The Best Craft Cocktails and Bartending with Flair: A Review

<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwXxR7w3A63Db4gB6dAOnSJd5bCG5HFzvGKJhLUZh1jghbAlnKNoyGb-oulgh8WQy2CwfjIzIgYpf1cAAR5r7Y1-yac0fqB2F-3MGdy56L_ujbmL5lzVc7AnFGRj9xCCfIGHA4fWeh8ih5/s1600-h/CraftCocktails1%25255B6%25255D.jpg" rel="nofollow"><img alt="Craft Cocktails" border="0" height="859" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQ6Vw27U-ZjdQEgX-7euF4CPbEqrfL2ametJP7BlrK7NHUe2EPbbQVrjT6fEz2xDQUeM2rTHGiGAXCQiQBWQdFYQy1nHtL_BfA8cqLZGYvSrCCMkI8MIZntCJ-YK9NmCgThF_ZNdY4_epn/?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-color: -moz-use-text-color; border-style: none; border-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="CraftCocktails1" width="604" /></a></div><div align="center">Just in time for New Year’s Eve</div><div align="center"><br /></div>I am a coffee and cocktail snob. I love a classy, sophisticated looking cocktail although ones behavior may be quite the opposite at the end of consumption( though we should always drink responsibly). I just love when things look pretty! <a href="http://www.amazon.com/dp/1624140270/ref=rdr_ext_tmb" target="_blank"><span style="color: #dd8484;"><b>This book</b></span></a> overflows with hip, fresh, and modern takes on cocktail creations. It’s no surprise since both authors are trendsetters. One of the the authors, Christine Dionese is a co-founder of <a href="http://garden-eats.com/" target="_blank"><span style="color: #dd8484;"><b>Garden Eats</b></span></a><span style="color: #dd8484;"><b>,</b></span> a place to learn about organic kitchen gardening that provides easy and tasty ways to facilitate a healthier lifestyle. The other author, Jeremy LeBlanc is the head mixologist for the well known Altitude Sky Lounge. <br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4CZeGQnlrp3r9P3sgVbzDgwEQYa175Avj6SwZTrsL7t9o9OjikjNC-BVvnNh6xwmqNz1htug6_-feyNizLYYx2qC1yC-yA1UsUzn_31S4MqbxWSGzcgUI76pvwunaviH1LSOBMounichC/s1600-h/DSC_0709%25255B6%25255D.jpg" rel="nofollow"><img alt="well dressed bartender" border="0" height="754" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-2Y6w0HPEu4F0Kyhif5B8KdiQ_CdahqgCrkvWN9I0oZBMS9ZdyDLDKNXfFKexnWQAJcNt20jinwavTF7zdPbOhOhMuV3C4NSAwi9Qs1NTmu9Du269oSKyoVclAo6xDj6R4ZxyyHJY4ji0/?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-color: -moz-use-text-color; border-style: none; border-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="DSC_0709" width="504" /></a><br />A well dressed bartender with a winning smile greeted me as soon as I opened the book AND then I flipped a few pages ahead where I saw this: <br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7ZvCctIxCNWRLs5oEOV2Ydo0S2NIjCA7TcBuA_8MumTNT0xsqnRWdkI43cxmTdJnQWf9ObevUyh9ngn41GjVQKwqIinX4Tcn8Nu35MkrW9Rl_C7wOHk5CC77Cqonxn4rOtSvAcC3HXB3o/s1600-h/Craft%252520Cocktails%25255B4%25255D.jpg" rel="nofollow"><img alt="Craft Cocktails" border="0" height="497" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEby9MMJk6XgLeZFBXmiPzwCzLw-yJ7dLlrTAlPZh_577HehL64XXQ494NCaU08S3U7TtYXsyItxSeKGCAd34D58Ll1xfehiDh8Ua4IPCrva9GW444rLggAXvtCmERYG7yN05oLmtCkG76/?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-color: -moz-use-text-color; border-style: none; border-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="Craft Cocktails" width="584" /></a><br /><div align="center">Of course since I have almost all of these already here, I plan on actually giving this a test try tomorrow for a New Year’s Eve "shinding" that I’m hosting. </div><div align="center"><br /></div><div align="center">I’ve highlighted a couple of my faves from the book below. I am also really smitten with their presentation. </div><div align="center"><br /></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitKmho1sjq3YHuZLyVNdGjO6XMN9rhimv9mR52x8ruOZefpTr3JgtiSH4qrg2AGNH0rvY8M-8UyFcJKFdLcnF_nBMOq1VhLFlcoy_l11QLXOpxkOQu_qY4CH6_Ge4vU_DMYyhkDAQAJU0Q/s1600-h/DSC_0689%25255B9%25255D.jpg" rel="nofollow"><img alt="Shake Twist" border="0" height="777" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9ELiaomZfg2tJ43bGUTyq8YljdaVOYCcNTaI4YXwOq0h_-2KZhxdde67z1M28A8603sREGj7Qif-To0zXXjraxv-cWTB1m-8vhDrwS1s7lDSok7e6diOx-zuHtr4vDyvG-K4PAVO6EYAc/?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-color: -moz-use-text-color; border-style: none; border-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="DSC_0689" width="444" /></a><br /><div align="center">Shake, Shake Twist on page 25</div><div align="center"><br /></div><div align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidffNBuI5jb21dmLdbtUyJEmhycg63qYfKF5eyEVUj2Ndxc71EPcoYxk5pVyGLZ-6MluDQzxd9qp5BKD9xLwNEvE1Ntoe-77wvwxs9lTCPSx0N9hy7PYzUHXlUZa98bIudronVXcABK7OE/s1600-h/DSC_0691%25255B8%25255D.jpg" rel="nofollow"><img alt="Basil Julep" border="0" height="826" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrn1p1Gwh4bBuqf3Q688VdEeBRQgAcvcvzIDvsJ0XI-etpOlxJaL8gDdVY8pt4IL7VCtsUqykLUHy9dfQJQx5JYI9Gbcc14xy26CAVK0_2tyl2C2S1Jdd8Qzu0XMoop7OBWTfKevGGAG4A/?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-color: -moz-use-text-color; border-style: none; border-width: 0px; display: inline; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="DSC_0691" width="460" /></a></div><div align="center">Basil Julep(perfect for Kentucky Derby parties too), page 39</div><div align="center"><br /></div><div align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifstxslxu987FGe8Y9Y-LSuuFV-rP0Z0zCBsR7pHFx3opO-dR8hqM871I6xooPsinE3HRM_bOosvzGUBDFHh5Hy_NOPlxxosAM5Ah2ROSHSV6TLMCoUQztbDzNlUkbqRzA_Osq6NMqJfr1/s1600-h/DSC_0696%25255B6%25255D.jpg" rel="nofollow"><img alt="Mon Cheri Moscow Mule" border="0" height="874" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0qxMZR_ZYjuUf8ehzkpfFPJsn4msNbazYcDKpGex9EVxzUfbXMAROE2Y99IstnNoyc4Z6Gog0CdGMbMOpmnxtpJM7V5zTi97HS7c7xsXCAfzX0vWzGiLT2mLTRMOwaYzVXhqtYb5eZubY/?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-color: -moz-use-text-color; border-style: none; border-width: 0px; display: inline; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="DSC_0696" width="584" /></a></div><div align="center">Mon Cheri Moscow Mule. A mixture of cherries, ginger, vodka in carbonated ginger beer has to taste divine! I am in love with the container too! Page 115</div><div align="center"><br /></div><div align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjtd1EPEsfAsppPmUaLf8IBkRhMLVZX8Iy3tNqGwfJwEZPyyFMyEsCjEEUyFbVg-f0O2tpL79zKPBFZmOeklUucsuS4bckNPIZexIq0IkA3nY4lGd-40S7Pkth8Oj14k6UCAicoBHB49n_/s1600-h/DSC_0704%25255B7%25255D.jpg" rel="nofollow"><img alt="craft cocktail" border="0" height="724" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEXu6nWWGU6nRAUYpoTgRiialTD_M0N_Wj0CHrLSM1j0PzRqFb60VTghQZwFHajpxQxBYi1nXCLpZtQ0QtDJb-00XwSNDF9r8dp61QWBl1LlJwDzk_8qoSZAFOZvK-zpq506qVXtjIJmYv/?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-color: -moz-use-text-color; border-style: none; border-width: 0px; display: inline; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="DSC_0704" width="484" /></a></div><div align="center">Pressed and Minted can only mean refreshing and earthy. I imagine this would be a go to cocktail especially in the Summer. Page 182. </div><div align="center"><br /></div><div align="center">In<span style="color: #dd8484;"><b> </b></span><a href="http://www.amazon.com/dp/1624140270/ref=rdr_ext_tmb" target="_blank"><span style="color: #dd8484;"><b>the book</b></span></a><span style="color: #dd8484;"><b>,</b></span> a craft cocktail is defined as one that has been constructed with time and thoughtfulness, intended to imprint an unforgettable taste.  I am looking forward to impressing guests and leaving an unforgettable taste in their mouths. Heck, I want to leave an unforgettable taste in my mouth so I will be trying these even if I am not entertaining!  It’s definitely worth your perusal. It’s almost 2014!! How amazing is that!? Blessings and one love. xx</div><div align="center"><br /></div><div align="center">P.S. I was given the book to review but the thoughts, adjectives, and unique expressions are all my own. </div></div>

The Best Craft Cocktails and Bartending with Flair: A Review

Just in time for New Year’s Eve I am a coffee and cocktail snob. I love a classy, sophisticated looking cocktail although ones behavior may ...

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Busted.

<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgq_b3aswefHyBURMEugUgdyNKVAjGeX3OGAkug18IWRcLobZYHlyTqwL-CRwkeR2GB5MfNIEw27jRd1KGuzRvm06uIUCnGspSfUP0A_brApYJU1awCuqk2CU2isWcAxcg0k2FAS38MaGZr/s1600-h/Photo%252520Dec%25252026%25252C%25252011%25252051%25252018%252520PM%25255B5%25255D.jpg" rel="nofollow"><img alt="Happy Friday" border="0" height="791" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizVifmczdjhhaMHBZGT37bPsDYZ19MDnjthRKLOgn3CwOXpJlj1IKj5Eefk1d7yBVvCpIQwNbXIiOX_UKO9V9bfUmY6wNf1iIH81K_MwY6w10GGkmrBfndRiwOgDywSu_wn9WCJrtjGBA9/?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-color: -moz-use-text-color; border-style: none; border-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="Photo Dec 26, 11 51 18 PM" width="594" /></a><br />I snapped this with my phone the other day. He was searching for juice. Nowadays,  he goes to the pantry to get food on his own. It’s just unbelievable to me how much he has grown! Happy Friday everyone! Oh and he’s responsible for those pics that are barely hanging on to the wall. They get into everything, don’t they?<img alt="Smile" class="wlEmoticon wlEmoticon-smile" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-5v-AQzd6Lz4/Ur2aszySpAI/AAAAAAAAI_I/FpfS6ayMBe8/wlEmoticon-smile%25255B2%25255D.png?imgmax=800" style="border-bottom-style: none; border-left-style: none; border-right-style: none; border-top-style: none;" /> xx</div>

Busted.

I snapped this with my phone the other day. He was searching for juice. Nowadays,  he goes to the pantry to get food on his own. It’s just u...

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Pared Down and Cozy in Berlin and a Winner!

<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><img alt="Happy Boxing Day" border="0" height="360" src="http://living.corriere.it/case/gallery/2013/12/11/img/casa-berlino-foto/casa-tedesca-slide-hp-01_MGbig.jpg?v=201312121401" style="background-image: none; border-color: -moz-use-text-color; border-style: none; border-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="" width="696" /><br /><div align="center"><b>NB: Winner of the giveaway is announced below via random.org.</b></div><div align="center"><b><br /></b></div><div align="center">Happy Boxing Day everyone! I hope you are all still having a joyous holiday with loved ones. Today we are off to Berlin to admire this beautiful minimal, yet cozy home with colour in all the right places.  I am looking forward to doing a lot of paring down and getting rid of unwanted “stuff” for 2014.  How about you?</div><div align="center"><br /></div><img alt="Kitchen Interior" border="0" height="464" src="http://living.corriere.it/case/gallery/2013/12/11/img/casa-berlino-foto/karhard-02-t_MGbig.jpg?v=201312121401" style="background-image: none; border-color: -moz-use-text-color; border-style: none; border-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="My kitchen" width="696" /><br /><div align="center">my kitchen is never this tidy! </div><div align="center"><br /></div><div align="center"><img alt="Home Interior design" border="0" height="437" src="http://living.corriere.it/case/gallery/2013/12/11/img/casa-berlino-foto/karhard-03-t_MGbig.jpg?v=201312121401" style="background-image: none; border-color: -moz-use-text-color; border-style: none; border-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="" width="656" /></div><img alt="Home decor " border="0" src="http://living.corriere.it/case/gallery/2013/12/11/img/casa-berlino-foto/karhard-04-t_MGbig.jpg?v=201312121401" style="background-image: none; border-color: -moz-use-text-color; border-style: none; border-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="" /><br /><img alt="Decorated Book Shelf" border="0" height="437" src="http://living.corriere.it/case/gallery/2013/12/11/img/casa-berlino-foto/karhard-05-t_MGbig.jpg?v=201312121401" style="background-image: none; border-color: -moz-use-text-color; border-style: none; border-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="" width="656" /><br /><img alt="house design interior" border="0" height="437" src="http://living.corriere.it/case/gallery/2013/12/11/img/casa-berlino-foto/karhard-06-t_MGbig.jpg?v=201312121401" style="background-image: none; border-color: -moz-use-text-color; border-style: none; border-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="house design interior" width="656" /><br /><img alt="home interior designers" border="0" height="437" src="http://living.corriere.it/case/gallery/2013/12/11/img/casa-berlino-foto/karhard-07-t_MGbig.jpg?v=201312121401" style="background-image: none; border-color: -moz-use-text-color; border-style: none; border-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="" width="656" /><br /><div align="center">Blessings and a happy day to all. xx</div><div align="center"><br /></div><div align="center"><span style="color: #dd8484; font-size: x-large;"><b>The Winner!</b></span></div><div align="center"><span style="color: #dd8484; font-size: x-large;"><b><br /></b></span></div><div align="center"><b><span style="color: black;">Congrats to Vel! You are the lucky winner of the Versona Accessories giveaway! I’m so happy for you!</span></b></div><div align="center"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-oSTuWC2_VFk/UrxwI3__DRI/AAAAAAAAI-c/Jqy0tEMKCBY/s1600-h/versona%25255B5%25255D.jpg" rel="nofollow"><img alt="versona" border="0" height="494" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-Sl9HzWzFHP0/UrxwJqpcr_I/AAAAAAAAI-k/2TTG-fgEitE/versona_thumb%25255B3%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-color: -moz-use-text-color; border-style: none; border-width: 0px; display: inline; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="versona" width="404" /></a></div></div><div align="left"><a href="http://living.corriere.it/case/atmosfera/2013/casa-berlino-karhard-401795857301.shtml" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">{images}</span></a></div></div>

Pared Down and Cozy in Berlin and a Winner!

NB: Winner of the giveaway is announced below via random.org. Happy Boxing Day everyone! I hope you are all still having a joyous holiday wi...

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Christmas at our Home.

<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8HtmRVSuOXek1Q9tDA2yEnK-3mjfKPUcZLxcBuoDAcqiZcGZx7DpGOxbnGXsYeHFhtnhFfF2qlwCSBksgBkIoGf39diU2T6fjRpjVeEKbIdoinuiPXABkLYPIYFdeMYVmJkrv9hkBoyxr/s1600-h/001_blake.Christmas%25255B18%25255D.jpg"><img alt="Christmas home décor" border="0" height="904" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg28b9g3YHaGhhSLGcIikkTm5eALtqrpDoz_NWJcdGSTFz8KTjDMnT4la3licga8T1oZfW2qOy23ztg-b9U2PI2VCbWxA_Te3xVz15jaQ-byCP7YbQW2noxMve-Pv-7YlnuhSuEPqNsoB-v/?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-color: -moz-use-text-color; border-style: none; border-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="001_blake.Christmas" width="604" /></a><br />Here it is everyone, nothing extravagant, but there is lots of happy in our Christmas décor. I stayed up until about 1 am a few days ago cleaning the house and making things somewhat presentable.<span style="color: #dd8484;"><b> </b></span><a href="http://www.leahartmanphotography.com/" target="_blank"><span style="color: #dd8484;"><b>Lea Hartman</b></span></a> flew in with her cape and performed her magic in capturing our Christmas essence. Thanks Lea! No long narrative here as mama is super exhausted, but I hope you like it…<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnoMki1qRFjD8jf225sL4AwAn-mYi-P2_9rGICpNZYtZquvvvZSZS_NtSncyHCw5EweBb9W8H2bQ_QT5P5ECHaPJdNX5xsgMbyWZergUS9YNnenlflP3P_yEsiJXqnz1xX784dk4ItLWZa/s1600-h/003_blake.Christmas%25255B12%25255D.jpg" rel="nofollow"><img alt="home interior design ideas" border="0" height="464" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgo7WmB3oc1WiyJ6_G5r-jug8u2AFjYgzY2P14drsZEHeK8JmgXZTOcO6LKSVaUlgvZi_Oeitl_ZFF_COhCi6zhj5cXiC6j5OQ9IDh3-Lw42LqaaScHozqn155e1NN96ULVTJRnWevB812J/?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-color: -moz-use-text-color; border-style: none; border-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="003_blake.Christmas" width="694" /></a><br /><div align="center">Our mantel is see through and double sided. I refer to this side as the modern side; very simple.</div><div align="center"><br /></div><div align="center"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHX606xxzWghKROkWzEXZyZV87_JbYYCCn3X_xXBEbVZFIZgcN2zYcpMTC4HJL9GUh_2OLJdhKPLzakfLdnXnsTCpABhQPnK4VZ_xa7JBRjh9rXbr4jte0KzsoCGiHraCIyATikAEGM6wo/s1600-h/004_blake.Christmas%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img alt="house interior design" border="0" height="404" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZFcI-NhsMj-L_9rQNFF3j-sj1Q_Ofn89052hR31f0-L0vo6OIsGi5dVhHVslrTkOmVMPnxKgIg7EKyDZDHidhUZVlaywXZVOctDigctK4C-lTLBqaB0HYHQCs3lQ0k2DJK_s-tVJkZO4g/?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-color: -moz-use-text-color; border-style: none; border-width: 0px; display: inline; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="004_blake.Christmas" width="604" /></a></div></div><div align="center">peekaboo</div><div align="center"><br /></div><div align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwCJtsmobV-TMJO8rzKZ7tM685SJ21dGubmkVOgAXiHmcGqkf1B8NoSm9r7_pqWKXric0Gv17M8aIKkoNU1J3yapIqymbnk9N2oUczKaPN9VrQwcqlhhrrAMvsZprhOKPuSWa9nkkmoXB7/s1600-h/017_blake.Christmas%25255B8%25255D.jpg"><img alt="Christmas Tree Decoration" border="0" height="904" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7W-eXf7lGxXsvoigoNji9XnCdy5pujICuikevDUlFuJlNkxTlfwiCLt-OuCsHmoi3n4a3V0ek5zlg5tWx3IMxzuZ-GPOeLdhnezw2PIeFmkk-o0IzZu7Q52c2OLFG54ncKCMUdDVTn4u-/?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-color: -moz-use-text-color; border-style: none; border-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="017_blake.Christmas" width="604" /></a></div><div align="center">For the first time ever, we have real trees. I bought two small ones. The other is in Zion’s bedroom.</div><div align="center"><br /></div><div align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEHkqzdFpPcLw4BMyWDxWdHHw8hwfP5m5krFA8UhzDK7-OifMAG974YQwKNH67znWUYYywR4IjMW3mkXh_4Cx0jLa8btTIV6bHixq0SxaZe6UwaKI7bpGdUifyat1FA6iD4vlhdQLpTRK-/s1600-h/007_blake.Christmas%25255B14%25255D.jpg" rel="nofollow"><img alt="Christmas Tree " border="0" height="904" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3UbSU_jGFx88RMyMVgcpLlg8j3xATLUrmwyl1IpmjU-NMe0WP9qTs90qNbfHQrzSoUQOmhGhukoc_Q0r24gmdjA-iQqT7sNouM-42fYGJbKonk-TODYt6syUfijooGn_3AnQtVcMWCMdf/?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-color: -moz-use-text-color; border-style: none; border-width: 0px; display: inline; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="007_blake.Christmas" width="604" /></a></div><div align="center">An alternative tree from post its and Z’s small village advent calendar that I printed and made from Mr. Printables.</div><div align="center"><br /></div><div align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifOp0qyZiJwvPkLX50nZgv_1-SB0R3ZitPVJB1JDUlNgPLZqN8KRc25qld46i59bEf0wa8jYf8jrBGC8j8telHOGYnA04zfxPWN1tLmb-zFwESuMKjv_Y6AWPr9xSOmsLsYpw5rJtIrE2D/s1600-h/015_blake.Christmas%25255B15%25255D.jpg"><img alt="Decorated Christmas house" border="0" height="468" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTJPcRYJl6_vkejIGuEx6g-v5SoQqN1xMw4ga3ja4BDup8Y_25WuoQ8PU_FXZZo9RYAIBY7Ya7Ej4BEUjUHDHXUjZ7lzmiKRHIX1UXCPlQqh_TKc1kmCytX4wvNQMR-fCaSOukUlo_0Gkh/?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-color: -moz-use-text-color; border-style: none; border-width: 0px; display: inline; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="015_blake.Christmas" width="700" /></a></div><div align="center">In the sunroom where the main tree is. It’s all about colour explosion in here!</div><div align="center"><br /></div><div align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQ9Z7P9ismDpmkxAUFXnR9dDwH_SGeaNaatyg1zjzsQ5qatgJ9fP3Xs6tges3kTsDjADVVfsja5TE5hzpo85TaIS935tzD1ht7s_JBAFCfrvUuQhweVpmAAROkL3AblUejlfH9yv4UBLsW/s1600-h/011_blake.Christmas%25255B10%25255D.jpg" rel="nofollow"><img alt="Well designed Christmas Tree" border="0" height="889" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaGMFzOmJoOvi14QzvtcIsG4nDjTWe7h4kW65b-F_pzBVd46mo08qApkZ2AbJvxpNyaq56XcR8E_0jBrYtMgEmztletcumoFiNcjicQJHl3Ib4gdRAxKBZgHJ8xyMx3QQgbdgLLt2k1A1L/?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-color: -moz-use-text-color; border-style: none; border-width: 0px; display: inline; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="011_blake.Christmas" width="594" /></a></div><div align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwlOtbPsI4hvSwG8evzxPUp_F3mOozxnl_g4XlduY5sXg6k7pJueJcVGIAbALdSCAWLRWvU1p-XohRdoiEkagFAklo55dMVkBifekzF5_c2c0KE_Fd-R34tO7f0NS-bbdbzKg4EImsM2cy/s1600-h/006_blake.Christmas%25255B11%25255D.jpg" rel="nofollow"><img alt="Christmas special Home decor" border="0" height="468" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7UUj8CvVJhrkIjGbZOkgvehIMIFVwU-PkpCuG5ygSfmEJoZ7_-w36sOsSDQa36hNExDa1-cLZYX5gf9qlDaDC7WjYZm1pa-f4DRi7WvUEX6gfM6-VLy8VXB1sv_cVCQ0xp6Di_FxxHeCz/?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-color: -moz-use-text-color; border-style: none; border-width: 0px; display: inline; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="006_blake.Christmas" width="700" /></a></div><div align="center">The other side of the mantel that faces the sunroom.</div><div align="center"><br /></div><div align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXIdRbNmDsle7Z6VAOcFZfKAtC1U3BDjNDOezBcM34lXRrwDzIGSmPJkrNRRI4vYZipjIavf9sNLmZzkw-lIG18SbSF-iKijOafWXthd-4zb2bbUwSHPPqz-ria0r73hyR4GvMU69oQjqp/s1600-h/005_blake.Christmas%25255B8%25255D.jpg" rel="nofollow"><img alt="ideas for interior design" border="0" height="468" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxAx8cbIO5J64Mo2H7l_IjdgfqA2pRywXuZFgfEmmye-bN_M_7D69heHgF9mCKQ4o7F9pHAQfFwi3GgWbMymZTa7dPnne4XEh0x9aBVBaQuoNRXhtJDScavjkbWB-LpuALq064NMlC7LEM/?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-color: -moz-use-text-color; border-style: none; border-width: 0px; display: inline; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="005_blake.Christmas" width="700" /></a></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipyi5pxs_ayxq1JYBOde5B7S4f4YfwZFK0_yRvNlKUUZRMKb8SU4WnSDlys-AG42E2FxQMKl-jMxd-BusjsBYr2HL9giWuB6BPXNCFjrPzkZs-D_oKRk0kD1m_3A8SHMgozCTV9HDIUFyi/s1600-h/012_blake.Christmas%25255B7%25255D.jpg"><img alt="Christmas Tree interior decorating" border="0" height="464" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEig4eLeKo1TwBNE3Z4hh7tjlLDbFjJLJRn0yzxCV-pvdHBGZIsMFDKMagYAyaX8aexoq5ZS8vu5BT8upHHQV9z_QkE0bKLvC4UfqOQEiiUS94MEGcnWV5OxLhKV8N1l-RdeQTuQ0iEVhyphenhyphenYT/?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-color: -moz-use-text-color; border-style: none; border-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="012_blake.Christmas" width="694" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOV87FrXRthid0UqNTm9YMMHmzCV_gLb9H80szGmVFcfC9RG62rgfgMwwi02alSNDHXQWOybygA0LicjK75g9u9aTb6bbxcRxVEmgJluC00Zk6Vio9mqP-s0BwSiBpaa8BEB7JBsbHdee4/s1600-h/013_blake.Christmas%25255B7%25255D.jpg"><img alt="Interior design for home Christmas" border="0" height="904" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDfyuXbfgEVIJsLeRNOwyfcvm10KgcIcJ5yXvcVx44lkvGPfcuDvzhvSjkkRbvGHn2Bc3BPUR3dVofhKmDoxukur_Gh2dSuuJ-M1Uj2rJsZTtqhWNQzbFCT7rFzItMIenqGmhcadIi1r6t/?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-color: -moz-use-text-color; border-style: none; border-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="013_blake.Christmas" width="604" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxe5bVpOHGElhrezis-1VS432o63YXIT_NTEERR5xpxVAJJoKi_SQ4Ebcy7mCCLMpH49XHlLCy0WXYnRiUEpbFRbhHcjeHRNlqXYQ_0Qe5LLxED_ru0txxRJDRaC1oEU7c5LzWE07cIsfW/s1600-h/014_blake.Christmas%25255B7%25255D.jpg"><img alt="Christmas" border="0" height="404" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgz88CBvrbZwHt-xmdVuFKllO6VYUKA4oHl8rdCpXd-bAxET7G-N5_aAj30k0OYvtUxx9UbQY0Ho84v4aRulEx19XbcMjYwfGtZL_fvYzBELLdF8BeXNMV5fEGKce1kJl5Fe4Vqu4Ru2scE/?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-color: -moz-use-text-color; border-style: none; border-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="014_blake.Christmas" width="604" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuq6xNrk7-z7m21iG_bXJ1uSpfOuJL95Ky5IH6swM9BoRKkzmOP9e-4rvR-w522iXhN8ZJEuc-Mp5Htkfy2CXRq39_rCaeqqNrYpykGC-9hj0MB7RB4yJ6Zwp_GamKPC209qeVcYtrewcF/s1600-h/016_blake.Christmas%25255B9%25255D.jpg"><img alt="Christmas tree interior design living room" border="0" height="904" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPcPvshJ6mhtyZ5gLa4X1vcIf2JwQf6paGMhi4I0Wlu2xPWXc8zLMJRrxwr1zBtzFox2CgblWDsG_UipwsYzWykXLdXWnQLGHInHqphm01fg5pEUa6bIYfIlwkZ0AVRI6AOI6aYr5_vE2f/?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-color: -moz-use-text-color; border-style: none; border-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="016_blake.Christmas" width="604" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiB8bUN8sXe7pO98M-TxIh4eZuXIAyP19IlbpAtrucmem1jWEmzAUJ_lArwl68IcN0mxqP5qbh8N567vjdR1BIM-IkYXAExq7o3FPMMbF1mkpDUvLLUcabizfQaLMwXmi5ts1_mzKEO77Hi/s1600-h/019_blake.Christmas%25255B7%25255D.jpg"><img alt="Christmas Dinner" border="0" height="904" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-BoQMFso0maLE322znxZhQTWfOdih6LZUChyTcsoBve3p8wLur107-gTeNpIajVf49xyep0qUST3MKRSDHOUAvwp1umhN1t0-7Svanh5QwLiJHS9QF5F1cbCECWsvJv2B_k1Nkt5HvclW/?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-color: -moz-use-text-color; border-style: none; border-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="019_blake.Christmas" width="604" /></a><br /><div align="center">a simple tablescape  for the boys and myself</div><div align="center"><br /></div><div align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxyymkKls1NdqYxHn_6yeLMtm7CpL5wdFQH-8YTJzRNgmXzevXVT146PUdPReSLMY15UatMPsQ2c79x58YgUezeS9_bsd44R8k6cpduI53zuJSvtDFKrQpzE1cCn6y4H7yBwBlWQstaCBs/s1600-h/018_blake.Christmas%25255B9%25255D.jpg"><img alt="Christmas Table " border="0" height="889" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfNqM6nzYAr_UNcSI5iLge4ij74L1hYtM75G3MJUkCcV_yzeklqtJmDnpuq-fwT5bfniwm-jyYfJdkIBJeKM2Gejytksc7-7B49V9N5OkdM2WSXuq_7BGnB4u70KzKzppL7ct5ozRk7e_u/?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-color: -moz-use-text-color; border-style: none; border-width: 0px; display: inline; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="018_blake.Christmas" width="594" /></a></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-qrw2mMku1nvX5yIT0g3VpzqEL9Qzz74AiFTIabOBQcKTJNn05Lds1a771XSBb4Rul7qwBFNkU1Ce9ExJMpqJnI8jM__BL1iRGFEkvCSuyUqLKSn88URAJTxnk3AfX3gKamWOTcnLw6r1/s1600-h/020_blake.Christmas%25255B8%25255D.jpg"><img alt="interior design of kitchen" border="0" height="468" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJQE34oYgxoLg7SN2KDQm3ak5y5h1Pga9s0PgoqGzhdZiJtqmSHFn_96z_H1nththz2j9MNrpMpbHiPzlBpIVxcW4NouXEkCK5EKJEChFNKKcIK-pyCstyf4mVVer72w4eHkBPCzK8-Jho/?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-color: -moz-use-text-color; border-style: none; border-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="020_blake.Christmas" width="700" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYCenvJLXoS9kBTX3QPTrvovSTaSE2EQLi4FSPqCG6axluhZ0ZhNJ8HcIzZ4ncbAozjO8YDTHKCoS3OB6uOVwOC2zZMlYUPbVUzYH57kEx9YJ5Cj8JL5Jzrzmw6gegezJd07_2PbjBaNAw/s1600-h/021_blake.Christmas%25255B8%25255D.jpg"><img alt="Christmas Santa Special" border="0" height="904" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPZhVymfRAzOWOmLuVOcnc-0WQSEKuiZ-uvAeQNZdjfatOT8d1cB_P-p1ie11NnwUMRn1akedPn1A5QDiXWj8-uEK4R2IsRHW52AyT4jv9gUnd6JUSZGv-Ta9F6874xnp43W4-77Oji0sE/?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-color: -moz-use-text-color; border-style: none; border-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="021_blake.Christmas" width="604" /></a><br /><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-MTAq_aGhN5Q/UrO-K-4ND1I/AAAAAAAAI7w/bGNrejcYlKw/s1600-h/022_blake.Christmas%25255B10%25255D.jpg"><img alt="Christmas Plate " border="0" height="451" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-gpsVg5n3f1o/UrO-LhGQgHI/AAAAAAAAI74/38tCgOivgKE/022_blake.Christmas_thumb%25255B7%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-color: -moz-use-text-color; border-style: none; border-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="022_blake.Christmas" width="674" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1AhtEMMvt2unXYdBZlLEtPWFobrfQ4o2e_SoAGteAXLKsgsAU-QWwFrJz7PzK5NeCXhDh-jH8aOLbRCV08yghbMtHHLTnrK0viFmWXnQ8vGbFXAw_zXY_kWAufnc5p4brbXZMfsVRT7Jm/s1600-h/002_blake.Christmas%25255B7%25255D.jpg"><img alt="Christmas Door decor" border="0" height="904" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhW6JPQMwmdFrOnKksFxqjlmwV48GVxCQD4O9s0E1ZRIzsL16b8rqaNXr0JxZuwbCU3pOXjxT7h8fITtFRq67Cof97Twi27quJc88OEG1m8YgYIzpG8IeO762BQIMQj8W6EasyCLhNseYml/?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-color: -moz-use-text-color; border-style: none; border-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="002_blake.Christmas" width="604" /></a><br /><div align="center">Merry Christmas one and all! I may be able to pop back in one more time before Christmas day, but with my schedule, the chances are slim! We shall see what happens. Until then, stay blessed and sending lots of love to every single one of you! Muah, muah!! xx</div><div align="center"><br /></div><div align="left"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">photography by </span><span style="color: #dd8484; font-size: xx-small;"><a href="http://www.leahartmanphotography.com/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Lea Hartman</a></span><br /><br />p.s. I am linking up this post with <a href="http://evolutionofstyleblog.blogspot.com/2013/12/12-days-of-christmas-tour-recap-and.html" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Evolution of Style Link up </a>and <a href="http://www.thenester.com/2013/12/welcome-to-the-2013-christmas-tour-of-homes.html" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">The Nesting Place Link Up</a>. </div></div>

Christmas at our Home.

Here it is everyone, nothing extravagant, but there is lots of happy in our Christmas décor. I stayed up until about 1 am a few days ago cle...

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What I’m Loving: Rooms and Gifts.

<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCQarA39TDuft3nlRjxGY9NTo4jck0B5yOTgnuIo22Q3zTsYLnTFJDcDhAMOEzErRuhBMNJk4uAGV2lclQEQn1YzDDK0Iq9pUeL7OASKf3ou08AsI2IiKuMnYVcYIeR1GKSIZc4gIE79-y/s1600-h/Photo%252520Dec%25252019%25252C%25252010%25252036%25252009%252520AM%25255B7%25255D.jpg"><img alt="Photo Dec 19, 10 36 09 AM" border="0" height="852" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgx-Jqq_nIbYZNMSgZ908pJ07_UNHPhmEmUPOK2Cm5XHQcMhNAy-l1aB-uLzcwrKOKcRA4vSA4q6WAiF_dtETqWFxpgbXJHz-LMDpbYg-Xc9lMec9ir-FV3smUHdV4tC0f2aOPmO15sKvSZ/?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="Photo Dec 19, 10 36 09 AM" width="715" /></a><br />I recently found out that blogger extraordinaire, <a href="http://magicalmined.blogspot.com/" target="_blank"><span style="color: #dd8484;"><strong>Mary Jo</strong></span></a>, had a store. Did you know that? Seriously, I am so behind the times. Anyway, I paired some of my favourite items from her store with rooms that match their personality<img alt="Smile" class="wlEmoticon wlEmoticon-smile" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-m5rI9A3SpE0/UrMhTPLEguI/AAAAAAAAI00/4NiFa38kMsE/wlEmoticon-smile%25255B2%25255D.png?imgmax=800" style="border-bottom-style: none; border-left-style: none; border-right-style: none; border-top-style: none;" />. There is still time to do a little procrastinator’s shopping too!  I want everything above, how about you? <br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOCqaAbpuJzTvxKD8NWrEgYm974Fg54kjXHAdGGWYdAsDC0fApP-ucItlHAC6ZU84ZdJQwGR_jTGz-GTcaAp8IFjtDgEp17R2oaCwYuhGHo_xVSpwoVOjbCJ0wV-u7eCCez80ClPREciKa/s1600-h/Photo%252520Dec%25252019%25252C%25252010%25252034%25252004%252520AM%25255B7%25255D.jpg"><img alt="Photo Dec 19, 10 34 04 AM" border="0" height="850" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjR9bDrf6T0qOdLexfDNKxMXyczBAT7VKFTo3WsaFWiE5d6ZQ6PtBh1IqmDV-HUMkVL0Af-RTsuLxHg2p60hKwwka5V9HbMX87kdy3DyOeH98Xe2T6-aKaNr_7QzdnK_tkUQJbF3drzqkw2/?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="Photo Dec 19, 10 34 04 AM" width="715" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRzHtV2EpOEMvm8Cok2R0UnrUqhnsIU1u71GAJ4YcHSiz3rvopUtoaGFX0DC6XiA-gAvTiNHpcFYKXrPNhrA7KxFF48mSduEWp0bVSatZTlcgcM0AXurlUL8N4k5nUWJmPNPFvO0zk3Wtp/s1600-h/Photo%252520Dec%25252019%25252C%25252010%25252040%25252051%252520AM%25255B10%25255D.jpg"><img alt="Photo Dec 19, 10 40 51 AM" border="0" height="850" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhm04TxcxXyQ0dcEnjpheO5RPMtgxF222IJ0T89vA-hafeQxikCCrFf5r6ADqORg8PgcI-HttCkjR2dlqtft5mtDw3QdIxLAGZuX7qyH86kKFYEZsjVOyTOM3vq1ZhDey_IiS7tvgZbL51-/?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="Photo Dec 19, 10 40 51 AM" width="715" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilbgxkeKMz1HxloQltkaYECahp5fvZkqXoGuIVxgFfKgTAEx4-qc0QBZT37PJXlBp5y9xu6gqFL9Ok8-pTheCACQ6IfdsnO-D65wUu2WaHSoR7FS4IPsrYcS8k2g0BvWdsVMT6hzu7SUDw/s1600-h/Photo%252520Dec%25252019%25252C%25252010%25252043%25252021%252520AM%25255B6%25255D.jpg"><img alt="Photo Dec 19, 10 43 21 AM" border="0" height="850" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgaNtehaGv_n1bar4zF9B2p9nIScqZiBaoeFZyjOkTv6AxfiInr-zL0vOjck0beVO7fmxVN2bxmhsISlvIJLAeHQNizO8Z0zlb9P6okN4MFZx4dfWvWYoX2m8dZa0y6j3BzZEHRiLvjLOY/?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="Photo Dec 19, 10 43 21 AM" width="715" /></a><br /><b>Click on any of the links below to view the items above from Mary Jo’s shop:</b><br /><b><br /></b><b>Magical Lovelies: </b><br /><b><br /></b>Leopard Fold Over Clutch: <a href="http://maryjomatsumoto.com/collections/leopard/products/leopard-bancroft-fold-over-clutch">http://maryjomatsumoto.com/collections/leopard/products/leopard-bancroft-fold-over-clutch</a><br />Stingray Credit Card holder (makes a great gift for men and women): <a href="http://maryjomatsumoto.com/collections/stingray/products/black-stingray-credit-card-holder-1">http://maryjomatsumoto.com/collections/stingray/products/black-stingray-credit-card-holder-1</a><br />Black Calf Hair Mini Wallet <a href="http://maryjomatsumoto.com/collections/just-arrived/products/black-calf-hair-mini-wallet">http://maryjomatsumoto.com/collections/just-arrived/products/black-calf-hair-mini-wallet</a><br />Leopard Key Fob <a href="http://maryjomatsumoto.com/collections/leopard/products/leopard-bancroft-key-fob">http://maryjomatsumoto.com/collections/leopard/products/leopard-bancroft-key-fob</a><br /><b> <br />Perfect Stocking Stuffers</b><br /><b><br /></b>Myth Hunter Tartan Surf Wallet: <a href="http://maryjomatsumoto.com/products/scandalous-lover-sports-wallet">http://maryjomatsumoto.com/products/scandalous-lover-sports-wallet</a><br />Cloudy With A Chance of Surfing Surf Wallet: <a href="http://maryjomatsumoto.com/collections/holiday-bags/products/cloudy-with-a-chance-of-surfing-wallet">http://maryjomatsumoto.com/collections/holiday-bags/products/cloudy-with-a-chance-of-surfing-wallet</a><br />Laguna Winter Surf Nail Trio: <a href="http://maryjomatsumoto.com/collections/just-arrived/products/laguna-winter-surf-4free-nail-color-trio">http://maryjomatsumoto.com/collections/just-arrived/products/laguna-winter-surf-4free-nail-color-trio</a><br />Diamond Drop Earrings: <a href="http://maryjomatsumoto.com/collections/holiday-bags/products/diamond-drop-star-earrings">http://maryjomatsumoto.com/collections/holiday-bags/products/diamond-drop-star-earrings</a><br /><br /><span style="color: #dd8484; font-size: large;">Be sure to stop by tomorrow as I managed to do some tidying up so I could show you a bit of our holiday décor! xx</span><br /><span style="color: #dd8484; font-size: large;"><br /></span><span style="font-size: xx-small;">{room images} </span><a href="http://www.interiorsdigital.com/" target="_blank"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">via</span></a>

What I’m Loving: Rooms and Gifts.

I recently found out that blogger extraordinaire, Mary Jo , had a store. Did you know that? Seriously, I am so behind the times. Anyway, I p...

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Blogger Style: Deck the Halls Part 2.

<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglH725sMr_jG4UvOF9mo8lENHMpQ6giK812ggS77L9aTZBH5A2bBgVaYxKQYYxhMHPBtUIffOwpS7scL-ksC6jeUEIYTVIz0MLqtUvxi2d_-UPt5vvTwwBgXxuBRG3n6Nh27WC2KSVt5Wf/s1600-h/Photo%252520Dec%25252016%25252C%25252011%25252005%25252035%252520PM%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img alt="Photo Dec 16, 11 05 35 PM" border="0" height="390" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiy-tbgrsxK8KhgoFNjdopQj84403Gwn8ejebYtpA95pQ8VE7pAYnziUAdDacf0pXdeFKevQXdeFhZof0px2HUq_nV53lvKJ_oJpOIPl5gRXvkCXywuIX0ynu6fUIs2NdA8R_xHhhcsax1I/?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="Photo Dec 16, 11 05 35 PM" width="700" /></a><br />I forgot to mention that I turned comments off in my prior post. I wanted to catch up on your blogs because I was so behind, plus I have been so busy with appointments etc. here. Anyway, we need to talk about this lovely home all decked out for the holidays today.<br /><br />I am sure Vel needs no introduction, but in case you don’t know who she is; well, Vel is the awesome lady behind the extraordinary blog called<span style="color: #dd8484;"><strong> </strong></span><a href="http://buhayatbahay.blogspot.com/" target="_blank"><span style="color: #dd8484;"><strong>Life and Home @ 2012.</strong></span></a>  Diy pro and design addict like myself, we instantly connected and have been inseparable<img alt="Smile" class="wlEmoticon wlEmoticon-smile" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-IEY8fs4cDxc/UrBvXxBagsI/AAAAAAAAIxI/mrb9hqKZHiE/wlEmoticon-smile%25255B2%25255D.png?imgmax=800" style="border-bottom-style: none; border-left-style: none; border-right-style: none; border-top-style: none;" />. I adore her!  I was floored when she recently showcased her Christmas décor. Look at the façade of her home above; so beautiful! Ok, let’s explore the inside…<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvfyvwPPcqP1lPbwqQlYI2N1Izq6hyphenhyphennHKOPOL1eiwNNDJ1whhUsPI_cz4eXI0aqooxzFmho6bc18NbfxScJ5xMw9lB9I94EMiR1L2WXphlyFCY7o2iKPlrsheiCtZjIlixfKi6ajNToRZD/s1600-h/Photo%252520Dec%25252016%25252C%25252011%25252004%25252027%252520PM%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img alt="Photo Dec 16, 11 04 27 PM" border="0" height="468" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWz0miScYWf68QX_05ESyul_YeHlttMFeT5YYjCzF327yhnJ6pwD9c7z-bStgveG74QNObx-gRsSdN4-3LYYJH5DpuC55pK1ZPhMddMIH1oRPaLcjhuMo60FhHUCbUyoEDBthvecbKtbOF/?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="Photo Dec 16, 11 04 27 PM" width="700" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiI2b1wZplkxoryec2paeDzYhQLT9HqecESb-yZkNE0jBf8c8nDgyRwr0nVqB5l5gaNQYUNla8ndETdiE7RtBo0wTvb2EfhHDpplwut0ilCJnAZmzzjy1uVvSkNagd995Dn9EhlhDygN4gU/s1600-h/Photo%252520Dec%25252016%25252C%25252011%25252004%25252037%252520PM%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img alt="Photo Dec 16, 11 04 37 PM" border="0" height="464" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkEfeLmw-BeMhKoXnxjetaKNlYweOR1sagbGGqs6hnArWXvufPXV94RayZoqHXF9yoAYiZFjyS1RaOfYSCTH3Vmd_8FL2Unxqsvy4JYklcw2FXAfuiojP5kTUkCfKPQ3Jb6xAeU4fdoB0A/?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="Photo Dec 16, 11 04 37 PM" width="694" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDEAUYKnFd3GiutT9L5I0p5I9eLVFB8wi0I6dwiueaqywyD_vxt58UCg9UIfG6oi26q0zBbZ-Sn-B3jubIpJ_YOIpwdicdQGgI12dm54cn5j2_HYVU7bIxgxoU6t6qntNMRiJdJdisy48T/s1600-h/Photo%252520Dec%25252016%25252C%25252011%25252004%25252054%252520PM%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img alt="Photo Dec 16, 11 04 54 PM" border="0" height="468" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiw1OHE1XDti_Hr6QuBH5IHCMBbcDcETQuwMLenDBoBYOoRjJmiTrDS0CGQ_3SDmeU3ZLy8b6UcRVhkyvO9LhpRdO9_zO7fdpaMqalLDCqUKF_egN3p_r9q-uu6Vpp9nRy3J5oQh2-K9mYW/?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="Photo Dec 16, 11 04 54 PM" width="700" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaUSRBqySOrmHB0vW27F7mdhNrO3cQAgSDeZafY_BVuK_x92yGx3aKWTCX7E0HAMdcRi0d-qrUUywXWKFD2iUzyaAwyXfeMCdJmp7aGrKpV8WRnQ3dF1aCFFM4KjXGfcQRMTkT8uXHj2H4/s1600-h/Photo%252520Dec%25252016%25252C%25252011%25252004%25252041%252520PM%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img alt="Photo Dec 16, 11 04 41 PM" border="0" height="754" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimv7p7aOnQ4kOruOFgAzOiB4K9zJed7kmah9dZ8FkBZ6x4dQ5_3yImlhcxTc5-eIqRHFbtvriiG1388DoBAbMr22-UNVmJ6wZp1i6Z9rm3RvOyMbfCDuf8TDdO8eeEDN0kvVrzENEuC5Ek/?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="Photo Dec 16, 11 04 41 PM" width="504" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbBy08i-Mj_y9Da7RoAAnPba-EXiNz-AQBcPS62FwgtstvvPFfazK2KmrTy3lA6j0cNiUeSO0u2o9lHPqUWsmiq356t6lDjMEP8htjxsF2nxCz-BZIqDWKvOy8D3cvg6jDNsLmBvREcixW/s1600-h/Photo%252520Dec%25252016%25252C%25252011%25252004%25252045%252520PM%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img alt="Photo Dec 16, 11 04 45 PM" border="0" height="435" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWUvuC7H33OyEVY-JEXWoH7TXmY-JYlyVv2oldZv6B7o4hVVo9mvJJTsBj98MyA3cppTOfMBcbX9va9j6ZBmpBhTwDhDvoCzxSJmSCfDDpEaKgSDptiONFlx5GScMgpuSVjwVd3Ewg9uV1/?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="Photo Dec 16, 11 04 45 PM" width="694" /></a><br /><table border="1" cellpadding="2" cellspacing="0" style="width: 740px;"><tbody><tr> <td valign="top" width="348"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFnZsejbNsqhM6jgCLyBU6A2NIqM6jduRA0LmtayR0ULOkf8zNFz1wyBWG8Qc6f7MTokfyENoRu5y3ki_WJZCFSc6sHb8Lix1Lf0OTKr82rxrMpa4SF7e71cL6peCDz-pV3gjxIIsp1HeG/s1600-h/Photo%252520Dec%25252016%25252C%25252011%25252004%25252050%252520PM%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img alt="Photo Dec 16, 11 04 50 PM" border="0" height="514" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFCalcZhM0bbroT2LKSGDarECUS4urMTJJHqJU-nz5o52C3c4LpAASjR9vpejaSZfaEXNTnA6rsWGXUyaHoaG9ByEPxu5b8LoIZQXs44LO_KNoNT0iKa74UaVY9G7EI9qBvYVGJQFMQ6A-/?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="Photo Dec 16, 11 04 50 PM" width="344" /></a></td> <td valign="top" width="390"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXkJh0pgampXavQMxrLE0EarVX915ajSkOqSZ_mdhOpY0GNeJDjnKVZzXl1xbbpZZuHsAiqPiVIg8n4wMBWbrsbROLQd3UAfwF8QuOkLHk73Rov2hqfP4ImStskirMXnBTIVUu9RXz6apY/s1600-h/Photo%252520Dec%25252016%25252C%25252011%25252005%25252000%252520PM%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img alt="Photo Dec 16, 11 05 00 PM" border="0" height="514" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPKTlyCbrQyJi4Liypbav210i0_2py0gSgEwKf5w3F56-Hyf3LR2dVyJ0sJ8-OCiQkiz4_OFLNAZktEipNGqkj8GQ4EH-25f1mkSWLjksvv8TRb1FOrlBryvjgtr3IaRiuYpaONIV_L732/?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="Photo Dec 16, 11 05 00 PM" width="344" /></a></td> </tr></tbody></table><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIulo1sDlxhoS8C7l1bIBNoY4Fs2ONAEoLHVqAGfvbgJS-6jIR_KjuKdgLJUWlX2F_tlqeQSCmCWSpWzBeVNqUyof6qDAiKuAXVjXKrIz_jCx2vbe6WmvlcTWq3-SNM2zzIYMvJ4iZlOst/s1600-h/Photo%252520Dec%25252016%25252C%25252011%25252005%25252017%252520PM%25255B8%25255D.jpg"><img alt="Photo Dec 16, 11 05 17 PM" border="0" height="529" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4pN_jxheoGpzO__8azTDAM473-p0AUaqHETMY0ZKYm9nLuRiz7x4vCuEbV4XnwogDt85w56_HKQlLuY_d7pQKoKkGRk-9fc2eeCGr6-FSdfH2JyQNHx8BoWN17PwzucehyUXGvC82PE-n/?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="Photo Dec 16, 11 05 17 PM" width="700" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjD5elxKQ7zmCXwEHqcMS-jNoX6i8FRgzOTI4dJzWVBAJo-a4tqYwNwd4QWNW2NGeWtzmiwJl64t1XJmY-GDuJl-6n0nX1NerByfsL-Dx_PCWbLIdQYZSY_8WgHkyhZ6g9f6sS1AKocdhE7/s1600-h/Photo%252520Dec%25252016%25252C%25252011%25252005%25252050%252520PM%25255B6%25255D.jpg"><img alt="Photo Dec 16, 11 05 50 PM" border="0" height="754" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYSt5STgtFr53_PD3dCID1_uMhtHuRderIZ5uec-cVtdggiFOxlcBHfOXUxCtfJQi9fJPCTsrAMy_pkhualiLhcJDQgGqIfB-tw1p_sDOZR52_06qT0vkVTSHlSXJ66DLg0SuTJ_ORzyvE/?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="Photo Dec 16, 11 05 50 PM" width="504" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWb9RjKltxhIr-tw5peoGhGXC0B4evh_zZ5eWezPzb6KxHMCZLffszU_4hnDPo1L3s9zTcVxoGldewcg__tWokRAh7g-eUvF-YmKfiFYewCCFcsMRFKvRkJ88ikUYEScb1o-VQ6XxAdNJ8/s1600-h/Photo%252520Dec%25252016%25252C%25252011%25252006%25252003%252520PM%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img alt="Photo Dec 16, 11 06 03 PM" border="0" height="754" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrSka8Kbk0mFNfOpT7aANCAWOmJBKRpV5f-ijMzOqXTaDRcDV1Z0nSnai5_BZn-uREx5Sdxq81zcWFgi3-hyVaR5Ex4lwq6IEL2x88B4EY8TFPnDn5JbVpAA82sMxYB3mHJqYXyfm3Fkkb/?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="Photo Dec 16, 11 06 03 PM" width="504" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6JJky9suS1-7qX_wdEO9TjGqZUsTQ4373696f4gxTTSEXNn_A_1d6oCOJCLOhZFMtSrqvg2j_iyS5OLQ2x6-eBCnJThu2D5rb4RDOhQe3U3ctvwm4H-opP_1snhWNiBPv7_F1FvnMbe5H/s1600-h/Photo%252520Dec%25252016%25252C%25252011%25252005%25252005%252520PM%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img alt="Photo Dec 16, 11 05 05 PM" border="0" height="671" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifuw8Dx0m_-PQLoUXmOQD8BqoW2IZ2f4L_zIY1TQj3jBCIHLkl_JWXFZg1CwwWMsLjkSsbpMZNUTRvtnltQaIc1-OigLCMQ2eTPH5DfcM-HYrUdV0uvat0T7wVJAZx7hEPm_jx40bXkb3Z/?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="Photo Dec 16, 11 05 05 PM" width="504" /></a><br /><div align="center">There are many more pictures of her jaw dropping décor on her <a href="http://buhayatbahay.blogspot.com/" target="_blank"><span style="color: #dd8484;"><strong>blog.</strong></span></a><span style="color: #dd8484;"><strong> </strong></span>Hop on over to check them out. Happy day all! xx</div>

Blogger Style: Deck the Halls Part 2.

I forgot to mention that I turned comments off in my prior post. I wanted to catch up on your blogs because I was so behind, plus I have bee...

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