The Perfect Gift

I really love creativity and well thought out gifts. When you can tell that someone went out of their way to do something tailored to you, it really means something.

Two of my Aunts got me the sweetest most thoughtful gift. The theme of the Bridal shower was " Recipe for Romance"

They bought me a beautiful Hope Chest filled with all kinds of  stuff.....

A frame with our "Save the Date" inside

Box full of Love !

A bag of poems

There was so much stuff that I didn't have time to go through it while at the shower, but when I got home & examined it more closely, I was very touched by their thoughtfulness.

All of my recipes for romance..............

The box was filled with a snuggle throw, champagne flutes, candles, chocolate, a bottle of champagne & a few extra surprises.....,

But the most touching thing was all of the poems and words of wisdom concerning marriage that they included in the multiple envelopes.

I know how to follow a recipe !

Heartfelt words from both my Aunts....

The last part was funny. I didn't get it at first. They referred to an ICE Pack & my imagination went wild. LOL What they were referring to was "In Case of Emergency " and all else fails........

HA ! It was a football & an nightie in the form of a referee shirt, an Officiant hat & a whistle to call a flag on the play ! LOL. My intended is a huge football fan, so this was a good joke as to how I could most definitely get his attention in the event of a crisis.

It was too cute.  I really appreciated all of the time & effort they put into creating  a gift that was meaningful that I will use for years to come.


Have you gotten any creative gifts lately ?

What is the best gift you ever received ?

What is the best gift you have ever given to someone ?

Thoughts ? Comments ? Questions ?


Beautifully Complex

Christmas Rewind

We had a lovely holiday with the family, full of laughs and some surprises too.

While at the rental car counter, Mr. Mixologist get's the bright idea that we can rent the Fiat 500 that caught his attention when we pulled up. I was trying to veto it because, I knew we had gifts AND luggage, but I let him have his way........lets just say it took him over an hour to figure out how to get everything loaded in the car !  It was pure comedy to me & lots of language I won't post on here,  LOL  He was super frustrated and admitted that it was his fault & that he had gotten caught up in the novelty of the car, but in the end, he made it happen. The good part was that we did get great gas mileage, and it was more comfortable than expected and we truly enjoyed the ride. Of course the little ones loved it too !

This is the car we drove a total of 17 hours in ! 

On Sunday before Christmas, we worshiped at the church where  my BIL is the Pastor with our family. It was great to see the kids perform in the Christmas program. My sister wrote the Christmas play and all three of the kids got to show their acting chops. It was great to see them so excited to participate. My niece surprised us all with her Clarinet skills. She did a solo accompanied by a drummer.

We were surprised to hear my niece play her instrument so well ! 

Look whose one of the wise men !

Our Christmas dinner is a small affair with just the immediate family & we get together with other family later in the day. My mother and I did all the cooking together. We had Cornish Hens, Dressing, Gravy, Green Beans, Macaroni & Cheese, Greens, Coleslaw and Yeast Rolls. I even made a Sweet Potato Pecan Pie for the first time and it was a hit.

My pie fresh from the oven

The surprise on Christmas morning was that we had a white Christmas ! Big heavy snowflakes started falling around 7 AM & kept accumulating until the ground was covered. The kids of course were super excited as they were already hyped up about all the presents under the tree !

Before opening gifts

My nieces and nephews have fallen in love my my parents new dog since they got it a couple of months ago. They have bought outfits for the dog, they fight over who is going to take the dog outside, LOL, it is cute to watch and see how they have bonded with the dog. Watching them  has even helped me with some of my dog anxiety, LOL.

They dressed her like Mrs Claus

The last gift they opened from Santa was a bone, it took them a few minutes to figure out the big surprise is that they are getting a new dog of their own, a Boxer that is currently still in the womb. It will be born by the end of January. This was their reaction when they figured it out......

Yes it was dramatic but it was funny ! They were screaming ! 

I love the laziness of Christmas Day, opening gifts, calling your family and friends, having coffee, finishing up the big dinner and watching the men play with the kids and their toys.....

They played this game for quite a while

After dinner we loaded up the little ones and slid around  headed out to visit some family !

My love keeping us safe behind the wheel of the Fiat ! LOL

The biggest surprise of Christmas day came from my cousin and his wife. This is the gift they gave to both of their parents.....

Manifestation of God's Grace 

The reason this is such a Christmas blessing is that they have been married for 15 years and dealt with infertility for all of that time. They adopted two daughters who are now 8 and 4.  She is 39 and he is 41. To say we were surprised would truly be an understatement. We were all just stunned. We watched the video of when my Aunt and her mother opened up their boxes that morning and it was hilarious. I could.not.stop.crying or smiling the entire day !


Reluctantly, we hit the road early  the day after so that we could deal with the icy roads. Mr Mixologist had to remove the ice from the windows AND the locks (we couldn't even unlock the doors) it was so cold. Though I will miss my family,  I was somewhat glad to head back to south Texas where we don't have real winter LOL

Too cold for comfort  ! 

All in all it was another blessed Christmas that I am so very thankful for.


How was your holiday ?    Did you travel or have visitors  ?

Any plans for NYE ?  Are you ready for the New Year ?


Thoughts ? Comments ? Questions ?


Beautifully Complex 

Santa Came to Town.....

...and I was OUT of town ! LOL  I left Friday to travel out of town for the Christmas Holiday and did not return until last night, which is why this post is so very late. My neighbor across the street always collects my packages, so I knew that it would be safe until my return. I look forward to the Blogland Secret Santa hosted by Psonya for the last few years. I love shopping & shipping surprise gifts as well as receiving them.

My Secret Santa did not disappoint ! When I opened the Fed Ex Envelope, I was happy to see several silver jewelry bags with pink ribbons.  Inside were some lovely necklaces, bracelets and earrings, all in the perfect colors ! I love jewelry

I really like my gifts Secret Santa and I love Charming Charlie ! I can always find something in that store.

I promised myself I would not read the reveal post until I got home, opened my gift and tried to guess who my Secret Santa was. There was no clue inside the bag, so I cheated and used to the tracking number so I know for sure that  my Secret Santa is from somewhere in North Texas. Based on this I deduced that it must be dontworrybenappy !

Thank you very much !

Beautifully Complex 

All I Want for Christmas is...........

It's Christmas in Blogland yet again and I cannot believe how fast this year has gone.  I love simple things and am not hard to please, but here are a few ideas of what Santa can bring me for I have been a very good girl this year !



I love music and definitely enjoy new Christmas music to add to my collection. Kem has a new CD out called, "What Christmas Means" that I would definitely like to put into the holiday rotation this year.

I love scented lotions, body scrubs and lip gloss. Anything on the fruity spectrum is fine by me.




Another thing that I would love to have but have not been able to find is one of those "purse table hook, hanger thingamajigs" LOL.  You know when you go out  to a lot of bars & restaurants and really don't want to put you bag on the floor.    See like this....

My government initial is " J"

I also love costume jewelry and am in need of some silver bracelets. Of course everyone already knows I am a Wineaux but probably have ALL the paraphernalia you could possibly think of already LOL

Hope this list is helpful Santa !

And now for a musical selection.......I saw this video making the rounds on FB & thought it was really cute!




Happy Holidays !


Beautifully Complex 

Santa's Secret Revealed

My package from my Secret Santa arrived this afternoon. I was super excited to open it to see what I got.  I was very pleased because my Secret Santa did a great job selecting things that I can use and enjoy.........


First up is "The Wine Bible"  a 900 page book on ALL.THINGS.WINE! This is a very thoughtful gift that really put a smile on my face. I can't wait to start reading it and expand my knowledge of my vino addiction.

The "Good Book" for the Wineaux

Next, I got a personalized Wine Stopper with my initial inside.  This will be put to use pronto. I would start tonight but I gotta pack for a road trip tomorrow & I must rise early  and functional ! LOL

I love personalized items.

Santa really knows my musical taste because I got a CD that I do not have in my collection, but it will definitely be a welcome edition. Will Downing's "Christmas, Love and You"  is a wonderful gift. I love Christmas music. I have already placed this in the player tonight while doing things around the house & it will definitely get played out on the trip tomorrow. I am a huge Will fan & so is my Beau. I can't wait to make some wonderful Christmas memories with him to this music !

The makings of a very Merry Christmas !

Thanks for the thoughtful, useful gifts Secret Santa.

I could not find a card or a hint in the box. I found some Foodtown bags used as stuffing inside the package & googled it to find that its a store that operates in Pennsylvania, New York and New Jersey. That's how I knew it was a Blogger from the Northeast which is how I narrowed it down to either Inner Diva or 1969. Since the zip code was from Brooklyn (I know that's cheating, LOL) my Secret Santa must be....Inner Diva !

Thanks so much for the gifts Inner Diva! They are very much appreciated. I actually started reading your blog a couple of weeks ago as a result of the Secret Santa gift exchange, and look forward to getting to know you better. So thanks again Pserendipity for allowing me to discover a new Blogger.

Merry Christmas Blogland ! Enjoy this season.

Peace & Blessings

Beautifully Complex 

Dear Santa......

It is Christmas in Blogland once again. I so appreciate Pserendipity for hosting this gift exchange again this year and I love traditions.  Santa, since you might be lurking around my blog here, I want you to know that I have been a very good young lady this year ! I am pretty much the good girl most of the time and last year I got this. You may be trying to figure out what I like and I think I am a pretty simple girl. But here, are some ideas of some things that I might like just in case you were wondering......

• I am known by all those who really know me as a bona fide Wineaux. LOL Since you may not be able to legally transport liquor through the mail on your sled, any related accessories or paraphernalia is appreciated !  Something like this Monogrammed Wine Stopper, of course Santa you already know my government initial is " J"

• I love putting up photos of loved ones all over my home & I can always find space for a new picture, so you can never go wrong with a lovely frame for something like this......

Me & my Nephew

• I love great music and there are a couple of CD's that I have really been wanting but have not yet picked up. You know how love Foreign Exchange and especially group member Phonte who has a new CD out called Charity Starts at Home that I would love to be jammin' to on Christmas day.

• I have a Nook Color, so Barnes & Noble gift cards are always welcome so that I can use my e-reader whenever I am not busy blogging !

• I love candles, soft pajamas, and nice thick socks for lounging, anything that allows me to be comfortable while relaxing next to this....

• Now Santa, if you are feeling EXTRA generous this year, my dream car the Lexus SC430 always puts a smile on my face. I already have my personalized plate  BTFLYCMPLX ! 

• OK........ well, maybe I technically haven't been THAT good this year ! LOL  Anyway you can blame a girl for trying! LOL 

Wishing all of Blogland a very happy holiday season, have fun shopping, spending time with loved ones, partying and just enjoying the blessings in your life !


Beautifully Complex 

Surprise !

My sister and I put our heads together months ago, to try and come up with a gift that we could give our parents for their Anniversary that they could BOTH enjoy. I have to give my lil' sis credit because it was ultimately her idea that we decided to go with. The party was a success. You can read about it here.

We decided at one point that the party would NOT be a surprise since because 30 years is a significant Anniversary, it was not likely that our parents wouldn't assume that we would do SOMETHING for them. With this in mind we let them know we had something planned but kept the details about what and where under wraps. What our parents didn't know was that the party was not our only gift to them. We decided to spruce up their backyard patio, to encourage them to get out of the house and enjoy themselves together. We decided to reveal the gift after the Anniversary event by having  a Dessert & Champagne After-party at their home.

Take a look at what the Patio looked life before :

The smoker, grill & swing have seen better days!

The challenging part was getting our parents out of the house for several hours prior to the Party so that we could clean up the back yard, bring the furniture in and get it set up.  We put my cousin, Mr. Mixologist and my BIL to work that day in the heat,  which was well over 100 Degrees. Uh.....yes we owe them big time ! LOL

Conversation Seating Set

We got them a Conversation Seating Set, a Patio Table with 6 chairs an Umbrella and a new Gas Grille ! We had all of the furniture shipped to our Uncle's Carpet Store about a month before. On the day of the surprise, me and my sister went shopping for the plants, plant holders, pillows, grill utensils and candles while the guys put the furniture together.

Patio Table and Umbrella

My favorite cousin put the grill together in advance, used his truck to bring the furniture from his dad's store and was an all around lifesaver on this day. We had to get all this done & set up & get ourselves ready for the Party later that evening & it was no simple feat but we made it happen.

New Grille & my Beau taking a break from the heat!

By the time the party was over, and everyone arrived at my parent's home for dessert, champagne, wine and beer it was beginning to get dark so we had to hustle to get my parents outside so we could surprise them with their gift. Honestly, they were already overwhelmed and excited about the party since they had no idea who would be there and where it was. They were excited about seeing a lot of folks they had not seen in forever. Also, they had no idea that most of the guests were leaving the venue & coming to their home afterward. After giving toasts in the living room & some laughs,  we let them know we had one last thing to give them and led them to the backyard......

Dad coming out for the surprise.

They were so surprised ! BOTH my mom & dad shed tears ! LOL It was funny, and touching, and such a wonderful feeling to surprise them and please them. We pulled it off and we were so happy !

My dad broke down too :)

Mom overwhelmed with tears 

Our guests stayed for a couple of hours enjoying the new digs. Me and my sister kept this a secret from virtually all of our family. It was on need to know basis only, so no one would spoil the surprise, so my extended family was also pretty excited for my parents and and surprised at the big reveal.

Dad & Savannah enjoying Breakfast

The next morning, we promptly broke the furniture in even further, by having breakfast on the Patio. We did the cooking & let my Mom take a break. My parents enjoyed this a lot.

My nieces & my Beau polish off some grits ! 

In fact, we stayed out there for most of the morning until it started getting too warm & we had to retreat into the AC ! My parents are really looking forward to the fall (cooler temperatures) and are already planning additional things they can add outside to make their space more enjoyable. They have been calling us both several times a week to let us know how much they are enjoying themselves and in fact my mom is planning a Labor Day Cookout ! LOL Mission accomplished.


Thoughts ? Comments ? Questions ?


Beautifully Complex

Santa Came to Town

I came home today and found that Santa left a nice gift on the porch for me !

I got a satchel full of the most intoxicating Fragrance Beads. I love the combination of Vanilla and Orchid, it smells divine ! There was also some Lemon Drop flavored lip balm that I cannot wait to try. Lemon is actually one of my favorite flavors ! I love Lemon Drop Martinis and Lemon Meringue Pie.  This lip balm is definitely going to come in handy during the holidays, because I do have to keep these lips kissable for those " Mistletoe Moments" with Mr. Mixologist ! LOL Thanks Santa :) Last but not least, Santa must be reading the blog, because I got some gourmet K-cups to use in my Keurig Premium Coffee System that I blogged about here.

I am looking forward to enjoying my gifts and appreciate the thoughtfulness in the selection.
Santa tried to leave me a little clue in the attached note, but I just couldn't narrow it down for sure, but my first guess is going to be....

MamaSez

and if not her then I must be.....

Gorgeous Pudding 

I am excited to find out for sure tomorrow. Thanks again Santa for the gifts ! I hope you enjoy your Christmas Holiday and thanks to Pserendipity for hosting the gift exchange again this year & allowing me to discover some cool new bloggers to add to my reader !

Beautifully Complex 

Dear (Secret) Santa.............

I am hyped to be participating in Christmas in Blogland. It's a Secret Santa Gift Exchange hosted by Pserendipity. 

I am not really sure that my blog necessarily makes it easy to pick a gift for yours truly, so I'm gonna drop some hints for Santa today since we only have 6 days to get our gifts purchased and in the mail.

For the record, anything I receive will be greatly appreciated, because I simply love receiving and opening packages. Shoot I love opening any type of envelope ! LOL

I love all things wine. So any type of wine, accessories or paraphernalia is cool with me.

Photo Frames are always welcome here. I have lots of pictures around my home and that is one thing I don't think you can have too many of.  I enjoy  framing  and displaying photos of my family and friends.

Books, of any kind, if you stalk the blog, some commenter's made some suggestions here recently that I have been meaning to check out. I read a lot of different genres, so if you personally read a good book recently you would recommend, I will probably enjoy it.

Scented Candles I never get enough of these either. They come in real handy while I am soaking in the tub with some nice vino! LOL

Which leads me to my last idea.......good music. This is the other thing I truly enjoy while relaxing. Now this could be tricky since it would be hard to know what I don't already have in my music collection, but I will say this.... there is a male artist, who is actually quite sexy, who is listed in my profile who has a very recently released CD that I haven't picked up yet.

Hope this was helpful Secret Santa............I have been a very good girl this year !

Beautifully Complex