Five on Friday {3rd Edition}

{five-on-friday}

With the holiday season in full swing, I thought I'd show you a little of what we've been eating, drinking and doing to enjoy the holiday spirit.

 

{one} I made these little Santa hats for a work social event this week, and I thought they turned out really cute.  Simply brownies, whipped icing and strawberries.  Could it get any easier?

 

{two} If you are in need of a festive appetizer for a holiday party, then you should make these Cranberry Feta Pinwheels!  They are incredibly good and are really easy to make.  Warning you though you might want to double the recipe because once you try them, it's hard to stop yourself from eating all of them.  You want to make sure you have enough to actually serve at the party!

 

Cranberry Feta Pinwheels 

 

{three} So we already celebrated Christmas with my in-laws.  This year we agreed to only exchange one gift with my sister and brother-in-law.  It was agreed that we would set a $20 limit to give for the couple. This was the gift we received - a Breakfast in Bed Gift Basket!  Isn't it cute?  Inside the basket is a jar of oatmeal pancake mix, prosecco with a "Bring your own OJ tag," a spatula, his and her magazines and napkins too.  We are really looking forward to a morning at home during the hectic holidays to relax and enjoy our breakfast in bed.

 

{four}  In return we gave them a handmade daily journal.  I got this idea from Design Sponge.  You simply need a berry basket (I got this one from Anthropologie), index cards, a rubber stamp, an ink pad and a paper cutter.  We cut the index cards to size and then stamped a month and day on each card for each day of the year.  Then we used personal photos of my sister and brother-in-law to serve as the divider for each month.  The idea is to write the year on the first line of the card along with one memory from that day.  Then the next year, you write the year and another memory so that every year you can look back and see what you did that specific day or what special memory was created and so on.

Here were the supplies we used:

 

This is a snapshot on my phone of the final gift before I wrapped it.  I printed an example from Design Sponge, so that they could see how the journal could be used.

 

 {five}  To top it all off, I recently celebrated a good friend's bachelorette party with an awesome group of girls.  We kicked off the weekend with a chill night on Friday at my house. We started the night with some snacks and a mimosa bar.  I had orange juice, cranberry juice and grapefruit juice.  I picked up the red napkins and green striped straws at Target in their holiday section.  Of course I used Cupcake Prosecco, which is so good for the price point.  Cheers!

 

 

 

Hope all of you have been enjoying the holiday season as well.  So many fun things going on this time of year. 

Eat, drink and be merry!!

Xo,

Tara

Gifts Under $100

Gifts Under $100

Monogrammed tray
designdarling.com

Oster bar tool
amazon.com
 

Stella Dot ikat tote
stelladot.com

Vase
designdarling.com

TOMS flat shoes
yoox.com

MICHAEL Michael Kors tech accessory
michaelkors.com

Lollia bubble bath
beauty.com

XO,

Tara

Stocking Stuffers for her...

Stocking Stuffers for her...

Puma digital watch
puma.com

Kate Spade stud earrings
katespade.com

Kate Spade bracelet
lordandtaylor.com

Michael Kors circle scarf
piperlime.gap.com

Body moisturizer
bathandbodyworks.com

Essie nail polish
kohls.com

Capri Blue sugar jar
thedreslyn.com

Stoneware mug
anthropologie.com

Timeline Planner
shopterrain.com

I'm linking up again with these ladies for their My Favorite Things Series. 
Go check out the other links to get great ideas for those on your shopping list....
or for items to put on your personal list to Santa as well.  

Down With the Dearmores

Cheers Y'all

 

 

XO,

Tara

 

A few of my favorite things...

I always have the hardest time coming up with ideas for myself when asked to put together a Christmas wish list.  I mean don't get me wrong, I ALWAYS have something that I want, and trust me, you let this girl shop, and I won't come home empty handed.  It's just when I'm put on the spot that I have a hard time.  This year though, I'm linking up with a few of my fellow bloggers for their "These Are a Few of My Favorite Things" series, which will be a wonderful way to see what others love and get some good ideas for those on your shopping list...or if you need help coming up with your own personal wish list.  I put together a collection of items I already own and love and some that I wouldn't mind receiving in the near future.

 

1. Michael Kors Wallet - I would love to own a new wallet.  Currently I have a mini wallet that only holds my license and a few bank cards.  I'd love to own a real wallet again and feel like an adult.

2.  I recently received these Kendra Scott Earrings - They are the Elle (the smaller version of the Danielle), and in black, they are classic and go with so many things, casual or dressy.  They are perfect!

3.  Kate Spade Perfume - I only own one perfume right now, Chance by Chanel, and I'd love to add this to my collection.  The beautiful bottle is an added plus.  How gorgeous would that be sitting out on a vanity?!

4.  Uggs - So I've never ever owned a pair of Uggs, and I would not wear these out of the house.  I would love to wear them around the house though as my husband likes to keep our house like a freezer.  These would also be great with cozy leggings while lounging around, and I do think this sweater style is pretty adorable!

5.  Stella and Dot crossbody or clutch - This purse is so versatile and can be carried in different ways, which would make it perfect for date night or shopping when a big bag is not convenient.  I need this!

6.  I also received a monogrammed initial necklace over a year ago and wear it all the time!  It's so pretty and delicate, and I always receive compliments.  It's a great personal gift!

7.  I never owned any Tory Burch flats until this past year I purchased a brown pair, and well now I wear them all the time.  I would like a black pair now too.  I wear them to work often as well as for casual events, so the nice quality is appreciated as they'll certainly last longer.

8.  I've had my eye on these Steve Madden pumps.  I think they'd be a great fun addition to my closet.  I have all of the nuetrals, and well, it's time to spice it up.  Enough said.

9.  I purchased this Michal Kors Large Hamilton Tote right before our Napa trip and loved it.  It does have a snap on top to keep it closed and was roomy enough for me to fit my big camera in along with other travel essentials.  It is big, but it was perfect for traveling!

10.  This Anthropologie green ruffle blouse is gorgeous.  I love this color, and it would be festive for the holiday season as well!

Join these other ladies in their link party to see what their favorite items are by clicking the link below.

Down With the Dearmore's

Cheers Y'all

 

Happy Shopping!

XO,
Tara

Houston Nutcracker Market

It's the most wonderful time of the year - can you believe it's here already?!

 

This past weekend my mom and sister were in town to visit, and while they were here, we checked out the annual Nutcracker Market.  It's a huge market with hundreds of vendors ranging from home decor accessories and christmas decorations to specialty food and clothes.  It has just about everything you can think of and is a wonderful way to kick off the holiday season!  The carolers singing Christmas carols and all of the Christmas trees decked out definitely made you feel like the holiday season is in full swing.  The downside is that it is crowded with people and can be a bit overwhelming.  I say though it's definitely fun to check out, just know what you are getting into!  I think there were times we were just walking in the middle of the aisle, not even bothering to look at the booths on each side to just make it to the end of the aisle...quite a bit like zombies.  We would then have to re-group and get ourselves ready to dive back into the madness and get busy shopping! 

 

{Me, my mom and my sister}

 

Here are a few sample pics of the goodies that are at the market.

 

 

Loved these lamps!  But they were display only. boo!

 

 

This was a really cute idea to display Christmas cards.  I think it could easily be made for those of you that like to DIY.

 

 

I also liked this canvas as an advent calendar.  I might do a similar design on my big chalkboard!

 

My favorite vendor to visit is Paul Michael.  They always have tons of furniture and Christmas decor galore with ribbon, ornaments and wreaths and all sorts of fun stuff.  It takes a while to look through this section.  Or maybe it does just for me because I ooh and ahh over everything.  These bar stools almost came home with me!  They had them in charcoal too, which I was tempted to go with to add some color in our living room.  These might have to be on my list for next year!

 

 

I actually didn't buy any Christmas decor this year.  I did however find a round mirror for our office and two big lanterns to decorate our front entryway.  Here are the lanterns below with my fall decor.  Just don't judge my dead mums...I never said I had a green thumb. I think the lanterns will be beautiful at Christmas time with candles in them or filled with oversized ornaments....so I guess I kind of bought something Christmas decor related afterall.

 

 

To top it off, we finally have cold weather here in Houston this week.  Now it really feels like the holidays.

 

XO,

Tara

 

Houston Talk - No Label Brewery

So let's say this one is more of a Houston (Area) Talk.  The No Label Brewery is not really in Houston, but it's in the suburbs of Houston in Katy.  Last weekend I went for the first time with my husband and mother and father-in-law.  It was a beautiful Fall day and a perfect time to hang out at the brewery.  You are allowed to bring fold out chairs, canopies, snacks, games, kids and even dogs.  There are some picnic tables if you get there early enough, and there is a wide open cement space to set up your own gear and tailgating games.  There is live music, football playing on a projection screen and local food trucks and vendors (which change from week to week). 

A couple of things to note.  The brewery is only open from noon - 3 pm on Saturdays and now a Happy Hour on Friday evenings.  There is a $5 admission, which includes a tasting glass and 4 drink tokens.  For $7 more you can buy a pint glass.   To be honest, I enjoy beer from time to time although it's usually not my drink of choice, but I did really like the Ridgeback Amber Ale.  That's saying a lot coming from me!  Just so you know.  I think more than the beer, personally, I enjoyed the atmosphere and how chill the place is.  It's a fun local hang out spot to gather with friends and family.  Now the husband on the other hand, really enjoys beer.  I mean doesn't that go without saying?  Here are some pics so you can see what this place is all about.

 

I'm already looking forward to our next visit!  I think we may even let Gus join us next time!  That will be a new adventure.  :) 

 

XO,

Tara

Five on Friday {2nd Edition}

 {five on Friday}

 

{one} We went to Sonoma and Napa last weekend, and as I had no doubt, we loved it. The weather was perfect and the wineries and the views were all amazing.  We already can't wait to go back one day.  Here's a peek, and I'll have to do a re-cap soon! 

(my husband's first pic of me for my blog, so don't judge that my head is cut off.  :) He was trying!) 

Look at those views in the back!  Also, I'm wearing my new fav shirt!

 

{two} I'm glad the fall shows have started!  I think it's bad as it makes me want to sit on the couch even more, but it's so fun to have my shows back.  I LOVE Parenthood and Nashville!  If you haven't ever watched Parenthood, you should go back and watch all of the prior seasons.  So good!

 



 

{three} While I enjoyed all of the amazing wine and great fresh food we had on our trip, I really have been craving our good ole Tex-Mex food.  So the hubby and I are having a date night tonight with fajitas and margaritas before we crash and go straight to bed.  We thought we might go see a movie tonight after dinner, but then this morning we decided that might be a little overambitious.  Who are we kidding anyways?  I mean we'll be lucky if we make it through dinner. 

 

 





{four} You wouldn't believe how badly I need a mani/pedi.  I'm definitely getting one before Jeff and I have a date night tonight.  He'll be working a little later, so I'm going to take advantage of the free time I have.  I'm ready for some fall colors on my nails. This one is called "Skirting the Issue." You like?

 

 

{five} This weekend I want to decorate for fall!  I'd like to do our front entryway and maybe our mantle too.  Of course along with taking some naps and relaxing on the couch.  Work is going to be really busy this month, so I need to rest while I can.  I ordered some mercury glass pumpkins last year at the end of the season and am ready to put them out for this year mixed in with some other fall decor.

 

 

Have a wonderful weekend all of you!

 

 

XO,

Tara



Five on Friday {1st Edition}

 {five-on-friday}

 

{one} I just purchased this shirt from Anthropologie, and I love it!  I've already gotten quite a few compliments on it.  Go get you one.

 

 

{two} I've been drinking this lately, and now I'm wondering why it took me so long to buy this at the grocery store.  I should've been sipping on this at home all summer! 

 

 



{three} Admittedly, one of my guilty pleasures is watching the Real Housewives of any city - I know it's terrible!  It's so entertaining - these women are nuts.  However, I also have a fascination with Jackie O and love anything related to her.  I read a couple of books this summer about the Kennedy's and Jackie, and well since Carole Radziwill (who was on RHNY) had written a book about her life being married to Jackie's nephew and their close relationship with JFK, Jr., I was interested to see what she had to say.  I found myself loving this book.  It's an interesting read as I enjoyed her writing and thought she was so honest.  I really connected to her story and was attached emotionally (yes, I was sobbing while laying on my float in our pool - oh dear, I know I'm an emotional mess myself haha).  I like Carole even more now though!

 

{four} My mom and my youngest niece have been staying this week while my husband was away at a work conference.  Every night, my mom and I have been watching Season 2 of Revenge!  I just love this show.  We have a lot of episodes left to watch yet before Season 3 starts, but we sure are trying.  I know we'll be curled up tonight watching a marathon!  I mean it's raining here a lot lately, so it's the perfect excuse, right?

 

 



 

 

{five} We are going to Sonoma/NAPA this next weekend for a wedding. We leave this coming Thursday - bright and early.  I'm so excited as we've never been.  We'll be able to share the time there with some great friends and some good food and wine.  It doesn't get better, does it?! We already have dinner reservations set up for Thursday and Friday evenings.  We'll attend the wedding on Saturday, and then off to do some wine tasting on Sunday.  If you've been, let me know any tips or places you want to share.

 

Happy Weekend!

 

XO,

Tara