Wednesday, December 29, 2010
Weekday Wear
I've decided that I'm going to start posting weekly outfits (just because it's fun!)
*This collection is what I would call "everyday wear." I could chase my kids, do laundry, maybe even clean a bathroom or two, all while wearing it! Add the purse (big enough for baby's diaper and some wipes) and scarf when I'm heading out the door and the outfit is complete. If you notice two pairs of boots, this is the what I'd love to wear (ruffley heels) and what is practical (flat boots), but I like the flats just as much! I've iced it with lia sophia jewels from our fall/winter collection.
All these pieces are affordable. You could buy a piece at a time and they would easily fall into place next to your favorites in the closet. Especially the skinny jean!
*Click on the photo and it will take you to the list of all the pieces and where to find them :)
Tuesday, December 28, 2010
Christmas
Hope you all had a wonderful very Merry Christ filled Christmas season! I know I did! I received a new Camera!!! For an early gift! So happy I can take pictures again!
This year we did things a whole lot different than times past. Usually our Christmas contains a few "Christmases" and by the time we get to our families Christmas the kids want to sleep in and aren't really all that enthused about it. But, since moving this year and with the passes through the Gorge getting pretty hairy with snow and ice, we decided that it would be easier for the parents to last minute take a train here instead of the 7 of us. Thankfully the roads were clear and we were joined by Bob's parents and sister and my parents. My parents arrived the Monday before Christmas. Which gave us the perfect opportunity to bake cookies with Nana & Papa, and prep all the food before the big day! Bob's family arrived in the afternoon on Christmas Eve.
We headed out to our churches Christmas Eve service where we sang praises to our Lord and listened to a sermon. Followed by a wonderful dinner that we had catered by Famous Dave's at our house. I know...BBQ of Christmas?! Yes, not your most conventional dinner, but it was a hit (and I didn't have to cook and do all the dishes!) :) We ate by candle light, drank from wine glasses (no wine, I just always loved as a kid when we could drink from "pretty" glasses), played Bing Crosby & Amy Grant's Christmas CD's (it doesn't feel like Christmas without them singing in the background!)
Aunt Stacey supplied us with these pretties to create a centerpiece!
The children opened one gift each from Grandma & Grandpa. Grandma & Grandpa always get them new p.j.'s to wear Christmas morning! You'll never see children more excited than ours to get pajamas!
Christmas morning we awoke with kids excited to see what gifts they'd be receiving. Alexis read Jesus' story from the Bible!
We opened gifts and made a fantastic brunch! I even got Bob's dad, Dennis, to cook his awesome breakfast potatoes! We feasted on quiche, potatoes, sausage, bacon, cranberry bread, and orange juice. So good!!!
Later after our bellies felt hungry, I set out our Christmas Tea yummies. Mulled Cider, Pimento & Cheese Sandwiches on Pumpernickel, Turkey, Cream Cheese & Cranberry Sandwiches, Cream Cheese w/Herbs & Cucumber Sandwiches, Pumpkin Pie Tartlets, Sugar Cookies, and Almond Truffle Temptations. Again, so good and not conventional! lol
All in all, I think it was one of the most restful, delicious Christmases we have ever experienced! Although it would have been even better if my sister, my brother & his family would have been able to come. San Antonio and China are a bit to far to visit! Sprinkle in some other relative's and it would definitely have been perfect!
This year we did things a whole lot different than times past. Usually our Christmas contains a few "Christmases" and by the time we get to our families Christmas the kids want to sleep in and aren't really all that enthused about it. But, since moving this year and with the passes through the Gorge getting pretty hairy with snow and ice, we decided that it would be easier for the parents to last minute take a train here instead of the 7 of us. Thankfully the roads were clear and we were joined by Bob's parents and sister and my parents. My parents arrived the Monday before Christmas. Which gave us the perfect opportunity to bake cookies with Nana & Papa, and prep all the food before the big day! Bob's family arrived in the afternoon on Christmas Eve.
We headed out to our churches Christmas Eve service where we sang praises to our Lord and listened to a sermon. Followed by a wonderful dinner that we had catered by Famous Dave's at our house. I know...BBQ of Christmas?! Yes, not your most conventional dinner, but it was a hit (and I didn't have to cook and do all the dishes!) :) We ate by candle light, drank from wine glasses (no wine, I just always loved as a kid when we could drink from "pretty" glasses), played Bing Crosby & Amy Grant's Christmas CD's (it doesn't feel like Christmas without them singing in the background!)
Aunt Stacey supplied us with these pretties to create a centerpiece!
The children opened one gift each from Grandma & Grandpa. Grandma & Grandpa always get them new p.j.'s to wear Christmas morning! You'll never see children more excited than ours to get pajamas!
Christmas morning we awoke with kids excited to see what gifts they'd be receiving. Alexis read Jesus' story from the Bible!
We opened gifts and made a fantastic brunch! I even got Bob's dad, Dennis, to cook his awesome breakfast potatoes! We feasted on quiche, potatoes, sausage, bacon, cranberry bread, and orange juice. So good!!!
Later after our bellies felt hungry, I set out our Christmas Tea yummies. Mulled Cider, Pimento & Cheese Sandwiches on Pumpernickel, Turkey, Cream Cheese & Cranberry Sandwiches, Cream Cheese w/Herbs & Cucumber Sandwiches, Pumpkin Pie Tartlets, Sugar Cookies, and Almond Truffle Temptations. Again, so good and not conventional! lol
All in all, I think it was one of the most restful, delicious Christmases we have ever experienced! Although it would have been even better if my sister, my brother & his family would have been able to come. San Antonio and China are a bit to far to visit! Sprinkle in some other relative's and it would definitely have been perfect!
Sunday, December 19, 2010
Napkin Rings
(Don't mind the photo booth pictures...our camera is still out of service...it's killing me not to be able to take pictures! Also the mess from our project on the table!)
As I was picking out Christmas tree decorations at Jo-Ann Fabrics, I found these beauties! Everything Christmas was 60% off!!! Originally $0.69 each I decided they would make adorable napkin rings for our Christmas Eve dinner.
So for $0.28 each the kids and I have made elegant napkin rings! Super simple. Super cheap.
Just bend the stem up and around the base of the Poinsettias. Voilà! Add more elegance by using a linen napkin. Wouldn't that be luxurious?! For us though, we are sticking with a nice grade of paper (not the ones in the picture.) lol
Our son Ty thinks they look just as nice worn in my hair! lol
As I was picking out Christmas tree decorations at Jo-Ann Fabrics, I found these beauties! Everything Christmas was 60% off!!! Originally $0.69 each I decided they would make adorable napkin rings for our Christmas Eve dinner.
So for $0.28 each the kids and I have made elegant napkin rings! Super simple. Super cheap.
Just bend the stem up and around the base of the Poinsettias. Voilà! Add more elegance by using a linen napkin. Wouldn't that be luxurious?! For us though, we are sticking with a nice grade of paper (not the ones in the picture.) lol
Our son Ty thinks they look just as nice worn in my hair! lol
Monday, December 13, 2010
A Brother's Love
I've been realizing over the last few months how desperately Gabriel loves his little sister Shelby. He oozes love in all ways for his little sweetheart. It's adorable, selfless, compassionate, and endearing! He truly LOVES her as we should love others. He always puts her needs first and his last.
When she is being ornery, he simply holds he hands and sweetly says "Sugey (pronounced like shuggey, as in sugar) that's a no no. You need to be nice to brother!" He is patient, and kind with his words to her. Always begging to get Shelby from her naps...following her down the stairs to make sure she comes down on her belly backwards. Showing and guiding her if she does it wrong...all with a lovely singsong voice of true compassion.
It's a wonder for sure. We have always taught our children to try and be kind, loving, and understanding to one another, but Gabe takes it to a level that only God can inspire. This is how God wants us to be. Why is it so hard for us?! Gabe makes it look like a piece of cake. He will hear Shelby say "Ma, Ma!" as she awakes from her nap, and doesn't think for a minute about dropping whatever he's doing (including eating dinner) runs for the stairs and happily brings Shelby to us and says "Baby Girls awake!
We have a living example in our home of Christ's love. Through a CHILD!
1 John 3:16-18 says:
16 This is how we know what love is: Jesus Christ laid down his life for us. And we ought to lay down our lives for our brothers. 17 If anyone has material possessions and sees his brother in need but has no pity on him, how can the love of God be in him? 18 Dear children, let us not love with words or tongue but with actions and in truth.
1 John 4
*4:7-8 Love comes from God
*4:9-10 God shows us what genuine love is
*4:11-12 God commands us to love
We all have a lot to learn from these little people...God has them in our lives for a reason. When was the last time you sacrificially loved someone without needing a thank you, or a pat on the back? Having just done it because you love them and God calls you to???
When she is being ornery, he simply holds he hands and sweetly says "Sugey (pronounced like shuggey, as in sugar) that's a no no. You need to be nice to brother!" He is patient, and kind with his words to her. Always begging to get Shelby from her naps...following her down the stairs to make sure she comes down on her belly backwards. Showing and guiding her if she does it wrong...all with a lovely singsong voice of true compassion.
It's a wonder for sure. We have always taught our children to try and be kind, loving, and understanding to one another, but Gabe takes it to a level that only God can inspire. This is how God wants us to be. Why is it so hard for us?! Gabe makes it look like a piece of cake. He will hear Shelby say "Ma, Ma!" as she awakes from her nap, and doesn't think for a minute about dropping whatever he's doing (including eating dinner) runs for the stairs and happily brings Shelby to us and says "Baby Girls awake!
We have a living example in our home of Christ's love. Through a CHILD!
1 John 3:16-18 says:
16 This is how we know what love is: Jesus Christ laid down his life for us. And we ought to lay down our lives for our brothers. 17 If anyone has material possessions and sees his brother in need but has no pity on him, how can the love of God be in him? 18 Dear children, let us not love with words or tongue but with actions and in truth.
1 John 4
*4:7-8 Love comes from God
*4:9-10 God shows us what genuine love is
*4:11-12 God commands us to love
We all have a lot to learn from these little people...God has them in our lives for a reason. When was the last time you sacrificially loved someone without needing a thank you, or a pat on the back? Having just done it because you love them and God calls you to???
Friday, December 3, 2010
Christmas Decor
With a new home this Christmas comes a desire to make things new...including the Christmas decorations. Our home is mostly earth tons, browns, taupes, grays, and white. In my book that ='s boring! So for this Christmas we are going to spruce it up a bit and add the color through decorations, lights, candles, pillows, and all those fun accents. Looks like Crate and Barrel stole my heart this season with beautiful ornaments, candles, and fire starters!
The tree is cut down from the Aching Back Christmas Tree Farm in Yacolt, WA. Thank you Swifts for the beautiful tree (it almost looks fake, because it's so perfect!) All we need now is for our two eldest children to come home so we can trim the tree! It's a fun time of Christmas music, hot chocolate with marshmallows, peppermint sticks (Bob's Candy Shoppe of course), and whipped cream, and don't forget...a broom & dust pan in hand for that ornament that gets loose from some small hands.
It's a joyous time of year for sure! Christ is the reason for this season and that brings a smile to the faces in our home. Matthew 1:18-25 Tells us the story of Jesus' birth.
"The virgin will be with child and will give birth to a son, and they will call him Immanuel" which means, "God with us." Matthew 1:23
So even though the gifts, trees, and lights are so beautiful, don't forget the beauty of the Messiah's birth. The real reason for this season! People celebrate Christmas without knowing what it's about. The Christ in Christmas says it all. It's about praise, honor, and glory to our King!
May your Christmas be one of reflection and glory for HIS kingdom...
Wednesday, December 1, 2010
Welcome to Polyvore!
Let me introduce you to Polyvore. It is a fantastic website that allows you to create outfits or living rooms or gift sets and more. I Love it!
To me, this is a fabulous Holiday look. It is extremely unattainable financially, but what fun it was to create! Click on the picture to link to the list of items and their price and website. Whether you want one piece, or the whole look, it allows you to pick and choose.
Enjoy dreaming, that's what I do!
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