Favorite Ornaments

I've been saying the last couple weeks that I don't feel like decorating for Christmas and that I will probably keep the decor very minimal this year.  Ha!  Yeah right.  Last night hubby and I pulled out the Christmas bins from storage and I forgot how fun it is going through everything.  I also forgot how much stuff I bought after Christmas last year.  Score!

One of my favorite things to unpack are the ornaments.  I like having a few whimsical, memory-filled ornaments mixed in with the pretty ones.  Our new thing is to buy a "vacation" ornament.  Those bring back wonderful memories!

  Here's our newest ornament from our amazing trip to Savannah.

These two ornaments may be my all time favorite.  It doesn't get much cuter than a little tiny knit hat and sweater. :)  

Our cheesy little ornament from Hawaii.

A mini version of us on our wedding day :)

This is one of my favorite "pretty" ornaments.

Everyone needs a blender ornament, right?!

Little Stanley.

 

And no tree is complete without a Christmas pickle.

Linked to Show & Tell Friday @ My Romantic Home 

Feature Yourself Friday @ Fingerprints on the Fridge 

Favorite Things @ Bargain Hunting with Laurie 

Favorite Things @ Funky Junk Interiors

Our Favorite Ornaments Party! @ Flamingo Toes

Savannah Trip {Extreme Makeover Home Edition Excitement}

Eating at Paula Deen's Restaurant was a high priority on my Savannah to-do list.  I'm a Food Network junkie and have always enjoyed watching her show.  So Friday morning we set out to make reservations for lunch and as we rounded the corner, this is what we found.  The street in front of the restaurant was blocked off and police were directing traffic.  We had no idea what was going on and then we spotted the Extreme Makeover bus.  Ty??  Are you in there?!?  There were a few people gathered around but there wasn't a whole lot happening.  

Once we got back from putting our names on the list for lunch, we noticed a little more commotion.  Pretty soon there were fancy cameras and people sporting sound gear all around us.  We found out they were getting ready to tape the ambushing of the next home makeover family who was inside eating at Paula's restaurant.  How fun!!!

And look who came out of the restaurant.  Jamie Deen!  This is the point when I realized I get very giddy when I see famous (ok, semi-famous) people in person.  For the sake of my husband, I tried to keep the excitement down to a non-embarrassing level.  :)

And then suddenly Paula Deen comes out as well!  This is the only picture I got of her.  Apparently she's so famous she has to be escorted into a van, driven a block away to a SUV with tinted windows, and whisked away by her driver.  Really??  Anyway, I was pretty excited I got to see her.

And then out came Ty.  {insert giddiness}

Here's the whole crew getting ready to ambush the family.  

Paul DiMeo was definitely the most outgoing and friendly out of the bunch.  

Carpenter Ed was on his phone the entire time.

Here's the family getting ready to board the bus.  I think the show is going to air sometime in January.  We will definitely be watching!

Savannah Trip {Part 2}

It's been a full time job going through my photos from Savannah!  I go a little crazy with picture taking. :)  My thinking is that you can always delete pictures but you can never go back in time to retake a photo.  Here are a few more from the trip...

The architecture and wrought iron work in Savannah is just gorgeous.  

Mercer Williams House

The Cathedral of Saint John the Baptist

River Street

Next up... 

Our encounter with the Extreme Home Makeover excitement.

Linked to: Friendly Friday @ Thanks Mail Carrier

Special Day

Before you think I'm crazy for spending so much time Photoshopping a party hat and party blower on a picture of Stanley, it was for one of my graphic design classes.  We were practicing cutting out backgrounds of photos in Photoshop.  However, I AM crazy enough to celebrate my dog's birthday!  Stanley will be getting extra treats and maybe a new bone or two today.  :)

Thinking About Christmas Cards…

With Christmas quickly approaching, that means it’s time to start thinking about Christmas cards!  This time of year I always look forward to checking the mail for Christmas cards from family and friends.  I have to admit that my favorite cards are those that include photographs.  Last year is the first time I’ve sent out a picture card.  I scoured various websites looking for the perfect design and I finally found it on Shutterfly’s website.  The whole process was so simple, and I really like the fact you can change the wording and font on most of the cards.  I was very pleased how our cards turned out, so this year I didn’t even think twice about where I would be ordering our cards.

I really like these Christmas cards:

    

I’m thinking I may need some of these cute address labels:

    

They also have some really neat calendars you can personalize with your own photos.  What a great Christmas gift idea!

 

**I’m participating in Shutterfly’s special offer to bloggers.  Click here to find out how to get 50 free Christmas photo cards.

Trip to Savannah

My husband and I just got back from our trip to Savannah Georgia.  I don't even know where to begin to describe our week.  It was simply amazing.  

Sunset on Hilton Head Island, SC

Forsyth Park - Savannah, GA

Paula Deen's Restaurant

Do they look familiar?! 

More pictures to come!

Mums and Kale

This is the first year I have planted ornamental kale and cabbage and I'm loving the color and texture it adds to my fall pots.  I will definitely be planting these every year!

Linked to Bloomin' Tuesday, My Romantic Home 

Dining Room Light Makeover ORB Style!

I've been on the lookout for a new light fixture for our dining room pretty much since we moved into our house.  One Saturday a few weeks ago while hubby and I were out shopping, we made a stop at our favorite lighting store.  We usually just go there to 'ooh' and 'aah' over the outrageously priced light fixtures.  The store was having a huge "garage sale" and was advertising how their prices were being drastically reduced.  For this particular store, that usually means instead of a chandelier costing $900, it's reduced down to $500.  Not a deal in my book.

After looking around for a little bit, I spotted it.  The light fixture I've been searching for!!!  I couldn't believe my eyes when I saw the price -- it was originally $250 and was marked down to $40!!!  I think my hubby was a little hesitant since the fixture was YELLOW.  Nothing a little spray paint can't fix! :)

I didn't get the best 'before' picture.  Here it is ready to get a makeover:

I used my trusty Rustoleum Oil Rubbed Bronze spray paint.

And here's the after:

We installed a dimmer switch to control the light.  I love being able to dim the light in the evenings.

Here's the old light.  The fixture was way too small for the room and never provided enough light.  I listed it on Craigslist and we sold it for $40!!  That's how much we paid for the new light!  Oh how I love Craigslist!

Here's the view when you walk in the house.  Stanley's always ready to greet us when we walk in!

{Anyone else having issues with Blogger?  It keeps changing my font size and it's driving me nuts!}

Linked to:  Anything Related @ All Thingz Related, Before & After Party @ Thrifty Decor Chick, Before & After Party @ Savvy Southern Style, Power of Paint Party @ Domestically Speaking, Show & Tell Friday @ My Romantic Home