Wreaths, Garland, and a Tree

I love my little apartment a lot.

So decorating it for the holidays is something I look forward to all year long.

This weekend Justin and I are going to pick out a wreath, garland, and a small tree.

The photo above is not my apartment but it looks a little similar.  

My favorite piece of Christmas decor is the fresh garland 

I hang over the doorway into our breakfast nook just like the photo.

I hope to post some photos of festive apartment soon.

xo

{photo from Libby Brittain}

Flower School: Holly Berries

Holly berries add that perfect pop of red to a classic winter wedding bouquet.  

They also make for beautiful centerpiece additions and cake decor.  

Holly is available year round and has a vase life of around eight days.

You can learn more here.

You can purchase holly berries here.

Happy Wednesday.

{   1.   2.   3.   4.   }

Christmas Wish List

This year my wish list is a little practical.  

Things that I can't justify splurging on myself but I could actually use.  

Below are the links to everything on my wish list but more than anything 

I want a joyous holiday season with my family and friends.  

Its what matters most to me.  

I hope you enjoy!

1. This watch is so pretty.  

I'm not usually a watch person but this one is gorgeous!

2. This coral sweater is sure to brighten up a grey winter day

3. Slippers.  My feet get cold and these would be sure to keep them toasty.

4. A new hairdryer that won't dry my hair out.  

I love my mom's and look forward to using it each time I visit home.

5. This colorful necklace is definitely on the top of my list.  

I love everything about it!

6. A camel colored coat.  With a belt.  

This one fits the exact description of what I've been searching for... 

at a price I can totally get behind.

7. A monogrammed pajama shirt.

8. This pretty candle.  

Wouldn't this just glow in a dim room?!

9. This amazing perfume.

xo

Happy Thanksgiving

I wish you and your family and friends a wonderful Thanksgiving.

I'm going on a short road trip so I'll be taking a blog break. 

We'll see you back here first thing next week.

xo

{photo by The Sweetest Occasion}

Thanksgiving Sweet Potatoes

This year we are going to Portland for Thanksgiving.

I'm taking a little piece of my family's thanksgiving with me: 

My Aunt's Sweet Potatoes

Below is the not-so-secret family recipe.

Aunt Carol's Sweet Potatoes

 3 1/2 lb yams or sweet potatoes

4-6 Tablespoon butter, melted

2 eggs, beaten

1/2 cup milk

1 cup dark brown sugar

4 tablespoon butter, softened

4 tablespoon flour

1 cup chopped pecans

1/4 teaspoon salt

1/4 teaspoon cinnamon

1/4 teaspoon nutmeg

1/2 teaspoon vanilla

Preheat oven to 350 degrees

Bake yams or potatoes until tender, about 1 to 1 1/2 hours then let them cool

Increase oven temp to 375 degrees

Scoop pulp from yams.  Place in lage bowl.

Mash until smooth or use a food processor

Whisk melted butter and eggs into yams.

In small saucepan, heat the milk.

Stir hot milk and 1/2 cup of the sugar into the yams

Spread mixture into buttered 11 x 7 dish.

Mix remaining 1/2 cup sugar, the butter, and the flour until crumbly.  

Stir in remaining ingredients.

Sprinkle over yams and bake until topping is crusty (about 30 min)

Do you have a family favorite?

{photo from Baked in AZ}

Holiday Sparkle

With a couple weddings and few holiday parties

I am in the market for something sweet and sparkly to wear. 

Below are some of my favorite holiday picks from ModCloth.

Do you  have any favorite holiday dresses?

Dresses found here: 1   2   3   4    5   6

{photo above from Patterson Maker}

Party Planning

When I haven't been blogging I've been party planning.  

The husband and I throw our friends a party each year in lieu of a Christmas gift.  

This year I'm going all out.  We do drinks and snacks 

at our place followed by a night of zoo lights.  

This year the theme is blue, gold, and animals.  

I can't wait to share the after photos. 

xo

{Photos above: Ruffled, Artful Desperado, The Sweetest Occasion, Taste of Home} 

In Honor of Halloween

 My favorite costume growing up was Ariel from 

the Little Mermaid (sorry for the lack of photo evidence).  

So, in honor of my favorite Halloween costume I wanted to share 

with you this amazing Little Mermaid themed wedding shoot.  

I love a good creative theme and this one was done exceptionally well.  

Take a look!

 

Happy Halloween!

xo

{original post by Pop Sugar}

A Halloween Cocktail

 I enjoy themed cocktails and this one stole my autumn loving heart.  

I can't wait to make this! See below for the recipe.

{recipe and photo found on Minted}