Holiday Wreathmaking

Upon seeing a display of gorgeous handmade floral wreaths at City & State during a pop-up event last month, I reached out to my floral designer friend Kristin of Everbloom Designs. I have officially entered the first holiday season (since childhood) with my own front door; thus a wreath was a must, of course.

Kristin came by the house earlier in the week with bunches of aromatic herbs and greenery. I loved understanding and first-hand witnessing the creative eye and thoughtfulness required of floral design. The final product looks perfect for Thanksgiving and the Chanukah celebrations, which commence right before we know it.

If you're a bit intimidated by the DIY-esque opportunity, leave it to the expert herself. Kristin's wide range of floral and holiday wreaths are available for purchase online.

Or, make a wreath with Kristin at City & State on December 6 at 6 p.m.! The workshop will provide tools, florals and instruction from start to finish. Sign up here.

Keep scrolling for the step-by-step...

What you'll need:

Spiral eucalyptus Silver dollar eucalyptus Gunni eucalyptus Olive branch Rosemary Grapewine wreath Covered wire Green floral wire Floral shears

1. Begin with a store-bought grapevine wreath. Kristin deconstructs hers and reties with covered cord for a looser look.

2. Create "mini bouquets" of greenery (approx. 1/2 inch in diameter), tied together with green floral wire.

3. Tuck each bouquet at an angle into the wreath, securing with covered wire. Repeat with as many bouquets as desired.

4. Spray with water to protect greenery, and hook onto your front door before your next holiday-hosted event.

See more floral inspiration on Kristin's site.

Holiday Place Settings

Ah, the holiday planning is upon us. Whether Thanksgiving, Chanukah, Christmas, New Years Eve, or New Years brunch, I hope you're stepping up your game this season with a hosted festivity of some sort. Though recipes will run the evening's course, I have always preached the importance of the table upon which plates are served. The presentation of a place setting can elevate a gathering entirely and, simultaneously, offer guests an opportunity to shuffle beyond their comfort zones. Switch up the seat assignments, provide a natural element from either your kitchen or the front yard, and offer a flourish of holiday cheer through florals or colors.

The photos below culminate my mood board for holiday gatherings. I hope they will similarly offer inspiration to your kitchen table.

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image via caramelized -- Napkin available at Falling into Place on Broad Avenue.

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Easing into Autumn with Nature Nate's

It's inevitable; we're all ready for the hints of a new season. Though the outdoor temps are just beginning to follow suit, I've welcomed autumn indoors and invite you to do the same. My kitchen has begun to smell like fall with the smorgasbord of savory herbs, squashes and pastas. Here are a few other tidbits to add to your daily rituals, all with the help of Nature Nate's honey. IMG_0708

1. Make a batch of shortbread. Don't forget to drizzle some honey atop the freshly baked treats. Wrap a stack in parchment and twine to deliver to friends and family.

2. Switch out the mason jars and tea bags for a new, more seasonally-appropriate selection: spiced teas, pumpkin coffee, oats and brown sugar. You could even make yourself a tea station, ready to go when the urge to indulge strikes. Of course, Nature Nate's is a vital ingredient for the cupboard.

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3. Bring the outdoors in. I love to decorate with twigs and branches from neighboring yards and the park. Bittersweet and chrysanthemums are also great ways to bring the fall colors indoors.

4. Add a cozy throw to the sofa. During those cooler mornings and darker evenings, it's an essential to movie nights and quiet reading.

This post is in partnership with Nature Nate’s. Thank you for being supportive of my sponsors!

Exclusive - Memphis Indie Holiday Market Lineup

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Let the countdown begin: 32 days until the big day (December 12), during which hundreds, if not thousands, will gather and celebrate the season on the grounds of Muddy's Midtown. I can't wait to see you there, and I believe this list of local vendors will be equally eager to welcome you. Mark your calendars and make your wish lists, Memphis.

2015 VENDOR LINEUP

Food

Caramelized—Cara Greenstein Muddy’s Bake Shop Shotwell Candy

Clothing/Textiles

Hoot + Louise Garner Blue—Lisa Garner Johnson Benjamin Don’t BlinkBrittney Bullock

Paper Goods

Dear Sir Paper Co.—Thuyvi Vo Little Prints Studio—Kate Whitley

Fine Art/Prints

ebw | artwork—Beth Winterburn Cede Prints—Kelli Black Hillary Butler Fine Art Dorothy Collier Art Kyle Taylor Art Taro Pop—Kong Wee Pang & Jay Crum Amy Hartelust Fine Art

Vintage

Memphis Type History—Caitlin Horton Polaroid Photo Booth—Ash Peak Photography Memphis Mean Time—Colin Britton

Home Goods

Paper & Clay—Brit McDaniel Zachary Call Designs—Zach Holcomb  (site coming soon) Mary Claire White Candle Co.  Pine Street Makery—Jessica Malone

Kids

Prim Society—Elyse Wigen  ScatterBrained—Jordan Clark Ellywise Studios—Ashley Presley

Jewelry

Question the Answer—Lauren Carlson  Ekata Designs—Sarah Brubaker

Spaghetti Squash Topping Bar

IMG_0639 Now that we're (somehow) in November, gatherings will become the norm. So rather than stressing about homemade, high-maintenance dishes, I recommend introducing simple yet sophisticated serving ideas for your hosted holiday parties. The spaghetti squash topping bar has proven to be my ultimate solution: minimal dishes required (the squash is a bowl in itself), customizable combinations, and hands-on entertainment for every party guest. Plus, it's low carb; and don't we all need a bit of healthy menu planning this season?

Click on the article below for access to the full November Health + Fitness Magazine, where my spaghetti squash topping bar was originally featured. Enjoy!

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The Third Annual Memphis Indie Holiday Market

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poster (2) It's back, and bigger than before! The Memphis Indie Holiday Market will take place at Memphis' "happy place," also known as Muddy's Midtown, on Saturday, December 12 from 11-5 p.m. While I'm not usually an advocate of last-minute shopping, I urge you to hold off until that date. The MIHM will be your one-stop shop for all things holiday, and the 30-vendor list will be revealed soon right here on Caramelized!

Mark your calendars and make your lists. It's going to be wonderful.