Blogging in 2010!

So I have been much enjoying my family time and will resume regular blogging next week. Until then, here is my small blog make-over for organized blogging in 2010! 

I hope I am covering all topics you love! Would love to hear your feedback!

 

Merry Christmas! Peace, Love, & Joy

Merry Christmas! God bless you and your families this beautiful Season!

And Happy Birthday to the King of Kings!

Inspiration Countdown + Holiday Wassail

As Christmas approaches, the spirit is rising in our house. Baking, Secret Santa, Games, Music, Movies, Food, Dancing, etc. Here is a wonderful Holiday Drink Recipe I made for my family that makes you feel like you are drinking a big mug full of Holiday Cheer!

Holiday Wassail

64 oz. apple juice

16 oz. cranberry juice

3/4 cup sugar

2 cinn. sticks

1 tsp. Allspice

2 orange slices

1/8 teaspoonb cloves

25oz. rum (optional)

Mix together and warm.

Amidst all the fun I love the time our family takes to reflect around the advent wreath and thank God for blessings and pray for those in need.

Amaryllis and Holly Advent Wreath - Woodland Reflections 

Here is another way you can spread the word for Charity! They are donating to my charity of choice! Whether you are giving time, talents, or treasure this Christmas, all are needed, all are important:) I would love to hear how you choose to GIVE!

Enjoy your families and have a Blessed Day!

Inspiration Countdown: Charity Water

This Holiday season, we encourage you to share what God has blessed you with and contribute to a necessity of life: clean WATER, to those who need it most: 

PLEASE VISIT-  http://mycharitywater.org/liza and find out how 
YOU CAN HELP MY FRIEND LIZA turn

CHRISTMAS HOLIDAY!!

Today my family is leaving for St. Louis for the Christmas Holidays. I couldn't be more excited to see my incredible mom, dad, brothers, and sisters. This is one of the only times of the year we can all be together. So I am taking a much needed break from my etsy shop, and soaking up some family time. Will try and share a few posts with you while I am there if I can get away from all the food, laughter, games, celebrations, etc. :)

I will leave you with a few perfect gifts I am bringing along that I found thanks to the Handmade Holiday Pledge:)

For my niece (goddaughter)

My Son's First Stocking:)

For several little girls I love...

Have a wonderful December weekend!!!

Shout Out: Girl Boutique Debut

So its been a little crazy lately as I am trying to expand my line into a few more boutiques, keep up with the online store, and complete my Graphic Design projects......while still trying to be a mother and wife who remembers to just spend time with her loves, and prepare her heart for Christmas. Yeah, whew! Tall order, but sometimes, its grace alone that keeps me sane. At the end of the day, if I don't get everything done, its ok! As long as I keep my priorities straight- God first, family second, job third:)

So ...exciting news I wanted to share. In Honor Of Design can now be found in GIRL BOUTIQUE

A fabulous store in Kansas City! Isn't it beautiful?

Here are a few items I designed for this store:

Will post soon about another city I soon will be selling in! Have a wonderful Thursday!

Wednesday Photography Feature: Julie Wilhite

Happy to introduce to you Julie Wilhite Photography!

What a talented photographer. 

She seems to capture the perfect moments on camera....

Check out her breathtaking Blog and Website !

TEN DAYS till Christmas! Inspiration Countdown..

Since we are getting close to Christmas Day- one of the most important days of the year, I thought I would take a break from all the material posts and share with you some inspiration...

I have a very dear friend who lost her sister right after Christmas last year in a car accident. It was a tragedy no one ever wants to experience. As Katherine and her family have sought healing, she has shared so many lights and inspirations with us along the way. I have been incredibly inspired by her openness, faith, and active participation in making a difference in her sister Victoria's name. This year, in memory of Victoria's favorite Holiday(Christmas), they are having a toy drive for the local poor community. Amazing. If you have been waiting for a good cause to donate to,  here it is.

Beautiful girls: Katherine, her daughter Ava, sister Alex,

and youngest sister Victoria "Heaven's Brightest Star"

(Picture taken 3 days before Victoria died)

Thanks Katherine for being an inspiration!

Style For the Weekend

Clockwise from Top:

Social Butterfly Dress - Modcloth, $67.99

Encrusted Rose Bobby Pins - Forever21, $5.80

Bejeweled Expandable Bracelet - Forever21, $10.80

Kenneth Cole Reaction-Need to Know - Piperlime, $79.00

Anna Von Diederitz Coat in Snow - Modcloth, $83.99

All About a Midnight Bow Clutch - DavieandChiyo, $85.00

Have a Happy Weekend!

Gift Guide For Him

I don't know about you, but I am always looking for tips on gifts. For the last few Thursdays this month I want to help a little if I can:) As I was looking for ideas for my husband and my dad, I came up with a few ideas. So here are some fun gifts in a category that can be challenging:

For the Office:

2010 Weekly Planner -Leatherbound - Myhandboundbooks 

Laptop Sleeve - Grey Wool Felt and Brown Leather  - ByrdandBelle

For the Home:

Mens Shaving Gift Set - Paradise Body Shop

Ctrl Alt Delete Pillow case covers - diffractionfiber

For the Outdoors: (Anything from Cabela's)

Cabela's Outfitter Series 3-blade Knife - Cabela's

Cabela's Polarweight Fleece Hat and Gloves - Cabela's

Its fun to find him something he needs, something with humor, or something that is a big boy toy (like the hunting knife:) My husband played with my little brothers remote control hellicopter all day last Christmas! 

Family Photo Outakes

So we had our first family pictures this year for Christmas cards/ Gabriel's 6 mo. photos. It was pretty cold out so I was happy that Ruth managed to get some good ones. She did a fantastic job. I had to wear my favorite boots of course, and I put Gabriel in a button down and sweater vest because it makes him look like a little man;) Here are a few faves:

Will share a few more Christmas week:)

Happy Midweek!

Accessory Fix Tuesday: Holiday Hair 2009

I love hair wear....and I have so many ideas to add to my shop.

Today I want to share some simply stunning pieces from small businesses that got it right

with a price you can afford for this year's holiday hearwear!

Clockwise from top:

Aubrey Headband - $28.00

Bow Headband in Light Grey - $10.00

Gorgeous Red Flower Bow - $7.00

A Holiday Bouquet Pin Set - $5.00

Black Art Deco Headband - $21.99

Which one of these beauties catches your eye?

Weekend Recap: Christmas Tree and Snowstorm!

So we actually bought our Christmas tree Thanksgiving weekend. We were soo excited to get our first real tree together. Even though we will be traveling most of the Holidays we wanted that real Christmas tree scent for just a few weeks. At the tree farm you mark your tree with a giant flag....my husband felt quite heroic holding it victoriously:)

So busy filling all of the Christmas orders coming in....I have to rush to the post office before the snowstorm hits that is forcasted for the next few nights....I am missing my Atlanta weather right about now, but there is something marvelous about snow at Christmas time. I think Norman Rockwell captures this time of year perfectly....

Have a spirited Monday!!

Friday Favorite Finds

Notice the blog change? From day one I have tried to figure out how to change my blog to three columns. Thanks to Alli from Hooray Design  , I finally found a good resource! So thanks love!


So my Style For your Weekend Partner Ann , just got back from South Africa! So we are both re-cooping from trips and will post next Friday:) Today, I will share with you some new finds in my favorites list:) Just click on the picture to take you to the item directly....

The perfect earwarmer....

Bloom Headband, LaineDesign

10 Cupcake Dessert Plates, atelierBB

Flapper Doodle Art

Gold Vintage Clutch Purse, AnnasPortfolio

Tell me whatchya think!

Have a wonderful adventus weekend!

Shout Out Thursday: In Honor Of Design on TV!

Shout outs to FrenchieandFlea and LovelyClusters  for for featuring my shop on their Black Friday Guides! Thank you lovely ladies! If you haven't seen these blogs yet, check it out! You will fall in love.

ALSO, had some exciting things happen over Thanksgiving. One being that I met the wonderful owner of Mint Green Boutique in the East Village in the Quad Cities, and she is now selling In Honor Of Design Accessories there! She just emailed me this link  of the TV show slot where she featured my items! Her store was featured on a local show. Wow, such an incredibly exciting thing for me! I actually haven't viewed this b/c I have a mac....but if you have windows, you can view it here!

Just to show how happy I am....Have a fabulous day!

Wednesday's Photography Feature: Sweet Eventide

Today I want to introduce to you this lovely photgrapher, Jessica Nichols from SweetEventide. Isn't her work lovely?

 

Enchanted Lanterns

 

Little Houses

 

Beach Light

(sigh-I want to go there to get away from the cold!)

You can see more of her work here:

BLOG - ETSY SHOP - FACEBOOK 

Accessory Fix Tuesday

I make most of my accessories now, but Forever21 gets me everytime. Here are a few things I just bought that I couldn't pass up!! The scarf was already out of stock and I am so bummed:( You can't beat their prices, and I don't like to pay big $ for a trendy piece. Its the perfect place for a fun accessory fix! Still sticking to my HANDMADE HOLIDAY PLEDGE for family and friends! Got some great items yesterday during the Cyber Monday Sales. How about you?

Floral Chiffon Collar , $8.80

Sequin Gown Manequin Jewelry Stand , $8.80

Gauzy Animal Scarf , $7.90