What are you wearing this New Year's Eve?

What to wear this New Year's?????  I don't have to think too hard since I have three kids under the age of five, so as you can imagine, my New Year's Eve attire will include jeans and some sort of cute top.  I will not, however, forgo the fabulous high heels!  I wore stilettos all through my pregnancies and chasing around three small children in heels has become like second nature.  I do, though, really miss getting to wear an amazing cocktail dress this year.  It didn't stop me from browsing some of my favorite stores and sites and finding a few I'd love to be wearing this New Year's Eve.  Let me know what you think and do you have any ideas on what you all will be wearing?  I can't wait to see what all you  fashionistas come up with!

 Val's Boutique- Knoxville, TN

https://app.e2ma.net/app/view:CampaignPublic/id:39254.11548826212/rid:dee98e1570e2a8ac7994a146ddd35aba

Val's Boutique

If I had a black tie event to go to, I'd be all over this dress.  For only $83 you could also have a killer pair of shoes!

lulus.com

I love this top paired with colored jeans.

Lulus.com

 

These heels from Banana Republic are marked down to $113.  I know, not beer budget..... but BR is running a sale on all previously marked down items through January 1st.  Take an additional 30% off!

http://bananarepublic.gap.com/browse/category.do?cid=29809

 Happy New Years!

Merry Christmas!

Merry Christmas everyone!  Sorry I've been MIA lately, but as you know, these days are so crazy busy.  I'm off to see some family for the next few days, but I'll try to post some from Memphis.  I'm hoping to do some shopping there.... Pottery Barn and William Sonoma outlet anyone?  Yea!!!

Kate Spade for less than $100!

Kate Spade is not a name you would usually associate with a beer budget.  However, you can find a number of things there for less than $100 and trust me, you will love the look as well as the fabulous customer service they have to offer.  I actually had a purse I bought there one year that had the fabric wear on the corners.  It was probably two years old and I just wanted to see if they could fix it.  They said they didn't carry that purse anymore, but to pick out a new purse for the same cost and they would send me a replacement!  Of course I found one that was a little more expensive and they replaced it anyway at no cost.  Wow, that is what I call customer service.  You pay for what you get people, and trust me, you will have these pieces for years to come.  Take a look at a few of the items I would love to have under the tree this year....

juliana too

$95.00

signature spade quilted ipad sleeve

$70.00

kate spade umbrella

$75.00

crystal cort drop earrings

$68.00

flying colors idiom bangle

$58.00

all wrapped up pavé mini ring

$58.00

 

 

And the winner is....

Lolita Toney!  Congratulations..... you win the second $25 Tory Burch gift card!  Shoot me an email and let me know where to send it.  Congrats!

Something different than an ugly sweater party....

So we had a costume Christmas party this past weekend.  (Silly, I know!)  This is actually the second time we've done this, and we encourage our guests to dress up as a character from their favorite Christmas movie.  Now not everyone dressed up, in fact most did not, however, those of us who did sure had some fun with it!  I went as Cindy Loo Hoo, hair and all, and I had the best time with that outfit.  There were also a few cousin Eddies, Clarks, and even Margo and Todd (the snobby, ultra yuppie couple from Christmas Vacation.)  Here's a few pics from the party as well as some ideas for your next Christmas party.  (Try out the costume idea.... it's hilarious!)

 Some of the outfits.....

My husband dressed as Clark from the scene where the squirrel jumps on his back!

The drink table.  (Notice the glasses from my Old Time Pottery post a while ago?)

A must have at all my Christmas parties.....The Pink Halo.

Dip champagne glass in grenadine and then dip in sugar.  Pour 1 oz. raspberry vodka and 3 oz. champagne.  Delicious but sneaky stout!

Pomegranate Martinis 

I used Oprah's recipe from Rachel Ray and it was a hit!

If you really want to have fun, make these pretty cherry and lime jello shots.  Trust me, we started karaoking after a few of these!

I made these party favors from the Better Homes and Gardens December issue.  They had really cute beeswax candles and I couldn't find those, but I did get these candles at JoAnn's for 60% off.  Then you just cover a match box in pretty scrapbook paper and tie with baker's twine.  Easy!

What other party ideas do you all have?  I'd love to see pictures, recipes, etc. 

Don't forget today is the last day to enter the $25 Tory Burch card giveaway!  Winner will be drawn today.  Click on the link to enter  Giftcard Giveaway

Shopping in Franklin

So the madness of the holidays has official struck and I have SO neglected the blog this week.  SORRY!  The Tory Burch gift card contest is still going strong, so don't forget to enter!  The next winner will be drawn on Monday.  My parents came in this week so we could do a little Christmas shopping, and what would Christmas shopping be without a stop in downtown Franklin?  For those of you who haven't been, you have to make this a stop next time you're in middle Tennessee.  This historic town is so quaint and has some of the cutest and most unique stores around.  I often find myself looking for Keith Urban and Nicole Kidman in the Starbucks down there (I hear they frequent that quite often!).  Anyway, after picking up a coffee, we were off to the shops.  Here's a few of the stores you must stop in....

Love this store....they have some really cute, trendy clothing and accessories and give a portion to charity.

http://www.philanthropyfashion.com/

Bathos has some really great bath products they make on site.

http://www.bathosonline.com/Scripts/default.asp

This store is a must stop for any gardener enthusiast.

http://www.franklinflower.com/

The Iron Gate is a store I am OBSESSED with!  You have to check out all their home accessories.http://www.theirongateonline.net/

This store has some beautiful linens as well as amazing selection of dinner and drink ware.

http://www.theregistryfranklin.com/

You are sure to find something in this store.  Lots of different vendors have space in here, therefore you can find just about anything.  It's so cute!

There are several other stores on the Main Street I like to visit, but I just can't list them all.  After you're done, get in your car and drive over to P.D.'s.  I'm going to give you the address, because this store is so discount, they don't even have a web site.  I mean discount, in the best way!  There home accessories and furniture are amazing and at incredible prices.  You have to search to find it, but once you do, you'll be hooked!

I got this amazing, Serena and Lilly esque lantern for only $30.

P.D.'s

119 S Margin St

While at P.D.'s, we discovered a new store called The Barn Door, that's located just behind it.  This is another gem, tucked away in downtown Franklin.  It's only been open for 2 months, but I'm loving the home decor things in here as well.  You must stop by and check it out!

Happy Shopping!

Buy Local this Christmas

So today I went to Whole Foods to buy some chocolate that is made here in Nashville and I got a gift idea.  I'm going to make a local Nashville basket to give as a gift this Christmas.  You can make one of these with whatever city you live in, or if you have a theme you want to go with.  I'm going to do a Nashville basket.  Whole foods has a great selection of candy that is locally made and we also are very fortunate to have some great local beers as well.  My friends are starting a new brewery, The Black Abby, however it's not available yet to the public.  Therefore, I will be using Yazoo beer which happens to be one of my favorites right now.  I also purchased the following chocolates and they all are amazing!

I love this brand, Olive and Sinclair.  They have some really unique flavors like Sea Salt and Cinnamon Chili.  http://www.oliveandsinclair.com/

This company, The Bang Candy Company, makes incredible handmade marshmallows in flavors like Vanilla Peppermint and Chocolate Orange.  http://www.bangcandycompany.com/

This store has some of the best candy around.  Whole foods sells their milk chocolate peanut butter bites and the box is adorable as well.  http://www.thecocoatree.com/

The Nashville Toffee Company is also an incredible candy that you have to try.  Their toffee is amazing, and with this gift, you will not disappoint! http://www.nashvilletoffeecompany.com/

Yazoo is a great local beer to add to the basket.  This pale ale happens to be my favorite, but there are many varieties to choose from.  http://yazoobrew.com/home.php

I hope this gives you all some ideas for a very unique gift basket that any person would be sure to love.  Let me know if you know of any other items you think would make a great addition to the basket!

And the winner is....

Rachel @Touch of Gray!  Congrats girl!  Don't worry if you didn't win ..... another winner will be drawn next Monday!

Giveaway...Two Tory Burch gift cards!

Yes, that's right!  I have two $25 Tory Burch gift cards in my cold little hands for two lucky followers.  If you haven't discovered, or think you can't afford Tory Burch, now's your time!  I have a few items listed below that you can find in Tory Burch for less than $100!
 Look below for how you can enter...

 First up, my favorite thing to stock up on...flip flops!

$50

 

 Fabulous Holiday Candle

$45

Stylish Mouse Pad

$20

Patent Robinson Slim Card Case

$85

Idina Wine Cozy

$75

 

Resin Logo Key

$55

 Small Domed Logo Earrings

$58

 Here's how you can enter to win..... (you can enter multiple times by doing each of the following)
1) Follow me on twitter....https://twitter.com/#!/winetastegirl
2) Go to the right side of my blog and click follow on my google followers  (You have to follow publicly or I can't see you!)
3) Leave a comment after this post
4) Suggest me to your friends on your blog and send me the link
One winner will be drawn Monday, Dec. 12 and the other on Monday, Dec. 19! 
Gift Cards Expire December 31st, 2011

The Elf on the Shelf..a blessing and a curse!

Yes, we love the Elf on the Shelf around my house and I have to say, it's been great when trying to get the kids to behave.  His name is Gordan, the kids named him after Jeff Gordan, and he comes out every year the day after Thanksgiving, and flies home on Christmas Eve until the next year.  This idea has been a curse and a blessing.  Those of you who do this know.... you're lying in bed, dead asleep, and suddenly, you'll wake up in a panic....did I move Gordan? (insert any Elf name here).  Then, you have to get out of your warm bed at some absurd hour to run out and move the darn elf.  For those of you who aren't familiar, the story is the elf flies up to the North Pole to tell Santa about how good, or bad, the kids behaved that day.  In the morning, he flies back to another spot where he will sit and watch the kids throughout the day.  (It really freaked out my oldest the first year we did it!)  Well if you don't move it at night, the kids get really upset the next day.  Like I said, a blessing and a curse.  Gordan sits in the standard places, the Christmas tree, the mantel, up on the kitchen counter, but some people go all out with theirs.  My friend, Ali, has quite a following on Facebook of people who want to see what her Elf does each day.  Here's a few pictures of all the amazing adventures her elf takes.  If only I was that creative!!!!  Let me know the best place your elf has been......

 This elf has fun!

Don't forget to look at last Friday's post to see how to enter the giveaway for the Tory Burch giftcards.  The first winner will be drawn today!

Giveaway...Two Tory Burch gift cards!

Yes, that's right!  I have two $25 Tory Burch gift cards in my cold little hands for two lucky followers.  If you haven't discovered, or think you can't afford Tory Burch, now's your time!  I have a few items listed below that you can find in Tory Burch for less than $100!
 Look below for how you can enter...

 First up, my favorite thing to stock up on...flip flops!

$50

 

 Fabulous Holiday Candle

$45

Stylish Mouse Pad

$20

Patent Robinson Slim Card Case

$85

Idina Wine Cozy

$75

 

Resin Logo Key

$55

 Small Domed Logo Earrings

$58

 Here's how you can enter to win..... (you can enter multiple times by doing each of the following)
1) Follow me on twitter....https://twitter.com/#!/winetastegirl
2) Go to the right side of my blog and click follow on my google followers  (You have to follow publicly or I can't see you!)
3) Leave a comment after this post
4) Suggest me to your friends on your blog and send me the link
One winner will be drawn Monday, Dec. 12 and the other on Monday, Dec. 19! 
Gift Cards Expire December 31st, 2011