Happy Sunday everyone. Today I am joining Mary Ann and Annie for our Sunday Favorites. I think this is a good one! Sometimes I struggle with my Sunday favorites. I am very particular about what I choose, and I try to find unique places and things that I think you will enjoy. This was one of those weeks, but once I got inspired I went with my instincts. I think you will enjoy Unique Handmade Gifts You Will Wish You Found Sooner. I listened to your requests, came up with two holiday outfits that have extended sizes, a new blog I think you will want to follow, great art from Pat Huber, recipes from Lauren (my daughter-in-law), and bespoke Etsy items from my personal favorites list. Let’s get going.
CHRISTMAS GOODIES FROM SIMPLY MARIE
Mary Ann pointed me to Simply Marie. She was on our recent Christmas Tour on Mary Ann’s day. I hopped over to her blog and spotted these darling Christmas gift tags from. I think Summer would love these. You can download these nutcracker gift tags here on her blog.
Aren’t these cookies beautiful? You can find the recipe for these European Christmas Cookies here on her blog as well.
SOUP AND SALAD
My daughter-in-law made a delicious soup and salad last week for dinner that I had to share. Lauren is an excellent cook. These will be on repeat at my house.
The Shrimp Bisque Soup is from Food Network and you can find the recipe here.
The Parmesan Brussel Sprout Salad is from Punchfork. You can find the recipe here.
A WELL STYLED LIFE-CONTRAST LEVELS
My friend Jennifer from, A Well Styled Life had an informative post this week on contrast levels (something I know nothing about). I think you might find it interesting. I sure did.
OUTFITS OF THE WEEK
I have been flooded with emails asking for more specific Holiday Outfit Ideas, such as faux leather pants and extended sizes. So here you go. I am not usually a Chico’s shopper but I love these pants for the Holiday. The J Jill velvet tunic is a lovely classic you can wear all winter. You know I love my Artemis Smoking Shoes. The accessories are from Etsy, Amazon, and Chicos. All very price friendly.
SHOP HOLIDAY OUTFIT #1
This black and white tunic from Chicos is much prettier in person than it looks here. It is the same no-iron shirt that I have recommended for years but with pretty black embroidery. The faux leather pants are also from Chicos. Finish it off with a pair of velvet birdies and the J Crew Cashmere Wrap (on sale). The jewelry and clutch are price friendly.
SHOP HOLIDAY OUTFIT #2
SMALL WORKS OF ART FROM PAT HUBER
My friend Pat always amazes me with the creative ideas she comes up with. Pat is making ornaments and small paintings for Christmas. Go to her website here for more information. She was gone the entire month of November babysitting and she still made these! Love them. I am having her do each of our family pets for ornaments. I will just wrap up a picture of the ornaments and they will have a nice surprise when they bring out their Christmas ornaments next year.
christmas ornaments 
BESPOKE GIFTS FROM MY PERSONAL ETSY FAVORITE LIST
Many of you have asked me for my favorite Etsy shops or items. These are all items from my personal favorites list. They are all different price points. Hover over the image for price. Most are one of a kind so if you want anything act quickly. Also, many of the shops will have similar items once the chosen ones are sold out. Click on the picture to shop.
I definitely cheated this week on my five favorites. This will make it seven. If you follow me on Instagram you have seen pictures of Summer in Tahoe. This is her first real trip to the snow, and oh is she having fun!
Thank you so much for reading Unique Handmade Gifts You Will Wish You Found Sooner. If you are still shopping you can find my gift guide for him here, my gift guide for her here, and my gift guide for four-year-old girls here. You can find my favorite design books here, and my gift guide for the entertainer here. hope you might find a couple of things you want for a friend or yourself! Now let’s pop over and visit Mary Ann and Annie for their weekly finds.
CLASSIC CASUAL HOME
MOST LOVELY THINGS
Cindy,
This is a great post. I copied and pasted the Brussel Sprout salad recipe. My daughter-in-law loves Brussel sprouts. The outfit suggestions are a tremendous help. I’ve been looking for a dressy top to wear with leggings for New Year’s Eve with friends. I’ll be checking out your gift ideas.
xo,
Karen
Hi Karen
I am on your daughter in laws team. I love brussel sprouts. Happy Holidays, and thank you for being such a great supporter of my blog.
It’s so unselfish of you to share many of your personal favs, especially clothing. I think most of us like to have a personal look that we don’t always want someone to copy. I’m still looking for decent faux leather pants and the black that you show look intriguing. I just don’t get how Chico’s does their sizing and now that we no longer have a store, it would be a crap shoot to order. Love the little clutch from Etsy in black and white.
Summer is having fun in winter!
Hi Cindy
Are the Artemis shoes good for wide feet or bunions?
What do you think?
Those recipes look amazing!! Love Pat’s work. She is so talented. I like that white embroidered shirt and you always inspire me to accessorize more!
Summer is so darling. I want to see her in person soon!!
Mary Ann
Gorgeous Etsy finds thank you and a lovely post. Summer looks so happy in the snow, bliss 🙂
Cindy – as usual a very interesting post. Love your inclusion of Summer. And also the tiny ornament paintings. I also do small gem paintings at the holidays as do many of my artist friends. In fact I just delivered the final batch to Nancy Dodds Gallery in Carmel. They are small enough to fit in a purse or Xmas stocking. I call them shelf paintings as they can be set anywhere year round and not just on a Xmas tree. I do mine in oil paint on hardwood panels or blocks. Perhaps for next year I can send you links of other artists who do these. They may be tiny but they are mighty. They are also labor intensive and each one is unique. Most of these tinies I’ve seen make lovely gifts. Not just at the holidays. Especially if someone is short on wall space. Just for reference http://www.nancydoddsgallery.com. She has several artists this month with small gems. Thanks for showcasing an artist!!
So much goodness packed into this post! The gift tags and cookies sent me straight to Simply Marie’s blog. I have a feeling it’s going to be a new favorite. Summer in the snow … adorable! Love the recipe and outfit ideas. Off to the city today – yes, in the rain – and outfit inspiration is much needed. xo
The link for the shrimp bisque does not work.
The brussels sprout salad looks delicious but the link requires registration or has a paywall.
Cindy! So much interesting information and finds in your post today! I keep clicking around and almost forgot to come back and tell you! Love the recipes. Pat’s mini paintings, Simply Marie’s gift tags which could also be ornaments and those cookies. Love your festive outfits of the week too! I saw Jennifer’s post on instagram and just popped over and read it….so interesting, I think I need to read it again and experiment. xx
Hi Annie
Great comment about Simply Marie’s gift tags. I am filing that idea for Summer’s birthday although she would probably prefer something with Frozen or Unicorns on it!