Sky Lark House: Monthly Unboxing 1225

The purpose of the “Sky Lark House: Monthly Unboxing” post is to highlight some of the more popular posts shared during the previous month. We are unboxing all the DIYs, vintage items, antiques, furniture makeovers and crafts shared during the previous month. Basically, I am “unpacking” information shared within the last 30 or so days.

A quick note that this post includes affiliate links and if you purchase items from links provided in this post, I will receive a small commission, but at no additional cost to you. As an Amazon Associate I earn a small commission from qualifying purchases. I am presenting you with my own opinion and honest review of the information provided. If you want to read the entire disclosure statement, please click HERE. You can also read my privacy policy by clicking HERE.

I will also be sharing some posts, information and events from around the web that you may be interested in.

So, let’s get started!

Sky Lark House Monthly Unboxing

The Upstate Update

The arrival of the holiday season often equates to the hustle and bustle of buying gifts, sending cards, planning menus, decorating the house, and mailing packages. During this season of giving, I like to contribute time, money and gifts to select organizations. A donation doesn’t require large sums of money. Simply by forgoing a drink from Starbucks, I can help another human or animal.

One such organization I love to help is Peaceful Acres Horse (PAH) Farm. PAH’s Equine Sanctuary provides a loving, compassionate and interactive forever home for 75+ senior, retired, special needs, and program horses, minis, donkeys and mules.

The organization has saved over 300 equines! Half were adopted by loving families, and dozens are living the remainder of their days knowing dignity, kindness and long-term care at Peaceful Acres Horses. The organization has a legacy of dedication and compassion for previously neglected, abused, and at-risk of slaughter equines. 

Caring for and feeding over 75 horses is a costly, labor intensive, and requires a significant amount of time.

You can support this organization by donating money here.

Our Vintage Inspired Holiday Home Tour

This year, Mr. SLH and I gave a tour of our vintage inspired holiday home decor. We also teamed up with other bloggers who also shared their holiday decor!

Vintage Inspired Ornaments

I rounded up a selection of new ornaments that incorporate the style and charm of vintage ornaments. It’s always fun to mix old and new ornaments together!

DIY Angel Wing Ornaments

The ladies from the Handcrafted Society came up with a variety of projects using sheet music paper. Learn how to make these angel wing ornaments as well as a variety of other projects.

DIY Candle Clip Ornaments

Finally, I had so much fun creating these vintage inspired candle clip ornaments! The best part is these candle ornaments don’t require batteries.

In related news

Here are some links and information I found from around the web.

• You still have time to make this charming advent calendar for kids.
• Here are some tips for planning and prepping for Christmas.
• If you are looking to create your own Christmas floral centerpiece, then you will want to read this article.
• I love the simplicity of this handmade tinsel star garland.
• Here are some Scandi tips for creating a hygge Christmas.
• You only need these 3 things for a beautiful and festive holiday table.
• I will definitely be using some of these ideas for easy and elegant gift wrapping.
• This yarn wreath is beautiful and easy to make.
• Making these DIY silhouette ornaments is on my list of things to do before Christmas.
• Jen offers some great tips to ensure stress free holiday hosting.
• I love how this potting shed is decorated for Christmas.

Shopping with Friends

As usual, I got together with some of my blogging friends and we are sharing some of our favorite online finds.

Anna from Sky Lark House

Did you know, all my favorite finds are on LTK? Even those items I shared previously.

Macy’s has made some huge strides in offering high quality products at a great price point. After doing some comparison shopping, I find their current sale prices hard to beat! So, I rounded up some of my favorite holiday gift ideas.

• This Tommy Hilfiger sweater with the terrier is adorable and perfect for the holiday season.
• This Ralph Lauren purse is a classic design that will work with almost any wardrobe.
• If you are looking for something for your husband, brother, son or father – this leather money clip might be the answer.
• This Kate Spade necklace is perfect for your best friend, sister, aunt or mom.
• You can’t go wrong with gifting the cook in your life this Le Crueset cast iron dutch oven.
• If you want to go all out on a big Christmas gift, this set of Green Pan non-stick cookware is another good bet.

Cindy from Reinvented Delaware

Cindy has a fabulous blog where she shows you how to refurbish furniture, repurpose thrifted items and gives you ideas for your home decor. She will be joining us next month!

Lora from Lora Bloomquist

If you love vintage and antique items, Lora Bloomquist has some inspiration for you. Her blog is full of ideas for repurposing and reusing these items.

• I’m still decorating my house for Christmas, and have been so happy with THESE beautiful ruffled velvet pillow covers. I got them in a couple versions of greens and gray. They’re so soft and cozy; perfect for winter. Give as a gift, or grab some for your own home!
• Gifts for the guys are always challenging for me. If your men are the outdoorsy types, THIS is a fun way to see what’s lurking in your yard at night. Also, I gifted THIS to Mr. Fix-it a couple months ago, and it’s his new favorite thing to use around the yard (note: you do need a battery for it also HERE)
• Happy girl and hubs are moving into their first home this weekend. I think gifting her with a vintage needlepoint sampler with a house on it and a cute saying/verse sounds like a perfect gift. Find vintage samplers HERE. Also going to order one of THESE ornaments.
• Last year I put a thrifted brass candlestick and THESE type of battery operated candles in each window. I loved them from the inside, but they weren’t as bright as I’d like from the outside. This year, I got THESE weighted candles and am much happier with the brightness from the outside. Bonus-they all go on at 4:30 and stay on for 6 hours.
• Now is the time to scoop up winter themed art and decor items for after Christmas decorating. You can find vintage winter art HERE. Or you can paint your own paint-by-number HERE (great gift idea too). Find vintage skates HERE.
• There are so many holiday “doings” to go to this month. It’s nice to have a couple festive pieces of clothes to wear. I got THIS cute, cozy vest in the green version. Perfect casual outfit to wear with jeans or leggings. I like to be warm, but not feel bulky in the winter. Vests like these are the perfect solution; I may need to get another color version:)

Lynn from Living Large in a Small House

On her blog, Lynn shares all the things that make a house a home. She has DIYs, recipes, home decor ideas, gardening suggestions and more. Lynn will join us next month!

South House Designs

Diane from South House Designs has a wide array of DIYs and projects for your home. She also shares information about entertaining, recipes, and outdoor living. She is known for her creativity and entrepreneurial spirit. Here are Diane’s favorite finds.

This week I’m all about the gifting!

• This may surprise you if you remember that 6 years ago our immediate family changed up our gift exchange. We no longer buy gifts for each other. Our gifting took off in a whole different way — and we will never go back! Lower stress, better budget control, more great memories, just more fun all around! This year’s is going to be a blast. I’ll be sure to share details after!
• If you have a loved one in a care facility — short term or long — it is stressful! I get it. Truly I do. So I put together a post full of ideas for brightening the holidays for them. Start with how to safely add festive touches to their room, starting with these, or maybe these (with more of my favorite options in the post). And these twinkle lights are the ones you want to go with this garland and these hooks for their window.
• In that same post, I included ideas for cozy, comfy gifts for these special loved ones. Such as this unbelievably cuddly lap blanket which is actually the same size as a baby blanket (larger throws are trip hazard). And it’s on sale at Pottery Barn, for just $30 and going fast!!!! And there are options for engaging and entertaining gifts, as well as practical helper gifts, personal care gifts and more. If your’s has a mischievous twinkle in his eye, I strongly suggest these. My dad would have loved surprising the staff with silly arrangements.
• And this new blog post is full of vetted brands and give-back gift picks that support communities, sustainability, and social impact. Such as Fahlo who supports wildlife organizations with the sale of tracking bracelets and plushes featuring 20 endangered animals. The animal lover gets to track the journeys of real animals out in their world.

In Closing . . .

Wishing you and your family a safe, relaxing and warm Christmas.

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