CSN Giveaway: A Fresh Start

Happy New Year!

In honor of a fresh start, how about something new for your home?

CSN stores is giving away $40 worth of merchandise from one of their 200+ stores!

From tv stands to throw pillows, CSN carries a variety of items that are sure to please even the pickiest shopper.

Here are some of my personal favorites:

 Skyline Furniture Tufted Arch Headboard

Candice Olson Modern Classics Slate Contemporary Rug

George Kovacs Mercury Large Tear Drop Table Lamp 

Jiti Pillows Tiles Linen Square Decorative Pillow

Blissliving Home Maren 16.5" Holder Candlestick

Bassett Mirror Silver Leaf Finish

{Wow, I accidentally just created almost an entire room with items solely from CSN...what a great group of stores!}

TO ENTER:

{1} Visit CSN stores and a leave a comment here about your favorite item and why you love it

{2} For an additional entry, blog about this Giveaway and write a second comment with a link back to your post

{3} You do NOT have to follow my blog in order to enter...but making new blogland friends is oh-so-fun...so feel free to follow if you'd like :)


One winner will be chosen at random.org and the prize may be shipped to anywhere in the USA or Canada.

The Giveaway ends this Saturday, January 8th at midnight {11:59pm} EST.

The winner will be announced on Monday evening.  
If you don't have a blog, be sure to include your e-mail address so I have a way to contact you if you win!

Good luck!!


P.S. I decided to take the 365 Challenge, during which I'll be taking one photo every day for the entire year...thus begins my journey!

The husband, scratching off a lottery ticket {our New Year's Eve tradition} ~ we won 15 bucks!

Blog Love: 12.22

Here's what I've been loving lately...

I've already printed several of these gorgeous {and free!} gift tags. The second set {the one with the snowflakes} is my absolute favorite!

This would be a delicious dish to serve on a cold Winter's night.

As an avid organizer myself, I love what she said about wanting what you already have.

A handmade teacup candle would make such a sweet gift for a friend.

This would be a great way to showcase precious family photos over the Holidays or even throughout the year.

These napkin rings created by Layla have me thinking it's time to create some festive rings of my own!

Well, I still have some more wrapping left to do ~ eek! ~ so I'd better go.

I hope you all have a very Merry Christmas!! :)

A Cozy Christmas

I've had such a lovely time decorating our home for Christmas that I decided to link up to The Nester's Christmas Tour of Homes 2010. Enjoy!

Merry Christmas!

Holiday Decorating

It's the most wonderful time of the year! I love everything about the Christmas season; having and attending festive parties, baking Christmas cookies, and especially decorating! Here are some of my favorite Holiday spaces in blogland thus far:

Knight Moves

Simplyvonne

Be sure to link up to the nester's Christmas 2010 Tour of Homes on Monday!

{ and thanks, Lindsay, for making the suggestion! }

Apple Cider Donut FAILURE

Yeah, so I found this delicious recipe awhile back and decided to give it a try:

{FIY that is most definitely not a picture of my donuts}

The batter smelled amazing, looked amazing, tasted amazing...

and then I burnt the donuts. Every. Last. One.

Some things are better left to the professionals...

Please feel free to share your own cooking, baking, or decorating disasters to help me feel a little less pathetic for wasting 3 hours of  my life on donuts...

etsy love: Pink Christmas

loop loft

Sea Pinks

the little red door

cheeky mama designs

Prince Design UK

Chalet Chic

bungalow quilts

Mixit

Foosie Design

lucy snowe photography

What etsy items have you been loving lately?

Black Friday

This will totally be me on Friday:

I've gotta be honest: Last year was the very first time I ever went shopping on Black Friday. It was me, my husband, my brother-in-law, and my sister, and we had the BEST time! That was, of course, before I thought I'd lost my wallet {one wasted hour of frantically searching every store in the mall later, I found it in one of my shopping bags, oi!}...but thankfully, we had a fabulous day of shopping in spite of that. I was able to buy almost ALL of my Christmas presents, which is quite a feat for me! Since everyone warned me that it would be total chaos {which, I must mention, I loved}, I decided to have a plan of attack. Here's what I did, and what I plan to do again this year:

1) Scour your city {and the internet} for ads : That way, you can compare prices before the big day

2) Have your shopping list ready : I asked my our relatives for their lists a month ago and they're just now trickling in ~ get with the program, people!

3) Don't forget about you! : The hubs and I have been mulling over certain potential purchases for a few months that are much more likely to happen if we are able to score some great deals on Friday

4) Establish a game plan : Decide what store you're going to first, second, third, etc.

5) Take time to refresh : You may feel like you have to go to every store before everything is gone, but you need to be sure to stop for breakfast/lunch so you can stay energized!

6) Know when to move on : You may find that some stores' Black Friday sales are less than exciting...if that's the case, get the heck outta there and go somewhere else! Don't waste time scouring the store when the store next door may have just what you're looking for.

What about you? Are you going to brave the crowds to bring home some bargains for your fam & friends? Any tips for Black Friday newbies?

Wishing you all a very Happy Thanksgiving!! :)

GLEE!

Are you a Gleek?

If not, you should be. I started watching the show to fill the void left by LOST, and I've been hooked from the moment I first heard Sue mock Will's hairstyle.

Check out some clips from this season:

I definitely prefer The Warblers' version over Katy Perry's!

I think this may be my favorite mash-up yet!

Wedding Planning

Hello blogland! I'm sorry I've neglected my poor little blog, but I've been busy finishing up my little sister's wedding invitations and putting the finishing touches on her Bridal Shower plans! Pics to come soon :) In the meantime, here is some eye candy to start your week:

{one of my favs ~ somehow elegant, yet casual}

Blog Love: 11.4

This is one DIY project I will definitely be trying!

Oscar is one lucky guy to have this serene space.

Holly can even make a petti coat look chic.

I am totally loving this turquoise, gray, and yellow design board.

mmm this Pumpkin Spice Latte recipe sounds easy and oh-so-delicious!

What have you been loving lately?