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A Day which will live in Infamy..

Today, this phrase has a whole new meaning for my family.
This morning my sweet husband will turn in his two weeks notice at his current employer.

This is a day we have drempt about since the day he proposed.

We knew we had a long two and a half year road of sacrifice, penny-pinching, school, both working two jobs and me still sewing out of our home... and in dave terms, "living like noone else so later we can live like noone else."

I can now confidently say i have looked in my pantry more than once and had to create meals for a week or so out of what we had. {but don't get me wrong... we always ate, and if hubby is cooking we ate good.... that is something he inherited from both his parents... whew that family can cook!!!}

We prayed several very scary prayers during this time and the lord continued to answer them.
{sometimes more suddenly than others}

He continued to whisper in our ears... keep going, you can do this.

I would read quotes throughout this time frame and some would say when you feel the most broken, the most hopeless, the most desperate. Don't...{feel this way} this is the Lord, he is preparing you... molding you, and purifing you into who he wants you to be so you can do the work of his kingdom.

Both of us... working every weekend, Casey going to school 4 nights a week.
Coming home, warming something, anything to eat, then collapsing on the couch.

We would lay in bed at night and dream of the day a job offer came in, we knew the thrifting, couponing, diy-ing, wearing what we already had would pay off.

Because when you are doing what you can to provide for your family your priorities are set straight.

People you thought the world of, they changed. You become their "Poor" friend who never can do anything.

We managed to pay off some debt in this time.

To really really really fall in love, and love deeper than i ever imagined possible.

And you know... when things happened I would remind myself through scripture this is the race/battle of life. And as i learned at such a young age the lord equips us to survive, fight, defend, and conquer.

I lost a job along the way...
but the lord provided.

We lost 90% of our friends along the way....
but the lord provided.

You know now i can confidently say the superficial, fashion driven person i was in college.... she died.

I still LOVE nice things, and even a few namebrands.

But everytime i begin to swoon over a Burberry this or a LouisVuitton that the Lord so softly whispers in my ear, thats not my plan.... live like noone else....

Now, two and a half years later my heart is fuller than it has ever been.
I feel more blessed than i ever imagined.

The new friendships i have made, they mean sooooo much more than the surface friendships before.

Maybe one day the lord will renuite some of us.

If not, i know they were there in my life for a reason. I went through denial, grieving, not understanding why these people were being so ugly. but now i know. The friends i am making now... are the ones i would walk through fire for.

So, all with one little typed letter, in 12 short days the future of my family will begin.

We have another chapter in our Dave Ramsey journey to begin. Paying off student loans...

I know i will be just as emotional about that as i have been about this.

Our projects will remain on a super tight budget.. cause face it.... knowing you created the same great look in your home paying next to nothing feels good.....

And come to think of it... i never knew till now why the lord gave me the creating abilities he did.

But now i know. He is using me for his kingdom. My talents are in my genes.

My dad's a hairdresser.Mom's a seamstress.Grandmother was a wedding dress maker.

It's in my blood.

And my husband will leave the banking industry on December 21st and on December 28th join a local Accounting firm performing audits in the banking industry.

So you see all along the lord was in control, shaping him, teaching him, molding him for the position he knew he would soon be offered.

We are sad to leave where he has been, wonderful people....

But very excited to see what he can accomplish at his new position.

I am more proud than you could EVER imagine.

And if i have never told you.... My husband is smarter than anyone i have EVER met. Not only is he starting a new job, and graduating, he has already passed one portion of his CPA....

Three more to go...

I also wanted to thank all of you for your continued support of our work on our little home along the way.

Thank you for letting me give you a little glimpse of us in real life.

Now... off to get ready to share all the homemade crafts i have made to celebrate the birth of our king.

Homemade Christmas Decor

Hello lovely readers.

Today I am sharing my homemade tree.

(no the tree is not homemade, just all the decor)

There are several steps to each "ornament" grouping so I may be breaking this up into two posts.

We shall see.

A couple of years ago I found this AHmazing inspiration photo in Southern Living magazine.

To much avail I have been completely unsuccessful in finding the original photo.

I really wish i had it to share with yall.

First thing is first.

I knew I wanted art deco style numbers completely covered in glitter.

Luckily I found a great font and just printed the numbers in size 300 font out of Word.

I wanted to make sure my numbers were nice and sturdy so i glued the print off numbers 

(already on medium weight cardstock) 

To another layer of the cardstock. 

Then I gather my glitter, brush and trusty ole elmer's and got to work.

Apply glue to numbers and brush the glue on for even glitter application.

Apply glitter before glue dries.

Ps. it will dry a little faster due to spreading the glue out with the brush. DUH i know

Basically rinse, lather, repeat until your page is done.

Sidenote: I did this work in an old cookie sheet to contain the glitterness going on. 

Trust me there was LOTS.

After cutting out and drying i used my single hole punch and tied a circle of twine on to hang on the tree.

Okay ornament grouping # 1 donezo...

Enter elegance from pearescence.

I went plundering through my "stash" of things mom was getting rid of in her garage sale and Voila.

PBOutlet sale Beads.

I checked the sizing with my already on hand twine and... SCORE, the twine slipped onto the beads.

Pretty straight forward on this, just either establish a pattern{my pattern was at random}

Rinse,

Lather,

Repeat again...

Tie knots between beads so they don't slip around. 

Because i did not have a super full box i made a tiny strand for the top and a larger/longer strand for the largest portion of the tree. 

{As seen below}

Now... do you notice the little copper dittys scattered about??

Can you guess what they are?

Think gifts....

Well, they are the miniature molds attached to every William Sonoma Wedding Registry Gift.

When we got married i had NO clue what i would do with them.

Mom suggested I save them and do a fun tree with them.

This seemed like the perfect year.

And it is so special to have these little items as reminders of all our wonderful family and friends who so graciously blessed us before we were married!

I LOVE looking at them.

And did you know the PINEAPPLE is the symbol of hospitality??

Well we are in the south and being hospitable is just a way of life around here.

Here is an upclose of one so you can see what they really look like.

For the tree topper I used several items.

Glitter feathers and twigs are from Hobby Lobby last christmas.

And the pouf was super easy. I found some wedding iridescent tissue paper at Hallmark and cut an 8x8 square.

Accordianed the tissue,

Tied a pipe cleaner in the middle,

And gently spread the layers to the front.

Super Easy.

Now what is a homemade tree without chain??

I found a TON of scrap cardstock laying around from various projects so i just cut some in 1/2inch widths and other as wide as 2 inches and attached with the stapler.

Again rinse, lather, repeat here....

Now as you can see things are slowly but surely coming together here.

And best of all....

Its adoreable, FREE decor!!!

I have been debating over gathering some burlap as a tree skirt or actually spending the time and making one.

I saw my sweet friend kellie's wreath in her babies' room and kinda had an idea....

What if i make a poinsetta cluster tree skirt?

Then i found this in Garnet Hill's catalog...

It's felt.

And it costs $198.00

I think i will attempt to make it. 

If i do tackle this would yall like a tutorial on how to complete?

I will be back in another post to finish up the tree and share lots more.

Stay tuned. 

Shutterfly and a Sneak Peek

Howdy partners!!

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wanted to give you a sneak peek of my "home-made tree"

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I have had alot of fun working on these crafts over the past few weeks 

and am so excited to share with yall all that i have completed!!

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I promise this picture just doesn't do the tree justice!

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In other news...

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Didjaknow???

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Shutterfly is offering an AWESOME deal for bloggers this year.

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50 free christmas prints!!

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SCORE!!!

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Go here to check it out. 

http://www.shutterfly.com/cards-stationery/christmas-photo-cards

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Here are a few of my favorites.

(you can also click on the picture and go directly to that card.)

I think this one is my favorite!

And then i see this one and i am all a jumble again!!

And my husband adores this one.

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It's so hard for me to choose. 

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Can't wait to share the one i pick!!

Hope to be back tomorrow with the How to on the dining room tree.

Christmas at Momma's

Yesterday I left straight from school and headed to mom's to help her decorate her entry.

We had a limited amount of time and i don't just LOVE the table yet but we are getting there.

Mom had put up the tree and lights and mesh on the tree and banister and I helped with finishing touches. 

She has collected such fun and unusual ornaments over the years.

Love the lights and big bow at the bottom of the banister.

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And I really hate the quality of Iphone 3g photos but for now they will work.

Can't wait to go back and take some better pictures to show you the neat stuff we added in.

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This picture just doesn't do the foyer justice.

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My little brother walked in and goes "oh, great.. yall managed to find a way to girlify christmas"

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"you betcha!!" mom and i both replied!!

Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone

Beginning to look alot like christmas

Now that everyone has recovered from their self-induced turkey coma, it's time to get out the decor!!

Ever since i can remember decking the halls has been my favorite thing about christmas.

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As a child the family would form an assembly line from the attic to the kitchen to unveil all our treasures.

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After as little as 30 minutes a melt-down of some sort would happen and after a much needed break the whole family would resume their previous position. 

I remember laughing over old school art projects.

A(sister) and I taunting Nick(brother) with some embarassing object.

And ALWAYS.... a memory was made.

This year I wanted a no fuss totally relaxing christmas.

One where the tree was up in plenty of time and the spirit of giving was my focus.

After all decor is one of the silly things we place way way too much importance in.

I placed some of my favorite ornaments on our tree.

One's that remind me of special memories.

{like the one's of my wonderful days at bama}

And one's that my sweet momma has gotten for me.

We will be celebrating some of our christmas early this year.

We head to the River in two weeks to visit my uncle.

Then the next weekend all of Casey's family will be here for his graduation.

{btw this is FINALLY a picture of our den almost complete. So thankful to be "near the end in here"}

{here is the view from the front door}

This will be the first year for us to share christmas in our home with other family members.

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For the past two years we have always gone to family;

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which we have loved, but we are excited to create memories in our own home this year!!

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I LOVE this picture frame and little snowman. 

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I bought these things last year with my very dear friend, Stephanie and her wonderful MIL Tara.

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When I look at these items I don't necessarily see cute decor, but a fun trip, (filled with lots of laughter) with a kindred spirit.

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Now.. time to finish up the tree in our dining room so I can show yall what I have been busy making. 

PS. Stephanie is EXPECTING!!! Yippee!!!!

At least for a while this will be as close as Lil' Bit will get to a cousin and we are ECSTACTIC to welcome this baby in July 2010. 

*I know Steph will have some amazing DIY projects up her sleeve in anticipation of their bundle of joy!!

Happy First week of December yall!!!

A Giggle from our Gobble

Most holidays follow the same format in my parents house.

1. we set the table early. check

2. menu is planned weeks in advance. check

3. I always help do something. check

This year my "something" was providing wonderful yeast rolls. 

If you have read this blog for any amount of time you know i REALLY like to save a buck.

A dear friend of mine has a yeast roll business she runs out of her home. 

I decided immediately this would be my contribution to the meal.

I hyped these rolls up for at least 3 weeks. 

Giggle goes as follows...

We walked in the door of my parents, said our hello's and i popped in the kitchen to place the delectable delights into the oven.

I go sit on the couch with my mom and we begin discussing a new book I am borrowing from a friend and how wonderful it sounds. 

Then mom returns to the kitchen to finish prepping the meal and i transition into the den with the rest of the family.

We watch the parade, then some of the dog show then the soft smell of yeast rolls fills my nose. 

Someone screams, "The ROLLS!!"

I run to the double oven, {which i misread temp} grab a mitt.

And it was too late. 

My delectable delights... were well...

Delightfully overdone...

Oh well, my husband and i immediately laughed, dad got upset for a nanosecond, then he and i realized this is just another wonderful memory to add to the repertoire of giggles from thanksgivings in the past.

Like the year mom dropped the frozed turkey on her foot in Kroger's parking lot and broke her foot. 

This one matches in giggle factor. 

Hope each and everyone of you had a wonderfully memorable Thanksgiving. 

**pictures are from the dinner table at my parents. 

I am linking to 

@Between Naps on the Porch.

glasses and chargers- pier 1

dinner plates- vintage

napkins- william sonoma

napkin rings- vintage

candles and accessories found at local boutiques.

Lilly Pulitzer Birthday Party

When I think Lilly I think of the way it was when the line originally debuted.

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Sophisticated

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Bright Colors

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And Oh so Palm Beach

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This picture so perfectly represents what inspired me to have a Lilly Pulitzer party for my sweet baby girl.

On November 12th my little girl turned 2 yrs old.

I can not believe how fast time flies!!

{tad bit of background information, I have ALWAYS been in love with Lilly! At a young age i started to collect anything i could get my hands on. I have napkins, the old curtains to the fitting room at my local lilly store, an apron, print adds, cups, you name it and I probably have it! I even did a marketing project in highschool around a Lilly franchise store and used the Lilly line as inspiration for one of my clothing collections in college... I am a dork. i know..}

So without further adeau.....

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The Party!!!

Did you know the original four colors in Lilly's collection were pink, orange, yellow, and green??

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And it all started around a lemonade stand??

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Here is the link to the Lilly site explaining how the company came to be.

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I think you will really like the story!!

Recently, Barnum Animal Crackers partnered with Lilly designers to create a limited edition box for the crackers.

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Nothing says 2 yr. old party like animal crackers!

All the "party accessories" you see were designed by me.

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Inspiration was gathered from all over and I used Lilly as my launching point to create  continuity.

The Camera I am using is having some lighting issues, sorry for the brightness.

Here is the tag for the party favor.

And a sweet friend of mine designed all the cookies to look like a vintage Lilly dress.

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She did an AHMAZING job!!!!!

We used some postcards of vintage images from a Lilly ad to decorate as a banner.

And what party is complete without a lemonade stand??

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My daughter had a blast with this and it was sooooo easy to make.

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She has requested it permenantly stays in her playroom!!

And here she is.

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To follow within the theme of the party lil' bit is wearing a vintage lilly dress herself.

{dress adored with lemons and limes}

opening one of her favorite gifts.

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This family LOVES blabla dolls!!

Making an elephant noise!!

{so cute}

And after the party the lemonade stand made it's way into lil' bit's room for some real playtime!!

un.. oh...made a small spill!!

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I had such a blast getting everyting for this party together.

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The original plan was to have everything outside.

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Subsequently the weather dropped to low 50's and was cold and rainy.

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Not ideal for a outdoor party.

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So 4 hours before the party we improvised and made it work inside.

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guess i will have to save all the other items we made for a future party.

Items used:

found out about the straws from my friend Kellie @ thisblessednest.

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you can purchase the straws HERE. CKane59

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tablecloth purchased a long long time ago from our local Lilly store.

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all other accessories purchased at local party supply stores

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And yes.... we did break the theme of the party slightly...

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we served barbque...

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but hey, we live in memphis so its only fitting to feed this to out-of-town guests!