Blogger's Favorite Holiday Giveaway!

Well helloooo there!!  I know it's been quite a while since I popped in to the blog, but you know how it goes...life happens, and I needed to focus on myself and my health for a while.  No hard feelings?! I sure hope not because I'm making it up to you guys with an amazing giveaway!

With the holidays quickly approaching (how is it mid-November already?!?!?!), it's totally understandable that many people have gift-giving on the brain.  Mallory from Charming in Charlotte asked me, and 8 other fantastic bloggers, what our favorite stocking stuffers are for the holidays. 

1- Sephora Collection Palette in Nude:

The Holiday's are the perfect time to step up your makeup game and this Sephora eye shadow palette is my go to for Holiday parties. The colors last and are warm and perfect for winter tones. I also think that it makes the perfect stocking stuffer or gift for your girlfriend.  -Mallory, Charming in Charlotte

2-  Geometric Pillow Cover + Your Monogram and 6 Diamond Ornaments:

At Christmas, I'm all about adding little bits of sparkle around the house.  I've had a set of these oversized diamond ornaments for a few years, and when I recently came across more at a local store, I thought you might like some too!  They really stand out and shine with the lights on the tree.  Also, I love a good monogrammed pillow, and one in a designer look-alike fabric for Christmas is even better!  This is for the covers only, and I will monogram the center with the winner's initials of choice.  -Jennifer, Dimples and Tangles 

3- Animal Plates by Rachel Kozlowski for West Elm:

As most of my followers already know, I love including animals into my decor and I just adore the animal plates by Rachel Kozlowski for West Elm. To me they are the perfect combination of quirky chic animal decor and I have an entire wall full of them in our kitchen (which you can see HERE). There are some colored and neutral plates. I like them all and they make me happy when I look at them. -Julia, Cuckoo 4 Design

4- Nate Berkus Metal Wing Bowl: 

I am a sucker for all things Nate Berkus and this angel wing bowl is no exception! It’s such a unique and affordable piece and the gold seals this deal. It will be an amazing conversation piece on your holiday entry table or for serving treats at Christmas dinner!  -Summer, Simple Stylings

5- Suzanne Wristlet and Tassels: 

I love this wristlet because it is the perfect size for a kid-free night out.  I spend so much time lugging lunch boxes, diaper bags, jackets, sippy cups, and whatever else is thrown in my hands that I love to go out with as little as possible.  It has enough room to hold the essentials: lipstick, my phone, and a credit card and it can be dressed up or down depending on the occasion.  I added the tassels because, let's face it, everything is better with tassels!I grabbed couple of these for Christmas gifts and I love that I could play around with color combinations so they will perfectly fit the recipient!  -Beth, designPOST interiors

6- King Gold Gilding Wax: 

I am giving away a jar of Gedeo King Gold Gilding Wax and a set of Threshold agate coasters for the lucky winner. I will run a DIY on the coasters and send the supplies for the winner to DIY their own coasters. -Emily, Eleven Gables

7- J. Crew Crystal & Gem Cluster Necklace:

I love heels and a dress as much as anyone, but my favorite way to dress lately for the everyday is in classic, casual silhouettes with a bit of sparkle to add some interest.  This necklace is currently on heavy rotation in my wardrobe!  It's as perfect for a Tuesday afternoon as it is for a Saturday night.

-Jennifer, The Chronicles of Home

8- Marquise Crystal Statement Necklace: 

The minute you brought up a favorite things giveaway, I immediately thought of jewelry.  I have what some may call a "slight obsession"...especially when it comes to statement necklaces.  They are such versatile pieces.  They can be the finishing touch for a dressy outfit or add an unexpected pop to casual attire.  To me, they are a must-have for any girl!

-Gabbi, Retro Ranch Reno

9- Everyday I'm Hustlin' Hat: 

I chose this because it's on my own wish list! I love the trucker style of this hat, and love to wear hats!  I also love the sentiment and I think it's one we can all relate to, especially around the Holidays!  -Cassie, Primitive and Proper

10- Steve Madden Buffalo Plaid Infinity Scarf: 

One of my favorite gifts to give is a chic scarf.  With all the pretty designs, sizes, materials, and colors it makes it easy to find one to fit everyone's style.  I love how adding a scarf to a simple outfit makes a huge statement and adds an instant pop of color.  It's a fun, classy, versatile accessory that makes a great gift!  -Becky, This is Happiness

I don't know about you, but I'd love to see all 10 of those items under my tree and in my stocking this year.  And for one lucky reader, Santa...errr, I mean Mr. Delivery Man...will be dropping each one off right at your doorstep.  All you have to do is enter below!  Good luck!!

Now tell me...what's your favorite stocking stuffer for the holidays?!

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What a Year.

Christmas Eve marked our one year anniversary of living in our house.  You may remember that even though we bought it in August 2011, the major renovations we took on didn't allow us to move in until the holidays.  I can't believe how quickly this year went by, and even more than that, I can't believe just how much our home has changed in such a short time.

Here are pictures of our house from Christmas Eve 2011...

And here it is Christmas Eve 2012...

Quite the difference, huh?

I'm so very proud of the hard work that hubby, my parents and I have put into this house.  Every single thing we have done turned this old house into our home.  I cannot wait to see what we can do in the year to come!

Oh, and before the holiday season is truly "over"...here is a little recap of our wonderful holiday, spent with both sides of our families.  First up, we travelled to Connecticut, with my parents, to visit my sister's family and to see their new house.

Then it was time to go to the in-law's and spend time with hubby's family.

Hubby and I didn't exchange gifts this year...which isn't something super new to us.  {We didn't exchange when we were saving for our house in 2010 or when we bought our house in 2011.}  We chose to pass on the holiday gifts, and do other things....like, say make an investment in lots of Christmas lights so hubby could go crazy outside....buy three extremely discounted rugs that we need for our house...and scoop up an awesome deal on Craigslist'ed campaign dressers.  We even decided to go nuts and get our lawn aerated and over-seeded this past fall.  Doing these "house things" makes us extremely happy, so we are okay knowing that since we are tight on money, Christmas gifts may have to wait until another year.  Heck, just creating our cozy home together is a gift in itself.  {Way cheesy, but 100% true.}

But we did manage to buy a couple gifts for some family members.  My favorites happened to be these UH-MAZING wood pieces that we got for our niece and nephews from the Smiling Tree Toys shop on Etsy.  Their handmade, organic stuff is totally worth checking out.  They even managed to rush my order and get it to me in time for our trip up to CT before Christmas.  In short, they rock!

I hope you all have a wonderful NYE...and a BIG, HUGE THANK YOU to each and every one of you for taking the time out of your day to keep in touch with me and hubby and our home.  It means the world to me, and I appreciate it more than you know!

I'll see you in 2013! :)