Win $100 Gift Card from Home Depot + 1038 Swathmore Drive + Botanical Gardens Nights of Lights

Last night was girls night.

First we went to the Block and Brayer event and Scout for the Home.  I love all the new patterns and definitely picked up a few Christmas presents... sorry to ruin the surprise!  Scout for the Home still has a lot of the Bags and Poufs and Pillows, so be sure to run by and check them out before Christmas.

Remember, You can enter to win one of these bags by clicking here!

Next we went over to Houston's for dinner.  To read about my Houston's obsession click here.

Then we headed over to the Botanical Gardens Nights of lights :)  It was really fun and magical.  Ginny especially loved it and kept saying, "I really don't want to to be over!"

We had a wonderful time (highlighted by some apple cider with hot buttered rum), and I definitely suggest it for getting into the holiday spirit :)

Up next I wanted to show you some photos I took for Glennis Beacham's listing at 1038 Swathmore Drive.  We've had a ton of activity on this house because it's laid out so well and in a price point that's really moving right now.  If you are looking for a home in this price range I suggest you make an appointment to see it ASAP.

There is a sweeping front lawn, and it's on a quite street.

I love getting a pet picture!

Graceful arched foyer.

Living room with view to dining room and kitchen.

New kitchen with skylights and walk-in pantry.

My favorite part of this house is that you can stand at the kitchen sink and look out to the back yard...

... and it's a pretty amazing backyard!

While I was shooting the house the homeowner was using a handheld leaf blower that was really cool and very helpful for a photoshoot.  When I asked her where she got it she said Home Depot and suggested I register there.  Needless to say I've been spending a lot of time on the Home Depot website!

 

I've been a Home Depot girl since the age of 3.

My uncle Rod was building my parent's house at the time.  Since I wasn't in school yet, I had tons of time to ride back and forth to Home Depot every day with him to pick up supplies.

Whenever he needed to go to Home Depot, he would come find me and tell me to go climb in the truck.

I would run through the house looking for Ya yelling, "Ya.... Ya... I'm goin' to Home Pepo (I was 3)!!!"  Then I'd go climb in the truck and get ready to go.

And that's why, for the rest of my life, I'll never shop anywhere else!

Today we are giving away a $100 Gift Certificate to Home Depot.  

To enter, just like or share this post on Facebook.

Contest ends 12/12/12 at 12pm EST. (btw, that's the very last consecutive date ever... mind blowing!)

Gave a great weekend everybody!

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Win an Ice Milk Apron! + The Christmas Card Debate

Well.  Tree's not decorated.

That's right.  Two college educated adults vs. one Christmas tree, and we lost!

The tree won't stand up straight.  We have leveled and bolted and un-bolted and raised half with paper and DONE EVERYTHING.  We are clearly not handy enough to properly balance a tree.  In fact, my uncle is going to have to come over tonight and put some sort of wedge into the stand to make sure the tree won't fall.

Granted, I might be a little bit paranoid.  My tree fell a few years ago and broke my two favorite ornaments.  Thank God the few I have from my Grandmother were ok, but I did lose two.  Ever since then I've been a paranoid freak about making sure the tree is in the stand properly.  This one keeps leaning, and I think I'm about to drive Jimmy nuts about it.  I've probably said whined the phrase, "But Jimmy... the tree's leaning... I sure hope it doesn't fall into your tv and break it," about 50 times.  I don't know how he puts up with me.

Oh wait, it's because I cook him delicious meals.

Last night I made him delicious gluten free tacos...  And I got so frustrated over the tree that I broke down and had a glass of wine.  I know.  I'm a failure, and I'm going to the gym to run tonight.  #ugh

For any of you looking for an incredible bottle of wine, you need to buy Lucinda & Millie.  Just like any educated wine drinker, I bought this bottle because of the name.  I love Lucinda Williams, I had a dog named Millie, and we all know I love chickens (remember my chicken coop?).  And that's how I found my favorite wine.  It's so drinkable and wonderful (see- the words of a true wine critic).  You can purchase it at the Buckhead Whole Foods, but they don't carry it all the time.  When they do have it I usually grab a few bottles just to have on hand.  It's so reasonably priced, and all of you should own it... unless you're trying to avoid wine for 30 days like me.  There's still half a bottle at the house, so we'll see what happens tonight. :)

Usually when I'm cooking and drinking wine I wear an apron... and I found the best apron around!

My friend Ashley makes these BEAUTIFUL aprons called Ice Milk Aprons.  I always see them at the Trinity Spotlight on Art.  People love them!  I am 100% getting one for myself this year... and a few for Christmas gifts!  Shhhh.  Don't tell.

The packaging is just as beautiful as the aprons.

Wouldn't it be fun to put that under the tree?  The call them "a gourmet line of heirloom aprons," and I love the back story!

To win your own Ice Milk Apron, please click here and like them on Facebook.  Then come back to THIS POST and leave a comment telling me your favorite thing to cook for the Holidays.

Contest ends 12/7/12 at 12PM EST.

And now I need a bit of advice...  I love Christmas (see Jimmy's Christmas stocking above... I ordered it especially for him last year), and I've been waiting my whole life to be able to send out my own Christmas card.  December is the only month when I check the mail every singe day (sometimes I skip a day because getting bills puts me in a bad mood-don't judge).  I go to the mailbox as soon as I get home and look for Christmas cards.  I keep them on the fridge all year long... which may be strange, but whatever.  I've always dreamed of the day when I could send out my own.  I've always wanted to wait until I was married to send out a Christmas card, which I know is dumb because I love getting cards from my friends who aren't married.  My favorite Christmas card of 2011 was my friend Emily and her dog Bernie.  It's been on the fridge for a year, and I smile every time I see it.  I'm not sure why I've waited so long... but I do know it has to do with wanting to be married first.

Well, here we are at Christmas, and I want to send out a card.  I'm not married, but does being engaged count?  We've been sending out a lot of mail this year, so I'm kind of thinking it might be nice to wait until next year.  I don't know.  I'm very confused.  Please share your opinion with me.

[polldaddy poll=6742793]

Now to take our minds off that debacle let's look at some photos I took of Susan Cross' new listing at 1776 Nancy Creek Bluff.  I loved this home the moment I walked in and think you will too!

See, you could win the Ice Milk Apron and wear it in this kitchen!

Obsessed with these painted floors!

Porch perfect for this time of year! :)

That's all folks!  Remember to enter to win an apron :)

To win your own Ice Milk Apron, please click here and like them on Facebook.  Then come back to THIS POST and leave a comment telling me your favorite thing to cook for the Holidays.

See you tomorrow for a Block and Brayer giveaway!

Don't forget to enter to win a free family photo session with photographer Katie Oblinger!

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Win a Photo Session with my Favorite Photographer, Katie Oblinger!

Up next for 30 days of Giveaways, photographer Katie Oblinger generously offered to give away a a 30 minute photo session + 10-12 high res, edited images.  This is such a great offer!

She is so good with people, especially children!

Katie is my FAVORITE portrait photographer in Atlanta, and she just agreed to help shoot my wedding, so you know I have to love her!!!

A few months ago she took some photos of Jimmy and me, and I thought they turned out really well!

Don't you think?

To enter all you have to do is like Katie Oblinger Photography  on facebook, and then comment on THIS BLOG telling me why you would like to win the 1/2 hour photo session and edited images.

NOTE:  You must either live in or be able to get to metro Atlanta in order to win this giveaway.

The Contest ends Thursday, December 6th at Noon.

A few other updates :)

On Saturday Jimmy and I got our tree!

Of course we went to Home Depot.

Then we went out to watch the UGA game with my Dad and Missy...  Charlotte was in blackout.  Of course.

GOOOO DAWGS!  Sic um!

We had a nice afternoon/evening by the fire.  I wish the game had a different outcome, but we didn't let it ruin our night :)

We went to The Whiskey Gentry show at variety Playhouse, and I swear it was their best one yet!  The crowd went wild when they played "All I Want for Christmas is You."

We finished up he weekend by watching our BFF in You, Me and Dupree yesterday and eating some leftover soup.

Tonight?  We decorate!

A few weeks ago I shot 534 Collier Road for Erin Yabroudy. I could not believe the value and location of this home!  I wish I could buy it myself!

Click here to see more photos.

I'll see you back here tomorrow for another giveaway!!!

It's not to late to enter to win dinner at Mi Cocina... so click here to enter.

-Blayne

P.S. I ate some tortilla chips this weekend, so I guess I better learn how to run a mile :( :( :( :( #cantstayaway

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