A Little After Christmas On-Line Shopping Temptation (And Find Out What I’m Picking Up For Next Year)

I did not hit the stores or malls yesterday.  Instead I headed to the computer to see what I could “snag” on sale.  I’m feeling pretty good about what I managed to get.

I’m sure you’ve seen the awesome wool tufted wreath that Anthropologie had and noticed it being copied a lot in blogland this year.  I’d been keeping my eye on it.

I must admit I fell in love with it when I saw it on Maria’s Dreamy Whites blog with her grain sack ribbon.   But it was quite pricey at $128.  Well, of course it was sold out on-line by early yesterday morning so I called customer service and the nice rep gave me a couple phone numbers of stores that were still showing them in inventory.  I called NY and Cincinnati and got the last one each of them had.  So I ended up with two.  Why?  Because of the price.  They were 1/2 price PLUS an additional 30% off.  That’s right.  I got them for $44.80 each and free shipping!

I also ordered more of the blown glass sheep ornament.  I had picked up one at full price of $18  when I was in Atlanta last month and they were on sale too at half off plus 30%.  Can’t beat that.  This sheep is sooo charming and reminds me of Country French.  Sorry but it’s sold out on-line as well.

From Pottery Barn I got the Eiffel Tower tree topper.  I had seen it in person at the PB store and was waiting for it to go on sale.  I already have a German glass glitter Eiffel topper that I used on my tree but I think this one will make a great themed centerpiece as it is a nice large size.   It is still available HERE.  I missed out on the wired burlap ribbon with red stipe and the candles that I wanted.

Did any of you see the barrel planter tree stand from Ballard Designs?  I was lucky enough to get the white one.  I noticed they are all sold out today.

And I LOVE these He Is Born booklets from Wisteria.   I already had a couple sets that I put at each place setting for Christmas dinner, but at 75% off I couldn’t resist buying more.  I’m going to use them as gift tags next year.  They are regularly $19 for 4 but now are $4.75 for the set.  You can still get them HERE.

Oh, and finally, remember the post I did about my toile pajamas?  Well, Gump’s still has them HERE for 1/2 off and you can choose red or black.  I may have to pick up another set for a gift.  They are too cool.

What about you?  What are you picking up on-sale for next year’s décor or gifts?

Blessings,

Kim

Joining:

Open House Party at No Minimalist Here

Tutorials, Tips, And Tidbits at Stone Gable

MERRY CHRISTMAS

 

 

 

“For unto you is Born this day in the city of David, a Savior which is Christ the Lord.”

Luke 2:11

 

Blessings,

Kim

Yule Log (Bûche de Noël)

I’m so excited!  I decided to serve the traditional French dessert bûche de Noël after Christmas dinner this year and ordered one from Williams-Sonoma.  (Hey, you didn’t think I was gonna say I followed a recipe and made one from scratch did you?)

Isn’t it beautiful?  This is a photo from Williams-Sonoma online catalog. 

The bûche de Noël (literally, “Christmas log”) is a classic French holiday cake and is inspired by the Yule logs that were traditionally burned on Christmas Eve.  It is typically made with a Génoise or other sponge cake and baked in a large shallow Swiss roll pan.  It is frosted, rolled to form a cylinder and frosted again on the outside with a bark-like texture added for realism.

How many of you have ever served bûche de Noël?

I hope it tastes as good as it looks.

Joyeux Noël,

Kim

Ooh La La! French Treasures At Christmas!

 

 

 

 

 

Do you like champagne buckets, sheep, and leather bound books?

 

Are zinc trays and silverplate napkin rings for you?

 

 

Wanna find great French items like these?  A little Christmas elf is whispering in your ear…shhhh…can you hear him?

He’s telling about how you can go to France and find treasures like these for yourself.

Continue to stay tuned for details to be rolled out in the new year and plans to be finalized for:

Kimberly Hites’

Let’s Go Brocanting in France

A Blogger’s Shopping Tour in Paris & Normandy

The final dates in September 2013 and cost are being ironed out now with Sunday Brocantes for the 6 spots that are available.

Are you gonna go?  Drop me a line if you are interested.

This could be you.

I’d love to have you go with me.

Blessings,

Kim

My Dining Room At Christmas

It’s a very neutral palette for me this year.  I’m using a winter white background with pops of candy apple green used sparingly.  Fresh greens and burlap add texture.

The tablescape is very simple using only an antique French dough box dressed with candles and fresh greenery and a pair of deer that have been freshly spray painted in gloss white and spiffed up with glitter bows.

My two favorite pieces are the ceramic deer head and the white pom-pom wreath.  Both came from Target and I think they look very high-end even though they were inexpensive. (I just realized when I shot these photos I hadn’t added the white pillar candles to the hurricanes, lol)

A simple boxwood wreath adds a touch of elegance.

I also found this awesome white nutcracker at Target this year.  I already had the green feather trees.

I used a quilted boutis white runner.

It is a very different look for me this year.  It’s taken the family some time to get used to it.  I think they are still wondering where all the bows and red color have gone.  I’m not sure they “get” it.

But I like it and I know you all “get” it.

Merry Christmas,

Kim

Linking up to:

Cowgirl Up! at Cedar Hill Ranch

Nifty Thrifty Tuesday at Coastal Charm

Tabletop Tuesday at A Stroll Thru Life

WOW! Us Wednesday at Savvy Southern Style

Open House Party at No Minimalist Here

Looking For An Extra Special Yummy Recipe This Year? You’ve Found It!

Can you guess what yummy treat this is?

Homemade marshmallows.  That’s right. HOMEMADE marshmallows.

 

These are the best marshmallows you will ever eat!

It’s a Martha Stewart recipe.  You can find it HERE.

Here’s what it looks like when the marshmallow cream is setting up. (I’m not gonna go into the specifics of getting it to this stage, you’ll have to click on the link to the recipe….I PROMISE it’s easy)

 

 

 

And here it is after you place the LARGE marshmallow on a confectioner’s sugar coated surface.

 

That’s one honkin’ marshmallow!

It’s amazing what corn syrup, sugar, and unflavored gelatin can do together!

Now the fun begins.

Slicing the individual marshmallows.

Rolling them in confectioner’s sugar.

More slicing. Remember that’s one big marshmallow!

 

 

And at last, 72 (6 dozen) big marshmallows.

And here’s how they turned out…

SHEER PERFECTION!  (Just ask my husband)

These will make great homemade gifts given with Godiva hot chocolate or your own homemade cocoa.  (I’d add some peppermint sticks, too)

Find the recipe HERE.

Wrap these in cellophane gift bags and kids would love it!

Oh just think of the S’mores these would make!!!

Martha Stewart marshmallow recipe HERE.

Merry Christmas,

Kim

Linking up to:

Homespun Christmas (Recipes & Tablescapes) at Stone Gable

Remember to check out the first announcement of the upcoming 2013 Blogger’s Shopping Tour in France HERE for a present you might decide to give yourself!

How To Personally Match Your Bedroom And An Exciting Announcement!

This is too awesome!  I found black toile pajamas that match the décor in my master bedroom!

Get the heck outta here!  Can you believe it?

Did I mention they were totally awesome?

No, honestly can you believe it?

O.K. If I think I’ve gone toile crazy before, this has got to take the cake!

 

I’ll look just like one of the cornice boards when I go to bed.  My husband won’t be able to tell us apart. lol  (Okay now I’m getting carried away…I’m sure he’ll know which one is me)

 

I found these at Gump’s online…on sale.  Yes siree.  They are by BeadHead and regularly $140 but I got them for $79 plus another 20% off.

The toile pattern is really nice.

I have my eye on another pair of pajamas at Gump’s…..they have the Eiffel Tower on them!  Hopefully they’ll go on sale after Christmas.  But for now,  I’ll just have to match the décor of my bedroom.

How many people can say that?  (Come to think about it, how many people would want to?)  lol

 

Now for the ANNOUNCEMENT:

I really have been enjoying putting little “French touches” all over my home with the lovely things that I was so lucky to find when I was in France this last fall.  Seeing these things around my home reminds me of the wonderful trip and I have to say I am so eager to go back!

…And I am! And you can too! Come with me—I mean!

I am so excited to announce a French vintage shopping tour this coming Fall that I am planning with Cat from Sunday Brocantes!

Kimberly Hites’

“Let’s Go Shopping in France!”

A blogger’s shopping tour this next September 2013!

 

There will be 6 spots available for six days of shopping, staying at wonderful accommodations and exploring Paris and Normandy to shop for French vintage treasures and antiques.

 

That’s all I am going to say for now! More details will follow.  Cat is working with me to create an unforgettable event to go to the best sales, flea markets and brocantes and I can not wait to share all the great ideas with you!

So how about it? Fall shopping tour in France…

ADD IT TO YOUR CHRISTMAS LIST!

 

Merry “in your warm snuggly flannel pj’s” Christmas,

Kim

Linking up to:

Open House Party at No Minimalist Here