new-homefurniture

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.

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!