25 Days: Christmas Holiday in Montana

me and Tessie staying toasty by the ice at Lake Blaine, enough fur happening here?

I'll do a nice long holiday post encapsulating our trip up to my parents house in Bigfork. Enough daily posts from me lately, don't you agree?

We have had a really wonderful time with the family. It stinks that my sisters/husbands live all over the country and we rarely get together, but I really love that when we do meet up, we are all staying under the same roof! Baking time, jammie time, breakfast time, movie time, you name it - I just enjoy being together with everyone.

Dean on the ice... floats like a butterfly, stings like a bee!

Christmas Eve and Christmas Day were wonderful. Just the right amount of presents (esp. considering each was wonderful) and great brunch and dinner. Since then we have been checking the holiday activities off the list: ice skating at Lake Blaine, kicking off a grueling gingerbread house competition, catching new releases at the movies, nightly guitar/band hero, pedicures, skiing and of course, entertaining friends just about every night for dinner. (Mom loves to host parties and I think she enjoys it even more when we are all home) In other news, it has been SO cold up here. I have been wearing all kinds of mis-matching layers just to keep warm.

Reese couldn't get enough of her microphone. She kept saying, "what will I sing? what will I sing?" and even cuter, she now calls Dean "Deano-baby"

Michael and Reese near the lake... Taryn taught Reese different ice skating poses... you should see her arabesque

My brother Dean had his Eagle Scout Court of Honor this week and it was so wonderful to be there. Dean is an amazing person - we'll add this to the list of his accomplishments. (I can brag as his sister, he doesn't read this anyway). He's finishing up his college applications for next fall and I can't wait to see what he'll decide. He's applied to BYU and MIT... both good options. :) and probably as opposite as it gets! I'd love him to move out close to me and Ben so we can spoil him. Every freshman needs a washer/dryer, a good Sunday dinner, and a place to get away from the dorms with his double date, right?

Other than the outings we've had this week... the most fun thing about the vacation has been getting to spend time with Reese. She has an exponential vocabulary and is so anxious to learn/see new things and talk, talk, talk! She is full of energy and cute mannerisms and all kinds of things that make baby girls SO much fun. She calls me Lolen and I love her little voice and her hugs and 'pats'. I will miss her as I always do when I leave her.

Lindsey and Mike leave on New Year's Eve and Tessa, Duffy and I'll leave on the 1st. Ben had to get back to work on Monday so I've been solo all week. I miss him but I have to say it's nice to be able to lounge all day and have nobody to entertain. I feel like the husbands get more restless than we sisters do - we're content to snack, lounge, read, visit and watch food network all day. What else do you need?

25 Days: Day 24 - Christmas Eve

I love Christmas Eve. Today we started off with some Christmas Eve deliveries - goodies and gifts to some family friends of my parents. My mom volunteered us all for a few hours at the local food bank. It's one of those things that ends up being just as enjoyable as it is rewarding. Think of all the sorting 12 people can do, who are not only family, but develop a system for sorting oh so efficiently. Being around all those groceries started to make us all very hungry after a while. Leave it to mom though, she had plans for our post-service as well... Five Guys. So delish. There is something so fun about sitting around having burgers and sharing massive amounts of fries with my family. We don't need a fancy dinner to have a great time. I loved it.

Tessa and Duffy finally arrived (delayed a day in Cincy, then flew to Denver, slept in SLC, and finally flew to Kalispell the next day) and we were a complete family. Mom prepared a wonderful Christmas Eve Thanksgiving style dinner that was a raging success. We had a nice quiet evening wrapping last-minute gifts and stuffing them under the tree, playing games and watching Invictus (thumbs down, I slept through it).

The trick will be opening presents in the daylight tomorrow. Most of us are on a sleep schedule that includes waking up early... and here in Monty it's not light until 8:30 in the morning. It is the weirdest thing. At 7 in the morning it looks like 4:30 am outside. It's like someone's playing a trick on you and changed your clock. I think we'll all be awake before Reese, the baby, how opposite is that?

25 Days: Day 23 - Road trip

Taryn has been telling Reese for weeks about their upcoming road trip with Lolen (me) and Boo Boo (Ben). Reese loved the idea as much as any girl would, of course. She would walk around her house exclaiming, "we're going on a road trip!" Today was our trip up to Montana, Bigfork to be exact, for the holidays. We had a very long day with some unexpected weather and other things, and were relieved to finally make it through my parents' front door. I've always tried to remember, but as of today I will never forget to say a prayer before beginning a road trip. On a lighter note, I also have a new love for personal dvd players and shows like "Little Einstein" and "Madeline" that help small children make it through 13 hours of traveling. As soon as Tessa & Duffy arrive tomorrow we will be home free for the holidays.

25 Days: Day 22 - Wheatley's arrival

Today was a hectic day - Taryn, Mike and Reese arrived from DC and I was their lucky chauffeur. I worked most of the day and then it was off to my second gig with the group... visiting Mike's brother the jeweler (fun!), visiting dearest Granny (Reese's great granny), and of course, a much needed dinner at Cafe Rio, Taryn's choice for her only meal while in Utah. The weather was horrible and we were lucky to make it back home safely after traveling all over the valley. Reese is even more darling than I remember - and so talkative!

25 Days: Day 21 - Grandkids Christmas Card

Ben's mom sends a family holiday card out every year and this year it included all of her darling grandkids. Now 14 and growing - with the most recent boy, Cameron, born in November and McCall's baby, yet to be named, arriving in March. Picture-taking time with these kids is an adventure. I always want a picture of what's behind the camera too - to remember the chaos of everyone trying to make the kids look and smile.

25 Days: Day 20 - NYC Holiday Storefronts

A fellow blogger posted pictures of her favorite holiday storefronts in New York City. Just once I'd love to spend some time in December in the city - I think it would be magical. Here are a few of my favorites as well. I think my most favorite is the Lord & Taylor covered awnings - what a beautiful & creative idea to take the lit greenery on to the awnings.

25 Days: Day 19 - Marathon Day

Today was our marathon day - and it seemed as hectic for everyone else everywhere we went. Ben wanted to have a full day of activity to re-celebrate my birthday. We started off in Sugarhouse to do some last-minute shopping. Then we stopped for lunch at The Dodo (recently moved to Sugarhouse after being one of Ben's favorite spots at the Gateway) - Ben loves the turkey sandwich with dip... it is pretty dang good.

Then to Golf Galaxy to shop for Ben's gift. I wouldn't trust myself to get it right even where a few clubs are concerned. I swear though, that place for men is like Nordstrom to women... they can lose hours in there! I reminded Ben of our schedule and that helped us move along.

After shopping we began the entertainment portion of the evening. We went to see Avatar in 3D. I thought it was a pretty interesting movie although about 30 minutes too long in the middle. The theater was packed for a 3:10 showing.

Then on to dinner at the Cheesecake Factory. We put our name in at 6:30 and didn't sit until after 8. You should have seen the place. Every space of open floor was covered with groups waiting for tables to open up. We had a nice private table for two when we finally sat, and that diet coke, warm brown bread and Ben's Chicken Madiera made the wait worth it.



To cap things off - we went downtown to the lights at Temple Square. I had been begging Ben to take me all month. I consider it one of the seasonal 'musts' when you live in Utah and I couldn't miss it. Tonight was probably the most crowded night of the month - people were swarming everywhere but it was still beautiful. There was a foggy mist downtown tonight which made the temple and the lights glow even more. I always love to go to temple square with Ben because it brings back memories of our wedding day.

Ben surely didn't disappoint today! His timing was perfect and everything went according to plan, which is so funny considering he isn't a man of itineraries. I was stuffed and exhausted by the time the clock struck ten. It's a good thing we were halfway home by then.

25 Days: Day 18 - Wish List

I like to create a little wish list every year. Of course I don't expect to get all the things on my list but it's fun to blog about it anyway, all those pretty pictures in a row. Plus it's a good way to get to know someone - I would encourage any blogger to do it. Here's my 2009 wish list.


My favorite scent in the whole world. Layla Grayce sold it when I was there and it was then I became acquainted with Mistral. The quality of their products is fabulous and did I mention I love the smell of their Verbena? This is the Mistral Verbena gift set. Anthropologie sells it and so does Apothica at the Gateway, not to mention lots of online boutiques.

As you'll scroll you'll find that I like sparkly things... if you didn't know already. I love these fuschia chandelier earrings. They are big and beautiful~ and only $35 dollars from Anthropologie.

I found this Potterybarn jewelry box online and I think it is so beautiful and classic. I have an antique jewelry trunk that my Granny gave me but it is way too large to keep on my nightstand. This would be a great little box to keep right by my bedside, to put my everyday pieces in before bed. Plus I love sterling silver anything - so timeless.

This atomizer is just too fun! Reminds me of ruby slippers. I had an atomizer from Sephora and I carried it all the time. It's perfect for a little spray when you've been out all day and feeling a little, how do you say, stale.

Robes are a must. I have an old velour robe that is quite warm but not absorbent at all... more for layering over jammies and quite uncomfortable when worn wet. I'd really like a robe to wear while getting reading in the morning - something a little more stable than than a wrapped towel. I found this Juicy terry robe.

Christmas wish lists are for the things you 'wish' for and include things you'd probably never purchase yourself. Splurge things or 'for fun' things. I found these swarovski pencils at an online boutique - how cool are they? Just when I thought I'd seen everything that could be bejeweled... these graphite pencils are really fun. And they'd be perfect to keep on my desk for those oh-so-impromptu design sketches. (splurge = $72 for a dozen, I'll keep dreaming)

I've been searching for a pair of boots for what seems like forever. I only want one pair and right now I have zero. I want to spend under $200 and get a nice classic pair that will last a few seasons. Can't decide if I like the slouch, the wedge, the pointy or the cowboy! I finally found these two pairs that I think are fairly versatile. Now I need help finalizing. Pictured above: zelipe boot Pictured below: calvin klein boot

25 Days: Day 17 - My Birthday

My birthday fell on a work/week day today but who cares? I actually prefer seeing people who know me on my birthday... you get more attention that way, and I can always rely on my office throwing a fabulous lunch party complete with gifts, balloons, lunch-of-my-choice, and cake.


It was a great day to turn 26. Ben and I will celebrate Saturday so he can treat me to breakfast, lunch and dinner - and hopefully the lights at Temple Square. Tonight we went to a holiday dinner that a few of Ben's doctors hosted. The dinner was probably better than anything we would've had at a restaurant downtown.

I can't let the day end before wishing my beautiful twin sister a HAPPY BIRTHDAY also. I remember the first time we were apart on our birthdays - I was in D.C. for the weekend, ironically. I had a sad twinge that we'd probably spend the next 21 years more apart on our birthdays than together. We had a video chat this morning as we openend gifts and that was almost as good as being with her. (Five days until she arrives with her family to ride up to Monty with me and Ben... hooray!)

25 Days: Day 16 - Happy Birthday & Holiday Giving

I can't belive Christmas is next week. This begins the countdown for me. My birthday is tomorrow and 8 days from Christmas. In a way I've always liked my birthday so close to Christmas - so many fun days in a row.

But TODAY is Niki's birthday. Niki was my freshman year roommate at David John Hall @ BYU... we'd never met before we moved in. I learned so much from her, not the least of which was learning to love country music "Good morning, beautiful" - and so many other things. She made me look at things in a different way and I'm a better person by having lived with her. She married the most wonderful guy and has a beautiful little boy. You melt just looking at him! She lives outside Denver now and I don't see her enough. But I love her. I borrowed this picture from her blog I hope she doesn't mind. She should be a catalog model, don't you agree? Happy Birthday, Niki.




Also - last week I posted on Michael Buble's holiday cd and mentioned wanting David Archuleta's cd too. Not two days later my friend emailed & asked for my address so she could put a little something in the mail to me. How nice is that? My first Christmas gift! Liz is also a friend from college - I seem to remember Junior & Senior years but maybe it was just one of those. Anyway, Liz was roommates with some of our friends and I never got to know her as well as I wanted to. She is one of the most naturally beautiful people I've seen and the more I get to know her via her blog, the more I learn how multi-talented she is! Photography, crafts, design, parties and baked goods - everything she touches is beautiful! Including her two kids who are as darling as can be.



How thoughtful of her to send not only David's cd but also compile more of her favorite holiday songs (which are fabulous by the way). Oh, and she sent her Christmas card too - which was perfectly 'her' and fabulous. Liz has a lot on her plate as it is and I am so touched that she'd think of me. Liz, I want to get to know you better, let's lunch!

25 Days: Day 15 - Best Holiday Entries

For me - the Christmas decorations aren't complete until the entry (inside, outside, or both) are decorated. I love the way the wreath on a front door is a teaser as to what's inside, the way a house with white lights strung on the eaves just looks that much more dream-like, and the way a foyer is transformed by draping garland over a balcony? Nothing is more beautiful to me. These are a few of my favorite holiday entry pictures.

Such a beautiful picture - my favorite things are the handmade kumkwat pomander balls hanging from the newel post. Incredible. Not to mention the classic combination of white balusters and paneling with stained wood treads, banister and floor.

This entry style is my all-time favorite. I dream about an entry like this : sidelights (windows on side) and the beautiful fanlight above. The lit evergreen trees in those fabulous concrete pots? Incredible. All the sticks could be a bit overwhelming, along with the size of the envelope planter on the door.

This image I borrowed from One Kings Lane. Can we say California Christmas? Who wouldn't love to have live evergreen boxwood hedges and topiaries through the seasons. I love that look, it's so tailored and yet lush. I also like the unexpected aqua door paired with a Late Georgian-styled casing, Corinthian pilasters and entablature. I'm sure it completely transforms the facade of this home.

Who wouldn't want to have a red house during the holidays? I absolutely am crazy for this black lacquered door with French-style windows. So stunning. And the hanging gilded monogram is so sharp-looking. I have a dilemma with my last initial - "O"... I'd have to be careful they didn't look like an odd-shaped spare wreath or something. "O" is hard I decided, and harder for me because I LOVE anything with a monogram. I think it's the Southerner in me.

Speaking of southern things - "Magnolia" is both the state flower and state tree of Mississippi. The magnolia wreaths and garland with a checked ribbon is a very old traditional look. Beautiful. Ironically enough, we had an enormous Magnolia tree in our front yard in La Jolla that I always loved. I guess I'm forever bonded with the Magnolia.

Isn't there something so formal and so "Home Alone" about this house? How lovely. Everything about the way this house was 'done' for Christmas is perfect: wreaths in the windows, lit hedges and garland, and the perfect pops of red. How fun would it be to come home for the holidays to this house?!

The two above are quite similar - both with beautiful french grey walls and eucalyptus gardland. I think the silvery blue tones of the eucalyptus leaves look so great paired with the gilded mirror, crystal chandelier and other golden accents.

This picture must have been taken back east, in Nantucket or on the East Coast somewhere. Shingle style homes are so timeless - and who wouldn't want to spend the holidays near the water, even if it is snowy?

25 Days: Day 14 - Bucilla

I'll be surprised to know if anyone reading this knows what "Bucilla" actually is. To me, it is an almost dead art form once loved by our grandparents. I remember my Grandma Stimpson having felt wall calendars - each sequined and adorned for it's own month's theme and season. I was in awe of their most fantastic design when I was young, (maybe has something to do with my magnetism to the sparklier things in life).

Ben's grandma Oviatt made hundreds of Bucilla ornaments (and incredible stockings for all 7 Oviatt children, her only grandkids) and Ben's siblings divided them up when she passed away a few years ago. I inherited Ben's share when we got married... and all of a sudden I was curious about Bucilla again. How does one make these? Where do I buy them? Are they still available?

Yes, Bucilla is the company name and their kits are still accessible through online retailers. You can choose from different ornament, stocking, or even tree skirt kits. The kit arrives with all the essentials: felt, thread, sequins, beads, and about 15 pages of non-colored instructions. It took me months to gear up to start. I thought it would be fun to have the "12 Days of Christmas" kit... so instead of getting through three simple ornaments and being done, I have 12 before I can stop. Otherwise I risk my future kids/grandkids will not only have a hard time learning to count but also will never quite understand the associating song.





As you can see, I'm down two with ten to go. I spent the first night (let's call that four hours) cutting out hundreds of felt pieces and labeling them in their own respective 1-12 ziploc baggy. Then on to the Partridge, #1. It took me two weeks of 'nights'. Each piece has to be hand embroidered, then sequined, then appliqued and then stuffed and sealed, each piece with it's own coordinating thread color and sequin. Most of the time I'm either trying to understand the stitch instruction, tying knots and re-threading needles, or digging for lost beads in my lap.

I have a feeling I won't finish by Christmas - but oh well. I guess my deadline will be the year my first born is learning to either count or sing. We have plenty of time.

Ben's grandma used to work on the ornaments as she sat and watched tv. My mother-in-law said anytime she sat down she'd have one in her hands. She created so many wonderful pieces that will be passed on for generations and in some small way created a 'legacy' to remember her by. It's a memory of my childhood and Ben's that we can pass on also. Here's to a dying art - Bucilla may not be for everyone but it certainly is a fun and relatively non-academic craft. Thanks McCall for encouraging me to keep at it! I'll post all twelve when I finish - but patience please!

25 Days: Day 13 - Snowed In

I'm so happy today was Sunday - we had a ton of snow and I'm glad we basically had nowhere to go. We let the snow fall all day before taking care of the driveway. At about 6 o'clock Ben got out there with his new best friend, the snow blower, and got to work. Even with a powerful machine like that it still took him an hour to clear the driveway. I think we had at least 14 inches of snow - and it's still falling!

I tried to help with a shovel - which was tiresome as the bottom three inches of snow was all wet and the rest was so dense. Ben asked if I wanted to try the snowblower and I ultimately decided it was too much machine for me. I haven't quite perfected the lawnmower yet (first mowed last summer) - and those self-propelling motors are a little scary.

Here are some pictures of the beautiful snowfall.



In other fabulous news - we are halfway there - both for the Christmas countdown and this "25 Days of Blogging". I can't decide if my daily posting has made the time go by faster or slower for me.

25 Days: Day 12 - OP work party

Two nights in a row for holiday parties... what a full weekend! Tonight was my work party which I always look forward to. We were eight this year, including spouses, at nice cozy table perfect for great conversation. We may be few in number but we like it that way. Dinner was wonderful and so was the atmosphere. Derek even entertained us with napkin tricks and "name that tune." Sounds like a raging good time, I know.

Think that's how Derek's creme brulee arrived? He fashioned a tropical hammock out of piroulines, a lemon rind from my coke and a mint garnish. Yep, he sees things a different way - it's the reason he's so successful. We ARE designers after all.

25 Days: Day 11 - Ben's work party

Dave & date Lacey, Becca & Brady, Creed & Lindsey - Ben & me

We had a fabulous time tonight at Ben's work party. Great to sit with his good friends and their wives and so nice to meet all the rest of the people he works with all the time. We were spoiled with delicious food and a nice little holiday goodie bag.

Aren't holiday parties the best?! Stay tuned - tomorrow is Oviatt-Pratt's famous holiday party.

I am getting REALLY fed up with my camera - in low light it does these crazy things - how huge do our foreheads look. I don't know what to do with my camera settings - advice please!

25 Days: Day 10 - Amaryllis

Today I saw an Amaryllis display. All of the plants were just days from opening. How exciting! There is something so thrilling about watching bulbs grow and blooms open before your eyes - maybe it's that nurturing motherly thing. You become a proud parent as it blossoms!

In years past I've grown Paperwhites - they are so easy to babysit and bloom relatively quickly. They're so pretty but their fragrance is too strong for some people. I hear that Amaryllis need to be planted around Halloween to bloom in time for Christmas. No harm in planting later though I say - who doesn't need happy flowers in dreary January & February?


One year my Granny's good friend sent her a beautiful painted ceramic planter with amaryllis bulbs within. I still remember how beautiful they became even though it was probably ten years ago.

I'd love a big coffee table arrangement with multiple bulbs growing at the same time, en masse. A low, cream ceramic planter or rusted urn. A little reindeer moss over the soil and some twigs for support and texture- perfection. I love all the different varieties of Amaryllis - they are all spectacular in their own way.

I found some helpful tips and links on marthastewart.com - click here or here to see them. And, I found an online source that ships all kinds of varities - although they are readily available at local nurseries this time of year.

(this is a "butterfly amaryllis" - how gorgeous! It reminds me of a lady slipper orchid)

25 Days: Day 9 - New Holiday Album

Last week I picked up Michael Buble's Christmas cd "Let it Snow". Oh it is so good. He is so talented. My only complaint is that there are only 6 tracks on the album... come on, what? There are dozens of songs he could've done. Maybe it's a teaser for Vol. II? I saw him at Abravanel Hall a few years ago and it was one of the best concerts I've been to. Hearing his voice in person is so amazing.

I noticed that David Archuleta came out with a Christmas album this year. I would've bought it but it was $17 and I just wasn't feeling like going out on a limb that day. Reviews? Last year I did a "best holiday albums" post - click here for a refresher.

25 Days: Day 8 - To card or not to card

This will be my fourth Christmas as a married person - and I've yet to "send Christmas cards out". I was running errands a few weekends ago and found this display of beautiful, creative and sparkly holiday cards and didn't know what to do.

Wait. Let's backtrack.

Ben isn't keen on sending a card with just the two of us pictured inside. I get it, to a degree. But what fun is it to open a card with no picture? Unless there's a hand-written gem inside, or $20 cash, or at least a piece of gum? (did anyone else used to send pieces of gum (just one) with letters to friends when you were < 10?)

Maybe if we could just borrow someone's dog then we could take a picture the three of us and Ben would approve of sending it out. But then what about all the confusion about whose dog it is? Maybe if we were living abroad or we were on a gondola in Venice I could pull it off.

Help. Of course I bought the cards, two different sets. They were too cute and I'm even more impulsive at Christmastime than I am the rest of the year.

*photo courtesy Minted.com*

25 Days: Day 7 - The Show

Today I went to KSL to shoot my "Alternate Holiday Color Schemes" segment on Studio 5. What a blast. Their studio was all done-up for the holidays and the other guests on the show were doing all kinds of fun cookie treats and other holiday gifting ideas.

I've attached my write-up in case you're interested in reading the basis of the segment. Below are a few pictures from the segment as well. It's a great priviledge (and a personal thrill!) to be on air with Brooke & Darrin and I hope I'll be able to go back again soon.

To go to KSL's site - click here

Poinsettias, Amaryllis, Holly & Ivy, Christmas Trees, Santa’s hat – The holiday season is so easily associated with two dominant colors, red and green. With tradition meaning different things to different people, why not create your own holiday color scheme? Better yet, plan Christmas decorations to work with your existing décor, even if it means breaking from that standby red and green.

Designer Lauren Oviatt shows us three non-traditional colors schemes and gives us tips on how to take what each of us love about holiday decorating and make it a personal reflection of our own style.

Create an opulent feel without overwhelming the space by decorating with a limited color scheme of silver, green, and chocolate. Wrap pieces of wide taffeta ribbon in varying shades of caramel and brown around your garlands and throughout your Christmas tree. Ribbon adds a richness and texture that ornaments never could. Mercury glass ornaments are readily available in many shapes and sizes and are great element in this color scheme – their reflective qualities create the illusion of more light and add that “sparkle factor.” **Tip: Use white poinsettias, paperwhites, ivory candles and other cream accents to soften the impact of the silver while maintaining the look you’ve created.

Blue and silver have always been a popular combination, (think icy winter wonderland) and can easily be carried over into New Year’s Eve festivities. A more modern idea is to use aqua, sky blue, or lime green accents for a monochromatic yet colorful punch. For those who have furnishings in a more cool color palette, blue can be a great addition because it too is “cool” in tone.

Orange is a very unexpected holiday color, but one that is deeply rooted in tradition. Cloven oranges, also known as pomanders, go back as far as wassail. A friend of mine always had an orange in the ‘toe’ of her stocking each year. They make a fabulous addition to wreaths and centerpieces, whether they are cloven or not. Plus, they are in season, so enjoy them & then eat them! Orange paired with cream and green makes for a very traditional scheme, where orange paired with pinks or lime green creates a very energetic and youthful look. It can be fun to have a secondary or kids tree with this kind of scheme.

Other ideas for high-impact holiday design:

* Use lots of greenery and metallics. Be creative and place left-over ornaments and greenery in a decorative container for a fabulous and easy centerpiece.

*Collect something you love. Much of the fun during the season stems from annual traditions ranging from collecting pinecones outside in the yard to shopping for a new ornament each year.

*Combine multiple ribbons for interest. Use either different textures in the same color scheme or varying colors in a similar style. Try them tied around your wreaths, packages and garland for a cohesive style from room to room.

* Embellish what you already have. Year-round accessories can be punched up and highlighted by adding ornaments, holly berries, or sprigs of leftover evergreen.

* Group items for impact. A silver tray that rests on your coffee table is the perfect place for an assortment of candles, ornaments, or holiday magazines and books.