Christmastime's a Comin'

photo: Better Homes and Gardens.com

Yes, Christmas is coming, but there are a few things that have to happen before I bring out the decorations. First is my birthday (today), where I am going to enjoy being spoiled rotten by my husband and family. I am not really a presents girl, although I have already received some beauties from some friends (a glittered tree and brown, floral rubber boots), and of course, the recessed panelling that my sweet husband installed for me as my birthday present. I finished painting the front entry panelling yesterday, and I am a happy girl. For some reason, my husband has been very agreeable to my building projects lately, so to return the favour I cooked up his favourite meal yesterday: my famous meatloaf with all the trimmings! I know how to keep him happy, too, and it really does make him putty in my hands! Being the birthday girl and all, I also get my favourite meal tonight - Chinese take-out. Can a birthday get any better?

yep, they're all ours...

This weekend also calls for the annual Christmas parade in my town, and it is the official kick-off to Christmas for me. I will bring out the candy canes that I have stowed away, and on Monday I will begin the decorating process. I will then take the kids to the mall to select names from the Salvation Army tree, and they will help me pick out the gifts, one for each of their ages. I am also looking forward to Sophie's Christmas concert, as the boys have moved on to Junior High, where such a thing is no longer done...not cool, I guess.

By the way, thanks for all of your fashion advice! Heaven knows I need it sometimes, and looking at my pasty, white legs, I don't know if there is enough self-tanner on earth to darken up my gams!!

I just had to share this picture of my "baby" sleeping last night as I went in to check on her...

I will now share more Christmas inspiration to help get you into the mood for the holidays:

photo: BHG.com
photo: Pottery Barn.com

above two photos: Room Service Home

Flea Market Trip with Eddie Ross!

This weekend Dave & I went into New York City with Christian & went on a flea market tour with Eddie Ross!!

Pictured counter-clockwise: Baby Christian, me, Jaithan, Eddie & Dave

Eddie Ross is one of my favorite designers and the Senior Style Editor for Martha Stewart Living Magazine. He was just recently on Bravo's 2nd season of the show Top Design. He's only 30 years old but has already owned his own catering company, worked as House Beautiful's Decorating Editor and also as Martha Stewart Living's Food Editor. His style is defined by his ability to create something out of nothing. He believes we can all have beautiful homes & don't need to spend a fortune to get them. He is a flea-marketing guru. From eight feet away he can spot a piece of Wedgewood (I saw this happen in person) & can tell you when it was made and how you can get it looking like new again & what you could do with it.

We had such a great time meeting Eddie & his partner Jaithan. They're so warm & friendly & down-to-earth. It was hard for me not to jump up & down & squeal because I was so excited. I can't believe how knowledgable Eddie is about antiques. (It has definitely rubbed off on Jaithan too because was able to tell me what things were that I had no idea what pupose they could have- like pretty little personal salt bowls- but I ready forgot the proper name!) It was really awesome to see them in action!

Please check out Eddie's post about the shopping trip for details:

http://www.eddieross.com/eddie_ross/2008/11/shopping-with-new-friends.html

I'll write more about my finds on another day!

Here's the link to the article about him that was recently in the Post: http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/gallery/2008/10/08/GA2008100801639.html

I just can't say enough how happy I am to finally meet Eddie & Jaithan! I felt like I knew them before I met them from the blog, but now I feel like we're friends. :)