Minted: My 5 Favorite Christmas Cards

This post was sponsored by Minted.com. The thoughts and opinions expressed are my own.

Now that Halloween almost seems like a distant memory, the holiday season is here - whether you like it or not! I actually heard a Christmas song playing at the mall this weekend, and all the shops I went in have their decorations up. One thing that I think tends to be a really fun tradition around the holidays is sending out and receiving cards. For this post, Minted asked me to share my favorite Christmas designs from their site to help you get inspired. Minted is the online stationery store powered by a global community of designers. I have been a fan of their cards for a long time - they have amazing designs. Here are 5 of my favorites (with images from my year, of course):

1. The winter brush foil pressed holiday card adds a lovely shine to your holiday card. It makes Stevie look even more dashing than usual ; )

2. I love the heaven and nature photo card - it's such a pretty lyric from Joy to the World, and it works perfectly if you have a pretty nature photo to share, like this one from our trip to Michigan's Upper Peninsula.

3. The stamped circle Christmas card is great if you have a few photos to share, for example, we don't have any good ones with Stevie, but lots of Stevie!

4. The sophisticate Christmas card is really simple but lovely. I wish I had more pictures of Andrew and me from his sister's wedding!

5. Finally, I think the wreck the halls card is hilarious. Stevie is misrepresented here, because he's actually a very good cat. But I think if you have some naughty pets or kids, this card is for you!

Minted has so many great designs, I don't know what to choose for our holiday card! There are also a million or so great designs that I didn't show here for big events like new babies, an engagement, and other news to share from your year. If you have any questions about Minted, leave them in the comments! And tell me which Christmas card is your favorite : )

Holiday Photobooth

Before the twelve days of Christmas are officially over (I really need to take down the tree this weekend), I just wanted to share a few of my favorite photobooth pictures from a friend's Christmas party! I did help create this photobooth, but I didn't make it the wonder it became. I painted the JOY letters red, though! And I made the reindeer antlers and Santa beards. I was very proud. The dress is from Target in case you wondered! Happy weekend, lovelies!

December Photo-A-Day Week 3

I posted my first two weeks on Sunday and then lost track of what day it was with the Christmas weekend! It's been such a great few days, and I'm not looking forward to leaving home and going back to work. Maybe I'd be a little more excited if I had some New Year's Eve plans! What are you all doing?

December 16th "Outside Christmas Lights"

I was like two days late on this, so it's not a very impressive photo!

December 17th "Presents"

Wrapped 'em myself!

December 18th "Stockings"

Mine is on the right: )

December 19th "Candy Cane"

Candy cane cookies! They look better than they tasted unfortunately.

December 20th "Tree Topper"

Andrew's gift to my mom

December 21st "Peace"

From the church bulletin

December 22nd "Tradition"

A Tom and Jerry at the Brass Rail in Port Huron. An old tradition that is new to me! Yum!

Merry Christmas to everyone! I hope you all had a wonderful relaxing day and got everything on your list. I know I got a lot of great stuff, I am so blessed! I'd love to hear what your favorite part was in the comments - a movie? a specific present? someone you haven't seen in a while? Anyway, Merry Christmas to all and to all a good night! 

December Photo-A-Day Week 2

I don't have many words this weekend after what happened Friday. Here are some pictures instead:

 December 9th "Something You're Reading"

I haven't gotten very far...

December 10th "Wrapping Paper"

I love my reindeer with scarves paper: )

December 11th "Green"

The elevators at work have protective stuff in them because construction is going on, and someone made a monster out of the rip! So awesome.

December 12th "A Beautiful Sight"

I was inside all day so I made do.

December 13th "Family"

Me and Stevie!

December 14th "Christmas Tree"

A few presents under there!

December 15th "Favorite Holiday Song" 

If you say you don't like this song, you are lying.

Just a few days until we get a break from work. I'm excited to spend time with friends and family. Keep saying prayers for those in Sandy Hook. Andrew and I have been struggling all weekend with the fact that something so horrible could ever happen.

Giveaway // Treats and Eats Christmas Ornament!

Ho ho ho, another giveaway! (Don't forget, the Telestrations giveaway is still open). Tis the season of giving! This is an exciting one for me because the talented artist is my friend from college, Angela. We are both Angelas! We went to Ferris State University for Music Industry Management (in case you were curious), and as soon as I found out about her craft on-the-side, I asked to partner up with her for this giveaway. Thankfully, she said yes!

Angela makes the most darling little trinkets and jewelry that look like treats - you know, lattes, cinnamon rolls, cookies, pies, etc.! She has a passion for food, so combined with her creativity she "decided to offer mini food trinkets to the masses." Her Etsy shop is so so cool, and Angela is being extra awesome and giving you 15% off with the order code LOVELYLLORYS. Take advantage! Since Christmas is on everyone's mind, Angela is giving one of my readers her Christmas Tree Cookie Ornament to deck the tree with! Aren't they adorable? This girl's got some mean "mini-making" talent. 

On to the giveaway! To enter, you must visit Angela's etsy shop, Treats and Eats, and leave me a comment sharing your favorite item. Then use the rafflecopter widget to officially submit that entry. There are more ways to enter as well if you want to increase your chances. You have until next Wednesday at midnight, and you must have a mailing address in the U.S. or Canada. Good luck!


a Rafflecopter giveaway