To Soak or Not to Soak...

To soak or not to soak, that is the question...

This is probably a bit of a random post.  While my soul is finally in full-on Christmas mode (I've been baking tonight), my decorating mind is starting to think beyond the Holiday 2011 season.  Our big project for 2012 is to update our master bathroom.  Our home was built in 1993 and it's all but written all over the master bath, which is complete with an ivory plastic jacuzzi tub (which doesn't even work) and shell shaped sinks. 

One of the big debates I have about the updates is what kind of tub I should use.  I love a modern soaking tub, but I still don't see many of them in new construction in Texas.  I'm scared a potential home buyer here would expect a built-in jacuzzi tub.  What do you think? 

Here are a few of the tubs I love~

*And while I think this wood herringbone floor in the last picture is to die for (seriously),

as someone who has wood in the kitchen (which I think is gorgeous),

I would never put it in the bathroom. 

I've seen what just one glass of spilled water can do to it.

You'd be horrified the first time water got splashed on it.  

Just a little friendly advice.

{all images via decorpad.com}

Merry Christmas!

Sorry that I've been a little absent from the blog lately.  My job is always really busy at year-end.  Busy can be good, but I'm ready to stop and remember what the season is all about~

Check out this website: The Artist Woman to see how to make your own version of this nativity!

I hope that each of you and your families have a wonder week leading into Christmas!  Please take time to remember why we celebrate.

Pinterest Inspired Snowman Wreath

I saw these pictures on Pinterest a few weeks ago~

So, I decided to make my own version~

I found the natural grapevine wreaths at Joann's.  I used gold spray paint on them and attached each of them with wire.  We sprayed the wire gold after they were all attached together. 

We used black felt on foam board to make the hat and attached it with wire run through some extra black buttons we found in the closet.  I found the hot pink scarf in the kids section of Target.

Project total: $31.00!  And, it can easily be reused next year!

My Flocked Christmas Tree

Last week I told you all about the journey to my super flocked Christmas tree.  It was a lot of fun to decorate, and I'm excited to share it with you today~

I layered a $9 roll of loose weave burlap from Lowe's around the base of the tree as my tree skirt.  I love how it looks!  I also had a friend ask whether you could buy real and fake flocked trees.  The answer is yes.  Most flocked trees that you see are fake, but mine is a really tree that I had custom flocked at our local garden center.  And, to answer a reader question, it does shed some but not bad at all--it's neater than a real, unflocked tree!

How did your tree turn out?  Have you ever had a flocked tree?



My Dream Christmas Tree

I'm definitely some who would vote real in this week's Bam or Slam over at The Mustard Seed.  When I was younger, there was a Christmas tree farm on the outskirts of my home town.  On the morning of the Friday after Thanksgiving, my Dad and I would go pick out our tree, then my Mom and I would decorate it while we watched the Arkansas-LSU game. 

My first year of law school when I had my own apartment for the first time, I drove to the Christmas tree lot on in the tire center parking lot on Cantrell in Little Rock and negotiated down the price of my tree so I could have the one I loved.  I stuck it as far into the trunk of my white Nissan Maxima as it would go, then tied the trunk lid down on top of it.  Back at the apartment, I dragged it up the steps by the trunk to my second floor home.

Several years ago, I found this image in a Cottage Living magazine (RIP).  I fell in love~

I'd never seen a real flocked tree before, so I tried to recreate my own version with an artificial silver tree that I found on Ebay~

It just wasn't the same, though.  Last year when we walked in the Calloway's Garden Center where we get our trees in Texas, I wanted to cry.  They had a whole section of the most beautiful trees I'd ever seen...they were flocked!  I was too nervous to pull the trigger last year, but now I've waited 11 months to get my flocked tree.

I woke up at 7 a.m. on Black Friday--not to shop--but to go get my flocked tree!  After a stop at Starbucks to fuel up with a skinny latte, we were on our way!  I ended up lucking into finding a 10' foot "skinny" tree that I had custom "super" flocked.  And, yes, the sales lady and I went through a whole round of "flocking" jokes.  I don't think her manager was as amused as she and I were!  I had to wait over 24 hours for it to dry, so at 7 p.m. on Saturday night, we went to bring my baby home!

I want to keep the suspense a little longer, though, so I'll leave you with a few of the images that inspired me to flock my tree!

{all images via my Pinterest}

Christmas Card Outtakes

Yep, I'm one of those people who puts their dogs on the Christmas card.  I imagine that our friends and families would rather see three goofy dogs than two goofy 32-year olds.  It's pretty much impossible to get all three of our dogs to pose together (one of them doesn't like the other two...). 

With a little patience and a lot of dog food, we made it happen, though.  On the way to the final picture, though, we had a few interesting moments.  I hope they show up as funny in picture as they were in person~

I'll share the final shot with you once we mail our Christmas cards.  And, more on my Christmas decorations as soon as I get them finished!  Are yours up yet?



The "S" Word

Yep.  I'm just going to say it.  The "S" word, that is.  Stuffing.  Oh, you didn't know that's what I was talking about?  For those of you who live in the north, this may not be such a bad word, but down south, we make dressing.  Any other description is an insult.  Stuffing is that stuff that comes in a box at the grocery story.  No good Southern cook would dare...

This morning on the Today Show (which I still think was hands down better with Meredith), they did a segment on "stuffing" with Giada De Laurentiis.  She described her first recipe as "traditional."  It's main ingredients were Ciabatta bread and pancetta.  *I about died.*  Fortunately, she later clarified that it was a traditional Italian stuffing...who knew Italy celebrated Thanksgiving? Anyway...

So, what's on your menu this year?  It's just the two of us for Thanksgiving, so we're having exactly what we both like best: a homemade honey baked ham (using this recipe), chicken and dressing, creamed potatoes (I can debate creamed v. mashed with you, too), Kraft deluxe macaroni and cheese, Southern green beans and rolls.  And for dessert, a caramel and sea salt cheesecake I found through Pinterest.  Hopefully, it will turn out well enough to be worth it's own post next week.  And, yep, you probably noticed the absence of turkey.  I'm just not a big fan. 

I'm not sure how I'll decorate the table this year.  Makes it more complicated with just two place settings.  Here are a few shots from last year, though.  Oh, well.  Happy Thanksgiving, y'all!

Tweet, Tweet!

On Sunday I flew to Little Rock for the first birthday party of Ms. Ava Lile, my best friend's daughter.  My friend and her mother-in-law did all of the work-except the cake and cookies--and it was just too cute!

"My, my! How the first year flew by!"

Her mother in law made the banner!

The Smash Cake

The cookies were made to match a piece of scrapbook paper from

Hobby Lobby that served as the inspriation for it all!

The felt birds were cut by hand and added to the cupcakes by the baker.

Party favors!

The birthday girl!  Her dress came from Etsy. 

The bird on it was used as the patter for the invitation and the cake.

She changed for her cake into a birthday onesie with a tutu. 

There were so many people gathered around that I didn't get a picture, though!

I know it was a ton of work, but it was so adorable!  Well worth the effort!