Please Note: 2011

Saturday, December 31, 2011

The Best of 2011

I can't believe it's been almost a year since I started this little blog... but that celebration is for next month. Right now, we're focusing on 2011. Today we're going to take a look at the top 5 Please Note recipes and the top 5 Please Note DIYs of 2011. We'll start with the recipes. Surprisingly, savory completely overshadowed the sweets this year...

Lasagna (this was not only the most popular recipe but the most popular POST)

No-Knead Bread

Mini Pepperoni Pizza Loaves

Breakfast in a Muffin

Easy Pizza Casserole

For all of the Please Note recipes, check out the recipe index.

And now, for the DIYs...

Pom Pom Garland

Felt Flower Bouquet

Black Apple Dolls (made using the Black Apple template)

Felt Flowers

Terrarium Mania

A few more DIY favorites:

Wedding Snow Globe

Map Bunting

No-Sew Cocktail Ornaments

Glittery Halloween Wreath

Storybook Paper Tree

Simple Ornament Twig Wreath

Yarn Wreaths: one. two. three. four.

I almost forgot...

HAPPY NEW YEAR!

Friday, December 30, 2011

Free January Desktop!

Last month was my first attempt at creating a free desktop and now I'm hooked! I decided to add a calendar to this month's desktop. I'm also offering a few different colors for you to choose from! Happy New Year!

Download the full sizes here:

BLUE / BROWN(ish) / PINK

Thursday, December 29, 2011

DIY: Recycled New Year's Garland

Turn your old Christmas gift bags into a New Year's garland!

Gather a few different colored bags. I used metallic gold and silver. Used wrapping paper is a good option as well.

Using a circle punch, punch as many circles as you can get out of each bag.

Use tape or glue to sandwich the thread between two circles and alternate the colors. That's it!

Tuesday, December 27, 2011

Guest Post: A Gift Guide from Drunk Literature!

Before the whirlwind that was Christmas, I ran across a few Gift Guides composed by the lovely Rebecca of Drunk Literature. I was so in love with them that I asked Rebecca to put together a New Year's Gift Guide to share with my readers and she was nice enough to do so! If you're attending a party this weekend and don't want to go empty handed, Rebecca has a few ideas that are sure to impress any hostess!

1. Swanson Vineyards Customizable Modern House Wines - $25

2. Jonathan Adler Capuchine Decanter - $168

3. A unique flower bouquet by Poppies and Posies - prices vary

4. Coconut Madeleine Mix and Pan by Barefoot Contessa - $19.95

5. 2012 Calendar by Jack and Lulu - $49

6. Haute Hibiscus Apron - $39.99

7. Champagne Truffles by Charbonnel et Walker - $24

8. Jumbo Party Bobbies by Ban.do - $15

9. Books to indulge the constant comedienne:

Is Everyone Hanging Out Without Me?: And Other Concerns by Mindy Kaling - $14.93

for the eternal classic:

The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald with cover design by Coralie Bickford-Smith - $23.46

for the decor diva:

Design Sponge at Home by Grace Bonney - $17.50

Sponsor Spotlight: A Wild Tonic Vintage (and a GIVEAWAY!)

It's time for another Sponsor Spotlight post! Lauren of A Wild Tonic Vintage has a fantastic blog as well as an adorable Etsy shop filled with vintage goods!

My name is Lauren, I live in New Jersey, and I sell vintage on Etsy as awildtonic! I also spend lots of time cleaning and organizing around my house, going on adventures with my wonderful boyfriend, Frank, and playing outside with my dogs, Freckles and Jack. I started my Etsy shop when I was still at my last job because I had a surplus of vintage jewelry that I no longer wore. Since then it's blossomed into a slightly bigger venture, especially since I lost my job a few months ago. I started my blog a few years ago with my younger sister as more of a artsy-craftsy kind of thing, but once I began selling on Etsy, I switched the tone from DIY to vintage. I love blogging so much! It's such a fun way to share things that inspire me, or behind the scenes photos, things that make me laugh or shops that I love.

Here are a few of my favorites from Lauren's shop...

To receive 15% off your order with A Wild Tonic Vintage simply enter the code PLEASENOTE at checkout! Learn more about Lauren here...

SHOP / BLOG / TUMBLR / FACEBOOK / TWITTER

GIVEAWAY!

Lauren also sells adorable upcycled map prints (like the one pictured above) and she's giving away a print of choice to one lucky Please Note reader!

To enter the giveaway, simply visit Lauren's shop and pick the print you love the most. Leave a comment below telling me which print is your favorite as well as a way to contact you.

I'll be choosing a winner on Sunday, January 15th!

THIS GIVEAWAY IS NOW CLOSED!

THANK YOU TO EVERYONE WHO ENTERED!

New Year's Eve Outfits for Under $100!

Whether you're stepping out for a night on the town or staying in with friends and family this New Year's Eve, I've got the outfit for you... for under $100!

silver swoon dress. stone knuckle ring. ruffle open toe stiletto. glittered clutch.

day moon dress. silky rosette headband. pearlescent trimmed bangle set. black flats.

Monday, December 26, 2011

Sponsor Spotlight: Miss Teacups

It's that time again! I would like to introduce you to the lovely Carly of Miss Teacups!

hi i'm carly from miss teacups, the blog formerly known as teacups & bubble baths. i'm a 25 year old gal living in a small'ish city in ontario with my boyfriend of 4 years & our kitty cat miss andy electric. my blog is mainly about fashion (if i were asked to narrow it down) i mostly post the clothes i'm wearing in outfit posts, favourite thrifty or etsy finds, blog crushes, and a feature called 'around the blogosphere' which brings together all the neat stuff i've seen around the internet recently. i also love hosting giveaways and so i make those happen as often as possible! stop by and say hello, leave me a link to your blog & i'll do the same :)