Merry Christmas and Happy Hanukkah from the Blue Cottage!

Landon loves all of his gifts — more LEGOs, more Quixels, an orca sleeping bag, a brainy game, and a few other things — and I love mine!

Don bought me a Starbucks gift card, thick socks, and Joanna and Chip Gaines’ book The Magnolia Story.

Fixer Upper Surprise

That was a surprise because Don usually buys me clothes or jewelry. I don’t think in 12 years he’s ever bought me a book, but this choice shows he knows me well.

I assume you are familiar with their HGTV Fixer Upper show.

Don sees me watch their show all the time while I work. I love blogging and farmhouse decor, vintage and junking and shiplap, and Chip and Jo represent all of that.

Since Chip is a carpenter like Don, and Joanna is a DIY blogger and decorator with a love for everything vintage and chippy, like me, you can see how I can’t wait to read their story and learn more about them and how they started their booming business.

I’m very inspired by Jo to have had the vision for the dilapidated silos they bought – have you seen what an amazing place they turned that into?

I’m such a believer in trusting your gut, and Jo trusted that her instincts were right to buy that place and renovate it to include office space and a store and storage space, and more.

Jo and Chip turn junk into gold.

Visiting their Magnolia Silos in Waco, TX, is on my bucket list for sure, but for now I’m enjoying their TV shows and book.

And their T-shirts are the perfect fit for Don. I already gave him their #SHIPLAP T-shirt, and I just bought the #DEMODAY T-shirt for him.

Are you a big fan of Fixer Upper as well? What’s your favorite part of the show?

I like the reveal and the before and after at the end of the show the most, and how well Jo and Chip work together.

Wishing you a wonderful week!

PS: Here are a few DIY ideas for New Year’s Eve that might come in handy soon.