This is the year my holiday crafting is a big bust. I've had practically zero free time to get my craft on...and I have to say, I'm missing it. I just returned from location scouting in Phoenix and I'm heading to Oregon this week to shoot a home for Christmas..to appear in print next year. So my fa-la-la-la-la is really lacking. I'm sure some of you can relate. There are just those years when it doesn't all come together. At least not how we envision it in our heads. ;)

To make up for it, I've found a few great crafters, bakers, and diy'ers creating lots of cheery holiday handmades. Here's a few of my favorites!

I had the pleasure of styling the home of my friend, Serena Thompson, for this months issue of Country LIving. Plenty of natural elements, traditional red and green plaids, and a little whimsy were thrown in for good measure. And just so you know...the cake in the photo below was Delicious! Seriously yummy. We almost never eat props, but this was an exception!

Hey there friends! How was your Thanksgiving? I hope it was spent in the company of your loved ones...and with plenty of delicious homemade food.

We took a break from our busy schedule to head up to Big Bear with our extended family. It was a great way to unplug. And the weather was absolutely amazing! Some of my highlights were: Gathering apples from an abandoned tree. Making The Man's favorite Sweet Potato Casserole. Teaching one of my sisters how to make gravy. Antique shopping with another sister...found a silver & turquoise bracelet that I love! Played rounds and rounds of Yahtzee with some serious folks. (Got a Double Yahtzee and won!) Had a much needed coffee break with my sister and brother-in-law at this place. Hit every thrift store in Big Bear..bought nothing. But still fun. Scored a giant bag of free pinecones for a craft project. And spent lots of time in front of a wood burning stove. All in all, it was the perfect holiday!

Oh, Pinterest. Before you, I used to tear out a thousand pages from magazines and file them away in heavy binders, not now...you've made life so much simpler. And although I don't pin thousands upon thousands of images, I am able to see my style more clearly defined through my curated boards and pins. Today, I thought I'd share a few of my favorite pinners. The ones I find myself re-pinning from again and again.

With my bonkers schedule during summer and early fall, I forgot to share with you one of my favorite styling assignments. This Texas ranch house, owned by Susie Clark, had an amazing before & after transformation. You can see more photos, including the before shots (and paint colors) over at Country Living. What she's done with the place is incredible!

It's that "pumpkin spice" time of the year. It seems like everywhere you turn, they're adding it to something. I've never tried one of those famous Pumpkin Spice Lattes that are all the rage but I do have a fondness for Pumpkin Pie frozen yogurt. It's like having a frozen slice of pie without the crust....yum! I also enjoy a slice of pumpkin bread on occasion which got me to thinking, instead of making bread this year...what about mini baked donuts?