Fashion Tip Friday ~

Happy last Friday of 2011.
Wow, I can't believe it's going to be 2012 in just two days. Time sure does fly, doesn't it?

I was planning to write about the classic white button up shirt we should all own, but I've decided to hold off for today.

Instead...I'm going to share something my neighbor and friend wrote and sent to me a couple of weeks ago.
It's more of an interior fashion tip. ;)

"My" Perfect World.Written by my friend (and next door neighbor) Angela who always keeps a very clean house.
So when you read the bit about her floors being sticky, know it's a lie. ;)
So having said that...enjoy. =)

In my perfect world, the doorbell wouldn't’t ring during naptime, the dog wouldn't’t shed, the floor wouldn't’t be sticky, the kids would listen the FIRST time and joyfully say “thank you” and “I’m sorry”, convenience food would be healthy and affordable, my toilet wouldn't’t smell like pee or something I cannot identify, my laundry would be clean and PUT AWAY, eating sweets wouldn’t leave me bloated and feeling chubby, coffee all day would be good for me, prayers would come easy and loving one another wouldn’t be a struggle, I would always be in the “mood” to be a wife, I wouldn’t fear the fast aging of my children or myself, embracing each moment would come naturally, I wouldn’t need to wear makeup and my hair would always look good, everyone would have clean socks without holes in them and getting ready for church wouldn’t be a chore.
Boy, could I go on and on about MY perfect world. The fact is, my world is perfect, just the way it is. It’s me that needs the work. I’m the one that makes my world imperfect in so many ways. See, it’s these little daily things that drive me INSANE to say the least. Things that I cannot control but I can change how I handle them. I always hear “I need more ME time”…. That’s the last thing I need. I need to learn how to handle my “perfect” world and truly love and enjoy each moment. If I’m not in “my world” how can I learn that? Don’t get me wrong, I love going for coffee w/ my husband or a dear friend…getting to do something special like that is a real treat. Running from my day won’t leave me refreshed; it will just make me hate it more. Now that I got that off my chest, time to go make some laundry soap and finish the never ending loads of laundry that somehow appeared over the weekend! Go, embrace your messy, sticky, stinky house and kiss your husband and eat that cookie. Then, go for a walk and take a deep breath, refresh yourself with prayer at Jesus’ feet and start each new day with a smile.

Thank You Angela!


I think Saturday I'll pull out my New Years wear. Nothing says Happy New Years like silver glitter! =)

I posted this picture last year, I know, but it's just too good not to share!....this used to be my grandmother's outfit.
It was a very expensive gift given to her by my grandpa... purchased from a boutique in Chicago.

She wore it for fancy occasions in the 1970's.
Now her (most Favorite if I may add ;) granddaughter wears it on New Years Eve!




We're going to my parent's house New Year's Eve. Sunday Jeff's family is coming over for dinner.
How about you? Big plans?

Have a Fabulous Weekend and a Happy New Year!!!

Around here.....

...our Christmas decorations are still up. I will take them down January 2 like I do every year.
Except for this one December, (1999 to be exact) when I took down the tree before New Year's Eve.
I didn't like it. No one did. The house had an empty sort of feel.

In early December the house always feels so cozy and warm all decked out with
fresh garland hung above the doorways, the lighted tree in the living room,
Christmas cards cluttering the outline of our kitchen entrance.

Then, a couple of days after Christmas I get into this cleaning mode.
I am consumed by the declutter- reorganize- repaint- rearrange bug.
And this bug does NOT like Christmas decorations!

This afternoon as I was dusting crispy pine needles off my hutch for the 458th time,
I was ready for the Christmas decor to be packed away!
But I didn't do it, I told myself.....Liz, you can't repeat 1999!

So up it all stays until Monday. =)



One of the gifts my mom gave to me for Christmas was this huge basket. I love it.




Jeff and the boys cleaned out our attic early this morning.
We have the best attic! There is a staircase in our hallway leading up to it.
Someday we plan on doing something great up there. Someday.

(For now, when the weather is not too hot, or not too cold, the kids will go up and play.)

During their cleaning escapade I saw five huge, black garbage bags being taken out.
I have no idea what they got rid of....and I don't really care. I'm thankful to have it cleaned out.


I have a roast and potatoes in the oven for dinner.
The kids are just coming in from playing outside.



I'm eating a piece of chocolate I stole from my daughter.

Hope you are having a lovely Thursday.

Lucky.

Most favorite Christmas present?


My new purse. Given to me by my bestest friend. =)
It's made of lamb leather. It's soft and makes our coat closet smell wonderful.



*Interesting Jeff and Liz Fact #37 The way we purchase each other's Christmas gifts each year.*

We save change. Quarters and Dimes only. (Nickels and Pennies go into the kid's bank)
All year long we fill this little basket set on a shelf in our bedroom. Early December we cash in our change.

Whatever the amount is, we split it evenly. That is what we spend on each other! No more, no less.

This has been our tradition since the first Christmas we were married.
Our first Christmas we were young and broke...we had $24.
It was fun to be creative with only $12 a piece!

Save your change and I'm sure you'll be pleasantly surprised how much it all adds up to in just a year's time.
Enough in our house that I was able to receive a Lucky Brand purse!

Happy Wednesday.

Today.....

....we slept in after an incredibly busy and fun weekend.


.....all of the wrapped presents are gone from under our tree.



....we are being lazy and playing with new toys.
.....Jeff is home which makes for a near perfect Monday.

.....is only near perfect because I have a dentist appointment in just a little bit.
I do not wish to go but after having a bad toothache for the past week and a half,
I am thankful I live in a country where I have the privilege to visit the dentist.
Even though I don't want to...have I already mentioned this? ;)


Hope you had a Blessed Christmas.
Happy Monday.

Fashion Tip Friday ~

Happy Day before Christmas Eve! I am so excited for this weekend.

 

As I type...

Flurries are coming down outside,

 

It's Christmas Eve at the Bailey's and George is yelling on the phone at Zuzu's teacher,

 

Allison and Sophia are making felt Christmas trees and glittering our family room floor. =/

(Someday I'll post about my obsession with glitter and Jeff's hatred towards it.

*Note to us* Run vacuum before Jeff gets home! =)

 

Almost all of our gifts are wrapped. Sophia went ahead and wrapped 9 of them while I was in the kitchen....

withOUT using tags.So what gift belongs to who???

It's a great mystery to us. We will be trying to decipher them tonight without having to rewrap.

Or...we may just leave them and my brother Caleb will perhaps open nailpolish and my niece will open up a gun. Ha!

 

Ok. Christmas Fashion Tip.

Watching old Christmas movies today,

(we started at 6am this morning...Holiday Inn, White Christmas, It's a Wonderful Life)

I noticed one thing...they were all dressed up!

 

Holidays were a special occasion.

A celebration to put on fancy clothes, curl hair and apply lipstick!

It's not everyday you can wear sparkles and high heels ya know.

 

Growing up, I always had a new Christmas dress to wear. New tights. Shiny patten shoes.

I Loved it. I couldn't wait to get dressed on Christmas.

 

My Mom always made sure we looked our best on holidays, because they were special.

We were celebrating something wonderful and she wanted us to look nice.

 

I do the same for my girls. (and boys)

When it's a holiday, whether they like it or not, they're dressed up. No exceptions!

 

Our country has become so casual. Thanksgiving dinner is eaten in comfy sweatpants and unbrushed ponytails.

It just shows how lazy we have become. We do not have the same respect for proper occasions as we used to.

 

Now I know everyone feels differently about dressing on holidays. Every family has their own way of doing things.

But I would encourage you to dress a little nicer...make it feel special,

even if it's just putting on some lipgloss or wearing a necklace. =)

Hope you all have a Very, Very Merry Christmas.

Remember the reason that we are celebrating this weekend.

 

 

 

 

I am so thankful for my Saviour coming into this world.

So thankful for my God.

 

Merry Christmas Everyone.

 

A "Cause" on the Street.

This was Saturday.



How long do you think he'll keep it up?

Two Things.

I would like to place this chair....


into this living room.....


and have it be mine. =)

Happy Tuesday to you.