12.24.2009

christmas countdown - finished!

"it all happened in a moment, a most remarkable moment.
as moments go, that one appeared no different than any other... it came and it went. it was preceded and succeeded by others just like it. it was one of the countless moments that have marked time since eternity became measurable.
but in reality, that particular moment was like none other. for through that segment of time a spectacular thing occurred. god became a man. while the creatures of the earth walked unaware, divinity arrived...
the omnipotent, in one instant, made himself breakable. he who had been spirit became became pierceable. he who was larger than the universe became an embryo. and he who sustains the world with a word chose to be dependent upon the nourishment of a young girl.
it all happened in a moment. in one moment...a most remarkable moment. the word became flesh." - max lucado

merry christmas!

"nativity" watercolor by jennifer diane smith

my festive house!

welcome to my house!

festive flowerboxes - i painted lots of sticks white, stuck them in the leftover soil, and filled the bottom with white lights and holly.

i am so completely obsessed with this wreath - it was also only $9!

2009 christmas tree!

my merry reindeer on the coffee table. part of me wants to keep these guys out for the winter. i haven't decided if they're too christmasy yet.

the bookshelf with santas and festive snowglobes.

christmas domino and some vintage balls.

nothing says "merry christmas" quite like tissue paper flowers and feather garland.

centerpiece that liam enjoys destroying daily.

a little christmasy vignette on the counter.

in keeping with the feather theme, angel wings with the cookbooks.

vintage shiny brites in the bathroom.

liam's stocking, waiting to be stuffed.

and finally, my bedroom tree!

hope you enjoyed the tour! merry christmas!

12.23.2009

christmas countdown - two days!

"happy, happy christmas that can win us back to the delusions of our childhood days, recall to the old man the pleasures of his youth, and transport the traveler back to his own fireside and quiet home!" - charles dickens


image vintage vogue via flickr

bestie christmas 2009

for the fourth year in a row, sarah, lacey and i have spent a day/night together exchanging gifts and celebrating christmas. i always look forward to our christmas weekends - and this year was just as lovely as the rest. the morning started out with coffee, pumpkin spice muffins and ham/egg scramble and just got better from there... (please excuse the morning hair/pj look.)

last year we decided stuffing stocking was way more fun than just exchanging regular gifts. the idea caught on, and i'm pretty sure opening lots of little goodies is just as fun as stuffing them.

sarah and lacey take "chandelier earrings" quite literally with the ornaments i gave them.

sarah is super excited about her fun stocking presents.

getting ready to dig in...

this picture needs no caption. i think i have about 3289476 more like it on my camera.


this is probably the greatest picture ever. we were both clearly excited about whatever it was sarah gave us.

who said kaleidoscopes were for little kids?

sarah was chosen to play mary (mother of god!) at her church's live nativity. lacey and i went to see her. while we waited to walk through, we got free coffee, cookies, and word searches.

sarah being holy. she was amazing! she had a monologue and everything.


i'm so blessed to have such wonderful friends!

12.22.2009

the inn at little pond farm

a few weeks ago, mom and i were fortunate to participate in the fireside tour in valle crucis, north carolina. valle crucis is latin for "valley of the cross" and is located about fifteen minutes outisde of boone. it's very rural and historic and is home to the original mast general store (which is still open), among other points of interest.
the fireside tour included local inns, b&b's, churches, and farms in the area; all decked out for christmas, and all of which had refreshments. one of our last stops even had sangria and free massages. it was a good day. the morning of the tour, we arrived to a light dusting of snow, which made the tour that much more festive.

although the refreshments were fabulous, most of the inns/b&b's were quaint but included far too many floral patterns, quilts, and ruffled pillows for my taste. i was probably not impressed because our first stop of the day basically ruined the rest of the tour for me. the inn at little pond farm is valle crucis' best kept secret - we've been visiting the area for years and never knew about it. the inn, established, renovated, and run by a classy couple is truly enchanting. it's simple and sophisticated and if i end up staying here, i'll probably never want to leave. the decor takes shabby chic to a whole new level of cool and it made me want to go home and clear out 95% of the clutter that fills my shelves and countertops. their website is really great and i highly recommend you check it out, but in the meantime, here are a few pictures i snapped during the visit:

the exterior is renovated, but beautiful and sits among many gorgeous trees and acreage.

the stunning dining room. i somehow overlooked taking a shot of the kitchen, but it is also incredible. what's more, the innkeepers teach themed cooking classes to anyone who wants to attend.

the christmas decorations were so minimal, yet gorgeous. the evergreens really popped against the all-white walls and furniture.

it was cold and snowy outside and i could have stayed in front of this community fireplace all day. also, the hardwood flooring throughout the home was imported from france. nice, right?

this tree was much cuter in person.

i am obsessed with the furniture - all of which has been upholstered with simple vintage fabric such as feed sacks and plain linen.

so cozy.
belledone room - the most expensive in the place goes for $350/night. (i said it was gorgeous, not affordable).

the giant tub in the belledone room cost approximately $5,000. probably why it's so expensive to stay here.

just lovely.

the winterberry room - a steal at only $250/night.

i could be really excited about straightening my hair every day in this bathroom.

again, the fabulous centerpieces/decor were so simple and gorgeous.

so lovely!

so, although expensive, i could most likely be talked into staying here at some point. it's cozy and luxurious and very unlike other bed and breakfasts that i've seen. i'm certain the food is exquisite if the kitchen and refreshments (pictured above) were any indication. and not only do guests receive breakfast here, but also "afternoon sweets and evening wine and hors d'oeuvres". yes, please.
unfortunately, my photos really don't do justice to just how beautiful this place really is. i highly suggest a visit!

christmas countdown - three days!

"he puzzled and puzzled 'til his puzzler was sore. then the grinch thought of something he hadn't before! maybe christmas, he thought, doesn't come from a store. maybe christmas...perhaps...means a little bit more." - dr. seuss

image via thethingssheloves.tumblr.com

12.21.2009

christmas countdown - four days!

"what is christmas? it is tenderness for the past, courage for the present, and hope for the future. it is a fervent wish that every cup may overflow with blessings rich and eternal, and that every path may lead to peace." - agnes m. pharo



images: 1.dillydallas.blogspot.com 2.tara anderson via flickr 3.flickr.com

festive and free!

as always, i love free stuff. especially at christmas when life gets infinitely more expensive. considering i make it my job to listen to christmas music as much as possible this time of year (and, to be honest, often in september, october, and november, too), i'm sure you can understand how much free christmas music makes me feel all warm and fuzzy inside.

so here's the deal: i know two really cool guys who are just giving away their music for christmas.

the first is my friend joel whom i met while interning for young life. he lives in nashville and just bought a really nice house and has a really cool job at this marketing firm. he also happens to be really good at singing and playing random instruments. this one time joel and i spent a very special new years together on the side of I-75 in atlanta after i wrecked my car. it was raining and joel had food poisoning and it took AAA four hours to send a tow truck. and no, i'm not exaggerating. i kind of feel like if joel is still talking to me after that whole experience, he's probably the nicest guy ever. you can download his songs here.

the second is the argyle project, organized by jon black.
jon was the musician when i first went to young life camp in high school and hails from birmingham, alabama. i don't know him personally, but he is married to my friend blair's sister, so we're actually practically related. download his christmas album here.

images 1.dressdesigndecor.blogspot.com 2.joey cardella 3.myspace

12.20.2009

christmas countdown - five days!

"christmas waves a magic wand over the world, and behold, everything is softer and more beautiful." - norman vincent peale

image: christmas by soulkissfaerie on deviantART