Grey Likes Nesting

Hello darlings! It’s been too long. Sorry for the little hiatus but I hope you had a fab holiday season and a wonderful New Year! I’ve got lots of great things planned for this month and I’m so excited to be back.

For starters, who else is dying that they had to take down the Christmas decor?! Ugh. It always leaves me feeling a little  blue. This year I’ve been really trying to find some ways to incorporate some winter decor that can stay up through January and into February. I think the key here is to rely on some delicious winter whites. Here are a few ideas:

1. Warm things up with knitted blankets in shades of white and cream, or a totally cozy faux fur throw.

2. Bring nature indoors. Love the idea of branches, pinecones, twigs, etc. painted white or gold.

3. Figure out which Christmas ornaments can stay. Things that are more “winter” than Christmas don’t have to get packed up right away. Those shimmery mercury glass ornaments and reindeer accents, or some plain bulb ornaments in neutral colors can double as winter decor through the holidays.

Images: Blankets via Country Living| Fur throw via Revel Blog | Pinecones via Aesthetic Nest | Branches | Reindeer via Design Shimmer | Stars via La Maison Dannag | Ornaments via Pinterest

One of my favorite feelings is bringing a gift to a party and having the recipient know immediately that it’s from me just by looking at the wrapping. I’ve been trying to definitively decide what direction to take my Christmas wrapping this year, and I think I’ve found the absoute perfect fix.

These GORGEOUS watercolor Christmas gift tags were created by artist Oana Befort. And get this: She is offering them as a free download on her site! Can you even handle it?

If you’re into something a bit more modern looking, you can still get the geometric watercolored gift tags she created last year.

If you’re really feeling the love for Oana’s gift tags (like me), definitely download the matching wallpaper for your computer. So festive.

It’s been so fun to see all of your pins and comment for the Besotted Brand giveaway! Isn’t it just darling?!

We’ve finally selected a winner, but before we announce it I must tell you some GOOD NEWS. If you didn’t win the stamp, don’t worry. Besotted Brand is giving Grey Likes readers 20% off of any purchase from now until December 15th. Seriously great timing for Black Friday and Cyber Monday, right?

To get the discount just enter the code “GreyLikes” at checkout!

Now for our big winner……

Congrats to Elizabeth Sutherland!

Please email me at [email protected] so we can send you the monogram stamp!

Thank you all so much for participating!

We’ve featured Besotted Brand Stationary here on Nesting in the past. We love it. Clean, simple, classic designs get us every time. Naturally when they create anything monogrammed we get even more giddy. This pretty little monogram stamp is actually one they made for me, with my new last initial that will be changing in a few short months. I’m sure all of the engaged or newlywed gals out there can relate to the excitement of adding the newly minted initials to everything. Hint: These also make killer bridal shower gifts. Um, hello! 

So naturally when Tristan from Besotted Brand offered up this giveaway to one luck Nester, we jumped at the chance! This is a BRAND NEW design, never before featured and we’ll be giving away the first one to one of you! How sweet is that?

To enter, just Pin one of the images above and leave the existing description in the box. Then, leave a comment saying you pinned. Next week we’ll pick one of you and send this pretty little thing your way.

May the initials be ever in your favor!

With Halloween being my favorite holiday, I always get a little mopey the next day. In favor of keeping the spirit going, here’s my favorite Fall Breakfast — Pumpkin Pancakes with Ginger-Caramel Sauce and Spiced Candied Pecans, with Homemade Pumpkin Spice Lattes!

I first got the inspiration for this from a fab little breakfast spot called Snooze in Boulder, CO. They serve a killer sweet potato pancake with a ginger butter that is to die for. I’ve combined a few favorite recipes below to get the same great combination!

This Pumpkin Pancakes recipe is the best I’ve found, and I’ve tried A LOT. The batter is thick and the pancakes come out thick and fluffy. Just the right amount of pumpkin, too. I could eat myself sick.

{Pumpkin Pancakes} from All Recipes

Ingredients:

• 1 1/2 cups milk
• 1 cup pumpkin puree
•  1 egg
•  2 tablespoons vegetable oil
•  2 tablespoons vinegar
•  2 cups all-purpose flour
•  3 tablespoons brown sugar
•  2 teaspoons baking powder
•  1 teaspoon baking soda
•  1 teaspoon ground allspice
•  1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
•  1/2 teaspoon ground ginger
•  1/2 teaspoon salt

Mix together wet ingredients. In a separate bowl, mix together dry ingredients. Combine.

Lightly oil a griddle and heat to medium. Drop about 1/4 cup of batter and brown on both sides.

{Ginger Caramel Sauce} from Food & Wine

• 1/2 cup plus 2 tablespoons heavy cream
• 2 teaspoons finely grated fresh ginger
• 1 cup sugar
• 1 teaspoon fresh lemon juice

{Sugar and Spice Candied Pecans} from Smitten Kitchen

• 1/3 cup dark-brown sugar
• 2/3 cup white granulated sugar
• 1 teaspoon kosher salt (I might up this by a 1/2 tsp. next time for more of a sweet/salty balance)
• Generous pinch of cayenne pepper
• 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 1 pound walnut or pecan halves or whole peeled hazelnuts (I used all pecans!)
• 1 egg white, room temperature
• 1 tablespoon water

{Pumpkin Spice Lattes} 

Ingredients:

• 6 cups of milk
• 3 cups of double brewed coffee
• 14 oz can of pumpkin puree
• 1/3 cup of sugar (or agave nectar)
• 2 t of pumpkin pie spice
• 2 t vanilla

Mix all ingredients in the crockpot and heat on low for 2-3 hours.

Images: Pancakes image via The Family Kitchen on Babble; Pumpkin Spice Latte image via Eating Bird Food (this link also has another great recipe for lower calorie single serving Pumpkin Spice Lattes!)