Trimming the Tree!

This year, we picked up our tree the Friday after Thanksgiving from a local place, Herman's Produce, who gets them from right down the road... and they are as fresh as the day they were cut {which was also the day before we picked it out}, so it was perfect!  J is always a sucker for a big tree and this year was no different.

It certainly makes our tiny living room very cozy.

I tackled the lights and J put on the star!

Our tree is filled with ornaments from the many trips we have taken since we started dating. 

These are some of my favorites:

Radio City/NYC - Christmas 2012,

Clearwater Beach - 2008, 

The Smokies {homemade of course, from our camping trip} 2009, 

The Biltmore - Thanksgiving 2010 with my parents!

...and some of my all-time favorites. 

Our Honeymoon in Antigua 2011,

KA snowflake - made by my AOII girls for J right after we met in 2007,

Auburn Santa - College graduation 2006,

Wedding Program Ornament {made by me} in 2012

Putting up our tree each year brings back so many wonderful memories, I look forward to it each and every year and hope we are lucky enough to continue to add to our collection. 

Just a few snapshots from the weekend. We had fun Friday night handing out hot cocoa at the local Christmas parade. The storms held off just long enough for Main Street to enjoy the sounds of the season... and even a few clydesdales too!

Saturday night was our staff party... where we celebrated at the Abigail Inn with a big Auburn WIN!! 

Best pic of the night... J stealing the lottery ticket from Mrs. Mary during Dirty Santa! 

Merry Christmas!!! 

xo, trace

Lazy Days and Etsy

I love a day with no plans on the books. Those seem to be few and far between these days, so I'll take them while I can. Today was a much needed day of rest and catching up before our big week ahead. I'm looking forward to a full week of parties and the big 3-0 to cap it off! But today, {After seeing the hubs off at 5am for a flight} was perfect. Church was  cancelled due to the weather which was sorta a bummer, but I took full advantage of sleeping in... Catching up on some much needed craft projects, watching silly lifetime movies and watching the snow fall outside. If you know me, this is rare... Usually I try to squeeze in as many events as possible in one day, but today somehow felt great not really doing anything at all.

My sister-in-law has been a busy bee with our Etsy shop, and I had a few orders to fill too. I thought I would share a few of our fun crafts for sale: 

Snowman Pinecones - $5.99 or 3 for $15

Fort Kits - $35, including monogram 

Wedding program ornament - $20

If you're still looking for some last minute gifts, visit our Etsy shop! 

Cheers to a great week ahead! 

xo, trace 

5 on Friday

Happy Friday!! We are gearing up for the holiday festivities to begin this weekend... our local christmas parade is tonight and I'm hoping the weather clears long enough for us to hand out hot cocoa... but it's not looking promising. However, Carols at Blue Lab will go on rain or shine... such a fun tradition. Who doesn't love beer and Christmas Carols?  Now for my 5 on Friday...

{one} The Coca Cola Polar Bears Movie

If anyone has flown Delta lately - you may have discovered this little happy on your drink napkin. Or maybe I'm the only one who noticed... because of course, I was curious, tucked it into my bag and couldn't wait to google it. It's precious! For anyone within kids - such a fun story.  You should watch right now. It will make your Friday. The polar bear can is pretty cute as well. 

{two} Simple Suppers Cajun Fixins'

My mom sent us a fall happy box a couple weeks ago with pumpkin k-cups, the local paper from home {which I love to read}, and two of these simple suppers. We usually make everything from scratch and I've almost gotten completely away from buying anything in a can... but she swore they tasted almost as good as her homemade cajun cooking, and when you're craving mamma's cooking, anything with do!  We tried one on Wednesday night - and I must say, not bad.  It's doesn't really even compete with momma's... but it'll tide me over until Christmas. 

{three} Lilly Travel Pant

Thanks to Classic Annie I found myself some new black pants. I have been looking for something comfortable, workable and wearable to a holiday party. These look perfect! I can't wait to get them in the mail. 

{four} My Ambassadors gift from Makers Mark

They hit a home run with this years' gift - a "nightcap" for our Maker's bottle. So precious! The Makers' sweater hiding in the background was the gift in 2011 - love being an Ambassador.

{five} Chalkboard Table Runner

How cute is this table runner from Anthropology? Perfect for Holiday parties and gatherings through the new year. 

Tomorrow is our first party of the season and I can't wait. I have lots more shopping, baking, wrapping and crafting to get done this weekend... tis the season!! Hope your weekend is just as Merry and Bright! 

xo, trace

I Rented the Runway!

I signed up for Rent the Runway two years ago and I finally made my first reservation!  I am so excited to get my dresses. I got a coupon for my birthday and figured since it was my 30th, why not splurge?? The hubs has planned a fun lil getaway for us and mentioned a nice dinner, so I figured I would get dressed up for fun night out ...and we have a work dinner for him on my actual birthday, so I got two!

Just wanted to share my fun picks... 

Shoshanna - Lace Sierra 

MILLY - Black Lace Combo

Use coupon code FIRSTRTR25X7947 for $25 off your first order. 

There were so many fun ones... it was hard to pick!  If you're going to browse... give yourself lots of time. I spent at least an hour looking for just two dresses. 

Happy Thursday... excited to be back in the grove and ready for 5 on Friday tomorrow! 

xo, trace

Advent Day 3

Happy #Givingtuesday and OΔK Founders Day! We enjoyed a lovely reception at the office... And had a busy day raising funds for our Centennial. I had these adorable cupcakes made for our reception. 

Happy 99 OΔΚ! 

After a late night working.. It's finally time to decorate our tree!! 

xo, trace 

Turkey Day Recap and Advent Day 2

Well, we had a fabulous lil holiday this year. We stayed here in town and really missed our families... But loved taking it easy, sleeping in, and getting a jump start on holiday shopping and decorating. Here's a lil recap of how the weekend went... We started our holiday on Tuesday with what else... Mexican!

Donny T's did not disappoint and filled our bellies with extra calories to get the weekend started! After an early leave from work, haircut, and afternoon of baking... we had friends over for a drink and enjoyed a low-key night out on the town. After all, turkey day came early for us. 

That was at 5:30am.... With every piece of warm clothing on we could find. It was a crisp 22 when we walked out the door. The moon was shining though... Which pretty soon opened up to beautiful  blue skies for the 300 plus runners to participate in the 2nd annual gobble wobble in downtown Lex. It was a huge success!!

         {us at 5:30am}

After a much needed nap, I headed bak to the kitchen to get ready for our feast! We had such a wonderful evening celebrating with great friends and delicious food. 

After a second round of desserts and drinks at another friends place we decided on a slumber party at the Hastings and enjoyed a few extra bottles of champaign. :)

However the fun didn't stop there... we enjoyed a night at the Country Club with Gary Ruley on Friday night. 

...and of course Saturday looked a lil something like this:

Notice a common theme here... Food. Booze. More food. More booze. It was time to get back to the treadmill today!

We did squeeze in a lil bit of decorating {more to come} and also picked out our tree! 

My lil fox says it's Day 2 of Advent..

Cheers to a great month ahead! Tomorrow is #givingtuesday. Have you picked your cause yet... If not check it out at givingtuesday.com. 

xo, trace 

Happy December!

Today marks the first day of Advent - the most wonderful time of the year!! My sister in law surprised us last week with a beautiful handmade Advent calendar just in time for today!

Here's a sneak peak... Day 1!

The first Sunday reading is The Good News Begins. 

We are still living in a daze after last nights' big win... Man, it sure is great to be an Auburn Tiger!!!! This was me after the final play of the game... 

We're going to the 'ship!!!! 

It's been such a great Thanksgiving break and we are capping off the weekend with a trip to Staunton for some shopping and lunch. We picked up our star from the star tree this morning at church and I can't wait to go shopping for our little adopted star. I love this tradition and can't wait to share the Christmas joy with this little boy! 

Happy Sunday & War Eagle!!! 

Xo, trace