(My) Home for the Holidays

Okay...I realize that I have not posted in a very long time...as in, not one post in the entire month of January, long time.  And for that I apologize.  I really have no excuse.  Especially because most of the upcoming posts (including this one) have been partially drafted for quite some time.  *sigh* Life happened...plain and simple, but I'm back and I promise not to stay gone so long the next time. ;-)

As you all know, this past Christmas was my first Christmas in my beloved home.  And in my usual, true OOT (over the top) fashion, I had elaborate plans for decorating the house.  At the cornerstone of my holiday decorating plans...purchase a live Christmas tree.  Something I know absolutely nothing about because by the time I came along, my mother was over live trees.

I purchased the tree on the 2nd Saturday of December with every intention of letting it fall until the following Wednesday at the latest, then decorating it.  Well my crazy work/social calendar threw a slight wrench in my decorating plans.  And Wednesday turned into Saturday.  But then it happened.  I got sick.  Bronchitis/Sinus Infection sick.  I was totally out of commission.  Sick or not, that was the last weekend before Christmas and the last chance for me to decorate.


Mommy was nice enough to volunteer to come over to help me decorate.  She's the best.  We did both outdoor and indoor.  I got a few pics, but I apparently didn't get all of the outside decorations.  But I did get the piece de resistance of the outdoor decorations.


Enjoy!

Ms. K

My Tree (yes I realize it's rather large)

My DIY Wreath! Of course I had to be different!

View of the wreath from afar (and of my new door and welcome sign)

I had to add this pic to complete the experience.  A pic of SOME (yes there were more) of the needles that fell from the tree when we removed it.

 

 

 

Hot off the presses: HGTV MAGAZINE

The other day while roaming my twitter time line (aka twit hustling, lol) I made a startling...yet exciting, discovery. HGTV is launching a magazine!! Now you all know that ever since I purchased my home I have become obsessed with home decor, especially DIY projects. Hence my fascination with HGTV and it's sister station DIY network. So you can imagine my elation when I found out that I can get a print version of one my fav television station.

Some of you may be wondering why all the excitement for the magazine when I can turn on the channel anytime. Well my excitement stems from a few things.

1- I can't carry my TV everywhere I go...but a magazine I can.
2- One of my ultimate methods of relaxation is flipping through a mag while laying on the couch...and why shouldn't my mag of choice (well one of them) be HGTV
3- With the magazine I can basically access all of HGTV programming all at once

I could go on, but I think I made my point.

Tips on real estate, renovations,home entertainment, and more all at your fingertips. If you ask me...it's a genius idea.

The Magazine is set to hit newsstands October 4th. If you are as excited as i am, head over to the HGTV magazine page and sign up for a free Trial offer and receive the inaugural issue absolutely free!! Of course I already signed up and I can't wait to get my hands on it.


 Ms. K

GUEST POST: Operation 1135

Hello All!  I know it's been a while, but I've been uber busy readying the house for my house warming Saturday after next (amongst other things).  So I figured this would be a great opportunity to feature one of my fav bloggers in a get post.  I asked A (from the henna hair challenge with me to write a guest post on the blog...and she did exactly what I thought she would do...show up and show out.

Without further delay...Ms. A...

I was super excited when Ms. K asked me to do a post for Locs and Keys because this is my first guest post! Whoop whoop! I pondered what to write about since Ms. K’s blog has a very specific theme. Then it hit me!

I recently just purchased a home as well. Operation 1135, as I like to call it, was truly one of the most rewarding, blessed, scary, and amazing experiences of my young life.  I have been in my home for only 3 weeks now and I am in love. As much as I love purchasing a good bag, nice top, and earrings (they are my children and each and every single pair holds a special place in my heart) my wallet is totally a slave to furniture and home purchases right now.

After moving out from under mom’s wings, I notice that I moved into my fabulous new home and I need everything. The ongoing list that I have is quite daunting at times. I want to get pass all of the little items and needs and get to the fun stuff  -- DECORATING!!!  I am ready for the fun stuff – painting, reupholstering, etc.

My goal is to go room by room to achieve the look that I want. I have a modern flair with vintage appeal. I don’t know if that makes sense to you guys but it does to me. My first room to tackle would be my bedroom. I want it to be cozy, sexy, sophisticated, and comfortable all at the same time. I am shopping for the focal point now – THE BED! Of course I fall in love with a beauty from Ethan Allen that made my eyes drool and my wallet cry with a $2,000 price tag!

HERE IS THE LINK FOR THE BED: http://www.ethanallen.com/product?productId=3141818&categoryId=8028

Needless to say that I immediately put my BFF up to a search to find a cheaper option with the same appeal and she totally succedded with this beauty available at Macy’s.

HERE IS THE LINK FOR THE BED: http://www1.macys.com/catalog/product/index.ognc?ID=514774&CategoryID=35420#fn=sp%3D1%26spc%3D586

After falling in love with my bed I instantly thought, wait…my hair! My precious and luscious curls will destroy this light color fabric in no time! Damn you Chaka (my hair’s name)! So now the hunt is back on for the same look in a leathered upholstered option…

Stay tuned for updates as I continue to decorate 1135…