Weekend Inspiration: 1 John 4:19

"We love because he first loved us."

1 John 4:19

Photo Credit: 1

Fashion Friday: This or That?

Pink or Gold?

Tory Burch Dee Dee Slippers

They're both marked down from $128, to $84.90, and nearly all sizes are still available.

We're getting some work done to our house, so it's been a little crazy around here lately.  Basically, we've had to be out of the house all day, everyday, since Wednesday.  Thankfully, we're still able to sleep here, but the workers made it clear that they don't want little kiddos running around their work space.  Well, they were supposed to be finished today, but you know how that goes...now they're hoping for next Wednesday!  Ugh.  At least they'll be gone tomorrow and Sunday.

Hope y'all have a wonderful weekend!

Thirsty Thursday: Kiwi Melon Sangria

Talk about a yummy drink!  We bought a ton of kiwi last week, and I've been searching for recipes that contain kiwi, and thought, why not look for a fun cocktail involving kiwi, as well.  I found this recipe at Cocktail Times.  It does involve some "wait time," but it sure sounds like it's worth the wait!

Kiwi Melon Sangria

Ingredients:
- 1 bottle (750 ml) dry white wine such as dry Riesling
- 4 peeled and sliced Zespri green kiwifruit
- 1 cup (237 ml) fresh watermelon, peeled, seeded and cubed
- 1 lime, thinly sliced
- 1 1/2 oz Midori melon liqueur
- 1/4 cup granulated sugar


Combine all ingredients in a large pitcher, stirring to crush some of the fruit. Cover and refrigerate overnight for at least 12 hours to let the flavors marry before serving. Serve over ice, including some fruit. Use within 4 days.

Happy Sipping!

_______________________________________________________________________________
P.S. Yesterday's Wednesday Whereabouts was the Grove Park Inn in Asheville, NC.  Congrats to all who guessed it correctly!  The best time to go is at Christmas.  They have the best gingerbread house displays, and the Christmas decorations there are beautiful!
_______________________________________________________________________________
If interested, Vineyard Vines is offering an extra 50% off all sale items.  Just use the code: FIFTY.  I found some great items, but think I'm going to check out the store today, so I can save on shipping.
_______________________________________________________________________________
Couldn't resist showing you E's latest "CHEESE!" face.

 Such concentration.

Hope y'all have a lovely Thursday!

The Heels play tonight - beat that Wolfpack!

Wednesday Whereabouts: Tory Burch Cause

Can you guess the location?  My family and I visited here a couple of years ago...

Four of the six of us.

_______________________________________________________________________________

Looking for a cute Valentine's gift, that goes to a great cause...

Tory Burch Thailand Relief Shirt

We ♥ Thailand. 100% of the net proceeds of every Thailand Flood Relief T-shirt will go to the Chaipattana Foundation to support the flood relief efforts. The elephant-print heart graphic was created exclusively to help benefit this urgent cause.

Receive free Standard Shipping on any purchase of the Thailand Relief T-shirt.

No promotion code necessary.

This item is available for pre-order. Orders will be shipped out by 2/23.

Tuesday Trends: C. Wonder

Have you tried C. Wonder yet?

From their site:  "Created to deliver brightness to every corner of life, C. Wonder offers an entirely new retail experience: clothing, accessories and home decor products of outstanding quality and astonishing value in a setting that excites and inspires.

C. Wonder offers a diverse assortment of beautiful, versatile and spirited products that pair timeless design elements with fresh twists, such as unexpected colors and patterned linings. We edit our collection to offer solely must-haves — key items to enhance a room, refresh a wardrobe or inspire a memorable experience.

Our retail stores immerse visitors into the world of C. Wonder, a jubilant celebration of design and discovery and an inviting destination for shoppers. With breathtaking, always-changing window and floor displays, gorgeous decorative schemes inspired by fine homes, and intriguing surprises to uncover (visit our fitting room!), C. Wonder is an absolute delight to visit."

P.S. Their prices are very affordable, for the quality of product you receive.  It's also Tory Burch's ex-husband's company.

I was very impressed with the quality of these C. Wonder porcelain balls I purchased.

And the sale price was pretty great, too - only $12.99 for FIVE!

If you've tried C. Wonder, what did you get, that you loved?

Monday Manners: Table Manners Basics, Downtown Abbey

I hope all of you had a great weekend!  We finally got rain, which was good for little L's cough, but other than that, it kept us all inside, trying to find any activity to do, rather than watch TV all weekend long.  Lots of markers and art, Play-doh, pretend play and reading!  I also caught up on all of my laundry, thanks to my special little helper.  Can't believe he's already four months old!  And yes, he's in a PINK Bumbo...

_______________________________________________________________________________

If you're in need of some basic table manners, I found these tips pretty comprehensive on eHow.  Not only are they good to refresh our memories on the rules, but they're great to share with your children, too.  I did Teen Cotillion in junior high and high school, and was also a debutante, but I still need a refresher every once in awhile.  Like #5, I completely forgot about that one!  Are there any you can add?  For the full details on each rule, click here for the complete article.

Tip #1: For all questions involving etiquette, just use your brains.
Tip #2: Never do anything until the host does it first.
Tip #3: Use your utensils from the outside in.
Tip #4: If you're not sure what to do, wait and see what your neighbor does.  If that offers no clue, just fake it.
Tip #5: Never let any utensils, once used, ever touch the table again. (That includes leaning a fork onto the plate.)
Tip #6: Do not put the entire soup spoon in your mouth.
Tip #7: If you spill something, don't make a big deal of it.
Tip #8: If you're not sure whether or not you can eat something with your fingers, just use a utensil.

Mom-isms: Just think of this as the potpourri of things you've heard all your life about table manners. Most of them were 100 percent correct:

* Don't grab food.

* Don't talk with your mouth full.

* Chew with your mouth closed and no noise.

* Excuse yourself if you get up to go somewhere (the bathroom or to make a call).

* Don't pick something out of your teeth (just excuse yourself to the bathroom).

* Don't leave lipstick smears on anything.

* Don't put items on the table (meaning a purse, papers, keys).

* Don't smoke.

* Don't tilt or squirm in your chair.

How do you end with a good impression?  Place your knife and fork on the plate so that they are parallel to each other, at the 11 o'clock position (a diagonal from bottom right to top left) with the points facing away from you.  And never put your napkin on the table, signaling to others you are finished, until all others have finished their meal, as well.

Pinkies up!

_____________________________________________________________________________
If you've been watching Downton Abbey, I thought you'd think this was fun!  Click here to take the quiz, and find out which Downton Abbey you are.  Come back and comment, and let me know who you are!

I'm Mr Bates, Lord Grantham’s valet (Brendan Coyle). You are a patient, kind, salt-of-the-earth type.  But sometimes your self-righteousness can threaten to engulf you.

Photo Credit: 1, 2

Weekend Inspiration: Job 37:14

"Listen to this, Job; stop and consider God's wonders."

Job 37:14

Photo Credit: 1