Tree 'O Planks!

Hello fellow bloggers!  Thanks for stopping by.  I can't be as "social" in the blog world as I'd like due to my new job.  I'll keep up the posts though and know that I still enjoy stopping by your site when I get the chance!!

Check out these super cute recycled wooden trees from Wood & Wool Stool.  They're made out of six different wooden planks.  I think the ornaments add such a fun whimsical touch!

[found via grnweddingshoes]

An Illustrated Christmas

These seasonal illustrations from Diane Bigda really get me in the mood for Christmas from shopping to picking out the perfect tree to a holiday party!

Wrap It Up

OK, I know there's some of you out there that hit up those Black Friday sales.  Don't be shy.  You know you stood in that long line at Best Buy starting around 5a, or perhaps you were the one in the tent??!  I didn't, but I did have to work.  I've been part-timing, as some of you read, at Anthropologie.  I started exactly one month ago and I am quitting exactly one month in.  Why?  Because I got a full-time job!!!!  SUPER excited.  Anyway, back to holiday sales.  Since some of you braved the crowds and were able to score some great Christmas presents (cheers to you!), you know what your next step is, right?  Wrapping paper.  And that's where my current part-time employer comes in:

I mean, seriously.  How cute are these?!  (And pretty sure this is their first year to sell wrapping supplies so go getcha some and be part of this inaugural season!)

Soft 'n Chewy

In light of the holidays, I'd like to share a yummy recipe from Taste of Home.  I made these molasses and ginger cookies for Thanksgiving and they were a hit!  I mean, you pretty much can't go wrong with cookies during the holiday season. So here goes...  Enjoy!

[source]

Soft and Chewy Molasses Cookies

• 24 Servings
• Prep: 15 min. Bake: 10 min./batch

Ingredients

• 1 cup plus 3 tablespoons butter
• 1-1/4 cups sugar, divided
• 1/4 cup molasses
• 1 egg
• 2-1/2 cups all-purpose flour
• 2 teaspoons baking soda
• 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 1 teaspoon ground ginger
• 3/4 teaspoon ground cloves

Directions

• In a large bowl, cream butter and 1 cup sugar. Blend in molasses and egg. Combine flour, baking soda, cinnamon, ginger and cloves; add to creamed mixture. Mix until well blended.
• Shape dough into 1-1/4-in. balls. Roll balls in remaining sugar. Place on greased baking sheets. Press flat with a fork. Bake at 350° about 10-12 minutes or until set. Yield: about 4 dozen.

Happy Thanksgiving!

I hope you all are having/had a wonderful Thanksgiving with family and friends!  

"O Lord, who lends me life, lend me a heart replete with thankfulness." - Shakespeare

Food Baby Outfits

Happy *almost* Thanksgiving!  Need something to wear tomorrow that will feel comfortable and allow you to have that "food baby" without care? ;)  Here are a few picks from LuLus.com.

A super comfy and cute maxidress.  Match this cutie with a cardigan and you're good to go!

An oversized top?  For all that eatin'?  Yes, please!

A thick sweater with a cute fall pattern for you gals in the North. 

Still afraid of the bulge?  Get ya some funky pants with an elastic band - oh yeah!!

Not Too Shabby Sale

Shabby Apple is having a Thanksgiving sale!  20% off almost all items on their website.

Here are a few of my favorites from their online wardrobe...

From their latest line, All That Jazz, a classic LBD

And from Oh La La, we have an adorable Parisian look

A cute half apron from their Boysenberry line

An oh-so floral headband

2010 Margarita Ball

Saturday night, my girlfriends and I attended the 2010 Margarita Ball at the Sheraton in Downtown Dallas.  Imagine 10,000+ people, a mountain of toys (in support of a children's charity) and two hotel floors of dancing, live bands, free margaritas, auction, and people watching.  It may or may not be your scene, but it's fun to experience at least once.  For me, it was my second time to attend and each year holds fun memories, but this year was a bit better because I remembered my flip flops ;)

Dinner before at Palomino.

Followed by none other than a karaoke cab ride!

Tons of pictures before entering the ball.

Free margaritas!

Heels, of course, but needing a break, yes please!

Here's where my "smarts" came in this year!

And the amazing toy mountain benefitting underprivileged kids!!!

Of Noble Descent

Lovin' the selection at Noble Town Vintage - a wonderland of unique geometric & southwest influenced pieces made from vintage brass and colorful gemstones.  

May the Warm Winds of Heaven

Blow softly upon your house.
May the Great Spirit
Bless all who enter there.
May your Mocassins
Make happy tracks
in many snows,
and may the Rainbow
Always touch your shoulder.

[A Cherokee Prayer Blessing]

Cozy Toesie

Toesies cold?  Mine are.  But they've been rescued by these adorable house slippers from Babushka Designs.  I won these treats for my feet through a giveaway on the blog, I Go By Katie, and boy am I happy I did.  Tatiana, the designer/amazing crocheter, got my shoe size and crocheted them up that evening and got them in the mail to me right away!  If you're in need of a fun Christmas present that you know they'll love, I would definitely recommend some cozy slippers from Babushka Designs. 

Did you notice the cute buttons on the mary jane styles?

ABCDesign

The ABC's of Branding by James Dean at The Best Part

An oh-so creative foil stamped alphabet using famous logos

[found via Twitter - wish I could remember by who!]

T-R-O-U-B-L-E

"Trouble Is A Friend Of Mine" by Lenka

I can relate to this song.  Can you? ;)


Trouble he will find you no matter where you go, oh oh
No matter if you're fast, no matter if you're slow, oh oh
The eye of the storm or the cry in the mourn, oh oh
You're fine for a while but you start to lose control

He's there in the dark, he's there in my heart
He waits in the wings, he's gotta play a part
Trouble is a friend, yeah trouble is a friend of mine, oh oh!

Trouble is a friend but trouble is a foe, oh oh
And no matter what I feed him he always seems to grow, oh oh
He sees what I see and he knows what I know, oh oh
So don't forget as you ease on down the road

He's there in the dark, he's there in my heart
He waits in the wings, he's gotta play a part
Trouble is a friend, yeah trouble is a friend of mine, oh oh

So don't be alarmed if he takes you by the arm
I won't let him win, but I'm a sucker for his charm
Trouble is a friend, yeah trouble is a friend of mine, oh oh!

Oh how I hate the way he makes me feel
And how I try to make him leave, I try
Oh oh, I try!

He's there in the dark, he's there in my heart
He waits in the wings, he's gotta play a part
Trouble is a friend, yeah trouble is a friend of mine, oh oh

So don't be alarmed if he takes you by the arm
I won't let him win, but I'm a sucker for his charm
Trouble is a friend, yeah trouble is a friend of mine, oh oh!
Ooo, oh ooo, ooo ahh

Pin-Interesting Rooms

I can't get enough of the white walls and this sofa!

Talk about a cozy nook!

Small space perfection.

Oh the picture wall.

Such a breezy office!

[source: pinterest]

Dog Gone Wild

OK, I've never seen this before.  Maybe you have?  It's WILD.

So Americans have taken on dogs as art projects...

And then there's China, taking it to the next level...