DIY Christmas Gifts.

Sure it's nice to go out and buy things for the people on your Christmas list....but, I betcha what they'd all really love is something made by you :)

I usually end up doing a little of both each year; purchasing that apparel, or video game (brother!) as well a making something. It's a total win/win section, because you get to be creative (which is the most fun!) and you get to bless someone :)

So, here are some of my favorite DIY Christmas gifts! Enjoy! Also, if you find a really cool DIY idea for the holiday season, please comment about it below--I would love to hear! Always wanting new, amazing ideas!

1) Buckeyes!!

When I was younger I had a friend who gave everyone on her list a basket filled with homemade goodies! My favorite item? The buckeyes. So the following years I made bags full for all my friends...it was a total hit. Not only are they the easiest thing in the world to make, but they're so very delicious! Wrap them up in a cute little Christmas goodie bag and you're good to go :) (or even make a little basket of a whole bunch of goodies like my friend did.)

Here is the wonderful recipe I always use: Buckeyes!

2) Homemade Journals

I for one, love to write, therefore I constantly am buying journals. I would never force someone to journal, because it might not be everyone's thing, but I think it is indeed a wonderful thing. So, for all those people on your list who love to write, sketch, or whom you just think is in need of a good journal, this is the perfect gift!

Things You'll Need:

*Plain Journal (Michael's, Wal-Mart, Target etc)
*Mod Podge
*Random Magazines
*Gluestick

To Make:

Go through magazines with the person you're making the journal for in mind. Find all the pictures, quotes, sayings that scream, "them!" Cut them out, glue them on the journal (and inside too on random pages!), and then cover the whole thing in Mod Podge to seal it. And, "walah!", you've got a perfect, homemade journal made specifically for your loved one. SOO EASY!

3) Keepsake Boxes

Keepsake boxes are so easy to personalize and can be used for almost anything/anyone. They are also so simple to make. Simply go to Michael's and pick up a wooden keepsake box in any design you want. Pick out practically anything to decorate it with (ex: magazine clippings, stickers, decorations, paint) Bam! You're done! (pss...if you do end up using magazine clippings, mod podge over those areas!)

4) Mixed CD.

This is honestly the easiest (and probably least expensive) gift to give anyone on your list. Just buy some blank CD's, and burn a mix of some of your favorite singles over the past year or so, making sure to personalize to the individual's taste as well. Everyone loves new music! This is the perfect gift!

That's it for now! Tomorrow, be sure to check out, Christmas Gifts for Her. I have been researching some pretty awesome deals to help you buy that perfect gift for every girl on your list this year.

Peace. Love. Joy.

Gifts That Give Back.

The first segment of the gift giving blogs this week, "gifts that give back". This could possibly be my favorite gift arena, if I do say so myself :) I love the ability to bless people, and also contribute and make a difference in the world. I think it's the most wonderful.

Sooo, here we go people!

First, TOMS shoes. Because, of course we can't forget the TOMS. Give the gift of an incredible shoe, in an amazing design to every single person on your list this year. You will not only be giving them an ultra cute/comfy shoe, but helping a child in need across the globe. Some of my favorite styles for the season are below. Go to TOMS now and browse their selection and pick a pair up for all the closest ones on your "list".

Secondly, for all your friends and family who love designer apparel, check out M Missoni for OrphanAid Africa. Buy, any article from the collection designed by Missoni and money goes to the charity, Orphan Aid Africa. 

 Go to Yoox and buy an item from M Missoni now :) 

Thirdly, JewelMint! Who doesn't love jewelry?! It's the most perfect gift for any girl on your list. Go to JewelMint now and pick up Camille Belle's own designed necklace that is giving back to Free The Slaves, an organization that works to see the end of modern day slavery. How cute is this Nordic Treasure Necklace--go pick it up now!

Well, there ya go! These are my top 3 gifts that give back this Christmas Season. I truly hope you pick up at lease one for that someone special on your list! (I'd love to know if you do--write me, briannageeslin@gmail.com.)

Check back tomorrow for a DIY Christmas Gift segment :)

Peace. Love. Joy.

Back, and with THANKS.

All you followers out there, I am so sorry I have not been posting the past couple weeks. Between the holidays, a crazy work schedule, and school (on top of internet not working at work..haha!) it's been really hard to keep up. But, I am back my friends :)

I hope everyone had the most lovely Thanksgiving break. I spent the time with family in NYC. It was so fun, and relaxing, and most certainly a needed break. I started off the day running the 5k Trot for Hunger in D.C. with my sister. The trot supported SOME, a D.C. organization that aids the homeless. I would definitely suggest checking out their site, here. I then drove up to NY and ended the evening with relatives, and some yummy turkey. (Below are some pictures of my holiday weekend--enjoy!)

Over the next week I will be posting some awesome gift ideas, and deals for all the people on your list this year. Be sure to check it out if you're in need of some awesome ideas. I will definitely include a good Christmas DYI as well...because, everyone knows the best gifts are those that are handmade ;)

Peace. Love. Joy.

Oh, and from the bottom of my heart, thanks for following my blog! I appreciate it :) Looking forward to an awesome year, with some awesome events and projects!

And, here are those pictures.....

SOME 5k Turkey Trot

Christmas Tree going up in Rockefeller Plaza!

Do Something That Matters.

With the Christmas season right up ahead, and the endless joy that comes with it, let's remember those suffering all over the globe.

I am all for gift giving, in fact giving people gifts is honestly one of my favorite things to do! SOO give away :) But, I also want to make sure that I make room to do something that matters, (everyday), but especially in the Christmas season. If I can give just a little more to a cause worth giving too, why wouldn't I?

Enjoy this video IJM put together, and then go to IJM and shop their Christmas Catalog where you can buy a bike for a former slave, a business start up kit, or even a whole rescue operation.

I already support IJM monthly, and am sure proud of it!! I believe whole heartedly in what they do and KNOW my money is going towards fighting injustice globally. Whether you decide to give a one time gift to IJM this Christmas season, or become a monthly freedom parter...do something, that matters, friends!


Advent Conspiracy from International Justice Mission on Vimeo.

Peace. Love. Joy.

Pan Am.

My new favorite show to add to list from this fall is definitely, Pan Am. I was intrigued since my Grandfather was a Pan Am pilot, and thought it would be interesting to watch his infamous life on screen (at least, Hollywoods version!) I have to say I have fallen in love with the characters, their style, and their grace! Love the feminine element the show embraces--it's so fun!

(sorry about the poor quality of the pictures!)

Hope your week is shaping up to be amazing!

Peace. Love. Joy.

MIA.

I'm so sorry I've been MIA lately--this week has been crazy! I've been working like crazy, and I just took another job as a Mary Kay consultant (psss, if you want to try samples let me know!)
Here are some of my current fashion "lustings"--enjoy!

First off, I am absolutely, head over heels, in love with this Tony Burch skirt. I can't find it anywhere on the internet, but here is a link to the ELLE copy I saw the skirt in. It's the one pictured to the left, not the one on the model. How incredible is it?
[http://www.toryburch.com/Elle-(November-2011)/press-as-seen-november-2011-elle,default,pg.html]

ZARA:

      LC Lauren Conrad:

Just some of my current obsessions from ZARA, and LC Lauren Conrad! Hope your weekend is going fabulous :)

Peace. Love. Joy.

Style Spotlight: Olivia Palermo

I have to admit, despite her rude personality on The City, Olivia Palermo's style is brilliant. She has the perfect balance between dressing to communicate sophistication, but also being daring and trying new fashion trends that she wouldn't normally wear. Thats true style to me; being yourself. But, also not being afraid to try some new things here and there--have fun, and be creative! Alas, Olivia is my style spotlight for this month--enjoy some of my favorite outfits she has worn.

Happy Wednesday--half way through this week already :)

Oh, and girls, check out this video from the Glamour Women of the Year Awards--inspiring!


Peace. Love. Joy.

Serenity.

I've mostly spent my weekend, stuck in my house, with a nasty cold. I did manage to escape to a local Nicaraguan bakery though, which pretty much made the weekend the best anyways.

Here's to feeling better, and to a whole new week of living life fully alive despite the circumstances surrounding us.

Peace. Love. Joy.

WishWishWish

Here is a video one of my favorite fashion bloggers just did for H&M, I think she is quite brilliant & I love her style so I thought I'd share!



H&M Divided Collection with wishwishwish from Barracuda Film & TV on Vimeo.

Make sure to pop over to her blog and become a follower, you won't be disappointed!
wishwishwish :)

Happy Friday! Have the most glorious weekend, I am studying and going camping! So excited :)

Peace. Love. Joy.

Charitable Efforts for Missoni.

November 16th Missoni launches M Missoni OrphanAid Africa Collection. It is going to be a 12 piece capsule collection of knitwear pieces. The collection will go toward helping orphaned children in Ghana.

Major props to Missoni on this one! Yet another example of high end fashion merging with a social justice issue--I absolutely love it!!

Here are two of the items from the collection:

Get your Missoni pieces Novemeber 16th at M Missoni stores or Yoox.com!
Will you pick up an item from the collection?

Peace. Love. Joy.

Artist Spotlight: Miriam Garcia

For this month's installment of the artist spotlight, I chose a dear friend, Miriam. She has inspired me with her passion for living life alive, and being a transparent, all around passionate person. She has encouraged me in so many ways, and I am so very honored to know her :)

Miriam, is an artist in so many ways--here, is featured one of her beautiful drawings :)

Miriam is presently in Australia doing a YWAM mission (if you haven't heard of YWAM-google!) but I was still able to steal an interview with her. Enjoy!

 What areas of creativity do you most dabble in?
 I enjoy writing very much but every now and them I also get a spur of drawing. 
What made you want to explore the arts and creativity?


What made you want to explore the arts and creativity?
I wanted to be free. I needed something that could help me feel free and writing has allowed my heart to express itself and release whats inside of me. 


What do you find most enjoyable about creating?
 The fact that what has been written or drawn was something Ive had in me and now its out there to be seen and not only felt. 


Any advice for those just starting out exploring various art forms?
Dont close your mind, explore and find yourself. Always open your heart. 


Any last words of wisdom or insight?
 Explode your soul. Let your heart be free, let love flow through your veins, so then finally your eyes can see. 


In closing here is a piece Miriam has written:
"Hey little cageless bird, are you ready to fly?
Can you spread your wings widely? Come on now, lets fly.
Can you hear freedom ringing with every time that you try?
And as the wind carries you an escence of who you are and what you carry is left behind for those who pass by.
Let freedom ring with the beat of your wings.
Can you hear freedom ring with the songs that you sing?


If you would like to learn more about what Miriam is doing, or donate to her time in Australia, go here.


It's Wednesday;humpday! Enjoy yall!
Peace. Love. Joy.


P.S. The amazing John  Mark McMillan's new CD just came out--go to ITUNES and pick up a copy, you will not be disappointed!