$10 Holiday Tokens

Christmas is quickly approaching and I have already started thinking of good gift ideas. Though times seem to be better than they were, times are still tough for many people. Even so, there is always that special group of people that you want to offer small tokens of appreciation to during the holiday season. People like the mom who calls you every night to check on you, the neighbor who keeps your kids while you go on date nights with your spouse, the co-worker who is always there for you through the good projects and the bad, and the best friend who has always been there for you through the thick and the thin. They are the people that allow you to savor your time and your life. So below are just a few stylish tokens of appreciation for that special person. And they are all $10 or less! 

Buzz Glasses @ Crate & Barrel - $2.95 per glass

Handbag Hook @ ZGallerie - $9.95

 

Doorknob Bottle Stoppers @ Pottery Barn - $10

  

Keep Calm & Carry On Journal @ Barnes & Noble - $8.99 

iPlunge iPhone Device Stand @ ZGallerie - $6.95



Teavana Tea Storage Tin @ Teavana - $7.00



Tie Caddy @ The Container Store - $7.95

Memo Mousepad @ Galison.com - $9.50


By the way, I researched most of these items on November 27th, so I'm sure that if you might find even better deals on these items TODAY! Happy shopping!

Happy Thanksgiving!

"Enter into His gates with thanksgiving, and into His courts with praise; be thankful unto Him, and bless His name. For the Lord is good and His love endures forever; His faithfulness continues through all generations."

Psalm 100: 4-5

Photo: Country Living

Kind Kitchens

I was just in my kitchen baking Paula Deen's Fresh Apple Cake from Georgia wishing I had a bigger kitchen! No matter what, there never seems to be enough counter or cabinet space. The ingredients for the cake took up the most of the counter space in the kitchen, so I had to chop my apples on the kitchen table. Ideally, I would like to do all of my prep in the kitchen!

Most people purchase a home based on three things: the kitchen, the kitchen, and the kitchen. It's the heart of the home, where the family gathers after long days at work and school, and where girlfriends gossip late at night while enjoying several glasses of wine. I purchased my home based on it's price, not the kitchen. So my kitchen is nowhere near the size that I would like for it to be. But it serves its purpose and for that I am thankful. It's small, but quaint, cozy, and most importantly- organized! My dream kitchen is a kitchen that is bright, spacious, easy to navigate, and organized. I like kitchens that offer a mixture of both modern and traditional styles. That way the kitchen is crisp, but cozy at the same time.

I may not have the kitchen of my dreams now, but I think that when you dream, you should dream BIG. So here are the pictures of my dreams...

 

Gail Drury

Joan Schindler

Ken Kelly

James Howard

Oh and by the way, the Fresh Apple Cake from Georgia is DELISH!!

I Know, I'm a Holiday Ahead

I know the Thanksgiving holidays are a few weeks away, but I can't help but to start thinking about Christmas. It is my absolute most favorite time of the year. It's my favorite time of the year because I get to see my family for more than just a long weekend, the food is fabulous, the air is crisp and fresh, and the mood is consistently festive. And you KNOW I love Christmas decorations! I get so excited when I see pictures like these. Enjoy!

Martha Stewart

Martha Stewart

RMSer Maureen Georgia



Leann Michael Interiors




RMser Manzardo

 

RMser Manzardo



Bedroom Blues

Before the start of last week, decorating my bedroom was #2 on my list of things to do in my house before the end of the year. But last week, I paid $2,500 for a new transmission, a $300 vet bill, and $180 for a rental car. So now I'm not even sure that decorating my bedroom is even on the list anymore! However, that doesn't mean that I have to stop the planning and thought process... 

I have decorated every room in my house except for my bedroom. It is the room that I spend the most time in, so I want it to be perfect. Perhaps that's why it it's last on the list. Right now it's a blank palette. It has a bed and the basic furniture. No pictures are on the wall. It has no personality. It's not me. Here is proof... 

Boring.

My definition of a master bedroom is a room that makes you sigh with relief after a long hard day at the office. It welcomes you with open arms and makes you feel cozy and warm. Every aspect of the room should reflect who you are, your personality, what you like and what you don't like. I personally like things really neat, really clean, really romantic, and really fresh. I don't like a lot of color, so I tend to lean more on white bedding with accents of color. I like the bedding to be soft and inviting with rows of plush pillows. I would love to have a padded headboard, but its going to be really hard to give up my bed that I purchased from The Bombay Company for just $250!! I like a mixture of traditional and modern elements with different textures. So I might keep the bed, find some white bedding, include a traditional soft reading chair, add some modern lighting, and maybe some modern nightstands. So much to do!

In the meantime, I have turned to pictures to get some inspiration. Here are some pictures of "my personality."

Designer: Troy Beasley

Designer: Candice Olson

Designer: Candice Olson

Designer: Sarah Richardson

So you see my style. I'm taking donations! :) Stay tuned and hopefully there will be a "Before & After" post on my bedroom!

The Diaper Cake

I have received so many great comments about the picture of the diaper cake that I posted in my Baby Pumpkins & Cupcakes post. I have to say that the making of the diaper cake was my favorite part of the whole baby shower planning process. I love creating things for other people and imagining what their reactions will be when they see them. I know that we are all busy these days, but there is nothing more personal than a homemade gift that you put your heart and your time into making.

I saw a diaper cake at a baby shower a few years ago. The host of the shower purchased the cake on the web. They looked so easy to make, so I immediately went home to do some You Tubing. I found that their are so many different ways to make them and decorate them. You can decorate them with baby items or you can make them look like a wedding cake- which is actually my preference. Here are a few cakes that are made by the Baby Gift Idea.

After watching several "how to" videos on You Tube, I came up with my own method of making them. My cakes are completely held together with rubber bands and decorated using silk flowers, ribbon, and whatever else I can find that represents the theme of the event. I like to use the cake as a centerpiece, so I make them substantial- at least 4 to 5 tiers. I can't divulge all of my secrets, but I can show you some pics! Here are some snapshots of the process of my most recent diaper cake:

So this was my first cake...





And this was my latest cake...



The cakes take about 3-5 hours to make, depending on the size. The reactions from my friends are worth every second! I would love to make them for you or anyone else you know! Just message me!