Recently I’ve made a couple references to our family’s newly established tradition of making each other Christmas gifts instead of buying presents (minus stockings, which by way of compromise, our mother who loves to shop still puts together).  For our purposes “make” is a loose term and can span the gamut from handmade creations to custom ordered goods.  Each person comes up with a unique gift that can either be personalized for every member of the family, or replicated into multiple copies so everyone receives the same thing.  I think we have a $50 spending cap on all production costs; that is also loose but let’s just say the whole thing is meant to be inexpensive.  This will be our third Christmas making gifts and the things people have come up with already have been so thoughtful, creative and fun. So should you be interested in going more of the homemade route this year but can’t think of what you might do, feel free to snag an idea from the things we’ve given each other since starting this tradition:

• A picture frame with four photos of our backyard at home, one from every season to rotate throughout the year
• Personalized silhouettes
• A bound children’s book of a story our dad always told us when we were little
• Jigsaw puzzles of favorite personal photos
• Personal domain names
• An originally designed 2014 calendar
• White chocolate peppermint popcorn
• Family Rubix Cube (pictured above)
• Curated road guide for your spiritual journey
• Peanut butter buckeyes
• Coins from our dad’s collection
• Each person’s first initial made of cut, geometric paper

Have any other ideas for homemade gifts?  Let us know in the comments.  I think I already have my idea for this year but you never know…

[posted by Lauren]

(image via here)

HEADING back to NYC for a couple of weeks before Christmas and excited to get this Christmas scent going on my stove.

PROCRASTINATING packing for my flight.  I really dislike packing!

LOOKING to sublet my apartment for a few weeks/months starting early January.  Hit me up if you or someone you know is interested!

SPEEDING through Amy Poehler’s memoir Yes, Please and I am just not so sure about this one guys. So far, I might like Bossypants and Not That Kind of Girl much better.

ANTICIPATING some time at home with my family and friends over Christmas and spending quality time with different age groups is always inspiring to me!

INVESTING my time into learning more about my finances, spending and saving. It’s awesome!

(photo via slate.com)

REALIZING that when I get to Cleveland tomorrow, it will be the fifth city I’ve been in in the past seven days.  What a whirlwind of time and experiences?!

ABSORBING all the ideas that where shared at a class on Personal Branding that I attended last night.

THINKING back on a couple of really powerful long conversations I had with people I’d just met this past weekend.

TRYING to stay calm, grounded and fed during the work days.

INVESTING in my friends and family’s health around the holiday season and it’s fun!

FLYING to Boulder tonight to spend some time with said friends and family.

1.)  Report: None Of Good Cousins Coming to Thanksgiving This Year (via The Onion) made me laugh, especially as I’m the only one of my silbings heading to Cleveland for Thanksgiving this year!  -Lauren
 

2.) This enlightened interview with Willow and Jaden Smith (via Gawker) was shocking and deep coming from two young kids that can’t even drive yet.  -Farrell
 

3.)  Science Says Lasting Relationships Come Down To 2 Basic Traits (via Business Insider) Kindness and generosity.  Who doesn’t want to be on the receiving end of that?!  -Lauren
 

4.) The Little Comet Probe That Could (via NPR) is a quick overview of the probe that landed on the comet and what it all means. -Farrell
 

5.)  Can a Pendulum Decide Your Career and Find Your Lost Car?  A History of Dowsing, or ‘Water Witching’ (via scpr.org)  Our mom loves to use a pendulum to teach people about energy.  I’d never heard the term ‘dowsing’ but think I’ll give it a go.  -Lauren
 

6.) Allure Magazine Editor Kelly Atterton’s Secrets To Great Skin (via Cupcakes and Cashmere) mentions some of my favorite products on the market!  -Farrell

(Images taken by yours truly)

*

Making art is never a waste of time.

Be yourself to the fullest – everyone else is taken.

Taking a break or stepping outside during work can change your entire day.

Stretch in the morning.

Keep being curious and don’t stop reading. 

Everyone is beautiful. 

Never underestimate the power of a good night sleep. 

A seafood dinner can heal all wounds. 

[posted by Farrell]

(image via here)

DIVING into three books at the same time: Skin Cleanse, Inner Gym (both pre-releases by friends) and Men, Women and Children.

FOCUSING on trying to meditate every single day and incorporate more cardio and sunlight into my daily life.

REFLECTING on this year and how fast things change, how permanent those changes can be and how exciting the rest of my life is going to be.

MAKING last minute plans for a mid-week trip to Washington DC with our dad.

RECEIVING lots of reminders that GRATITUDE is the reason for the season.

UPDATING my tumblr site laurenfeighan.com (domain courtesy of last year’s Christmas gift from our brother, David) with some new music & images.

Act I.  After you straighten your hair and put on your travel suit & glasses, swing aside the domed top and ease into your vessel with a casual grace.

Act II.  Once secure within the ship, send out your message of love.

Act III.  In due time, and blue-green light, don your disco best and watch how you sparkle and shine.

[posted by Lauren]

*images 1 | 2 | 3

1)  It’s always a thrill to read coverage about the art and music our little brother is making.  I learn something new about him or his work every time and this interview | Monster Rally (aka Ted Feighan) is no exception. (via blog.eventseeker.com) -Lauren

2)  My boss sent me this awesome site called Home Polish where you can hire a designer for your apartment at affordable prices.  Check it out. (via Homepolish) -Farrell

3)  I have been thinking about The Immortalists trailer ever since I saw it a month ago.  It is a documentary about the fountain of youth. (via Youtube) -Farrell

4)  What to Stream On Netflix: The Ultimate Indie Wire Guide is going to become my pre-Netflix landing page.  I’d way rather scroll through these lists to find something to watch than to spend the endless amount of time I do trying to find something on the site itself. (via Indewire.com)  -Lauren

5) 13 Genius ways to decorate a small space is always a welcome article title for me.  I love to read about how people decorate their spaces – especially if they are small. (via Cup of Jo) -Farrell

6) Yesterday a friend introduced me to Chapter Be, “Interviews and daily inspiration from those who are charting their own journeys to have a career and life doing what they love.”  I can’t wait to spend some time checking out the stories! (via chapterbe.com) -Lauren