Laura Bear Holiday DIY

 Well my friends, we are thick in the holidays and looking at 14 days until Christmas (!)
 I have done zero shopping so far... so it will be a busy next couple of weekends!

I really want gifts to be personal this year, something above just a store bought goodie.
I thought these delicious smelling gingerbread ornaments could be a fun little treat to accompany gifts.

Here is the easy-peasy recipe...

- 1 C Ground Cinnamon
- 1/2 C Glue
- 1/4 C apple sauce

Applesauce gives the dough flexibility, glue makes it firm, and cinnamon adds the fragrance and a gingerbread color.


Step 1: Mix the Cinnamon and apple sauce together until the sauce is all worked in.

Step 2: Add the glue, folding in a bit at a time, until you have a nice ball of dough.

Roll out the dough to 1/4 of an inch thick. I found it easiest to roll out small portions at a time.

Create shapes using cookie cutters or shape them by hand!

Using a toothpick, create a hole in the top of the shape. 

Be sure to put the hole in an area that will be supportive and not easily break off. 

These become fragile after a few years. 

 Allow the shapes to dry on a rack for 24 hours, flipping every 6 hours to keep them flat.
Alternatively, you can bake in a 200 Degree oven for 2 hours, flipping half way through.
Once dry, you can paint some glue onto them and add glitter or beads. Cookie sprinkles could be cute too!
String some bakers twine through the holes et voila!

 They smell so wonderful and add a nice touch to any tree. <3


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Baby Bear Books

We have a few favorite books around here. And by favorite, I mean ones that baby bear will actually look at for more than two seconds.
This Pantone Colors one is a big hit with her rods and cones,
and seeing as orchid was chosen as the "Pantone Color of the Year" for 2014, I thought today would be a good day to showcase this awesome board book.
{side note: purple is my least favorite color... but I looovved it when I was 12. OK? ok.}

^^^OK so that is not exactly the color of the year above... but it's purple and it's "orchid" so whatever.

A few other books that are a go around here....
 Opposites and Hello Kitty Hello Winter <-- surprisingly cute. we also have the hello fall.

Lastly, since we are on baby stuff...
 I love those soothies in yellow. 
I don't know why but the ubiquitous teal green ones and the pink and purple ones just hurt my eyes.

Also, unimpressed with the AngelCare baby monitor. It beeps if your baby stops breathing, which is a great idea to all new moms, but that's just way too much for me.
Also, it feels cheap considering the price tag!

OK! That's enough baby talk! WOW When did I become such a MOM!?

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Thanks from Laura Bear

 The holidays are here and I am just so thankful. We are together with the whole family and it is just great.

I am so thankful for my family, that is now one bigger this year. 

I am also so thankful for you, dear friends.

This time of year is all about family and comfort for me. Sweaters and Coffee on chilly afternoons, and my favorite fall candle on every surface. 

I will be wearing sweatpants for the rest of the week...

 and while I don't own [ these ] cashmere numbers, you can be sure they shot straight to the top of my "dear santa" list this year. 

Also loving...

 these from planet blue /// these VS numbers /// Monroe- the king of sweatpant chic /// and these F21 ones are varsity cheap chic.

Have a restful holiday if you are in the states, and have a comfy week anyway! 

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