Sunday Shopping: A Very Steamy Christmas

I will be posting a round-up every Sunday of items for sale based on a certain theme. These will usually, but not always, be pulled from Etsy.com.

Now that we have made it through the Thanksgiving holiday, I wanted to showcase some Steampunk goodness in the form of Steampunk inspired Christmas decorations. The holidays are already filled with jewel tones and metallic accents, so Steampunking your Christmas decorations is hardly a stretch.

From Shop SteamyTech, $100 for set of six

This set of ornaments are laser cut and hand stained. The best part is they include working, moving gears.

From Shop magpiesmasquerie, $20

I love the delicate lace on this ornament, and the peach color. Such a pretty bauble to add to your Steampunk tree.

From Shop TimeTravelerBoutique, $25

This is a gorgeous Steampunk snowflake at first glance, but it also opens to reveal a locket, so you can place a family photo inside, maybe a picture with Santa? 

Thats enough tree ornaments, What about the rest of the house?

From Shop JanieDMattern, $29

This lovely banner is made from chipboard and has a very Victorian Christmas feel to it, with just a little hint of sparkle.

From Shop splendidcolors, $325

So, while this is a bit on the high-end, this makes a lovely wreath, and its made from painted wood, so it's light weight enough to hang on a wall. Plus, its custom made to your specifications. Gears have always somewhat reminded me of snowflakes.

Lastly, When Santa arrives on his Steam-powered sleigh(reindeer having become too unpredictable in the last few years), He'll need a place to put all the goodies he's brought you.

From Shop bjelvgren, $48

I've always loved crazy quilts, and this stocking made in jewel tones is beautiful. Its made with high-end decorator fabrics and based on Victorian crazy quilts.

From Shop ClockworkCouture, $49.95

Or there is this stocking, styled to look like a women's Victorian boot with spats. The non-traditional choice is sure to turn heads when hung by the chimney with care.

Thanks for reading my first Sunday Shopping post. If you've come across something cool for sale, or have an idea for my next round-up, leave it in the comments.

Chocolate is always appropriate.

Since I'm getting married next year in April, I'm going to be spending the holidays with my soon-to-be in-laws family. However, getting my love to call them and find out the plans was like pulling teeth. I finally cornered him on Monday night, with a "Look, I need to know if I need to bring anything so I can shop before the crowds on Wednesday." He called right then and there in the grocery store parking lot, and found out that, yes they are having something, and no we do not need to bring anything. Well, I'm concerned that perhaps they are still thinking of my love as a addition to his mother instead of a fully-functioning-grown-up-person-separate-family type thing. So I made cookies anyway.

I have made this cookie recipe a number of times before, and they have always turned out great. This time, since I am taking them to a Thanksgiving dinner, I added some spices to the basic recipe, giving them as somewhat Mexican hot chocolate taste, which I enjoy, but you could omit. I also made them into small, two-bite size cookies, figuring that they will serve as dessert after a large meal, and people are more likely to eat one if they are small.

Megan's Thanksgiving Chocolate Cake Cookies

Ingredients:
1 Cup butter (yes really)
1 1/2 Cup sugar
2 eggs
2 teaspoons vanilla
2 Cups All-purpose flour
2/3 Cup baking cocoa
3/4 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon salt.
1/2 teaspoon each of: ground cinnamon, dried ground ginger
1/4 teaspoon each of: ground cloves and cardamom.

1. In a mixing bowl, cream together softened butter and sugar.
2. Add eggs, one at a time until well blended
3. Add vanilla, blend well. Set aside
4. In another bowl, combine flour, cocoa, baking soda, salt and spices.
5. Slowly add dry ingredients to creamed mixture until fully mixed.
6. Cover and refrigerate at least one hour, longer if you have the time.
7. Roll into 1'' balls about 2'' apart on baking sheet.
8. Bake at 350° for 9-11 minutes. Place on baking rack to cool.


Hope you enjoy the cookies, and happy baking!