I love the holidays. I love candy canes and sparkly lights and piney-smelling trees and colorful wrapping paper and “A Christmas Story” 24-hour marathons on TV. But I don’t love how somehow, no matter how much I prepare for it, Christmas sneaks up on me every year. I’m always still recovering from the massive stuffing-induced food coma of Thanksgiving and then BAM! one week to Christmas. And in 7 days, I must get a tree, and deck the halls, and eat 18 days worth of chocolates from the advent calendar, and listen to as much KOST-Your-Official-Holiday-Music-Station as my brain can handle, and go out and battle all the other Christmas procrastinators for holiday gifts. I seriously have been planning all year to do 100% of my holiday shopping on Etsy from the comfort of my living room couch, but yet again, crafty Christmas and online holiday deadlines have duped me. But have no fear blog world – Christmas 2010 will be different! I can’t tell you exactly what my plan is, but it has something to do with finding a lot that sells Christmas trees in July ;)

There is one more Christmas activity on the list that I admit I had hoped to start earlier. Last year, Chris+Lynn Photographers started up a “Cans for Comments” drive as a way to give back during the holidays. I was one of many photogs who jumped on the can-wagon & by the time the holidays came around, Cans for Comments had spread like wildfire in the photography community! I loved the response I got on this little blog last year and am happy to announce we will be at it again!

For all comments left between now and December 31st, I will be donating 1 can per comment to our local foodbank. Thank you so much to everyone who participated last year & looking forward to your lovely comments this year!

And because I would never leave you without a photo, here’s a quick one of a sweet favor from the Urbanic holiday party earlier this month. Sugarcube Press was there with their letterpress, helping everyone manually letterpress their own ornaments!

Many thanks to these amazing blogs for recent features! When I meet with couples in the early stages of their planning, I often send them links to some of these spectacular sites to get their gears turning and to see what options are out there. These blogs are overflowing with ideas that are both budget-friendly, eco-friendly, & party-for-your-eyes friendly, and flood you with inspiration from every angle! I am a firm believer that you don’t have to break the bank to have beautiful & unique details for your day – it’s all about infusing YOU into your wedding and brainstorming with the help of gems on the web like these!

A little peek of Liz + Adam‘s balloon engagement session in the sweet “Love This!” spot on Green Wedding Shoes. Jen’s blog is one of my absolute favorites and is an endless well of inspiration!

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Tina + Sam‘s wedding featured on Ever Thine, Ever Mine, Ever Ours. Lydia is rapidly growing on the blogging scene and it’s easy to see why – beautiful handpicked features daily!

Part One
Part Two

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Sarah + Brad featured on Trendsetting Wedding. If you are planning a lovely urban wedding, this is your go-to blog! She features the most stunning city weddings & sessions.

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Last week, in the midst of a nasty cold, I drove myself to the grocery store to pick up the one thing I had decided would make me feel better: tomato basil soup + an oozy grilled cheese. I planned to be in and out and back in bed in a matter of minutes, and did in fact blaze through the store in record time, but just as I was about to hit the checkout stand, a basket full of shiny autumn-colored goodies caught my eye. It was a basket of squash & gourds, in all shapes and colors and sizes – and so I spent the next 15 minutes picking out the perfect five. (I actually walked halfway to the register when I thought I had my perfect set, only to walk back to the basket because NO! it was not quite yet perfect.)

And it seemed that my squash spree set off a wonderful influx of decorating wonders into my life, because within the next 2 days I came across two more wonderful finds. The first was a bundle of Chinese lanterns, one of my favorites. I had a single bloom while I was in Japan that lasted the entire year I was there and have been coveting some ever since. Would these not be amazing in a bouquet (see a gorgeous option here in Martha Stewart) or a centerpiece? I may or may not have plans a-brewing to use them in a shoot…

(Almost everything in the above photos are from Etsy. The vase is by Jill Rosenwald and is one of my most favorite things in my home – I want to buy every thing in her shop!)

In addition, I know have this:

It is a yam plant that Scott’s mother had lovingly started. I’ve have tried to start my own before but seriously, if I can’t keep an already green and thriving thing alive, how am I going to convince something that doesn’t even exist yet to sprout?? I am absolutely fascinated by this yam and it’s pretty leaves – it makes me happy to glance over at it as I’m sitting and editing photos.

And of course, the gourds:

I think the prettiness surrounding me from all these goodies definitely helped me get over my cold in a jiffy! What fall decor do you love?