Dog Harassment - The Christmas Episode & A Christmas Miracle

I probably should have waited until after Christmas since it's a Christmas gift (thanks Mom & Dad!)...but since we were having guests over I decided it was ok to go ahead and restore my sideboard.

It was so easy and truly worked very well.  I highly recommend Restor-a-finish.

It's a little crowded in the dining room, but hopefully we will be moving soon!

We had a big night last night at BB's wedding (pics to come) and then Bean's Christmas party, so we have done a lot of lying around.  Olivia seems pretty bored and annoyed with us!

XO,

Whit

Holiday Dinner at Construction Site

The lead paint removal process is underway.  Doesn't this look like the perfect setting for a Christmas dinner with friends??  The outside is a MESS, but luckily by the time the guests arrived it was dark!

Some of my best high school friends and their men came over last night for dinner and it was the best time!

Josh & Todd

Rach & I

Me, Kathryn, Lauren, Rachel, Caroline

Keeping it classy - drinking her beer out of a red wine glass!

Lauren was in charge of the app -- we ate the delicious warm spinach & cheese dip so fast I neglected to take a photo! Lauren- please email the recipe to me!

Caroline made a yummy salad with pears, pecans, goat cheese and vinaigrette.

I made Jean's stuffed shells for the main course.

Rachel brought the most delicious cheese & chive potatoe bread and olive oil.

And Kiki whipped up these scrumptions (and festive) red velvet cupcakes.

We headed to the bar for a night cap.

Then it was time to return to home-sweet-home.

Such a fun night.  Thank you for coming!!!

Now off to Fearrington to see my bestie at work, little BB, tie the knot. 

XO,

Whit

Christmas Mantel

One of the few things I would change about our current house is the fact that we have no fireplace.  We have a chimney poking out of the roof, but unfortunately a few owners back the fireplace was covered up and no one is sure why.  We don't want to take the risk to uncover it ($$$$$), only to find out there is no way to make it functional., so I'll just have to dream about a warm fireplace until we move on...

Each year at Christmas I am sad we don't have a mantel to hang our stockings on and decorate.

I'll just have to live through some of these beauties:

via Traditional Home see all 50 here

Traditional Home Christmas, Traditional Christmas mantels, gorgeous mantels, decorated mantels

I love all the natural element incorporated -- although the fabulous settings help too!

Here is my P-I-T-I-F-U-L "mantel"

XO,

Whit

DIY Christmas Cards

One of my favorite parts of the holiday season is receiving cards (pictures included, please) in the mail!

I started looking online a few months ago for our card and was once again shocked by how expensive custom Christmas cards can cost.  So I started creating some of my own designs:

Option #1:

and the back...

Option #2:

and the back...

Truth be told - I ended up ordering some from Tiny Prints (20% off and Free Shipping lured me in), but it was fun to think of a few designs.  The issue ended up being that it was going to cost me as much to print these at Kinkos and I'm not sure the quality would have been as good as Minted or TinyPrints.  I'm going to test and think about creating my own next year.

My ordered cards should be arriving to my house later this week and then at your house next week.

XO,

Whit