Merry Christmas Eve

It's been a busy, busy holiday season for us. Beckett turned the big ONE last weekend so we had a house jam packed with family. I know I promised pics of how our Thanksgiving turned out, but time got away from me. This is a quick recap of the last couple of weeks from Christmas with the family, Beckett's first birthday and a little Thanksgiving. Enjoy!

p.s. New Year's resolution = make time to update the blog more often :)

Christmas 2010

Mantle

Pretty tree

Wreath in kitchen

Beckett turns ONE!!

No hesitation. He dug right in.

Licking the frosting off his hands after we took the cake away.

What a chocolate mess!!

Thanksgiving 2010

My brother-in-law Rob brought his smoker over to do the turkey's

Tregg wanted to grab that turkey and run.

Best turkey we've ever had. Unfortunately for Rob, he's on turkey duty every year now.

Sausage bread. Mmmmmm & gluten free

Last minute Thanksgiving inspiration

Happy Thanksgiving!!

Stay tuned for pics from our Thanksgiving.

*all images courtesy of HGTV.com and Martha Stewart.com

Gettin' Crafty

My sister was here last weekend and we decided to take on a small craft project. Other than the fact that she burnt the you know what out of my hand with the glue gun, it was a fairly easy project. I got the idea for the wreath over at jones design company. We made a couple of modifications to make it our own. Here's how it turned out-->

Supplies

Step 1: Wrap strips of burlap around a foam wreath. Use push pins to secure.

Step 2: Use wire floral thread to weave in and out of burlap strips. Pull tight to create a ruffle. I like using wire thread because it helps hold the shape.

Step 3: Adhere burlap ruffle to burlap wrapped wreath using straight pins and a hot glue gun.

Ta-da!! Decorate as you like. I have a TON of buttons so that was my accessory of choice.

You can find the full tutorial at jonesdesigncompany.com. We definitely did the abbreviated but nevertheless, are happy with the way it turned out. It was super easy too. We finished the whole wreath while Beckett was taking his afternoon nap. Give it a try! If you do, send me pics. I'd love to see other variations.

Happy Fall

Tomorrow marks the official first day of Fall, although you wouldn't know it. It is still 90 plus degrees every day and I can't really remember the last time it rained. Soon enough the air will be crisp and the leaves will start to turn. I can't wait!! This is my absolute favorite time of year. And this is going to be the best Fall season ever because I have a new little one to share it with.

Maine and back again

Well, we did it. We packed Beckett up and took him on his first airplane and he did GREAT! Ben has a lot of family in Maine, so we headed up there for a wedding over Labor Day. We took tons and tons of pictures, but this is just a quick recap of the trip.

This is where we ate breakfast in downtown Portland the first morning we were there. It was featured on "Diners, Drive-in's and Dive's". Ben had a lobster omelet that was the size of his head. Gretchen (Ben's sister) and I both had dishes with fresh, local blueberries, Beckett slept through it :)

The state parks in Maine are BEAUTIFUL!!

Beckett and Aunt Gretchen. She was a huge help with Beckett on this mini vacation. Thanks Gretch!!

We couldn't visit Maine and not get a lobster roll. This was our view from the picnic table at the restaurant.

This is one of my favorite family pictures.

The fam at Reid State Park. Hurricane Earl was supposed to hit Maine while we were there but luckily the weather held out. The rough seas behind us and a couple of clouds was the extent of the storm.

I'm surprised Beckett is enjoying this because the water was absolutely freezing!!

Beckett and his cousin Rachel

After a day in Portland, we headed up to Bethel. The condo we had was right on the golf course, literally, we walked out our back door and we were standing on the fairway. Needless to say Ben was in heaven.

We ended the trip attending Andrew and Melissa's wedding. Beckett fell asleep in my arms on the dance floor but at least we got this great family picture!!

The jacket of the season

I have been talking about this jacket since May. You are going to see it EVERYWHERE this fall. Military influences & details are back full force this season and I can't wait. I've already purchased mine, I just need the temperature to drop about 30 degrees. Here are some of my favorite versions of this utility jacket............

Anthro

This is the Trouve' jacket I purchased at Nordstrom. It's not this "yellow" in person.

This is another fav from J.Crew. My friend Nicole purchased this one and it goes with everything! It was also featured in InStyle in June.

Kenna T from Nordstrom

*All images courtesy of Anthropologie, J.crew & Nordstrom.

Happy Birthday Sis!

Happy Birthday to my beautiful sister Brittany. I love you!!!

Facelift

In case you haven't noticed, FRESH beckett got a facelift. I said good bye to my pretty peony picture, for a header that's a little bit cleaner. If you check in with this blog regularly please become a follower!! Thanks for your support.

baby it's hot outside

It has been a really hot week in Charlotte. Actually, hot is an understatement. It's been down right scorching!! Temps in the triple digits the last couple of days. Even our neighborhood pool is too warm to be refreshing but these frozen treats certainly are.......

The recipes for the sweet treats pictured can be found here

A little shabby......

A little farmhouse chic.