Sweet Paul Magazine

I love Sweet Paul Magazine! The new Winter Issue is full of great recipes, pretty DIY projects and, as always, with the most wonderful photographs. This time I also ordered the German Issue in print (you can order it here), it's so nice to have such a beautiful magazine to leaf through... it's a little bit different to the online version, but just as amazing.

An early present

Happy happy moment today: P. knows how much I love this guy's music, especially in Advent, the time before Christmas. This was one of the first presents I ever received from him and I have been listening to it every year while baking cookies or wrapping presents, it's the best Christmas Cd in my eyes ears and I love to sing along, too :)
So today I received this: the new Christmas Box with no less than five CDs inside, all with unique artwork (see above!) and great songs that sometimes sound like they were sung by Sufjan and his family and friends under the tree and other times like a robot fell into a box of christmas lights and got inspired. Especially wonderful: Christmas Unicorn with the Joy Division cover ... I know what's going to be played around here on heavy rotation for the next weeks!

Paper gems

Oooh, paper crafts, how I love thee! Although I'm waaay to impatient for cutting, folding and glueing such delicate shapes, I do love these projects so much! Hope to muster the patience someday...

Kate always has the most amazing projects on her blog mini eco - I'm tempted to feature every single one of her DIY posts! Especially the paper crafts are stunning (the colours!), look here: paper diamonds (picture above) and paper gems - so lovely!

Geometric favor boxes on ruffled blog. I love the idea to use these for little presents or as place cards - or both! 

Cozyness

Now is the time to curl up on the sofa with some hot tea, a good book and some nice blankets and cushions. I would love to cuddle with this cute badger cushion from Donna Wilson!

Lemon Poppy Seed Muffins

Last weekend, I had my first Lemon Poppy Seed Muffin at Starbucks - and I loved it! I went there with my Mom after we had been to the Opera (Alceste by Christoph Willibald Gluck) - cultural events make you hungry! - and we were both smitten. I thought about making them at home, probably a little less sweet... here are two recipes that I found: from Joy Of Baking and another one from Food.com. Mmmmm...

Handmade Gifts Roundup

Inspiration for a handmade christmas:

Lots of great ideas in the DIY gift guide on Pocketful Of Dreams.

How to make Bath Bombs on Intimate Weddings.

Make your own pouf with Living With Punks, first found here on Young House Love.

Lovely magnets from Roboti Liebt.

Mmmmm, Cantuccini with Pistachios and Cherries! Found here on Brigitte.de. 

Handmade gifts for kids from Meet the Dubiens. I love the tea party table!

With all the baking coming up soon, a lot of lemons/oranges/limes will be used in the process (for sugar cookies, glaze etc.). What to do with all the lovely organic citrus zest? Make your own  citrus salt with instructables!

Randomness From Around The Web

I love stick men (and women!) and here you can draw your own and let them experience a little adventure... adorable! Found on How About Orange. Warning: DO NOT visit the "timewasters" category!! Not under all circumstances :) too much fun to be had!

Mmmmm, these filled pancakes look yummy! But yet to buy another kitchen utensil? It might take a while, but in the meantime I can research the Danish Aebleskivers online and drool over the pictures...

The makings of a magical party ... on Fräulein Klein Blog (in german), via Creature Comforts.

Now that the weather gets colder and colder every day, why not knit a fox scarf ?

A pretty Mudroom Before & After on Jen Loves Kev.

This Family Picture Calendar is such a sweet and beautiful idea! Found on Fee ist mein Name (German blog) - wouldn't it make a nice Christmas present for your loved ones?!

November Projects - Cup of tea

Cross stitch letter tea cups? So pretty! On Fee's blog Fee Ist Mein Name (german).

"He loves strong coffe - She loves green tea" - sweet sharpie decorated mugs on A Beautiful Mess.

Chalkboard paint on tea cups - very stylish on Wit & Whistle.

I love Melissa of Tiny Happy's simple graphic designs - the illustrated cups at the end of this post are especially lovely! Here are some more ceramics with a floral design and some cream cups decorated with yellow and black, a lovely combination.

And the best tea to put into those pretty cups? It comes from Løv Organic! "Løv" means "leaf" in Skandinavia, but I think the connotation to "love" is not accidental :)
What's not to love? The various teas are organic, come in the most beautiful, environmentally friendly packaging and taste amazing! I love the Morning Tea with it's smoky, strong  flavor and the Rose Tea is also a party for your taste buds. But there is lots more flavors to try and pretty tins to collect!

I'm smitten!

Ever since I started reading the Smitten Kitchen Blog in 2007, I thought "how wonderful would this be as a book!?" and finally - it has arrived! This beautiful book is full of wonderful, mouthwatering recipes and Deb's kitchen wisdom, which is helpful and fun at the same time! It also contains some pictures of her beautiful family :)
My favourite smitten recipes from the blog so far: crispy chewy Chocolate Chip Cookies and the Blueberry Pancakes. Now  I have to try some every single one from the book!

Knit Pouf

How great is this pouf (found via here)? Now I want one. If I'm lazy, I could order an amazing one right at Mary Marie Knits. If I'm not, I could make one myself ... with the help of the very nice Tutorial at Pickles! Also, these are incredibly beautiful ... love the colours! I think the poufs look so great when there is a group of them in different sizes and colours, so fun.

November for your desktop - with a fox

November desktop calendar from Oana Befort.