βTis the season for covering our houses in Christmas greenery (if you celebrate - or if like me, you just love greens). There are so many things that can be done with the small cuttings off those pine trees or boughs from the garland. So, if you have spare scraps, read ahead. Or, if youβre late to the decorating game, on a tight budget, or living in a small space, here are some ways to bring the greenery in without the fuss.
Read MoreI teamed up with a handful of blogger friends to share cookie recipes for the 2019 Blog Hop Cookie Swap! Iβm bringing you a vegan pumpkin chocolate chip cookie thatβs ooey-gooey, soft, chocolatey, and pumpkiny. Plus, it tastes like itβs missing absolutely nothing even though its free of egg and dairy. And you know what that means - you can eat the dough raw! My recipe is below and at the end of the post are links to all of my blogger budsβ holiday recipes.
Read MoreIβve been brainstorming how to have a pretty, smelly, and green Christmas tree in my home without the ecological guilt of cutting down a living tree. And you know what, I found it! I made my own tree with real tree branch scraps so it has the same look and same delicious smell as a real tree. Oh Iβm smitten!
Read MoreItβs the season of gifting! Iβm brainstorming some new gift guides for 2019, but before I share new gift ideas, I want to remind you of my gift guides from yesteryear. I mean, why re-invent the wheel?? Iβve got gift ideas for old house lovers, entertainers, bookworms, gardeners, techies, homebodies, makers, organizers, zero-wasters and more! The items are all still relevant today and can hopefully inspire what to get and give - or even what to put on your own holiday wish list!
Read MoreIβve never been too big on decorating for the holidays. Sometimes Iβm into it, but I mostly get tired of the tchotchkes and want my home to be clutter-free again. Partly I donβt like the look, but I also just donβt like buying decor thatβs cheap and will ultimately end up in the trash. BUT! Enter trash pumpkin. The decor that literally takes rubbish out of the bin and keeps it out of the waste stream.
Read MoreToday, I have a gift guide for the old house lover in your life. Whether they are restoring an old house or they simply like admiring old houses, this list ought to help you check off a few items from your shopping list.
Read MoreSometimes I get really into holiday decor, and sometimes I shy away from it opting for more minimal seasonal touches. This year, we arenβt doing a tree so Iβm decorating the house in new ways to bring some holiday vibes without feeling like Iβm drowning in over-the top holiday decor. Today Iβm sharing two looks Iβm experimenting with for the holidays.
Read MoreToday's collection of gifts are for the DIYer, crafter, tinkerer, and maker in your life!
Read MoreI'll admit that I don't get as much reading done as I should, but I'm a lover of coffee table books! I've shared a few of my favorites in previous gift guide posts (linked at the bottom of this post) but here's an even bigger collection themed for many different interests your gift recipients may have. Enjoy!
Read MoreI donβt go big for many holidays, but I do like that Halloween is an excuse to gravitate towards dark hues and eerie decor. I donβt do inflatable skeletons, glittery pumpkins, cartoony ghoulish figurines, nor over-the-top gore scenes. I like a classic and simple halloween look thatβs really just an extension of my every-day style. This year, I didnβt want to buy anything, so I made a few spooky scenes with 99% decor I already have and use on the daily, and 2% last yearβs halloween decor.
Read MoreRoss and I don't really celebrate Valentine's Day, but if we did, I'd probably use it as a reason to buy more artwork. The new piece would be a gift for him, but I'd get to enjoy admiring it on the walls. A win-win! I've rounded up my favorite artworks that aren't super mushy, overly romantic, nor too cutesy. Any would be great to gift or to decorate with during the love holiday - or even throughout the rest of the year.
Click the thumbnails below to shop 'em!
If you want to go for a customized sweet and sentimental gift, here are a few faves. There's Framebridges' Heartstagram which mattes a photo of a loved one in the shape of a heart (get $100 off four of them with code HEARTYOU). They will also frame notes, cards, shirts, buttons, photo strips - you name it! Minted has some custom gift options like maps of a meaningful city and graphic ways to display a special date. One of my favorites is a print of what the sky looked like on an important day.
Raise your hand if you still have gifts to get for friends and family. I have both of my hands up.
If you're like me and forgot (or spent too long deciding), here is a collection of items to pop in the stockings when nobody is looking. They all are under $25 and each is on Amazon Prime - so take advantage of that free two-day shipping!
Psst! If you don't have Prime, get it here to get that free expedited shipping, among other perks.
Chocolate: This is one of my favorite kinds of chocolate. Itβs perfectly dark and the proceeds benefit endangered species habitat rehabilitation.
Tea towels: Fresh tea towels make such a difference! No matter how often they're cleaned, the old ones always get dingy, so give the gift of fresh 100% cotton ones.
Candle: Oakmoss and Amber is one of my favorite candle scents. You really canβt go wrong gifting a candle. It's the perfect gift for picky people (guilty!) because they won't feel obligated to keep it forever since it's meant to be used up.
Soap: For your friends that youβre trying to give a hygiene hint to, or the ones that like to put pretty hand soap in the guest bathroom.
Paint set: Perfect for kids or adults, thereβs endless creative opportunity if you gift open-ended art supplies.
Scrabble: Give a gift that you can open at the end of the day for some family game time.
Portable charger: Thereβs always that one friend with the βsorry, my phone diedβ excuse. This battery backup is for them.
Scarf: Anything that keeps loved ones cozy is a no-brainer gift for the winter season. This one comes in more colors!
Planter: I don't know anyone that can't find a use for a little planter for indoor flora - especially a cool geometric one.
Agate bookends: Pretty bookends dress up any bookshelf. Great for the bookworm, or that person that needs some filler on their empty shelves.
Sunglasses: Iβm shocked by how cheap and how highly reviewed these are. I have prescription sunnies, but if I didn't, I think Iβd have an extensive sunglasses collection.
Copper mugs: The mule is a classic cocktail for these copper mugs, but any kind of bevvy could be enjoyed in these pretty vessels.
Cookie cutters: Have you seen how gingerbread cookie cutters can make reindeer cookies? I'm a fan of things that have two uses.
Measuring spoons: Who says utilitarian tools in the kitchen have to be boring? Spoons in a pretty copper finish make such a difference.
The Life-Changing Magic of Tidying Up: With the gifting and nesting of the holiday season, I'm anxious to purge unnecessary things in my home. Here's to spring (nay, winter) cleaning!
Coasters: There are fancier ones out there, but I like a simple felt coaster. It works well, and isn't too flashy.
Gift Guide for Anyone with a Coffee Table
Gift Guide for Makers
Gift Guide for Old House Lovers
Gift Guide for Those Going Zero Waste
Gift Guide of My Personal Wish List
Gift Guide for Organizers and Tidiers
Gift Guide for Cooks and Bakers
Gift guide for Homebodies
Gift Guide for Techies and Smart Homesο»Ώ
Ashley has been restoring her craftsman bungalow since early 2015. The Gold Hive chronicles the journey of DIYs, restorations, renovations, and stories.
I'm Ashley, a type-A homebody fixing up my historic home at a snailβs pace in California. I share home improvement DIYs, tips for sustainable living, and renovation stories - all while aiming to add more color and present real, lived-in spaces.
Β© 2025 Ashley Goldman / All Rights Reserved
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Margot is getting an upgraded room to make space for baby sister in the nursery.
With an additional family member, we want to shuffle the rooms of our 3-bedroom house around. The one off the living room was being used as my home office, so now itβs time to convert it into an actual bedroom. The initial thought was to give this room to baby sister and keep Margot in her room. But we ultimately decided to put the baby in the room designed to be a nursery, then convert the home office into a space designed for a bigger kid. Plus, the office has more windows, and is right off the living room (Margotβs playroom) so itβs better suited for all the daytime play, whereas the single-window nursery is cozier for lots of daytime naps.