Fabulous December

You guys!!  It's New Years EVE!!!  Before you pop the bubbly and start celebrating the new year, let's look back at December... cause it was kinda fabulous. 


Peppermint Bark.

photo credit


I totally blame Shennanigans for this newest obsession.  She had to go and post this delish recipe on her blog, and of course I just HAD to make it.  Then I just HAD to eat half of it. Chocolate AND mint??  I didn't stand a chance.  The other half quarter of it eventually made it to my co-workers as gifts. 

Christmas Cards

Not only do I love getting letters in the mail, but add a cute kid to it as well-- I'm practically in heaven.  This year as all about the adora-freakin-ble munchkins on Christmas cards, and I loved them all.  No lie: my friends and family makes some good looking spawn. 

Cee Lo Green



Newest favorite song.  So much fun to listen to in the car.  My pilot is tired of hearing it, but I am never tired of singing this song!

Christmas Lights



photo credit

One of my favorite things about this season is all the crazy lights displays people erect during the holiday season.  It makes my day a little brighter (pun intended).

Happy New Year everyone!  Hope you have a fun and safe night!!

Always & Forever,
  ME

Seasons Greetings

From our family to yours, have a safe and wonderful holiday!

Love,
  Mr and Mrs. JEGs.

One More Holiday Decor Post

Just one more... just 'cause.

I wanted a lot of sparkle and shine around Falconhead.  Remember my DIY glitter candles?  Well they are currently residing on my shelf with my new favorite thing ever- my mercury glass candle holders from Party Lite

I also added in some trimmings from our tree, as well as the stockings holders I snagged last year from Freecycle

Ooooo... so many sparkles.  Happiness :)

I also added in a couple votive candles from IKEA

My spray painted pinecones from last year made a triumphant return.  You know I love to mix my metalics.

I also put together a quick centerpiece using a vintage bowl leftover from the wedding, a silver serving platter that was a wedding gift, tree trimmings, some leaves left over from my chargers, and extra Christmas balls

This bowl was easily my favorite.  I'm glad it made it's way back to us :)

And finally, the Christmas tree.  Our ornaments are pretty standard (cheapy vintage Walmart), but I love our tree.  The shape is so perfect.   Loves.

Oh yeah, and that adorbs rocking horse?  Thats for my niece Skybaby.  Can't wait to get it out of my house give it to her.

Any last minute decor at your place?

Always & Forever,

  ME

Simple Holiday Decor

Now that the holiday season is upon us, it's time to break out some more decor posts.

Every year Mommacita and I do a historical house tour in her town.  The houses are decorated by the local flower club, and they do such a wonderful job.

Note: You aren't supposed to take pictures.  I didn't find that out until after I took these. Oops.

One of the things I love the most about this house tour is the simple things they use to decorate.  My mom and I seriously say, "Oh my gosh!  Why didn't I think of that?"  probably about 753 times.

First we have a beautiful mantle decorated with Christmas balls, carnations and evergreens 

Upon closer inspection, the "vase" holding the flowers is actually two margarita classes with the bases glued together.  They added cranberries to the glass instead of water for extra texture.

In the kitchen is an original hearth and a table that has been decorated with things you would normally find around your kitchen.

On the mantle is a scale, pie tin and hanging down are cookie cutters on ribbon

On the table there were three vases filled with different fruits as well as many other utensils, such as potato mashers

My favorite thing:  under these graters were tea lights.  It's hard to see from the picture, but the cast the most beautiful glow.

Go ahead and admitt it.  You totally said "Oh, why didn't I think of that" at least twice.  I know you did. 

Always & Forever,

  ME

Santa Baby

My Christmas list looked a little something like this:

Dear Santa,

I've been a super good girl.  This year I would like:

  a new couch

  a queen size bed (so there is room for me and JEGs.)

  a house

  freedom from debt

  eh... and while you are at it, let's give world peace thing a try.

Love..

  Lizzie

Three days later, I got this response:

Dear Lizzie,

  Nice try.

Sincerely,

   Santa.

Alrighty then... let's try again.

So I have this bizzare obsession with perfume bottles.  I have always loved those old style atomizers, and I *think* I would feel just like a Hollywood starlet if I could use one every day.  This year, I stumbled upon these incredibly affordable options from IKEA.

I would also love what I call a "weekend sweater".  Nothing too fancy or tight.  Just something I can throw on with my a pair of jeans and some boots and call it a day.  Maybe a chunky necklace if I am feeling sassy.  American Eagle heard my call.

As we all know, my feet eat shoes.  I have completely busted up my favorite pair of brown boots, so I am thinking these great shoes from Rampage will work as a replacement.

Finally, I would love a blanket to curl up on the couch with.  Right now JEGs and I are using a comforter from a double bed, and it's obnoxiously large.  I really love this chunky knit throw from Lands End. 

What are you guys jotting on your list this year?

Always & Forever,

  Me

Dare to DIY: Week 5

It's time to deck the halls!!

Ok, so my halls, aren't completely decked yet, so I'm going to run through what I did last year. 

Last year, I aimed for a very natural feeling- branches, holly and candle light- but all with a touch of shimmer.  One of my favorite things was the centerpieces I set up on our coffee table

I took pine cones I collected and hit them with a little gold spray paint

added amongst the holly was smaller red ornaments as well as acorns with a dusting of gold paint

the dried holly was by far my favorite element

Also, around the apartment I took old Ball Jars and added some gilded ribbon, sand and a candle for extra ambiance.  A candle wreath added some panache.   Also, I had some pumpkins leftover from my Halloween and Thanksgiving decor, so I added a little simmer to them with more gold spray paint.

We can't forget my manger scene-- a gift from my mother

Since we don't have a mantle, I hung our stockings (with care, of course) from a self above our dining table.


These stocking hangers were picked up for nothing via Freecycle.  The glassware behind them are vintage goblets with Christmas balls placed inside.

I loved the mix of metallic with the natural elements

One thing I did add this year was a simple table setting

Instead of your normal chargers, I used leaves from a rhodendrum bush

I just love how un-perfect they are

For the centerpiece, I placed two candle wreaths on cake stands and added a few more pine cones

Have you decorated yet?  What is your favorite area to decorate?  Is it the lights on the front lawn, or do you love putting the star on the tree?

Don't forget to stop by Kim for the rest of the Dare to DIYers!

Always & Forever,

  ME

Suck it, Michael's

For the past couple of weeks I have been coveting these sequin candles from Michael's.  I have grand ideas of how to incorporate them into my holiday decor

However, they are priced at $6.99 each.  Holy mother of pearl!  In my grand plan, I needed four of them, and if ya'll don't know by now, I'm kinda of cheap.  I was not about to hand over $30 of my hard earned money for these bad boys.

So I did what any logical blogger would do-- I do it my damn self.

I knew I already  had a bunch of red glitter leftover from my cheerleading coaching days, so I stopped by Walmart and picked up four pillar candles for $1.50 each.

On a flat surface I laid out some wax paper and shook some loose glitter into a pile.

I used painters tape and taped the top part of the candle to create a clean line.  I used simple Elmer's Clear  Glue and covered the bottom part of the candle. 

Next, I rolled the candle in the pile of glitter

Once I removed the tape, I had a clean line



Thumbs up indeed.

I am really happy with the outcome and I can't wait to use them in my decorating!



 So for less then the cost of one candle, I was able to make four.  Boo YAH.

How about you guys... do you meander through stores and think "well hell, I can do that?" 

Always & Forever,

  ME