Merry Christmas!!!

It is the beginning of a wonderful Christmas. On Friday, I spent time with Drew and exchanged part of our presents with each other. Side note -- besides the fact that Drew just bought me a ring, we've gotten into the habit of buying extravagant presents for each other and decided to tone it down a few decimal places this year. We set  a $30 limit and, although it took a little extra creativity, it was so much fun! We did half of our Christmas presents this week and we are doing the other half next week. I can't wait to show you pictures of what I got him!

Today, I traveled up to Knoxville to see my family. We spent the evening over a nice steak dinner and a candlelight church service. It was a beautiful reminder of the important things in life. Some of my favorite memories growing up were the traditions that my family has on Christmas. We would all sit down on Christmas Eve for dinner together, go to the candlelight church service, then sit wide awake in our beds all night until we saw the slightest glimpse of daylight. Then, my sister and I would wake up and jump on my brother's bed screaming Merry Christmas!!!! My mom would always make us wait on the top of the stairs until everything was ready. This always included an annual groggy-morning picture which was a joy to participate in. Finally! Christmas!!! We would all run down the stairs to our specific seat on the couch, stocking in hand. One of my favorite parts each year was going one at a time watching each other open Christmas presents. A warm feeling of joy rises inside me each time I see someone I love thrilled at what they unveil under the wrapping paper.

This year is extremely special because it is my last Christmas morning at home. My siblings have both been married and out of the house for a while, so it has been a few years since we were all sitting on the stairs together waiting on Christmas. However, even though they aren't here today, I'm remembering those times and excited about the new traditions we have ahead.

For your Christmas entertainment, a few pictures of Ranger enjoying his first Christmas:

Inspiration Board: Love is in the Air

I've been feeling extra "lovie" these past couple of weeks... I just can't imagine why?? ;) As a result of this love fever, I've started a collection of beautiful and unique wedding and engagement photo inspiration. This inspiration board is mainly for my own enjoyment, but I think it's about time to share a few!

Pinterest Party!

This weekend was great. Tonight, we had our first Pinterest Party and it was a huge success! I am so excited to continue this tradition and create community with other girls in the Atlanta area. The craft we decided to do was a porcelain art piece made from white porcelain and Pebeo porcelain paint. Here is our inspiration picture from a DIY by Wit & Whistle:

 SUPPLIES NEEDED: 

1. Any piece of white porcelain you would like to decorate. We found a lot at Target for a great price! They had salt and pepper shakers, platters, mugs, tea pots...etc. So cute!

2. Pebeo Porcelain Paint -- You can get this at Michael's or most craft stores. They come in a marker looking form with several different colors and tip shape.

 DIRECTIONS: 
1. Paint directly on your piece of porcelain.
2. Allow to dry for at least 10 minutes.
3. Bake at 350 degrees for 20 minutes.
4. Whala! You have dishwasher safe porcelain art :)

Enjoy creating your own porcelain artwork!


P.S. Did you check to see if you won one of our giveaways from last week?? Check it out here.

Spread the Joy

I'm so excited about this weekend! Anica, one of my best friends from college, is coming back from Seattle to celebrate the holidays and I get to see her tonight at our Tacky Christmas Sweater Party!!! Then tomorrow, Anica, Savannah and I are going to have a fun day together and maybe even have a chance to try on some wedding dresses :D On Sunday, I am honored to celebrate the 60th wedding anniversary of Drew's grandparents. Later that night, I am excited to host a craft night at my apartment with some friends from the Atlanta area. Whew! It's going to be a fun-filled weekend and I can't wait to share it with you.

Yesterday, Drew and I worked on registering for gifts and I learned two things: 1) Registering is even more fun than I could have imagined and 2) Drew and I have very different taste on dinnerware. We spent a long time picking out dishes and finally decided on these as our "everyday dishes":

And then picked these out as our "fancier china":

Be sure to come back tomorrow!

Inspiration Board: Wedding Madness

Now that I'm engaged!!!!! I've been unrelentingly looking through pictures and planning. It's been so much fun having Drew, as well as my Mom and Savannah, really involved. Here are a few of the ideas that I LOVE. <3

Take a look and let me know which are your favorites!

Holiday DIY Party: Recycled Thrifted Sweater DIY

This is the last DIY of the Holiday DIY Party! I hope you enjoy! It's been really fun!

This is probably the easiest DIY of them all. Do you have an old sweater that you don't wear anymore just sitting in your closet? Or maybe you would just like a new scarf or leg warmers. This DIY is an easy solution to recycle your thrifted or unused sweater so you can wear it in a new way this winter.

  R E C Y C L E D  T H R I F T E D  S W E A T E R  D I Y 

 S U P P L I E S  N E E D E D: 

1. A thrifted sweater or one from your closet that you don't wear anymore.

Not Pictured: Scissors

 D I Y  S T E P S: 

1. Lay your sweater flat on a hard surface, lining up all edges.

2. Cut a straight line about 5-7 inches above the waistline.

3. Then, fold the sweater on top of itself, with the arms overlapping.

4. Cut another straight line, about 10 inches from the wrist of the sleeve.

*Note: after cutting the leg warmers, you can add the lace from today's Lace Socks DIY.

So easy! A new scarf and leg warmers for you!

Holiday DIY Party: Lace Socks DIY

Today is the last day of the Holiday DIY Party! It's been such a fun week of projects and giveaways. :) Check out this DIY! It only takes a few minutes and puts a feminine touch on any pair of boot socks or thigh highs. Then, come back here later today for the last DIY and giveaway!

  L A C E  S O C K S  D I Y 

Holiday DIY Party: Vanilla Peppermint Lip Balm DIY

Welcome to Day 6 of the Holiday DIY Party! I hope you're enjoying your weekend thus far. Today is the perfect day to try making some Vanilla Peppermint Lip Balm!

We worked really hard on coming up with the perfect ratio of ingredients to make the best lip balm for you. We came up with a natural recipe as well as a pigmented recipe for those who need a little color in their balm. I love this DIY because it is easy to make multiples at one time and a great gift to give. People will be so surprised when you tell them you made your own lip balm!

 V A N I L L A  P E P P E R M I N T  L I P  B A L M  D I Y 

 S U P P L I E S  N E E D E D: 

1. 2.5 fl. oz. vitamin e oil.

2. 1 tsp. vanilla extract.

3. 1 tsp. peppermint extract.

4. A dime-sized amount of natural beeswax. (Can be found at your local craft store)

5. 1/2 tsp. left-over lipstick.

Not pictured: Tubs to put your balm in. 

Not pictured: Supplies to decorate your lip balm tubs. 

 D I Y  S T E P S: 

1. Fill a large pot about 3-4 inches with water and put over medium heat.

2. Add beeswax and vitamin e oil in a smaller glass bowl that fits easily inside your pot. (It is best to use a glass measuring cup with a lip and handle)

3. Place glass bowl so it sits in the water without allowing water to flow in.

4. Stir occasionally as the ingredients melt.

5. After the beeswax is completely melted, stir in vanilla and peppermint extracts.

6. If desired, stir in lipstick.

7. Take off heat. Using an oven mit, pick up the glass bowl and remove from water. 

8. Gently pour mixture into tubs and let dry completely. 

Enjoy having chap-free lips this winter!