obvious reasons. Sorry they look so wonky! I clearly need a PhotoShop tutorial bad.

This is scary, but it's time to start thinking about back-to-school prep. (And this year it's not just for my daughter. My son starts school in the fall, which is just CRAZY.)

I'm usually pretty last minute with this sort of thing, but I have gotten a head start on at least part of it: personalized name labels!

For those of you don't have kids in school yet, labels are a must because you have to put your kids' names on basically everything they take there. Cups, clothes, lunchboxes  backpacks--everything needs a name. Sure, you could just scribble them on there with a Sharpie, but labels are way quicker, easier, and of course, cuter.

This year, I went for Minted's customizable name labels and they are adorable. (I've used Minted before--most recently for our holiday cards and my daughter's Valentines--and the quality is always excellent.) There are tons of different sizes, lots of great designs for both boys and girls, they're waterproof and dishwasher-safe, and you can even get many of them personalized with a photo. 

I chose two different designs--and two different sizes--for each kid. For my daughter, I got these mermaid labels and this pencil design. For my son, we did large construction-vehicle labels and this cute lion. (BTW, all of these come in different color options, too.) I even had my phone number printed on some of the designs, which is a smart option I hadn't ever really seen anywhere else.

So, labels are done! Now it's time to actually do some back-to-school shopping so that I have some things to stick them on. ;)

Do you guys go the label route with your kids' stuff? Also, when do your kids go back to school? Mine don't go back until mid September, but I still can't believe it's so soon. SUMMER, DON'T LEAVE ME!

**Update! Just realized that Minted is having a sale right now! You can get 15% off back to school stuff including the personalized labels. Use code SCHOOL15.

Disclosure: Minted provided me with complimentary labels for review consideration, but I was not compensated for this post.

15 Cool Things You Need to Click On Today

My Paintbox manicure courtesy of Arm & Hammer (for more details on the design--it's from Paintbox's new bridal menu!--check out my column on brides.com later today)

I hate winter. Seriously. Can it just be spring already? Ugh. But when I'm not bitching about the cold this weekend, I'm going to be prepping for my daughter's upcoming birthday party (those mermaid cupcake toppers aren't going to make themselves!), and hopefully squeezing in a bang trim for her as well as a first haircut (squeeee!) for my (currently very shaggy) son. 

I hope you have an awesome--and warm--weekend. Here's a few fun links!

• These sandals are gorgeous. The touch of metallic adds such a fun twist to an otherwise simple style.

• I've been wanting a tassel necklace. And this one would be so perfect to wear with maxi dresses, right?

• I just ordered this pretty floral dress earlier this week. Love that it can work for the office, dinner, drinks--anything. (Can you tell I have warm weather on the brain?)

• These birthstone art prints from Minted are so beautiful--and such a fun, different idea. I really want the aquamarine design for the (someday-to-actually-happen) gallery wall in my daughter's room!

• Grain-free, gluten-free sweet potato gnocchi? Sign me up!

• Remember when I was sad about Starbucks starting to offer coconut milk...that is loaded in sugar? Well, now the brilliant nutritionist Lauren Slayton over at Foodtrainers has details on exactly how sketchy it is. (Thanks for the mention, Lauren!)

• This entire ghost town is up for sale! Here's praying whoever buys it doesn't just knock it down. God, I would love to explore those old Victorian buildings. (Not alone though!)

• A look at how some local governments are cracking down on the societal scourge known as the FREE NEIGHBORLY BOOK EXCHANGE. Gee, it's a good thing these cities don't have anything else to worry about! #sarcasm (h/t Felicia)

• How one pharmaceutical company is charging $84,000 for a drug that costs less than $300 to produce. Also known as: why pharmaceutical companies are THE WORST.

• This video is hilarious: what happens when a baby teaches a dance class. (Dying to know what that little kid was thinking!)

• Jennifer Lawrence looks incredible in the new Dior ads.

• The clever moms who came out with that hilarious Blank Space parody a few months back have a funny new video: all about spending your family vacation posing the perfect Instagram shot. #guilty

And in case you missed it, this week I...

• Talked openly about the very real struggle that us moms experience around 3 a.m.

• Gave a peek into a fun mommy-daughter morning filled with shopping, braids, and brunch.

• Shared the pretty spring fashion finds that I cannot wait to wear.

The Cutest New Valentines For Kids (+ A $100 Minted Giveaway!) {CLOSED}

Maybe it's because February 14th is my birthday (yep), but I have always loved the tradition of giving out classroom valentines. In elementary school, I remember carefully making doily-dotted, red-and-pink construction-papered shoeboxes, and then waiting with anticipation to see who would drop a little Snoopy or Strawberry Shortcake or Star Wars card inside. (And then of course, I recall totally reading into the text on whatever card the boy you had a crush on gave you: "Oh my gosh! Do you think he meant 'Bee Mine' as in, like, 'Be my fifth grade girlfriend??!")

These days, Valentine's Day is much more low-key in my daughter's school. But we still wanted to do something fun for her classmates. The drugstore valentines I found were mostly cheap and cheesy, so I was less than inspired. And let's face it: I'm too lazy to DIY. Then, I heard that Minted (that's where we ordered our 2014 holiday cards) was offering classroom valentines, so I rushed to check them out.

You guys! They are SO cute. Once I saw them, it was a no brainer to place an order. The hardest part was choosing a design--there are so many good ones! I finally settled on this cute PB&J design (aren't the gingham backs cute?). But I came really close to getting these donuts, this cookie, or this gold-foil maze. (Minted, can you offer a variety pack next year for indecisive folks like me, pretty pretty please?)

All the designs have optional coordinating stickers, or you can can mix and match, as I did by getting these pretty hearts that technically go with a different card. And the best part: I love that both the cards and stickers are personalized. You can even put your child's photo on them, which might be fun for us to try next year.

This past weekend, my daughter and I sat down and addressed about half of her cards. (We'll do the rest later this week. When you're just learning to write, the process is sloooooow and I really wanted her to do them herself, so we are only tackling a few at a time so that she doesn't get too frustrated.) I just love the way they turned out and am so excited to deliver them to her friends next week.

And now, here's some superfun news: I'm giving away a $100 credit to Minted! Use it for some cute valentines of your own, invitations for your next party, some of their pretty wall art--anything! (Please enter via the Rafflecopter widget below. Good luck!)

Are your kids giving out valentines this year? If so, do tell: Did you do the drugstore thing, go the DIY route, or...? I'd love to know!

UPDATE: Congrats to Amy T., winner of the $100 credit to Minted. Thanks to everyone who entered!
a Rafflecopter giveaway

Disclosure: Minted provided me with a small credit to purchase the valentines, but there was no further compensation, I was under no obligation to feature the products if I didn't love them (which I do!), and all opinions are my own.

Our 2014 Holiday Card!

Photo by Jennifer Casson

Earlier this week, I shared our disastrous attempt at taking a family photo for our holiday cards. Since we didn't really have an option from that session since my kids weren't cooperating, I ended up using a shot from what was really a very casual, very impromptu shoot a few months back. 

It happened one weekend afternoon over the summer when my son and I were taking photos with photographer Jennifer Casson in a Hoboken park for this blog post. My husband and daughter ended up stopping by to say hi, and Jen quickly snapped just a handful of shots of the family. I certainly wasn't expecting to get a holiday card photo out of it since we shot for maybe two minutes--but we got some really great pictures! 

The more I think about it, maybe that's the key to a successful family photo shoot: Don't stress, don't make it a production, let your kids and husband wear whatever, make it quick. Live and learn, I guess.

Photo chosen, I went with Minted for the actual cards. It was the rose-gold foil-pressing that won me over. The metallic detailing doesn't really translate in these photos, but it looks amazing in person. I'm so happy with the way they turned out!

So that's it! Cards sent, presents wrapped, stockings stuffed, Christmas morning breakfast chilling in the fridge, tree lights unplugged. I'm heading to bed now, but wanted to first thank you so much for reading and following along here with me this year. It means so much to me to have you stop by. Truly.

From my family to yours, have a wonderful holiday. I'll see you in the New Year!

Note: I won't be posting much here over the next week and a half or so, but I will be Instagramming regularly. Follow me at @alyssahertzig and you won't miss a thing! :)

15 Gorgeous (Gold!) Gifts for Her

Top row from left: Framed gold-foil California print (other states available, too); Sephora brush set; Jonathan Adler Hand Ring Holder; Neom Organics + Jenny Packham candle; Smith + Cult nail polish. Middle row: Michael Michael Kors Moc Flats; Gold Glazed Bowl; Gold Glazed Coasters; Jonathan Adler Zebra Dish; Charlotte Tilbury Eyelash Curler. Bottom row: Baublebar Amazon Medallion Bib; polka dot notebook; Draper Highball Cocktail Glasses; Gilded Cornet Serving Set; Heart of Gold print

I love anything gold. Doesn't have to be real gold (though that's nice!). Doesn't have to be expensive. But slap some metallic gold on pretty much anything, and bam!--I'm smitten.

I've been pinning some of my favorite gift ideas over the past few weeks, and recently noticed that nearly everything I had pinned was gold! So I figured it would be fun to share them with you, all compiled into one glittery gift guide.

(Best part: Only two of the items are over $100! (The hand jewelry holder and the candle are both around $125). The rest are all under $100 and most of them are actually under $50...)

I would GLADLY receive (or give!) any of these things--I get excited just looked at all the sparkly goodness in the photo. The necklace would be amazing with a solid colored dress or even a tee and jeans (can't believe it's under $50!), the mocs are the perfect marriage of comfy and cute (and under $100!), and the glasses, serving set, and bowl all make me want to throw a party stat. 

Links to everything above and below. (Plus some more gold favorites below!) Happy shopping!

SHOP THE POST

The Cutest Way to Display Photos--On Black Friday Sale Now!

If you're like me, you take a million photos on your phone. And then the photos live...in your phone. I'll scroll through every once in awhile, and think, "Oh! That one's so cute!!" And then promptly never see it again until the next time I'm bored and scrolling in line at the bank or something.

No more. I recently discovered the gorgeous photo wall art at Minted, and I'm now making myself finally go through my phone, edit out the best stuff, and blow it up into a few special art pieces, both for our family and for gifts.

The pretty heart design (shown above) is my absolute favorite--it would be a great gift for nearly anyone, but grandparents would go especially nuts for it; this beautiful watercolor pattern would look so sweet in a little girl's room; this one would be amazing for new parents; and so on and so on. There are so many that I love.

If you're interested, Minted is having a great Thanksgiving sale going on now through the end of Black Friday tomorrow (15% to 20% off depending on the amount you spend, but the sale includes their gorgeous holiday cards, which I really need to get on, too!). 

Have a great Thanksgiving!

This post was sponsored by Minted, a brand I know and love, but all opinions are my own.