Musings on Momentum

design a life you love

Handmade Gifts from BRIKA

It’s no secret that I love coming up with unique presents for my loved ones.  I have shared several examples of these in the past two weeks on my posts about giving gifts that give back and making DIY candles and body scrubs.  I just love to find something that is a little different than everything else under the tree.  That is why I am especially excited to share one last gift giving option with you today.

All of the below adorable finds come from an online retailer called BRIKA.  BRIKA was founded by two passionate and skilled businesswomen who joined forces with the goal in mind of helping those around them lead beautiful, well-crafted lives.  Each item offered through BRIKA has been handmade by a talented maker, artisan or designer whose skills are highlighted and celebrated on BRIKA’s comprehensive website.  Think an online craft fair that only has the best of the best wares from the best of the best makers.  You won’t find any of the tacky or junky stuff you normally associate with craft fairs.  These items are pure works of art.

I have compiled some of my favorite BRIKA finds for the holiday season below.  I tried to include a little something for everyone…for girlfriends, for the hostess with the mostess, for boyfriends, for the home, and for little ones.  I hope you enjoy my picks and check out BRIKA’s offerings to find all kinds of ways to pretty up your lives!

 

Gifts Under $20

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Magical Molasses Cookies

The name of these cookies is not an exaggeration.  They are truly magical.  Possibly even a little sinful, making them a perfect indulgence for this time of year.  We can all wait until 2016 to worry about losing a few pounds in cookie weight, right?  I promise you that these are worth a couple of extra sessions at the gym.

Magical Molasses Cookies Graphic

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New Year’s Eve Beauty

I have historically been one to stick to fairly simple and classic hair and makeup looks.  It is coming as a surprise that as I get older I’m finding myself increasingly interested in experimenting with my look and learning new tips and tricks.  I’m ready to mix things up a bit!  That is why I am especially loving these four New Year’s Eve beauty and hair picks; they are the complete opposite of what I would normally be inclined to wear.  I want to push the boundaries of my comfort zone in 2016 and there is no better time to start than the second the clock strikes midnight on January 1.

Top New Year’s Eve Beauty Picks

This is such a fresh and relatively easy to duplicate look – bronzed skin, flushed cheeks, lashes for days and a barely-there nude lip.

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New Year’s Eve Outfits with REVOLVE Clothing

I’m finding it impossible to believe that we will be ringing in 2016 in a little over two and a half weeks.  Where has this year gone?  It feels as if somebody pressed the fast forward button last January and forgot to hit play to slow things down to a normal speed again.  I was JUST deciding what to wear for New Year’s Eve 2015 and it’s already time to do it again?  Yikes.

Fortunately for me, my trusty friends at REVOLVE Clothing are making that challenge much less daunting and have hundreds upon hundreds of gorgeous New Year’s Eve outfit options to choose from.  It was next to impossible to narrow it down to my favorite twelve outfits but I finally did it and am sharing my top dress picks with you today.

For a New Year’s Eve Cocktail Party

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Give the Gift of a DIY Candle

One of the first things I do when I come home from work each night is light candles throughout our home.  Something about the soft flicker of candlelight immediate relaxes me and helps me put my work day behind me so I can focus all my energy and attention on my husband and Puggle.  I love this tradition but I have to admit that I go through more than a few candles each year.

I successfully weaned myself off Diptyque a while ago and have been sticking to inexpensive IKEA options lately but still…the price of candles plus the stress of a trip to IKEA can really add up.  It’s no surprise that I have been wanting to give candle making a shot if for no other reason than to avoid the insanity of the IKEA parking lot.  With Christmas just around the corner and DIY gifts yet to be made, I decided it was the perfect time to give it a try.

DIY Candle Graphic

I based my process on about a half-dozen tutorials I found online and documented it every step of the way so I could share it with you.  Had I known how incredibly easy the process actually is I would have started making my own candles years ago.  A bit of wax, some wicks, a few pretty containers and drops of essential oil later, I am now the proud owner of two (and a half because I initially judged my wax portions poorly) homemade candles.  My step by step guide to DIY candle making can be found just after the break.

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