George's

The all white Alys Beach rooftops

Great Tree at George's entrance

Cup o' George's Joe

Mom ordered George's Famous Grouper Sandwich

My crab and avocado salad, dad's fish tacos were pretty too but I failed to get a pic.

Our first meal together at the beach was lunch at George's, a cute beach "shack" with lots of porches, great wine list, tasty cuisine, and frogs everywhere. Well, not real frogs, frog decor...very cute. We truly enjoyed this meal as it was our first together in a long time. Our service was fantastic and that combined with the food will make anyone a return customer. Check it out if you're ever in the very cool new development known as Alys Beach.

celebrate!

For special celebrations over the past couple of years, my family has made it a tradition to break out a bottle of Sofia. Not sure when we started celebrating with this yummy bottle of sparkling wine, but it's definitely a favorite of mine. We enjoyed a couple of bottles over Christmas and I'm thinking it would be a good idea for New Years Eve as well! Unfortunately we had no champagne glasses down at the beach but we made do with these cute glasses from nearby Modica Market.

A Beachy Holiday

This year, instead of a trip home to Nashville for Christmas, I met my parents down in Santa Rosa Beach, FL where they've recently bought an adorable beach cottage. We layed around in pajamas, ate too much barbecue shrimp, shopped in nearby Seaside, and really enjoyed being together for a few days. My mom and I bond over art easily and tried to get in a few gallery visits as well. There are lots of talented emerging artists from that area of Florida and one is a close neighbor! His name is Justin Gaffrey and not only did we get to see some of his truly unique and cool paintings, but each day when driving by his house, we got to admire this beauty sitting in his driveway! It might be a little too kitschy for some, but it sure made us smile. Nothing says holiday cheer like a beat up old paint splattered truck with a Christmas tree attached to the hood. Merry Belated Christmas to my readers, I hope yours was as pleasant as mine.

been meaning to write about...

This cute wrapping paper from The Container Store...

This yummy meal of grilled cheese and tomato soup...

Seeing my bag of oil paints spread across the floor ready to go...

Another tasty treat-twice baked potatoes, and finally...

My big apartment window decked out for the holidays. I'm down in Florida for Christmas and I'm just missing it a little bit right now...look how cozy!

Wish I Were Here...

Wearing This... And Drinking This...

Fa La La La La....

My new favorite holiday drink

Rolf's, I really can't explain how decked out this place gets!

I truly love the Christmas song "Baby It's Cold Outside." It's nice to hear a duet this time of year and although the lyrics are a bit provocative for a Christmas carol, it still makes me feel ready for the holidays. This past Sunday, KTW and I went to Rolf's so I could try my first eggnog (yummm, see above) and enjoy the spectacle of lights/ornaments/angels/weird dolls that make up their Christmas decorations. While there, this song came on about 20 times. Clearly, I'm not the only one who enjoys it :)

I really can't stay- But baby it's cold outside

I've got to go away - But baby it's cold outside

This evening has been - Been hoping that you'd drop in

So very nice -I'll hold your hands they're just like ice

My mother will start to worry- Beautiful, what's your hurry?

And father will be pacing the floor- Listen to the fireplace roar

So really I'd better scurry - Beautiful please don't hurry

Well maybe just a half a drink more - Put some records on while I pour

The neighbors might think -Baby it's bad out there

Say what's in this drink - No cabs to be had out there

I wish I knew how -Your eyes are like starlight now

To break this spell - I'll take your hat your hair looks swell

I ought to say no no no sir - Mind if I move in closer

At least I'm going to say that I tried- What's the sense of hurtin my pride

I really can't stay- Baby don't hold out

(guy) -Baby it's cold outside(girl) -ah, but it's cold outside

I simply must go - But, Baby it's cold outside

The answer is no -But, Baby it's cold outside

This welcome has been -How lucky that you dropped in

So nice and warm -Look out the window at that storm

My sister will be suspicious - Gosh your lips look delicious

My brother will be there at the door- Waves upon a tropical shore

My maiden aunt's mind is vicious- Gosh your lips are delicious

Well, maybe just a cigarette more- Never such a blizzard before

I got to get home- But baby you'd freeze out there

Say lend me a comb- It's up to your knees out there

You've really been grand- A thrill when you touch my hand

But don't you see- How can you do this thing to me

There's bound to be talk tomorrow- Think of my life long sorrow

At least there will be plenty implied- If you caught pneumonia and died

I really can't stay- Get over that old doubt

(guy) -Baby it's cold outside(girl) -ah, but it's cold outside

Bumblebeezzz

It's no great mystery to those close to me that I have a bit of a bee fixation. This started a few years ago because I really enjoyed painting them. Then I started picking up little bumblebee trinkets, boxes, jewelry, etc. while shopping. Here are a few bee items I've found worth sharing:

Turquoise calling cards and gold bee and honeycomb print note cards are Crane.

Bee tacks and hooked pillow from Ballard Designs.

I liked this flour sack pillow because it's not all about the bees, it's a little more subtle. You can find them at another blogger's Etsy shop.

Zoe Chicco's 14k gold Bumblebee studs.

A fun lucite catch all tray from iomoi can be personalized.

You'll Shoot Your Eye Out!

Around this time of year, I am always ready to hear those five little words. The Christmas Story is one of those Christmas movies they start playing a couple of weeks before the actual day. And by the time Christmas Eve rolls around, I'm usually a little tired of ole Ralphie. However, tonight is the first night this season I've sat down to watch it and I couldn't be happier.

Snow!

We had our first teeny bit of snow on Saturday night. The huge flakes were gorgeous coming down but unfortunately didn't last (like in the picture above of a previous snow.) I hear we have more coming later this week, fingers crossed! And although I'll likely complain about trudging through the stuff, I'd have to agree that NYC really looks it's best with a fresh blanket of snow covering it's buildings, trees, sidewalks, and taxis.

A Touch of the South

My mom found this guest towel in a shop in Nashville and sent it up to me last year. I am slowly starting to acquire holiday decorations while living on my own and this is one of my favorites to put out when it starts getting cooler outside. It doesn't really match my other bathroom stuff but that's okay with me :) it's cute and it makes me happy. However, I took it down this weekend because now I'm ready for all things Christmas!