Wrapping Up 2011 {Top 5 Fav DIY'S}

Well guys in just a few hours 2011 will be history! What a year it has been. I just can't say thank you enough to those of you that follow along with me! After 9 months, it's still hard for me to believe that real people actually read MY blog. Weird. Anyways...I'm sooo glad you do!

Today I just want to share a few of my favorite posts from 2011!

1.  Burlap Covered Wreath DIY

 

2.  The Cutie Booty Onsie Tutorial

3.  Handmade Bunting Tutorial

4.  Pretty Pinwheel DIY

5.  Yarn Wreath with Felt Flowers DIY

I'm linking up over at Tatertots & Jello & Life Made Lovely! Hop on over and feast you eyes upon a bazillion other favorite posts from 2011.

P.S.  Now that the SHOP has re-opened after Christmas...here's a little discount code for you! HAPPYYEAR12 will get you 10% off of your purchase through Friday!

Hap-Hap-Happy New Year To You!

Whoop! Whoop!

I just couldn't wait any longer...

With lots of new items in the SHOP. Pop on over and check out all of the new goodies! And if you want to get a heads up when new items are listed you can follow me via twitter or facebook.

P.S. Be sure to check back for a special discount code and maybe just maybe a giveaway!

XOXO

Pretty Things Thursday- Sparkle

If you know me, then you know that I love anything sparkly! Sparkly shoes, sparkly nails, sparkly jewelry...you get the point.  So I thought today I would share with you a few pretty things that sparkle.

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And this I love...

Via Autumn on Pinterest



Just perfect for New Years don't ya think?

What I Wore Wednesday-First Timer!

Okay. So I've been wanting to link up with Lindsey for quite some time now, but I hate having my picture taken.{and by hate, I mean hate!} Those of you that know me are probably going to laugh at me and think I'm crazy...but I'm going for it!

Each week Lindsey hosts a linky party called What I Wore Wednesday {WIWW} and like a bazillion people link up showing off their outfits for the week. It's a cute little way to see what everyone is wearing and exactly where you can get it! 

Sooo...without further ado I give you my first WIWW!

Mustard Cardigan-Banana Republic

Navy Sparkle Tank- Banana Republic

Camera Strap Cover-Vanilla Tulip

Camera-Santa

and...I'm wondering where my wedding rings are? hum? anyways...

Sparkle Shoes-Target {$3 score!}

Black Ruffled Cardigan-JCrew

Sparkle Braided Belt-Arie

Jeans-Banana Republic

Boom. I know, I know...not very exciting. But give me a break, it's my first time! And please don't judge the messy bed and room.

This post was actually really hard for me. I really had to step out of my comfort zone and not worry about what others think. I mean, I'm no model{obviously} and I've gotta hand it to all of the others that link up each week, cause posing in front of a camera is awk-ward! So if you have any tips I would love to hear them!

Recovering

I hope as you are reading this you are recovering from a wonderful Christmas with your loved ones! I know I am. I say recovering because well, let's face it...it's a lot of work. I always feel like a crazy person running around at the last minute trying to make everything just perfect. And it always is. No matter what I forget to do or buy.
I had a blast with my little sweet peas opening gifts and playing with gifts from Santa. It was pretty much magical! I can't wait to share with you a little pinterest inspired project that my husband helped Santa with!

This week I'll be busy-busy working on lots of new items for the shop re-open! And most importantly, I'll be spending lots of time snuggling with my sweet little girls!

I'll be back tomorrow to share that little(big) project that I mentioned!



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Week Before Christmas in Pics

1. It Came! It Came! My super duper new planner from Much Ado About You!
2. Current Read
3. The Big Game!
4. Only the cutest teacher gift I've ever gotten! {they're erasers!}
5. Eeeek! Santa CAMEra early!
6. Christmas at the cabin with the fam!
7. Lucy-bug's first Christmas gift...she loves it...can't you tell?

Hopefully all of your gifts are bought and wrapped so that you can kick back a enjoy the TWO days before Christmas! That's my plan! I hope that you have the merriest Christmas and that you take some time to think about the true meaning of it all.

I think Linus says it best...

"And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night. And lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them: and they were sore afraid. And the angel said unto them, 'Fear not: for behold, I bring unto you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people. For unto you is born this day in the City of David a Savior, which is Christ the Lord. And this shall be a sign unto you; Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger.' And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host, praising God, and saying, 'Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men.'"

"That's what Christmas is all about, Charlie Brown."

Sweet Treats {DIY 9}

Looking for a few simple treats for the holidays? Maybe you need a gift for your neighbor or mailman. Or maybe you're just looking for a few tasty snacks for the family. These treats would be perfect!


Via Autumn on Pinterest



Via Autumn on Pinterest




Via Autumn on Pinterest



Via Autumn on Pinterest

Via Autumn on Pinterest



Via Autumn on Pinterest



Don't forget the pretty packaging! And Boom. Yummo!

Perfect!

Okay, so in the past I would just call up the place in the mall for our Christmas pictures. There are several problems with that. One being that I am NEVER satisfied. They're just too 'posie' for me. I'm a more candid girl. Plus I hate going cause it's all kinds of hot in there and kids are screaming and after you have your pictures made, then you have to sit and wait for "just about 5 minutes" for the girl to come back out and show you the pictures. Then you have to sit there while your kids are screaming and try to decide on the ones you want because there's absolutely no way you can afford the disk with all of the pictures on a teachers salary! Whew! I'm exhausted just thinking about it!

So this year at the very last minute I decided to do what I should have been doing all along...call up my amazing friend Kendall and have her come out to our home and work her magic! And boy did she! I am super pleased to say the least!

See what I mean? So sweet and simple. Exactly what I had in mind! And very reasonably priced. Hop on over to her blog and check it out. She and her adorable sister own Sisters Photography. They really do great work and they're not a bit afraid of getting dirty in the process.{sorry about the tights Kendall}



Happy Monday before Christmas!

Gifts in a Jar {DIY Day 8}

So today I'm joining my love of mason jars and my love of gifts! Here are a few DIY Jar gift ideas for you to try...



Pepperment Stick Cocoa



{Cookies for Santa}



{Sewing Kit in a Jar}



{Smores in a Jar}





{Spa in a Jar}

 



{Christmas nuts in a Jar}



Hope you love!

If you're just joining the 12 Days of DIY be sure to check out day 1, 2, 3, 4 ,5, 6, &7!

I heart presents!

I luuuv presents. I love giving presents, and let's be honest here...I love getting presents! So the Cold Hands Warm Heart Swap was like the best idea ever. {thanks Illy and Sandy}

Basically it works like this. You buy gifts for another blogger and in return you get a sweet little package in the mail from her! The only rule was that you had to include something to keep their hands warm this winter!

My partner was Kym from Travel Babbles. She's the cutest! You should check her out.

So here are all of the lovelies that I received from her...

The baby in the corner was already mine...she enjoyed the tape on the box!

Thanks Kym for warming my hands and my heart!

XOXO

Insta Friday #9 + A Winner

My Sweet Girl!

Getting Ready for A Tea Party

Picnic Tea Party



Double Yum!






And last but most certainly not least....



Super sick huh? Don't judge! You know if you cleaned out around the bar on your vacuum you'd find something almost as disgusting as this. Basically it's hair, hair, hair, and thread that has gathered for over a year. Go figure! Honestly, I would have never noticed it if I hadn't sucked up something that made a crazy noise and had to do some investigating.

I hope we can still be friends! :)

P.S.

Congrats Ashley of {Sunshine.Life. Love]! You're the winner of the $25 Shop Credit!

Happy weekend y'all! Go clean out your vacuum!