29 Dec It Began with Downton Abbey

 Happy Monday Everyone

Hard to believe Christmas  has come and gone. All the preparing for it, and the excitement leading up to it can linger a bit, then the day is here and quickly over. However, we keep our tree up for a while, and also celebrate the New Year. My title refers to  Christmas Eve, when my husband gave me one gift to open. I know for many it is a tradition, and we do this on occasion. It was a Downton Abbey Christmas ornament of the car complete with Tom, the former chauffeur of the family.

Pearl necklace from Santa Clause

\                       Vintage earrings from Santa. via Etsy

                      One of the ornaments I received from the DA collection

My husband and I are, as many are, huge fans of the show. I have read that people rent out the house to get married in! We sit glued to the couch as we wonder who is going to cause trouble, get into trouble, and if Mary will pick or choose a proper suitor, or if she will just string them along, until she realizes she is getting to old, and it is getting too late! I also love Carson, but can’t say anything to spoil this season, just that there is a surprise So, when my husband and I went downstairs, our first tradition is to let the pups go at their stockings ( yes, we have doggie stockings, that look like puppies) and they both stuck their heads in them to find squeaky balls, other toys, and some yummy turkey bacon treats. My girl was actually whimpering as she was tired of waiting to get into her stocking!!

We then open our stockings, as we take turns grabbing things blindly, to discover another ornament from Downton, the mansion of course! THey are lovely ornaments, and we collect more and more this year, as I love the memories they bring. Lastly, with this theme, hubby had a set of pearls for me, and a pretty box that contained a sapphire blue Downton necklace, which you see here. So, between these and the tea ( I am an avid tea drinker) it was a fun beginning to the morning.

The rest of our morning was trading off with gift opening, and if we had my brother’s dog, Pedro at our house, he would have helped open presents! Pedro literally tears open the presents, so funny to see . I won’t go into what we bought each other, but you will be seeing some of the items on the blog as we go. One of the gifts, was a pair of Over the Knee boots, in lambs leather, which I asked Santa for, and need I say, broke up the DA theme just a bit! ha. I did have to share something that is not a part of my Christmas treasures, but rather another, this fur caplet that I purchased thrift shopping via vintage from a Chicago store circa 1923. I may switch it up a bit, but plan to wear it New Years Eve.

Also,We later enjoyed an amazing dinner, salmon stuffed with lobster, crab cakes, corn souffle, orzo, and a bottle of  red wine, Ardanza 2001, a red blend that is absolutely delicious as was the meal! We didn’t forget our pups, as Target has a refrigerated section where there are special foods, almost pate-like, in rolls with softened turkey, lamb, chicken, vegetables, which they absolutely love so much, my girl Truffles makes the dog dishes sparkle when she is finished! It was a very nice day, a holiday to remember. I feel blessed as I have a loving family and they enjoyed Christmas as well.

Have a great week!

jess xo

Linking up with Visable Monday, Manic Monday, Still Being Molly
Style Sessions, Walking in Memphis

(Sweater old, loft), ( Gold skirt, Banana Republic, similar), Earrings ( Etsy:vintage), ( Vintage Fur Caplet: PM via 1923) Shoes: nine west: similar, Bag: LV Speedy 30