What Men Want (For Christmas)

Shocked none of the guys said Mila Kunis. 

I sent an email to a handful of my guyfriends to see what they wanted for Christmas. I asked them to keep in the same lines as my post, something you need, something you want, and something you know you won't get but would love...

I love their answers. Here we go!

What Men Want:

Taylor Made R11 Golf Irons $699, guess who this is from. 

And here are two recommendations from his golf buddy Z

FootJoy Men's Performance Golf Base Layer. $58. M wears Under Armour...poor Florida blood..he is already freezing and its not even a cold winter!

Mizuno Impermalite Performance Shell Jacket $169. I don't like to buy things in Dook blue but this is a good looking jacket.

3.125% 30 year permanent financing. Ha! This buddy is building his dream house so I hear him on that one!

New beer kit/recipe. I had to google this one. 

Arrogant Bastard Clone Recipe $52. The guy this is for is neither arrogant nor a bastard but thought the name was funny and I believe he likes IPA's.

Or just the Ultimate Beer Kit from Mr. Beer for $128

Or this Beer Tasting flight set from Red Envelope for $29.95

And last but not least...how about just some beer!? My friend (almost family) works for Pisgah Brewing up in Asheville so support this local small business! Can't find it where you are? I can bring you some if you are in Charlotte! 

And I think this shirt would look good on the ladies!

Beretta shotgun. I've never shot a Beretta so its back to google, is this a good one JE?

Beretta 687 Silver Pigeon II $3,050

That gun will need a case. You can invest in a hard case if you are going to travel with your gun but I love these single soft cases. (Mine is a cheapo from Bass Pro for $10) This is nicer.

Kevins English Canvas Gun Slip $119

And a stocking stuffer for the Hunter? Col. Littleton No. 1 Knife Foxfire Bone $82.  I should by this for M since he has stolen my Gerber Gator.

ESPN 30 for 30 Box Set $59.99. Good choice, I have only seen one of these and want to watch the rest.

And for your Sports lover, how about a New Orleans Saints Deluxe Grill Cover $39.99

I'll be back tomorrow with the Men's Needs & Wishes!

xoxo

Ornament Swap 2012

I didn't really do paper invites but will next year! I love evite but sometimes there is something special about getting a paper invite.

I probably should have canceled this year's swap but I just couldn't do it. I love my friends so much and I absolutely love an excuse for a party so I would have been depressed if it didn't happen! I did promise that I wouldn't cook a thing and do as little as possible.

M rocked out the outside of the house. (I did promise him two days of golf last weekend if he completed my checklist). How great does it look?!

I bought all the ingredients to make Ooey Gooey bars (thanks Margaret for getting me hooked!) and Cajun Crack Dip but neither happened. Lots of other things wouldn't have happened either if it hadn't been for my friend Anna! She loves party planning as much as I do and she came over and said..Let's get to work! She helped me fluff the tree in the dining room, paint the take home ornaments and set the table. Then before the party started lots of girls came early and hung ornaments on my tree! I am so so lucky to have such an amazing group of girlfriends here in Charlotte!!! Love you all! Oh, and they all brought wine and food! I felt like a lazy hostess!

So enough chat...here are the pictures! I usually take more of the decor and tons more party pics but Nurse Abby kept yelling at me to sit down. (Love you Abby!)

Tree in the Dining Room with take home ornaments for the girls!

The spread

Somebody made a brief appearance!

Deep conversation about ________ and _______

Party Girls

More Party girls!

Stealing begins...

Most stolen ornament! The Furbish Donkey!

Mrs. Nurse Abby. Thank you so much for watching out for me!!!!

Love these ornaments....

We use our fireplace too much so stockings go on the stairs! (Someone PLEASE rip up that carpet!)

Take homes for each lady!

Thank you all so so much for coming and helping! I promise next year I will be back to ramming speed and all bourboned up once you arrive!

xoxo

My Christmas Wish List

 Well, I wanted to blog about all my other lists first but I am getting bugged for mine! Full list here

Here she blows!

Things I need: (AKA must have to stay a happy wife and mother)

Makeup. I'm embarrassed to say that I use junk products. I would love the Bobbi Brown shimmer brick $42 as a starting piece and maybe some gel eyeliner? I would also need lessons on how to apply both.

Personalized Camera Strap. Etsy $44. I lug my camera EVERYWHERE and this would be the perfect way to personalize my new 60D!

A Massage. I have had three in my lifetime. Ready? I got in a wreck in college so that was 1. My second was my honeymoon and my third was a prenatal massage at Ballantyne (Thanks Kelly Jenkins!) I have a $50 giftcard from last year to Ballantyne so I only really need another $60 more. Here is a photo from the Grove Park Inn spa. Never been there either.

How relaxed does she look? I would need 2 girlfriends and 4 more bottles of wine and white chocolate covered fudge oreos...but you get the idea.

Shoes. I haven't bought new shoes in ages. I bought a cheapo pair for my girls weekend in Charleston but I could definitely use a pair of wedges or flats!

Tory Burch "Caroline" Wedge $265

Lululemon Groove Pant $98. I was told that I need these. Mostly b/c I work from home and this is my uniform. My Nike's that were $65 are my absolute favorite but I sat on a red hot coal...burned straight through to my ass. Are Lulu's worth it?

J.Crew Bow-neck top. $110 (Thanks Natalie!) This would look beautiful with red hair and blue eyes! Right??

Things I want: (AKA really belong in the need column but didn't want to look like a selfish brat)

Candles Candles Candles. The Paddywax Wild Blackberry $29 I think I blog about monthly and it the bees knees.

I have two winter vests. The first is Banana Republic circa 1999, the second is an Old Navy puffer...boo. I want a Barbour, a fleece or J.Crew. These three are lovely.

Barbour Moors Down Gilet 199.95

J.Crew Excursion quilted vest $110. XS, any color.

Patagonia Classic Retro-x Fleece Vest $149

Fancy skinny jeans. Natalie swears by the Rag and Bone High Rise Skinny $176. Currently the pair I am always wearing are....wait for it......Rock & Republic from Kohl's. I'm so ashamed.

Lilly Pulitzer "Make it a Double" Sweater. $148 If you know me you know this should really be in the Need list.

Spotify premium. I listen to music while I work and when I go Uptown I can't stream all my favorite playlists....just a 1 year subscription? More on Spotify here

"In your dreams" gifts. (AKA if you got me any of these I would cry big fat happy tears)

I want to go duck hunting with my Dad. He has the best stories of hunting with his father and I would love nothing more than to go with him. He is probably headed to the Bayou Club this January but Pawleys Island Posh's hubby gave me a few other great spots!

This watch..just needs a little gold thrown in there so I could wear everyday.

This camera bag by Kelly Moore

This painting from At West End

And a trip back here.

xoxoxo