Capturing unique memories is one of the reasons I became a photographer and started a side-hustle portrait photography business in the first place. Time is so fleeting, and I’m incredibly thankful for the tools we have to capture it–and now that we have iPhones and pocket-sized cameras, it’s easier than ever to hold a moment in time.

This is why I think photo gifts are so wonderful. They are unique and very special between the giver and the receiver and hold a sentiment that not many other gifts can!

With that, I picked my favorite products from Artifact Uprising for gifting this holiday season (or any other time, really)! I have personally given one of these gifts before–I got my parents a hardcover photo book a few years ago with photos from our trip to Alaska. They were completely amazed by the quality of the book, and couldn’t believe that I made it or that it was their photos in the book–it looks that professional.

All of Artifact Uprising’s products follow the same theme–beauty and professionalism–so I highly recommend everything they make. Enjoy these photo gift ideas!

Also! Use code AUXA10 until Monday, 12/11 at midnight to get 10% off your order.

One note: be sure to check out their shipping dates to make it in time for Christmas.

P.S. If you liked this post, you might like this one and this one. Also don’t forget to check out the Holiday 2017 Hub!

The post Photo Gifts for the Nostalgia Junkie appeared first on LOVE ALWAYS, AUDREY.

Renegade Craft Show (end of every summer in Wicker Park)
Renegade Holiday Show
One Of A Kind Show (every winter and spring)
Show of Hands (every November)

I attended the Show of Hands show once again this year in Ravenswood, and found the most amazing stuff! It’s really incredible what these artists create, and I love supporting their businesses–even if it means paying a little more. There are some things you just can’t get on Amazon.

I made a guide for some handmade items I’ve found that would make great gifts! Keep scrolling for a Chicago specific guide, too.

Indigo Scarf
Audrey Hepburn print

Vanilla Bean Sea Salt Caramels
Textured Crescent Necklace
Oz Park Baseball Game

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Enjoy! And let me know if you have any questions or need further gift ideas. I’m full of them!

xo

The post Shop Small: Handmade Gift Ideas appeared first on LOVE ALWAYS, AUDREY.

In case you missed it on social media, I could not be more overjoyed to tell you about a passion project that has finally come to life.

Nicole, one of my oldest and dearest friends, and I created this desktop calendar called “Women Who Changed The World.” I did all of the lettering by hand, and she did all of the other illustrations by hand, plus composition and layout (and she patiently listened to me talk about timelines for months).

I should also mention that Nicole lives in NYC and I live in Chicago–so we’re long distance BFFs and now long distance business partners! I honestly can’t believe we pulled this off with that factor.

Soooo… why’d we do this? We’ve been talking about this project for over a year now–we both needed something creative outside of work to do (other than my blog of course), and we wanted to do it together. We also wanted to make an impact of some kind… so donating to charity with every sale was an easy decision to make (more on that below).

And featuring women? Well, that was a no brainer. This calendar is created by women, it’s for women, and the proceeds go to women. #thefutureisfemale

Each month features a quote from a famous historical woman who made an impact on the world.

I’m not going to give away all of the pages (you’ll have to be surprised!), but I can tell you the amazing women who are featured:

January – Eleanor Roosevelt
February – Rosa Parks
March – Anne Frank
April – Nora Ephron
May – Susan B. Anthony
June – Harriet Beecher Stowe
July – Frida Kahlo
August – Julia Child
September – Amelia Earhart
October – Fannie Lou Hamer
November – Lucille Ball
December – Helen Keller

Arguably the best part of this project is that 10% of sales (sales, not proceeds) go to She Should Run, a national network committed to advancing women and girls in public leadership. See what they’re about here.

I would LOVE your support–if you don’t want to buy a calendar (no hard feelings!), pass this on to someone who would like it!

xo

The post I’m so excited! appeared first on LOVE ALWAYS, AUDREY.

First up is this gold wreath.

I started with this hoop. I’m not sure of the exact name of it, but it’s in the floral design section at Michaels and was only a few dollars. They have a bunch of different sizes! You could also use an embroidery hoop if you need to.

I took the hoop and painted it with some gold liquid gilding–this is one of my favorite craft tools and I use it all the time. I’ve had the same bottle for YEARS now and it never seems to be less than full. Magic? Maybe.

I picked up some faux florals from Michaels using a 40% off coupon and took apart the gold one.

Then, I glued the branches to the hoop using hot glue. The hot glue didn’t make the two stick together like I had hoped, so I ended up taking some gold thread (also from Michaels) and wrapping it around the branches once they were in place. It made for a nice touch, anyways!

Then, I made the center using supplies from Paper Source.

Have you guys heard of embossing? I’d heard bits and pieces around the crafting community, but hadn’t really tried it until I attended a Paper Source event in Lincoln Park last summer.

Basically, you use stamps, embossing powder, and really high heat to set this powder and make it look just so pretty.

I used this process for a few things: the centerpiece for my wreath, some Hanukkah cards, and some boxes to put goodies in. Here’s what you do:

1. Dip your stamp in this special ink.
2. Stamp up your paper! I like to make it so it goes off the page a little bit, so having some background paper to catch that is a must.

3. Cover your stamping area with embossing powder! I, in a crazy turn of events, used gold. ;)

4. Use another stamp if you want, and make that a different color!

5. Use the heat embossing tool to set the powder. You’ll know when it’s turning!

See how cool that looks?

I wrote out the name for this envelope with this pen–long live gel pens! Also, 10 points for you if you know what that address is. ;)

You can use this technique for SO MANY THINGS. Some ideas off the top of my head:

• Cards
• Envelopes
• Envelope liners
• Kraft treat boxes
• Postcards

One last idea… I used this pen (made of the same ink as the inkpad for embossing) to write out a few things and emboss them! For example, my friend’s name on the Kraft treat box below, and writing out my own sayings on these dreidel cutouts!

So, what do you think? Would you take up these Hanukkah DIY decorations?!

Also, if you liked this post you’ll definitely like this one.

The post Easy DIY Hanukkah Decorations appeared first on LOVE ALWAYS, AUDREY.

My friends often joke that I’m the most festive person they know… and that I love Christmas the most (spoiler alert: I’m Jewish). I just freaking love the holidays–I can’t help it! But while decorating for Christmas is super easy, decorating for Hanukkah is not. Am I right, fellow Tribe members?

Hanukkah oh Hanukkah… why do you have to be so cheesy? Seriously, guys, I feel like so many Hanukkah decorations are juuuust trying too hard. One stop in my Temple’s Judaica (gift) shop and I’m overwhelmed by primary colors and bright blue glitter. And I’m just not 5 years old. So this year I’ve made it my mission to find some (and make some!) modern Hanukkah decorations!

Tablescape:

Crate & Barrel has such a great Hanukkah collection. It’s small, but mighty (like the Maccabees! ;) ). For this tablescape I used these Happy Hanukkah plates, these Maison Cobalt Dinner Plates, these Menorah Napkin Rings, and these Indigo Linen Napkins. They all go really well together and are understated enough to not be obnoxious. I would eat latkes off these all day long.

Get the DIY tutorial for this wreath here.

Menorah:

Okay, can we talk about this gorgeous menorah for a second? It’s Kate Spade (THEY MAKE JUDAICA NOW) and from my friend Amy’s company, ModernTribe. ModernTribe carries an enormous selection of Jewish stuff and they have the best customer service–I highly recommend them!

Okay, back to the menorah. It’s so beautiful and timeless and absolutely a piece that you’d keep forever and forever. I am truly so obsessed with it and the rest of Kate Spade’s Judaica line.

I’ve used these place cards before at this dinner, and they work for any function.

How cute is this pom pom garland? I was going to put it up on the wall, but I thought it looked really cute as a table decoration too.

Shop the tablescape:

Aaaand more Hanukkah goodies!

Paper Source carries some really great Hanukkah stuff. This year, they have some really beautiful wrapping paper! I personally love this one and this one (pictured above). They also have some gorgeous cards! Pictured are this one and this one.

This pom pom garland! It’s so stinkin’ cute!

There’s that menorah again. I can’t get enough of it.

Paper Source also carries some really pretty multi-colored candles as well.

Want more Hanukkah content (don’t we all?)? Check here for a menorah DIY, and here for more Hanukkah DIYs! Or just check out the DIY page in general.

Happy Hanukkah!

The post Hanukkah Decorations That Don’t Suck appeared first on LOVE ALWAYS, AUDREY.

As a self-proclaimed creative person myself, I love myself some good DIY projects, photography challenges, and, of course, writing my blog. One thing I love even more than making things myself, though, is helping others bring out their creative side! Helping my friend learn how to use her Cricut machine, or showing someone how to fake calligraphy… it brings me all the warm fuzzies. Below are some good gift ideas for creative people, or people who might not know that they’re creative just yet!

Shop these items here:

and the Laura Hooper Calligraphy Course can be found here.

Comment below if you need any more gift ideas! I’ve got plenty. :)

If you liked this post, you might like this one and this one. Don’t forget to check out the Holiday Hub!

The post Gift Ideas for Creative People appeared first on LOVE ALWAYS, AUDREY.

Well, it’s official. Being a feminist is finally fashionable. With the political climate being what it is, myself (and most women I know) have felt more inclined than ever to voice their opinions and make themselves heard–even with our clothes.

If you say you’re not a feminist, consider that the definition of feminism is “the advocacy of women’s rights on the grounds of political, social, and economic equality to men,” according to Google’s dictionary. So if you think women and men should be equal… congrats! You’re a feminist.

No matter what end of the feminist spectrum you’re on (you don’t have to burn bras and hate men to be a feminist), you’re sure to find something from the below feminist gift ideas.

Find these feminist gift ideas here:

See more 2017 gift guides here and here, and check out the 2017 Holiday Hub!

The post 8 Feminist Gifts under $25 appeared first on LOVE ALWAYS, AUDREY.

In 2018 I hope to travel a bit more to new places (I find myself going to the same places over and over again, mostly Arizona since I love going home). Idan and I are hopefully visiting Israel in May (!!!) and I would like to squeeze in one more international trip if I can. Everything on here is on my personal travel wish list, and I know that any jetsetter would love these items! Without further ado, some gifts for travelers:

Shop these gifts for travelers:

Travel hair dryer // Silk eye mask // Carry-on suitcase // Luggage tag // Cosmetics case // Passport case // Sleepy lotion

P.S. Don’t forget to check out the Holiday 2017 page, with more gift guides and holiday fun!

The post Gifts For The Travel Bug appeared first on LOVE ALWAYS, AUDREY.

I should also note that many of these gifts are from Anthropologie, which is my go-to for aaaaany gifting needs. CB2, West Elm, and Crate & Barrel are good ones as well!

Stay tuned for more holiday gift guides!

Shop all of these items here:

If you liked this post, you’ll like this one and this one.

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Which of these gifts would you want to receive yourself? Comment below and let me know!

The post Host/Hostess Gift Ideas For Thanksgiving appeared first on LOVE ALWAYS, AUDREY.

Setting the stage for a New Year is a detailed process that takes dedication and hard work. Creating New Year’s Resolutions (and sticking to them) is quite difficult in my opinion, and while it’s always exciting to think of what’s to come in the next 365 days, it can also be daunting.

While I’m fully up to the challenge, I’ve found that bouncing ideas off of people who I love and respect helps a lot in holding me accountable and creating realistic goals in the first place. For these reasons, I put together this colorful New Year’s Day Brunch!

There’s nothing I love more than a good brunch party (see this Galentine’s Day Brunch here), and I figured it would be a blast to start the New Year off with something so bright and cheerful! Enter the New Year’s Brunch:

For food, I made some delicious toast that I found in this toast-dedicated cookbook. All the recipes look so good; I’m excited to make even more in the future!

There are so many more photos of this New Year’s Brunch and more of my thoughts about New Year’s Day on the Paper Source blog — head over there to see! Also, go to my Instagram page to see the giveaway happening this week! Hint: a LOT of the items you see here are prizes. 

Shop my brunch picks:

P.S. A Galentine’s Day Brunch with Paper Source, desk decorating tips to start you off on an organized foot, my 2016 wrap up and 2017 goal setting, and, if you’re not so into New Year’s Resolutions, anti-New-Years-Resolutions wallpapers.

Some items you see here were gifted to me by Paper Source, but all opinions are my own. Thanks for supporting the brands that keep Love Always, Audrey up and running! 

The post Why You Should Host a New Year’s Brunch appeared first on LOVE ALWAYS, AUDREY.