mirror, mirror.

I've always been drawn to mirrored dressers but have never made the leap.

For one, they are on the pricey side and two, oh the fingerprints from thing 1 and thing 2! So I decided to scale down on my mirror love and purchase this pretty little tray. And while I was in shopping mode, I picked up this lamp base and shade. All have found a fabulous home in our living room. I love a good find from Target!

{mirrored tray}
{crystal lamp}

** UPDATE **

Okay, so the husband tried to like my goodies but in the end felt they were too "girly". So needless to say they were returned to Target. But I am getting some other lovelies to replace them. I'll be sure to post about them soon!

to do.

Thanks to the coming new year and my itch to organize EVERYTHING, I've got lists on the brain. This sweet notepad might make checking all my to do's a bit more fun. Check out all of Boy Girl Party's quirky goods here.

5 steps to realistic organizing.

Speaking of organizing and lists, I really love this post Stephanie put together last year. Especially #2 where she says "There is always something to organize. Always." So true, friend. Read Stephanie's other great tips + tricks on organizing in 5 realistic steps here.

my very own HP.

If I haven't already declared it before, I have a slight liking to Harry Potter. Okay, that was a fib. I love all the books and have seen and maybe even own all the movies. I just bought the most recent one on Blu-Ray and will be watching it sometime this week. My husband plays the good sport and even watches the movies with me.

But now, now I have my own miniature Harry Potter, no?

Do you love Harry Potter?

noisy bird studio GIVEAWAY!

Hello my lovelies! Can you believe in just a couple of days we will be ringing in 2010? I can't either. But to celebrate the occasion, how about another giveaway? Yes? I thought so.

Noisy Bird Studio {one of our lovely sponsors} wanted to participate in a giveaway just for you my readers. Her art pendants are a bit fun + a bit whimsy and add a lovely bit of color to your outfit. Perfect for my jeans and a tee attire. Check out her jewelry here + here.

The giveaway starts today and ends Thursday night at midnight, CST {12/31}. Winners will be announced Friday morning. And yes, I did say winnerS! Three of you will win a dainty necklace of your choice. Just drop me a comment, telling me your absolute favorite. Oh and be sure to leave me your email. If you'd rather not leave an email because of concerns with spam, shoot me an email telling me you entered so I can contact you easily. Thanks Noisy Bird and good luck!

ps Just in case you were wondering, my favorite is this. You know, since Valentine's day is peeking around the corner.

Christmas take down.

Good morning, friends! Did you have the best Christmas ever? I'm pretty sure I did. Spoiled to the max. I'm looking forward to this week. Organizing, cleaning + getting ready for the new year. Which leads me to my question of the day for you dears...

Question: have you started your Christmas take down yet? If not, when do you usually do it? If you're like me + can't wait to get all of the fluff out of the house, go here for some great tips to get you going.

merry christmas.

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Danyelle and I wanted to wish each of you a very merry Christmas. And if perhaps you celebrate in a different way, a very happy holidays! We will be taking the rest of the week off. So eats lots of yummy foods, rip the wrappings off your presents and sing a few carols. We'll be back on Monday!

gift wrap inspiration.

Caroline had some really great tips and inspiration for wrapping gifts up on her blog today. And just in case you don't already, I suggest adding Armelle to your google reader. Lots of pretty things in her little space.

{image Armelle}

happy happy birthday.

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Danyelle has been a fantastic addition to My Favorite Things. I am so glad she decided to join me in this crazy blog journey. Today just happens to be her birthday. Happy happy birthday Dandee dear!

DIY friday : lacquer boxes.

This looks like a simple DIY to dress up the office.

Little Green Notebook happens to be a favorite blog of mine.

You should definitely check out all her goodness!

friday favorites : by Laura.

{photo}

a few of Laura's favorite things

farmer's market in the early morning

children's laughter

holding hands and comfortable silence

leaves falling

a good book with a pumpkin latte

the smell of rain

walking barefoot in the grass

losing myself in love

the warmth of a puppy

a good cry

Thanks Laura and happy friday!

If you would like to be our next friday favorites go here!

making me smile.

Yes, it's true.

This sander is making me smile.

I have lots of projects that require a sander and I got tired of borrowing my sister's. Tonight I will test it out for the first time. And I must say, I am a little excited.

my wish list.

This is at the top of my Christmas wish list this year.

Mama wants a new bag!

What do you want?

trimming the tree.

{i am absolutely smitten with this tree from Making it Lovely}
How do you trim your tree?

Are you traditional?

Funky?

Whimsy?

Colorful?

Vintage?

Do you buy real or fake?

I'd love to know how you make your Christmas tree your own.

Mine is fake. {i promised myself next year will be the year for the real tree}.

It is small.

My colors are reds, pinks and a splash of purple.

Your turn.

christmas labels.

Head over here to download some free + adorable Christmas labels. Just the thing your packages are craving.

{as seen on Delightful}

stocking monogram ornament.

Just bought a few of these sweeties for some of my favorite people. Don't you think they'll look adorable as a package topper? And look! They're on sale!

gleena ceramics.

Speaking of monograms and stockings...is it too late to hope for a few of these nestled in my stocking Christmas morn? I've been a really good girl. Promise.

{via Design Mom}

color + patterns.

{photo}

Even if you are not a daring dresser and like to keep your look simple, you can still wear tights. Personally I think tights are for everyone. Every girl should own a pair. I believe that is something I look forward to most when the weather turns nippy. From the bold to the understated, I love them all. Here are a few of my go to sources.

{i've never bought online, only in the store}

Target

Gap

Anthropologie

Nordstrom

snowman kit.

If you're looking for an easy family gift, this sweet snowman kit just might be the ticket. At $14 dollars you could package it up with a few cute mugs, some hot chocolate + marshmallows. Doesn't that sound like the happiest way to spend a snow day?

hello Simply Basic Designs.

Molly and I thrilled to welcome Simply Basic Designs as our newest sponsor. You may remember this sweet shop from our giveaway extravaganza last month. Karen's designs are fun, colorful + her attention to the details is evident in every piece. The lovelies pictured above are just a few of my favorites, check out more here.

i got banged.

{click for larger photo}

Is that title inappropriate?

Oh well, I thought it was catchy, so there.

I did it girls, I chatted with the hair stylist {Daren @ Muse the salon} and he said my hair would lay just fine with bangs. So I said, "chop 'em off". I was a bit nervous but crossed my fingers and hoped for a good outcome.

A few of you asked for pictures. Now I have to tell you. I have a love/hate relationship with the camera. I am so-so at taking pictures and so-so at being photographed. I either take a really great picture or look wonky and weird. So I had a little fun posing for you.

Now give me your honest opinion.

Actually, just lie and tell me I look hot.

bloggers's favorites @ simple lovely.

Today I am being featured over at Simple Lovely.

Thanks Joslyn for having me.

southern brand + a discount.

We love Southern Brand and Southern Brand loves our readers. Starting now until December 31st, enter discount code Holiday20 at check out to receive 20% off your order. Hip hip! Hurry on over to browse their fun selection of shirts + onesies + thermals. There really is something for all sizes! Super soft cotton with silly southern sayings and vintage images. Now skit skat; go forth and shop!

friday favorites : by Alisa.

{photo}

a few of Alisa's favorite things

lovely and inspiring decor

magazines

pretty stationery & card, but especially pretty notepads

family & friends

the small things in life

boots

travel

infinite aloe lotion

caramel popcorn

yummy smelling things

Thanks Alisa and happy Friday!

If you would like to be our next friday favorites, go here.

And if you have already emailed us about it, don't worry, you are still in the line up!

breast cancer awareness.

{photo taken from video}
This video was too cute to not share.

It will make you smile.

And really, we could all smile a bit more.

stocking stuffer gift guide.

I love stockings.

That was the first thing I dove into Christmas morning. And I have a firm belief that the stocking should be just as rockin' as the gifts! We definitely fell a little short on the gift guides this year. A little lame I know but a sweet reader emailed me asking for stocking stuffer suggestions. So hence forth, here is My Favorite Things stocking stuffer gift guide.

1. art supplies

My boys this year are receiving a stocking full of crayons, paints, glue + markers. You really can't go wrong picking the goodies up at a local Target but I personally love these eco-friendly ones at Clementine

2. animals

Don't all boys love animals. This and this are my top picks

3. magnetic letters

4. games

A memory game, go fish or old maid. You can't go wrong with a classic

5. a magic wand for the girls and wooden tops for the boys

6. stuff for the babes

fabric balls + teethers + this [we called it the crazy ball, both my boys loved it]

7. play food.

I am especially smitten with this felt food

8. musical instruments.

harmonica, recorder, xylophone

9. cars.

these are the absolute coolest

10. notebooks + blank board books to go with the art supplies

the pioneer woman cooks.

I tagged along with Leslie from A Room Somewhere to attend the book signing of The Pioneer Woman Cooks. It is a little silly to say but we waited over five hours [from 7pm until just after midnight] to get our book signed. See, I told you. Crazy, right?

Ree is totally nice, real, normal and was fun to chat with while she signed my copy. It was a bit anti-climatic, not sure what I was expecting. But it was fun and I'm glad I braved it out and stuck around. Plus Leslie is a doll and I finally got to meet her in person, not just online. I can now add her to my list of in real life friends. [Sorry Leslie if I talked your ear off].

my bullet list.

Check out my bullet list over at The Mother Huddle. Great tips/tricks for traveling overseas!

this is awesome.

Simply put, this print is awesome, no?

I think I need it for my play room.

Like, really need.

First discovered at Delightful.

should i?

{image}

Okay ladies, I need your help.

I am going to get my hair trimmed on Friday and am debating whether I should cut the bangs. Not too long ago I had the side-sweep bangs and finally, just finally grew them out. If I do cut them, they would be similar to her and her. Now that my hair is long, I'm feeling the need to spice things up a bit.

So I am putting it out there.

What's your opinion?

toddler toys.

Jordan's toy roundup was so helpful to me today, I can't even tell you. I've been stressing over finding cute, quality, educational toys for Audrey + Oliver that were heavy on classic and light on plastic. These are going to go perfect with Audrey's new play kitchen and Oliver will find a few of these in his stocking. Shhh...don't tell.

gift guide: for the home cook.

Some of my new favorite kitchen gadgets for the home cook on your list.

garlic peeler, microplane rasp grater, silicone spatulas,
blender (mine's a pretty blue), grater.

Trust me. They're all amazing.

emersonmade.

I swoon each time I take a peek over at Emersonmade. The styling of the photographs are so lovely and quaint. And her flowers are gorgeous. Such talent. I think I am a bit jealous!

blow out sale @ lark and loon.

My youngest has a few tees from Lark and Loon and I personally love them. Creative designs, soft cotton and get this....

Right now Lark and Loon is having a BLOW OUT sale. Just go check out the prices. They are too good to be true.

iphone apps i love.

If you have an iPhone + love Polaroids then you'll be happy to learn more about my two new favorite Apps. Lo-Mob instantly gives your photos a vintage feel. You can read a really great review here. If you want to see your pictures develop before your eyes, then Shake It Photo is for you. Snap a photo, shake your phone a bit and the photo slowly appears just like the real thing. Don't you love fun technology? Me too.

the winners!

{photo}
Sorry I am a little behind in announcing the winner. But here they are! Congratulations ladies!!

Auburn Soul winner : Ginny

Miss Ruby Sue winner : Breanne

Children Inspire Design winner : Kristiina

DIY friday: pinecone garland.

This simple garland fits in perfectly with my "less is more" mantra for the holidays. I'll be creating one this weekend. Will you? Full tutorial here.