Welcome Back!

Welcome back from the delicious Thanksgiving Holidays! I hope that it was a warm and wonderful time for you all. I ate until I could not eat any more! It's such a bummer when you are so full and the eating frenzy must come to an end, isn't it? But then again, there are always yummy leftovers that taste just as good the next day! Now... ready or not here come the Holidays. Hanukkah is just 11 days away and Christmas will be here before ya' know it. Below are a couple of new entries with a few things that I have found to get you started.

Candy Cane Chocolate Hearts

I found these festive little treats at Sharnel's blog my life-my loves. They look simple and that's the name of the game, especially at this time of year.

Great Gift Ideas

Here are a few gift ideas from Martha that I think are terrific. Pictured clockwise from top to bottom are: japanese motif soaps, bath fizzies, stenciled tea towels, monogrammed gift boxes, monogrammed woolens and a adorable pocket purse.

Wrapped Up in the Details

Today is going to be a very random, all over the place kinda' day. I have a lot on my mind as I'm trying to get the Thanksgiving details wrapped up and although we haven't even made it to Thanksgiving Day... I'm rushing ahead and moving onto thoughts of Holiday/Christmas time. Here are a few inspirational photos from a new blog that I found through one of my favorite tried and true blogsites, This Blessed Nest. The new blog is called Full House and it is wonderful. Enjoy it!

I Love Stones

I need for someone to just shoot me if I ever get to the point where I start crocheting little jackets for rocks and stones. However... aren't these the most beautiful little collections that you've ever seen? You know what, I'm changing my mind! This will be what I do in my spare time when I move to that fantasy house on the beach. Just after dinner, I'll go for a nice long walk on the beach. Then, in the lazy morning times that I will have I'll sip coffee and crochet these pretty little covers for all of the beautiful stones, shells and sea glass treasures that I collected the night before. All this while listening to the sound of the gentle rythmic surf in the background :) Dream on Stacy! It's time to go pick up carpool.

Go Ahead and be Crabby!

I saved this article from Southern Living's August 2009 issue. I love love love crab claws and this place... Grimm's Stone Crab of Everglades City is apparently the place to get them. Stone Crab season is from October 15th - May 15th, so order your stone crabs now. Grab some newspaper and beer and invite 10 of your friends over to enjoy this fun feast!

Danish Delight

You know, I'm famous for finding all of these precious little treasures from far away places. This company, Maileg, falls into this category. Established in 1999, Maileg is a danish design company selling products available in Asia, Australia, South Africa and luckily...the U.S!

Winter crewcuts

I just got my new crewcuts catalog from J.Crew and I just love the styling...magical and bright, just like kids are. I wish some of these clothes they offer were made in grown-up sizes.

Pooch-Pack

I thought this was an interesting product made by Pup To Go. The people in these photos clearly love their "babies"! I'd be curious to see what my labradoodle Addie thought of strollin' around town in one of these (she'd probably love it).
images: Pup To Go

The Latest from Amy Butler

I am really needing a new laptop bag for my computer and I've been waiting to find something a little different and more stylish than most of the stuff out there. Well, my wait is over. I just spotted some of Amy Butler's newest designs on the decor8 blog and I'm in love. The patterns...the colors...genius! I am definitely buying one of the laptop bags, and I think I may have to ask Santa for one of the travel bags, too. LOVE!
Images copyright Amy Butler Designs

Another hit from scissors.paper.cake

Here is another party from scissors. paper.cake...isn't it perfectly beautiful? I just love the apple red color paired with the powder blue...unexpected and wonderful! Ladies...you rock!

Yummy Parties

I love these amazing party pics that I found from the new talented Australian team called scissors.paper.cake. When I think of the phrase 'eye candy', other than a gorgeous guy:), this is what comes to mind. Don't you just love the sushi?!

Feeling Festive

Pictured clockwise from the top: Christmas in the City invitation from Stacy Claire Boyd, Ribbon Champagne Flutes from Real Simple Celebrations, Winter Holidays invitation from Stacy Claire Boyd, Chocolate Cupcakes with Gingerbread Toppers from Martha Stewart Holiday Sweets, Merry Stripes invitation from Stacy Claire Boyd and Paper Angel Name Places from Cox and Cox.

Cuckoo for Zoku!

I'm thinking that the Zoku Quick Pop Maker looks like a fun gift for the whole family this holiday season. Watch this video and see what you think. It looks like instant gratification to me... can't wait to try it! Available at Williams Sonoma for $49.95 - $79.95.

Annie

My daughter Annie is featured on the local news today. She's talking about her jewelry and hair accessories business where a portion of her profits are given to St. Jude's Research Hospital in Memphis. Click here to watch the video. Have a great weekend!

Oh Nuts!

One of my favorite Christmas memories as a child was when my family would visit the home of the Metz's. Every year it was their family tradition to sit down together and fill what seemed to be hundreds of walnuts with treasures and hang them on the Christmas tree. When their family and friends would visit during the holiday season, each person would choose a nut from the tree, crack it and see what they got. Is that fun or what? I don't even have to tell you how magical it was and how much we looked forward to our visit at their home. Their walnuts were simple with looped red yarn hanging from each. I have since embraced this tradition. Some years I keep them simple and others I spray paint them in silver or gold. This year I decided on plain walnuts with natural twine and finished with a little red and white gingham knot. Inside they are filled with gold coins, fifty-cent pieces, a few pretty postage stamps, tootsie rolls and even some folded money. The winning walnut has a ten dollar bill! You could fill them with sweet holiday messages. It doesn't have to be money and you don't necessarily have to hang them from a Christmas tree either. You can hang them from a wintery branch that you use as a centerpiece on your table. You can really get creative with this. For many years I would decorate a tiny little topiary and use it as the centerpiece at our annual holiday party at the office. It was fun to have a nice lunch together and then pass the nutcracker around the table and see who got the treasured walnut. So on behalf of the wonderful Metz family, I give you their fun tradtion which I have enjoyed for many many years.

Gettin' Crafty

In my December 2009 issue of Martha Stewart Living Magazine, two projects relly stood out for me. We'll see if I get a chance to do either one of them... I hope so! The entire magazine is just full of terrific holiday ideas as always... but here are my absolute faves. Directions on the decorative candles can be found here and the pinecone elves here.

Ferm Living

I love to find new online stores with quirky and cute unique items, and I just found a new one...Ferm Living. Here are some of my favorites...

Clockwise from top left: Bindweed Wallpaper, Keys Wall Sticker, Velo Tea Towel, Peacock and Fern Silk Pillows

Pottery Barn Kids

Here are four cute items I saw in Pottery Barn Kids recently.

Thanksgiving table cloth, plates, tumblers and garland. Cuteness!

Ribbon Candy

Is there anything prettier than ribbon candy? Just a simple bowl full of ribbon candy and you've got an instant holiday decoration right there... one that would make any child's eyes light up for sure! (image via jordanferney.blogspot.com)