Holiday spirit needs a boost? Or are you in search of beautiful Christmas decorations? English Gardens Christmas Shop at The Village is the winter wonderland you need.

If you've seen The Village this holiday season, then you've seen the English Gardens handiwork; it does the decorating, including all those lights, every year. English Gardens is known for its unique lighting. Lights are custom-made and engineered to be better (and therefore easier) than anything on the market. You can purchase the lights at English Gardens and duplicate that wrapped-tree look at home.

Lighting may be its specialty, but I love its ornament selection. The right ornament can be a personal and treasured gift. English Gardens has a wonderful selection, including beautifully crafted Old World ornaments. No matter who is on your list – teacher, boss, neighbor, hostess, football fan, dog owner, gardener, animal lover, wine enthusiast – chances are English Gardens will have the perfect ornament for them. 

If you're looking for ornaments for your own tree, English Gardens has theme trees to inspire and delight. 

The Rochester Hills store is English Garden's eighth location.  Family owned and operated, I'm hoping it sticks around into the new year to inspire my spring planting. 

Wanted: Cowgirls

If you want to line dance, Penny Black wants you. The downtown bar and restaurant is featuring Ladies' Country Night every Thursday. In addition to a country DJ, the night features specials on shots, Corona and bombs of every kind.

But the absolute best special, in my opinion, is something every cowgirl needs: a 10-gallon hat. Not the kind you wear on your head (although if you can rock that look, go for it, girl!). I'm talking about a pitcher filled with six different kinds of Bacardi Rum and a delicious mix of juices (juice is very good for you, epecially this time of year). It comes with 10 big curly neon-colored straws for sharing. While the 10-gallon hat is usually $15, on Ladies' Country Night it's only $10. 

So saddle up and check it out. Can I get a "yeeeeee-haw"?

Stocking Stuffer Alert

For the husband who rocks. For the brother who rolls. Keith Richards of Rolling Stones fame tells all his dirty secrets in his biography, Life. I got my copy at Meijer for $22.49.