Ringing in the New Year

Wishing you all a happy and healthy 2011!

via Keep Calm Shop

Here's to 2011

Happy New Year Everyone!

Its hard to believe that 2010 is only hours away from being over and we will soon be ringing in 2011.

I wish you all happiness, health, and love. May 2011 be a wonderful year for you all!

{photo via here}

Peppermint Rimmed Hot Cocoa

oh my goodness.... just had to share with all of you this yummy drink that is featured on How Does She?

I now know how I will be using up my candy canes this New Years Weekend!

Christmas Recap

For those that celebrate Christmas I hope you had a wonderful Christmas and that Santa was nice to everyone this year!

Our Christmas was extra special as it was my daughter's first Christmas. We left cookies and milk out for Santa, Santa even left Elle a letter in her stocking, and he brought lots of fun toys for Elle, a french press for my husband and pretty jewelry for me!

What are some of your favorite Christmas traditions that you remember as a child or that you do for your children?

Introducing With Love...

a little bundle of joy has arrived and I can't stop smiling as I have never felt more blessed than I do now.

elle grace

6 lbs 12 ounces 20 inches

12.15.2010

Photos by Vicki Lynn Photography

What I'm Loving This Week

I heart these vintage red rose earrings. I think they would add a delicate touch to a holiday party outfit.

I heart this ruffled camera strap. Perfect touch for capturing those holiday moments!

I heart this winter white scarf. Loving the soft, romantic detailing.

Christmas Macaroons and Dessert Books

My kind of dessert! Available from My Sweet and Saucy

to make your very own macaroon here are some wonderful macaroon books

available from amazon

{I have to admit I have the I heart Macaroon book but have yet to use it}

Baby Shoes

Can these shoes get any cuter? I think not... Oh how I want to buy all of these for my little girl.. okay, not going to lie I really wish they came in my size as well.

and oops I found even more cute ones over at little styles. Okay, why can't they make adult shoes this cute?!

Blissfully Waiting

I saw this photo/ quote and it reminded me of what today marks... my due date that is and there is still no baby girl..yet! Today, also marks the first day of my maternity leave so I plan on having a relaxing day to myself, taking in the last moments of feeling my baby kick {my favorite part of being pregnant}, and I'm also anxiously waiting to hear from one of my dearest friends about her baby's arrival as she was due with her little guy yesterday.

What I'm Loving This Week

I heart this ornament from Paloma's Nest

I heart these felt holiday gift tags from fresh lemon blossoms

I heart this holiday photo stocking holder from my sweet savannah

Decorating with Stockings

So glamourous, so festive, so cozy, so sweet... I'm loving all of these looks.

{images via country living}

Festive Gift Wrap

Each year I like to do a color "theme" with my wrapping paper and this year I have opted for green and red polka dot paper. The red polka dot paper I accented with green satin ribbon and the green polka dot paper I accented with red statin ribbon. I purchased my gift wrap from Hobby Lobby this year. I love the quality of their paper and their selection. Plus, right now all gift wrap is 50% off!

Here are some festive gift wrapping items I wanted to share from paper source.

Wrapping Paper Designs:

or if you prefer gift bags these holiday colored argyle bags are adorable

Gift boxes- Love these red polka dot boxes!

and for the finishing touch

Christmas Cookies

I already started my baking but since I am finding myself twiddling my thumbs until the little lady arrives {1 week to go} I figured what better way to keep myself busy {besides sitting on my sofa and loving the smell of my Christmas tree } than to find some new Christmas Cookie recipes.

I'm thinking of baking these. After all, they remind me of little macaroons.

What are some of your favorite Christmas cookies? Mine are definitely the kiss cookies!

Gingerbread Houses

The other day I showed you my creative masterpiece and so today I thought I would share some gingerbread house ideas that are too adorable for words.

simple, quaint Swedish gingerbread house

Peppermint gingerbread house made out of a milk carton. Perfect for the little ones

So sweet. Who doesn't love the sled?!

love this masterpiece and the 3 dimensional trees

Now if only I had the talent and the patience to make a creation like these!

Have a wonderful weekend everyone!

Cozy Comforts

I love the cashmere holiday collection this year from Restoration Hardware. Here are a few of the pieces I am adoring and I also think would make wonderful gifts for the person on your list that seems to have everything.

I love these cashmere hand warmers and for $15 you can't beat that!

cozy robe for your lazy Sunday mornings

cozy cashmere blanket for cuddling on the sofa while you watch your favorite holiday movie

cozy touch of comfort for your living room sofa

All that a person would need now is a good cup of hot chocolate, a book, and some cookies straight out of the oven!

Red + Ruffles= Love

My dream winter coat. Oh, how I would love to wear this coat especially on these unusual chilly mornings we are having. After all, what is there not to love?! It's red & it has ruffles!

{I believe this coat is available at Anthropologie but when I went back to their website I did not see it}

Favorite Weekend of the Year

Not sure exactly what it is but I love Thanksgiving weekend. Perhaps, its because the weekend is full of yummy food, great shopping, and the beginning of the holiday season!

For Thanksgiving, we went to a friend's parents home where the food was wonderful, an outdoor bonfire was enjoyed, great company was held, and we decorated gingerbread houses. Each couple decorated their own gingerbread house and for never decorating a gingerbread house before I think we did alright. My friend's mom made the gingerbread from scratch so even better yet! I love how my friend's family decorates gingerbread houses on Thanksgiving. I may have to adopt this tradition as it was a lot of fun.

Then as soon as the clock struck midnight I was out with a friend and shopped for 6 hrs! That's right nothing like being 38 weeks pregnant and out shopping amongst the black Friday madness. So much fun!

On Saturday, my husband hung up the outdoor lights, topiaries, and wreaths, and then we ventured out to have dinner and watch the light parade with some friends. Sunday, was a full day of baking and putting up the finishing touches in the nursery {and yes, I promise photos of the nursery will follow soon}.

Here is my gingerbread house. Pretty sure Martha Stewart will not be featuring my creation any time soon. What matters though is the fun we had and I discovered a love for cherry sours!

I hope you all had a wonderful Thanksgiving and for my readers that are do not reside in the States I hope you had a wonderful weekend and treated yourself to something you love!

Thanksgiving Wishes

Happy Thanksgiving to all of my readers here in the States. May you find yourself surrounded by good food and loving company as we reflect upon the blessings we have been blessed with.

Happy Thanksgiving Weekend!

{photos via martha stewart}