It’s holiday time and gift giving is grand! Next week you’ll be seeing some talented bloggers in the new Holiday issue of FoodieCrush, so I’m not going to wax on a lot today about how you should think of others instead of just yourselves and give gifts to those in need.
That said, we all deserve a little holiday trinket or two of joy, am I right or what? Hells to the yeahs!
In the next two weeks I’ll be hosting some giveaways that you don’t usually see on food blogs, a few of my favorite finds this year. What is this? Oprah? Nah, just a thank you to all of you awesome readers for sharing your love of food bloggers, photography and good eats with me.
Until then, here’s a taste to wet—or is it whet?—your appetite. Below are a few multi-talented food bloggers whose creativity isn’t limited to the kitchen and whose wares would make great discoveries under the Christmas tree or alongside the menorah.
Garlic Girl’s Crocheted Earrings
If you’ve seen me at all this year, then you’ve seen my favorite earrings, the pair that I can hardly bear to let leave my ears. I bought these straight out of Jodi’s ears when I saw her wearing them at Blogher Food this past spring, and I haven’t stopped receiving compliments since. Crocheted by hand and light as a feather, they’re the only accessory you need to make a statement and brighten that purdy face of yours.
read the blog: Garlic Girl
shop the store: Enchanted Style on Etsy
Love and Lemon’s Letterpress Recipe Cards
Yes we like to keep our recipes online, but think of how amazing it is to stroll through your recipe card index and feel chunks of cookie dough or see smears of red wine on the dogeared cards in your grandmother’s handwriting. You know, the recipes that are your all-time favorites? Now think about how you could record some of your creations that could one day be a loved ones treasure. Thanks to Jeanine of Love and Lemons, one of my favorite foodie typophiles, you now have that chance with her gorgeous letterpress recipe cards. Cue the prop room, she’s also selling off some of her favorite vintage kitchen finds.
read the blog: Love and Lemons
shop the store: Shop Love and Lemons
The Faux Martha’s Chunky Knit Cowl
I am a scarf whore. I love them. I love them as an accessory but more than that I love them because they keep my long neck warm. My dad’s nickname in college was “Os”—as in Ostrich—so I suppose I come by this need naturally. Anyway, if you haven’t seen Melissa’s chunky crocheted cowls making the rounds, you just might live in a cave. And if you do, you really should have a cowl to keep your cavewoman neck warm. Get one as a gift. Get one for yourself. We could start a food blogger’s cowl movement and give those fashion bloggers a run for their money thanks to The Faux Martha.
read the blog: The Faux Martha
shop the store: The Faux Martha Knits
White on Rice’s Photo Cards
In this world of instant responses and expectations, the art of sending a letter has gotten lost in this evolution of communication. I cannot tell you of one single person who doesn’t enjoy, and miss, receiving a note in the mail. Maybe it’s become a dying art because we’ve missed having art to send. Miss no more. From roses to kumquats, Todd and Diane’s tranquil scenes create the perfect reason to send lettered art thanks to White on Rice Couple’s photo cards. Give a set to someone you like and you’ll surely receive something signed, sealed and delivered in return.
read the blog: White on Rice Couple
shop the store: White on Rice Couple Collections
Vanilla Bean Blog’s Plush Friends
Just like the calming feel of her amazing photography and her delish recipes, Sarah’s sweet creations are a true reflection of her style and sensibility. Made by hand with recycled and vintage fabrics, these plush dolls are squeezably delicious for any age or collector of one of a kind finds made with love. Just like her recipes. By the way, you’ll be seeing more of Sarah in the Holiday issue of FoodieCrush so stay tuned.
read the blog: Vanilla Bean Blog
shop the store: Threaded Basil on Etsy
And now, presenting………………..a few Friday Faves.
1. Alert your credit cards and raise your limits stat. If you’re looking for a definitive gift guide you can pretty much skip any other source or site and head over to To & From created by Katie and Meg , with products curated by some killer style mavens aka bloggers. Seriously, you do not want to miss this one.
2. After meeting the lovely Arianna from OXO last weekend, she filled me in on the details of Cookies for Kids Cancer, an amazing charity started by two of her co-workers in honor of their young son Liam who lost his battle to cancer at the age of six. Until December 31, 2012, OXO is matching donations up to $100,000 for the cause. Remember, its the season of giving, so here’s how you can help.
3. Cookies, cookies, cookies. We can’t get enough! Get more blogger’s cookies thanks to the talented food bloggers participating in Katrina’s 30 days of cookie recipes. How did Shortcut Pie Dough Cookies not make the cut? HA!
4. Download a free ebook from the talented Dana with recipe contributions from some of my favorite bloggers who want to raise $1000 for the Charity Water campaign. Get and give back.
5. Pets need healthy homemade snacks too and 52 weeks of treats ebook by Serena and Sarah is ADORABLE enough that even if you don’t have a pooch, you will want one. My dogs are so jealous. Good thing I bought a copy. 40% off ‘til Saturday.
6. Need help with your not so mad food stylin’ skillz? Nancy to the rescue.
7. I think Kristen likes to send me all of the parody/junk/videos she doesn’t want to post on her site, and I’m eternally grateful for that. Are you on Instagram? Take a look in the mirror, this video is you. And it might be the only way I could ever in my life listen to Nickelback and not change the channel.
8. Loving Sneh’s free printable Gingerbread Muffin recipe greeting card. Would be so cute to include the ingredients and give as a neighbor gift. Done!
9. Favorite tweet of the week: “@Buns_In_My_Oven Can I bury myself in a really large burrito and eat my way out? That sounds like heaven…” via @CountryCleaver
10. Watch for FoodieCrush Holiday launch next week. Oh wait, did I already say that? :)
And, get your copy of Holiday Cookie Cravings and get your cookie on! Happy weekend everybody.
Make sure to subscribe to FoodieCrush for sneak peeks and the first reveal of the Holiday issue. Follow me on Twitter, Facebook, Pinterest and Instagram too.
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Usually, I don’t love to read that much but yes I do read ofently and this time it was your blog which catches my eye at first glance and I read it completely because your blog has that creativity and uniqueness which impress me a lot. So, please do share more and more.
Shameem Nachiya
Awesome Giveaways!
Aura
Thanks for such a fun list! I’ve been clicking my way through it. And planning to buy a few things…..including the ebook for dog treats. I have a little bone cookie cutter that’s been sitting on my counter for a while begging to get put to good use making treats for my little dog. Just one question–is the 40% applied already or do I need a code?
Elizabeth @Mango_Queen
I love all these terrific gift ideas from some of my fave food bloggers! Such talent! Thanks for the round-up. I wish I could receive all of these pretty gifts on Christmas day! Happy Holidays!
marissa @ the boot
this was such an amazing round-up! i need to bookmark it all!
Sara at The Cozy Herbivore
What a great list! Those earrings and Love & Lemon’s recipe cards are TO DIE FOR. Thanks for putting this all together, it’s such a nice bit of blogger love!
Nancy/SpicieFoodie
Hi Heidi,
I love your gift guide -the crocheted earrings look so pretty. Can’t wait to see the new issue of FoodieCrush.
Thank you for linking to my styling tips. :)
thelittleloaf
This is such a great round up. I follow pretty much all these bloggers but wasn’t aware of some of their crafty hidden talents – what an amazing bunch!
Nicole
I too love a nice, warm, chunky scarf to wrap around my neck. I always hate taking it off at the end of the day, it’s like all the heat escapes from my body! Those note cards from Todd and Diane are gorgeous too!
Laura (Tutti Dolci)
Love that gift guide and I can’t wait to see the new issue!
kelley {mountain mama cooks}
The cowl and the earrings. I’ll take both.
Jodi @Garlic Girl
Oh my gosh! Thank you so much for including my little earrings in this round-up of handmade gift ideas. I wish you a wonderful holiday and look forward to seeing you and your smiley face again in 2013!
Melissa // the faux martha
Thanks for including me Heidi! Honored! So glad you like your cowl. I’m thinking I need to make myself a Charcoal cowl. It’s my new favorite color.
Cookie and Kate
Great picks, Heidi. I’m bringing my charcoal Fauxmartha scarf to Alt so we can match. :)
Jeanine
Thanks for the link love Heidi!
Kasey
I am in love with my cowl from Melissa, and so happy to see Jeanine’s beautiful new shop, and letterpressed recipe cards! Thanks for such a great roundup!
heidi
I adore her work, her style is impeccable. And I’m totally envious.
sarah
Thanks, Heidi! And what a great list. Time to do some shopping. ;)
heidi
Thank you for creating such great work! You jnspire me.
Delishhh
That is an awesome list. Those dolls are so cute!!! Love the earrings!!
Katrina @ In Katrina's Kitchen
Thanks for the shout out :) Umm hello!! I am totally in love with your pie crust shortcut cookies!! xoxo-K
heidi
Of course! And glad you like shortcuts too.
Averie @ Averie Cooks
Thanks for compiling a great list, Heidi!
Nikki @Pennies on a Platter
I love White on Rice’s photo cards! T&D handed them out last year at FBF Orlando, and I was able to send one out to a friend a few months ago. They’re stunning!
heidi
I couldn’t decide between the kumquats and the roses. They have several options.
Tamara
I agree, the food blogging community has some really talented individuals! I’m loving all of the creativity!
Lori @ RecipeGirl
Such a fun idea- way to support our talented food blog community!!
heidi
I can’t help myself! I love it all.
Stefanie @ Sarcastic Cooking
Loving these giveaways!!! I also love that Instagram video! Too funny. It was stuck in my head all last night!
Kristen
I just have no consistency. I want to share the video, but you know, I’d need to actually post on my blog to do that ;)
Love the gift guide and Melissa’s cowl has been on my radar for a very long time! So fun.
Can’t wait to see the issue next week! I’m sure it will be fab!
heidi
Ha! You are one of the most prolific bloggers on the web, so I’m not sure what you’re talking about. Thanks for always turning me in to new things.
Helene
The recipe cards are so cute. Really like White of Rice’s Photo Cards also.
Maria
Bought my sister one of Melissa’s cowls for Christmas! Fun post!
heidi
I can’t seem to take mine off.
Cassie | Bake Your Day
Can’t wait for the holiday issue. I love my Faux Martha cowl!
dana@minimalistbaker
Thanks for sharing the cookbook!
heidi
You’re welcome, it’s great!
Rachel Cooks
Great list! So much talent!
Kathryn
Such a great round up – I can’t believe how insanely talented these food bloggers are!
Emily
Those plush friends are to DIE for!