Friday Finds

Friday finds me feeling a bit tearful.  I don't like to think about taking down the Christmas tree. 
I love the glow of the white lights and all my favorite ornaments mingling amongst them - but I know it's time - although I will likely only put away the ornaments today and leave the lights and the tree until Sunday :-)

I did want to share a tree idea that I found from our friends at re-nest, here.  What an absolutely clever way to display ornaments and not take up a lot of space.  This would be the perfect backdrop for my vintage and rustic ornaments.  I put up three trees each year - one with nothing but animal ornaments (my favorite tree), one with all primitives, handmade and vintage decor and the last tree gets a more formal dress of red, white, blue, gold, silver and my collection of White House ornaments. 

So, even though I have to put away the decorations for this season, I can still be thinking about Christmas.

Now, I am off to look for some scrap lumber...I know we must have some in the shed. 

Oh Honey...  I have an idea I want to run by you...



Enjoy your weekend and Happy New Year!!!!

Monday Must Haves

Happy Monday after Christmas!  I am already looking forward to the new year ahead and new projects. 
Of course I have been admiring some unique pieces on the Anthropologie website and am looking forward to an upcoming project where I can use a couple of these great finds.

I probably need this chair - I have had my eye on it for some time now...

I love this ottoman - the casual patchwork detail which invites the sit on me and prop your feet on me attitude coupled with the clear base that says I am sexy and sleek - it's such a sassy piece!

simply awesome - I love vintage industrial design

In particular, the green chair - I can see that pairing well with the dining table.  It reminds me to pull my old bentwood chairs out of the attic and give them a new coat of paint - perhaps in the green...

Friday Finds

Friday found me snooping, early, through my stocking and finding Origins Ginger Essence perfume, here.  I love, love, love the Origins line - cruetly free and earth friendly.

I just couldn't wait any longer -
Thank you Santa!






"spicy ginger is balanced by the refreshing zeal of bergamot, lemon and lime to create a sensuous synergy between warm and cool, energy and calm, tempest and tranquility"

Let's Dish!




Oh my gosh - I just had the opportunity to "dish" for the first time. 

Friends thought it might be a fun way to spend time together and relax before Christmas, not to mention stock the fridge in time for the holidays with meals you just pull out of the freezer when you need 'em. 

It was a FABULOUS idea and so much fun. 

The store was twirling with men, women, teenagers - all in their bandanas and aprons - yes, I had to wear a bandana...  Even more ridiculous than me wearing one was me trying to put one on - I guess I will never make it as a biker.  I finally resorted to having the manager put it on me because I was laughing so hard (my friends were laughing even harder).  I had no trouble donning my apron - thankfully. 

Anyway, back to "dishing" - it's as easy as 1-2-3.  You arrive, you check in, you go to the meal prep station (you sign up in advance) and you begin preparing - it was awesome.  I got to come home with tasty meals and didn't have to wash a single bowl or grocery shop for ingredients!

Let's Dish is big on handwashing, but so am I, so I loved that - the meal prep stations were well stocked, clean and the instructions were simple to follow - I didn't even need my glasses - a plus! 

I am already looking forward to going back.
 

Monday Must Haves

I find something new each time I venture out of the house or surf the net - today's Monday Must Have is this cool hammered silver-plated magazine caddy, it blends perfectly this time of year, especially since I have my house decorated with mercury glass ornaments and candleholders (and no shortage of shelter mags).
At only $99, this little guy is the perfect accent!

A Wisteria Exclusive, here

Friday Finds

This Friday finds me under the weather - I have been fighting whatever has been going around so that I can enjoy my Christmas.  I have family coming to town and of course, lots of holiday parties to attend.
So, I find myself this afternoon cozying up by my fireplace, complete with my trio of kittens to keep me company, and since I am cozy and warm under one of my favorite throws, it's prompted me to think about a new one for next year - take a peek at ones I am considering.

I love the orange window pane - gotta have this one!
Overstock  here

Okay, so the multi color is great too - which to decide on...  Spring or Fall - or one for each season? 
Again, here's the orange I love.
Overstock here

No orange, but these are so warm and so comfy - I already have the Garnet, the Fog and the Dune - I have one in almost every room - perhaps it's time to get one more - especially since they are on sale!
Restoration Hardware

A Rabbit Runn First - A Custom Desk!

I recently designed and had fabricated my very first, truly custom, furniture piece.  This desk I created for one of my clients' office.  The wood is figured walnut and the legs were finished by yours truly :-)
They are made out out of wood and painted to look like metal - they really fool the eye.
I couldn't be happier with the finished product.  It far exceeded my expectations and I cannot wait to get my creative juices flowing for my next custom piece.
   

Don't those legs look like brushed steel?  I haven't put the drawer pulls on yet, but plan to get to those this week, I was just too excited to show this off! 



A mousehole in the bottom of the leg means only one cord to wrangle with - the power supply is hidden inside and all computer related cords drop through grommets in the top to connect to one source.  Very tidy!





Friday Finds

This Friday finds me reminiscing about my visits to NYC.  I just love going to NY during the Christmas season, well, anytime, but Christmas in particular since it's so twinkly with lights and stunning window displays.  I don't know if I will get there this season, so if not - at least I have my memories and lots of photos!

Me on top of the Empire State Building - I could really see all the twinkly lights from this vantage point

Have a wonderful weekend.

 

The Scent of Christmas

If anyone were to ask my husband what my favorite scents are, he could name them pretty easily because they never change.  Tops on my list are pine trees (the Christmas version).  It could smell like Christmas in my home year round and I would never tire of it.  Close behind is the scent of laundry after it's been hanging in the warm sun.  In keeping with the outdoor theme, I love the crisp smell of winter, especially after it's snowed and everything is still and pure.   Lastly, lilacs.  I enjoy catching a hint of their sweet fragrance on a soft spring wind.

Imagine my delight when I noticed that Trapp Candles introduced a few new holiday scents (I have been giving these candles as hostess gifts for years now and everyone loves them).

Of course, I've had my "White Fir" burning since October, in anticipation of the holidays, and this season they released "Winter Air" - so, now they have two of my all time favorite scents! 

I've always said, any candle can smell good in a box, but what about when it's lit - these deliver.  For me, they are without question the best candles I have ever found - their scent that permeates the whole house in only a few minutes.

So it's going to be tough decision - will it be "White Fir" or "Winter Air"? 

I think I'll light them both! 

Pendant Love

While looking for a flush mount ceiling fixture - I happened upon these pendant lights from Jamie Young - I can't wait until I have a project for these - they are stunning.  Mercury glass and seeded celadon, amber and clear combined with various metals.  I am in love!



The following Jamie Young pendants found through Lamps Plus

Friday Finds

Well, this Friday found me working hard, but since I work out of my home I was able to do a little online shopping, all while multi tasking during a conference call.  I am enjoying crossing off items on my list. 

So far, I have finished shopping for six of the ten children I am helping this season.  It was truly bittersweet reading the one item posted beside each child - no where did I see a cell phone or an ipad or an mp3 player - just simple things like shoes, hats and scarves. 

Oh sure, there was the occasional firetruck or a baby doll, but more so were the things no child should have to wish for from Santa.    

When I was a child, I had a list for Santa and I more times than not, I recall seeing most of it under the tree on Christmas morning.  Seeing a child wish for a coat, wish for shoes, wish for socks. 

It humbles me.




~ enjoy your weekend

Good Tidings

It's December 1st, the official start of the Christmas season for me anyways, and this holiday season, I am fortunate to have the devotion of a wonderful husband, the support of a loving family, the closeness of my truest friends, the opportunity to own my own business (the prospect to succeed), health that I try to never take for granted and gratefulness for all of those.

I don’t need anything else for Christmas, especially since it's doubtful that Santa will drop a million bucks in my stocking.

Instead, I am spreading my good tidings in as many ways possible – volunteerism and donations to all the places I can think of.  Today my reach is local - selecting 10 children who deserve a merrier Christmas.  There are many more children on the list, please visit  http://www.signupgenius.com/go/20F094CACA92FA64-gift to sign up. 

If you find yourself, this holiday season, as fortunate as me – consider spreading your own holiday cheer and when you find yourself desperate for that perfect gift - think about someone less fortunate - the spirit of giving - one size fits all.