A Shabby Chic Christmas

This past weekend we held a small surprise birthday party for my sweet mother at my parent's house. I shared a few of her Christmas decorations before, but I was amazed yet again by how festive and cozy their house is a Christmas time. 

My mother's style is what I would call shabby chic glam. Gold and white, glitter and lace, fresh greenery and birch wood, twinkling lights and fireplace logs. I love the tree placed in a wicker basket, the handmade cloth and lace garland, and the red-orange flicker lights on the birch logs under the mantle.

 I can't believe that Christmas is merely a week away!

xoxo

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Merry & Bright

Our Christmas season was so wonderful -- the closeness of family, amazingly delicious food, plenty of laughter, blessings all around. I am so thankful for every one of my siblings, their spouses and children, and all of my in-laws. My parents and grandmother are so special to me, and I can't imagine Christmas without them. As much as I tried to soak up every sweet moment, it passed all too quickly, especially in light of all of the anger and sadness this world has experienced of late.

 {My mom and I made an orange pomegranate punch with rosemary and ginger. So delicious! And so fun to see the guys drinking from the dainty vintage milk glass punch cups.}

Most of all this Christmas season, I am grateful for my Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, who left His Father's throne in heaven to live as a man on this earth and to pay for my salvation with his very life.

Hope you had the merriest of Christmases.

xoxo

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Deck the Halls

Christmas decorating was special this year, since this is our first Christmas in our new {to us} house. It was fun to finally pull out the things I've been saving for the last few years -- vintage ornaments from my grandmother, garland and lights for the doorway -- and deck the halls of our new home for the first time.

We went to a local tree farm and cut our first real Christmas tree. I used a piece of burlap as a tree skirt, and we trimmed away with ornaments I've collected over the past few years. For the mantle, white candles and greenery are festive, yet simple. I filled milk glass vases of different sizes with cypress clippings for the Christmas Eve table.

Merry merry Christmas to you.

xoxo

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Christmas Card Outtakes

One of the highlights of last weekend was putting reindeer ears on Sambo and taking our family picutre. He hated it! For some reason, the ears put him in a weird place. He kept tucking his tail, flattening his ears, and lowering his head... all while looking up at us with his eyes. Poor little guy! Nonetheless, it made for a few good laughs.

Happy {early} Christmas.

xoxo

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O' Christmas Tree

This past Saturday husband and I started a new tradition for our little family. We spent the afternoon at a local tree farm picking out our perfect Christmas tree. The past three years we have used a hand-me-down artificial tree, but with this being our first Christmas in our new {to us} home, we wanted it to be special. We also want to start traditions now that we can continue when there are little ones in the picture. 

The farm was so lovely! Trees, small and large, were arranged in perfect rows. There were old farm buildings, tractors and even old gasoline pumps on the property, and everyone was so friendly. It is a 'cut your own' farm, and husband almost ended up helping a lady and her young sons cut their tree down. While he was loading the tree into the truck, I went foraging for the cypress branches laying on the ground*.

It was a fun little adventure. This guys is going to make a great Christmas tree!

Happy Christmas!

xoxo

*I have big plans for these branches.... boxwood + cypress wreathes, filler for our clear glass ball ornaments, and displayed in a good old-fashioned vase

Merry Merry

Hope yours was just as merry.
xoxo

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Handmade Christmas

One of my favorite Christmas traditions is traditions is the giving and receiving of handmade gifts. Last year my mother-in-law made all the girls a tote bag out of multiple fabrics, and it is one of my most treasured gifts. Unfortunately, I'm not that talented in the sewing department, so I typically stick with edible gifts. I really love the simplicity of layering ingredients in a mason jar and tying festive trinkets to the front. This year I wanted to do something besides sweets, so I made fruited rice curry in a jar {and for the non-curry lovers in the family, I made a couple jars of brownie mix}.

Happy handmade holidays.

xoxo

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Gift Guide 2011: The Art of Being Feminine

Gift giving for the ladies in my life is very rarely a challenge as most of my female counterparts are pleased with sparkly, feminine or cozy items that I am equally pleased to provide. I generally create a theme among my gifts, and this year I am focusing on the senses. Here are some of my favorite girly items to taste, see, smell, hear and feel.

Miss Dior fragrance

Your favorite champagne --  pair with St. Germain {elderflower liquour}

A mixed tape {always a great gift}

Mukluk slippers   

Leather glovettes

J. Crew Saturday pants

 MK Watch

St. Germain {elderflower liquour}

Kate Spade bow ring

Soap & Glory body wash {my absolute favorite!}

You can find the men's version of this guide here.

Happy gifting.

xoxo

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Gift Guide 2011: The Gift of Manliness

Buying for your man is definitely more of a challenge than buying for your girlfriends, and often times involves purchases that you don't know much about. {Hello ammunition, alternators, power tools and toolboxes.} I've rounded up a collection of gifts for this year, so whether you need stocking stuffers or are starting from scratch, I'm certain that one of these items would please even the manliest of men.

J. Crew Cotton-Cashmere Sweater

Moonshine cologne

Miniot wooden iPhone case

Pendelton Ranier National Park blanket

A mixed tape

Durango Coffee Company Western Blend

Vintage cocktails recipe book

Happy gifting.

xoxo

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Tinsel

Somewhere in the craziness of life over the past few weeks, I found time to decorate just a bit for the holiday season. A simple tree decorated with antlers, blue lights and tinsel above the television, and a few strategically placed glass ornaments brought a hint of Christmas cheer to our home.

xoxo

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A Very Merry Christmas

{Gift making}

{Decorations around the house}

{Baking gooey chocolate cookies for the neighbors}

{The best gift of all & the true reason for our celebration}


Wishing you the merriest of Christmases.
xoxo

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Holiday Gift Guide: Homemade Christmas

This year for Christmas, my husband's family decided to sponsor a less fortunate, well-deserving family and buy them gifts instead of giving each other things. I love it. Imagining the faces of the people in that family on Christmas morning just lifts my heart. So on Christmas day, instead of having presents to unwrap from each other, we are doing a homemade/handmade exchange. Last year I did a fair amount of baking and made some hot chocolate mix to accompany the goodies. Here are some of the ideas I am throwing around for this year.

{Click on the descriptions below for the links & tutorials!}

1. Vintage Tin Candles
2. Homemade Pasta
3. Scented Sugars
4. Bottle Stoppers
5. Handmade Headbands
6. Brandy Snaps
7. Placemat Clutch
8. Cowboy Cookie Jars
9. Christmas Cloth Napkins
10. Nutter Butter Truffles
11. Bath Snowballs


I better get a move on. There's lots of work to do!
xoxo

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Holiday Gift Guide: For Him

As I've mentioned previously, giving gifts is one of my favorite parts of Christmas. I love finding something so perfect for someone else and seeing their faces when it's opened. It's nice to know that every time they use or look at your present, they will think of you. Sometimes, however, it's difficult to find something for even those people closest to you, especially when it comes to guys. Here are some of my favorite gift ideas for every personality, from the athlete to the artist.

1. Buck Jr. Wall Trophy - Carboard Safari

2. Holga 35mm Camera - Urban Outfitters

3. Magazine Subscription - Men's Health

4. Thermal Running Tights - Nike

5. Classic Thermos - Stanley

6. Wooden Cocktail Set - West Elm

7. Grey Flannel Classics - TOMS

8. Flannel PJ Bottoms - Gap

9. Leather Day Bag- Wilson's Leather

10. Original Wall Art - Tyson McAdoo

11. Kraft Speakers - West Elm

12. Camper Watch - Timex

13. White Elixir Colognt - C.O. Bigelow

14. Bikila Running Shoes - Vibram Five Fingers

15. Merino Cardigan - Gap

For other gift guides, see this and this.

Happy Gifting.

xoxo

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Holiday Gift Guide: Under $50

Christmas is one of my favorite seasons for many reasons, and among them is gift giving. Whether it's a sparkly trinket or a killer pair of heels, I love giving something special to the people in my life. Here are some of my favorite finds for less than $50. {For gift ideas under $20, see my previous gift guide.}

1. Relief Gold Bud Vases - Jonathan Adler $39.95
2. Ruched Platform Heel - LuLu's $31
3. Sparkling Wine Evening Dress - LuLu's $44
Faux Fur Mittens - Urban Outfitters $28
4. Classic Century Salt & Pepper Shakers - Crate & Barrel $38.95
5. Mini Donut Maker - Urban Outfitters $30
6. Atessa Vase - Crate & Barrel $29.95
7. Top of the Charts Bag - Modcloth $34.99
8. Feather Collar - Twelve by Twelve $22
9. Taupe One Shoulder Dress - LuLu's $47
10. Little Birch Jewelry Stand - Urban Outfitters $32
11. Something About Sophia Fragrance - Benefit $36
12. Enchanted Buck Measuring Cups - Anthropologie $48
13. Capri Blue Mercury Jar Candle - Anthropologie $25
14. Patent Platform Boot - Charlotte Russe $42.50
15. Illuminated Moon - Urban Outfitters $45


Happy Gifting.
xoxo

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first time follies

this holiday was the first time i attempted

to make a blueberry pie from scratch.

i have made pies with my mom before, but let's be honest,
she's a master baker/cook and told me exactly what to do.
this year i was completely on my own.
{with a little help from husband}

{my favorite part was the lattice top.}


it was definitely a fun adventure,
but i think that my pie-making skills need some polishing.
the blueberry pie i made tasted pretty good,
but it looked like a small disaster.

{the is the pre-baked version. it looks a lot better than its baked counterpart.}


the crust hung over the side of the pie plate a bit,
so when it baked, the crust burned and fell off the side.
apparently i was supposed to cover the crust with foil.
oops.


despite its slightly ragged appearance,
the first ever ashley-made blueberry pie tasted quite delish.


for more pie inspirations, watch this movie.
i love it.
happy baking.
xoxo


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