Christmas Home Tour Part II

As promised, here are the remaining parts of our home that I spruced-up for the holidays. Today we're touring our second floor which means you'll get a peek at a few rooms not yet seen! You can see the downstairs from earlier this week. 

One of my goals is to have a little holiday something in every room - even the bathrooms! I have a few holiday tea towels, and I've layered them over fluffier versions in the bathroom for a little festive fun there. This is a Jack-and-Jill bathroom, so there's another tea towel opposite of this one which means you can get a glimpse from each door as you enter. Cute cute. 

This is one of our three guest rooms and happens to be the most finished. I added a sweet hand-hooked pillow from World Market to the bed along with a series of bottle brush trees from Homegoods that I had left over from a photoshoot from a few years ago. Even that tiny bit of holiday decor transforms the room! 

Finally, the festivities continue in our master bedroom. I grew up with a tree with colored lights, so I always wanted to have two trees: one with colored lights and one with white lights. This tree in our bedroom has all of the ornaments I've collected from swaps, students, and travels over the years. I especially love the one of our first married Christmas card. 

I also have a few little vignettes set-up. How sweet is this Santa? I saw him at Target and had to have him. The little piece of artwork of the Holy Family by Kendall Kirk Singleton rounds-out the decor. 

Thanks for hopping over to see our holiday home! 

Christmas Home Tour Part I

I just love this time of year, don't y'all? This year is perhaps a little more exciting for me than previous years because it's the first year in our house for the holidays since we renovated. Not only does that mean we're working with different room layouts and color schemes, but we're also working with some new places to set-up our decor. It has been super fun but not without a few challenges. 

In fact, we kicked off the season back in October when we bought our faux tree from Home Depot. During our renovation, we tossed our other trees (yes, I have multiple), so I wanted to be on top of things. I insisted that we grab it before they all sold out. Last week when we went to put it up, we discovered that it was enormous...as in, it took up our entire dining room. I was not only disappointed but concerned because the tree selection goes downhill fast. Thankfully, I was able to find a suitable replacement, for $100 less that I might like 100x better. Win win! 

Of course, I've added a few new items - mostly tree decor like navy striped ribbon & faux magnolias (which are a little trick... ;) - but I've also just enjoyed using what we already have in a new way. In today's post, you'll get a peek at our holiday decor, but you'll also get to see a few of the other rooms in the house that I've almost completed. There's a pinch of Christmas in just about every space, and I hope the tour helps you get a better idea of the house in general. Enjoy!

Confession: my living room/dining room is far from done. We're missing an additional rug under the dining table (eventually going for a layered look!). We definitely need some art above the dining room tables. I have about 8 pillows picked out for our sectional that I haven't had the funds to buy yet. But, I love how FULL the room looks right now. 

I went with a navy, white, red, silver, and gold theme this year. Mostly because that's what I had. Both garlands are from Frontgate, and the one over the mantle is battery operated on a timer, so I never have to turn it off or on. Brilliant. 

My mom and grandmother started a Department 56 Dickens Christmas Village for me when I was in college, and then my MIL generously gifted me a few more pieces a few years ago. I was an English major in college, and A Christmas Carol is one of my all-time favorite stories. This village is a little homage to my love for reading. I hope to keep expanding it over the years starting with pieces directly related to the story. 

Also seen in the living room is my Fontanini nativity set, my wedding gift from my grandmother. I have a special affinity for nativities, and I am hoping to start a collection of those as well. You'll see my second nativity later in the tour. 

The dining room is next. I have big plans for my dining room table, but since I work there every day (long story), I have to keep it functional. The mercury glass trees are from Target many years ago, and I sprinkled in a few votives and some scraps that fell off of our Christmas card garland. 

For our Christmas cards this year, I hung garland around the door to our kitchen. As we get a card, I'm punching it with a hole and tying it to the garland with navy blue satin ribbon. I'll keep the ribbon to reuse next year and get new fresh garland. I'm pretty proud of myself. 

The bar cart gets festive, too...because where else in your home is more worthy than some Christmas spirit than the bar?! The red Santa wine glasses were a gift from an annual Christmas swap from my friends from teaching. We do it every year, and I'm so glad I snagged these a few years ago! I also have a pretty dish from Vietri from my MIL along with some cute cocktail napkins and a felt tree. 

Since this is getting a little long-winded, I'm going to break the tour in half. Come back later to see the upstairs! 

Christmas Comfort Food: Garlic Cheese & Sweet Tea

Growing up, my dad had this rule: we didn't travel for Christmas. Everyone, every year, was welcome at our house which often meant we had a tiny house filled to the brim with people - mostly, my immediate family of five and my grandparents, my Nana & PopPop. They would either come a few days before Christmas or Christmas day and bring loads of gifts and a cooler full of annual Christmas treats. 

Nana always made a few things: chocolate candy with marshmallows (which I never loved...shhhhh...don't tell anyone), homemade spicy snack mix, and my favorite: garlic cheese. We would immediately dig into the cheese with any crackers we happened to have on hand and of course, pour a tall glass of sweet tea on the side. Eventually, Christmas became synonymous with garlic cheese. 

My Nana passed away earlier this year, and this will be our first Christmas officially sans garlic cheese. So, I set out to try the recipe for myself. I had worked it up in my head as though it was going to be this crazy involved recipe that I'd never be able to accomplish. Well, it turns out that it's not complicated at all. I'm not sure I've mastered her flavor profiles - you know how grandmother's are "just a pinch of this or that" without any exact measuring. Ironically, I cook the same way, so I can't complain too much.  

This garlic cheese is perfect to have on hand in your fridge, especially in the coming days and weeks leading up to Christmas. I like to keep snacks like this on hand for any unexpected guests. I also make sure to have a variety of beverages on hand, too. One of the best beverages I've discovered is Southern Breeze's Cold Brew Tea. 

They're perfect because in just under 5 minutes, you can have freshly brewed sweet tea without the hassle of boiling any water. You simply steep a single serve, zero calorie (!!!) tea bag in cold water and let it sit for a few minutes. While you're waiting for the tea, you can assemble a festive platter of the garlic cheese and a bowl everything crackers for a quick visit with friends or family who pop-by. 

I wanted to share the recipe for garlic cheese with you today. It really is so simple, and I hope you give it a try! Happy holidays and happy snacking!

Garlic Cheese Log

makes 2 logs

You will need:

- 1 lb sharp cheddar

- 1 block of cream cheese, softened

- 2 cloves of garlic, minced 

- 2 tsp red pepper

- black pepper to taste

- paprika 

To prepare:

1. Set-out cream cheese to soften. 

2. Shred block of sharp cheddar using a food processor and cheese grater attachment. If you don't have a food processor, you can grate by hand. 

3. Once cheese is grated, remove cheese and set aside. Swap your attachments in your food processor back to the regular blade. 

4. Add half of the cheese back to food processor. Add half of the block of cream cheese and pulse. 

5. Repeat step 4, leaving original mixture in processor. 

6. Add garlic, red pepper, and pepper.  Pulse one final time. 

7. Remove cheese mixture and shape into 2 equal sized logs. 

8. Pour paprika on a plate (or other flat surface) and roll logs in paprika until covered completely. 

9. Wrap cheese in parchment or saran-wrap and refrigerate. 

Note: Get creative with your roll - you can roll in pecans or even curry powder!

Enjoy! 

This post is sponsored by Southern Breeze Sweet Tea. All opinions are my own.

Holiday Favorites 2017: Holiday Baubles

I am so excited to have several holiday gatherings coming up over the next few weeks. Whether I'm imbibing in a cocktail with friends or sipping champagne with my husband's coworkers, there are definitely some fun opportunities to get spruced-up. 

All of the major stores always have the most fun holiday baubles. I rarely allow myself to indulge in them, but I can't help but notice how cute they all are...and how affordable, too! Below I've rounded up a few of my favorite holiday jewels. The majority of these shops have sales going on now, so if you see something you like, scoot over to their site to see if there's a code to make them even cheaper! Sparkle and shine your way through the holiday season. 

Cherry Bourbon Sweet Tea Floats

With Christmas this weekend (!!!!), I wanted to take my annual blog break with a little holiday treat perfect for your Christmas or New Years Eve parties: Cherry Bourbon Sweet Tea Floats. Want the scoop on this boozy treat? I'm so glad you asked. 

I have to admit it: I am usually not a bourbon/whiskey drinker, but we always have it in the house because my husband loves Manhattans. I'm also regularly jealous of the gourmet cherries he gets in his cocktails when we go out to dinner. When I was dreaming-up the perfect Southern cocktail for the week's festivities, I immediately thought of combining the South's best elixirs: bourbon and sweet tea. 

This cocktail calls for my favorite sweet tea, Southern Breeze Sweet Tea, whatever bourbon (or whiskey) you have on hand, and a few scoops of cherry vanilla ice cream. Put these cocktails in fun mason jars or pretty them up in your favorite cocktail glasses. Don't forget to add a sparkly drink stirrer and give your guests a straw, too. These are a little too thick to sip strawless. 

What I love about this cocktail is that it's perfect for all tastebuds, and you can easily leave out the bourbon for kids or other non-drinkers. Like I say, a family that sips together, stays together. Have an absolutely wonderful Christmas and New Years! I'll see you in 2017! Cheers!  

Cherry Bourbon Sweet Tea Floats

serves 1

You will need:

- 3 scoops cherry vanilla ice cream, softened (I used Haagen Dazs) 

- .75 oz of bourbon (use a full shot for someone who likes a stiff drink)

- 4 oz Southern Breeze Sweet Tea, original

Directions:

Add three scoops of cherry vanilla ice cream to an empty mason jar. Add bourbon and top with sweet tea. Serve with a festive drink stirrer and a straw. Enjoy! 

This post is sponsored by Southern Breeze Sweet tea. All opinions & recipes are my own. 

Last Minute Holiday Entertaining Tips

When it comes to holiday entertaining, especially last minute holiday entertaining, I'm all about the easier the better. As a hostess, I'm usually worried about getting the food and ambiance ready, so thinking ahead about how to simplify the party on the front end is super helpful. Whether it's setting-up a self-serve station or prepping a table that's easy breezy to clean, keep your holidays stress-free with these entertaining tips:

1. Wrap gifts in a cinch: If you're entertaining, place a few well-wrapped gifts under your tree for extra magic. Lilywrap is by far your best choice for making wrapping a breeze, and there's sure to be a pretty pattern (or three) that match your decor! 

2. Set-up a self-serving station: A hot chocolate bar is always a hit for kids of all ages. Add some creamy liquors for adults to make boozy beverages and add holiday treats, too. Because the bar is completely self-serving, it will take care of itself for the whole party. 

3. Remember: "purchased" is not a dirty word: If you can't (or don't want to) make/bake everything yourself, that's okay. Purchase appetizers or desserts to help make entertaining more enjoyable for the hostess (that's you!). The easiest food item to purchase? The perfect cheese plate. 

4. Use wrapping-paper or butcher paper for easy clean-up: Wrapping paper makes a fantastic table runner. It's colorful, a perfect width, and makes for easy set-up and clean-up. Target has some stunning options this year, and I'm always a fan of butcher paper, too, especially for kids. Lay out some crayons and encourage them to draw a winter wonderland. 

Holiday Home Decor for Less

As you all know, we're in a temporary residence this year, and that has made getting in the holiday spirit a little challenging. We made the executive decision to leave 99% of our holiday decor in storage this year for ease of moving things back and forth. Admittedly, I've been a bit depressed without the usual days of decorating and coming home to a Christmasy space every evening. 

We brought one of our smaller, more slender, faux trees, but opted to leave all ornaments at home (for shame!!). I left all of my pretty table linens and mantle decorations, too. Last week, I finally decided I couldn't really take the lack of decor anymore, so I made a plan to beef up the cottage a little with the help of some of my favorite look-for-less shops. 

I've always loved the crewel pillows from Pottery Barn, but since I know this space is temporary, and I'm not quite sure what our living room will look like next year, I didn't want to splurge on them. World Market to the rescue! I nabbed this winter scene pillow (on sale) for $21 this weekend! I paired it with some green velvet pillows ($6 each!) for a cozy set-up. World Market has some fantastic holiday decor items this year, and I've rounded up my favorites below.

I also ventured OTP to find the perfect Christmas wreath. I love a gorgeous wreath, and I'm usually pretty good about jazzing one up myself, but with the hubs at the golf course and some time to kill, I headed to a local Christmas Tree farm to see what I could find, and I'm so glad I did. You'd be surprised with what $25 can get you! I was able to score a beautiful wreath filled with greenery of all sorts, red berries, and a cute bow. Done and done. 

When it comes to finding holiday home decor for less, look to your favorite mid-range retailers like Pottery Barn for inspiration, then head to places like Target and Home Goods to make the look happen. Splurge on items like greenery that serve the dual purpose of looking fabulous and bringing a little of the outside in. And it goes without saying that if you can wait a few weeks until after Christmas, you're bound to find some amazing deals! 

Custom Holiday Cards with Minted

If I know anything about myself, it's that I am a girl who likes routine. My morning starts the same way everyday, if I find a sweater I love, I buy it in three colors, and I always always always get my custom holiday cards from Minted. This is my third year getting our holiday cards at Minted (and yesterday happened to be my 3rd wedding anniversary!). Since we got married December 1st, and I knew I wanted to have a few wedding photos for our first holiday card, I started the tradition of sending New Years cards instead of Christmas cards. 

Even though that means our holiday cards come a little after the rush, I know that it also means that our friends and family get snail mail later in the holiday season. Gotta stretch the holiday spirit, right?! 

Minted offers tons of customization options. Every card usually offers several colorways, and you can always change the text. This year, I noticed more cards than ever before can be designed with sayings like "Happy Holidays" or "Happy New Year." It's great to see options that fit everyone's beliefs and traditions. 

The card I chose this year can be done in six different colors or six different foil options. It comes in postcard size, petite size (4.5 x 6), or classic size (5 x7). You can choose rounded corners or square, and there are several options for the back and for envelop colors. So. Many. Possibilities!  

Perhaps my favorite part of using Minted for custom holiday cards is that they print envelopes for you. Envelopes always stress me out, so it's a huge relief not to have to handwrite all of them. Instead, I can add a custom note to the back, or if I'm being totally honest, place a stamp on the coordinating envelope, pop it in the mail, and call it a day. If you're still in the market for holiday cards, be sure to check out Minted. They're often running sales and specials, and their gorgeous quality can't be beat. For now, enjoy a sneak peek at our 2017 New Year's cards.

P.S. If you're not quite sure how to write your name on your Christmas cards, this guide will answer all of your questions. Bottom line: no apostrophes catastrophes.

I received my holiday cards in exchange for this post, but all opinions about this brand are my own! 

Shop Local ATL: Gifts Under $50

The next installment of Shop Local ATL is here, and today, we're stepping it up and looking at gifts $50 and under. I'm confident that any of these items would bring huge smiles to the recipient's face. There are items here great for your mom, your child's favorite teacher, and even your boss. Don't forget to check out gifts under $25 for even more ideas! 

1. Home is Where the Heart is Print ($50): While Georgia is seen here, Idlewilde Co. has every state in their shop which makes this gift fantastic for even those out of state. I can even see it doubling as a housewarming or hostess gift. Have a college student out of state? Get one of these framed for their dorm room. The possibilities are endless! 

2. Tulip and Bear Candle ($28): Who doesn't need a luxury candle in their life? Candles are one of my favorite gifts to give and receive because I rarely, if ever, buy them for myself. Tulip and Bear is owned by Margaret Hunter, a lady boss who saw a hobby and raised it into a stellar business. 

3. Honeycomb Studio White Turtle Doves ($45): These handmade porcelain turtle doves come as a single, but the song goes "TWO turtle doves," guys. Honeycomb Studio's things are stunning, and I love the little touches of gold almost every piece has. Dig through the shop for even more gift ideas. 

4. Osmia Organics Body Duo Spa Series ($35): Everyone needs to treat themselves after the holidays, and what better way to do that than with an all-natural body spa set. A salt scrub and a moisturizing lotion? Heavenly. 

5. Dear Keaton Striped Hand Towel Set ($38): I don't know about you, but I'm a sucker for beautiful hand towels. They are a classic gift, but if you want to spruce them up, add your favorite hand soap too for a fabulous collection. 

Shop Local ATL: Gifts Under $25

Attention! Gift guides are officially here, y'all! I wanted to get them out to you this week, so you could get in on all of the sale action this weekend. Keep your eyes peeled for deals happening all weekend long from Black Friday to Small Business Saturday to Cyber Monday. It really is a great time to save on some of your favorite items. 

This year's gift guides are focused on shopping local. While most of the products I'll feature are from the Atlanta area, you're able to shop online if you see something you love. Additionally, I've divided gifts into dollar amounts this year instead of categories. That way, if you know the dollar amount you want to spend, you'll find exactly what you need. 

While I only have three gift guides planned, let me know if you want to see gifts for a different dollar amount (dirty Santa, anyone?) or a specific category. I'm happy to either point you in the right direction, or create what you might need. If you're traveling this week, do so safely, and enjoy the official start to the holidays! 

1. ATL Enamel Pin ($8) - Help your recipient represent ATL everywhere she goes. 

2. Gold Arrow Cheese Markers ($25) - A gift for the cheese connoisseur if I ever saw one, these markers are reasonably priced and a great present for the cheese lovers or hostesses in your life. 

3. Saphir Cream Polish ($20) - As a premiere shoe polish brand, Saphir makes a fantastic stocking stuffer for the guy in your life. I can actually see this being a fun office present, too. Who doesn't need to shine their leather shoes?

4. The Dessert Place Cream Cheese Brownies ($24.99) - I love the idea of shipping these Cream Cheese Brownies from The Dessert Place to wherever you'll be spending the holidays. It can be a hostess present that arrives ahead of all of the company and gives the hosts something to place on a pretty platter. 

5. Lou Lou Silk Tassel Earrings ($18) - These delicate tassel earrings can be worn casually with stripes or elegantly with an LBD. Perfect for girlfriends. 

Staying Cozy

We're finally dipping into cooler temperatures around here: breezy evenings and cold mornings are here, y'all...and I kind of love it. When we hit this point in the year, I start pulling out all of my coziest items. My favorite oversized quilt to layer on my bed. My go-to college Phi Mu sweatshirt that my husband has begged me repeatedly to give to Goodwill (NEVER!!!!). My long-pant pjs. My old as dirt Uggs that I just can't seem to let go. They all come out of hibernation. 

Of course, layering up my morning wardrobe is just part of staying cozy. Another huge part? Cozying up my home. This will be especially true before I bust out holiday decor as well as long after it's gone. To help me get started, PB Teen kindly sent over one of their fur throws from their Junk Gypsy collection. Have y'all met the Junk Gypsies? These ladies are two junking (antiquing) sisters who have created a business out of their signature gypsy style, and they even wrote a book. Now, PB Teen has partnered with the Gypsies (better known as Amie and Jolie Sikes) for their very own line that speaks to the wanderer and dreamer within every teenage girl. 

I'd be lying if I said that this collection didn't speak to me just a tad. I might not be a gypsy spirit now, but I definitely had this streak growing up. It's part of what helped me take a risk and go to college separately from all of my friends. Honestly it might be that same streak that helped me move on from teaching and start my own business. Either way, the collection is certainly something worth noting. 

As you cozy up your own home, add wintery textures like faux fur and leather, incorporate patterns like fair isle and plaid, and swap your pastels for metallics and jewel tones. One tip? Add coziness that already works with what you have; no need to reinvent the wheel. Use your sofa as a base and swap your pillows and blankets, then add your holiday decor to that. The result will be the perfect winter-inspired home for the season. 

5 Valentine's Day DIYs

I heart Valentine's Day (no pun intended). I truly do. Over the years, I've learned (and shared here) to embrace the reds, pinks, and purples, love the hearts, and enjoy the holiday. Don't take it or yourself too seriously and have fun with it! Today, I'm sharing 5 quick Valentine's Day DIYs including snacks, classroom valentines, & decor.. Each of these are super easy and will bring a little joy to your face. Whether you are celebrating with your significant other, your best friends, or your coworkers, get a head start on this love-filled holiday with the DIYs below!

One:

No Sew Pompom Placemats 

Having the girls over for a Gal-entine's Day party? These placemats will spruce up your table without the extra headache. They take no time at all, and everyone will gush over the cuteness! 

Two:

Easy Coaster DIY

Incorporate the Valentine's Day colors around the house with these DIY coasters. They're seriously simple and will add a holiday punch without too much cheese. 

Three:

You're a Peach Party Favor

Tiny spice jars filled with adorable peach candy? What friend wouldn't want to go home with these? Use the free printable to your heart's content. 

Four:

Mason Jar Cookie Cutter Valentines 

Pick up adorable mason jar cookie cutters, grab some twine, print the free printable, and you're armed with one a-mason Valentine! I love the idea of whipping up a batch of mason jar cookies, wrapping them up in cellophane, and attaching the cookie cutter for friends and neighbors. 

Five: 

Popcorn Snack Mix

Popcorn is one of my favorite treats, and when you combine it with dried strawberries, chocolate, and pretzels, even more amazing things happen. This is the perfect pink treat for classroom or work snacks.

PPD Holiday Gift Guide: Gifts for the Jet Setter

Oh jet-setters. Those friends of yours that live in their car or on a plane during the week as they bounce city to city getting their hustle on. This gift guide is for them; the ones that really need a great gift to make their life on the road as wonderful as their time at home. I've rounded up a few of my favorite jet-setting gifts (that make great stocking stuffers, too!) below. Take a look and find something perfect for your traveling friend.

Favorite Gifts for Jet-Setters

- YoSox c/o Intown Ace Hardware
- Savannah Bee Company Travel set c/o
- Travel-inspired wine tags c/o
- Scentsicles c/o
- Flywheel Gift Card c/o

Other great jet-setting gifts:

PPD Holiday Gift Guide: Gifts for Your BFF

Gifting for your BFF can be one of the most fun...and one of the most daunting shopping experiences. There's so much pressure to find the perfect gift that she'll love and that you're proud of. When shopping for my BFFs, I try to think out of the box: things that they probably won't buy themselves; those luxury splurge items which is why this guide is full of those incredible, luxurious gifts!

This season, I stumbled upon Project Love, an Atlanta-based sleepwear line designed to bring beauty to life and connect women from communities around the world. Currently, 51% of all of Project Love's profits go to educate and train women in Haiti. When I spoke with co-founder, Amy, she gushed passionately about the brand and all that they're doing to help the women in Haiti. She said, "The best part of this journey so far has been meeting our girls in Haiti. They have changed our lives for sure. Just seeing where they started and where they've come in just over a year has given us so much hope. When we first met them not one of them could tell us what they wanted to do with their lives or what their hopes and dreams were. But after just a year of having two teachers and mentors spend time with them and invest with their lives, all of them can answer the question now. [co-founder] Liz was down there in August and one of them told her that she wants to be a seamstress, the other a photographer and another a writer. It was a beautiful reminder of how far a little love goes in someone's life." 

I love this brand's mission as well as their beautiful line of pajamas. There's a wide variety of styles, colors, and patterns, and I have it on good Instagram authority (aka my own assumptions) that there's about to be a great partnership between Project Love and my favorite Atlanta artist!

Plus I don't know about you, but I never buy pajamas for myself. What BFF wouldn't want to receive a gorgeous nightgown as a gift? Take a look at Project Love, along with a few of my other favorite luxury items for your BFF including a Roberta Roller Rabbit scarf and a Diptique candle. Great gifts for your BFF! 

Seamless tank c/o Rigby Peller // Hand-crafted earrings c/o // Hand-crafted necklace c/o // Tassel scarf c/o // Luxury candle c/o // Nail polish c/o // Project Love nightgown c/o

Other fabulous options for her: