Tag: Christmas

  • My Secret Santa

    My Secret Santa

    I received some Christmas Fairy Peppermint Powder last week (contains: Christmas spirit, fairy magic, North Pole snow, red #3…), all wrapped up in sparkly pink tinsel. Cute, and I think it will be delicious in hot cocoa! But I have no idea who to thank. See, Mrs. Limestone arranged a blogger Secret Santa group.


    4 Men 1 LadyBrooklyn LimestoneBryn AlexandraEmily A. Clark
    House of SmithsThe Inspired RoomIsabella & Max RoomsLa Dolce VitaLovely Little DetailsMustard Seed InteriorsPure Style HomeSave the Date for CupcakesTen JuneThrifty Decor ChickYou Stir MeYoung House Love

    Who do you think is my Secret Santa?

  • The Balch Family Holiday Card, 2011

    The Balch Family Holiday Card, 2011

    There’s a giveaway too — Keep reading for details.

    It’s that time again. Time to think of a ridiculous premise for our holiday cards! You know how I do a monthly shoot for the kids in the same chair to document their growth? I thought it would be fun to do the same portrait for all of us this year, then compile the photos into a card.

    Eleanor is a toddler. If you’ve experienced toddlerhood, you’ll know that’s all that needs to be said.

    I put her down for a nap in hopes of a better shot later. I used the time to run out for flowers (Brandon’s idea, and a good one at that). We took the rest of our photos while E slept, but here are a few from the second attempt later in the day. We tried to bribe her with a lollipop. She let it fall out of her mouth and onto her skirt, and was then appalled.

    August was happy! A happy but wiggly, rocking, and slightly out of focus baby. It was so dark in the living room, I had to bump the ISO waaaaay up, open the aperture all the way, and hope for the best.


    I was the consummate professional, needing only one shot. Or perhaps I’m just saying that so I’ll only have to show you one shot. You’ll never know.

    Brandon looks like a standup fellow. So dapper. So mature.

    Oh, wait! We have a B-side. A Brandon B-side.

    Aw yeah. Brandon’s footie pajamas made a triumphant return. Along with my necklace. And with that, here is this year’s Balch family holiday card.

    We’re lookin’ good.

    Giveaway

    You are no doubt inspired to make your own holiday cards now, right? OK, you may not want to take the route we did. You can still go for the classic family photo, and for that you’ll need a nice camera. And something (or some things) to put that photo on. Well, Shutterfly is offering 50 cards, a 12×12 photo book, an 8×8 photo book, mug, 3 calendars, reusable shopping tote, and an ornament, along with a PowerShot S100 Camera.

    Visit Shutterfly to select your favorite photo card template, and leave a comment here about which one you like best to enter. A winner will be randomly selected.

    NO PURCHASE NECESSARY. Legal residents of the 50 United States (D.C.) 18 years or older. Ends 12/6/11. To enter and for Official Rules, including odds and prize descriptions, visit Girl’s Gone Child, The Spohrs are Multiplying, or Make and Takes. Void where prohibited.

    Congratulations to the winner, Diana L!

  • Happy Holidays

    Happy Holidays

    …from our expanding family.

    Thanks, everyone, for all of your love and support this year and every year. Happy holidays!

  • Vintage Ornament Collection

    Vintage Ornament Collection

    OK, so this is sort of cheating. But really, who has the time and patience to collect a unified collection of vintage ornaments over the years? And with plenty of pink? Lovely.

    Martha Stewart for Grandin Road

  • Astro Ornaments

    Astro Ornaments

    While it is waaay to early to start decking the halls, I’m digging these astro ornaments. They’d look pretty good sprinkled in among all of my white ceramics, wouldn’t you agree? I’m thinking year round and not just for the holidays. Although they are flocked, which maybe calls to mind snow…

    CB2

  • Happy Holidays

    Happy Holidays

    The Balch Family is set to beguile
    decked out in vests of argyle
    while Brandon regales
    with holiday tales
    they wish you good tidings in style