Gingerbread Girl

Velvet Blazer: Thrifted Gap (similar) but check the thrift shops because these suckers are everywhere, Top: Thrifted Motherhood Maternity I think! Lol (similar), Jeans: Lee Curvy, Boots: Bongo, Necklace: Modcloth (similar)

My dear, sweet cousin Maggie invited me and the hubs to go with them and the rest of my dad's side of the family to the Grove Park Inn for the Annual Gingerbread Competition. They display the winning entries and what seemed to be just the top 10 this year. In previous years they have had a lot more entries on display. I believe they are scaling back because it is just getting so, so very crowded. My guess is the guests that are staying at the Inn (and plopping down a large chunk of change) might be getting claustrophobic with the huge crowds coming to look at the gingerbread houses. Now that I mention it, there aren't really very many gingerbread "houses" much anymore! There is everything but houses. People are very inventive with these edible creations! 

 Well I better show you the grand prize winner right? I'm not sure if they win an actual prize or just bragging rights. Anyway, the title was Pawn Stars.  So much detail! 

Here's Brian having too much fun in the background photo bombing my video. Listen to his devilish laugh!

Check this one out. Trojan Horse - one of my faves!

You can see the Grove Park Inn in the background of this photo below. It has such a beautifully haunting appearance that makes it so captivating. I can't help but think of F. Scott Fitzgerald every time I come. Great Gatsby - one of my all time favorite books - starts playing over and over in my mind. It never gets old.

See what I mean about there not being a ton of gingerbread "houses"?

These three were from the youth category, I believe.

The wonderful aroma is so enticing! Makes you want to stop and eat gingerbread cookies immediately!

The gorgeous, monstrous fireplace in the lobby. I think I've taken about 10 different pictures in front of this fireplace over my lifetime. There is an identical one across the room. Definitely castle-worthy fires here.

I picked up an adorable little fox shaped lip gloss. He just had to get in on a photo. He's suppose to be going into my stocking. Suppose to. 

It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas!

****Head on over and enter my giveaway for a free copy of Craft Fail! It would be a great Christmas present for someone who loves to laugh or for your very own stocking!****

*outfit photos by Brian. thanks love!*

Coming Up...Valentine's Day

I am a sucker for Valentine's Day. I love love and I like all the glitter and glam that comes with Valentine's Day. I didn't get a heart wreath made this year like I wanted to but I do have a heart banner! Woohoo! Maybe if I get one new craft added to each holiday each year then I will feel like I'm making progress!

 I made this banner with gold paper heart doilies, fabric strips and red polka dot ribbon. I used some embroidery thread to string it all up. Easy peasy.

I made these Valentine's Day trees out of regular white paper that I rolled into a cone. One is covered with red yard, one with lace and one with felt pink hearts. I love these! They were very easy to make.

This little tree comes out for pretty much every holiday even though it's original purpose was an Easter tree (I think).

I prepared my son an "it's ok if you never bring it back" kind of bag to take to school to deliver all of his classroom valentines. It was an old Starbucks bag that I cut in half and wrapped (roughly) in tissue paper. He actually did bring it back. As a crumpled up ball in the bottom of his book bag.

Since school has already been called off for Wednesday due to the snowy forecast we will probably make some Valentine's for those special someones!

Going Green - St Pat's Day Decor

It's time for all that is green! After I took down all the Valentine's Day decorating I wasn't quite ready to get started on Easter. But I had nada when it came to St. Patrick's Day decorating. But I did have some old green fabric on hand and some green ribbon. I went to Micheal's and found some more shades of green ribbon in the dollar bin. I had the wreath form on hand. And I had scooped up the foam shamrocks at the Dollar Tree back in February.

I grabbed some pipe cleaners and hit Pinterest  up for some inspiration. I found out how to make some little shamrocks by just wrapping it around your first three fingers. I hung them on our little mini tree that gets used year round!

Do you ever have to have a reason to make a cake? It was attacked - not sliced.

My son's version of all that is lucky

Have a Happy St. Patty's!

What is Thanksgiving without Desserts?

The answer? Boring. That's what it is. So, this year I am ready to make (eat) something special. I don't think it is a secret that I have a serious sweet tooth. That's why every holiday I ask myself, "What's for dessert?".

Pecan Tart

Source and Recipe

Mini Pumpkin Pie Bites (in the shape of a pumpkin!)

Source and Recipe

Apple Pie Crostada

 Source and Recipe

Pumpkin Roll

Source and Recipe

This one would be fun to make with the kids while your waiting on the turkey!

Turkey Cookies

Source and Recipe

Independence Day 2011

I had the best July 4th ever. Even though it has already come and gone, I still wanted to share my wonderful memories of last Monday. I am so happy and blessed with my beautiful family. I had a great time!!! Can't wait until next year!

First, we started with a July 4th parade in the tiny town of Montreat, NC. It was a quaint, adorable parade. The crowd shouted U-S-A! U-S-A!

 

 I never miss the opportunity to wear red, white and blue. It is one of my most favorite color combos. Love love!

 Dress, Earrings & Slip: Vintage, Belt: Thrifted, Hat: Target? Shoes: Etsy, Sunglasses: Dollar Store, Pin: Brian's

After the parade we gathered our energy for the walk back to the car. Unfortunately, these shoes gave me two horrid blisters after the hike in so I wasn't thrilled to give them another go on the way back. Oh well! No rest for the weary, I guess! We had to get to the pool....and have a picnic, of course.

We played in the pool for a while until we were a bit famished. Yummy sandwiches, ants on a log, goldfish, carrots and bananas were on the menu.

The lifeguard blew his whistle after an hour or so after we got back in because he heard some thunder. So we packed up a little earlier than expected but turns out it gave us some extra time to get ready for the festival and fireworks.

Lots of great things to do at the festival. Here is some fun with paints. I enjoyed this one myself. Maybe more than the bubble station? :)

 

 Riley took this one!

 

Riley got to jump in the bouncy house for what seemed to be hours. We drew pictures with chalk on the sidewalk and Riley had a little too much blue cotton candy.

He just had to get his face painted....twice!

We hung out at the festival until the sun started to set. Then we grabbed a few delicious hot dogs...and some ice cream(!) and headed down to the grass to toss down a blanket and enjoy the fireworks. I didn't quite get spectacular fireworks pics because they were too beautiful in real life to be behind the camera! Here are a few that I (and Riley) took throughout the show. I hope you had a good holiday weekend as well!