Displaying my presents

I finally put all the Christmas decor away last weekend (while I had no water courtesy of my frozen pipes might I add). Then I got to put out all the lovelies I had gotten for Christmas!!

So re-doing a "fixer upper" can get overwhelming at times, especially without a plan. At first I didn't have a plan. I was just doing something here, something there and I never felt like I was changing anything. So I took a page out of my Aunt Gail's (the queen of remodeling) book and made a plan to do it a room at a time. Also, to make myself feel like the task wasn't impossible, I started with my smallest/least to do room, the downstairs half bathroom. I always knew I wanted two shelves with white pots on them in this bathroom, but I didn't really plan for what was going to go on the shelves with the pots. Once I decided I wanted pretty perfume bottles on there, I had trouble finding any (typical). Mom to the rescue, she gave me two great bottles for Christmas and now I feel like the shelves are complete and look fab. Also Robyn gave me the pretty little plate for Christmas and I felt like it fit in perfectly. It is vintage Limoges china, tres chic!

A close up of the bottles, the clear ones are Mom's Christmas presents to me, the green one is from believe it or not Hobby Lobby, and the pink one is Michael Kors Very Hollywood perfume that a vendor sent me for Christmas (thanks Pam!).

At Holiday House there was a booth filled with the most wonderful shabby chic items, and I made sure my mom knew how much I loved all of their stuff. And of course because she's the best she took note and bought me stuff from there for Christmas and managed to keep it a secret for over a month. My first item, a beautiful hanging crystal that now hangs on my french doors.

The other thing she got me was the cutest little odds and end rack that I put at the top of my staircase so I can grab things on the run. Hope they come back to Holiday House next year, I have a feeling there is nothing they have that I wouldn't love.

The last one was really a gift I gave myself, but I think it is pretty perfect since my condo number is 2 and I really love the old timey font.

Those are all the wonderful home decor items I was given for Christmas. I am off to do some crafting, will post pics tomorrow (if the crafts turn out that is). Also go Cowboys, big playoff game tomorrow. Keeping my fingers crossed.

These are a few of my favorites

So the holiday season has killed the blogging. But now I'm on vacay (yay!) and have time for sharing with you all a few of my favorite pictures from this holiday season. There are a few I still need emailed to me (cough, cough, hint hint family members), but the ones below were mine so I can post them. Enjoy!

I seriously can't believe it, but we had a white Christmas in Texas! Now you would think my little lap dog wouldn't like bad weather, but he loves it. Rain, wind, and apparently snow too. So we had fun playing in the Texas snow.

He liked to rub his face in the snow. I know he's crazy, what can I say?

How he looked after the face rubbing. He's like the abominable snow pup!

The most hilarious Christmas lights I have ever seen. And this house is on a main corner in a nice neighborhood. I see it on my drive home every evening and this always gets me in the holiday spirit.

Eddie heads here as soon as the tree goes up. I don't know why, but this is where he hangs out at my Mom's during the holidays.

So I'm not saying he lives in Arkansas or anything (although we do have a booming retiree population, what better way to blend in?) but I drove behind him one day to work and I swear this man was him. Just look a the license plate. And a red truck? Who else could it be?

And to sum it all up my possible Christmas card for next year? Oh who am I kidding, I'll never be able to take the time to get actual pictures printed on cards for Christmas but here's to dreaming.

I hope you all liked the pics. I might have more to share later, but for now that's all. Later!

They call it Jerry world

Over Thanksgiving weekend my Baylor Bears played football against the Texas Tech Red Raiders at the new Cowboys Stadium. I was super excited to get to see the stadium without shelling out tons of moola for a pro game ticket. And by the way, the Bears really didn't play too badly and everyone stayed until the end of the game, yipee! Below are the pics of the stadium they call Jerry World (for Jerry Jones the owner of the Cowboys and the one who has to foot the bill for this thing, for those of you who have been living under a rock this fall.)

The screen that has caused so much controversy (and a few kickoff issues.) This thing is unbelievably huge, even though we were close to the field I found myself watching this thing because you can see everything on it.

The field, and the Baylor Gold Wave Band getting ready to do an opening number.

One end of the stadium. These windows make it feel like you are outside even though you aren't. It is so cool.

Me and Dad (wearing his green and gold no less)

I really hope they make this game a Thanksgiving weekend tradition because it was a lot of fun. A crowd of over 71,000 doesn't hurt in convincing them to do it again either :). Until next time when I have updates on the long lost and now found vintage Minolta camera and my Christmas decor (I know you all cannot wait.)

Holiday Time!!

The Holiday season is fast approaching and I am itching to get out my Christmas decorations and deck my halls!

At Holiday House this year my Mom bought me a one of a kind, made by hand Santa and he is beautiful. I especially love the hanging lantern he has. He is already sitting out, I just couldn't bear to put him away.

In other news, when I went home to Texas to visit my family a few months ago I had come to the decision that I wanted to find my Mom's old Minolta camera to start taking pictures with it again. I hadn't played with it since high school and I was kind of feeling the urge to take manual focus 35mm pictures again. After several days of searching (and the finding of my great grandmother's coffee grinder that I decided was mine and would return to Arkansas with me) we couldn't find it. My Mom is a pack rat to the fullest so I was confused about where it could have gone to. We checked the garage, every closet, and I made her promise to have my cousin check the attic when he came over to mow the lawn. No sign of it. Imagine my surprise when she texted me a few days ago to tell me she had found it!! I am so thrilled. I just hope I can find a flash for it somewhere out there so I can have it ready for indoor Christmas pics. We'll have two new babies at Christmas this year and it will probably be one of our dear friend's last Christmas which is heart breaking to everyone. All the more reasons to take more pictures this year than ususal. I'm picking it up next week during Thanksgiving and I'll be brushing up my skills in the mean time. Prepare for lots of postings of my attempts at photography.

This is what the camera looks like, although I'm not sure if this image matches the exact make and model. It also has an awesome 70s retro-ish neck strap that I cannot wait to use.

Oh and by the way New Moon was everything we thought it would be and more. It is so refreshing when a director actually follows the book plotline rather than trying to put their own spin on it and changing things. We all even cried a few times. I know its crazy but what can I say, we love it. See ya'll later!

Big Sigh of Relief

I officially survived holiday house to take a 4 hour nap on Sunday. But it was all worth it, even the 6 hour merchant load out. Hey merchants, here's an idea at 5:00pm 1 hour before closing start selling things for 20, 30, even 50% off. Then we wouldn't have so much to load back up when it is time for you to leave. But now all of our community projects for the year will be covered which is why I'm giving myself a big pat on the back.

Now onto feeling relaxed for a change. I have an Arbonne party at my casa this week, needing a bit more volume to make it to District Manager which doesn't really mean anything but more money on my paycheck which I will gladly take. Shhh, don't tell but I'll be having a 50% off sale for Black Friday. If that doesn't get me to district I don't know what will.

And...big drumroll...the two movies I am the MOST excited about come out Friday. Those would be New Moon and The Blind Side. Seeing New Moon of course on opening night with the girls. Then I'm planning a viewing of The Blind Side with my mama when I'm home for Thanksgiving. And just in case you all have forgotten about what these movies are (as if you could) below are the previews for them. Enjoy, I know I will!

I Love Pumpkin

So I know this is probably an October-ish post for most, but I've been running a bit behind lately. Anyways, I love the taste of pumpkin. If not for the icky messy part I would carve a pumpkin every year for the seeds. And I really wish that fall wasn't the only time that pumpkin flavored/scented items came around. I would enjoy them all year round. What are those items you ask? Well there is...

*Starbucks Pumpkin Spice Latte-a must on a cool fall morning

*Pumpkin seeds

*Hershey's Pumpkin Kisses-I buy bags and bags of these so I'll have some even when they aren't selling them anymore

*Pumpkin pie

*Pumpkin scented Yankee candles-another thing I buy multiples of

*And best of all pumpkin bread

So in honor of my love for all things pumpkin and for my mom who is coming to visit me this week I made some pumpkin bread today. First time I had done this using the new mixer I received for my birthday. I can't believe how much the mixer cuts down on my prep time. One of my all time best birthday presents ever I think. Haven't tried the bread yet (it is still cooling) but I have a feeling it's going to be pretty delicious. And my bread pan looks like a pumpkin patch, what could be better? Off to try a piece, have a good one!

The infamous pumkin patch pan!

So I think the pumpkin patch look is there. Next time will be using the shortening to grease the pan like the cookbook told me too. Using Pam as a shortcut (and because I didn't have any shortening) may not have been my best idea. But at least it is still edible!

It's Holiday House Time!

The leaves are changing and it is time for something that I have been looking forward to for several months now: Junior League of Little Rock's Holiday House at the Statehouse Convention Center in downtown Little Rock!

Now as a member of the Holiday House comittee (logistics to be exact and I'm still not sure what that means) entrusted with making sure our event goes off without a hitch I am a bit biased, but I think this is the best holiday shopping opportunity of the year. The gifts are unique and they aren't the same old same old that you can find anywhere. Trust me, your mother does not want another candle and that sweater you gave grandma last year well she still hasn't worn it. Get them something fabulous at Holiday House and make their holiday!

And the best part about Holiday House is that all the proceeds from ticket sales, snack sales, auction items, and raffle ticket sales go directly towards all of our community projects that we do all year. Go to http://www.jllr.org/ to see more on all those wonderful projects that my fellow league members and I participate in (my personal favorite is GROW:Girl's Realizing the Opportunity Within).

There are many ways you can come and play at Holiday House

1. Preview Party- Wednesday November 11th from 6-10pm. Tickets cost $35 and that will get you first come shopping at all the booths, heavy appetizers, drinks, a wine cork pull, and live music by Crisis.

2. Private Shopping-Thursday November 12th 9am-12pm. Tickets cost $25 and that will get you shopping without the crowds, brunch, and coffee. One ticket sale from this event provides a backpack full of school supplies for a child particitpating in our Stuff the Bus program.

3. Ladies Night Out-Thursday November 12th 6-9pm. Tickets cost $25 and that will get you food from a Mexican buffet, 2 alcoholic drinks, access to the silent auction, and entry into the Jones and Son giant box raffle. Two ticket sales from this event provide one car seat for participants in our Buckle Up and Be Safe Program.

4. General Admission-Thursday November 12th 12-6pm; Friday November 13th 9am-9pm; Saturday November 14th 9am-6pm. One day tickets cost $7 or get a three day pass for $15.

5. Childrens Event-Saturday November 14th 9am-12pm. Tickets cost $5 and that will get you stories told by Mrs. Claus with cookies and milk and a viewing of the houses that have been entered in the Gingerbread House Competition.

So come on by and shop it up. You know that's where I'll be. And my mom is coming to visit and do some shopping too! You can be sure I'll be picking out some items that I can point out to her for what I want for Christmas! So the posting will be minimal this coming week. But hey what's new around here? Have a good one!