Michael Wurm Jr.

It’s bitter cold this morning, and I absolutely love it. There was a time when I dreaded winter, counting the days until it passed, but now I find myself wishing it would linger. As much as I enjoy new adventures, I cherish any excuse to stay home—where all my favorite things are. This time of year feels especially magical. The glow of a fire, twinkling Christmas lights, the flicker of candles—it’s pure comfort. Add in a hoodie, cozy pants, and slippers, and I can’t think of a better way to spend a winter day.

My little Christmas kitchen tree, dressed up with some of my favorite vintage glass ornaments. They just don’t make them like they used to, do they? I love imagining all the nostalgia and Christmas magic these ornaments have seen over the years—so many joyful moments wrapped up in each one. Such a treasure!

Move over, Santa mugs—Christmas Boot Mugs are stepping in! Ha! 🎅🏼😜 Just kidding—there’s room for both. What started as a simple Santa mug collection has grown into so much more. Now it includes Mr. and Mrs. Claus salt and pepper shakers, Santa boots, and pretty much anything ceramic and Santa-themed. And these adorable little Christmas boots? I’m absolutely here for it! 🎄✨

✨ Merry & Bright ✨ Just a little peek into my family room - a handmade ornament wreath, vintage putz house collection, and some stockings hung by the chimney with care. 🥰

I got a new desk! I’ve had it for a little while now, but I haven’t taken the time to really style it yet. That said, I did tuck in a few things and add some festive touches. Yesterday, I found these vintage Christmas bell lights at one of my favorite antique stores, and they’re absolutely perfect on top. The upper section of the desk is filled with cubbies, drawers, nooks, and crannies—so many little spaces to fill! My plan is to go full-on maximalist and pack it with trinkets, treasures, vintage finds, and all of my favorite things. Do you remember those I Spy books? Something like that! I want it to be a little world where treasures are hidden and tiny discoveries are waiting to be made. I’m excited to see how this desk evolves over time. It feels like the perfect little space to let creativity and nostalgia come together.

I’ve shared my little handmade doves here on Instagram Stories a few times. (A blog post about them is coming—I’m aiming for Monday!) Even though they were simple to make, this has quickly become one of my favorite Christmas DIYs.  Over the past few years, I’ve been trying to be more intentional with my Christmas decor. As someone who used to spend hundreds of dollars on decorations each year, I just couldn’t do it anymore. It wasn’t just the expense—it was the excessive amount of stuff that started to feel more like a burden than a joy. The temptation is still there, and I may add one or two new things each year. (And if I do, something else needs to go.)  All that to say, handmade has become my go-to lately. I’ve done the classics like popcorn garlands and paper chains, it’s the new and unique projects that have truly captured my heart. A couple of years ago, I made mushroom ornaments out of clay (still love those!), and this year, I created these doves using paper plates that I’d been using as paint palettes.  These paint palettes have a story of their own. I used them over and over, front and back, until the paint was too thick to keep going. Each plate holds the history of the artwork it has created. Not wanting to just throw them away, I found inspiration in their unique colors and marks and decided to give them new life as Christmas decor.  I sketched out a simple dove pattern (Likely not anatomically perfect, but I don’t mind) and cut them out. To add a little character—but not so much that it distracted from the organic patterns of the paint—I used paint markers for subtle details. And that was it! Now I have one-of-a-kind Christmas decor that cost me nothing and feels so meaningful. These doves will likely stay in my studio long after the holidays have passed. I couldn’t love them more.  This project has reminded me that meaningful decor doesn’t have to come from a store. Sometimes, the most special pieces come from reimagining what you already have and turning it into something you love. Whether it’s a material that holds a story or an idea that sparks joy, I hope this inspires you to create something uniquely personal for your holiday decor. 💖

It’s been chilly here this week, and I’m absolutely loving it. Chilly weather means cozy nights at home with a fire, a cup of tea, a Christmas cookie (or two), and a cat snuggled on my lap.

Holiday baking made easy? Yes, please! These Cranberry Bars are my new favorite. With layers of white chocolate, tart cranberries, and a little walnut crunch, they’re the perfect balance of flavors. Bonus: they’re quick to whip up and perfect for sharing (or keeping all to yourself—no judgment). These are new on the blog, and you can grab the full recipe via the link in my profile. Looking for more holiday recipes? Be sure to check out the blog! I recently shared a Peppermint Pound Cake, Tiramisu Dip, and Chocolate Peanut Butter Cookies. You’ll also find some revisited classics like Cream Wafer Sandwich Cookies (my personal favorite), Artichoke Wonton Cups, and a Christmas Tree Cheeseball. There’s plenty to inspire your holiday baking and entertaining! Whatever you’re baking or making this season, I hope it brings a little extra joy to your holidays! ❤️

This year, I wanted to try something new for my banister garland without breaking the bank (because let’s be real—garlands can get pricey!). So, I grabbed a bag of these honeycomb-style paper balls for about $10. Honestly, I wasn’t sure if it would work, but now that it’s up, I absolutely love it! It’s fun, colorful, and whimsical—exactly what I was going for. If you look closely, you’ll also spot my DIY vintage bobbin garland draped through the greens. The colors, wood tones, and playful vibe tie everything together so perfectly. It makes me so smile every time I walk by! And that’s the whole point of Christmas decor, right? Sometimes it’s the simple, budget-friendly touches that bring the most joy. I’m so happy with how this came together. What do you think?

Let the holiday crafting begin! You may have already seen this in my stories, but I just finished making a Christmas garland with vintage bobbins—and I couldn’t love it more. (I even made a few ornaments with the leftovers!) Honestly, this project almost didn’t happen. It wasn’t until I took a closer look and followed the direction that inspired me. (I talk more about that in the blog post—find the link in my profile.) It turned out to be such a fun and simple project, and I’ve included step-by-step instructions and links to all the supplies I used. I hope you’ll give it a try. Here’s to a Happy Handmade Holiday! 🎄🎄

Well, my friend, the day has finally arrived—zero sleeps left. Tonight’s the night I get to see Wicked! 💖🫧💚🧹 I’ve been waiting for this moment for years, and honestly, it feels a little surreal that it’s finally here. (Yes, I know the official release isn’t until the 22nd, but Amazon offered an early screening, and you better believe I grabbed those tickets as fast as I could!) This show—and The Wizard of Oz in general—has always held a special place in my heart. Fun fact: back in 7th grade, I played the Scarecrow in our school production. Let’s just say, the hat may have been floppy, but my love for the story has always been solid. While The Wizard of Oz and Wicked are incredible at face value, what I love most are the deeper messages woven into the stories. That the qualities we seek—like courage, love, and wisdom—are already within us. That the journey to the Emerald City is about more than reaching a destination; it’s about realizing that true fulfillment comes from embracing our inner strengths. And Wicked? It reminds us that being different isn’t a weakness—it’s a power. It’s about finding strength in who you are and turning judgment into something transformative. Plus, it challenges the idea of “good” and “evil,” showing that true goodness lies in the courage to do what’s right, even when the world gets it wrong. And honestly, that’s just scratching the surface. Anyway, I didn’t mean to go full-on deep dive there. I was just popping in to say I’m seeing the movie tonight and to share something fun from the blog. Whoops! So yes, Wicked tonight! But also, over on the blog, I’ve got a new recipe for Cherry Cheesecake Bites. They’re delightfully easy to make, thanks to those handy frozen phyllo dough shells. You get these gourmet little bites with barely any effort—gotta love that. As always, you can find this recipe (and plenty of others) through the link in my profile. Now, I’m off to see the Wizard. Wishing you a magical week. 💚🧹💖🫧

I’m slowly starting to deck the halls and sprinkle a little holiday magic around my home. One of my favorite decorations is my Santa mug collection. 🎅🏼 Some loyalists get fussy about collections. I don’t. If it makes me smile, it’s in. Some are vintage, some are new, and that’s fine by me—because, let’s face it, someday the “new” will be vintage too, right? Of course, what started as just mugs has spiraled into something of a Santa-centric obsession. It’s grown to include a Mr. and Mrs. Claus salt-and-pepper shaker collection. Santa 🎅🏼🤶🏼 And then—because why stop there?—a ceramic Santa boot collection. Once you open that door, it’s like the Santas multiply overnight. Resistance is futile. My latest addition might be the most special yet: a Santa head cookie jar. This little ceramic gem once belonged to my Great Aunt Maggie, likely painted by someone in the family 40+ years ago. Every year, it was filled to the brim with cookies or fudge, and the memories tucked inside that jar are priceless. That’s what I love most about vintage treasures. They carry stories—of the hands that filled them and the people who reached in for a sweet treat. Every cookie shared adds another layer of magic.❤️✨ And so, my Santa collection is ready for another season, bringing back a flood of nostalgia and a sprinkle of Christmas cheer. It’s like welcoming old friends back home for the holidays.