Better Homes and Garden's Shoot and Hot Chocolate Bar

 

A couple of months ago we got an e-mail from Better Homes and Gardens asking if we would be interested in having our home photographed for their Christmas Ideas Issue. It seemed too good to be true and to be honest I kept thinking it might fall through but the last two days we had a stylist from Better Homes and Gardens here and today we had a photographer and a second stylist here as well! It was so exciting getting to watch such talented people work their magic and they were incredibly sweet and easy going and so wonderful with the girls. I had feared that Lillie would not want to have her photo taken when it was time but instead she hopped right up in her window seat and smiled and posed and did everything the photographer asked - he was so good with her! At one point she even had him sliding down our stairs "on his bum-bum" like her and he pushed her around on his cart once he was done! I can't thank them enough for making it such an easy and enjoyable experience. Now for the hard part - we have to wait 8 or 9 months for the magazine to come out!

Now that it is over, I have to say I am exhausted. It has been so crazy trying to get everything finished up in time. Once they left yesterday I started taking down all of the Christmas decorations. I am just about done and then I can start figuring out what to do to fill all the bare holes. In some ways it is such a good feeling to have it all down and to get everything clean and organized but it also does make all of the rooms seem so empty and cold now.

I didn't take any photos while they were here yesterday but I did take some photos last week of the hot cocoa station I added in our dining room.

 

Have a wonderful Tuesday!

The Last Day of Christmas...And New Items in Our Shop!

 

Whew! Today is finally the last day of Christmas here! I think poor Lillie is so confused. I can't wait to tell you more about it but for now I have a million things to finish up before the photographer and stylist arrive but I did want to quickly let you all know our Oversized Ruler Growth Chart is now available in our store as well as a new pillow!  And if you have e-mailed me I promise as soon as today is over I am going to start getting caught up so you will hear back from me very soon!

Here is our Oversized Ruler Growth Chart:

(Please Note: The price of the ruler factors in the extra cost of shipping an oversized item. Your actual shipping charge will be the same as if you purchased any other item in our shop).

 

And here is our Burlap Heart Pillow with a Ribbon:

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And Without a Ribbon:

Have a wonderful Monday!

Best of 2012

As we sit on the brink of a brand new year, I thought it appropriate to take a walk down memory lane.  Here’s a roundup of reader favorites from 2012…

Monogrammed Canvas & Holiday Monogrammed Canvas

Teacher Appreciation Round Up

Guest Room {Before & After}

Mason Jar Soap Dispenser

Have a BALL this summer! {Free Printable}

Snowman Soup

Deck the Halls 2012

Big Boy Room

Southern Porch

Chili & Beer Tasting Party

 

And a few from 2011 are still in my all time top viewed posts… 

The Road to Disney

Messages from Mickey {2011 Edition}

Finally Finished Banquette

He's Baaaaack!

Last but not least, I’d like to take a minute to thank my top referrers – all of which are fabulous blogs written by amazing and inspirational ladies. 

Savvy Southern Style

House of Turquoise

Kelly’s Korner

My Sweet Savannah

Mom Endeavors

When I started on this blogging adventure I didn't have an inkling as to all the wonderful people I'd have the great fortune to "meet".  Many thanks to each and every one of you that take time out of your day to spend a few minutes in mine.  With that, I think I’m going to sign off from the virtual world for a few days to soak up time with Honey and the boys.  

I’ll see y’all in 2013!!

xoxo

See the best of 2011 here!

Flattered for the features at My Uncommon Slice of Suburbia and Six Sisters Stuff!

Christmas at Dads

This Christmas party was last week, but since Andy and I are driving across the US this week (VA to CA) I wrote this post ahead of time. We are probably driving across the middle-states right now. Those long straight roads...they are a killer. Anyway, this was a Christmas party at my dad and step-mom's house in Virginia. We always have great conversation and good food at their house.

I hope your post-Christmas days are relaxing as the new year approaches. We sure will be glad to make it to California and start relaxing.

Goodbye Christmas 2012.......

Wow! Hard to believe its all over. That incredible build up, that frenzy we all work ourselves into, the stress, anxiety, the gift buying marathons, the present wrapping sessions, the hemming and hawing over what to cook, holiday outfit dilemmas, last minute doubts about gifts bought....its all over. I must admit it was ALL worth it.....Christmas day was exactly as I had hoped, it was above all else, relaxing, beautiful, enjoyable, and even therapeutic.... filled with great food, family togetherness, movie marathons....and doing a whole lot of nothing. Except the mounds of dishes, and cooking for hours.  I wouldn't  change a thing...it was a day of rest that we all needed. How about you? How was your special day? As you had hoped? Only thing not planned was husband getting sick...started feeling sick towards the end of the day and is in bed hopefully not with the flu! I managed to take a few pictures which are below.........supposed to go away but now the trip is very questionable.  I am kind of enjoying this second day of rest admittedly its a bit unexpected but wonderful.  Hit a few early sales at nearby local shops this morning to take advantage of stocking up some pretties for next year, that was fun! But nearly fainted when I saw, get this....VALENTINES DAY merchandise..I kid you not!!!!!! Had an insanely great turkey sandwich and nibbled on a bunch of leftovers after which I polished off a few bites of some heavenly pies from a nearby farm. Yep....this is a great day! Just hard to believe its all over, we are having stormy weather right now,  so probably will be staying in though I had plans to go see Le Mis tonight, may have to wait a day or two. What's cooking over there on your end? Do tell!  

Here's my table set for Christmas day dinner, elegant and understated was the theme and of course my darling napkin rings took center stage!

 So how long do you keep your Christmas decor up? I like to keep mine around awhile, a week or two....why not enjoy and savor the season just a little longer? Its too pretty to not enjoy, and heck it keeps you feeling the spirit and magic of such a beautiful season! I actually learned a few things this season, some or all you might know but "revelations" for me...here it goes-

• I WILL absolutely start planing out Christmas 2013 in NOVEMBER! You read it here first, please remind me of this next year!  I did  A LOT of last minute shopping, looking for hard to get items (case in point scoring an i Mac on Christmas eve) the stress o meter was in high gear, I would love to know all my gifts are purchased by Dec.4th. That's my new deadline for 2013!
  
  
  • It really does pay to take advantage of those day after Christmas sales and stock up for next year, I had fun pulling out previous purchases from last year and to get half off of things like paper, ribbon, holiday decor (which can get very pricey) pays off in spades! I also picking up great little doo dads when on sale and adding them to gifts, such a pretty and inexpensive way to jazz up a gift!
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  • I will be sure to get a great family picture or at least a picture of my three boys sometime in the summer or fall to avoid the last minute chaos and arguing that ensued trying to get them to take pics 5 days before Christmas! Wish I could say its a joke but it's not....yes this year was way behind! Ended up only taking it of my youngest son and Teddy...at the rate we are going, Teddy will be the last man standing next year, LOL!  I WILL get those done early next year!
  
  
  • You know how at the  last minute..the UPS man or mail lady shows up, or there's a teacher or garbageman you want to give a little something to but you forget and then frantically run inside rummaging through your wallet for change? Happens to me all the time! A little tip......this is the ONE thing I did in an organized fashion this year and it was so convenient!  I filled about 5 or 6 blank envelops with a generic holiday card and a twenty dollar bill in each. I kept them in a convenient drawer in the kitchen (easy access) It was so nice knowing this was taken care of and believe me I used up every single envelope! 
  

• Love watching things grow from "the ground up". I planted my paperwhites a little late this year but a great rule of thumb is to do this for Thanksgiving, that way you are guaranteed beautiful blooms a week or so before Christmas. Not to mention it is a very inexpensive alternative to buying things already in bloom.  I get such enjoyment out of watching something literally come to life, and the smell is heavenly!

My breakfast room

•  Priceless things like great pictures and videos still make to me, one of the best gifts. Whats better than getting a treasured picture of those you love in a gorgeous silver frame? It's a great gift and easy! I received such a gift and have to say it was quite possibly my favorite!

• I think the most effective way to decorating is using nice quality fake greens with real greens. In nearly every one of my vignettes I did this, every single one is in fact a combination of good quality faux holiday greenery with real......less mess, more economical and longer lasting! 

• Pinecones to me, remain one of the most inexpensive and elegant ways to decorate for the holidays. I have them everywhere, love filling urns with them adding them to vignettes, buying both big and small. They are in my living room, bathrooms, kitchen and dining room....get a glue gun and add them to just about anything, their impact is amazing!  They make perfect adornments to gifts as well. Super functional and multi purpose...I pack them up in big plastic bins and reuse them every year.

 My family room

So that's a recap of things I have learned this year.......what are your tips? Feel free to add them, I love sharing information and especially if its something we can all benefit from! So come on....it's your turn to talk! Hope your holidays were super merry and very relaxing......cheers to the end of a great year and to the start of an even better year ahead!