A Touch of Southern Grace

Wednesday, December 25, 2019

Merry Christmas

Wishing everyone and their families a very Merry Christmas! I just wanted to take a moment to wish you all a wonderful day and that I appreciate each and every one of you for taking time out of your day to visit my blog!

“And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night. And lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them: and they were sore afraid. And the angel said unto them, ‘Fear not, for behold, I bring unto you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people. For unto you is born this day in the City of David a Savior, which is Christ the Lord. And this shall be a sign unto you; Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger.’ And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host, praising God, and saying ‘Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward me”

~ Luke2:8-14

Monday, December 23, 2019

Christmas Eve Eve!

I know I have already said this, but 2019 went by so fast… I definitely have my fingers crossed that 2020 goes a little slower and is a little more enjoyable.

I can hardly believe that it is Christmas eve eve! Can we rewind the Christmas season all the way back to December 1 – I’m not ready for the Christmas season to end – I feel like it just got here. For the most part Christmas shopping has been completed, the Christmas decorations are set, and a Christmas menu has been made. After all that work you definitely deserve a treat yourself moment. I know…I know… Christmas is about giving, appreciating what you have, and doing some for others, but every now and then you need to treat your self to a little something, something. Here are a few of my current favorites from Shopbop!

Simone Puff Sleeve Top {can be found here}

Tory Burch Mcgraw Camera Bag {can be found here}

Salvatore Ferragamo {can be found here}

A.P.C. Mirand Pullover {found here}

Nest Fragrance Festive Candle Duo {found here}

Books with Style: The Big Book of The Hamptons {can be found here}

Alexanderwang.t Bi-Layer Sweater Dress {found here}

Madewell Buffalo Plaid Cape {found here}

Wednesday, December 18, 2019

Hostess With The Mostess Gift Guide

Is it just me or did Christmas time just really sneak up on everyone this year? Despite the fact that I put up a tree and decorated a few weeks before Thanksgiving I feel like Christmas things just have not been up long enough yet, and I just cannot believe that Christmas is literally one week away! Seriously, where has the time gone?!

2019 has undoubtably been a completely crazy and busy year – I feel like I just haven’t been able to get things I need to do completely organized and I haven’t done that great a job keeping up my blog this year or reading along with some other things. Last year around this time people were challenging 2019 to “bring it on” and 2019 definitely brought it on for sure. I for one, have my fingers crossed that 2020 is one of the calmest, happiest, easiest years ever filled with many blessings for everyone.

Okay, now onto the gift guide… See, I told you all I haven’t been that great on staying on top of things… this is my first gift guide of the Christmas season {yikes!} but Holiday parties seem to run well past Christmas day and I choose items that can easily be found in any stores and can still be ordered online in time for this weekends festivities. After all, a lot of work goes into putting together a holiday party, and the hostess with the mostess that we all know and love definitely deserves a gift of appreciation for all their hard work and care they put into getting everyone together!

Here’s where to shop the above For Her Gift Guide! Click on the name of the item below to be directed to the website.

1. Sweet Laurel: Recipes for Whole food, Grain-free Baking Book

2. Snowy Lane Compote

3. Williams Sonoma S’mores

4. Twas the Night Before Christmas Santa’s Sleigh Towels

5. Nest Candle

6. Wedgwood 2019 Winter Pine Christmas Ornament

7. Down The Hatch Cocktail Napkins (Set of 4)

8. Books With Style: Fashion in Film {can be found here}

9. Acrylic Backgammon Game Set

10. Apron

Sunday, December 15, 2019

Sunday Night Thought

Friday, December 13, 2019

Christmas In Winter Hill

One thing that I wish I had done more in 2019 is read more. There just always seemed to be something going on; 2019 was an extremely busy year. Luckily things seem to be slowing down just in time to be able to enjoy the holiday season, settle down, and read a few Christmas books. I mean what better way to get back in the habit of reading than with a few Christmas themed books.

Christmas in Winter Hill is the first book I have read of Melody Carlson’s and I completely loved it! I honestly could not put the book down – I read it in like a day. The story line was so sweet and the town sounds just as perfect as the cover looks.

Krista Galloway, a single mother who grew up in foster homes, decides to move with her daughter, Emily, to Winter Hill, Washington. Ironically, upon arrival, Krista discovers she has moved them to a town who is famous for their Christmas celebration, one of her least favorite times of the year… Emily falls in love with the town upon arrival claiming that it feels like they are living in a storybook, if only it would snow.

The town’s Christmas spirit is so infection that even Krista starts to get wrapped up in the excitement of the Christmas season. However, with every move there are a few big bumps along the way, and Krista’s job as city manager unfortunately puts her in the middle of some major bumps to the point where Krista and Emily have to make a decision to stay or move to another town…

I highly recommend Christmas in Winter Hill, by Melody Carlson. It has such a sweet story line and will wrap you in a blanket of Christmas filled with joy, hope, and thankfulness.

Monday, December 9, 2019

It's Just Not Christmas Till...

Christmas is a huge holiday for my family; we start decorating the day after Halloween and listening to Christmas music a few days before November. One thing we have always done is watch a few “have-to-watch” Christmas movies though out the season and at specific times.

Over the years it has gotten to the point where it just doesn’t seem like Christmas unless we sit down as a family and watch these five movies…

Miracle on 34^th Street// On Thanksgiving day we usually watch this after the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade. There is nothing like seeing Susan’s faith in Santa being restored and all of New York cheering on Santa Clause as he tried to prove the Chris Kringle is indeed his tree identity

Christmas Vacation// Even though it’s not the first Christmas movie of the season we watch, it just doesn’t seem like the Christmas season till the opening song of Christmas Vacation plays in the opening scene

Home Alone// I remember the very first time I saw this movie; I was about seven years old and my dad was completely dreading the experience. He was fully anticipating an element of a wish being granted and a full on child film, but everyone ended up completely loving it and now we have to watch it every Christmas

A Christmas Carol// Every Christmas Eve we always watch the George C. Scott Scrooge while we wait for our Christmas day deserts to finish baking

It’s A Wonderful Life// After all the presents have been open, the food eaten, and the kitchen and dinning room cleaned, we always sit down to watch It’s a Wonderful Life. I always love the end when George Baily runs through the streets of Bedford Falls feeling grateful for all his life and everything he has