what I'm gifting this year
Have you seen Anthropologie's charm necklace collection?
When I saw it, I knew exactly who would love this for a gift. My Mother-in-law, a huge fan of Anthro and a huge fan of my little boy, her one and only grandson. So I "designed" a necklace for her.
I felt like it was a bit of a risk spending $100 for a piece of jewelry online. Worried about it looking chintzy and cheesy, I went ahead because of free shipping and the insurance of returning it. But, it arrived today and I'm so pleased!
A crystal for chakra (something very meaningful to her), a wooden A for Alan and an adorable golden frog locket.
Inside, a couple of recent portraits she hasn't yet seen.
But the part I think is the sweetest is a note from the gifter, her grandson, folded up inside the locket box.
And how adorable is the felted pouch it comes in? Anthropologie does it again!
For my parents, my sisters and I together splurged on engraved His and Hers iPads.
Pocket helicopters for my nephews.
And cake ball makers and supplies for my nieces.
The teachers are getting Nordstrom gift cards:
The mailman is getting a gift certificate to our local burger stand which just happens to be across the street from the post office.
And the bus driver gets $ in this cute box I found at Wal-mart.
The class gets goodie bags with hot cocoa and a candy cane.
But my favorite gift to give is a little donation to the Salvation Army because when my dad was a tot from a very poor family in Paris, Texas, the only sign of Christmas was the Salvation Army delivering candy canes and oranges to them. Because of this story, I never mind the bell ringers and always let my little boy fill the kettles.
You won't believe what my son is asking for this year. More on that later : )
white lights or colored lights (inspired by Tracery)
I won my very first blog giveaway today from one of my favorite blogs, Tracery, a design shop in Rosemary Beach, Florida, with this comment in response to their question: what is your favorite, white lights or colored lights?
"As a child I had colored lights, then when I moved out and got my own tree, I decorated with the popular white lights for 15 years. Until this year, when my bright-eyed 6-year old boy asked me why we had all boring yellow lights (I guess they don’t look white to him). So we have switched to a perfect combo of half white and half multi-colored lights mingled throughout our garlands and tree. It’s happy, nostalgic and my little one is estatic about our colored lights! So, I guess I have to say, that my new favorite is this perfect combo of both lights."
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"As a child I had colored lights, then when I moved out and got my own tree, I decorated with the popular white lights for 15 years. Until this year, when my bright-eyed 6-year old boy asked me why we had all boring yellow lights (I guess they don’t look white to him). So we have switched to a perfect combo of half white and half multi-colored lights mingled throughout our garlands and tree. It’s happy, nostalgic and my little one is estatic about our colored lights! So, I guess I have to say, that my new favorite is this perfect combo of both lights."
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Merry Merry!
Luxurious Decorated Powder Bath
Another pic I snapped at a Lake Travis home in Austin, Texas. Silk taffeta, dark Venetian plaster wall treatment, mercury glass bottles, a copper vessel sink, crystal chandelier. L O V E.
a Christmas showhome show stopper
Another pic from an Austin lakefront show home. Here's a peek at the living room Christmas tree and built-in seating nooks.
Santa Hat cookies
Inspired by THIS blog (with a heartfelt Santa story you should read):
I made these cookies tonight for my Mother in law's birthday. They were so cute. I cut the sugar in half for both recipes and they were delicious!
a little Gift Wrap station
Another pic I snuck at one of the Austin showhome's I toured over the weekend here in my neighborhood of Steiner Ranch.
Decorating with Santa's Boots
Another fun Christmas touch from an Austin, TX showhome I toured over the weekend. Santa's suit and boots in the mud room. How cute!
Christmas Decorating with Cookie Cutters
This was my favorite touch at an AMAZING Austin showhome we visited today. I snuck this photo to share the owner's way of decorating her vent hood with her beautiful copper Christmas cookie cutters.
Santa Claus is coming to town
Yesterday I brought out the Santa painting my Mother made and arranged it with some ornaments. And when my 6-year old came home from school... 
He added his own touch. And I love it.
a fun kids table idea... Angry Birds
My mom is so clever. Every year she does something adorable and fun for the childrens table on Thanksgiving. This year included fondant Angry Birds and handmade stick launchers. Big hit!
And handmade felt hats for the boys...
... and for the dads and grandad. Afterall, who doesn't love Angry Birds!?
Happy Thanksgiving from my family to yours
I'm thankful for my 6-year old who brought this home from school...
It's Beginning to Look a lot like Christmas
Just a little pretty from The Junior League of Austin's annual A Christmas Affair.
Ikat Print... on Christmas cards
This pretty and fresh card design fromTiny Prints is on my eye for my family's card this year.
I ordered round cards last year for something different from all the others. Very fun.
And I'm thinking about the tri fold as well. Very sweet.
Don't forget matching labels! Love these.
http://www.tinyprints.com/shop/picture-christmas-cards.htm
Meringue Cupcake Cookies
Decorating with the Iconic Orange Box
I gifted my sister a Hermes twilly for her birthday last weekend. As she was opening her present, I realized that the little round box it comes in is as much a gift as the silk twilly itself.
