Tuesday, December 14, 2010

Home Tour Tuesday---Trim the Tree and LOL Designs Giveaway

It's Tuesday and that can only mean one thing---it's Home Tour Tuesday with yours truly and the simply fabulous Miss Daphne from Flip Flop and Pearls! While we're both so excited to have y'all join us, after a few hiccups the last couple weeks, we felt it necessary to post a few helpful tips for those kind enough to join us for this week's tour!

{one} Visit the (2) hosts, Shannon @ The Webbisodes and Daphne @ Flip Flops & Pearls. And, if we're your cup of tea, then by all means, we'd appreciate a follow. 

{two} Include our HTT badge somewhere in your post.

{three} Link up with today's Home Tour Tuesday post. All unrelated links will be deleted!

{four} Then, let the Parade of Homes begin! Swing by and visit as many participating blogs as you'd like and if you see one you enjoy, be sure to leave them a comment or show some bloggy love with a follow.

{five} You don't have to write a thank you note, but be sure to extend a little down home hospitality to any new followers with a return visit and comment on their blog! After all, it's all about the little things!

{six}And last but certainly not least, "If you can't play like a classy gal, then for goodness sakes, get off the playground!"---{Isn't Daphne clever?!}

Gosh with all those rules and such for a second, I felt like I was back in the classroom. So on to something a whole lot more fun, this week's Home Tour topic--- Trim the Tree (Share 3 to 5 of your favorite Christmas ornaments, plus the story behind what makes them special).

But first, your daily Sweet Bean fix! Aren't these ginormous ornaments just so much fun?





{Our Family Room Tree}



Favorite ornament No. 1---Glass Flip Flop



If I were a shoe, I'd be a flip flop!

S i m p l e.

One glimpse into my closet (or at my feet 9 months out of the year), and you won't have to think long before making the connection as to why this Christmas inspired flip flop ornament ranks among my favorites. Let's just say if "life's a beach" I'm more than prepared for the journey!

Simplicity is the ultimate sophistication.---Leonardo DaVinci


Favorite ornament No. 2---Baby's First Christmas



This ornament is pretty self-explanatory---it represents our Sweet Bean's first Christmas.  God blessed us with our greatest gift to date, when He brought Gillian Grace into our lives some sixteen months ago. Any and everything that reminds me of our life's greatest joy can't help but be a favorite!

Favorite ornament No. 3---Handstitched Snowflake


Many years ago, (almost 20 to be exact) I cross-stitched this snowflake ornament for my grandmother, and every year thereafter, this hand-made ornament could always be found front and center on her Christmas tree. Since Mama Helen's passing, this ornament, with all it's memories, has made it full circle and is now back home with me.  And there isn't a year that passes that I don't stop and think of my grandmother as I hang this snowflake among the brightly colored ornaments and icicles on our family Christmas tree.

{The Dining Room Tree}
Our dining room tree is decorated completely in greens, reds, and golds.



Favorite ornament No. 1---Merry Christmas, Y'all!


I purchased this ornament from Ole Bay Mercantile in lovely Fairhope during our first ever Alabama Christmas. As you may have noticed, I have a slight affinity, okay obsession, with the word "y'all"! The second I spotted this ornament in the store, I knew it was meant for my tree!


Favorite ornament(s)---Waterford


 

After admiring Mom's tree for years, one Christmas several years ago, she began giving me a Waterford ornament each year as one of my presents! To date, I have over 100 of these beautiful Waterford ornaments, most of which have been gifts from family and friends! What can I say? I surround myself with people that have superb taste! {Wink, wink!}

{Sweet Bean's Tree}  
Since Gillian Grace was too young last year, her first Christmas, to really appreciate a tree, we waited until this year to purchase a tot-sized tree for her bedroom. From the second the tree went up, Bean has been captivated by its colorful lights and playful ornaments!


Favorite ornament No. 1---Elmo


It wouldn't be Bean's tree without ornaments of her favorite pal, Elmo, or Elbow as she so lovingly refers to him. Hob Lob (the latest nickname for Hobby Lobby making the rounds on the bloggy circuit) had several Sesame Street themed ornaments and we bought them all!

Favorite ornament(s)---Candy

 

Besides decorating with a few of  GG's favorite characters, I used a ton of ornaments from Target to finish off my sweet theme for the tree!


And just like with the other trees in our home, Sweet Bean's tree is topped with a handmade bow in coordinating colors.


Don't you just love Christmas? Okay, now let the Parade of Homes begin! Grab our badge and be sure to link up with your post for this week's Home Tour Tuesday. Daphne and I can't wait to see how you trim your tree!







Now as though this post wasn't long enough, check out this fabulous giveaway from LOL Designs.


Giveaway Scoop

I think most everyone can agree that for as much fun as the Christmas season can be, it is also the busiest time of year! And while you don't need anything "more" to do, I know most of you have a few minutes to spare to find out about my newest giveaway from Jennifer at LOL Designs.


In her own words---
"LOL Designs is a lifetime result of being the Martha Stewart out of my 20 something girlfriends. I loved making things for friends and family and finally turned it into a business. My favorite things to do are make accessories and baby onesies. I love new challenges to anything you might want to make I'd love to make them for you. LOL Designs is really me in my craft room Laughing Out Loud at myself because I enjoy what I do and have lots of fun doing it."

Thanks to Jennifer, one Webbisodes reader will win a $20 gift certificate to her Etsy shop! And with so many wonderful items to choose from, from baby onesies to beautiful fabric flower necklaces, your only problem may be choosing how to spend your win!


The Scoop

{Please click here to enter this giveaway.  I am trying to keep all entries for this giveaway separate from comments left for Home Tour Tuesday.  I've created a post just for the LOL Giveaway entries. Comments left on this post will be deleted.  Thanks!}


Mandatory entry
{one} Visit LOL Designs and leave a comment here about your favorite item.

Extra entries
{two}  "Like" LOL Designs on Facebook
{three}  "Heart" LOL Designs on Etsy
{four} Post Jennifer's LOL Design logo on your sidebar with a link to this post. (5 entries)
{five} Blog, Tweet, or Post about this giveaway. (5 entries)
{six} Follow Webbisodes (or let me know if you already do)
{seven} Follow my design blog, Persnickety Pages {& More} (or let me know if you already do)

{Remember leave all entry comments here , not on this post, to be eligible for this giveaway.}

Good luck! Giveaway will end midnight on 12/19!

Monday, December 13, 2010

LOL Giveaway---Leave your Comments here!

{Not sure what's up with the Blogger updater, but please click here to view today's Home Tour Tuesday post, or scroll up!}

Please leave all comments/entries for the LOL Designs giveaway here (on this post).




Mandatory entry
{one} Visit LOL Designs and leave a comment here about your favorite item.

Extra entries
{two}  "Like" LOL Designs on Facebook
{three}  "Heart" LOL Designs on Etsy
{four} Post Jennifer's LOL Design logo on your sidebar with a link to this post. (5 entries)
{five} Blog, Tweet, or Post about this giveaway. (5 entries)
{six} Follow Webbisodes (or let me know if you already do)
{seven} Follow my design blog, Persnickety Pages {& More} (or let me know if you already do)


Thanks!

Miscellany Monday

target tunes

{one} Target hit the bullseye when it comes to attracting an audience with catchy and memorable holiday commercials. In our home, these commercials are a ginormous hit, not just with me but with Sweet Bean and the Hubs as well! So I was jazzed to learn that all the music featured in Target's commercials this season are downloadable from the Target site. And the best part is, they're free! Just another reason, I love this store!


Want to check out the playlist? Click here!


say what?

{two} Sometimes you get more than you bargained for when you accidentally overhear a conversation between strangers. And today's conversation between a man and the deli worker not only made us giggle, but showed us that apparently stupid is contagious!

The conversation went a little something like this...

Man: Yes, what kind of lettuce is that?

Deli Ditz: Um, green??!!

Man (to nearby wife): Honey, she said it's green lettuce!

Wife: Oh, okay! Sounds good!

Better get Anderson Cooper and CNN on the phone, folks! The Deli Ditz and Mr. Gullible just broke the biggest news story ever to hit aisle 13---Lettuce is green! Who knew?



isn't it ironic?

{three} While in the car today, I got a call from a reoccurring random number. Since it's not the first time this number has registered on my cell phone caller ID I answered it hoping to put an end to these numerous misdirected calls. On the other end was Edward from the National Highway Safety Board with a survey for me to complete on traffic safety.

Three words for Eddie, "I am driving!" Click...


say cheese

{four} There is a face that goes with that adorable little monogrammed tushy from Friday's post, and all my regular readers know it well! Gillian Grace is definitely no stranger to the camera and has grown to love having her picture taken (most of the time, anyway). Now and then she'll even up the ante with a little cheesiness, goofy enough to make us all stop and smile.

{Like Sweet Bean's shirt? Mom and I made it---yay! More on the shirt later...}


making a list, checking it twice

{five} Done. Finito. Accomplished. Closed. Wrapped Up. How many ways can I say it?  It may haven taken me until two in the morning Saturday, but I can finally mark Christmas cards off of my to do list. Halle-freakin'-lu-jah! And just because I don't want to spoil the surprise for many of my bloggy friends and family that'll be receiving our card in the mail, for now all you get is a tiny peek!

(Designed by yours truly at Persnickety Pages {& More}! Need a last minute Christmas card yourself? Let me know, I'll be happy to help. Click here to visit my design blog.)


housekeeping

{six} I've extended the Stella & Dot and Friedasophie jewelry giveaways (click on logos to enter) though Wednesday. Check back tomorrow for this week's newest giveaway from LOL Designs and don't forget to join Daphne and me for Home Tour Tuesday. Tomorrow's theme: Trim the Tree---Share 3 to 5 of your favorite Christmas ornaments, plus the story behind what makes them special. Get those posts ready!




an early gift

{seven} Christmas came early for my Florida Gators! Santa gifted the Gator Nation a young and energetic new Head Coach this year! A big Gator welcome to Will Muschamp, formerly from Texas. I hope this works out, since I'm pretty sure Mr. Muschamp didn't come with a return policy!



Have a terrific Monday, friends! See you back here tomorrow! With less than two weeks before Christmas, are you done with everything?

Miscellany Monday @ lowercase letters

Friday, December 10, 2010

Fun, Fails, and Photos---oh my!

I believe Charlie Brown said it best---UGG!

Presents to wrap...
Cookies to bake...
Shopping to finish...
Gifts to mail...

You get the idea!

Not to mention the one task weighing on my mind like fifty elephants after an all-you-can-eat peanut buffet---the ever intimidating, Christmas card photo!

With photo fail #2 yesterday, I'm officially hanging up my unrealistic expectations, after all, I'm no Anne Geddes.  The truth is,  even in the homes of our closest relatives, our card, along with tons of others, is destined for the trash alongside last year's re-gifted fruitcake and this year's Walgreens' perfume compliments of Great Aunt Martha.




No matter how you spell it, the sentiment expressed by our favorite little bald-headed friend is still the same---Ugg! Even Gillian Grace knows a thing or two about Uggs, only hers are of the much preferred soft and cozy variety!






But unlike GG, I'm willing to bid farewall to my Uggs, more determined now than ever to simply enjoy what's left of this magical holiday season, with or without the perfect Christmas card photo!

What are your holiday uggs and more importantly, how will you get rid of them?

Happy Fun Phone Friday, y'all! Hope you'll take a second to grab my badge, link up, and share your great phone photo!











Thursday, December 9, 2010

Brown Smown

Used to be that seeing a package on my doorstep made an ordinary day feel like Christmas with all the excitement and anticipation of opening something just for me!

Now the ever-evolving delivery methods of one unnamed service {UPS} has me seeing red! With the new ring, toss, and run approach, I suppose it's too much to expect that my package will arrive just the way it was sent---intact!


For starters, and I know this is asking a lot, how about delivering a package that doesn't look like it's been through a tour in 'Nam, since I'm honestly one couch cushion away from having a Tom Cruise inspired meltdown and going all Mel Gibson on Mr. Brown's behind!




And just look---Sweet Bean's so ticked even the camera couldn't focus!



Have a great almost Friday, friends!

{Have you entered my Stella & Dot and Friedasophie giveaways?}

Wednesday, December 8, 2010

Semi-Wordless Wednesday: Christmas Card Take 1

My secret has been out for days---I still don't have a picture for this year's Christmas card. Try as I might, I just cannot seem to get my act together! Hence yesterday's omission of a holiday recipe on a linky I host! {I'll post one sometime soon, promise!}

So please forgive any typos, y'all.  It's hard to type while hanging your head in shame!


The other day, hoping to remedy my growing card conundrum, I headed out to the front yard with Sweet Bean for a trial run, knowing that sometimes the best shots just happen and require little, if any, planning at all!

The temperatures were chilly,  especially by Southerner standards and while I love each and every shot I was able to capture, like Goldilocks, I'm not finding any of them to have just the right "fit" for this year's holiday card.

And even though I need one more thing to do about as much as the Situation needs an ab workout,  I'm planning another mini shoot in the next few days. Wish me luck, with only 16 days until Christmas, the race is on!

All I want for Christmas is a couple more teeth!
Bye bye, 2010! Hello, 2011!
My little drummer girl, pa rum pum pum pum!
Christmas is a time of wonder.

Santa Claus (and GG ) are watching you!

'Tis the season for giving...

Tiny hands, big heart!
Naughty or nice? Do you even have to ask?
Peace
Love
and Joy






Semi Wordless Wednesday Hosted by Flip Flops and Pearls


{Don't forget to enter the Stella & Dot and Friedasophie giveaways!}