Vicarious Birthday Party

Karla at It's the Little Things that Make a House a Home (or as I like to call it, ITLT) is having a birthday bash next week to celebrate her one year blogiversary.

ITLT was born on December 12, 2008, and as a pure coincidence Our Suburban Cottage was born exactly one week later on December 19th (yes, our blogs are both Sagittarius). As I having nothing planned at the moment for my blog's birthday (seriously, who starts a blog less than a week before Christmas?!), let's celebrate vicariously through Karla and enjoy her week of giveaways.

I'll let you know later if I get it together enough to host my own birthday/pre-Christmas party.

And check back Friday, 12/4 for those inexpensive Etsy gift ideas I promised you! I'm gonna have some good 'uns

Our Suburban Shop

I like to shop. I like to play around online (...obviously). I like to play around on Amazon. So...I finally decided to start my own little Amazon shop called "Our Suburban Shop" where I can "shop" on Amazon and put everything I like in one place for you to see.

If you want to buy something in the shop...super. If not...no biggy. I just thought it would be fun to compile lists of my favorite things to share with you.

I currently have a list of gift ideas under $20, some of my favorite decorating books, some DIY books, a few tools, some kitchen goodies, and my own little wish list.

I'll keep adding to these categories (and probably add a few more categories) if you want to check back from time to time. I added a little widget on my sidebar for easy access...wait...did that sentence sound dirty to anyone else? Sorry...(blushing).

I'm also planning a post tomorrow with some great inexpensive Etsy gift ideas for you. I love shopping vicariously through all of you. If I can't buy it, it's nice to know someone else will :-).

Sneak Peak: Bathroom Woodwork

I just remembered why I try to avoid announcing that I’ll post a project before it’s actually finished. Ha…it’s that little thing called life that always manages to get in the way.

You know what I mean? Suddenly I’m stuck at work until 7pm and then my son has a basketball game, and then before I know it I’m sprinting out of bed the next morning for carpool.

I’m not complaining (even though I really wanted to declare today a "Saturday”), I’m just sayin’ my best intentions have been obviated by that sneaky little moving target called life.

Soooo, here’s a peak at the project I’m planning on showing you as soon as I can get a paintbrush in my hand to finish it.

Stay tuned for the full reveal and details about what exactly this is a photo of, and how I did it.

Have a great Wednesday!

I Heart Black Friday

I hope everyone had a great Thanksgiving. Ours was really nice. There's nothing like being able to hang out and laugh with family.

I've been dying to tell you what I did on Friday...I have a feeling only you will truly be able to understand my out of my mind, giddy, Christmas morning when you're 5 years old excitement.

I saw that Lowe's Black Friday specials included a miter saw for $59. Choking...gasping for breath.....$59?! Are you kidding me?! So I dragged my Aunt and Cousin to not one, but two, Lowe's and finally got the last $59 miter saw. I was literally jumping up and down in the aisle (fortunately my family is very understanding of my obsession...er...hobby). Here's the link.

I also found a combo pack that included a jigsaw, power sander, drill and flashlight for $59. Score!!! Here's the link.

Ohh, the possibilities. I am so excited I can't even stand it.

I'll show you the first project I used them on tomorrow. Here's a hint: It will also be the second post in my bathroom redo. Well...that's kind of a hint.

Have a great Monday!

Hosting Thanksgiving Dinner? Take a Deep Breath

Are you hosting Thanksgiving dinner this year? Are you feeling a little frazzled and stressed out right about now? This little post will be my attempt at calming you down.

I've watched my dear, sweet, wonderful, angelic mother host holiday dinners year after year – and I swear the poor thing gains a grey hair or two every time she does it (although, you'd never know it from looking at her). My sweet little mama sets impossibly high standards for herself, stresses out beyond the max about how she’ll be able to reach those standards, and then feels guilty if she feels like she’s fallen short.

Does this sound familiar to any of you? Have a seat, grab a cup of cocoa and listen to me, okay?

Does it really matter if the pumpkin pie is from Costco instead of your Aunt Ruth’s recipe that requires 5 different spices imported from the Amazon and 10 hours of intensive labor? Yes, it’s a tradition. Yes, it kind of matters, but does it really matter?

Will anyone’s day be ruined because you didn’t hand carve a mini replica of the Mayflower out of yellow squash…and make matching name cards out of baby pumpkins?

Will the world come to a crashing halt if the food isn’t quite ready when everyone arrives, or if the turkey is a little dry? Will it…really?

I know we all want to please. I know we want to put our best faces forward when we entertain, but remember what people REALLY care about. They care about spending time with you. They care about catching up on what they’ve missed since they last saw you. They care about laughing about that one time, when they were 16 and they accidentally knocked over a trash can by the side of the road with their car because you were a brand new driver (that was my friend Betsy by the way).

Let people pitch in and help you cook. Let go of expecting everything to be perfect…it doesn’t have to be. Enjoy spending time with your guests. Enjoy your food…even if the gravy isn’t as "perfect" as the gravy your mom used to make.

Take a deep breath and enjoy the memories that are being made.

Happy Thanksgiving!

P.S. Please don't throw mashed potatoes at me. I'm just the messenger :-).