Could It Be Possible?

It's already time to start planning for Christmas?

I don't know about you, but I'm desperately trying to stay on top of how quickly Christmas rushes upon us. From holiday decor to Christmas cards, I've already been planning for new ideas and color schemes.
Every year since we got married, Jay and I have had a blue and silver Christmas tree. The look has evolved over time, but essentially remained the same. When we lived in Virginia Beach, we had room for three trees in our house, so we had my blue and silver tree, a tree with all the kids ornaments, and a hunting/fishing themed tree for all of Jay's ornaments. Since moving to Kansas, we really only have room for two trees, so Jay's ornaments have been sitting in boxes a few years.

Nevermind the children in the way of the tree....

This year I've been inspired by the beautiful shape and color of the antler sheds Jay has been bringing home from hunt trips, so I am going to incorporate that into our Christmas decorations, and pull out his box of decorations instead of my own. To that end, I've been scouring the internet for a way to pull out my style along with his. Of course, my first go-to is Anthropologie.

Woodland Stocking Holder

Night Owl Lights

And in the entertaining department:

Tiered Crane Sculpture

I die. This takes all of my loves and puts them in to a neatly tied package. Birthday discount?

Elk Horn Serveware

I missed out on last years horn collection because I dragged my feet on it. I am determined not to let that happen again. I love the entire collection. Probably a better use of my discount than a $300 tray set.

Fiona Apron

No Christmas would be complete without an apron that looks like a gorgeous dress!

But back to the decor. I hoping to pull off a more traditional and nostalgic feeling this year.

Source: Pinterest

Source: Pinterest

Source: Pinterest 

As for Christmas cards, I am trending toward the same traditional color scheme. So far, I have ordered these for myself:

Factory classic button-down shirt in flannel

Factory classic button-down shirt in flannel

Heathered shawl pullover

I plan to pair together with skinny jeans and either high heels in black, or my tobacco colored boots. Jay will wear a flannel and jeans with boots.

For my kids, I'm doing a variety of flannels and sweaters in this scheme:

Fair Isle hoodie

Convertible checkered flannel shirt

Buffalo checkered scarf

Twill multi-plaid shirt

Speckled shawl pullover

Cable knit poncho

I plan to pair all these with simple jeans on bottom.

Here is my photo inspiration:

Source: Pinterest

I'm hoping we have some snow or frost on the ground when it's time to take the photo's. Getting 6 independent people together at the same time is the biggest challenge, so it might be tough to get the weather to cooperate.

Well, I've emptied my brain of my thoughts so far. What about you? Are you planning for Thanksgiving and Christmas yet?

What I Wore (Christmas Eve)

Ever since I was a little girl, my Dad always took us out to Red Lobster on Christmas Eve. We didn't have much money growing up, and back then, this was a special treat. We have continued the tradition as we have all gotten older, and now my kids ask, "Are we going to Red Lobster?" One of the first things they did when we moved here was look for a Red Lobster so we could go out on Christmas Eve. My whole family joined us here this Christmas, since Jay couldn't take much time off. We had a house full! But we were happy to have everyone. Now the clean-up begins.

Kid- captured on my iPhone.

My sister Valerie and I leaving for church.

My sister hated this outfit, saying gray and green don't match.

Shirt: Anthropologie Voltante Tee
Skirt: J Crew No. 2 Pencil in Viridian Green
Shoes: Anthropologie Satin Swoops Heels
Belt: Green Leather, thrifted

We all piled in cars and went to Red Lobster, then the Christmas Eve service at church. It was such a lovely service, and the perfect reminder of why we celebrate Christmas.

I had hoped to do a end of year re-cap of style and the evolution of my blog, but with so much going on with family, it wasn't possible until now. I hope you will indulge me another week, while I clean house, and get my kids back to school. I would love to write a post about some hits and misses.

A very Happy New Year to each and every one of you. The friendships I have formed through blogging have meant the world to me. I love to hear from my readers! I hope to meet more of you face to face this year. (That means you, Sonia A!)

Happy Christmas

I hope you all had a lovely Christmas.
We are hosting my VA family, so we did our normal tradition of Christmas Eve dinner at Red Lobster (since I was a little kid, my dad took us there), then church. The service was a mix of contemporary and traditional, with a challenging reminder of Gods love in sending His Son to be born as a little child.
We then returned home to snack and open gifts. Then on Christmas Day, my Kansas family joined us for a traditional dinner and we played Catch Phrase. 
This was a very different Christmas for me, and I missed Virginia dearly, but I loved being able to celebrate with my dad's side of the family. I hope we made some new traditions.

Here's to a New Year, and new chances to take the things that define us, and make us stronger, better people.
Best,
Debra

Happy Early Christmas

We took our photographs, and ordered Christmas cards today.
What'ya think?

Stationery card

View the entire collection of cards.

Rockefeller Center Anthropologie

While we were in NYC, I took some pics of the top award winning Christmas window displays at R.C. store. Here is the article about the awards, and below are the awesome pics. (Notice there are no pics of me standing in front of them to ruin it for you. ;) The pic of me and Jay in front of the tree at Rockefeller is free- from me to you. Haha

NYC Anthro Haul!

How excited was I to rally from my sick bed week before last- on the day before leaving for New York City! The reason? The Super-Dooper Sale of the Century! Anthro's extra 25% off sale. PLUS, I had my birthday discount to use! That's right. I used BOTH.
My sweet man was kind enough to find a chair and sit patiently holding piles of possibilities (He likes it, I promise!) in not one, but two Anthro locations.  I hit the gorgeous Rockafeller Center location the first day, then tripped down to SoHo, so I could see that store. They are totally different.
All in all, I came away with a boat-load of deals:

Interpretation Chemise: $22.46

Elevenses Emerald Isle Coat: $63.71

Eloise Lunner Lounge tank: $12.72

Floreat Snow Egret Shift: $50.97

Girls from Savoy Vestiges Dress: $22.46!!!!!!

In the Heather Crops (Lounge) in brown: $19.09

And a smock necked brown tee that I CAN'T FIND THE NAME OF! The label is just a bunch of leaves and flowers, so I don't know the brand. Also $19.09!
I have already worn the crops- on the snow day. Call me nothing, if not literal. And I wore the Snowy Egret dress on Christmas Eve.
My mom and dad gave me money to shop with while in NYC, so I wrapped up the coat to myself from my parents, and opened it at our family Christmas, and proceeded to act surprised and excitied.  My mom got a kick out of it. (At least, I tell myself that. She probably thinks I am ridiculous. NO. She loved it. After all, I AM her favorite.)

Macy's at Christmas

Just HAD to share this photo with you from our trip to NYC last weekend.  The sign just about sums it up.
Merry Christmas from the Lapierre's to you!