It's Friday Y'all (Ornament Edition)

Happy Friday!! I can't believe it's the first Friday in December! This month is seriously FLYING by!! And I'm so excited about this weekend because the hubs is off and we have some fun things planned!  But before we jump to the weekend, I'm linking up with the girls (Darci, Liz, Natasha, and Christina) for my "5 Favorite things". Today I'm focusing on my Top 5(ish) favorite Christmas ornaments.

~ONE~

Cate made this in preschool when she was 3. I miss not having any crafts from William this year but have enjoyed him being home with me. Hopefully next year he'll start making some cute crafts.

~TWO~

Gotta love my school pride! GO DUKES!

~THREE~

Gotta represent our town!

~FOUR~

Self - explanatory :)

~FIVE~

Inspiration this holiday season! Keep hitting the pavement! ;)

This ornament is from my hometown's annual festival.And this particular year was not only the 75th anniversary of it, but I was also a princess representing my college.

One of my pharmacy technician's personalized these ornaments for us one year and I love them!

Oh, and since I didn't get to include a picture of our fully decorated tree in the earlier post, here it is! It is by far my biggest tree yet, but also our prettiest! The picture just doesn't do it justice! I absolutely LOVE getting a real tree every year!

And since I'm posting about ornaments, I thought i'd include a few that I thought would be great ideas for you (or others).

Merry Christmas, Y'all (I LOVE mine!!) (Click on picture for deets)

Chalkboard Santa

I heart Santa

And this one would be adorable if you had a new baby in your family or for a new baby.

And let's not forget about one of my fav stores; PBK.

These

These

Or these

And thanks to my cousin, more cute ones at Pottery Barn! Check them all out (click pics for links).

I hope y'all have a wonderful weekend!

Holiday Dress

I'd been on the hunt for the "perfect" dress to take to New York in a few weeks. We don't have many good stores in my town, so I do most of my shopping online. But when I saw Julia's post about her new dress for a wedding, I just knew THAT was the dress (only she had the navy version - equally gorgeous). It HAD to be mine! ;) However when I looked online at Nordstrom's, I was stuck on what size to order (b/c it said to order up a size and I never really know my size - I'm usually in between two sizes). But fortunately for me, while the hubs and I were in Charlotte a few weeks ago I made the point to find it at their Nordstrom's. I tried it on and fell even more in love! I can't wait to take it to NY, but I'm planning to wear it a few more times this Holiday season. It cost more than I would typically pay for a dress, but I figured since it was a LBD, I should have multiple chances to wear it. 

My new holiday dress!

 Click here, not sure why it's giving me troubles! Grr!

I just think it's so flattering, super comfortable, and it has pockets!!! SCORE! I'll have somewhere to put my lip gloss and my phone/camera! ;)

I've also had my eyes on this one for awhile and it's actually on sale. I'm so very tempted to buy it but I just don't know if it's as practical.

And oh my heavens, how gorgeous is this one??

At our current stage of life, we just don't attend too many fancy events anymore. But hopefully after the kids are older we'll be able to again. However I guess I'll probably have outgrow these styles of dresses by then too! ha!

Do you have your eyes on any special dresses this season? Any fancy events you plan to attend?

"A Meaningful Christmas" + Christmas Decor Link Up

Today I'm linking up with Andrea, for a holiday decor round up!

But before I start, I wanted to include an awesome project that I hosted a few years ago; "A meaningful Christmas". It's an awesome daily devotional to use with the family that involves ornaments for each day (to help tell the story).

There are 24 ornaments and 24 devotions. If you'd like more information on how to "host" something like this with your friends, check out the website or feel free to contact me. You will not regret taking on this adventure! It will be something you will have forever!

We use a separate small tree for all our ornaments to help keep them organized. I think it also helps us remember to do it each day.

And this year, my daughter prefers to read the devotion to US! :) (Just overlook the turban towel, this was just after bath time! ha!)

*** And now for the rest of our our decor! (And I'm sure I have missed a few things but it's only b/c we're still in the process of decorating. I insist on waiting until after Thanksgiving to start. :)

We have another little tree that we use for our "family picture" ornaments. Every year since my husband and I started dating, we've taken a picture and put it in a framed ornament (with the year on it). Since we've collected quite a few over the years, I decided to use another separate tree. The kids love looking back at all of the pics.

This is my "pink" tree complete with pink ornaments, pink lights, and a pink bow!

And this is my daughter's pink tree!

My son wanted his own tree this year, so we used a silver one we had on hand. I purchased him some blue ornaments and others and let him decorate it completely on his own!

I display our Christmas card from every year (+current) on our staircase. We love looking back at the older ones.

I displayed a few of my Christmas dishes on my sideboard.

I made a tiny tassel garland and I wasn't sure where to put it, so I just hung it across our hutch.

One of my fav parts - my "new" bar cart. I set up a hot cocoa bar on top complete with stirrers, straws, marshmallows, chocolates, candy canes, etc. This tiny area just makes me smile!

I've had these pillows since I was a child. My mom made them for my brother and me and now my kids love them. (At least I think she made them!)

The Little People Nativity - used to be my daughter's favorite and now it's my sons.

Another childhood decoration - our family Nativity Scene. My dad made the stable for this and we've had it as long as I can remember.

New subway art that I purchased at the end of the season last year.

My adorable college snowmen my mom purchased for us.

Santa Christmas countdown that my daughter LOVES! She's eager to change the number every morning.

My favorite little feet!

And a little holiday cheer in the bathroom. The tree is from my husband's granny, Cate's little hands make the angels wings on the plate (a preschool craft) and then I added some festive napkins.

I fell in love with this pink nutcracker when we saw the ballet in Richmond last year.

Our mantel this year. Typically the "H" you see hanging goes on top of our tree. But our tree was so tall this year, I just didn't think you could see it very well. I love how it looks on the mirror.

Our ginormous tree that took 9 stands of lights. It's not decorated with ornaments yet b/c we just put the lights on last night.The hubs even had to arrange the top things for me b/c I couldn't reach (even with a stool). I hope to write another post including my favorite ornaments once the tree is completely decorated! :)

And my favorite decorations - my little elves!

Last, but not least, my sweet friend dropped this book off on our doorstep yesterday. I can't wait to add it to our daily family routine.

I can't wait to see everyone's decor!! I love Christmas and all that goes with it!

It's Friday, Y'all (Link up) + TOM'S SALE!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Happy Friday!! I'm linking up with the girls for another 5 on Friday, and this week's post is themed "Holiday Cheer"

DON'T FORGET TO SCROLL TO THE BOTTOM FOR AN IMPT SALE!!!

~ONE~

While the hubs and I were in Charlotte last weekend, I snagged these adorable Christmas plates for the kids. I know they will love them as much as I do. I sure wish we had a PBK store locally. I despite paying shipping but have a hard time resisting their stuff, especially around the holidays! **Not sure why it won't let you click on the link. So frustrating! But if you go to the website, you'll find them!

~TWO~

Also while shopping I made a quick trip into MAC for some under eye concealer and left with a new lip pencil and lipstick. I also tried on a color that I thought was REALLY festive, but somehow passed on it. I'm thinking it should be on the list for my next purchase. (*I'm trying to be better about wearing something on my lips. I think it looks better with my darker hair! ha!) And yes, it somehow makes me think of the holidays and maybe something I would wear to an upcoming holiday party!

~THREE~

I received this shirt in the mail last week and can't wait to show how I styled it in an upcoming post. I think it's perfect for the season!

~FOUR~

Also while shopping in Charlotte we stumbled upon our family ornament for this year. Every Christmas since my husband and I started dating, we've framed our picture in an ornament with the year printed on it. Since we've collected so many over the years, I decided to start hanging them all on their own tree. My hubs actually found this one and I was beyond excited b/c of the glitter! I couldn't find a link to the exact one, but here is a link to a similar one. And here are all of their ornaments - so many great choices!

~FIVE~

Last, but not least, I'll leave you with a festive cocktail. I am traveling to visit my bestie tomorrow to celebrate our Christmas and thought it'd fun to try a new cocktail while I'm there. I'll be sure to let you know how it turns out!

Spiced Apple Cider Champagne Cocktail

Click here for the recipe!

I hope y'all have a wonderful weekend and safe travels if you're going anywhere like myself. See you back on Monday!

**And don't forget to check out the host bloggers for my link up!

TOM'S BOOTIES ARE 25% AT NORDSTROM'S!! NOW'S YOUR TIME TO BUY THEM!! Lots of great choices! Get them now before they sell out!

I'm so excited b/c I just scored these beauties!