Down For The Count

I'm sending out an early Happy New Years to all my readers.

I haven't really had a holiday break yet but I start tomorrow at noon.

4 1/2 days of much needed Ashley time.

See ya in 2011!

photo via Her Alternative Reality

[2011] [NewYear]

Light of the World

"Silent night, holy night

Son of God, love's pure light

Radiant beams from Thy holy face

With the dawn of redeeming grace

Jesus, Lord, at Thy birth

Jesus, Lord, at Thy birth."

I hope you all have a very Merry Christmas!

I will be traveling with the fam the next two days.

See ya on Monday!

[Christ] [Christmas Eve]

Silky Top Conversion

I've had a wardrobe epiphany.

Closet facelift tomorrow.

Purging what I haven't worn in 3 months.

Quality over quantity.

I want to see ALL of my options...

In a glance.

Now that I'm working...

I need pieces that go day to night,

& workday to weekend.

So here's my theory.

I gave it a name.

"Silky Top Conversion"

Rule #1: Invest in key pieces.

Spend money on essentials.

You only need to spend this much every 3 or 4 years if you do it right.

Key essentials have 2 key characteristics:

1-Classic lines to survive trend cycles.

2-Solid in color

Examples:

LBD

 Jeans

Trousers

Skirts

Shorts

Blazers

Scarfs

Cardigans

and Basic Tees.

Rule #2: Silky tops!

You can wear a silky top year round.

Wear a chartreuse silk top with white linen trousers in the spring.

In the fall, wear dark skinny jeans, chartreuse silk top with a gray blazer.

See what I mean?

Rule #3: Go trendy

Go ahead.

Buy that ikat top that is so trendy but will be short lived.

If you have the funds, knock yourself out.

If you don't, Target has ikat wear.

Pair it with the nice trousers or jeans. 

And when the ikat is out, your cash is not!

The whole time, you looked good.

Lesson: Lay some cash down for your basics.

Then just rotate your trendy silky tops through the system.

This Christmas

Last weekend we did Christmas with my mom's side of the family.

It's easily my favorite part of the holidays.

My cousin, Mary Jane, has the cutest two boys, Drake & Owen.

We just don't get to see them enough!

My other cousin, Blair, sent me some pictures today.

Fully aware of my grandma gloating over pocketbook family pictures behavior, 

I just had to share!

Opening gifts.

One of Drake's gifts was a toy gun and inflatable deer.

That's dad above simulating a deer hunt for Drake.

It was so much fun to watch Drake try and shoot the deer.

After a few tries, he decided he wanted to shoot dad.

Gotta love boys!

Drake & Owen.

Children really make Christmas come alive.

Photo from Her Alternative Reality

[Wardrobe] [Silky Top]

Fa La La List

Over my break I plan to..

Can not wait to see both of these over my Christmas break!

Since Kate Spade ignores iPhone 3GS 32 GB users, I hope to design my own cover here.

My work and personal computer have this cute desktop wallpaper.

[List] [ChristmasBreak]

Ultimate Gift Guide

Christmas is upon us and if you're like me you have some last minute gifts.

Here's what I have my eye on:

For Your Top Chef Buddy

A clever resting spot...

Find the ceramic "Rest in Grease" dish here.

Or how about chalkboard labels for your pantry items?

I'm in OCD heaven right now.

Zodiac wine stoppers for the wine connoisseur we all know and love.

Country Living just featured these clever novelties, 

"Keep vino fresh while hinting at its vintage - 2011 is the year of the rabbit"

If this particular item is not for you, promise me you will still visit the site with whom they reside. 

Artsy conversion chart that can be framed and displayed.

Animal Lover

Harry Barker has everything one's pooch requires!

LOL.

Modern Day Mother Teresa

Feeling charitable?

Throw pillows benefiting St. Jude.

A dear friend of mine was a patient here, fully recovered and is now working for the organization.

I will always support such a beautiful cause.

Holiday Card line benefiting Children's Hospital.

Another friend of mine heads this project up and I just love the kid's drawings.

A subtle message in the mail reminds us all what Christmas is about.

And for Your Homebody Friend...

A quirky end table made with books.

A unique vase is something I rarely buy for myself but love to receive.

Rustic bell ornament set for the eclectic decorator.

For the Little Ones

Slap watch in fun colors.  Even I want one.

Smores anyone?

Man Friend...

An organized but non cutesy bar display.

Holiday party

I don't think "man's best friend" is a dog.

I think it's these pocket devices that they can't seem to live without.

When a female is in need, they will practically jump you to assist.

Sometimes a  competitive dialog takes place comparing important features.

Have you ever noticed this?

The particular gadget featured above is called the Piranha Pocket Tool.

It never fails, Cosby can not pass a piranha special on TV.

How Could I Forget the Fashonista Friend!

These are nice. 

I literally look at these everyday!

I'm thinking New Year's Clutch.

[Ultimate] [GiftGuide]

Tell Your Kids, Tell Your Boyfriend, Tell Your Husband...

Tomorrow is the last day to order some Stella & Dot jewels as a gift or treat yourself.

Place your order by midnight and receive before Christmas Eve!

Have questions? Please email me: aewhitri@gmail.com.

[Hurry] [Stella Dot]

Lollipop Trees

I hope everyone had a wonderful weekend!

Did you go to any holiday parties?

Cosby and I went to a fun one this weekend in Columbus, GA.

I was looking through his mom's Nieman Marcus Christmas Book today and saw this...

Can you just imagine how much fun this would have been as a little girl?!

This edible playhouse has a candy encrusted roof and a lollipop tree inside.

And today must be gingerbread day because I stumbled across these creative ideas on one of my favorite blogs...

[Party] [Gingerbread House]

Chartreuse & Cakes

Chartreuse yellow is my current trendy color obsession.

I love how it mixes well with various  colors as either an accent or primary statement.

Chartreuse and mauve.

Chartreuse yellow paired with chartreuse web color.

Love the orange/red accent table.

Or how about here with coral?

Even turquoise!!

Yeah...that's a cake.

Love this website!

[Design] [Chartreuse Cakes]

The Little Things

I'm all about the little things when decorating, especially with a theme involved.

People appreciate and respond to creative detail.

I think the below ideas are nice touches for your holiday decorating and fit any budget.

Both of these wreaths are incredible but I especially favor the one to the right.

The best part is you can make it.

All you need are coffee filters, a wreath form and safety pins!!

Follow the directions here.

Can I just say that I don't understand fake trees.

When they outlawed the word "Christmas" and replaced it with "Holiday," whoever they is should have banned the sale of fake trees as well.

If the authenticity of the tree selection process, fullness and one of a kind smell don't do it for you then try it with live poinsettias resting on the branches as a compliment to your ornaments.

It's just undeniably worth it and better!

And I like that yellow chair.

How precious are these chairs!

Just another fun way to bring Christmas into your dinning room or kitchen.

[Ideas] [Christmas Decorating]

Gip's Place

Gip's Place

A tin shack tucked at the end of a concrete drive in Bessemer, AL 

is truly the best kept secret for an authentic, blues experience.

Henry Gipson owns the place and plays alongside with the best of them.

The above is a little sneak peak of my last Saturday night at Gip's.

Courtney and I with Henry Gipson himself!

If you want to mix it up on your next Saturday outing in Bham - go to Gip's!

[Blues] [Gip's Place]