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November 26, 2014

Holiday Gift Guide | For Her


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1. Plaid Mint and Navy Scarf (shortly after I posted this, the mint/navy combo sold out, but other colors still available) | 2. Tassel Key Chain | 3. Elements of Style Book | 4. Personalized Pendant Necklace | 5. Tory Burch Cosmetic Pouch | 6. Polaroid Instant Camera | 7. Monogram Jewelry Box | 8. Monogram and Tassel Key Chain | 9. Hey Gorgeous Pillow | 10. Kendra Scott Earrings

Happy Thanksgiving Eve!  Are you ready to gobble up some scrumptious turkey and yummy pies?  I can't wait!  I go all out and sample everything.  And I don't hesitate on filling my plate with seconds on some of my favorites :) 

I had a little time to browse for Christmas gifts, so I thought I would share some of my favorite finds with you all!  Seems like I'm loving all things with tassels, monograms and if you follow on Instagram, you already know I have a major crush on scarves this season.  With a variety of price points ranging from $16.99 for number eight, the monogram and tassel key chain, to $149 for number four, the personalized pendant necklace, there are lots of options for you.

Wishing you all a wonderful holiday celebration with your family and friends!  And safe travels if you're venturing out!  I am so thankful for your readership and for all the connections I have made through this blog.  Happy Thanksgiving to you all.

Connect with me:


November 24, 2014

Holiday Gift Guide | For Him

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1 // 2 // 3 // 4 // 5 // 6 // 7 // 8 // 9 // 10


If you don't want to mess with the crowded stores, I've rounded up some of my favorite holiday gift ideas for him.  Hopefully some of these will make your shopping a little easier for the men in your life.

And don't forget to enter our blogger's favorite holiday giveaway.  You can go here to enter.

Have a great day!


November 21, 2014

Thanksgiving Tablescapes

 
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Happy Friday!  Guys we are less than a week from Thanksgiving!  Are you ready?  If you're hosting and need some inspiration, I've gathered up some gorgeous tablescapes.  I love all the creativity put into these beautiful tables.  All so perfect to make your guest feel extra special as they gather to celebrate this holiday and enjoy each others company.  That scrumptious turkey, those yummy sides and delicious pies will all be that much more enjoyable accompanied by any of these pretty settings.

Enjoy your weekend!


November 19, 2014

Blogger's Favorite Holiday Giveaway

Happy Wednesday, friends!  With the count down to the holidays creeping closer, I'm excited to being teaming up with some of my absolute favorite bloggers today, and sharing our favorite go-to Holiday gifts (between $25-30) and guess what...we are each giving them away to one lucky reader!!!!  Making the grand prize valued at $300!

Seriously, we have got you covered...from sprucing up your Holiday decor, to glamming up a little for the occasion, and the picking out the perfect stocking stuffers for yourself or your best girlfriends....consider your shopping done and cross your fingers that you're the lucky winner!  I mean who doesn't want 10 separate goodie boxes delivered to their door?!  So, keep on reading to see this fabulous group and what we are giving away...


1. Sephora Collection Palette in Nude: The Holiday's are the perfect time to step up your makeup game and this Sephora eyeshadow palette is my go to for Holiday parties. The colors last and are warm and perfect for winter tones. I also think that it makes the perfect stocking stuffer or gift for your girlfriend. -Mallory, Charming in Charlotte

2. Geometric Pillow Cover + Your Monogram and 6 Diamond Oranments: At Christmas, I'm all about adding little bits of sparkle around the house.  I've had a set of these oversized diamond ornaments for a few years, and when I recently came across more at a local store, I thought you might like some too!  They really stand out and shine with the lights on the tree.  Also, I love a good monogrammed pillow, and one in a designer look-alike fabric for Christmas is even better!  This is for the covers only, and I will monogram the center with the winner's initials of choice. -Jennifer, Dimples and Tangles

3. As most of my followers already know, I love including animals into my decor and I just adore the animal plates by Rachel Kozlowski for West Elm. To me they are the perfect combination of quirky chic animal decor and I have an entire wall full of them in our kitchen (which you can see HERE). There are some colored and neutral plates. I like them all and they make me happy when I look at them. -Julia, Cuckoo 4 Design

4. Nate Berkus Metal Wing Bowl: I am a sucker for all things Nate Berkus and this angel wing bowl is no exception! It’s such a unique and affordable piece and the gold seals this deal. It will be an amazing conversation piece on your holiday entry table or for serving treats at Christmas dinner! -Summer, Simple Stylings

5. Suzanne Wristlet and Tassels: I love this wristlet because it is the perfect size for a kid-free night out.  I spend so much time lugging lunch boxes, diaper bags, jackets, sippy cups, and whatever else is thrown in my hands that I love to go out with as little as possible.  It has enough room to hold the essentials: lipstick, my phone, and a credit card and it can be dressed up or down depending on the occasion.  I added the tassels because, let's face it, everything is better with tassels!I grabbed couple of these for Christmas gifts and I love that I could play around with color combinations so they will perfectly fit the recipient! -Beth, designPOST interiors

6. King Gold Gilding Wax: French Gilding Wax is the perfect way to add a touch of gold without spending a fortune.  It is extremely easy to apply and is the closest thing to the look of real gold leaf.  You will be receiving a set of Threshold agate coasters and a jar of Kings Gold French Gilding Wax.  Be sure to hop over to 11gables.blogspot.com for a full tutorial on how to use this wonderful wax! -Emily, Eleven Gables

7.  J.Crew Crystal & Gem Cluster Necklace:  I love heels and a dress as much as anyone, but my favorite way to dress lately for the everyday is in classic, casual silhouettes with a bit of sparkle to add some interest.  This necklace is currently on heavy rotation in my wardrobe!  It's as perfect for a Tuesday afternoon as it is for a Saturday night. - Jennifer, The Chronicles of Home

8.  Marquise Crystal Statement Necklace:  The minute you brought up a favorite things giveaway, I immediately thought of jewelry.  I have what some may call a "slight obsession"...especially when it comes to statement necklaces.  They are such versatile pieces.  They can be the finishing touch for a dressy outfit or add an unexpected pop to casual attire.  To me, they are a must-have for any girl! -Gabbi, Retro Ranch Reno

9.  Everyday I'm Hustlin' Hat:  I chose this because it's on my own wish list!  I love the trucker style of this hat, and love to wear hats!  I also love the sentiment and I think it's one we can all relate to, especially around the Holidays! - Cassie, Primitive and Proper

10.  Steven Madden Buffalo Plaid Infinity Scarf:  One of my favorite gifts to give is a chic scarf.  With all the pretty designs, sizes, materials, and colors it makes it easy to find one to fit everyone's style.  I love how adding a scarf to a simple outfit makes a huge statement and adds an instant pop of color.  It's a fun, classy, versatile accessory that makes a great gift! - Becky, This Is Happiness

Hopefully, you are inspired and ready to shop, got to know these amazing gals a little better, and now will head over to their blogs for more major Holiday inspiration...


You can use the Rafflecopter below to enter.  Good Luck!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

November 17, 2014

Another Office Project

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Good Morning!  First off I wanted to thank everyone for the very sweet comments on Instagram about my Better Homes and Gardens Magazine feature that hit the stands on Friday.  All the positive comments really made my weekend a special one.  I'll be sure to share more about that whole experience in more detail soon. 

For today, I was wondering what you all thought about my next potential project for our home office...which is painting the backs of our bookshelves the same color as the French Doors.  I've admired this look for awhile, but after seeing the huge impact that the dark doors made, I'm really loving the idea now.  My shelves still need more styling, but below is a current picture of the shelves.

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So I gathered a few inspiration pictures...

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So any thoughts?  Should I go for it or do you like the white?

Have a great day!



November 13, 2014

Salted Chocolate Pecan Bars

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Good morning! Today I'm so excited to share one of my favorite recipes with you! With Thanksgiving right around the corner, these pecan bars are perfect for your festive gatherings. What I love most about them is how easy they are to make and still unbelievably delicious! With only a handful of ingredients and a few really simple steps, they are my go to dessert when I'm pressed for time. Keep reading for the full recipe...

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Super easy, right?  Hope you enjoy! 


November 10, 2014

Bottoms Up | Cranberry Margaritos

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Good Morning!   How was your weekend?  We had beautiful weather here yesterday, so we spent a large portion of it outdoors doing yard work.  On Saturday, I finally made a drink recipe I have been wanting to try...Cranberry Margaritos.  Here was my thinking on why it was the perfect time to make these...we are in November (it calls for whole cranberry sauce) and the weather was mild (it's a slushy drink) so I felt it was the perfect combination of weather and month to make these, right? It had to be done!  My friend Jen shared the recipe with me after I enjoyed a few of these on a family trip with them ;)  Hope you enjoy too :)

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Cranberry Margaritos
 
Ingredients
  • 10oz can frozen mojito mix
  • 3/4 cup tequila
  • 1/4 cup whole berry cranberry sauce
  • 2 tablespoons orange liqueur
  • 2tablespoons fresh lime juice
  • ice
Method
  1. Combine all ingredients less the ice in a blender.
  2. Fill blender with ice to 5 cup level and process until smooth.
  3. Drink & repeat!


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Have a great day!



November 7, 2014

Fall Fashion

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Hey there!  We've had some cooler weather the last couple of days, which finally gave me a reason to pull out some of my warmer clothes.  I posted my outfit yesterday on IG and received so many sweet comments that I thought I would share my great finds here too.  I actually picked up both this scarf and purse at Target.  They were both a steal at $16 for the scarf and $29 for the purse.  The scarf is an in store only buy, so I couldn't share a link of this exact one, but found one very similar.  You might still be able to find the scarf in stores...I got mine about 2 weeks ago.  And the purse is MUCH cuter in person, the Target website picture is not so great, but I was able to link that one.

And today we are finishing up our week long Thanksgiving Tastes and Tablescapes series with Amy @ The Blissful Bee.  Hop over and check out her beautiful table and yummy recipe.

Have a great weekend!



November 4, 2014

My Thanksgiving Tablescape & Pecan Cheesecake Bars

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Good Morning!  So did you get a chance to check out Aniko's recipe and tablescape?   Doesn't her table look amazing and that green bean salad is on my list to try.  Yum!

Today is my turn to share in our week long Thanksgiving Tastes and Tablescapes series.  I always need an inspiration piece to get me started and for this project it was this plaid throw.  I loved the colors, so I tried to pull those out to use in my table this year. 

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I really wanted to keep the table décor easy, so I used a simple place setting with some greenery that I clipped from our landscaping.  Because I was using nontraditional Thanksgiving colors, I felt I needed some element to make the table fit the occasion.  So I wrote the word "gather" with chalk on my cutting board and placed it in the center of the table to signify my favorite part of Thanksgiving which is the gathering with family and friends.

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For my place setting I used these natural color placemats under my favorite white plates and added the blue ruffle napkins to incorporate more of the blue from the throw.  I finished it off with the chalkboard name tags which are attached to a piece of greenery.  I left the buffet cleared off, except for a few white pumpkins, as it would be the spot for dishes and/or serving pieces. 

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When I started this table I wasn't sure what direction I was heading, but I love the finished product!

And now it's time for my recipe...Pecan Cheesecake bars.  How does a layer of yummy shortbread on the bottom, topped with tangy cheesecake in the middle, and then finished off with a delicious pecan pie layer?  Three layers of pure goodness!  Keep on reading for a full recipe...

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Pecan Cheesecake Bars

Ingredients

1 1/2 cups flour
1 1/2 cups firmly packed light brown sugar, divided
1/2 cup butter, softened
2 cups finely chopped pecans, divided
2 (8 ounces) packages cream cheese, softened
1/2 cup sugar
1/2 cup milk
2 1/2 teaspoons vanilla extract, divided
1/2 cup light corn syrup
1/3 cup butter, melted and cooled slightly
3 large eggs
1/4 teaspoon salt

Method

Preheat over to 350.

For the shortbread bottom layer:  In a medium bowl, combine flour and 3/4 cup brown sugar.  Mix in softened butter until it resembles coarse crumbs.  Stir in 1/2 cup pecans.  Press mixture evenly into the bottom of a greased 9x13 baking pan.  Bake for 10 minutes, remove from oven, and cool slightly for about 10 minutes.

For the cheesecake middle layer:  Place softened cream cheese in bowl and beat at medium speed until smooth.  Beat in sugar.  Add milk and 2 teaspoons vanilla and beat until combined.  Pour cream cheese mixture over the cooled shortbread layer.  Bake for 15 minutes, remove from oven and cool slightly for about 10 minutes.

For the pecan pie top layer:  In a medium bowl, combine the remaining 3/4 cup brown sugar, corn syrup, and melted butter.  Gently stir in the eggs, salt and remaining 1/2 teaspoon vanilla.  Stir in 1 1/2 cups pecans.  Pour pecan mixture over cooled cheesecake layer.  Bake for 35-40 minutes or until center is set and pecan pie layer is a rich brown color.

*Tip -- Before cutting and serving let cool completely.  And it's even better if you refrigerate before serving as the cheesecake will be much easier to serve!
* recipe adapted from Positively Splendid

These will no doubt be a perfect addition to your Thanksgiving meal!  So that completes my tastes and tablescape sharing.  I hope you found some inspiration.  Tomorrow, be sure to stop by and check out my friend Kris @ Driven By Décor 's table and recipe.  She is super talented and is always coming up with some amazing ideas!


And here's the line-up for the week:
PLACE OF MY TASTE

THIS IS HAPPINESS
Me | Tuesday

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SHINE YOUR LIGHT

THE BLISSFUL BEE


Have a beautiful day!




November 3, 2014

Thanksgiving Tastes & Tablescapes | Place of My Taste

Happy November!  I hope everyone enjoyed their Halloween weekend.  This week I'm joining four of my blog friends to share a little Thanksgiving inspiration.  We will each be sharing our favorite recipe and Thanksgiving tablescape and hopefully provide some ideas for your Thanksgiving gatherings.  Here's a peek at what the week will bring...

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First up today is Aniko at Place of My Taste.  If you haven't visited Aniko's site, you'll be in for a real surprise!  She is super creative and her photography is amazing!  Below is a peek at her table and recipe.

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Tomorrow will be my turn to share...

Have a wonderful day!