The Brunch Bunch...

I hosted my annual Christmas brunch (I can say that now because I've done it for 3 years and I love doing it, so I think it's gonna stick) last weekend and I'm finally getting around to posting photos. I always have a blast visiting with my girl friends. They are all a blessing to me, so I'm glad we can get together during this busy time and laugh, eat lots of good food and celebrate the birth of Jesus.

I forgot to take any photos of the setup besides these on my phone, but there were lots of breakfast goodies. I got a few poinsettias and scattered them around the house and I'm doing my best to keep them alive! I don't have a great track record with house plants but I just love the way they look.
I always use some of my china as serving pieces at my brunch. I love it but I don't use it enough so It's fun when I can get it out and put it to good use.
I got all Pinterest happy and made homemade candles as party favors. I made them with peppermint and fresh balsam scent and the guests chose which one they wanted. I haven't burned mine yet but I'm not sure they take the place of Slatkin & Co. Fresh Balsam candle. At least they looked cute and each guest was able to go home with something.

Mom had fun entertaining the tiny guests! Anytime there is a baby she's on the job! Sam had so much fun playing with Rookie...they were each other's shadow. Always keeping tabs on each other. Every baby needs a dog :)
This year's card tree...It will probably still be up in March because I love seeing every one's photos so much!
So glad my mom came!

Fun friends from my Bible study and my Pi Phi girls. I always look forward to the brunch and I'm so grateful my friends and family give up a few hours of their weekend so close to Christmas to get together, relax and have fun. Love to all...

Merry Christmas!

Giveaway Winner!

Thank you so much to those that ordered from Be Wee! I got word on Saturday that one of you ordered your beanie when I posted on Thursday and already got it on Saturday! So that is really fun.

I want to apologize because for the life of me I cannot figure out how to put the photo of the "Random.org" number generator, so you're going to have to trust me. But the winner of the Beanie was comment #12:

Nikki- from Me to We!

So, congratulations to Nikki! Please email contact@beweeshop.com to choose your beanie.

I hope you all have a wonderful weekend. Good luck finishing last minute shopping or resting before the Christmas mayhem! I'm hosting a brunch for friends and I can't wait. It has become a bit of a tradition and I look forward to it every year. I've got egg casserole and mimosas in my foreseeable future. :) XOXO

Giveaway! Enter Today!

Don't forget to enter my beanie giveaway! You have until 6pm CST today to enter to win a gorgeous beanie from Be Wee!

And if you need a gift for a special someone on your list, order today to receive your beanie by Christmas. They are gorgeous and for every beanie purchased 1 will be given to a child at Dell Children's Hospital. Happy giving and I'll cross my fingers you win :)

The Gift That GIVES!

"You will be made rich in every way so that you can be generous on every occasion, and through us your generosity will result in thanksgiving to God.” ~ 2 Corinthians 9:11

A few weeks ago I went to the Junior League of Austin's Annual Christmas Affair. It's a huge holiday market with vendors from all over the country selling everything from tamales to household items to jewelry. I was walking through the rows of vendors and goodies when some darling beanies caught my eye. I walked over and fought through the crowd at her booth to see her beautiful work, and then I read her "mission".

For every beanie purchased, a beanie is given to a sick child at Dell Children's Hospital.

What an AMAZING opportunity we have to make a difference in the life of a child as they fight their fight! This would be a wonderful Christmas gift. You get a beanie for those special people on your list, a child will receive a very cute, but also practical, gift because of your purchase...and there's more...CaryAnn, the precious owner of Be Wee and the creator of the Beanie Project, has set up a blog where you can go and write a note of encouragement, hope and love to the child that will receive the other "half" of your beanie! How wonderful would that be for your children to receive their beanie for Christmas, know that another child has also received a beanie, and be able to write a note to them? (Check out her blog and notes others have written HERE)

The 411: The beanies are $30-$35 for a set (Be Wee gives 1, YOU get 1)

Orders need to be placed by 12/15/11 to be receive by Christmas

SHOP HERE! Ps...she has lots of other goodies besides beanies. She's super talented!

And finally, if CaryAnn isn't generous enough already...

she's giving away a gorgeous beanie to one of you!

And all you had to do is read this post! (And hopefully spread the word and tell all of your friends!!) Simply comment on this post, maybe tell us who would be a great recipient of one of these adorable beanies, and I will use Random.org to choose a winner on 12/15. Remember: That is the last date to order for delivery by Christmas, so that will be the cutoff of our giveaway.

HAPPY GIVING!

Santa Baby...

Have you made your list for Santa yet? Some of the elves on my list are super easy to shop for and some take a little more searching! Here are a few of my favorites for this gift giving season

Give the gift that keeps giving all year long! Birchbox comes monthly with 4-5 premium beauty supply samples ranging from perfume to face cream, makeup and hair care. She'll look forward to it every month. They have 3, 6 and 12 month subscriptions for $10/month!

Gorgeous, one of a kind, handmade pottery from Buck pottery. Made in Gruene, TX, this pottery is beautiful, durable, dishwasher safe and unique. From mixing bowls to coffee cups, they have something to fit everyone on your list!

A magazine subscription is the perfect stocking stuffer! Cooking light for the resident Betty Crocker, ESPN Magazine for the sports fan, Southern Living for the southern belle or House Beautiful for the decorator. The list goes on and on!

How about this darling ipad case? It's gold...don't mind if I do! (OH, except that I don't have an ipad...details, details!)

Bobbi made my list this year! I've been good, so I asked Santa for this palette.

How about this fabulous weekend bag? It's durable and it's a great size for short travel.

Need a secret santa gift? Gifts for office friends? This is one of my favorite gifts to give. These stemless, chalk board wine glasses are wonderful! They are $3/each from Pier 1 so you can give a set of 4 without breaking the bank.

Last but not least...comfortable and cute slippers your mom, sister, daughter, BFF are going to love! Hurry...they're on sale!

Happy Shopping!!

An Engagement, A Birthday, A Wedding, A Christmas Party...and a Partridge in a Pear Tree!

This weekend was straight up crazy! I was at home during non-sleeping hours for about 3 hours the entire weekend and that was Saturday when I was showering and prepping for a wedding. The holidays are always a whirlwind but this weekend was the icing on the cake!

Let's start at the very beginning...My brother has been planning his proposal for several weeks now, and Friday was the big day! He planned to propose downtown near a coffee shop with "I love you so much" spray painted on a side wall. I was hiding out like paparazzi to capture the big moment. The plan was to propose and then to come to my parents' house under the pretence of showing them the ring. He put together a surprise celebration for Rebecca with their close friends and family at their house and she was certainly surprised. It all went as planned and they are happily engaged!! Congratulations!

These two photos (above and below) are my favorite!

The bride and the mother of the bride!

Dad congratulating Taylor

Rebecca, showing the ring to all of her friends!

Taylor, with Rebecca and his future MIL above and with our family below

Goodies for the bride!

Dave with his bride ;)

A party pic with my sister!

On Saturday we had a really fun "birthday brunch" for my sister. We had breakfast casserole, Tammy's Treats (sausage and cream cheese in croissants...family favorite!), fruit, mini cinnamon rolls and mimosas. It was so much fun and might be a new tradition for Kristen's birthday. It's her favorite meal.

After a morning of fun we all got ready for a wedding on Saturday night. The bride is the daughter of one of my parent's dear friends. She was my mom's best friend growing up and my dad's high school girl friend. :) The wedding was incredible! We had a fabulous time. I especially loved it because they got married in the same church David and I got married in almost 5 years ago! It was really nice to listen to their vows and be reminded of the vows we took in front of our family and friends on that very same alter.

Dad, mom, my sister- Kristen, Brother- Taylor, me and David

The tiiiiiiny cake. Have you ever seen such a thing? It was GORGEOUS and the flowers were just to die for!

Hydrangeas and roses lines both sides of the banister.

The beautiful bride and groom taking their first dance...

An "ice bar" with a golf theme. The groom played golf at SMU and there were SMU golf balls frozen in the ice and mustangs carved into the ice. The green on the right side allowed guests to drop the ball through the ice sculpture and try for a hole in one. Unreal...

Taylor, dad and Dave enjoying the cigar bar

Mom and Dave "sword fighting"...We're so mature

On Sunday, we enjoyed a Christmas party with our Sunday School class. We sang carols and had a fabulous dinner together and David and I got to know a really fun new couple. We had a busy but a wonderful weekend. And as you can see....I took a few photos! I hope you had a great weekend too. Did you get your Christmas shopping done? That's on my agenda for next weekend!