Thoughts For Thursday

I am home visiting my parents this week since I didn't get to see them for Thanksgiving. I always love coming home because normally I am the one taking care of everybody but when I am home my parents pamper me and take care of me. It is lovely. Here is what we have been up.

We took Sterling to see Santa for the first time. This did not go over so well....

But how priceless is this picture? I can't wait to bust this out when he is older!

We did some Christmas shopping and my mom picked this fabulous leopard dress up for me at JCrew. I absolutely love it! Leopard print is my favorite! I can't wait to wear this gorgeous number, I think it may be my NYE dress. Versatile enough to wear many times over!
JCREW JULES DRESS IN WILDCAT PRINT

It also comes in a blouse version which is equally as fabulous but I went with the dress since I have so many blouses already.
JCREW WILDCAT BLOUSE

We enjoyed sushi from The Cowfish and ladies if you live in Charlotte you have to eat there! They have burguish which is hamburger sushi, truly amazing. They will do the rolls in brown rice per request which is always an added bonus in my book. We had the Marks Roll, The Surf and Turf Roll and the Blackened Tuna Roll. DELISH!

Does anybody ever feel like this? Sometimes I look in my full closet and still can't find anything to wear!

I get to pick up my first original abstract by Sally King Benedict on Monday! I am in love, I am pretty sure this beauty is going in Sterling's room! I am so excited to own a piece of her artwork!

She was just featured in Elle Decor this month- how cool is that? Her painting is in the home of Ashley Stark and it is truly gorgeous!

That's all I have for today. I am off for a lunch playdate with a dear friend and to visit my grandfather! xoxo

Obsessions

Happy Tuesday Lovelies. Confession, I lost my IPod last week (I think I left it at the gym and someone stole it) and our computer crashed Sunday. It has been a bad week for technology in the Mason Household. Running without music is torture and not having a working computer sucks. My husband is the real one having withdrawals he doesn't know what to do at night without the Internet. And of course this all happens right before Christmas when we need our extra money to Christmas shop! Luckily I am visiting my rents this week so I can use their computer til we get a new one or ours gets fixed!

Here is what I am obsessing over this week:

ZEBRA WALLS
This is pure genius to me. I think you all know how much I heart a zebra rug so imagine how much I love these gorgeous walls. Perfect for a foyer or bathroom.

TORY BURCH IPHONE AND IPAD CASES
Love me some Tory. I was so excited to see these new designs she came out with. What a great Christmas gift (hint, hint).

WHITE CHRISTMAS TREE
I am pretty simple when it comes to my Christmas decorations, I only use silver, gold, and white. So it is no surprise I love an all white Christmas tree! I know one day this will change when Sterling actually has an opinion for how he wants to decorate the tree (sigh, I can just picture our tree now covered with trucks and dinosaurs) but until then this Mama is decorating how she wants to!

via Pinterest
Here is a sneak peek of our tree, not all white but lots of lights. My motto is the more the lights the better, I am seriously considering adding a few more strands.

CHANEL SUBLIMAGE EYE CREAM
I have been hooked on my Bobbi Brown eye cream since I got it, but several people recommended this eye cream to me so I picked up a sample a few weeks ago. It is beyond amazing. A thicker consistency than the BB cream. It hydrates great and left my skin feeling so smooth. It is most def on the pricey side but my sample has lasted forever. I think I may stick with the Bobbi Brown cream during the day because it is lighter and splurge on this for the evening.

PEPPERMINT MOCHA
I just had my first one of these of the season Sunday after church. Holy crap I forgot how delish this drink was. I always associate Peppermint Mochas with the holidays and shopping so this drink makes me very happy!

Cheesy Corn Casserole

We are having some computer issues so you guys get a recipe today and Obsessions tomorrow. I decided to add this casserole to my Thangsgiving menu last minute after the hubs informed me that pilgrims ate corn at the original Thanksgiving and we needed to as well. This casserole is filled with cheese and bacon- enough said, right? It ain't healthy but it sure is good!

CHEESY CORN CASSEROLE

4 slices bacon, finely chopped

6 tbsp. unsalted butter, cubed

4 cloves garlic, finely chopped

½ cup flour

3 cups milk

4 oz. cream cheese, cubed

2 oz. Velveeta, cubed

2 cups grated extra-sharp cheddar cheese

1 tsp. paprika

3 lb. fresh or frozen corn kernels

Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste

Heat oven to 375°. Heat bacon in a 6-qt. saucepan over medium heat, and cook, stirring, until browned, about 8 minutes. Add butter and garlic, and cook until fragrant, about 1 minute. Add flour, and cook, stirring, for 1 minute. Whisk in milk, and bring to a boil; cook, stirring constantly, until thickened, about 2 minutes. Add cream cheese, Velveeta, cheddar, and paprika, and cook until smooth. Remove from heat and stir in corn; season with salt and pepper. Transfer mixture to a 9″ × 13″ baking dish and bake until top is golden brown and bubbling, about 40 minutes. Let cool before serving.

Crazy For Plaid

Lately I have been super drawn to plaid, which is funny because normally I am not really a "plaid person." It often seems too preppy or grungy for my taste. These images really changed my mind and have me loving plaid for:
FASHIONS

Never thought I would be one to wear plaid but here are some plaid items I am contemplating purchasing!
RAG AND BONE SAAMI DRESS
Love the idea of this for a Holiday Dress

FREE PEOPLE PLAID ROAD TRIP SHIRT
I am picturing this with skinny jeans and booties.

TORY BURCH SERENA PLAID FLATS
Loving these cute TB flats. The perfect punch of plaid to spice up a boring outfit.

TABLESCAPES
I really think plaid can have an elegant yet rustic feel to it at the same time. What a great way to update your table with plaid linens.

INTERIORS
I am starting to really love small plaid accents in interiors like for the curtains or a bench. Also love the last room idea for a big boy room.

So what do you think? Are you mad for plaid too?

Images via:Pinterest, Google, DecorPad

What Not To Do

I came across these pictures on Pinterest (don't even ask what I was looking for in the first place, sometimes that site takes you in a whole different direction). and they had me dying laughing. They are all great examples of what not to do for your Christmas Cards. Take a close look at the first picture- Yep that is the Kardashian Clan. I bet they are regretting that picture now, except for Bruce he looked pretty good before all his whack surgery! Can we please discuss all the shirtless pictures- that is never a good idea ever, especially not for a Christmas Card picture. Enjoy!

I also found two more gems in the awkard pictures category.
Why are the two people in this picture not wearing pants, and which couple just had the baby? Did the husband need to take off his shirt while she was delivering? Did they deliver the baby in their bedroom? So many questions....

Look how excited this couple looks to have just had a baby, they seem thrilled. I mean why do they look pissed off? I was tired post delivery but I sure did manage a smile for pictures.

Thanksgiving Menu

We are hosting Thanksgiving at our House this year. I have my menu pretty much planned but I have yet to go to the grocery store or plan a tablescape (bad I know, but I work best under pressure). I do have wine bought, priorities right! I thought it would be fun to share my menu. Of course there will be Turkey but that is the hubs job. He cooks a mean turkey ours is already brining in the fridge. He brines it for 2 days and then stuffs it with herbs and veggies before he cooks it and I swear it is the best Turkey ever.

I am making all the sides. Here's what's on the menu this year.

APPETIZER:
MAPLE BAKED BRIE

SIDES:
TWO POTATO GRATIN
I made this last year right before Thanksgiving and it was amazing. Sweet Potatoes and Russet Potatoes baked in heavy cream and topped with Gruyere cheese= perfection.

CORNBREAD OYSTER DRESSING
This recipe comes compliments of my girl Paula Deen. We made it last year and it was such a huge hit we are making it again.

BRUSSEL SPROUT AND KALE SALAD
This recipe is one I have yet to try. I always like to try out one new recipe. I found this in the latest issue of Bon Appetit and thought it was a great spin on a brussel sprout dish - and you know I have been on my kale kick lately!

GREEN BEAN CASSEROLE
This is the hubs favorite dish, hands down so we have to have it every year.

As for wine I will be drinking my new favorite, FoxGlove and we will be starting off with Champagne topped with fresh pureed Strawberries. I can't wait to get my eat and drink on!

I hope you all have a wonderful Thanksgiving with your families! I am so thankful for all the blessings in my life. Tomorrow I will most definitely be taking some special time to remember all I have and thank God.

Family Photo Shoot

I have to give my girl Julia props for the gorgeous pictures I just got in the mail. You may know Julia from her blog Pawleys Island Posh, which is always filled with beautiful eye candy from home decor to photography. But she also has started her own photography company called Julia Ryan Photography.

We did a quick photo shoot downtown a couple of weeks ago and she was amazing. Girl knows what she is doing! She was so good with Sterling and always knew the perfect spot for us stand or sit. If you need family pictures done or really any pictures you must call Julia (she lives in Richmond but lucky for y'all she travels too). Check out her blog to see some of the other amazing pictures she has snapped. I am lucky enough to count her as a friend in real life too so it was fun to hang out while we were doing the photo shoot.

Here are a few of my favorites. I am still undecided which picture will make the final cut for our Christmas cards- if you have a favorite let me know! I will show the final reveal before Christmas:)

**Don't mind the box of raisins in most of the pictures, we had to bribe Sterling to cooperate- you know how kids are! So whatever works you do and it was raisins that got this little man to calm down:)**

Julia posted a few of these pictures on her blog last week and several people asked her about my blouse. So if you are curious it is the Marc Jacobs Michaela Silk Blouse. I bought mine at Neiman Marcus awhile back but they have it online at SHOPBOP Here