Giveaway: Macarons or Baking Classes!

Hello! I'm giving you an extra special little post today. The Sugar Studio is hostessing a pretty giveaway for you all, and you're definitely going to want to enter.

If you're local San Franciscans, or even if you're local-ish, you have the opportunity to win two classes at Hilary's lovely studio to learn how to bake beautiful things with her!

If you live somewhere in the U.S. but not close enough to drive to San Francisco, you can still win! The Sugar Studio will mail two boxes of her signature macarons (six per box)... perfect for you and a friend.

The giveaway ends this Friday at 10am, and our winner will be announced at 1pm that same day.

Here are the easy ways to enter. Do just one or all of these things! Each of the following counts as one entry:
1. Follow @stylesmaller on Twitter.
2. Follow @thesugarstudio1 on Twitter.
3. Like StyleSmaller on Facebook.
4. Like The Sugar Studio on Facebook (it's brand new!).
5. Join our site (use the handy tool on the right).
6. Make a comment on any post on our site (up to three entries).
7. Share with friends on FB or tweet on twitter.

Last, comment once on this post noting how many entries we owe you (and how you entered), and you may win yourself a sweet prize!

XO,
Kate

Gift Guide: Get Domestic

1. Cucina Dish Soap. || 2. Oar Server. || 3. French Press. || 4. Bistro Kitchen Towels. || 5. Calendar Tea Towel. || 6. Ad Hoc at Home Cookbook.

These are the gifts I'm loving for your friends who spend time creating amazing food in the kitchen and love being domestic... or for people like me who have to spend time in the kitchen (for survival) and would love it a lot better if they were surrounded by beautiful things like these.

Anyone feeling like suddenly it's Christmas shopping crunch time? I definitely do. It totally snuck up on me this year. I love compiling little lists of pretty things to give the people I love, so I'm going on a little gift guide extravaganza this week and next. No worries to those overachievers who are totally done shopping; I also plan to post regular posts between gift ideas, but I'll be here a little more than normal to offer some inspiration for the people who are stumped (and who don't want to mess with the crowds out there- way easier to order online)!

Love,
Kate

Ps. If you missed the posts, we also picked some favorite clothes & toys for kiddos.

Getting Real

Dear Diary,

This week was not the easiest. "Momma said there'd be days like this, they'll be days like this my momma said." But really, that's real life. The days can't always be good because we would never ever appreciate anything. We'd be walking around and not knowing that we should be grateful because we've always had it all.

There were plenty of good moments this week though. There are good moments in EVERY week if we really think about it. Some weeks we can just coast, other weeks we cling to the extra good moments, and stay thankful. Today I'm a little extra thankful for our nightly family dance parties in the living room.

In other news, I made a little resolution this week to drink more water... Is it just me or is it extra hard to drink plenty of water when it's raining a lot? It's like this water overkill, you know? I run for the coffee and hot chocolate, and totally avoid water...

There are a lot of giveaways out there on this Internet lately. Sometimes I enter giveaways-- I go in streaks-- but I do this weird thing when I enter and I get pretty positive I'm about to win. Only the big ones, of course. For some reason, I'm never confident on the little ones, but if it's like a $5000 prize, I get so confident. I say to my husband "Bri, just so you know, I'm about to win all new furniture from West Elm... I mean it ends Friday, but I'm feeling really good about this one." I never ever ever win. I think that's why I have it in my head that when I finally do win something, it's going to be huge.

I'm glad it's Friday. I'm glad the sun is shining. Happy Weekend!

Favorite Reads this Week:

The simplest way to wrap gifts is with giftbags, and here's how I plan to spruce them up and make them more pretty and personal (I'm obv a big fan of five-minute DIYs).

I'm in love with the idea of a new little sock exchange tradition.

Be sure your fruit & veggies are nice & clean.

If you're going to be a houseguest this holiday season, here's a sweet way to thank your hosts!

I think these are just the prettiest ornaments, and so simple to make.

Set your kids' holiday table perfectly with some of our simple little tips.

Xoxo,
Kate

Quick DIY: Mini Place Cards & Notebooks

I'm a pretty big fan of making little kids feel like a holiday meal is special for them too. Just because they can't read doesn't mean they shouldn't have a place card with their name on it. Just because they may be four years old doesn't mean they shouldn't be able to actually participate in creating the place setting with you. 

Here's a simple little way to involve the kiddos when you're setting the table for Christmas (or any little party, really): First, grab a little stack of index cards. For each child, fold the card in half and write their name in block letters. Have your kids color the letters with their own crayons or colored pencils. Together, tie colorful string around the top and tie. Perfect! Now you've made place cards together! How long did that take? Umm, I think about five minutes flat. 

Next, grab three more index cards and fold them in half together. Punch two holes on the side of the seams. 

Take some scrap ribbon in an assortment of type and textures- or the same if you prefer cohesive looks- and pull them through the holes and knot!

Set a little cup of crayons in the middle of the table, and every kid has a little something to pass the time while adults get their chit chat on! The full table setting will be up on the Honest blog later in the week, so check back for a link soon!

XO,
Kate

Style & Review: Wittlebee

Wittlebee is a new little company that partners with other companies to send a box full of wonderful to their monthly subscribers.

It works so well because when you sign up, you get to take a little survey about your (and your child's) clothing preferences. Wittlebee uses that information to truly send boxes that match your child's personal styles. Boxes aren't going to include things like shoes and outerwear, because their objective is to keep kiddos stocked with basics as they grow. In addition to providing adorable clothing, members receive flash sales, access to community events, and giveaways... For $40 a month.

Each box includes six items, and it was like opening Christmas presents! I've never gotten surprise orders of clothes. SO fun! It all feels like great quality, and there's a balance of basics and patterns, which I love. 

Here's what was in Sophie's box:

American Apparel red leggings. Tea Collection patterned tunic. American Apparel grey long sleeve tee. Navy Cord skirt. Colorful shawl. Giraffe tee & Necklace tee (not pictured).

(above) These red leggings are seriously already a staple in Sophie's wardrobe.

(below) Sophie loves her new tunic. It's sooo soft and cozy. I think it's her favorite item in the box. 

A basic cord navy skirt is definitely going to get some good wear around here.

I'm loving this little wrap scarf. It's such a fun addition to a neutral outfit.

We love Wittlebee.

*I was not compensated for this post. Wittlebee provided us with a box of clothes for the purposes of providing a review. All opinions are my own.

Delightful

Delighted

Today I have some good news for you... Delighted Issue Three is now live! My favorite accessories for winter are in there, and Sophie's outfit picks are featured (she's really into dots right now). There are some gift guides, a home tour, and really gorgeous recipes for the holidays. I'm SO proud of my sister's work and recommend you take some time and enjoy!

I'll see you tomorrow with some small style inspiration.

XO,
Kate