Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year from my family to yours!!

When your trying to take a family Christmas photo and the bride to be makes it all about her!! smh 

Dining decor

I managed to get a few things up in my Diningroom including my new tree!! Next year my goal is to decorated at least two more trees in addition to the ones this year!! I mean it's not like I don't have the supplies to pull it off!! lol 

It's Christmas time!!

This is probably the earliest I have ever put up Christmas decorations and I am loving it!!!

 

 

I even decorated all of the nooks and crannies around the familyroom area. This is one of two end tables in the room.

 

 A tray on my ottoman.

 

A book Marc had just lying around. It went perfect with the theme for this year.

 

A small cabinet by my leather chair where I keep my candle stash.

 

A mistletoe ornament that I brought last year at Colonial Williamsburg. Hoping to go back again this year and pick up a new one (hoping to turn it into a tradition).

 

I finally got to pull out my new glass ornaments I got last year from Sam's Club clearance.

 

Yeah!!!! The tree is up!!! Next week the diningroom.

Its beginning to look a lot like Christmas!!!

 

I purchased these sets after Christmas last year at Sam's Club. I didn't have a clue at the time what I would do with them.

 

I love the ribbon at Sam's club. They are usually around $7.00 and have way more ribbon on the spool then the ones you get at the craft stores!

Marc purchased this lovely man last year after Christmas at Sam's Club as well and this weekend it went up on my wall. Still need to add a few things around it but for now I'm loving it!! It even lights up at night!

 

 

I did about ten wreaths for Christmas this year. All but three were gifts to other people. Last night I finished the last one and it went up on my front door.

 

This one was for my youngest daughter Nicki and I used bits and pieces from the kits I brought at Sam's last year.

 

My one ornament splurge this year so far. I usually don't buy ornaments until after Christmas but these two were calling my name (lol).

 

I got Minnie last year after Christmas (notice a pattern) at KMart. I am hoping to pick up her mate Mickey this year (if they don't sell out). One day I will have a Disney tree in one of my rooms. I already have the tree topper and a tree skirt. I'm taking my time and collecting special ornaments as I see them. Hope to pick up a few more at Disney in a few years (if we pull off a 2017 trip)!!!

 

My oldest daughter moved into her new apartment a few weeks ago. She asked me to make her a wreath to go with her new tree. Not bad if I say so myself.

 

Last night I was determined to get the mantle decorated in the familyroom. I still have to put swags over the windows, decorate the end tables and the tv console..... and start on the tree, but since I started earlier this year I am not as pressed to get it all done in one day. I still have to decorate the diningroom and the kitchen but I'm taking my time and enjoying the process. I should have more pics to post at the end of the weekend!

Latest and greatest!! Sort of!! lol

Not a lot to report on this week. Nicki and I checked out a florist shop and soon we will be dress shopping again. I've given her a deadline so it's time to get on the ball. lol They have picked out their save the date cards but I won't be sharing that online. 

Nicki snapped this picture on our way into the shop. 

And then she snapped this one on our way out because I fell in love with the baskets and flier arrangements!! It's a bit over the top for her wedding but I still loved it!! Can't you imagine how this would look in a country garden?? 

I can share the ribbon we found at the floral shop and the possible ribbon for the bridesmaids bouquets (the pink stripe ribbon. I already picked up blue stripe for Nicki's bouquet ) that I found at Walmart. They all coordinate with the theme and will be used for the ringbearer pillow and the flowergirl buckets). 

The only thing I've purchased this past week was a banner to use as a template for the card box. This one is chalkboard but I'm looking to do one in the colors of the wedding. I just have to find the right paper and string. I can still use the chalkboard one for the wedding shower though so it's sort of like killing two birds with one stone!! Not that I would ever do that...now that I think about it that's not a very nice saying!! lol 

Hopefully after the holidays I will have even more to share although after Christmas both Nicki and Byron will be in school and I have the feeling I will be pulling teeth to get then to appointments!! lol 

Until then hope everyone enjoys their Thanksgiving!!

Taste Test

Marc and I did a little undercover taste testing again. This particular caterer was recommended by three different friends so we thought we would at least consider it as an option. The food was very good and although I'm still leaning towards using someone local I would not hesitate to contact this company for a future event.

Engagement photo session

This weekend the happy couple finally took their wedding engagement photos (and put their wedding planning mother out of her misery...lol). I knew this was the one occasion I did not want to crash but I did want to have behind the scene photos for the blog (lol). So I knew my little cousin Trice ( the bride who's wedding I did two yrs ago) would have my back. Especially since her husband was taking the pics! 

A little back story on these four. Nicki actually introduced Trice to her husband Guy (who is Byron's best man). And Byron fell for Nicki at Trice and Guys wedding two yrs ago. Now they are there for these two as they go through the wedding process. Add in the fact that the wedding will take place in the same town that they "met" I guess it was just fate! lol 

I love Nicki's make up in this photo. I've never been able to pull off red lipstick. I'm trying to persuade her to film a get ready with me video of her engagement look as well as a series of videos about the wedding planning. So far she's not taken the bait! lol

 

 

In a few weeks we will attempt dress shopping again and miracles of miracles the next shop on the list is actually in my hometown the site of the wedding! lol 

Slowly but surely!

At the moment things have been moving kind of slow but since I'm not one to procrastinate I'm still working on the things that I can. 

Last week this package came in and I was thrilled!! This for sure screams "nautical" wedding! Now as to what they will be used for well you will just have to wait for the wedding day pics!! 

Last week I also picked up the beverage dispensers for the shower. They were originally over $30.00 a piece but being the bargain shopper that I am I caught them on sale for around $15 each!

I completed a couple of painting projects last week as well. The crates at the top originally had a burgundy pattern over them so I covered them with a coat of blue paint and then "whitewashed" over that to get the "nautical/beachy" look I wanted. Did the same with the frame which now just needs a coat of chalkboard paint over the glass for a "take a seat not a side" sign.

 

Nicki and I sat down on Sunday and I printed out a calendar she could add to her wedding planner to help keep her and Byron on track! I also gave her deadlines on some things so we can finalize some decisions as soon a possible. 

I'm one of those people that likes everything planned out well in advance so there is less stress the day of the event. In the next couple of weeks I may share some of the tricks that help me stay on top of stuff so I'm not pulling my hair out in the end!!! 

Latest Wedding Happenings

Technically we are on vacation but a few days ago we visited some local hotels to get a block of rooms set aside! Checked off the list!!! 

Did some under cover taste testing! Can honestly say the food wasn't bad but just not good enough to use them for the wedding day!

Met the "kids" at a local rental office to get estimates for wedding tents!! Thankfully we left the building smiling!! Although I'm pretty sure Marc is trying to figure out a good excuse to buy his own tent!! Lol 

Next on the list is finalizing a caterer as well as the photographer and videographer! These two are going to be beyond busy after this month because in the middle of planning they are moving B near his college campus. 

B starts school this weekend and Nicki is not far behind. Yesterday she got accepted at a local college so that she can finish up her major and get her bachelors degree!! 

The next few months should be very interesting!! Filled with lots of excitement but a bit scary considering all that will be on their plates! 

I did find some metal lanterns (finally) that came close to the quality of the one I found a few months ago. 

And Marc found these at a great price! Will be using them outside at night to add ambience to the venue!!

Other then linen I'm almost done purchasing items for the shower!! I know the year is going to fly by but right now May seems really far away!! I'm itching to decorate! lol