Southern Living, while I still can...

With the countdown to the move to the BVI right at 4 weeks, I am getting nostalgic about Christmas and our family traditions here in the South.  In addition to the holiday meal and trimming of the tree, I always pick a color scheme for my wrapping and all gifts are adorned in the same papers, bows, tags etc...  For several years the Martha Stewart Wrapping Paper was my first choice.  I haven't really been pleased with her selection these last two years, but I digress.

This year, we will be having a Caribbean Christmas, and I think I just found the perfect wrapping inspiration in Southern Living.  I just received my December issue this weekend and on page 215 there they were!  Zig zag tags in all their glory!  {And we know how obsessed I am with anything and everything chevron! }

Aren't they just adorable?!?  They can be yours for $6.00 over at Linda and Harriet.  {There are three in a pack.}  I am going to make my Christmas list and order accordingly.  Rather than the crimson ribbon, I'm thinking of doing a pink one.  I haven't really done the whole pink and green Christmas before...it can get a little Dr. Suess-like.

I have to say this Southern Living issue is full of surprises.  There is a lovely little spread on pages 20 - 25 of 24 Christmas gifts made by southern hands.

I'm thinking a Christmas music channel on Pandora is a must at work tomorrow... 

Game Night: NOLA Edition

Well, sort of.

You may remember some crazy stories about our game night group.  We gather on the first Friday of the month.  And back in August, we had a wild hair and headed to New Orleans for game night.  {Living in Tennessee and all, you understand why it was such an ordeal, with flights and hotels and all...}

For November's game night, we're bringing New Orleans to us...in the way of the menu.  I have made 24 mini muffelattas, prepped my beignets (Cafe Du Monde's mix of course!), and cooked the chicken for the jambalaya.  That leaves the cajun crab dip, crawfish boulettes, and final prep of the jambalaya for tomorrow.  I can manage that, surely.

Now, if only I knew what game we were going to play...any suggestions?

Echo...echo...echo...

So, with the impending move to the British Virgin Islands, I'm going to have to get back into warm weather clothes. Just when I pulled out all of my winter clothes!  I'm not asking for sympathy - believe me!

Look what I stumbled on over at Echo Design! 

This adorable coverup tunic is only $68.  Not bad!  Kind of wish it was lined, so I could wear it as a dress.  They do have it in black...hmmmm...

And look at this hot little number!  Only $88.

I'm loving this website!  Check out this jacket that I imagine, could be worn several seasons.  It's $68.

They have winter items, outerwear and items for the home even!  Happy shopping! 

Seriously Isaac?

I know I've posted about how happy I was to see Isaac Mizrahi designing for the masses again, with his new gig at Liz Claiborne, but Isaac, we need to talk.  Is this really what you think women need to be wearing this holiday season or ever for that matter?  This size 0 model looks like she's about to give birth to a forest of Christmas trees. 

I get it - you sketched it. Some suits in a boardroom probably thought it would sell, blah blah blah. 

Seriously?  I thought you were going to offer up affordable runway fashion for the every day woman not this crap!  I realize this may sound harsh, but I'm disappointed.  After that beautiful summer line, I was just hoping for more...

Even the "make the season bright" campaign features oatmeal sweaters.  Apparently, the design department wasn't talking to the marketing department.  

Hello Henri

Christmas is just around the corner...you know how I know?  The Henri Bendel catalogue is here! 

Check it out.  In the words of Rachel Zoe, "I die."

Spindle savior!

Thanks to Preppy Cricket and her recent post about her love for ribbon, my crafts will be much more organized!

As I've mentioned before, we are most likely moving to the BVI within the next 60 days. That means I've been decluttering the house and organizing as if it were my job! While I am fully capable of neatly packaging paint brushes, card stock, and glue, the yards and yards of ribbon leave me baffled! That is, until now....

Check out this post by Preppy Cricket and the amazing "fix" she found for storing spools of ribbon! (The image is courtesy of Country Living.)

She also was so kind to introduce me to a new blog - don't you just love finding new and inspiring reads? Check out A Gift Wrapped Life.

Home Sweet Home: Part 4

It looks like a decision regarding our move to the British Virgin Islands is drawing near...we may be leaving "the South" and heading south toward the equator. {Technically, we'd stop just south of the Tropic of Cancer, but who here is a geographer? Not I!}

Our minds will be made up by week's end.

It's very surreal. If we choose to go, we would be selling our house and cars...changing careers...leaving family and friends behind...all before Christmas! It's equal parts sad and exciting, maybe with a dash of stressful!

The search for the perfect place to live in the BVI is underway. {Who knew they had Coldwell Banker?!?} We will need an extra bedroom for all of the company we expect we'll be having, plus I would really like to have a home office. I am going to try and work something out with my firm, at the very least as a freelancer. Mr. SDP will have his hands full with his new position...I just hope we have time to see each other and explore the islands together!

While tears well up in my eyes at the thought of missing my niece's birthday party or abandoning our Christmas traditions, the only thing that makes me okay with this move is the fact that we would likely be returning to the states in 12 months. I can do anything for 12 months right?

What an adventure this will be!

Off to declutter the house...the realtor is coming in the morning.