Give Thanks

This time of year is my favorite. There are a lot of obvious reasons and some huge things we take for granted everyday like the fact we live in America, we are free to dream, live, worship, love and work how we choose. Our health and our warm beds at night. For these things we are truly blessed everyday. But this time of year I am thankful for the slower pace and how everyone is just a little nicer, more grateful and sensitive to the needs of humanity.

Maybe our society focuses on the worldly gifts a little too much but we are at least focusing on others, getting our joy out of giving the most perfect gift to the ones we love. This is what I think about when a lady tries to rip a sweater out of my hand because it's the last one on sale :) she is just being thoughtful. 

Regardless of what brings you joy, remember the "most wonderful time of year" could only be from Him. He is the reason for this tender magical time of year when we all love a little harder. 

Here are some small things that I am thankful for this time of year...

1. How quite a winter night can be when you turn everything off and just listen to the crackle of the fire.

2. Unexpected small gifts from neighbors.

3. Twinkle lights everywhere you go

4. Christmas cards from love ones ( the only time of year I check the mail ;)

5. How strangers start to tell you Merry Christmas or Happy Holidays

6. Days off to enjoy my family and friends

7. Fuzzy socks

8. Memories 

9. The thought if a new year

10. Being so happy I think my heart may burst. 

Have a happy and blessed Thanksgivng!!

XOXO

Sit and be Happy

There are times in my life when I realize that I am so happy I can't contain it and this weekend was one of those times.

We spent the day driving around town running errands stopped for coffee and then ended up at our favorite Dallas hotel for drinks. The Adolphus

We positioned ourselves by the 1800's Steinway piano.

Great people watching

Great music, great drinks, great company It was a lovely cozy night.

We stumbled out into the downtown streets in time to see the lights at Nieman's 

My favorite kind of day... the kind that starts with no plans and takes you were you didn't even know you needed to go. 

Make sure you stop and enjoy this amazing time of year!

Leather and Lace

I had a whirlwind weekend a couple days ago. I drove from Tyler to Dallas to meet my girlfriends for a movie Saturday night and when I went to get out of the car it was quite chilly and I had forgotten my jacket at my moms. Luckliy there was a JCPenny right by the theater!! My favorite store so I popped in and found this red faux  leather jacket and I LOVE it!! So here is my outfit post on it just incase you need one ;)

I put it over a sweater dress trimmed in lace, added leggings and my favorite snake heels.

It has great details and is super soft.

Lace on the shoulders 

It was in the 20's this morning so I added one more coat.

I love the collar

This fur trimmed coat was a gift from my mom a few years ago but you can find the red jacket here on sale now!

Mistletoe, Magic and Roses Part 2

After mom and I left the craft fair we went for a stroll in the rose gardens. Peak time is October but they still looked pretty snazzy.

I hadn't walked around there since I was little. I really have to get out there more. I remember coming for my cousins wedding and for the parade with my grandmother once a long log time ago...when I got to meet the Rose Queen. That's right I said queen...it's a BIG deal :)

Enjoy...

It really is amazing.

Mom loved the red ones 

Just beautiful.

The original old part is my favorite.

Sorry for the fuzzy picture my camera died.

Look how bright these are...

Purple

From the top of the little hill

The David Austin are the most amazing smelling! These are the kind I have in my yard but in a peach color.

Paid my respects to the Queen.

Said goodbye...such a beautiful day and a wonderful breath of fresh East Texas air.

Mistletoe, Magic and Roses

This weekend I went to see my mom and visit Tyler in the Fall. I like to get out there to see the color before Thanksgivig and it had been too long since I visited mom and my grandmother.

It's always home to me where my mom is...after leaving work a little early I drove the back way so I could see Tyler with her best Fall coat on.

It's a pretty drive.

It only takes about two hours and I was getting sleepy when I arrived to this:

Mom always needs to feed me as soon as I arrive and I don't mind :)

We played dress up for awhile...

I like to play in moms jewels and pic some out to wear for a bit. I went for the amthest until Thanksgiving…then I'll switch for another :).

I cuddled Chanel and Ginger

And then we headed to dinner with my cousin. First we stopped by to see my grandmother. I was in trouble for too long between visits... she was happy to see me. We had a really good visit, she makes me happy and I can't wait to go back during Thanksgiving!

It was a lovely night with wine and jazz and catching up. I really miss my family and have so much fun just visiting with them when I get the chance. 

Chanel snuggled me to sleep and stayed with me all night.

It was super cold at night and in the morning (I love that it's getting colder)...woke up to some cup o cozy...

Lounged around with mom and fed the girls

Once we were cleaned up we headed off too mistle toe and magic...it's a large craft fair where you can find all kind of things while eating yourself silly in samples. However, I was really only in the mood to shop for Christmas items.

The decorations are really fun and festive and put me in the holiday mood.

They also had the most adorable therapy dogs. I didn't realize they have these sweet pups. They go visit people in hospitals and such...so sweet with a side of rebel, obviously.

I left with an adorable pillow and a cute sign. I will put them up in December!

I ate myself sick and purchased a substantial amount of tamales afterwards we went to walk it all off in the rose garden. I will post more on that tomorrow!

I hope you have a great week!