{D.Foshee}
Christmas At The Beach
As exhausted as I am and as much as my house is in in desperate need of a deep clean, I'm not quite ready for this holiday to be over. Thank goodness for some New Years cheer and a little more time off.
We raced back from our trip to the beach so I could get some work in but this weekend I am looking forward to lots of naps, some cooking and cleaning, and some long walks to burn off the cheese ball, sweet potato casserole, and Frangelico night-caps.
The last time I was at the beach, I was wanting to buy the Sea Grove Motel and dreamt of turning it into a mini The Surf Lodge . This time, I will be trying to shake the idea of buying the Whale's Tail. We grabbed lunch here but on the lower/beach level, there were people with their winter hats and mittens on drinking - it was a cute scene.
We raced back from our trip to the beach so I could get some work in but this weekend I am looking forward to lots of naps, some cooking and cleaning, and some long walks to burn off the cheese ball, sweet potato casserole, and Frangelico night-caps.
The last time I was at the beach, I was wanting to buy the Sea Grove Motel and dreamt of turning it into a mini The Surf Lodge . This time, I will be trying to shake the idea of buying the Whale's Tail. We grabbed lunch here but on the lower/beach level, there were people with their winter hats and mittens on drinking - it was a cute scene.
Stella had a ball on the beach, chasing seagulls, dancing, running, throwing sand in the air as though it was confetti. The weather was perfection - not windy or too cold - just right.
Stella also logged in some much anticipated play time with her cousin, Macey.
Ladies who lunch...
Cruising around in golf carts to see Christmas lights while
listening to Frosty The Snowman on Pandora...
Building sandcastles...
Trying on their aunts' boots...
If you've ever considered being crazy and spending Christmas at the beach, I highly recommend it! On my way home, I read the December issue of Southern Living (perhaps the best issue ever) and I loved seeing Seleta Hayes Howard's Florida home decked out in Christmas decor. She is living one of my dreams...she packed up her suburban Atlanta life and is now living in one of the cutest beach communities, Water Color. If you can still find this issue in the stores, it's a keeper.
Back to reality, laundry, and a detox on the horizon.
Hope you all enjoy your New Years weekend!
Winter
On a lone winter evening, when the frost has wrought a silence. - John Keats
It's the first day of winter but I have the seashore on my mind. I wish I knew the source of this picture but it captures my mood perfectly right now. Christmas at the beach, hoodies, hot chocolate, golf carts...
The source of this picture below is my sweet sister who tried to capture a whirligig. In the end, I was happy that Stella's Christmas picture was truly natural as she refused to pose.
I hope each of you has the merriest holiday filled with
everything that makes Christmas the most wonderful time of the year!
See you next week.
xoxo
Festive Favors
Here are Stella's classroom favors all lined up in a row, ready for her holiday party. Her class has never been big on exchanging favors but I can't resist so here's our little gesture...festive crackers with confetti and a small toy inside. I got these at the Christmas Tree Shops, however, I noticed that World Market (stocking stuffer paradise) has some really pretty ones.
Tis The Season
I have been up at a crazy hour wrapping presents because I am a working mom who falls asleep when my little one falls asleep. Then I wake up at 3am in a panic that I need to get some things accomplished. I don't mind, though. It's fun being an elf spinning my magic in the middle of the night. This is it...the final week before the big day!
{via}
My Little Reindeer
Stella had to bring something Christmas related for Show & Tell today so she decided to put on her reindeer antlers. I couldn't help but look back at when we put them on her during her first Christmas. Funny she has the same goofy smile in both.
2008
2011
Well, I have created a spreadsheet (and an exit strategy) for my shopping spree this weekend. I'm almost excited for the challenge! I need all the walking anyway since our office has been bombarded with holiday cookies, pizza, tamales, petit fours, chocolates, etc. What will you be doing this one last weekend before the big day?
and George Christmas
I just obsessively pinned almost every image from this and George post. Do yourself a favor and go take a peek at all the images. It's gorgeous town!
{Christy Ford and And George}
Also, Google "Tudor Grove and George" (it's a three parter)...another visual treat!
Moon River
Moon River, wider than a mile,
I'm crossing you in style some day.
Oh, dream maker, you heart breaker,
wherever you're going I'm going your way.
Two drifters off to see the world.
There's such a lot of world to see.
We're after the same rainbow's end--
waiting 'round the bend,
my huckleberry friend,
Moon River and me.
I'm crossing you in style some day.
Oh, dream maker, you heart breaker,
wherever you're going I'm going your way.
Two drifters off to see the world.
There's such a lot of world to see.
We're after the same rainbow's end--
waiting 'round the bend,
my huckleberry friend,
Moon River and me.
Our Elf's name is Chippy. It was Sam until Stella saw the movie and she decided she liked Chippy better. Well, I just told our little Elf what I want for Christmas...the Breakfast at Tiffany's townhouse, which is now on the market for $5.85 million.
Random Weekend Thoughts
I'm up in the middle of the night watching The Next Iron Chef challenge, which makes me hungry, trying not to sneak into the kitchen for leftovers of the best appetizer I've ever made...Ina Garten's Soppressata and Gruyere Cheese in a Puff Pastry. I was one of three houses that hosted a progressive neighborhood party this weekend and this was so easy and beyond delish!
I also went to my mom's to celebrate my aunt and uncle's birthday. Thought I'd share some pictures of her tree with you because she has another great alternative to a tree skirt. She wraps around the base what appears to be snow. She gets this filling/cotton candy type material at Joanne's, first layering the non-shimmery kind, and then tops it off with the shimmery kind. You know how you look below your tree and it's kind of dark down there? The lights bounce off the "snow" and illuminates, showing off your presents.
I also went to my mom's to celebrate my aunt and uncle's birthday. Thought I'd share some pictures of her tree with you because she has another great alternative to a tree skirt. She wraps around the base what appears to be snow. She gets this filling/cotton candy type material at Joanne's, first layering the non-shimmery kind, and then tops it off with the shimmery kind. You know how you look below your tree and it's kind of dark down there? The lights bounce off the "snow" and illuminates, showing off your presents.
For years now, she's surrounded the base with baskets,
and here they are waiting to be filled with gifts. Or little girls.
It was nice to wind the whirlwind weekend down
with a birthday dinner and watching football.
I better go back to sleep now...have to wake up in 2 hours.
Nite nite. Or good morning!
For Him / For Her
At the risk of sounding like vintage Kathie Lee Gifford (read: self-serving), I was asked by Kendall of LowerOakLawn.com for my top 5 gift giving suggestions. Kendall has done an amazing job at promoting the Dallas Design District and the general Lower Oak Lawn area, which has been undergoing a revitalization over the past few years. You can take a peek at my list here. That was fun; thanks, Kendall!
Tree Skirt
What do you use as your tree skirt? I have one that I like that is cream satin with pale green felted birds on it. But I like to switch it up and sometimes use a big piece of fabric, like I've done this year with a Jane Churchill linen. I may have mentioned before that one of my favorite skirts I've used was a vintage Escada ball gown in peach plaid with tulle underneath.
We've had an extra fun time decorating the house this year since we'll be one of three houses hosting a progressive party with our neighbors this weekend. I decided to dig out some of my matchbooks from years ago and put them on the bar. No time like the holidays to be a little quirky.
The Wild In Me
I have an old friend back in New York that I fell out of touch with years and years ago and I search for her on-line every once in a while, hoping she'll magically appear on Facebook. She was like a little pixie, clever, and way cooler than I could ever hope to be. I do, however, come across her writings and musings on motherhood and am always transported. I hope I'm not crossing the line by sharing this passage of one of her pieces I happened upon on another blog. As a mother, I can so relate.
My three year-old can wink. She has been able to do it for months now. Popeye gave her the idea, but her timing is all her own. I hear something shatter in the bathroom and round the corner in time to watch the last of my limited edition Chanel polish run thick and black like blood across white tiles. She winks at me and I’m rendered speechless. I am the law but she makes me a partner in her crimes and, secretly, I’m grateful for the invitation.
Upon the birth of her son, Laura Nyro, wrote “I don’t want to crush the wilderness in you, child, or the wild that’s in me. How do we keep them both alive?” As a mother, your world shrinky-dinks down to only the safest of bets but when my daughter winks, I remember rolling the dice. I remember the wild that’s in me.
Upon the birth of her son, Laura Nyro, wrote “I don’t want to crush the wilderness in you, child, or the wild that’s in me. How do we keep them both alive?” As a mother, your world shrinky-dinks down to only the safest of bets but when my daughter winks, I remember rolling the dice. I remember the wild that’s in me.
Thanksgiving
Happy Spanxgiving! Are you stuffed? Me, too! And yet tomorrow we'll head back over to my mom's house for leftovers. I look forward to it more than Thanksgiving because there is far less family/friends and I can go with no make-up and my hair in a ponytail. And in PJs. Ok, maybe not that casual.
Stella asked me 20 times if she could bring her tea set and table and chairs over to my mom's. She had her own party for the first hour. Here are some snapshots of the day...
Stella asked me 20 times if she could bring her tea set and table and chairs over to my mom's. She had her own party for the first hour. Here are some snapshots of the day...
My sister and me...
We didn't wear these all day,
just for a big family photo.
My mom always adds a little something special at Stella's setting...
My sister is the photographer of the family and she tried to take Stella's Christmas card picture but she was not cooperating. She took her sweater and boots off the minute we arrived and wouldn't look at the camera. Sigh...
Oops! An accidental mini-marshmallow spill.
After shoving as many marshmallows possible into her mouth, the sugar must have gotten to her...she made a wardrobe change on her own putting her clothes on inside-out. Then she showed us her new trick...
Then she crashed...
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