Inspiration Workshop- Holiday Decor

Today I'm linking up with Gussy Sews for an Inspiration Workshop on Holiday Decor. I've been pinning like crazy these past couple weeks and have found some really pretty ideas. I guess if my house at Christmas had a theme it would be New England-style: lots of greenery, cranberries, and candles. We have white lights on our Christmas tree and outside on bushes and in garland around the door, and we usually stay in the red, white, and green color family. However, seeing some of the fun ideas on Pinterest has really got me thinking! Here are some ideas that I've used and some that I'm incorporating this year.

Wreath I made last year for bf's mom, Arlene (she does a copper -themed tree)

Wreath Mum and I made together

Christmas tree from last year- every year we try to make it different. We have 4 totes of just Christmas ornaments, so we have to be selective. 

Living room

Love this idea! We can never hang ours with regular holders because ours are too heavy with presents!

A great way to save the cards you get from family and friends and look back on every year

Love the simplicity of this- we have an antique wooden child's shovel that we decorate with a swag and hang on our back door.

Stars are perfect at Christmas! 

Handsome and I have been collecting pinecones on our hikes to use in Christmas decorating- I'm doing this with some pops of red.


Tell me about your ideas! And don't forget to enter my Holiday Giveaway!

xoxo, Kate

We Encourage- Take a Deep Breath (PLUS GIVEAWAY!)

Hi there! I'm linking up with Call Me Blessed for We Encourage Tuesday.

from here

Today, I'm encouraging all of you to TAKE A DEEP BREATH. The holiday season is fast approaching, and our lives are filled with shopping, decorating, driving, visiting, shopping, praying, cleaning, cooking, and yes, more shopping. Take a deep breath. Everything is going to be okay. I promise!
In fact, one reason I know it's going to be okay- is this...I'm announcing a giveaway! The winner gets my very special homemade brownies in a festive holiday tin, some some other special treats, and a shoutout right here (see, you feel more hopeful already!). I'm trying to drum up more followers, so, to enter, make sure you're following my blog, and comment below. This giveaway ends December 20th at midnight, EST.
For additional entries: follow me on Twitter, tweet about this post, and/or follow me on Pinterest!
Happy Holidays! xoxo, Kate

P.S. It's Handsome's B-Day tomorrow- love you buddy! Thanks for making these past two and a half years so much fun :)

I am (blank) because...

Inspired by a post on my Southern Twin's blog, A Little of This and That, I decided to follow her lead and be completely honest with you guys. All twelve of you. Now it sounds like I'm going to admit some huge secret, like I'm really Madonna's daughter, or I stole a case of Junior Mints from the local supermarket. Well, I didn't. Not that I'm in the habit of lying either, but I like the idea of learning interesting things about everyone. So here we go...

I am weird because...

I do accents at random times of the day- my best ones are British, Scottish, French, Southern, and Boston (that last one is a given). 

I prefer to listen to classical music when I'm driving.
I can't NOT have something sweet at the end of dinner...I'll just keep eating otherwise. 
I sometimes crack myself up in public places when I'm alone. 
I have a huge weakness for McDonald's sweet tea.  I can go through the drive-through without buying anything else, too. 

I am a good friend because...
I don't bother my friends by calling them/texting them too much.
I'm a good listener.
I offer good advice. (at least, I think it's good advice)
It's easy to pick up where we left off when you see me.
(I started to write my own down and realized I was going to say the same thing anyway, so...thanks April!

I am a bad friend because...
I don't catch up with people enough.

Sometimes, when people text/call/email me, I don't get back right away because I've answered them back in my head...does that make any sense?

Sometimes I overcommit and then secretly end up being angry with the person for asking too much even though I know it's my own fault for saying yes. 
I am sad because...

I only have 12 followers! This is depressing, people. Tell your friends, relatives, neighbors, and that crazy cat lady down the road that they should follow my blog. I have 53 followers on Pinterest and 55 on Twitter- obviously I'm doing something wrong.

My knees have been hurting, cracking, and popping beyond belief lately, to the point where it hurts to go up stairs and kneel in church. I'm scared because my Dad, Grandmother, and Aunt all have had knee surgery. 
I am happy because...
I'm making new friends (yes. I'm aware that that statement makes me sound like I'm 5 years old and it's my first day of Kindergarten)
I have several new books on my Kindle and some of my very favoritest Tea 

I'm crafting and creating and feeling good about myself.
I am excited for...
Christmastime!
Cooking and baking!
Making gifts!

Wrapping gifts!

Going to Christmas Eve and Christmas Day celebrations

GOING TO PARIS IN 2 WEEKS. YAY!

xoxo, Kate

Interesting Pinning

Hello friends! Due to unfortunate circumstances beyond my control, I had to postpone my New York trip. I know. I'm unbelievably bummed. But on to happier things! I wanted to share with you some interesting things that I have pinned on Pinterest lately- if you're not following me...well, to put it lightly, you're CRAZY. Mostly because I'm a pinning fanatic. Or maybe I'm the one that's crazy...

The first time I did this, the words I got were crush, secrets, and read. When I looked at it again while posting this, I got leave, secrets, and dread. Yikes! Post below and tell me yours!

I'll leave you with this- a good weekend wish to you all!
xoxo, Kate

I wanna be a part of it- New York!

As you might have realized, I'm going to New York City (for the first time ever, I might add). Tomorrow. I'm a tad bit nervous and a whole heck of a lot excited. I'm going to see some friends and On A Clear Day You Can See Forever, starring Harry Connick Jr. I'm going to try and get some touristy things as well, like Central Park, the Empire State building, FAO Schwartz, Tiffany and Co., and maybe even Katz's Deli (where that famous scene was filmed with Meg Ryan for When Harry Met Sally). Leave me some suggestions!

Picture from here

Kindly, Kate xoxo

Obligatory Halloween Post

I'm gonna call this one; "Kate in Costumes", because not all of them are from Halloween and because it rhymes and I like rhymes. I made a lot of these out of what I had in my closet or modified them in some way as to make them cooler. The deviled egg is a pillowcase with fabric paint and a slice of styrofoam ball. The woodland fairy costume I bought but then ripped all the bows and ribbons off and hot-glued silk leaves and flowers on to it. 4th of July was my friend's dance costume that I wore with my own accessories, and the librarian was the easiest one of all- all clothes I already owned. This year, I will be unable to participate in any Halloween festivities UNLESS it snows on Saturday- because marching band finals are on Saturday night. Darn it. This post is making me feel a little bit better though. Tell me some of your past ideas!

Halloween 2010- deviled egg and devil

Halloween 2009- Woodland fairy and Donnie (bf's dad)

4th of July and Jesus

Librarian

If you haven't stopped by my very bestest blog friend's page yet, you best do so now- A Little of This and That has some fabulous Halloween ideas. And we were both deviled eggs- which is crazy because I have never seen ANYONE else with that costume.

Smoothies

Recently I've been OBSESSED with making my own smoothies- breakfast, lunch, snack, dinner...etc.

My basic formula has been frozen mixed berries (Strawberries, Blackberries, Raspberries, Blueberries), frozen banana chunks (I cut them up myself as soon as I get them home- I prefer them with a little green at the stem and no brown spots), skim milk or almond milk, Stonyfield Yogurt....and, TA DA-

...a handful of spinach! Yes, spinach. No taste at all, and I know I'm getting some extra nutrients in there. Sometime I throw in some flax seeds, flax oil, almond butter, or frozen mango. I just read a recipe on Pinterest that adds rolled oats to a smoothie- not sure about it but I'm going to try it!    

Picture from here

Picture from here

Terrible picture of the remnants of my smoothie

And yes, in case any of you were wondering, that's a Magic Bullet cup. Yes, I own a Magic Bullet. 

It's amazing. And it makes perfect one-serving smoothies.

P.S. If you like me and my blog, you'll love my boards on Pinterest! 

xoxo, Kate