our little Christmas

The holidays make me happy. I know it's not for everyone but for me I enjoy the season for giving, the season for gathering with family and the holiday break from school time to-dos.  It's extra special to experience all the Christmas magic with a 3 year old, it's like it's all happening for the first time and the power of belief is so strong. Our 8 year old is beginning to question and understand while the innocence of only 3 years is totally taken by the magic of our traditions. I am just thrilled to be able to share in the joy of my littles while it makes the spirit of the holiday come alive for me.  It is sweetness. It is joy.

Here is a pleasant story of the truth of Santa if you haven't yet read it.

Now we are only days away from a new year. A new beginning is what is always feels like to me.  I like to take these few days of quiet after the storm of Christmas to take time to reflect on the year past. While my littles are quiet and content, so busy playing with all their new stuff, I sit in reflection making note (mental/spiritually) of what I want to work toward in this new year. A fresh start with a clean slate.  For me the new year brings a feeling of lightness.  Do you feel like that when welcoming January 1?

sacred circles

A representation of wholeness.  My own interpretation.

This collection (along with a few more to be made) are made using the metal ring from old crab nets. A great reflection of our bayou culture and those fond memories I have of waking before sunrise and heading out with my Pops to go crabbin'.

It feels real good to finally get around to creating something I've been inspired to do for some time.

Made mostly with recycled, found and vintage treasures.

Dreamcatchers. Sacred Circles. Mandalas.

Shop here.

stylin'

I'm really diggin' how these jewels are styled here.  Driftwood, old postcards, photographs and tear sheets, bones, feathers, dried flowers, rocks and crystals. These are a few of my favorite things.

this space

I admire this creative studio space in New York where amazing work is done with flowers and foliage.
The rustic timber and the exposed brick walls. The huge open spaces lit up with natural light.  So beautiful. You can find many more inspiring photographs here and here. I have mentioned this multi-talented florist several times before and here you can find wonderful photos of when she worked from home before she had her dreamy flower studio.

I sincerely enjoy seeing the comfortable and productive spaces folks create for themselves.

on display

A few weeks back just before Black Friday and Shop Local Day I brought a large selection of jewelry to my favorite stockist Hemline Lafayette.  It was all displayed so pretty and had its own special place in that beautifully stocked boutique. 

Santa Sage

This year Sage is so excited by everything Santa.  It is simply scrumptious.  He put on his new Santa jammies and asked "am I the real Santa mommy?"  I cherish experiencing the magic of the season through the innocent eyes of my littles.  This picture was taken with him (Santa) sitting on his PawPaws lap pretending to be Santa and asking his PawPaw what he wanted for Christmas. Too sweet.

making room for Christmas

For us this means moving around furniture to fit our tree as well as going through drawers of clothes and baskets of toys to donate to make room for all those gifts of all that new stuff.

for holiday or any day

I love this mini wreath DIY from the always inspiring Free People. A simple + perfect decoration for your holiday or any day.

pretty. enchanted.

Here is a collection of some pretty photography. Enchanted even. I found her work here where there's even a great little video that inspires me to capture things more on tape and make short lil' movies of our happenings, our makings.

small town charm

Our Bijoux Renew pop-up shop for the Fire + Water Festival last weekend in Arnaudville was a hit. With all the charms of a small town with a big heART.

 

Thank You NuNu's Artist & Culture Collective, Thank You George Marks, Thank You Naomi Celestin of ReStrung Jewelry and Thank you Arnaudville, LA.

the truth about Santa

Christmas Cowboy visits Santa. That magical moment when he gets to tell him what he wants to see under the tree on Christmas morning, he wants "a train and another train and cocoa for my sissa (sister)".  Whatever that means.  He had to wear his new guns of course.

The day will come when our wise children will begin to question the truth about our traditions.  Thanks (again) to pinterest, I came across this heartfelt letter from a mother to her inquisitive daughter kindly demanding the truth.  The mother's writing is very well put, shining light on the truth while keeping the age old magic alive.

"Dear Lucy,

Thank you for your letter. You asked a very good question: “Are you Santa?”

I know you’ve wanted the answer to this question for a long time, and I’ve had to give it careful thought to know just what to say.

The answer is no. I am not Santa. There is no one Santa.

I am the person who fills your stockings with presents, though. I also choose and wrap the presents under the tree, the same way my mom did for me, and the same way her mom did for her. (And yes, Daddy helps, too.)

I imagine you will someday do this for your children, and I know you will love seeing them run down the stairs on Christmas morning. You will love seeing them sit under the tree, their small faces lit with Christmas lights.

This won’t make you Santa, though.

Santa is bigger than any person, and his work has gone on longer than any of us have lived. What he does is simple, but it is powerful. He teaches children how to have belief in something they can’t see or touch.

It’s a big job, and it’s an important one. Throughout your life, you will need this capacity to believe: in yourself, in your friends, in your talents and in your family. You’ll also need to believe in things you can’t measure or even hold in your hand. Here, I am talking about love, that great power that will light your life from the inside out, even during its darkest, coldest moments.

Santa is a teacher, and I have been his student, and now you know the secret of how he gets down all those chimneys on Christmas Eve: he has help from all the people whose hearts he’s filled with joy.

With full hearts, people like Daddy and me take our turns helping Santa do a job that would otherwise be impossible.

So, no. I am not Santa. Santa is love and magic and hope and happiness. I’m on his team, and now you are, too.

I love you and I always will.

Mama

I admire these words and will share them with my own children when that day comes.  It makes me happy to know we can keep the magic of the season good and well, passing down these traditions that brighten the faces of our littles.  Because when that anticipated morning arrives it does fill hearts with joy.