The Gift of Giving

Warning, this is a bit of a "I'm-a-bit-emotional-about-the-events-of-the-evening" type rant. If you know Mr. C and I at all, you know we don't do the gift exchange thing most couples do. We just never have and we have never forced it. As much as I love the thought of pretty things, I love hanging out with Mr. C more - to me that is a gift. So we typically just go out to a nice dinner to celebrate each other - or go on a little road trip and shut the phones off. We believe in the little things - you know that about me. Anyway, every year during the holiday season, I get very sensitive about all of those people out there that can't afford the luxury of making the decision to not exchange gifts - they just simply can't give. So Mr. C and I make a point to take the funds we would have spent on each other, and spend it on others through a local giving tree. Folks, I am crying right now because the seven-year old little boy we drew this year just wanted socks. Just socks. Not socks and an x-box. Not socks and a cell phone. Just a pair of socks. That is heart breaking to me. It should be heart breaking to everyone. I don't know why I am writing this, I just needed to stop the tears and to encourage anyone out there in blogland to give. Even if it's just a little bit. Even if it's just socks. It means something huge to someone out there.

Thanks for listening, Otto is currently licking the tears off my face, and I am scolding him about never eating our socks again.

Hi there.

Just a quick post to let you know that I am still around - just busy (surprise!). So I just wanted to say hello, just because. If you REALLY miss me - you can find me posting WAY too many pictures of Otto on instagram, or posting fun things I find around the world wide web on Facebook or chat with me on Twitter, or of course blogging away over at Style Me Pretty.  And I wonder why I don't have time to get blog updates up! Anywho love and miss you! P.S. I loved this shoot we featured on SMP's Facebook page and wanted to share...

click image for full credits - photos by Leslee Mitchell

Happy Thanksgiving Eve + Tips!

I LOVE Thanksgiving. It might be my favorite holiday - and for someone that just adores Christmas, that says a lot. But I love what Thanksgiving stands for. There is no pressure for gifts it's just a time to gather around a table with family and friends to be thankful. How fabulous is that? I say a little thank you every day on my own time, but it's nice to have a day to really get those thank you's out in the open, ya know? Anywho, I've had a few people ask me for a little table inspiration so I thought I would share my Thanksgiving table "rules"(p.s. Mom, I stole these from you)...

1. Keep it simple. The food is king on this pretty holiday. You don't need a floral arrangement the size of Uncle John's head to impress your guests.

via Design Sponge

2. Serve courses. You didn't cook for 12 hours for it to be devoured in 12 minutes. Start with a soup course (butternut squash soup anyone?) or something equally as fabulous. My family likes to see how long we can sit at the dinner table - we usually don't get up until it's time for bed because the conversation is always so fabulous (ok, or just funny)...

Alla Zepeda via Style Me Pretty

3. Delegate. You don't have to do it all. Let people help, they want to. Let them take care of the appetizers or the pies or clean up even. This year my job was to bring champagne and cheese - and boy I was excited to do so!

via Style Me Pretty

4. Use different levels. I ALWAYS use different levels when presenting food. It allows people to really see what they are in for! And makes for a more interesting display. You can do this with cake stands, books, or really any random thing you have around the house.

via Style Me Pretty

5. Don't Crowd the Table. Use an island, another table or a bar for those big food items - let people serve their portion. This will also allow you to use those different levels without blocking people's view of each other. Keep bread, condiments, wine, wine, and more wine on the table.

Lonny via Sacramento Street

6. Use Place cards. Not only will it pretty up your table, it avoids confusion when your guests are at their hungriest. Plus it allows you to have fun with your tablescape!

via Style Me Pretty

7. Make a toast. Our family toasts to everything, but we always start Thanksgiving with a prayer (like any good Catholic) and a toast where everyone goes around the room to state what they are thankful for. It's fun, and our sappy family loves it (there are always tears)...

via Style Me Pretty

8. Dress up! The fancier you feel, the more special the day will feel.

via Style Me Pretty (PS I need this dress Santa)

9. Be a Happy Host or Hostess. If you are relaxed and having a good time, your guests will follow suit. Those dishes can wait. That extra glass of wine? It has your name written ALL over it.

via Mrs. Lilien

10. Indulge. Have that extra glass or wine or piece of pie. It won't kill you :)

via Tartlette

What are your Thanksgiving Tips?

P.S. I am SUPER thankful for all of you. xoxo.

Tuesday Shoesday

via Anthropologie

Practically perfect (for Fall) in every way...

For even more perfect finds foryour feet check out: {TRUE Event} {brancoprata} {magnolia rouge} {demoiselle} {meant to be sent} {simply & forever} {landlocked bride} {swatchbook weddings}{luna & chloe weddings} {merci new york} {enchanted dream weddings}

Ladies Weekend

Hi lovelies! Well this past weekend was just SO much fun over here. For the past 3 years, I've hosted a "Ladies Weekend" in the Super Burbs for the women of my family the weekend before Thanksgiving. Before all the holiday hustle and bustle sets in - Ladies Weekend gives us all a chance to kick off the most wonderful time of the year in style. Not only that, a slumber party with your Grandmother, Mom, Aunt, Sister and Cousin is pretty darn special. I don't think we stopped laughing the entire time. So many priceless memories came out of that weekend - and while I can share all the inside jokes, I though I could share a little peak into the spread I put together...sorry for the iphone pictures!

Hope your weekend was equally as lovely! I just LOVE this time of year!

Dress Obsessed.

People. This dress has been dancing around in my dreams since I first spotted it in the SMP submissions. I can't get it out of my head, and honestly - I don't want to.



I do say, if Mr. C and were to tie the knot again, this Temperley London dress would be 100% what I would wear. Obsessed.


You can see the entire feature here. 

Tuesday Shoesday

A little late today - but better than never, right? Mostly when today's shoes are this perfectly girly and pink...

via Style Me Pretty


For even more fancy for your feet check out: {TRUE Event} {brancoprata} {magnolia rouge} {demoiselle} {meant to be sent} {simply & forever} {landlocked bride} {swatchbook weddings}{luna & chloe weddings} {merci new york} {enchanted dream weddings}

Featured: Oh Lovely Day

So honored to be included in Oh Lovely Day's Behind the Veil series! Check it out here!

Thanks again Chandra for including me! xoxo

Happy {Veteran's Day} Weekend!

We are the home of the free because we are the land of the brave. Thanks to all that serve. From the bottom of my heart.

Andria Lindquist via Style Me Pretty - we did a day devoted to Veterans on SMP today - check it out! 

Sorry I've been quiet (yet again)....LOTS going on over here, can't wait to fil y'all in! xoxo

Tuesday Shoesday

Erin Hearts Court via Style Me Pretty

If these shoes don't make you feel fancy, I don't know what will. 

For even more fancy for your feet check out: {TRUE Event} {brancoprata} {magnolia rouge} {demoiselle} {meant to be sent} {simply & forever} {landlocked bride} {swatchbook weddings}{luna & chloe weddings} {merci new york} {enchanted dream weddings}

From Dream to DIY

See that pretty picture on the left? The dream of all dream walls? Well I died over it. Shouldn't all walls be that fabulous? Well I think yes, so when I spotted the DIY on the right via the world wide web that could make my dream for a wall of glitter a reality, I just had to share it. Because this wall could be your dessert table backdrop, or the perfect way to compliment your bar cart in your living room, or how about using it as a headboard in your guest room? There really is no end to this fabulousness, and you have to love that.

Dream Wall Found here / DIY found here

Anyone want to give it a try?

A Saturday Thank You.

Seriously, I get excited every time someone repins something on Pinterest. So thanks for all those moments of glee. Y'all are really the best. 


Happy Saturday! 

Happy Weekend!

It's November and it's the weekend. Both of them are sneaky little tricksters that completely snuck up on me. But I am going with it. I love November because it's hosts one of my favorite holidays (ok, they are all my favorite) - Thanksgiving. And I love the weekend, well - because who doesn't? I sincerely hope you have something pretty planned for the weekend ahead. We are hanging around town enjoying the crisp, fall air - and possibly lighting our first fire of the year - which makes me beyond happy. I am really quite easy to please.

jessica hart, marie claire us october 2011 

Also I want to live in this girl's outfit this winter. She actually looks warm - which if you ask Mr. C, I never am. 


Happy Weekend!  Miss y'all already! Don't forget to set your clocks back! 


xoxo

All that Glitters...

1: Tray / 2: Recipe Coasters / 3: Bowl / 4:Glassware / 5: Bowl / 6: Spoons / 7: Glassware

....Is fabulous

With the Holidays approaching, my mind is on parties and making those parties pretty...ok, so my mind is on that subject year round, but this time of year people don't think I am crazy for it. This year, I love gold. One because it's gorg. And two because it can easily carry over from Thanksgiving to Christmas to New Years...and that is something the Mr. C in me (he is super frugal) appreciates:) 


What about you? What are you feeling this holiday season other than a whole lotta cheer?

Tuesday Shoesday

Practically perfect in every way. 

Erin Hearts Court via Style Me Pretty

For even more fabulous check out: {TRUE Event} {brancoprata} {magnolia rouge} {demoiselle} {meant to be sent} {simply & forever} {landlocked bride} {swatchbook weddings}{luna & chloe weddings} {merci new york} {enchanted dream weddings}