L.O.V.E. is in the Air

Valentine's Day is in just a few days!! While some people hate this holiday - I happen to "love" it! It doesn't have to be a big "to do" - but it's just a fun day to celebrate with someone you love.

Growing up my Mom always made sure we had treats and some fun little gifts on Valentine's day! She always did so good and made us feel so special. There were also times as I got older that I wouldn't be dating anyone around Valentine's Day - and while many of my single friends would feel sad and depressed on this day - I never did! I never did because my Mom always made me feel loved. To me - Valentine's Day doesn't have to be a romantic significant other to make you feel special - it can be anyone in your life that loves you and that you love! Not only did my Mom always spread the love on Valentine's Day - but I can remember several years when this day rolled around that my parents would take me and my little brother out to a nice dinner. They could have gotten a sitter and done something together without us kids - but most of the time they always made it a family affair and we would go out for a nice dinner!

While I do love having my husband as my Valentine and enjoying this day with him - I remember the special days growing up and how I never really felt sad on Valentine's day if I didn't have a guy to share it with!

So as Valentine's Day quickly approaches - remember one thing - your Valentine can be anyone in your life that you love and that loves you in return! There are no rules!

Oh and I was looking back at some photos this week and ran across one from Valentine's Day last year and one of my little festive "love" nooks I had decorated in pink and red!

Happy Valentine's Weekend!

Happy Birthday Lil Bro!

Happy 23rd Birthday to my little brother, Casey!!

I'm so proud of him and his amazing talent as a drummer AND that he is traveling around the country with his band Darling Parade, doing what he loves! Today he is in San Diego and I'm hoping he and his band mates get to enjoy some of the beautiful scenery before their big show tonight!

Happy Birthday - make it a great one.

These are the years you will look back on, so make them count and enjoy!!

Brotherly Love

This weekend my little brother came home from Nashville. His band Darling Parade is getting ready to go on tour and so it will be a while till I see him - so he came home to hang out for a few days! His birthday is coming up in a couple weeks and since he will be on the road at that time, I wanted to celebrate while he was here. So yesterday I took him to lunch in Midtown, then we went and did a little shopping at Urban Outfitters & Target. Instead of picking a gift out for him and wrapping it, I told him to pick a couple things out and I would get it for him for his birthday. So he got a new hat, new jeans and couple other little things!

Us on the way to lunch

We ate at Young Avenue Deli. It was Food & Football FUN - he was into the game!

I also told him to pick any dessert he wanted and I would make it for him over the weekend. He chose a Chocolate Pecan Pie! I had never made one before, but it wasn't hard at all! You simply make a pecan pie, but fill the bottom of the pie crust with chocolate chips before adding the filling. It was very good!

Making a wish!

My brothers dog Bentley and my doggie, Mr. Big

Me, Myself & I {my hair is down for once-can you believe it?!?!}

Is that you Zac Brown? Oh wait - no . . . . that's my brother, Casey! He's been growing a beard and I'm not used to it - but it's "growing" on me - no pun intended!

So that was pretty much my weekend! I loved watching the Golden Globes tonight! I just LOVE the excitement of award shows, the fashion and the speeches! How many of you watched? I may do a post on my favorite gowns tomorrow!

Hope everyone had a great weekend! My eyes are getting quite heavy so I think it's time for me to hit the hay! Sweet dreams!

Catching up . . . . Christmas 2012

It's officially 2012! Hope everyone had a Happy New Year and wonderful Christmas! I can't believe it's all over! Boy did it go by fast! Too fast! I'm always sad when the Christmas season is over! It's the excitement of family getting together, gift giving, and just the magical feeling in the air. But it has come and gone and now it's back to the busy, day to day schedule! I'm needing to get back in gear and work, work, work, but I have been under the weather this week with a terrible cold! Hubby had it last week and now I have it! No fun at all! But I think I'm starting to get well!

Wanted to share photos and more about our Christmas. I'm going to pick only my favorite photos so I don't do a photo overload - however there will still be several - so bear with me!

Let's start with Christmas Eve! We did our traditional Christmas Eve eats & treats, went to church, and exchanged a few gifts (which is always new Christmas PJ's!) We've been opening new pajamas on Christmas Eve since I was a little girl. My Mom started that tradition and I still look forward to it each year!

Me and my fam at church

My Parents

Favorite part of church on Christmas Eve . . . . the candlelight service! So beautiful!

A few Christmas Eve eats & treats!

Opening Christmas PJ's

My brother playing some Christmas tunes!

My sweet boys!

Me & Ashley

Ashley & my Brother

Mom & me!

Christmas morning & STOCKINGS!! I love goodies in stockings!

Our little family on Christmas morning before the gift giving and gift opening fun!

My brother playing with M's new guitar I got him!

Coffee & the German Christmas cake, Marzipan Stollen. My maiden name and dad's side of the family is German and I started the tradition of eating Stollen on Christmas several years ago when I learned about it from working at the German jewelry company, Charlotte!

Dad opening a gift from me - I purchased a drawing of downtown Memphis from a local artist over the summer, then got it framed. My parents lived in Memphis for many years and recently moved to TX and I wanted him to have a part of Memphis at their new home or at his office at work! He loves Beale Street and the blues and his favorite place is Rum Boogies and BB Kings - so this was just perfect because it shows both!

Table set for Christmas dinner!

Our shrimp cocktails we have before Christmas dinner every year!

Our annual Beef Wellington made by my mom! She's been making this for 28 years!!! We always look forward to it! Such a great tradition she started! Not to mention - DELISH!!

My Mom and my brother! This was right after dinner and clearing the table and she still looks great after literally being in the kitchen ALL day!

Us!

Such a wonderful Christmas!! So blessed!

Christmas Card 2011

{front of card}

{back of card}

I did half in color, half in black and white. I think they turned out pretty cute considering we didn't have time to have professional photos taken this year.

Doggie Christmas Wreath

Anyone who knows us knows that we are crazy about our dog, Mr. Big! He is our baby!! For fun, lastnight I made him a little Christmas wreath and put it over his dog bowl! It's cute and festive and adds a little holiday cheer!

He had to check it out for himself! Probably a good thing it wasn't a real wreath - he might try to eat it!

All I Want For Christmas Is You

Tonight we took some photos at home for our Christmas cards! This year due to The Mr.'s work schedule - we didn't get to have any professional photos taken. But that's okay - I am working on cards now and I think I can do something fun with the photos we took tonight. I will probably end up using a black and white image - but we shall see.

In the meantime, here is one of my favorites! I have been saving this dress that I got from Dillard's for 3 months now. I knew I wanted to wait and wear it around the Holiday's and I think it was perfect tonight for our photos!

Music & Martinis {A night for Mom}

Over Thanksgiving weekend, My Dad and I threw a small surprise get together for my Mom and had our family friend and pianist, Mr. Leonard come play at my house.

My dad recently bought a baby grand piano for my Mom. A very close friend of mine was selling it here in Memphis and it worked out perfectly that my parents got it because one day it will be mine and it's special knowing where it came from. Since they have just moved - the piano is living at my house for a bit so, my Dad and I thought it would be nice to do something for my Mom and let her enjoy her piano over the holiday.

So it was a night of Music & Martinis for our family and a few friends.

My Mom and a couple friends gathered in my living room listening to the beautiful music

Me and my hubby

A few things I had to snack on

Me and my little brother

The Prayer is a very very special song my family loves and was played at my wedding! Never get tired of hearing it!!

My parents enjoying a touching song!

Mike and Case

Me and my family with our pianist friend, Mr. Leonard - who played during my rehearsal dinner at The Orpheum 4 years ago here in Memphis! It was special to see him again and enjoy his music!

Mom and Mr. Leonard! He is 74 years old and the sweetest, talented man!! It was such an honor to have him come play for us!