{A holiday craft I will be doing}

{above photos via Fancy House Road}

First up for holiday crafts..

As I was putting together a round up of things to make this year for the holidays I noticed the Fancy House Road Girls (Keighly) posted an awesome tutorial on making roasted clay ornaments. I love how clean but crafted these little ornaments look.

You should go over and check out the Fancy House Road blog for some awesome ideas. They are a group of Mom and daughters pumping out lots of inspiration. I might be biased but I am highly entertained by the videos that they make.

Also are you wondering how to style yourself up for the holidays...well FHR girl Kiersten posted a fun sock bun tutorial as well a styling tips for the holidays right here. If you follow what she says then you may have the chance to look as pretty as she does...refer below.

Keep up the good work Fancy House Girls!

how do you decorate for the holidays..

Well designer Benjie Jones takes on a more subtle look when decorating his home for Christmas. I love all of the greenery that he placed in every room. Makes me rethink my crafty ways.

Don't get me wrong I do love a good holiday craft but fresh greenery would be my first choice in decorating for the holidays.

Next up, some of my top picks for holiday crafting.

P.S. - Does the above space make you want to paint the trim in your house a dark color. Me too.

{All photos via Atlanta Homes & Lifestyles}

Jean-Louis Deniot

Today I am studying the work of Jean-Louis Deniot for a little project that I have in mind. Look at all of that really cool lighting that was used in the above Paris apartment. To see more of Jean-Louis Deniot's work then go here.

cladding fabric to furniture

I really want to figure out how to clad furniture with fabric. The above midcentury piece covered in the toile du juoy fabric is so pretty. Apparently there is a classic technique of applying fabric to furniture that is durable and water proofed.

Angela's guest room makeover.

I love it when people just getter done. Angela from TPH decided to finish up her guest room to host some friends for Thanksgiving. The remarkable part is she did it in two weeks and pretty much used what she had. Angela finds the best treasures and the little sofa with the rope detailing is no exception. Also note the chair she splattered with paint. You can read more about the process here. How about those green walls?

Angela also is an artist and gives wonderful tips on painting with children..you can check that out right here.

Oh an I should note that Angela is one of the coolest blog friends around.

Livly Clothing

I recently had somebody ask me where the top black and ivory little girls coat was from so I thought I would post a link to the source. All of the above darling clothes come from Livly Clothing. Very cute stuff but on the spendy side.

Also while we are on the subject of little kids I've had the best time lately putting together outfits for my kids. Can you believe the below dress is nice heavy lace from the thrift store...love it when that happens.

Have a wonderful weekend!

Cynthia Rowley at home

You know what made me happy...seeing Cynthia Rowley in action with her girls at home. I think the way they captured the girls is quite charming. Also I noticed that in real life as opposed to the Elle Decor editorial life that Cynthia's dining table has some character. Kind of looks like our old table with scratches, dings and well you know character. You have to see more of the photos of Cynthia and her girls over here...it will make you smile.

{All photos via The Glow}

P.S. - Do any of you do Christmas dresses for your little girls? If so, where do you find the best dresses? I seriously found a really cute one at K Mart..I love it when you find good things in unsuspecting places.

starbursty & prismatic for the holidays

Don't turn me into the authorities but I have yet to put any Christmas decor out....I did however manage to go with a pretty & witty red headed friend to help craft Anthropologie's next window treatment. We didn't know that was what we would be doing before we got there so it was fun to see the magic of their window displays in action. Anyway they didn't send us home emptied handed. We made glistening starburst things out of drink stirrers. I think they would make great Christmas decorations...

All you have to do is get your hands on some clear plastic prism food stick or drink stirrers and poke a couple different lengths into a styrofoam ball. I was told that the prism sticks are hard to find but if you go here you can get some of your own...the power of googling.

Minted Giveaway Winner

Wizzle...you the winner of the 50 cards and the fabulous journal.

Thank you so much for all that participated in this very generous giveaway from Minted.

A winter moodboard (black, nude, burgundy and cream)

One time I went into the hair salon after I first got married and told my the hairdresser that I needed to color over my highlights. I simply requested an Elizabeth Hurley brown but walked out with a level 2N which is black before blue black...they had somehow made a mistake and it took two years before I had normal hair. Well this past week I have been craving a little should I dare say burgundy and black..gasp. I am also loving the classic nordic snowflake knits...I would even except some of the real snowflake stuff for a little holiday spirit.

I am also loving so much of the styling over at Aubin & Wills found here.

1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18

Life four years ago and and life today (gratitude)

{The Little America Hotel in Flagstaff, AZ...life 4 years ago}

First of all how was your Thanksgiving?

Our Thanksgiving was great except you can imagine the risks the come along with hauling 5 little kids across the state and beyond.....I must note that going across the states out west isn't anything like trying to cross the state of Rhode Island either.

I am thankful we didn't have to rent a truckers bathroom again so that I could feed 3 six month babies. I couldn't help but reminisce about this little scenario as we passed the Little America hotel exit in Flagstaff on our way to Thanksgiving dinner four years ago. I remember trying to feed my babies in the car while my husband took the girls into the cafe. When it became clear that I needed some assistance I loaded 2 of the babies into the stroller and carried the other as I found my way to the check-in desk at the hotel. I thought after seeing me they would for sure rent a room out to me for an hour. Not so, instead I was directed to the truckers bathrooms that I could rent for $10 an hour. Those were good times and actually the bathrooms weren't too bad. I'm still not too sure as to why I would take babies on a long trip that were not on formula or had not yet reached the ripe old age of 1. Either which way I felt very grateful for all of those who have helped me get to where I am today.

We finally made it home after 10 hours there and then 10 hours back.

A few more notes:

I really do like seeing things from the window of a car.

I thought about how helpful in life it is to replace feelings of inadequacy and insufficiency for acts and thoughts of gratitude.

So grateful that there is a God who knows and loves every single one of us...it's true.

{the above picture is supposed to represent life today...all kicks and giggles}

P.S. - I am thankful for humor..even when I am the only one that finds it...Don't ask me why I just chose to insert the above picture except I love that we were swimming just a mere month and a half ago and that my kid still likes to snuggle. What if life were just kicks & giggles and we never ever got upset when things got damaged and such.

P.S.S. - You have until tonight to enter the awesome Minted giveaway.

{handsome blankets}

I am quite fond of these throws and blankets...they look really handsome and warm..such a nice combo in my opinion.

Imagine finding them here..price isn't the worst ever for what you are getting. Do I dare say a couple of them look a little Missoni-ish.

GiIVEAWAY!!! 50 holiday cards + a journal from Minted (valued at over $100)

I am so excited to offer one of you fine readers a fantastic opportunity to win 50 holiday cards + a journal from Minted...retailed at over $100. If you are like me then one of your favorite parts of the holiday season is to receive Christmas cards from friends and family. I have been known to even save mine for a very long time because I treasure them so. Well I think one of the best go to sites for cards happens to be Minted. Go here and check out some of their products for yourself and then come back and tell me what design is your fave..that way you can have a chance to win those pretty holiday cards as well as that journal.

I can't wait to see who wins this..hopefully I can even be your new friend on your Christmas card list so that I can see your beautiful family and the card you chose. Good luck!!!

The winner will be picked next Monday Nov. 29th (Cyber Monday). Make sure to leave your email address so that I can contact you when you win.

Also thought you all may be interested to know that it will be a win win day for all on Cyber Monday as Minted has many festivities going on...including the following:

• Offering free backers + shipping on all holiday cards for the entire day—an amazing deal!
  

• Randomly picking one holiday card order per hour and make it free for that customer – to qualify, a customer must place a holiday card order on 11/28.
  

• Randomly pick one holiday card order per hour and buy a classroom’s worth of children new Minted notebooks for that customer – to qualify for this, a customer must place a holiday card order on 11/28 and post a link to the

www.minted.com/holiday-photo-cards page on their Facebook wall.

{gold flatware}

With the season of entertaining upon us I have been thinking about things that assist us with eating. For the last year I have actually been thinking about the beautiful brass flatware that I passed up at a thrift store only to go back and see that somebody else scored the set...

Well if you too love the gold toned flatware and do not have the budget to invest in a very expensive set then I would suggest the above over here...it is nice and simple just how I like it. The price is right as well.

***Apparently the above set already has sold out..rats..it was like $60 for an 8 piece set. Refer to the below for a few more sources***

here, here & here

{above picture from D Magazine}