The New Vietri Pattern + A Giveaway Grandmothers Will Love

Phyllis Giveaway, Lifestyle 14 Comments

I had the privilege of speaking at Bromberg’s store last week for a Vietri holiday event. As the women and men came in and took their places, I asked the question, “How many of you collect china or dishes?” Every hand went up in the room. Now, why should I be surprised? You know I love beautiful tableware and have …

Hostess Gifts for the Holidays!

Phyllis Inspiration, Lifestyle 5 Comments

We all kick into hyperdrive during the holidays. There are triple the errands, triple the meals, and triple the “projects,” as we call them in the South. Yet, we just miraculously keep going! Any other time of year, this number of to-dos would seem nearly impossible. In fact, we probably wouldn’t even attempt the insanity. But in these couple of …

Holiday cookie tray

The Secret to Thoughtful Gift Giving

Phyllis Lifestyle 5 Comments

Not allowing a single peep of Christmas until the Thanksgiving leftovers are packed and distributed among the family is a common preference. And I understand this opinion—I really do. It seems strange to be thinking about a time full of crackling fires and mugs of hot chocolate overflowing with billowy marshmallows when it’s sweltering hot outside. But stay with me …

Little Flowers

It’s the Little Things

Phyllis Lifestyle 39 Comments

Thank you for your response to our post last week about letting go. I always love a new year because it gives us the opportunity to take an inward look at ourselves and think about how we spend our time. I think as I grow older, I realize more and more the little things in life are the things that …

Christmas Memories

Christmas Is Almost Here!

Phyllis Lifestyle 16 Comments

I love watching children at Christmas. I adore the sticky faces and fingers from a zealous candy cane eater and the colored icing that always manages to appear on each child’s outfit during cookie decorating and the fun holiday get-togethers this time of year brings. One of the season’s highlights for us as children was Christmas tree shopping. In our …

Silver Bell Ornaments

Jingle Bells! My Christmas Tree Ornament Tradition

Phyllis Lifestyle 27 Comments

I love ornaments, and I have so many favorites that my grandchildren have made for me. Every year as I unpack them,  I let my mind think back to wonderful times and beautiful celebrations. When Neal and I got married, we started a silver jingle bell ornament collection. Since we were married on December 23, these bells are a treasured Christmas …

Friends and Family Sale

Get Your Holiday Gift Shopping Done Early

Phyllis Lifestyle 3 Comments

It feels like just yesterday we were beginning fall—my favorite time of year. Now, October is almost over, and you all know what that means: It’s one month closer to the holiday season! My, how time flies. With the holiday season comes get-togethers with family and friends, cooking, cooking, and more cooking, shopping, and tons of holiday cheer. In this …

Moving after 25 years - The Ribbon In My Journal

What Moving Has Taught Me

Phyllis Lifestyle 54 Comments

As I write this, I am taking a break from packing. Neal and I are moving in March to a home that is under renovation. Our house we are in has sold and we are very grateful for that. As I sift through 20 plus years of stuff, I have come to realize several things: Things that I knew I …