"I'll be Home for Christmas..."

I know.....It has been way too long! 
I attribute this to the fact that I have been:
a) Overwhelmed with Christmas 

b) Fighting a yuck cold with absolutely no energy despite my long, ever-growing,  to-do list

c) Figuring out how to be in 2 places at once....found to be impossible
d) All of the above plus WAY more! 

This is the first Christmas Jeff and I will be able to spend together which I am SO SO SO excited about. However, this is the first Christmas that we will have to split family time and with that comes a little sadness. 
Although I feel like we have come up with the best possible solution with a strict time schedule to follow, it still is hard to not be in both places at once. We will spend the next few days traveling along I-10 and stopping in to celebrate along the way! I have decided to be okay with that as long as we get to see all of our families & hopefully a few friends. We may not be spending as much time as we would like at either place but we vow to do our best! We will get to see Noah, Ella, & Eli open Santa gifts and be there in time for Sanford lunch & presents. Can't complain too much... can we? Things could be worse! 

Jeff & I are exchanging gifts with each other in the morning (making our own Christmas) since we will be away from our house on Christmas morning. No, this is not ideal, but like I said earlier, we are making it the best we can!

Before I leave I wanted to share a sweet gift from 2 sweet friends: 

The candy is from a Sucre in New Orleans and it is almost too pretty to eat (although Jeff disagrees)! The bright colored box is all different flavored macaroons that are absolutely divine! They monogrammed the towels themselves and I LOVE them so much! They are hanging in the house as we speak. Thanks girls, you are just the best :) 

Wishing all of you happy & safe travels or non-travels (if you are lucky) this Christmas week!

xoxo, 

   Katie

All I want for Christmas is....

Lets start with this Louis Vuitton Speedy...realistic at this point in my life? Absolutely not! But that's what this list is for, right? One day this baby will be mine(and maybe even a few others)! In the words of Nina Garcia "An investment bag is a bag your granddaughter tries to steal from you one day" My (hypothetical)beautiful...fashionable... & classy granddaughter will definitely want to get her hands on this one!





With the extremely brief cold season we have in Louisiana it is hard for me to justify spending a lot of money on outerwear that I will wear maybe 5 times a year. So...for this reason I don't purchase trendy outerwear because by the time the next cold snap comes around..it is out of style. This coat is classic but still has a little interest so I really love it! Found @Anthropologie! 



This Elie Tahari wrap sweater is so cozy and I wish I had it to wear RIGHT now! Wool-cashmere blend for a little touch of luxury! Found @ Bluefly...one of my favorite shopping websites (mainly browsing instead of buying but every now and then I make a semi-reasonable purchase) If you don't already know about it..check it out..great discount on designer clothes,shoes,bags & jewelry! 



Tumbled leather Tory Burch flats in Royal Tan...so they go with everything!! Which is why they are so practical! These are a little more worn in looking than the classic reva ballet which makes them even more wonderful. I would wear these until the soles fell off! (Note to Jeff: they just got my size back in stock online :) ) 




clearly....this is a very wishful list...and I definitely will not see all/any of these under my tree this Christmas, which I am totally okay with.  And clearly this is not "all I want for Christmas" but that was the obvious song title for this post! 
Hope you all get all you want for Christmas!! 

xoxo, 

   Katie

Chestnuts roasting on an open fire...

I have decided to use Christmas songs as the title all of my posts during the holiday season. I am doing this to express my love for this season and my obsession of Christmas music. Yes, I am the girl that starts listening to Christmas music on Thanksgiving day and it will continue to play until Dec. 26 (maybe even a little after)! I LOVE it! Jeff, not so much... it is a constant battle of the itunes around our house these days. 

Last night we had our first fire and roasted s'mores..okay, so they aren't chestnuts but that was the only song title I could think of to fit this picture...

Libby really enjoys the fire or maybe it was the roasted marshmallow, graham cracker & chocolate?? 

I didn't include the mantle decor in the picture because I am not quite ready to display it for all of you. I have been so busy making ornaments & frames (good busy) that I haven't gotten to decorate the way I want. Planning to take care of that tonight...we will see if that happens! Hope all of you are staying warm! 

Don't forget to order ornaments soon to have them in time for Christmas!! I am so excited to have shipped ornaments to Texas, North Carolina, New Jersey, Massachusetts, Louisiana, & Arizona! Click Libby Kate Designs to go to my facebook page and add yourself as a fan! You can place orders on facebook or on my etsy shop. I will do custom ornaments as well and all of them include free personalization! 

xoxo, 

      Katie

Tis' the season to be crazy....fa la la la la

Sorry for this boring post but I am super busy....got myself into another show for Saturday so I have been going non-stop making new things! This one is supposed to be a good bit larger so I am being 100% positive and thinking I may run out of some things?? Hey...a girl can dream, right? I promise to post pictures of some of the new things I have been working on as soon as I get a minute to upload my new camera...yay!!! 
Come visit me a the Lamar-Dixon Expo in Gonzales for Jolly Jingles if you are in the area on Saturday from 10am-7pm. Sounds like it is going to be a great show! 

Thanks for all the positive comments about my creations...gives me confidence to keep creating! 

Despite my long to-do list for Saturday, Jeff and I promised to get our tree decorated before the weekend so we stayed up entirely too late last night and got it finished! I have to say, I feel much better with all the glittery ribbon & ornaments and shimmery lights instead of a blank tree in the room. I will also post pictures of the finished holiday decor product...it may not be until Christmas Eve but hey...it will get done! 

It is easy to get caught up in all the craziness of Christmas shopping, decorating, & entertaining but... my prayer for all of you is that you slow down & make time to remember why we celebrate this glorious season in the first place!

(I am definitely being "the pot" in this statement so please try and ignore the hypocrisy)


Tis' the Season to love, to rejoice,  and to celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ and all that He has blessed to us....not to be CRAZY! 

xoxo,  

        Katie

Ornaments

Here are the ornaments I have made. I will have these all with me tomorrow as well and I will be doing free personalization as you shop! All are $12...great gifts for everyone on your list!! For those of you who can't come to the market...let me know if you would like one! I can ship or deliver to those of you who are close! Kcsanford8@gmail.com or comment on here. 

ENJOY!

 These are so sweet...your little one would love it! Personalized with name and year on back

 Available with pink shirt for girl. Perfect new baby gift!!

 Would be so cute to put "Love, The Smiths" on the back for gift to family friends!

 Perfect teacher or Sunday school/CCD teacher gift!

 Can put "Love, (name) 2010" on back - also great for teacher gifts!!

 Can have anything on the back..this one is for a teacher gift but can put Mom, Aunt, Grandmother, Grandfather, Dad, Friend....etc.

 Can put name of baby and birthday/weight on the back for personalization

 This "Believe" ornament will be in the raffle gift basket tomorrow!! So cute!!

Jesus is the reason for the season...put this on your tree as your reminder! 

Don't forget these all can be personalized however you like to make them even more special!

Back to work.....

xoxo, 

      Katie

Holiday Market

I have been busy getting ready for the Holiday Market hosted by BrFavoriteFinds in Baton Rouge this Wednesday!! 

My "business" is Libby Kate Designs. I have quotes around the word business because it is by no means a business but it is a dream of mine to have it be one day. It is named after my yellow lab, Libby, & Kate is short for Katie. Baby nursery decor is my favorite but the windows I have made will go anywhere in a home. I love gift giving so all of my items are perfect gift items. All are personalized, thoughtful, and of course everything can be monogrammed. Although it is scary to share with everyone my creations, I am ready to give this "business" thing a shot! This will be the first market I have participated in and the first time I will sell anything. I have only given them away as gifts. Hopefully they will be well received. Come by and see me this Wednesday if you can! 

Here are some of the items I will have for sale at the market! I have descriptions under them because it is hard to see the colors/patterns of the fabric. I will also be selling ornaments & custom personalized frames. I will try to post pictures of these items tomorrow. 

All of these picture below are old wooden windows that with a lot of sweat, hardwork, & TLC have turned into memo boards, cork boards, & chalkboards. They are custom made by me (and the hubby). As I have mentioned before, I always take on too much...this is a prime example! 

I didn't realize just how much work was ahead of me when I signed up for this, but I am so happy with the finished product. HUGE thanks to Jeff for his excellent carpentry work (he doesn't trust me with the skill saw quite yet, understandably so!)

These are the windows I will have with me on Wednesday...

Great Blue & Brown print - great for kitchen - Chalkboard at top

Terracotta, sage, golden yellow paisley print - 

also great for living space/kitchen, cork board at bottom

 Blue with brown & white floral design - Chalkboard at top

Primary color polka dots - great for playroom (gender neutral)

Cork board on right

These 2 are both green & brown prints and would work anywhere

(Top) Chalkboard on bottom 

(Bottom) cork board on right

So Fun! Bright colored paisley print...
Would look great in a playroom!! 

These windows are the perfect way to display photos, post your kids' art work, or use them as a reminder board to keep your life in order! I can design a window to go in any room and would love custom orders! Just let me know what you like! They would be so cute as a memo board for a nursery...I even could put a big 3-letter monogram in the center of the fabric....precious! Would make a great gift for someone who has everything! 

Hope you like them! 

Please let me know if you would like your own! 

E-mail me at kcsanford8@gmail.com 

Hope to see you all Wednesday! 

xoxo, 

   Katie

Thankful List

I am the queen of lists. I literally make a list for everything. When I pack, I make a list. Most mornings when I wake up, I make a to-do list. I never go to the grocery store or Hobby Lobby without a list. I give a very specific list to Jeff for birthday/Christmas requests and I have a ever-running list of projects I would like to complete. 

So, being that tomorrow is Thanksgiving, I felt it appropriate to make a "Thankful List" that acknowledges everything I am thankful for. 

My Thankful List: 

(In no specific order)

1. My wonderful husband - this is our first thanksgiving together (we have always celebrated with our own families) and I am so excited to eat turkey with him! 

2. Our new home 

3. My loving family - always supportive, always there

4. Luke & Libby 

5. My creativity- God given

6. My Freedom 

7. The precious Ella, Noah, Eli, & Cade- tiny blessings

8. Diet Coke 

9. The love of my God, who has blessed me so dearly I sometimes wonder why...

10. My amazing friends

11. Christmas music - my favorite!

12. The fact that I don't have to study for finals over "Thanksgiving break"

13. Gift giving/receiving season is around the corner

14. My warm bed- lying in it as I blog

15. 10-1...Geaux Tigers! 

16.Thankful this list is never ending...

Yes, I know some of these are shallow but I was being honest...no shame in that! 

I am the first to admit that I am not always as thankful as I should be I tend to be a tad dramatic sometimes and think I have it soooo bad. However, I am well aware that is not the case and I should be on my knees every night thanking God for this wonderful life He has given me. 

I leave you with this...

"Enter His gates with thanksgiving

and His courts with praise;

give thanks to Him and praise His name.

 For the Lord is good and His love endures forever;

His faithfulness continues through all generations."

                                          - Psalm 100:4-5

Hope you take time to be thankful today! 

xoxo, 

      Katie

Gift Giving Guide

So my list probably isn't exciting as Oprah's Favorite Things but hopefully you will get some ideas! Giving the perfect gift to someone is SO fun for me and I probably obsess over it entirely too much. In spirit of Christmas I have changed this weekly post to give everyone ideas for gift giving...I hope this will give you the "ah ha" moment you are waiting for! 



Wooden 3-letter monogram They have sizes from 6"-18" and prices are very reasonable!  Who doesn't love a 3-letter monogram that you can put ANYWHERE??
Even shown in Southern Living Magazine attached to a gift-LOVE IT! 



Such a great gift for someone who loves products! Great scent, great packaging, great price! Philosophy has something for everyone...check it out! 




Great for wine & cheese display,bread, candles or to just give height to a tabletop display. So many ways to use these great Vintage Wood Pedestals from Pottery Barn. 




You remember my bf, the Future Mrs.Link?? Well she happens to be incredibly creative as well and makes amazing vintage jewelry. Everyone needs to go visit her Etsy shop because there are so many great holiday pieces that you will definitely want/need!


  You can also purchase her handmade pieces at Mimosa in Lake Charles...you must shop here for all holiday parties as well! Both of these girls are my bf's and they have tons of WONDERFUL gift ideas! Too many to picture! So I guess you will have to go see for yourself :) 


That is all for today...I have a lot to do this week with the upcoming.....

I will be displaying some of my handmade home decor items at this market and would LOVE to have some visitors! They will have TONS of gifts here for all ages...definitely stop by! Click here for more information! As soon as I get some things completed, I will post pictures on here to give you a little preview! Wish me luck....

Happy Monday....

xoxo, 

     Katie

1/2 Anniversary

6 months ago I danced at my wedding...

What a great day it was!

I can't believe it has already been 6 months, it feels like 6 weeks. I know 6 months isn't long at all in the grand scheme of things but, I still feel like it is a mini-milestone worth mentioning. 

And to all of you out there who are laughing at the fact that we actually celebrated our 6 month anniversary, I promise to not commemorate every 1/2 anniversary. Due to my current job status, I am looking for anything to fill my days and evenings. 


We had a great, relaxing (because I did all the cooking ahead of time) evening together! I feel like nights like this will become less & less frequent as our lives get busier. It is so nice to have "just us" time while we are newlyweds! 


  For dessert, I had plans to light our first fire and make smores. Romantic..right? Well...gotta love Louisiana... it was no where near 45 degrees outside (as predicted). It was 75 degrees inside our home and we just couldn't light a fire with the a/c on.  Microwave smores just aren't the same.

Wine & Cheese spread...YUM!! 

Shrimp & Grit cakes - DELICIOUS! 
I also made crawfish cheesecake but it sadly wasn't as scrumptious and didn't photo as well so I decided to leave that out. The salad was pretty good but we ate it before we got a picture...sorry! 


Wish all of you could taste some of this food through the computer because I have TONS of leftovers!! 

xoxo, 

       Katie

Future Mr. & Mrs. Link

This weekend we celebrated the engagement of these soon to be newlyweds....

How adorable are they??? 

The Future Mrs. Link has been one of my best friends since we were 12. She and her future hubby have been dating since sophomore year of high school and are now going on a solid 6+ years of courtship. In the words of Beyonce, we were so excited when he FINALLY "put a ring on it!" (A beautiful one at that!!)

Everyone was asked to bring an ornament for the couple's Christmas tree. This is such a great idea!! What a great way to make your tree even more special?

 I wanted to make them something extra special, so...I attempted these stockings! I tend to always "bite off more than I can chew" and when I saw these stockings online I thought "I can make these!" Why I thought that? No clue, being that 7th grade Home-Ec class was the last time I used needle and thread. I borrowed my sister's sewing machine, went to Hobby Lobby and sat down at my table only to realize...I don't know how to sew. After some frustration and with a lot of help from my mother-in-law, I got them finished! They came out cute but are definitely not without flaw. Hopefully Santa doesn't fill them up with too much, I am not sure they can take it. 

As most young high school girls do, Brittney & I planned our weddings together before we were 16. Although the decor and dress choices have drastically changed, Brittney stuck with her choice of husband, which is something few can say!

She was right by my side through all of the planning and excitement of my wedding and I am so excited to be right by hers. I wouldn't have it any other way! Love you Brittney! 

xoxo, 

        Katie

What I want...but DON'T need

Here is my want list for the week....I am really going to think these lists through since it is so close to Christmas. 
 Dear Loved Ones ,

 Please use these weekly lists as a gift giving guide for the upcoming holiday season. I even promise to act like you thought of it all on your own! Thanks!

This is a NEED!! Our camera broke and I want a small, inexpensive, higher quality than most, digital camera. I have done some research and I think this is the winner. 7x zoom, 14.2 mega-pixels, compact, 2.7" LCD screen, on sale online for $159-179. What a steal! 

The next project I am taking on is our "office." Right now it is more like a storage unit filled with campaign supplies, hunting gear, gifts, & craft supplies. However, I intend to get it in order very soon. First thing's first, a new desk. Fell in love with one at a antique shop the other day while shopping with my mother & sister-in-law but just couldn't justify it. Really regretting the decision...hopefully another one finds me soon! Let me know if you stumble upon one! This one is WAY out of the price range. 

Love these silver-plated julep cups from pottery barn. 1. Because they are monogrammed 

2.Because they are so southern and so vintage all at the same time. Friend of mine got them for her wedding and ever since I saw them in person I have fallen even more in love with them! 

I have the Happy Everything Mini plate and I am dying for more attachments! For those of you who don't know what the Happy Everything Plate is, you are missing out! Here is the link:http://www.cotoncolorspottery.com/happy-everything-mini.idc?C=433 . The larger plate has a lot more attachments but it is just too big, I wouldn't have anywhere to put it. But, if you do, I totally recommend this! It is so fun & cute. Actually, everything on this website is a want. 








Lolia is my all time favorite bubble bath and it come in the most adorable packaging! I am a sucker for packaging, and this combines 2 of my favorites....bubble bath in a wine bottle...genius! There is no excuse why I didn't think of this first. This is "relax" and it even comes with a silk flower tied on...precious! 

Now that I think of it...... 
these are all needs!
xoxo, 
Katie