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By Brianna, on December 9th, 2011 
In previous years we have always posted McClain’s photo with Santa. Mainly because it has been so entertaining. Up until this year the series has been called Santa… Meh. Due to his lack of enthusiasm for the bearded gentleman. However, this year we came up with a real beauty:
Some toddlers are scared of Santa… other toddlers are PISSED and will blame Mama and Papa for their unending torture.
So we’ll rename the series:
Santa… I’m so over that.
So the saga continues!
Anyone else as yet unable to get a quote “good” Santa photo?
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By Brianna, on December 8th, 2011 
If asked to think of the best party hosts I know I would, without hesitation name, my parents. They annually have one big party a year. Often the times change, Spring party… International Flavors Dinner… Birthday BBQ…So, when I was asked to co-host this years traditional Christmas party I was flattered.
Honestly, they did 90% of the work and I wanted to share how lovely it turned out. Per the usual, I started chatting with friends and forget to take pictures so let us take a look at some I remembered to get before the 40ish guests arrived.
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By Brianna, on December 7th, 2011 
Despite the cloudy, rainy mess our December is turning out to be, I was more in the mood for snow. Perhaps I needed the peace of snow falling in the woods after my shiny dining room and busy Christmas schedule. To be sure, I kept the sparkle to touches of shimmer. Let us take a look at the snowy woodland inspired mantel.
I know you should never lead with an apology, but excuse these photos. It seems we will never have another sunny day in which I can photograph my decor.
To create the upholstered/snow draped mantel
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By Brianna, on December 6th, 2011 
Well I know most of you already have your Christmas decorations up. I mean who doesn’t really? (me)
I thought I would add one more Christmas inspiration board to both cover the 2011 Christmas Trends and spur me on to finish my own holiday decorations. Purple is making an entrance on the Christmas scene. Here we have deep aubergine and blue-violet mixed with pops of deep pink, white, and bronze.
Purple heads back to its royal roots with glittery shimmer and velvet finishes. Toss a faux purple fur throw on the sofa, add purple star bursts to the table, and offset
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By Brianna, on December 5th, 2011 
Today’s holiday table setting is based on red, silver, gold, and mirrored shine. This Christmas tablescape utilizes only a few items, but gives a sense of elegance and expense through the use of mirrored surfaces, warm lighting, and holiday shimmer. Enough with the chit-chat and catalog description let us take a look:
You might recognize some of these tablescape elements from earlier Christmas table decor. Since that table setting utilized a lot of live moss and twigs I wanted to create something that could make it through the whole holiday season without constant maintenance.
So instead I utilized
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By Brianna, on December 2nd, 2011 
Last night McClain went to his first ever Christmas Parade. The first two parades had to pass him by. The first one he only a 7 lb newborn, so even I had enough sense to keep him out of the cold (This year it was a balmy 35 degrees). The second parade he slept through. So I was excited to take him to his first one this year.
We massively bundled up, enjoyed the Christmas lights at this night parade, and got in the Christmas spirit by waving at Santa Claus. If this doesn’t spur me to finish my Christmas
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By Brianna, on December 1st, 2011 
The holidays should be a fun time! Thanksgiving, Christmas, Hanukkah, New Years… But with so much packed into a couple of months it can often get very stressful. Add into that mix travel, decorations, melding family traditions, and of course spending money, it is no wonder that we can end up forgetting to relax and enjoy the season. There are a lot of guides out there to help you de-stress and relax during the holidays that range from the gambit of get more sunlight too getting a massage. If these work for you then by all means go for it! However,
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By Brianna, on November 30th, 2011 
Recently we celebrated my sons 2nd, 2nd birthday. Meaning his wonderful relatives in Durham had already had his and his cousin a joint 2nd birthday party. Of course I have next to no pictures of the first or second party since I get so caught up in the moment I forget to take pictures of the decorations. Suffice to say that both events were lovely! Since I had mentioned my idea to throw McClain a camping themed birthday party I thought I would share the very few pictures I had the presence of mind to take.
I made a
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By Brianna, on November 29th, 2011 
I created the following place setting and tablescape for tomorrow’s Centsational Girl/Homegoods Holiday Tablescape Contest. Well I created it for that contest and for my own Christmas decorations.
The inspiration for this particular project was the snowy woodlands of Western North Carolina. But enough chit-chat let us take a look and we can discuss more after a few photos.
The idea was to design a tablescape that embodied the spirit of Homegoods based on style, affordability, and creativity. I hope I achieved all three. I actually went to Homegoods/TJMaxx to scope out what they were doing for
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By Brianna, on November 28th, 2011 
Congratulations to Valerie C. our garland giveaway winner! Thank you to everyone else who entered our contest. You made it a great first contest experience and we hope to offer more in the future.
One major color that stood out while scoping out the 2011 Christmas trends was the use of turquoise. It got me thinking about how you can use this intense color in Christmas and holiday decorations. I created an inspiration board that incorporates the turquoise with golds, browns, and grey greens. Though for a very modern look you might consider just turquoise and crisp white.
The traditional
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