Creating a welcoming home is something that is at the top of my list for doing since I moved into my new home a year ago. I want this place to feel comfortable and inviting for my friends and family and especially this time of the year: Christmas. I love everything about Christmas and have enjoyed having friends into my home. I had some of my single girlfriends over last week for a little time of Christmas festivities and before they came I got the chance to find some extra special cheery things from Pier One. I’ve worked with them before and have shopped at this fun store for probably 20 years or so and they always have fun and festive items for the seasons.
It’s not hard to find things I love in there and as I walked around envisioning what I could bring to my home to add a little more somethin-somethin, I loved some of the natural elements I saw. Wrap them in white lights and I’m sold.
Before we go much further, let me share this bit of exciting news around here! As of last Thursday, the front porch is officially finished, all trimmed out and the carpentry is complete. Of course, caulking and painting will now be in order, but all in due time. I’m SO proud of it and could not be happier with how this project turned out and I’ll be sharing every single detail with you on how it was built and who built it. My dad did NOT do this project, it was way to0 big in scope for him to tackle, but I’ll be sure to share it all in another post soon, with LOTS more pics.
Needless to say, I am ecstatic over this porch!  Come on inside with me!
At Pier One, I found a set of 3 cone twig trees that are just plain but wrapped in white lights and I knew they would be a fun addition to my front stairs.
As my guests come in the door, they are greeted by this trio of white cone trees.
Cody was extra interested in the trees too and says Merry Christmas everyone! He’s hoping for some extra chews from Santa this year. 🙂
This set of mercury glass battery powered lights got my attention too. I love mercury glass and these are fun for a tabletop to add a little sparkle.
So I promptly added them to my foyer table for a special little twinkle of lights at night. They add even more ambiance to my festooned in silver foyer table.
I saw some of these lighted grapevine balls at the Marietta Pilgrimage tour this year and I just love the simplicity and how pretty they are all lit up at night. I’m going to find a way to hang these from my new porch next year. The porch isn’t painted yet, but next year it will be and I am going to find a spot for these pretty grapevine balls out there.
They are so pretty and glowey!
And you can imagine them against a dark sky at night. I’ll find the perfect spot for them next year!
Pier One has some beautiful serving pieces and this pretty glass platter caught my eye. It will mix right in with my other kitchen utensils for Christmas and it served desserts at the party. There were only 4 of us girls this year, it’s hard finding a date that will work for everyone this time of year, but we had a wonderful time gathering in the living room, fire in the fireplace, eating and sipping, and just having good girlfriend time. As you can imagine with single women, the subject of men came up once or twice!
Oh yes it did!
Speaking of men and dating, I’m still single and available. Nothing is happening in that regard, even though I have been dating someone for a few months, it’s just not working out for the long term and that is OK. I’m still on the singles dating scene and do go out and socialize and do things with my single girlfriends and peers here in Atlanta, so life is not boring at all. I’m quite content in that area too and not in a hurry.
Back to the table, Rhonda fixed a beautiful salad with walnuts and fresh dressing that was delish.
I tried my hand at making shrimp and grits for the first time and we all pronounced it a big hit. I’ll definitely be doing this recipe again, Shrimp and Grits from Food Network. It was easy and turned out wonderful! I got out my brown and white transferware plates and found those pretty gold and white deer napkins at Pier One.
We did an ornament exchange too and I picked this one up at Pier One to give away. It’s beautiful gold and glass Christmas trees that looks hand-painted with snow in the bottom. They have lots of special ornaments.
I also found a cute little something for my niece, Lauren, and the new baby at Pier One, but I can’t show a pic yet, cause it will spoil the surprise, but you’ll get to see it later.
My house is feeling so loved and comfortable about now and I love how the sparkle of these new lights add to the festivities. I wish you all a very Merry Christmas and may your homes wrap you up in love this time of year just as mine has done for me.
Now for some exciting news for y’all!
$50 Giftcard Giveaway from Pier One!
Pier one is giving away a $50 giftcard for one of my readers, so you can enjoy a little shopping spree too. Just follow the directions in the Rafflecopter and the giveaway will be open for a week. There are 3 options to enter, so follow the directions in Rafflecopter and be sure to leave a comment on this post!
I’m leaving Monday for a very fun blogger event out at Lake Tahoe that I’m so excited about. I’ll be sharing all of that with you too and we are going to get to tour the HGTV Dream home. Pinch me now!! I still can’t get over all the blessings I get to experience!
The giveaway for Miss Lucy’s Monograms has been posted on the widget on the giveaway post.
Note: This is a sponsored post from Pier One. I was given a giftcard to shop with and was compensated for this post.
a Rafflecopter giveaway




Rhoda your home is shimmering with holiday sparkle!
Thank you for such a great giveaway!
xoxo
Karena
The Arts by Karena
I would look for some pretty holiday serving pieces since I’m entertaining more guests this year than I ever have before.
L0ve the ornaments offered at Pier One!
xoxo
Karena
I absolutely love the mercury glass string lights. Anything that’s mercury glass gets me every time!
Your front porch looks wonderful, Rhoda! Just adds so much character to the front of your house. Have always loved Pier One, and would want to use a GC toward some Christmas table linens. And some of their cool decorative goodies, for sure.
Beautiful decorations! Love mercury glass anything!
I saw some festive pillows when I was recently at Pier 1. Thanks for this giveaway!
Christmas decorations on sell and pillowa
With you being at Lake Tahoe, I could scoot over and pick up my Pier 1 gift card in person as I’m just a little over an hour away I would love for you to help me shop for just the right thing!
Pier One is one of my favorite stores. In fact, I will be there at 8 AM on the 26th for the Christmas goodies I have been admiring each trip to the store. My wish list for Pier One is rather long!!
I love to shop at Pier One! Crossing my fingers I might get another chance!
I would love to get some new ornaments and decorations for Christmas. I love pier ones decorations!!
I always like to find plates at Pier 1, to give with treats! Love the mercury lights too…..I have more than one place for those!
i like the mercury glass battery powered lights too.
I am wanting some more decor for Thanksgiving and Christmas
I am loving those lighted grapevine balls! Absolutely gorgeous. I need new ornaments for my tree.
Pier I always surprises and delights me. I love their selection and prices.
Love Piet 1. If I am lucky enough to win, I would love to get some new baskets and glassware.
Your house is so lovely! Have a wonderful time in Lake Tahoe.
Thanks for the give away! Happy Holidays!
Oh, Rhoda, since I got to see your wonderfully warm home in person, I can vouch for the just-right touches of Christmas all around the house! YOU are the one bringing the warmth and joy to your home. You are always an inspiration! And, I WANT those battery-operated Mercury lights!