Christmas Caroling

Last night I attended a Christmas Caroling party.  Instead of walking the neighborhood, we took cars, golf carts, and I rode my bike.  My monogrammed tee and striped scarf are from Initial Reaction in Perry, Georgia.

Little Miss Gretel was my singing partner...

We started out at the clubhouse, which is decorated for Christmas...Florida style.

Bedford Park at Tradition has 400 homes and is a front-porch community.  We had several elves {children} who went ahead of us and knocked on doors, then we stood out in the street and sang our tunes.  We like to call "We Wish You A Merry Christmas" our signature song!

Caroling was a great way to spread holiday cheer and we also got to see all the cute houses decorated in sparkly lights.

I am really getting into the Christmas spirit now.  Tonight I'm attending a Christmas open house and can't wait to see the decorations.  The hosts have tons of trees and I'll try to get photos.  

Joan Fontaine

Joan Fontaine has passed away at the age of 96.    I loved her performances in so many movies...especially  as Mrs. de Winter in Rebecca.  She won the Academy Award for Best Actress for her performance in Suspicion, another one of my favorite movies.

A glamour shot of Joan Fontaine...back in the day.

A photo of Ms. Fontaine in her later years.

Olivia de Havilland, who played the part of Melanie in Gone With the Wind, with her younger sister Joan...in happier days.  The 97-year old Olivia is living in Paris and the two sisters never spoke to each other since the 70's.  I've seen this happen with my friends...sisters who don't speak for many years and then one passes away.  I cannot imagine this.  SO very sad!

Rest in peace Ms. Fontaine and thank you for the memories you have given us.

Christmas Gifts From Henri Bendel

Henri Bendel...The Ultimate Girl's Playground!

I'm just in love with everthing at Henri Bendel right now...all their adorable accessories and handbangs are just too cute!  Take a peek at some of my Christmas Gift Ideas:

This chic teapot would be a lovely gift for the lady who love to take tea.

How chic is this prissy matching teacup and saucer?!

I love all their key chains and this one is just too cute with the polka dot wellie charm!

I also need this precious brown-stripe bow charm.  I adore all the cute key charms to attach to the handle of my totebags.

Collector mugs are all the rage and of course, this "Cafe Girl" mug is just too chic!

This adorable scarf in the 'Finishing Touches' pattern would look fabulous worn around the neck or a ponytail, or tied onto the handle of a totebag.  LOVE it!

I wish that I had started earlier collecting their Christmas tree ornaments.  love love love the hat boxes in their iconic stripe.  Go here to look at the ornament collection.

If you don't live near a Henri Bendel store, check out their online site here and "Like" them on Facebook for up-to-the minute promotions.

Friendship Gifts...From Pepi and Pedro

My little elves Pepi and Pedro are back!  This morning they were busy preparing their elf food "Friendship Treats."  Even though they are a bit rogue at times, they know that it is better to give than to receive!

We used the same recipe from last year...
Elf Treats:

~Frosted cheerios

~Mini marshmallows

~Yogurt covered raisins

~Yogurt covered pretzels

~White M&M's

Pepi and his cousin Pedro are napping this afternoon, but will be up in time for Merlot Hour!

Christmas Decor

Since I spent the last month in Georgia, I'm really behind on decorating for Christmas.  This year, I believe I'll keep it low-key, since I'm not really sure what I'll be doing.

Remember the turquoise tree on the front porch that had orange pumpkins for Halloween?  Well now it's a coastal Christmas tree...with starfish, pink flamingos, and other coastal ornaments I've collected.

I've managed to twinkle up the bedroom with a couple of sparkly champagne-colored tabletop trees...Paris-themed.

They are both loaded with Eiffel tower and fleur de lis ornaments.

Joyeux Noel!

Paris-inspired gift wrapping, of course!

I placed a white feather tree on top of my vanity table and it's my "Shopaholic Girl" tree!

The ornaments are shopping girls and their bags from Saks, Neiman Marcus, Bonwit Teller, Bloomingdale's, and Gucci.

I hope y'all are enjoying the Christmas season!

Oh-So Cute Southern Stuff

I'm always on the hunt for cute Southern stuff.  Thanks to Southern Living magazine I have discovered StephanieCreekmur's products.  Take a peek at some of my faves...

Oh My Darling notecards.  These are just too precious!

Lord knows "Lord Have Mercy" is one of my favorite sayings and the notecard is just too precious...

 "Bless Your Heart" is also a precious Southern saying and one that I wish more people would use in a kind way.  "Bless Your/His/Her Heart" should never be used to make fun of someone...please!

  I love to keep a stash of cute pencils on my desk.  Right now there are so many choices available, but these are a must-have for this Southern lady!  They have "Southern sayings" printed on them.

 All Southerners must have a "Hey Y'all" sign somewhere inside their home...

 Cute "Merry Christmas Y'all" gift wrap...

 These coasters are so cute to place around the house at Christmas time.

Visit Stephanie on Facebook, Twitter, or keep up with her at her blog site here.  Her products are available for purchase on her website and her etsy site.