Praying for mercy

Went to a memorial service for a 17-year-old today. So not okay.

images via here and here

Pink meet red

images via pinterest

So I'm trying to get onboard with the Christmas decorating, but as usual when it comes to my own home, I start out slow. And I change my mind a lot. Like my pink themed wrapping paper this year. I was super excited about what I bought (you can read that post here) until I saw this:

At Target. 

I know it is not pink but I love the geometric pattern and for $5 a roll for 18 yards it was pretty hard to pass up. (And honestly, it is not always that the cost that makes my decision ... but just to compare, one of the previous rolls I bought was $4.99 for 2 sheets and another 4 yards for $7.99). So I am returning all but the cute reindeer paper (yeah, I think I have to have that one!). And funny thing, I had purchased some wrapping paper from my sweet little Goddaughter for her school fundraiser a while back. White glossy embossed crocodile. I was so excited to get it. It came last week. It was hot pink. I'm not sure how that happened ... but how perfect!

So pink and red it is! 

Pretty in pink

I came home today and found this by my front door ...

It is from a dear friend of mine who always remembers my "holiday colors". How sweet is that?!!

 Happy December 1st everyone!

Presenting a hostess gift

A couple of weeks ago, I was invited to a dinner party by two of my clients. They had "won" a private dinner for six prepared by a celebrity chef at a charity auction supporting their children's school. The dinner was hosted by one of the couples but I really wanted to give them each a nice hostess gift because I was so touched that they would include my husband and I in such a special evening.

 Do you struggle like I do sometimes finding just the right gift for someone? 

{pottery barn}

I thought it was hard to find something that both couples would enjoy, not too much but just enough to show my appreciation. Until I saw these wine stoppers. I thought they would be just lovely for the holidays coming up.

I grabbed some wrapping paper that I keep on hand and some ribbon from my ribbon drawer and added a couple of inexpensive ornaments I picked up recently from Crate and Barrel. I love to tie ornaments on packages around the holidays and when I see ones that I like, I pick them up to have around when I need them. They are great to add a little extra glitter to a package or even a simple bottle of wine.

My favorite part were the tags that I downloaded from here.

{Jones Design Company}

Rooted

{pinterest}

Happy Thanksgiving!

This year I did my baking at my moms. My oven decided to stop working the day before my daughter's baby was born. We baked the cookies for the nurses at the hospital in my neighbor's oven. This time I borrowed my mom's. I am thankful that I still have my mom. She was a great help in the kitchen cleaning up after me and keeping me company as I tried to get as much done as I could. And she didn't get made when I got flour all over the place (I am not the neatest cook!). I couldn't get everything done that I had hoped but I was grateful I was able to bake my favorite cookies. 

I hope you have a wonderful Thanksgiving full of God's blessings. I am thankful for so many things and I pray that I will be reminded more of what I do have than what I do not. 

"Thou hast given so much to me,
       give one more thing ...
           a grateful heart;
                 not thankful when it pleaseth me,
                      as if Thy blessing had spare days,
                              but such a heart whose pulse may be Thy praise."
                                                    -George Herbert

Thanksgiving decor

I finished a client's Thanksgiving table tonight and in my haste completely forgot to take my camera along. I really wanted to share how it turned out so I grabbed a few photos quickly with my phone.

I started with a shopping trip to Target and HomeGoods ...

I purchased a 'hotel' crisp white tablecloth from Target and a table pad to go underneath to protect their table. The napkins I found at HomeGoods, and I picked up an assortment of candles from both stores. When I purchase candles to be used for dining I make sure I get unscented candles. These cream color pillars (below) were from Target.

The gold leaf candles (HomeGoods) were only $1 each. I like the little bit of glitter that the acorn ornaments add.

The amber colored hurricanes and votive candle holders were also from Target.  I used the small candle holders ($1.99 each) as vases. The roses came from my local grocery store. I purchased five bunches of three different colors of roses and mixed them together.

The photos don't do it justice - but I am thrilled with the way the table turned out.