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Wednesday, November 14, 2012

Ikea Shopping During the Holidays Is A Must!!


There is nothing like a trip to Ikea to get you into the Holiday spirit! We went last week specifically for two items, but as any trip one takes to Ikea we came back with more than the two things we went for!!

Here are the two items we intended on purchasing…….
Source: ikea.com via Kathy Sue on Pinterest

This is the Borby lantern in white, it also comes in black, galvanized, and red. 

I needed white for my Thanksgiving table, and for my Christmas mantel. I am killing two birds with one lantern, so to speak!!


We purchased 3 of the large lanterns:
Length: 9 ½ "
Width: 9 ½ "
Height:17 ¼ "
AND
4 of the smaller lanterns:
Length: 6 "
Width: 6 "
Height: 11 "

These are a great deal for Holiday decorating at $14.99 for the large and $7.99 for the smaller lanterns.


The next item was a bit of a disappointment, and we wound up not purchasing it…….

Source: ikea.com via Kathy Sue on Pinterest


The Strala light in white! So pretty in the picture and equally as pretty in person. 

So what’s the problem?

The white is not white at all with the light in it. It is a soft ivory, and that will not work with the vision I have in my head for my Christmas décor this year!

PICKY? Yes!! DETAIL ORIENTED? You bet I am to a fault, and sometimes to the dismay of my poor hubby!

You see even before last year’s Christmas had taken place I already had this years look in mind.

When a girl has a plan, a girl has to stick to the plan! Right?!!

So moving right along………

As I said in the opening, no one ever gets, “JUST!” what they are planning to get at Ikea.

There are just so many treasures to find there. I love perusing the aisles, and I try to re-imagine different uses for their products.

We did purchase their off-white pillar candles in various sizes. 

I use off-white pillar candles every Christmas, and it is always so hard to find just the right off-white without a scent. 

Ikea has a great selection so I was pleased to buy those also….(not on my list!)
Source: ikea.com via Kathy Sue on Pinterest

All five candles for $9.99! A great price!!!

Of course since we are thinking about the Holidays, and candles I also had to buy a couple of bags of their 4 hour tea-lights!!(They burn 4 hrs. and 30min. trust me I timed them, a girl needs to know these things!)
Source: ikea.com via Kathy Sue on Pinterest


100 candles for $3.99. SERIOUSLY!! only $3.99!

I also purchased some white wooden  pant hangers for my closet. Remember when I re-did my closet, and I got white wood hangers instead of natural wood?

They look so pretty, and fresh in my soft blue walk-in closet!

My last purchase was one really cute Christmas decoration for the playroom……
Source: ikea.com via Kathy Sue on Pinterest

A perfect little angel to be watching over my sleeping angels!

Well, that is it!! I think I did pretty well considering I saw so many more items I would like to purchase.

I do have a couple of things a friend is going to pick up for me on her next trip there! More about that later!!

We ended the day with a celebratory cinnamon roll, and continued our shopping with some browsing over at West Elm!

Of course I found something there too!!!

We did not get it, but it is going to be MINE in the very near future!!

Do you love Ikea!? What is your favorite item, or items that you always get there?

Tuesday, November 13, 2012

I Am So Excited! Guess What I Get To Do?

 

I feel like one very lucky girl today. As you read this post I will be on my way  too……….

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Now why would I feel so lucky to go to Sur La Table?

BECAUSE!!!

I will be seeing this lady!……

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The one and only Ina Garten!!

A very good friend of mine told me about this event a couple of weeks ago, and we both agreed we just had to go.(We are both big fans of Ina's.)

 I will be carrying this………

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Ina Garten’s newest cookbook! The plan is to have her sign it!! Wish me luck!!

BTW:I have to give a big Thank You to my special friend for setting this up for us to go too!!!
I told you all, I am a very lucky girl!! 
 
 

Monday, November 12, 2012

Don't Forget To Do THIS For Thanksgiving !



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It Is That Time Of Year!
Time To Make A Check-list!



When I am planning a party, or a family get-together for the Holidays, as it gets closer to the event, I like to make a check list in order to help me keep on track.







Here is what I put on my list:

1.Pull together all the elements to be used to    decorate the table to make sure there is a nice flow.
 
2.Do a final count of guest.

3.Make place-cards for guest that go with table décor.


4.Make sure there are enough chairs and tables, if not go to Costco! 

5.Wash and iron linens (don’t forget the lavender linen water for napkins.)
  
6.Write down the final menu.
  
7.Gather all recipes and put in zip-loc bag, or for the more techy, make a file on your computer with all the recipes.
   
8.Get out all appropriate serving dishes, platters and whatever serving utensils needed.
  
9.Now is a good time to make sure you have enough plates, glasses and utensils.

10.Make my shopping list.

11.Clean and fill all salt and pepper shakers.( I have the mini individual shakers for my table.)

12.If you plan on cooking anything new, this is a good time to try it out first.







Handy tip: 
I place all serving pieces on my dining room chairs with a post-it note of the food that will go in them. The chairs are pushed in so out of sight out of mind, but I won’t be the one with my head in a cupboard looking for the big bowl for the mashed potatoes! 



 


Handy Tip:
I make a list of things I can purchase now, and the things I need to purchase fresh just a couple of days before the event.





Handy Tip: 
Make a time line for when things need to go in and out of the
oven .  I put it on a 3X5 card next to the stove. I find this helpful because by this time guest have arrived and want to visit. I personally can get side-tracked so this keeps me on track.





I know we all have our own methods, but this what has worked for me for years so I thought I would share it with you.





Do you all have some Handy tips to add? Please let us know by leaving a comment. I always love to learn from my readers.

Happy Check-list Making!!