Where do you draw the line??

In the past I would shop the Black Friday sales with my mom but this year there is nothing important enough to wait in this line. We did most of our Christmas shopping in Japan and this year we drew my niece and nephew to shop for. Pay an extra few bucks to sleep in and shop later?? I think so.

How was your Thanksgiving? Are you running around trying to snag this and grab that today?? Where do you draw the line to day after Thanksgiving mayhem?

For those of you who want to stay in and still get your shopping done with Black Friday sales, check out this site. Save $100's and free shipping on so many items!

{images via Champagne Living}

I'm Baaaaack!

Wow its been a long time since I've blogged! I wish I could say that my absence was due to a dream vacation that I won by being the 31st caller but sadly thats far from the truth. My baby and I have been under the weather so we cuddled and watched lots of movies together. Even feeling yucky has its good times. But I couldn't miss wishing you all a very happy Thanksgiving!! We are spending it at my in-laws and my food assignment is munchies, a jello salad, and the dressing. And because I'm an over achiever and have to get my homemade sugar fix, I'm also making an Amish peanut butter pie and a 2 foot braided bavarian cream and almond danish pastry. Yummm!

{Country Living}

Where are you spending Thanksgiving?? What's on your menu??

The Blooming Button

I first came across Nicole Drysdale's little cuties at the Bijou Market {Mmmm so much inspiration all in one place!}. The Blooming Button carries everything from crocheted caps and flowers to button clips and jewelry! They have something in every size too so your Christmas shopping can begin and end here.

{Photo via The Blooming Button on Etsy}

{Photo via The Blooming Button on Etsy}

These are little clips and I'm sure they are what inspired the name The Blooming Button.

So head on over to The Blooming Button here and check out all of their darlingness for you and your girl friends!

Christmas Inspired Living Room

Hello all! I know its Tuesday, but here is an {eclectic} Christmas inspired living room to help you get in the Christmas spirit.


I hope you all had a fabulous weekend..and Monday!

Handmade Christmas

Christmas is right around the corner people!! And I am so excited!!! I know we haven't even hit Thanksgiving yet but I'm the type to get a little carried away with Christmas...say...early November. I can't help it! Carols just pop out of my mouth!

So in case you are getting a jump start on Christmas this year or just looking towards the future, here are some of my favorite handmade Christmas decoration ideas:

I love the monograms! {chicmommybags $40}

Mmm... I can smell it already! {NHWoodscreation $10}

This little gingerbread man soap would make great Christmas party favors or stocking stuffers! {fairybubbles $3.75}

{Bloomingcouture $70}

Feeling not so traditional? {TraceyAnns $3.25 for 3}

This is so cute and would be so easy to make! {Ochristmastree $38}


Candy wreath- festive AND yummy! {Sweetgreetings09 $8}

I think these paper mache primitive snowmen are kinda cute {Krafty Chic Designs $4}

How cute are these handmade decorations?? {Snowfish $29.90}

When will you start decorating??

Japanese Gardens

I spent 4 months over the summer in Japan. One of the things that astounded me the most was that they do not have yards, they have gardens. At least in the area I was in, everyone had giant gardens surrounding their good size homes and they ate what they grew. We had fresh cucumbers, tomatoes, Japanese onions, pumpkin, lettuce, and squash everyday. But, for the most part, they didn't grow their gardens in nice little labeled rows...they grew something here and something there and in between the vegetables they grew huge beautiful flowers that towered over the garden. I was surround by thousands-yes thousands- of the most beautiful orchids in all different colors. Many of the people around us also grew rice patties that were cultivated in large square patches and these too were surrounded with orchids or sunflowers or whatever was in season.

That is something I miss the most about Japan. I wish that American's took a little more time to create beautiful flowery gardens at the scale Japanese do. Although, I must say, grassy yards are a wonderful thing. But there is something magical about always being surrounded by healthy plants and beautiful flowers. And more often than not, Japanese have about as many plants inside their homes as they do outside. With the would floors and the straw tatami mats and potted plants, their interiors were really an extension of the exteriors.

Here are some lovely pictures for you to enjoy :)

Spread the Love

Britnee Fullmer is an ingenious cook and makes jams and jellies in every flavor...yes, even ones you would never dream of. Some of these include mango jalapeno, cranberry habinero, and balsamic strawberry and pepper. My personal favorite was the strawberry basil jam. It was increadible! And who would've ever thought that strawberry and basil go together?? Well they do, quite nicely in fact. Of course all these jams and jellies don't just go on toast, you can put them on meat, fish, crackers, and chips!

For more information on Spread the Love and to get a your own taste of these delicious concoctions in lovely little jars, head over to Britnee's website here. Enjoy!