Thanksgiving Recap

I hope you had a wonderful Thanksgiving...mine was nice and relaxing once all the cooking and table decorating was done! I definitely ate way too much, so of course the diet is starting today :)
Below are a couple of photos I took of my Thanksgiving table. Its a mix of rustic and elegant...one of my favorite combos. As you saw last week, I spray painted pumpkins gold for place card holders, and I also used some extra pumpkins for the centerpiece. I combined my wood plates(used as chargers) with my grandmother's china, and I just loved how the china accented the gold pumpkins. Finally, I picked some bittersweet from the side of the road and used that in the center of the table, and the red berries brought out the color of the table runner's border just perfectly.

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I'm always a little sad when a holiday ends, but at least we have Christmas to look forward to now! I've got my tree up and its mostly decorated...just needs a few finishing touches. Have you started decorating yet??

Happy Thanksgiving...a little early!

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I'm signing off early this week so I can enjoy some much needed quality time with my family over the holidays. I hope to eat lots of squash casserole (my favorite), give lots of attention to my precious nephews, watch a little football(roll tide, and for the BF - go hornfrogs!), read a book...possibly New Moon, and brainstorm on some great ideas for my blog next month!

Happy Thanksgiving,

Photo via BHG

Thanksgiving DIY Project, part II

I don't think I have mentioned this before, but I'm a little obsessed with burlap (hence the burlap background on my blog). To me, its the perfect element to add to a rustic (and chic) table. When I saw these burlap table runners on Style Me Pretty, I knew I had to make one for my Thanksgiving table. BUT, there was one big obstacle in front of me... I don't know how to sew! Unfortunately, I didn't pay much attention to the sewing lessons my grandmother gave me when I was little. Hindsight is 20/20, huh?
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I decided that instead of sewing fabric to the edge of the runner, I would glue it! Ok, I know that sounds unprofessional, but this project is all about DIY and for me that involves glue. I found a tube of clear glue that adheres to several different materials at Michael's and it worked perfectly! I was looking for a brown velvet ribbon, but had to settle for a deep cranberry instead. And lucky for me once again, I had some leftover scraps of burlap. Here is a sneak peek at the table runner...you will have to wait until after Thanksgiving to see the finished look.

Top 2 Photos via Style Me Pretty

Thanksgiving DIY Project, part I

My family has put me in charge of table decorations this year for Thanksgiving, so I have been scouring all my favorite blogs and web sites to get some inspiration. I saw this adorable place card DIY project by Jenny Steffens on Style Me Pretty and I just had to try it!
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Lucky for me, I had several small white pumpkins at my house that I had used to decorate for Halloween. As you can see they were starting to turn yellow, so thankfully I had not already tossed them! I put some newspaper down, covered the stems with painter's tape and started spraying...
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Once the top of the pumpkins dried (about 30 minutes) I flipped them over and sprayed the bottoms.

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Once the pumpkins were dry, I used a knife to cut a slit in the stems so that the name card would slide in to place.

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I am pretty pleased with the finished product! The only thing I would change would be to get a more subtle metallic sray paint color, which would be more similar to Jenny's pumpkins. I bought all my materials - spray paint, place cards, and gold pen - at Michael's. I can't wait to see how these look on Thanksgiving day!

P.S. Today is my 100th post!! I can't believe I've hit triple digits...

Top photo via Jenny Steffens

Thankful

I'll be taking a blogging break next Friday, so this is my last Thankful post of the season. I have A LOT to be thankful for, but I think I am most thankful for the loved ones in my life! I don't typically post photos of friends or family on my blog unless its part of a party :) ...but today is a special exception. All of my friends and especially my family make my life brighter and I don't know what I would do if I didn't have each and every one of them in my life. Now, get ready for lots of pics...I'll start with my friends...

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high school friends
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Sewanee girls
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B'ham girls

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my bible study girls

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my BF
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Dixie, my BF's dog...but who I also claim as mine :)

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Now for my extended family(minus my aunts and uncles - couldn't find their photos!)...
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my (maternal)cousin and her baby

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my (paternal) cousins

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Of course I couldn't find a photo of my immediate family all together. My dad is usually the photographer and my mom usually avoids getting her picture taken...and of course the twins are too busy playing to stop for a photo. So here they are piecemeal...

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one proud Grandad

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and grandmother
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my (couldn't survive without her) sister and her family

What are you thankful for this Thanksgiving??

Board #3: A Thanksgiving Inspired Wedding

Credits: Carla Ten Eyck, Jose Villa, Oh How Charming!, Millie Holloman, Jennifer Nichols, Heather Kincaid, Penny Silvia, Alison Ulshoffer Events & Design, Jose Villa, Jose Villa Photography

Its been a few weeks since my last wedding inspiration board, so I've been itching to create another one for the Fall bride. I feel like I have discovered through this blog how much I LOVE Fall. I'm drawn to the beauty in nature, rustic textures, vintage elements and rich, warm colors. I think you can probably tell from my boards that I love mason jars, chalkboards and anything that looks antique! I promise to do a better job in the future of branching out with more creative ideas. But for now, I'm soaking up Fall and everything it means to me...



P.S. If you saw my last board, yes, I figured out how to make it bigger than a thumbnail image...thank goodness! Head over to SMP's Style Circle if you want to make one of your own...

Family Tree

I am LOVING this family tree idea I saw on Laurie's blog. This would be such a fun idea to incorporate into your Thanksgiving decorations and would surely have your family entertained!

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OR... are you planning a fall wedding? This family tree would be a unique way to display your parents' wedding photos and also your engagement photos!

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If you are interested in tackling this DIY project, the step by step instructions are over on the Bride's Cafe. I've already been working on my (DIY) Thanksgiving decorations...I wish I had seen this idea sooner! Oh well, I guess I will just have to save it for next year.

Photos via Laurie Cinotto

Christmas Cards!

Ok, I know its not even Thanksgiving yet, but I'm sure many of you have already thought about ordering Christmas cards. So, I thought I would show you a few of my favorites! When I need "paper" inspiration the first place I look is Oh So Beautiful Paper. Nole always introduces me to the most beautiful invitations, gift tags, and (in this case) Christmas cards. I, of course, was immediately drawn to letterpress...

Smock Paper

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Lucky Bee Press

Parrott Design Studio

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And, for those of you who want to include your children in your Christmas cards, below are a few ideas from Rice Designs that I love! You must check out Ashley's blog for tons more ideas...

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And, last but certainly not least, my friend Brooke has several designs on Etsy that are simply fabulous!

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And to make me feel better about posting on Christmas before Thanksgiving, here is a Thanksgiving invitation I love from Chelle Paperie (also found on Oh So Beautiful Paper)

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Photos via Oh So Beautiful Paper, Rice Designs and Blueprint Bliss

Luscious Fall

I am head over heels in love with this fall table setting by Bloemenbinder! I love the rustic elements, the vintage chairs and table, and the luscious colors....its just perfection! I find myself yearning to sit at that table with friends and family to enjoy the beautiful fall weather and company of loved ones. Not only am I crazy about Bloemenbinder, but I am also loving Abigail Seymour Photography!! Abigail beautifully captured this scene and all the fabulous elements that have me swooning. Check out Abigail's blog so you can get a closer look at these photos...they are simply enchanting!
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I think my favorite part about this table setting is that its designed by my best friend's mom and staged in her backyard!



Photos via Abigail Seymour Photography

Thankful

If you didn't read my post last Friday, I'm taking each Friday in the month of November to post what I am thankful for. Since two days ago was Veterans Day, I've been especially thankful this week for all the men and women who serve in our armed forces. They risk their lives every day to keep me safe and for that I am beyond grateful!

Photo via Ringtonia

Cornucopias for your door!

When I think of Thanksgiving, I usually picture cornucopias like the one below...

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but how fun would it be to decorate your front door with one?? If you aren't into the wreath look this would be a great alternative!
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I so wish my front door looked like this...complete with that precious dog of course!!

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Photos via BHG and Martha Stewart