Winter Wonderland

We live in the deep south. In the winter it's frost bitingly cold, yet without snow. We might get lucky (in quotes) and get ice a few times during the cold months. But actual snow? Nah. It's been over three years since we've had a day of it. So when us southerners hear about snow in the forecast, it's a rush to the store to buy milk, eggs, bread, and if you are really smart, some wine. Because, snowstorm.

Well, Mr. Weatherman was right. In January we finally got under an inch of snow for a total of three glorious hours before the sun showed his/her face to melt it. Snowstorm? Notsomuch.

Adrienne and her daddy did get to go play in our backyard with the white stuff. You know, sled down the hills on a Rubbermaid box lid, make snow angels, and have a snow ball fight. Memories.

And I took some pictures. It was a win/win.

And this photo from my phone that never gets old,

So long winter, it's been real.

David M. Robinson

Popping in real quick to share an amazing jeweler, David M. Robinson. Since starting off in the jewelry business in the 1960's, David M. Robinson has completely mastered his craft. He has an eye for both design and beauty. He has even won numerous awards for his work, including two prestigious DeBeers Diamonds International Awards.

David M. Robinson's online site allows you to browse only the highest of quality diamond jewelry. From bangles dripping in flawlessly cut diamonds, to gold earrings that glisten, there is something for every queen in your life. David M. Robinson also has an extensive luxury watch selection that offers Tag watches, Cartier watches, and Rolex watches.

Here are a few of my favorite pieces:

Be sure to check out David M. Robinson on Facebook and Twitter, too!

The Homewares Co.

You know I love my British readers. And companies. So today we are going to talk about one of my favorite things: housewares. Clothes? Shoes? I haven't shopped for them in forever. PURSES?! Nope. Not even a purse. Crazy, I know. But stuff for the house? Si.

That's all I think about now. Interior decorating. Even rearranging on the daily, putting this thingy here, that chair there. I get in bed and go directly to Miss Mustard Seed or Dear Lillie and read myself into shabby chic slash French country dreamland.

Anychalkpaint, I'd love to introduce The Homewares Company. This online site specializes in items for, you guessed it, the home. If you go to their easily navigated website, you will find a great choice of garden and home wares, plus essential cookware. They offer many great brands such as one of my favorite chefs, Jamie Oliver's kitchen line.

After scouring over their site, I put together a collection of my favorite items from the Homewares Company. I pretty much can see all of these extremely usable items in my home.

Be sure to check out The Homewares Company on Facebook and Twitter, too!

Winsome Words Wednesday and a WINNER

Print found HERE.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Congrats Christina K.! You have won your very own Raina Hampton original! I will be contacting you shortly! Thanks to everyone who entered and showed love for this great giveaway. Stay tuned for another exciting contest!

Recent Snippets

:: Conversation hearts in a McCarty shell bowl. Swoon.

:: We still have Blue Submarine. He's really just my fish now. I'm the one that feeds him and keeps his bowl clean.

:: Legos. All day. Every day.

:: Vintage Pepsi and Barq's root beer crates from my dad.

:: Bourbon.

:: Gorgeous Blessing Basket.

:: Blind shadows on my artwork.

Pottery on Etsy

Our little family has really gotten into reading labels. We try to eat organic, we use sulfate free shampoo, and every light bulb in our house is a swirly. So, when I was trying to think of Christmas presents for William, the first idea was one of those old fashioned shaver bowls. You know.

That's where Pottery on Etsy came into play. I literally scoured Etsy for hours looking for the perfect shave bowl. And then I found it. A rustic clay bowl with a matching brush thingy.

Pottery on Etsy's owner, Sheila, was a doll to work with. She is the mastermind behind all of the pottery creations, like her new birdhouses.

But let me get back to the point of this post. William adores his shave bowl. He uses it every single morning. I bought a round soap bar to go with it. He just lathers the soap up with the brush. And voila, it makes a super thick shaving creme, without all the nasty ingredients that the store bought shaving cremes have in them. And plus, it's good for the environment. No aerosol and no metal bottles to throw away. Win slash win.

Be sure to check out Pottery on Etsy and buy a shaver bowl for your main man. Oh and THIS plate and cup set is too legit. My birthday is coming up! Hint, hint.

Winsome Words Wednesday on a Thursday

Guys. Sorry I haven't been around these parts much. I don't know what's wrong with me. I feel like I've been lacking in the blogging department. And it's not like I don't have a ton of ish to blog about. Because I do.

But that's just it. I have too many thoughts to type. I have too many photos to edit. I feel overwhelmed. I feel a lack of creativity. I feel like I'm a terrible blogger.

Meh.

So since I'm great at being a Debbie Downs right now, let me touch on a topic that's ticking me off. And it's an ironic topic. It's about ridiculous complainers. I know. That's what I've been doing since I started this post. I told you. Ironic.

Being a blogger gives so many people the platform to be able to voice their opinions. And a lot of the time it's to complain. Like those blogger moms that are all up in arms about Barbie being the cover of the Sports Illustrated 50th anniversary issue.

I mean, REALLY???!!! That's what you have to complain about over there?!

::crickets::

WHO. CARES. Question mark. Question mark. QUESTION MARK.

Ugh.

These mothers are all upset because, by having Barbie on the cover, it's supposedly sending a "bad message" to young girls. What? Barbie isn't wholesome?! Since when?

::wink wink::

::side eye::

Look, Barbies aren't going to raise your child. They aren't going to teach them right or wrong. That's YOUR job. But don't buy Barbies if it makes you feel any better. Don't buy Sports Illustrated if it offends you that much. But do buy that case of Cokes. And that McDonald's. And give both of those to your kid. Because that totally makes sense.

Or how about being a blogger and complaining about more important issues, like the crisis over in Ukraine?

Or how about actually getting out and doing something good for people instead of complaining and spewing negativity over the interwebs?

I'm going to heed my advice. See you folks tomorrow.

Rant over.

 Disclaimer: Barbie is indeed the most iconic slore around. And I love her.