Week of Christmas Rush

I can't believe it's the week of Christmas! I have not wrapped or baked anything, my house needs a thorough cleaning before Christmas Eve dinner for my family can be served there, and I have more than a couple presents left to buy...nothing out of the ordinary for me; procrastination is king in my home.

Here are some things I am hunting down for last-minute Christmas gifts:

For the dogs:
image via here

Pupcakes is having a sale on one item each day until Christmas...today's item: 30% of all sweaters and coats. My dogs won't be getting clothing this year, but some snacks are on my list. [Register on the Pupcakes website to receive their e-newsletter letting you know about all the great sales!]


For my mom, sister, sister-in-law, grandmother, friends:
image via Hand Picked e-newsletter

Hand Picked has multiple items for only $1; this week only! Items include initial lip balm, glass bangles, sterling silver CZ post earrings, and sterling silver ball post earrings. Plus, through January 2nd, everything in the store is 20-40% OFF!

For my pops:
image via here

A Rosso gift certificate...I LOVE this restaurant, and so does my dad...if I get him a gift certificate, there's a good chance he'll take me along when he goes to use it :) And, if you buy a $50 gift certificate from either Rosso or Gervais & Vine, you get a FREE bottle of wine!

And for anyone on your list with children, a great gift is a Kids in the Kitchen cookbook, created by Young Chef's Academy, in conjunction with St. Lawrence Place, a transitional housing program for homeless families with children. The cookbooks are only $10 each, and all the proceeds will go to support St. Lawrence Place. They can be purchased from the following local vendors, or by contacting me at bsmith@stlawrenceplace.org:
Young Chef's Academy
Trinity Cathedral Bookstore
Mary & Martha's
Rosewood Market
Groucho's Deli on Forest Drive
Shandon Presbyterian Church

Happy last-minute prepping/shopping/cleaning/baking for Christmas!
What do you have left to do?

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Pumpkins, chili, and pretty things

So, this past Saturday was one of my favorties on record...it was jam-packed with fun Columbia events as well as shopping, playing with my nephew and eating great food with a great friend...what else is there? Plus, the weather was rainy and chilly--perfect for fall events.

We started the day at the Wesley Memorial United Methodist Church on Heyward Street for their Fall Festival and Pumpkin Patch. (We had originally planned to go to a different pumpkin patch, but this one boasted a band and jump houses for the kids...who could resist?!)

Benjamin, my 2-year old nephew, loved every minute of it--he picked up every pumpkin he could muster, and some he couldn't--he danced all by himself to the music, (don't you just love the audacity of toddlers!), and he wooed the little old ladies selling baked goods.

Ben, channeling Michael Jackson here...

After picking out several fine pumpkins, my sister, Ben, James, my mom and I left the Fall Festival to do a little shopping of the Aunt Ba-Ba variety...Devine Street. I had to go to HandPicked, as they had pashminas on sale for $11 each! I am a complete sucker for a scarf/wrap and wear one almost every day during the fall and winter--I purchased 2 at HandPicked, royal blue and silver. Then we headed into Pupcakes to say hello to Blue and Prada and picked up some treats for our children, Peach and Abby. Ben loved playing with the dog toys!

Stopped in The Bohemian and snapped a pic of this amazing coat...I die...

Then stopped in Just the Thing and glimpsed this awesome turqouise bracelet...Christmas is coming...

After some shopping, the rest of the crew went home for toddler lunch and nap, and James and I headed to 5 Points for the 23rd Annual Group Therapy Chili Cook-off. Such a treat! Not only were there plenty of cheap and tasty chilis to try, but live music, beer, and people-watching too! And all the proceeds from this year's event went to Camp Kemo--I just love a fun event for a great cause!

As much as I wanted my favorite chili of the day to be made by a husband-wife team or the really-country-didn't-spend-money-on-a-frou-frou-sign-or-condiments team, my ultimate favorite chili ended up having been made by Pawley's Front Porch. It had black beans and pintos and a really nice and kind of different flavor...plus they had mini jalapeno corn muffins to go with it.

After we stuffed ourselves with chili, we went home for a lazy afternoon before I headed out for dinner at Granville's. I'll post my review of dinner later.

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