Greek key steal

My sister and her bf came home from a trip to Lowe's (after an unfortunate incident with the shower head falling on her boyfriend's head!) with the cutest Greek key pillow covers.

Seriously -- $8.47 each!

They snagged two for their Boston apartment.  They agreed it was a good mix of masculine and feminine and I concur.

XO,

Whit

Merry Christmas!

I meant to post yesterday, but like many of my intended posts this year...I'm delayed.  Oh well -- I'm still celebrating Christmas tonight and tomorrow night in Charlotte with my family. :)

Another favorite Christmas card chosen from tinyprints!

This holiday season I hope you are able to spend lots of quality time with the most important people in your life.  That's what I've been up to and what I'll continue doing this week.

XO,

Whit

2 Baked Recipes - Garlic & Brown Sugar Baked Chicken & Light Parmesan Cream Grouper

Here are two easy recipes for you to try when you want something easy, but good -- bonus: you'll likely have all ingredients on hand.

Garlic & Brown Sugar Baked Chicken

On Bailey's last night in Raleigh (yes, she moved to Boston!  Exciting for her, but very sad for us.) we made this chicken and it was so good.  Lots of flavor, simple and juicy.

We paired with roasted okra and baked sweet potato.  It was delicious and something we will be making frequently.

Recipe found here.

Light Parmesan Cream Baked Grouper

1 lb.  Grouper

1/2 c. sour cream

1/4 c. grated Parmesan cheese

1 T. lime juice

1 T. minced dried onion

1/2 t. Texas Pete Hot Sauce (+ more to taste)

Chicken broth 

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.  Place fish in single layer in greased baking dish.  In a small bowl mix the following: sour cream, Parmesan cheese, lime juice, dried onion, hot sauce and salt & pepper.  Spoon mixture onto fish and spread evenly.  I also poured a little chicken broth around the fish (but not up to top of fish) to keep them from drying out and then sprinkled a very small amount of paprika on the top.

  

Bake until fish is flaky and white all the way through -- our filets were thick so it took about 40 minutes.

XO,

Whit

Impressive Calligraphy

We are organizing an engagement party for our dear friends, La & Bean, and in discussing invitation options and looking through plenty of gorgeous cards -- I realized that maybe we could enlist one of the fellow bridesmaids, Haden, to do something so much more special and custom.  She graciously obliged and the end result was stunning.  I've already received comments from guests about how it's the "most beautiful," "unique," "custom & cool" invitation they've ever received.  I have to agree that when mine arrived last week, I was in awe.  This girl has got talent and style!

I love the navy & white calligraphy and I'm thinking about framing this envelope in our den.

The metallic champagne glass wax seal was another special touch.

The actual invitation was printed on wood - Haden came up with this idea and I love it for a winter, co-ed party.

Just as I was about to post about this late last week another Haden creation arrived -- her equally unique Christmas card.  You can see the time, thought and effort that went into each card she created.  I am so impressed with the craftmanship and tradition of her creations.

Completed with another beautiful wax seal

Aren't you impressed?  I know my 2013 resolutions are going to include finding local calligraphy classes.  Who is interested?

Check out Haden's blog, My Pink House, to keep up with her calligraphy, floral arranging, thoughts, style and more.

I hope you had a wonderful weekend!  Josh & I made a game time decision and went to Mistletoe Ball last night in downtown Raleigh.

Notice my favorite new ChesterNYC necklace.  I do love a man in a traditional tuxedo!

Two handsome Otto brothers under some mistletoe.

Jason's lady, Marie, was one of the hostesses!

Can't believe Christmas is so soon!

XO,

Whit

New designer crush: Chester NYC

Have you heard of Chester NYC?  Charlotte's in Raleigh just started carrying the line and I spent approximately 1 hour debating which necklace to get for myself because I loved them all!

The one below is really similar to the one I ended up snagging.

XO,

Whit

Making 2012 Festive

We kept things pretty natural this year.  In looking at the pics, we may need to add a little color and funk!  

I love the cross-shaped wreath I found at Jones' this year.  It ended up being the perfect size for our dining room mirror.

The only thing I purchased new this year (besides the live plants) were these two glass urns for my den mantel.  My favorite Homegoods find in quite some time!  I then went to Milly's to get poinsettias, moss and the green twigs.

One of my absolute favorite things (like many girls) is Christmas cards.  I literally can't rip through the envelopes fast enough each day.  I think my mailman thinks it's slightly strange I've been greeting him at the door each day in Dec. :)  I've loved putting them on a little tree for us to have them on display.

We positioned our Christmas tree so we can enjoy it from the kitchen / den, but the twinkling lights can also be seen from the street.

No holiday is ever complete without torturing poor Ollie.  She particularly despised this elf headband.  I mean, have you ever seen a face THAT sad?

Last weekend (I'm behind!) we enjoyed having my parents up to visit.  My mom was kind enough to put a few thousand glistening lights on the tree and the boxwoods outside.  Thank you, Moddie!

We enjoyed dinner at Coquette.  I look like the ghost of Christmas past...

Last night we attended La & Bean's 3rd Annual Christmas Party.  I only took a few iPhone pics, but we had a great time!

Our lovely hosts -- the future Mr. & Mrs. Bean

After two nights of holiday parties we are all spending the day resting by the tree and making Christmas cookies tonight.  

 I love this time of the year!

XO,

Whit