Scenes From Our Christmas || Gloria Ferrer

I hope everyone had a wonderful Christmas.  Ours was so nice, I would like to say it was relaxing but are the holidays ever relaxing with the little ones?  Either way it was a fabulous week with family, friends, and lots of love, laughter and fun.  The biggest miracle of all is Matt was able to get and up walk after a few weeks flat on his back.  He is still in major pain and having numbness but this is a vast improvement we are so thankful for.

The night before Christmas Eve my parents always host a party.  It is a fun way to kick off the week of Christmas.

Wearing Equipment Plaid Dress | Frances Moon's Dress on sale

Gloria Ferrer was sweet enough to send a few bottles of their Champagne for us to enjoy. I knew I had to share with my mom and sister as we love Champagne!  I have to say I tried and loved all three types.  All were crisp, not sweet and perfectly bubbly.

This one was probably my favorite though!

Gloria Ferrer Royal Cuvee Brut

 Pouring up the Goria Ferrer Champs for our guests!

The food spread from our party was pretty amazing.

I was proud of the appetizer I made, my favorite stuffed endive lettuce.  We put olives in the middle to make it look kind of like a wreath.

On Christmas Eve my favorite tradition is my dad takes my sister and I shopping for Mom.  We love the one on one time with my dad and helping choose gifts for my mom.  This was Frances Moon's first year going with us!

Later that day we went to church and opened some gifts with my brother and sister. 

 The whole family and yes Sterling is in a bath robe- my sister gave him that as a gift and he immediately wanted to put it on:)

 Then Sterling was ready to write his note to Santa and put out cookies and milk.

Santa gifts were a hit.  They each had their own individual Santa gifts and then a kitchen set to share.

I love this picture of Sterling walking in, he was so surprised and excited.  The beauty of Christmas through a child's eyes.

The biggest hit was the piano and guitar from Serena and Lily.  I may regret this in a few weeks when the noise won't stop- haha!

We made our favorite Breakfast Casserole for breakfast.

My favorite mustache man up and standing (the stache was joke for Christmas and promptly shaved off).

Christmas Day Happy Hour. I got those cute napkins in my stocking and couldn't wait to bust them out.

Frances Moon in her smocked dress.  I don't dress her in smocked clothes often but when I do I forgot how sweet they are.

Matt and I were kind of obsessed with Sterling's lite brite since we both had one as kids and loved it.

The next day we took the kids to visit Matt's old school,  Providence Day.

Frances | Deer Dress | Vest | Tights

Sterling | Tee | Pants

We of course had to check out Daddy's brick.

The next day it was back home and back to reality.  I have to admit I was happy to be back near the water.

The leopard cardigan I am wearing was a favorite Christmas gift. The front is plain black and the back is silk leopard.  Love it!

|| 10 Crosby Cardigan (on sale)

Enjoyed one last night with our tree.  Yesterday I took down all the decorations.  I love Christmas so much but when it is over I am so ready to undecorate and declutter for the New Year.

 Spend a lot of time in my new pjs.  Major love.

Heart Silk PJS || On sale plus use code HOLIDAY25 for extra 25% off.

Happy Monday.

Favorite Christmas Gifts + Sales

I hope you all had a wonderful Christmas.  I know we did, I will be back Monday with pictures from our holiday.  In the meantime I wanted to share a few of my favorite gifts I received because they are all currently on sale!  Today is a great day to take advantage of after Christmas sales.

These  Equipment pjs are the best.  Probably my favorite Christmas Gift.  I have never owned nice pjs before and these make me so happy.  They are so soft and comfortable. Currently on sale.  I am in a size small and they run on the large side.

|| Equipment Lillian PJS

Tory Burch is offering extra 25% off all sale items with code NEWYEAR.

I got these slippers from TB for Christmas and love them.  Looks like they are sold out online but a similar slipper is here.

I was also gifted the Tory Burch perfume with the free lipstick and let me tell you I love the perfume and lipstick.  The lipstick is the perfect everyday neutral shade and the perfume smells heavenly!  I actually just ordered two more lipsticks in different colors I loved the free one so much.

|| Perfume + Lipstick

If you need an everyday purse I love this quilted one.  On sale plus the additional 25% off!

|| Marion Purse

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I had lusted after this Joie blouse for awhile so I was so excited to see my mom and remembered and gave it to me for Christmas.  I even put it on that day.  Sold out most places but a few sizes still left at Neiman Marcus.

|| Joie Snow Leopard Blouse

 

Neiman Marcus is offering additional 33% off sale items no code necessary items are already marked reduced.

Similar style and look is this Equipment Blouse on major sale.

|| Lynn Silk Blouse

 

 This morning I picked this blouse up in the store.  I couldn't resist the neckline.

|| Rebecca Taylor Jeweled Blouse

Another great deal is this Rebecca Taylor Floral Haze Blouse, 60% off.

 

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Nordstrom just started their clearance sale.

Top pick is this Equipment Aubrey Dress on sale for 60% off.  I have this same style dress in a different pattern and wear it all the time.  Such a versatile easy dress.

 

These Vince D'Orsay pumps are 50% off.  I have them in the black and love them.  

|| Vince D'Orsay Pumps

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Lastly, The Nespresso was a gift to myself.  Best coffee ever.  I love the foam or crema on top that it makes while it brews.  My parents had one and I am addicted to the coffee.  If you buy now before January 1st you can get a $100 credit towards pods, save your recepit.  I found they were cheapest on Amazon and you can use your prime account for free shipping.

I have the Chrome Vertoline one that bews regular coffee and espresso as well.

 

If you are relaxing today or just bored take time to browse these sales online, there are some great deals that end soon!

Refreshed + Peanut Butter Custard Pie

 Can ya'll believe Christmas is 3 days away??  This weekend the kids and I decided to head to Charlotte for a few days.  With Matt's back out of whack we werent sure if he would be able to travel so we wanted to visit my parents and then be back to spend Christmas with him if he is unable to travel.  Don't worry he is in good hands being cared for by his parents.  I know I was happy to get home to be taken care of by parents.  No matter how old I get I still love coming home.

 I have been sharing a bed with Sterling since Matt hurt his back so it has been wonderful to have my own bed for a few nights!

 If you travel often or just need a great duffel bag and tote I highly recommend these from Barrington Gifts.  They are such great quality and you can design you own with whatever pattern or colors you want!

 Belmont Cabin Bag| St Anne Tote in Axis

The best part about Christmas this year is seeing it thru Sterling's eyes. He is just so excited.  As soon we got to my parents house he started filling his Santa bag with everyone's gifts to deliver:)  The Santa bags are on sale now and I have to say if you travel for the holidays they are great for packing all your gifts in.

 I love this picture of Sterling and cousin Finley copying each other.

Sterling never sucks his thumb but of course wanted to after Finley did!

This is Frances saying stay away from my puffs.  Girl means business with her food.

Of course I had to enjoy one of my Dad's martinis.  He makes the best drinks.

My leopard shoes are Sole Society and they are doing next day delivery if you still need Christmas gifts:)

I picked up the cutest Plaid Dress to wear to a holiday party this week.  I love it because it is cute with tights and lightweight enough to wear this spring too. 

|| Equipment Plaid Dress

If you need last minute stocking stuffer ideas check out these men's socks by JL the Brand.  They were sweet enough to send Matt a few pairs and he loves them.  I have to say even though they are men's socks I love them too.  The patterns are so cute and different   Check out the whole site HERE

 I was partial to the skull ones:)  

While I was home my mom made the most delicious Peanut Butter Custard Pie, the recipe came from her good friend Anita and trust me y'all it is amaze balls.  I could not stop eating it plus Mom assured me it was easy to make.  If you like peanut butter desserts you will love this pie!!

|| P E A N U T  B U T T E R   C U S T A R D   P I E ||

- 1 package premade refrigerated pie shells (the kind that comes 2 rolls to a pack)

- 2 cups powered Sugar

- 1 cup peanut butter

-1/2 cup corn starch

-1 1/3 cup sugar

- 1/2 teaspoon salt

-4 cups milk

- 6 eggs yolks beaten (save egg whites for the meringue)

-4 tablespoons butter

- 1/2 teaspoon vanilla

Meringue

-6 egg whites

pinch of salt

a few drops of ice cold water

1/4 cup sugar

Prebake pie shell according to instructions on package- about 10 minutes, set aside and let cool.

Mix 2 cups powdered Sugar and 1 cup peanut butter, until it looks like a Bisquick mix, it will be crumbly.  Set aside.

In double boiler over low heat cook : 1/2 cup con starch, 1 1/3 cups sugar, 1/2 teaspoon salt, 4 cups scalded milk (microwave the milk about 4 minutes to get hot but not boiling), 6 egg yolks beaten, 4 tablespoons butter and 1/2 teaspoon vanilla.  Stir while it cooks so it won't stick until mixture is thick like custard.

Mix meringue.  Beat the egg whites, pinch of salt and ice cold water until light and fluffy.  Slowly beat in sugar and set aside.

In the pre baked and cooled pie shells spread 1/2 the peanut butter crumbles over the bottom.  Pour custard mixture over this top and spread another layer of peanut butter crumbles (save a few to scatter over the top of the meringue).   Top with meringue and a few crumbles.  Bake at 350 until meringue starts to lightly brown.

Thank You

Wow is all I can say.  Thank you for all your comments, emails , and texts.  I read every single one and they made me feel so much better.  The funny thing is all day yesterday I felt calm even though Frances Moon ran a fever and is sick and I had a million things to do, I felt a sense of peace and I know that was your prayers working so THANK YOU.

Frances had her appointment with the neurologist and we are going to mointer her for the next 3 months.  There is still fluid around her brain but they seem sure it will go away on its on.  She is meeting all her developmental milestones so that is a good thing.  I will report back after our appointent in March but pray the fluid starts to go down.  

I took this picture in the waiting room of the doctors office and it says so much abut Frances Moon.  She is always smiling even when she is sick.  She is such a joy to have in my life and I am so thankful for her.

This blog brings me so much joy because of the connections and the community.  I feel like we are all best friends even though we have never met.  I so appreciate you reading my blog everyday and commenting.  I am grateful for each of you and your support. I am so thankful for my best friends who all called and texted me yesterday offering their help to watch my kids, wrap my gifts, and bring me food.   Then when we got home from the doctor these flowers were on my doorstep and I just burst into tears.  They were from Caycee saying she knew I was going through a hard time. I felt so much love yesterday.  It reminded me of the quote " Best Friends make the good times better and the hard times easier."

Yesterday afternoon Sterling and I worked on some gifts for his school party.  I saw these snowman on pinterest and thought they looked cute and easy but mine were a hot mess. The doughnuts kept cracking and the jelly beans would not stay on.  There was powdered sugar every where in my dining room.  But you know what Sterling and I laughed and laughed and had the best time making them- all while we jammed to Taylor Swift (yes I bought the cd). 

Then last night I took the kids to see the James Island Festival of Lights and it was just what we needed.  Sterling was over the moon excited and Frances just kept laughing.  It helped me to lighten up and smile and be happy for exactly where we are right now.  The kids love Christmas and I love seeing it thru their eyes.

I have decided to take a few days off to relax and take care of family.  I will be back at some point next week maybe Monday maybe after Christmas,  but in the meantime I wish you all a very Merry Christmas and hope you get to enjoy and savor these last few days before Christmas.  Before we know it it will be 2015 and we be starting a new year.  Those of you struggling and fighting your own battles this holiday season I am praying for you too.  

Happy Holidays!