Snow storm

The Arkansas Christmas night Snowmaggedon took out our Internet service so no access to computer for blogging. Thankfully we kept power and were able to take in refugees. Now we are heading to Louisiana for family New Years festivities. Great and needed change of scenery. Hope you are warm and well this week.

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Prelude to Christmas

When my beautiful little #3, says she wished it was Christmas right now, I tell her not to hurry. Christmas will arrive and we have to wait a whole year for it to come again. The many joys of the season leading up to the big Day are so special and make it an entire season of wonder and love.  I will relax and enjoy every minute.  I am blessed to have an abundance of peace and happiness in my life.  Happy Holidays

Little Ones Holiday Show

Furry Friends 

Decorating the tree and wrapping presents

Pitch Perfect Holiday Show 

Making Gingerbread Houses

Friends Mix and Mingle

Elf's Antics

December Camelia Blooming

Daughter Dancing

Santa Watching

Christmas Shopping

Christmas Cheer

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Holiday Treats

Power Outage aka Merry F*ing Cold Christmas is over!  Hurray for heat and everything "lit" up including me and hubs!  So now the festive holiday baking can commence. Here's what me and #1,2,3 and 4 will be doing today.

Graham Cracker Pralines

Melted Snowman Cookie

Mississippi Spiced Pecans

Rudolph Cookies

Here's what I SHOULD be doing today...

But that's definitely an after New Year's post!  

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What I wore Wednesday

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Tying a Scarf

I've come across many "ways to tie a scarf" pins, links, pictures online and I'm always intrigued.  I usually fall back on my two tried and true ties - infinity and .  I thought it would be an interesting experiment in blog-land to try tying a variety of these.  I only used one scarf to add continuity and test versatility.  This ruled out a couple of ties that required a small thin scarf.  My photographer, #1, and I got tired before we did all 15 from this link so here's the Top 10!  (Rated 1 for easiest/most stylish to 5 most difficult/least stylish) 

Half Bow Scarf. 3 for difficulty, 3 for style.

Fake Knot.  2 for difficulty; 2 for style.

Simple Double Knot.  1 for difficulty; 3 for style. 

Scarf Bow. 1 for difficulty, 5 for style. Grandma!

Braided Scarf. 4 for difficulty, 1 for style.  I'll use this one again.

Simple Slip Knot. 1 for difficulty; 1 for style.

Half-bow Cinch. 5 for difficulty; 2 for style.  

Muffler Scarf. 2 for difficulty; 5 for style. Church lady.

Knotted Loop. 1 for difficulty; 3 for style.   My daughter's, #1, favorite.

Make your own Infinity. 1 for difficulty; 1 for style. So current.

The Infinity tie is not on the how-to link.  To make your own Infinity Scarf, take your long rectangle scarf, ties the very ends together, hang scarf around your neck with knot at the back, twist scarf once and lift loop over head. Adjust to form a circle or tighten and loop again to your taste.

I doubt I would ever wear either of the Rosette ties - as a belt or at the neck.  A definite 5 on style for me.  I feel similarly about the braided scarf.  And a layered knot makes me feel like I have a noose around my neck.  I like the Ascot and Double Loop Wrap - I'll try those later and let you know.

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Quick change

Took #1 daughter to the Repertory Theatre to see White Christmas.   Got to wear this fun skirt I found on sale not long ago at, okay yes, Target.  Paired it with a long sleeve tee and a fuzzy angora sweater plus patterned tights and booties.  I like this combo and I like the versatility of the skirt. 

 After the play I had literally 5 minutes to change into my "active mom" clothes.  Kept base tee on but switched sweaters because you never know what will end up on your clothes when #3 and #4 are around!  This sweater is cotton and can be laundered easily.  The crop shows off the color tee and I like the flattering large cowl neck.  Jeans and tennies.  Boom. Mom mode.

 Came home tonight and noticed my kitchen window Christmas decor (first seen here) from the outside for the first time.  Had to share - pretty cool.

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Crafty Christmas

Spray paint is my new best friend. (Hmmm, maybe that's why I keep forgetting stuff?! )  I got real crafty with my porch decor.  These painted pumpkins have elicited the most conversation.

 
 Here I tried to do a pattern but realized spray paint was too runny.  Need to get some acrylic next time.

 I found this door hanger idea on Pinterest.  Turns out it came from a really cool blog, called A Diamond in the Stuff.  She has amazing projects.  Following her directive, I recycled a frame with some spray paint, added some Christmas balls from the attic, and new ribbon from Michaels (50% off!).

Door Frame Decoration blog here

Inside, another Pinterest inspiration.  Spray painted two old plant containers and also painted dollar store ornaments, added two fresh Rosemary trees and garland.  It was really hard to photograph a window. When the dust settles on the holidays I plan to learn some mad skills. PS: My kitchen sink area NEVER looks like this!

Pinterest inspiration photo here

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Promised Plaid

Mixing plaids? What universe am I living in?  Definitely not something I've done before, but I am really liking the way this works.  I took my inspiration straight from JCrew catalog on this one.  Can't find an online image but here's my version and its truly a look for less. JCrew version excluding shoes = $281; my version = $55.  But JCrew, imitation IS the sincerest form of flattery!

Old Navy blanket scarf - seriously softest thing ever!

Target plaid shirt (wish it were a little longer), Old Navy Rockstar skinnies (much darker green than they look), Target booties, Tory Burch purse, Michael Kors rose gold watch

 So I am looking for a new plaid shirt in cotton, preferably tartan or blackwatch plaid. If you've seen one tell me about it, please!

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When the dust bunnies get you down

I don't hate cleaning, but it is often the thing "I didn't do". Came across this list today in Real Simple magazine. Holidays can be guilt laden and busy, here's a how-to when you are having a heavy helping of both.

Plaid week is on hold because it's flippin' 75 degrees in the shade down here and I already packed up my plaid bermuda shorts!  Working on some other fun stuff. Stay tuned and please follow or comment - it's so reassuring to know your out there.

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Jacket Week

Thought I'd try a theme for outfits this week - JACKETS.  I think a jacket pulls an outfit together in a new fun way.  A jacket says "business" or "bad-#ss"and I like to think I'm a bit of both.

Monday - doctor apptmt for little and movie date

Tuesday - haircut and lunch date

Wednesday - gowns and gals

Thursday - Sip and See for a precious baby

Friday - CARTI Festial of Trees Fashion Show

Stay tuned for next weeks "Mad for Plaid"

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Gowns and Gals

When friends call, we answer.  Today the call was for a gown consultation.  Two gal pals have big EVENTS coming up, a dance at the CLUB and a family WEDDING weekend.  Outfits were needed, accessories to be determined, decisions, decisions, decisions.  

This is my friend Piper, showing off her gorgeous new bag after we all said "YES, that's a gorgeous new bag."  Major purchases often require affirmation and approval before we can bask in the glow.

 My friend Mimi, ready to model!

 We checked out a web site called Rent the Runway.  A well run site with an array of designer gowns for rent.  If I ever need black tie on the fly, I will be checking this out.  My friend Mary has used them with success several times.

Rent the Runway

 The party really got started in Mary's room.  Don't you love these pillows?  Mary lives in Arkansas, but her heart is still in Mississippi.

Let the fashion show begin!

 We all loved this dress immediately and just needed to agree on the necklace.  I'll let you be the judge.

 

 Mary needed a black tie dress for the wedding. Options one and two. And again which would you choose?  So stunning in both.

Mary's cocktail look for the rehearsal dinner.  Again the dress was a no-brainer. We all thought the boots were cool but too casual.  Love, love, love the jewels and shoes for the second option.

And lastly an outfit for the bridesmaid luncheon.  Now these boots work! Work it.  

 I couldn't finish up this post on gowns without a nod to my most favorite gal, my daughter.  Here in her "gown" for cotillion semi-formal night.  She's growing up tooooooo fast.  (sniff, sniff)

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