It's almost here...

Merry Christmas to you and yours!



{via}



***Don't forget to enter the My Memories giveaway {here}!***

I hope you all have a wonderful holiday!

 

Giveaway Winner & NEW Giveaway!!

I'm excited to announce that Patience from {White Lacquer} is the winner of the 

Shabby Apple dress giveaway!

Proof it was random :)... 

Congrats, Patience!! I'll email you shortly with details! 

Bummed you didn't win? Don't fret because I have another awesome giveaway for you this week! 

__________________________

It's the recently launched My Memories Suite Version 3!!

(a $40 value!)

My Memories Suite is the #1 rated digital scrapbook software out there, and it is so easy to use. I have been playing around with it a little and in the first 10 minutes created this cute page...

This was the photo we used for our Christmas cards this year!
My favorite photographer {Candice} took it! :)

Obviously I'm not a pro at this online scrapbooking thing yet, but I can't wait to dig in and get more creative with all the features and options the My Memories Suite offers! They have tons of patterns and colors for page backgrounds, embellishments, etc.

I've made a few scrapbooks in my time and they take so long to finish. I think I could easily get used to doing them online to skip all the cutting, gluing, and mess!

I have to admit this is a touchy post for me since I recently lost a ton of photos when our laptop crashed last month, but now this is my ammunition to capture all the fun moments throughout the year via this scrapbook software!

My Memories Suite isn't just about scrapbooking. There are a ton of other things you can use this software for such as cards, invitations, gift tags, calendars, etc.! Check out this video for more info and applications...



You can do so much with {this software}!

Ok, so My Memories has graciously offered me the latest and greatest Version 3 suite and now I get to offer one to YOU!

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To enter:
1. Follow Just a Touch of Gray via Google Friend Connect. 
2. Visit MyMemories.com and tell me the name of your 
favorite digital paper pack or layout.
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For extra entries: 
(*you must complete #1 & #2 first)
3."Like" My Memories Suite on Facebook and tell me you did so.
4. Follow My Memories blog at http://blog.mymemories.com/.

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Simple as that! Good luck!! 
Giveaway ends Friday, December 23 at midnight CST.


PS- if you need a last minute Christmas gift or simply can't wait to see if you win, My Memories is giving Just a Touch of Gray readers a special coupon code!
Get a $10 discount on the software AND $10 to spend in their store! 

Code: STMMMS91287

Good luck & Happy Monday! 

Last Day to Enter the Giveaway...

Today is the last day to enter the Shabby Apple giveaway 

for this gorgeous dress... 

All you have to do is...

1. "Like" Shabby Apple on Facebook by clicking {here} 

2. Follow Just a Touch of Gray via Google Friend Connect 

3. Leave a comment under {this post}! 

Afterall this is a  giveaway for my awesome followers! 

GOOD LUCK! 

And hope you all have a great weekend!! 

PS- I have another fun giveaway for you all next week that I can't wait to tell you about!

Wordless Wednesday

December

We are 12 days away from Christmas, my friends.

And I'm starting to get excited about what is just around the corner! 

Our pretty little tree is in its home for the holidays...

The stockings are hung... 

No peeking!

And now that most of our Christmas shopping (AND wrapping) is complete it's time to relax and enjoy the rest of the Christmas season with this guy... 

**Don't forget to enter the {Shabby Apple dress giveaway}! You have until Friday @ midnight!** 

Good luck!

Shabby Apple Giveaway!!

I have awesome news for you guys today! I am beyond excited to offer you a chance to win a gorgeous addition to your wardrobe...  

Please tell me you have seen the amazing, vintage-inspired dresses over at {Shabby Apple}?

Like this little polka dot number... 

{Going Steady}

Or this red and white striped dress perfect for the holidays... 

{Baciami}

So cute, right!?

I could go on and on.

Ok, maybe I will... 

{Side Saddle}

{With Honors} 

{Walk the Plank}

{Gondola}

Ahh, such great looks! 

So now without further adieu... 

Now it's your chance to win THIS pretty little thing...

I just love it! 

It's called {Spanish Steps} and I think it would be a fabulous addition to anyone's wardrobe!

Wear it just like the model or pair it with a cardigan, tights, and pumps or boots for the perfect winter outfit. 

Description from Shabby Apple: 

We decided to pair two things we love—the soft, cotton jersey of our favorite t-shirt, and the gorgeous sateen of the dresses of yesteryear—to create the Spanish Steps, an indispensably comfortable-yet-elegant summer frock.  A luxe jersey cap sleeve top is gathered at the waist with a wide satin sash, and a veritable bouquet of appliquéd, ruched flowers and leaves adorns the full sateen skirt that swirls just below your knee.

Here's how to enter: 

1. You must be a "follower" of Just a Touch of Gray (via Google Friend Connect). 

2. Click {here} to "like" Shabby Apple on Facebook, and then leave a comment saying you did so. Please mention Just a Touch of Gray while you're there! (If you're not on Facebook you can visit ShabbyApple.com and leave a comment below telling me your favorite item.)

That's it! Good luck!! 

*You must have a US shipping address.
*If your name is not linked to an email address please leave a valid one.

*Giveaway ends Friday, December 16th at midnight CST. The winner will be chosen {randomly} and announced here after the winner as been notified and accepted the prize.

PS- Shabby Apple is graciously offering a 10% discount to Just a Touch of Gray readers! Use coupon code TOUCHOFGRAY10OFF at checkout. This coupon code will expire in 30 days, so don't delay! What great Christmas gifts these dresses, skirts, and accessories would make! 

5 Pretties for You

I am in love with the cursive handwriting so effortlessly gracing the white sloped ceiling and wall. I can only hope it's says something romantic and sweet! {Kelly Deck}

Beams, striped rug, and other natural elements... this is how you make white comfortable and cozy. {via}

I could cozy up with those furry pillows right about now. {via}

Love the punches of purple goodness here. That huge slab of marble and amazing firewood holder (or whatever it's called) is easy on the eyes too.{Charleston Home}

I'm just going to let you take this one all in. GORGEOUS. {via}

 

 

 

Hope you all have a great weekend! 

I plan to finish up my Christmas shopping and start the wrapping spree.

Do your weekend plans include anything holiday related? 

Decorating, parties, shopping? 

Christmas Mantles

Are you in need of some holiday mantle inspiration goodness? 

If so you must head over to {Ten June} for more of the Christmas Cheer to the Blogsphere link party! She's showing off her gorgeous mantle and a ton of others have linked up there festive mantles too!

I mean how cute are her snow globes!

These ladies are all amazing and I know you will enjoy each one of their features! 

Check them out!

Herringbone, Zigzag, Chevron

I tend to use these words interchangably, but there really is a difference. 

{via}

Did you know that?

Well whatever you call this charming pattern I just can't help but to love it.

Whether it's the beautiful backdrop in the kitchen...

De Depoitiers

Tracery Interiors

... or upholstered to your favorite piece of furniture...

Beckwith Interiors

Perhaps on a pillow!

Look familiar? See the rest of my living room {here}

Painted on the wall...

{via}

 Or possibly in a beautiful tiled bathroom.

It can be stunning.

Dodson & Daughter

But where this pattern really has my heart....

{via}

Hardwood flooring. 

And the older (looking) the better!

{via}

{via}

Tiek Built Homes

Hugh Jefferson Randolph Architects

{via}

Magnolia Homes

What do you think? Do you love the look as much as I do? 

Do you think this is the first wave of parquets come back?

Holiday Spirit

Temperatures have dropped here in Nashville, I've tuned my radio to the Christmas channels, and I'm officially starting to get into the holiday spirit! Now that the rain has stopped Ryan and I will finally have a chance to get our Christmas tree -- hopefully tomorrow! I can't wait to get out the Christmas bins and start decorating the house! We don't have a ton of decorations, but I'm trying to acquire some each year. I'd also love to make one of those yarn wreath this year too. They were all over blogland last year and I just think they are so cute!

Danielle at Take Heart has a great tutorial {here}.

 Some others that I love... 

{via}

{via}

{via}

{via}

Did you make a yarn wreath last year?

Are you partaking in any Christmas crafts this year?

Thankful Today

It's so easy to take things for granted, but all we can do is try to be thankful for every blessing in our lives. Today is a great reminder to do just that! I am so thankful for an amazing husband, great family, incredible friends, the roof over our heads, our sweet puppy, our jobs, our health, etc. etc. ... we are so blessed. 

"Just a "thank you" is a mighty powerful prayer. Says it all."

"Be thankful for what you have; you'll end up having more. If you concentrate on what you don't have, you will never, ever have enough."
-- Oprah Winfrey 

HAPPY THANKSGIVING TO YOU ALL!

Happy Thanksgiving!

Ready or not Thanksgiving is just around the corner - as in tomorrow!! I'm so excited to see our families and dig into some comfort food! 

And speaking of food... Ryan and I have actually already started! We have a little tradition we call Thanksgiving Just the Two of Us. We had our Thanksgiving date night last Friday  so we would be ready for round two this week! :) I told Ryan not to go overboard this year, but his response was "I don't even know what that means"! For those of you that don't know Ryan loves to chef it up in the kitchen and this meal was no exception.... 

Look at that perfect golden, crispy skin! 

The table...

 Not very Thanksgiving/Fall-ish, but we pushed up our Thanksgiving night, as in Ryan called me from work around 3 and said, how about Thanksgiving tonight? So this is what you get. Focus on the food people.

Ok, I actually have a lot more photos I wanted to share with you, but that would defeat the whole kitchen reveal process. I'll get to it, I'll get to it! Stick with me here! 

What are some of your Thanksgiving traditions? 

One from the Files

Boy am I glad Friday is finally here! 

Before the weekend officially begins I wanted to share a photo I've had stashed away in my "Gray Dream Home" file.

Let's start from the top and work our way down shall we?

I'm in love with those high high ceilings... look at those moldings - gorgeous! 

The double layered cabinets... 

Gotta have some glass fronts in there too. And if that's lead glass - extra points in my book!

Simple, neutral roman shades - check! 

I love a wall of glass behind the sink! 

And notice the handle on the window there?

Can't you just feel the summer breeze coming through when it's hinged open!?

I also love how the light fixture picks up the creamy tones in the roman shades, floor, and  wall color but also pulls in the black of the island counter top.

And need I even draw your eye to the dreamy marble backsplash and counters?! Just lovely!

Everything about this kitchen is lovely... the floors, the beautiful detail on the island, and oh you guys get the point... 

Dreamy, right!?

Forgive me for not writing down the source! If you know the designer/owner of this kitchen please let me know!

Now a long as there is a banquette with luxuriously cushy pillows across this kitchen and a 6 burner gas cooktop for the hubs we'll be all set! :)

Hope you all have a great weekend! 

Favorite Room: Cottage & Vine

Hi guys! I know I've been a little absent lately, but I'll be back in action very shortly. Today I'm over at {Cottage and Vine} for another round of my favorite room. If you read my guest post on Sadie + Stella last week don't worry... I changed it up a little. Did you really think I had just one favorite room!? :) 

Head on over to Rene's blog! She's pretty much amazing!

sadie + stella: Favorite Room

Wondering which room I chose as my favorite!? Head on over to {sadie + stella} to find out...

I had a lot of fun writing this post! I'm so glad Lindsay and Lindsay asked me to participate!

Thanks girls! It was an honor to be featured on your blog!