Love and Wishes for 2009

Happy New Year!! I hope your night is filled with people you love, toasting one another and making wishes for the year to come! Enjoy a long week and check back in next week for great tips on making your home more about YOU in the year ahead!
See you next week!
JUL

via desire to inspire

(image from Martha Stewart)

Fireside Daydreams...

Lately I have been dreaming of a home with a fireplace. Maybe the desire comes from the whistling wind and cold temps of the northeast (or the inches of snow which have just started to fall yet again), regardless, I am dying to cozy up alongside the fire!

It could be a sweet chair and book for one by the fire....

or a hearth big enough to have a dinner party around with friends lounging on the floor!

Whichever the occasion, I am thinking warm thoughts of fireside chats in the new year.
Stay Warm!

(images from Point Click Home , Coastal Living and House to Home)

Clutch It

As with interiors, I am a BIG fan of accents and accessories! Most often I will wear a pretty, clean lined dress and change the look/feel of it with costume jewelry or a great clutch like the options below! These are all affordable and even better from Etsy Designers! Combined with either dress it would be the perfect accessory, don't you just love a reason to get dressed up?!

I love am still loving purple and this dress is simple enough to wear again

the heart neckline and rouching on this is just so sweet. Pair it with the peacock clutch and it is the perfect outfit!

(images from ,Bluefly , Oktak and Red Ruby Rose)

As the clock winds down.....

Pottery Barn

As the year comes to an end many people look back on what they have accomplished in the past 12 months and reflect on the things they hoped to have achieved. It's great to know the slate is cleared and a new year begins on Thursday, filled with new hopes and dreams! I love a good looking table top clock, it is a wonderful accent to any room decor. Here are a few of my current favorites! Most are void of the annoying "tick tock" reminding us all of just how fast time flies!

Urban Outfitters

William Sonoma Home




Ballard Designs

Red Envelope

Amazon

Monday Morning Happy!

Welcome Back, I hope everyone had a wonderful holiday! I had a fantastic few days filled with family and a weekend catching up with friends I have not seen in months. Sometimes it is so rejuvenating to spend time with close friends, some who at times know you better than you know yourself. There is also news of another baby on the way, which ups the total to 15, yes 15!! 2009 will definitely be filled with posts on nursery decorating and baby gift buying! Congrats Kourtney K. C.!

Can you believe the New Year is just a few days away? This week I will post until Wed. than take a few days to enjoy the celebration! The picture above is a lovely corner I have been saving for just this occasion!

The "Cute Picture of the Week" comes from Mercedes and her adorable puppy Chloe. I can't help but to smile when I look at this picture. As Chloe lays on her back, no doubt getting a belly rub, she looks to be completely pleased with herself! Ahh the simple joys of life!
Have a great week and enjoy the New Year
JUL

(image from Point Click Home)

Happy Holidays!

Happy Holidays! I hope everyone has a wonderful few days creating fun memories with family and friends. Take a minute to step back and admire the hard work you put into the holiday table and decorations around the house, I am sure it looks fantastic!! Check back in on Mon and Tues next week I will have some New Years inspiration and wishes for 2009!
Enjoy
JUL

Outside In

A few Champagne flutes + some evergreen sprigs = an easy tablescape. I love how clean and crisp it looks. Even better there is still plenty of room for platters of food and to see the person across from you!!


(image from Sunset)

Monday Morning Happy

Happy New Week! I am very much looking forward to a few extra days off during the next 2 weeks not to mention all the presents I plan to give and maybe receive!! How was your weekend? If you live in the NE or the Midwest or the NW (it seems like everyone got snow....) how did you manage?
We got about 9" here in the city, the picture above was taking on Sunday afternoon during the second storm. I was sitting on the floor in the living room trying to think of all the positive points of living in the city. This was after shoveling my car out for the 3rd time but I decided to close my eyes and remember all the things I love, for instance summers on the back deck like the picture below! Another positive is I tend to get a lot done while stuck inside - moving all the furniture in the LR created a brand new feel for the winter and baking cookies filled the house with a sweet smell. Many great stories can come out of winter storms, a friend described a warm scene of neighbor helping neighbor dig out their cars on a city street, talking and getting to know one another!

The Cute Picture of the Week is a photo I have had on my fridge for 5 years now. Winston is my friend Kathy's dog and he is just adorable! He celebrated his 5th Birthday last week and since it is such a nice winter picture I thought I would keep it posted for this week too! If you are a dog lover you grab your cup of coffee and check out this video, it will be a nice Monday Morning Break!
Enjoy the week
JUL

summer time deck...

In My Mind, I’m going to Carolina (and Georgia, and Virginia…)

Here's Guest Blogger Betsy with a few travel ideas!

The Christmas Season always brings with it a wealth of festivals and celebrations, whether you have snow or sun. Since my husband and I are heading south for a couple weeks to visit family, I’ve been investigating cities and towns along the way and wanted to share a few of our major stops with you. If you’re in the area, be sure to pop in and enjoy the following festivities! And if you know of any must-sees that I missed, comment below and let me know! We leave in 4 days (not that I’m counting…)

Philadelphia, PA
*Macy’s Light Show: For a half century, people have been venturing to the historic Wanamaker’s building to see this fantastic display of 100,000 LED lights twinkling above the Grand Court Atrium. Narrated by Julie Andrews, and accompanied by the Wanamaker Grand Organ, this fantastic light show displays snowflakes, ballerinas, and reindeer and is a holiday tradition not to be missed.
(November 28 – December 31)

*New Years Eve Fireworks Display: There’s no better way to ring in the New Year than fireworks and you can find them in Philly, right along the Delaware River.
(December 31, 12:00a)

*The Christmas Village at Dilworth Plaza: For the first time ever, Philly will host a real-life medieval Christmas Village. Among the delightful wooden structures, you’ll find gifts, food, live music and plenty of Christmas cheer.
(December 3 – December 24)

*The Blue Cross RiverRink: No winter visit to Philly is complete without a spin around this classic ice rink overlooking the Delaware River and Ben Franklin Bridge. Take a few spins to see the city lights, then scoot over to the warming hut for a cup of hot cocoa.
(November 15 – March 1)


Asheville, NC
*Christmas at Biltmore Estate: The Biltmore Estate is fabulous year-round, but especially delightful at Christmas. The estate features about 100 Christmas trees, more than 1000 wreaths and bows, 1450 poinsettias, thousands of ornaments and more garland than you’ve ever seen.
(November 7 – January 4)

*National Gingerbread House Competition: In addition to hosting its normal guests throughout the Holiday Season, the Grove Park Inn is also home to about 300 Gingerbread Houses from 20 different states. It’s a true feast for your eyes and your stomach. Below is the first place entry from 2007 created by Billie Mochow of Burns, Tennessee.
(November 19 – January 11)

Atlanta, GA
*Magical Nights of Lights at Lake Lanier Islands Resort: A stop here is a must – this is the world’s largest animated holiday light show. The Resort also features a Holiday Village with plenty of dining and shopping options and carnival rides.
(November 22 – December 30)

*The ‘Pink Pig’ at Macys: This life sized train takes parents and children under a 170 foot Pink Pig and through a storybook that includes the Pink Pig and her friends. Even if you don’t have kids, you might want to go just to see a large pink pig.
(November 1 – January 4)

*Ice Skating at Centennial Olympic Park: Atlanta rarely sees snow, and this outdoor rink is as close as you’re going to get, so get out there!
(November 15 – January 4)


Savannah, GA
*11th Annual Holly Jolly Holiday Trolley: Hop on and enjoy a two-hour ride through Savannah’s lighted and decorated historic district.
(December 16 – December 23)

*New Years Eve Celebration at City Market: Nothing is better than a huge street party with live music!
(December 31)


Charleston, SC (the birthplace of the poinsettia)
*Holiday Festival of Lights: In your car or in the train, the three mile tour around James Island County Park is sure to get you in the Christmas spirit. Over 500,000 lights are on display at this winter wonderland.
(November 15 – January 1)

*The Charleston Christmas Special: If the Rockettes decided to come to North Carolina, they would come here. This two hour musical variety show has all the fixings for a great variety show: a live orchestra, a chorus line of dancers and live performances by some ex-Broadway superstars.
(December 12 – December 21)

*Christmas on King Street: The hippest street in town offers deals and specials strait through New Years Eve. While you stroll, also check out the eye-catching windows, decorated especially for Christmas.
(November 26 – December 31)

Richmond, VA

*Tacky Light Tour: Finally, someone has owned up to the tackiness of Christmas lights and lawn ornaments! Not all are “tacky”, but Richmond brings you all of the best. From large inflated Santa snow globes to an igloo filled with penguin, you’ll find it all here in Richmond. As if you needed any more motivation, here’s a sample of what you’ll see.
(December)

*100 Miles of Lights: Travel from Richmond to Virginia Beach through Williamsburg, Newport News, Hampton, Portsmouth and Norfolk to catch this light spectacular. Over 700,000 lights are used for this annual tradition. Additional events include live music, boat parades, visits with Santa and parades.
(Mid November – Early January)

Have a Happy Holiday, everyone!

**Bets

Happy Snowy Weekend!

This picture was featured a week ago on Boston.com after the awful ice storm. The forecasters are predicting 2, yes 2 lovely snow storms for this weekend! I guess, I best get use to it, winter has arrived. Though with pretty pictures like this, I could get learn to appreciate it a tad bit more!! Stay warm and stop back in on Monday, when Guest Blogger, Betsy takes us on a little road trip.
Enjoy the weekend
JUL

How to Thursday - Pretty Package Ideas

This "How To Thursday" we will focus on creative gift wrapping.
There is something really special about presenting a gift which is packaged beautifully! I love looking at all the pretty ribbons, papers and unique ideas on wrapping. At times it can be difficult for me to open the gift as I don't want to disrupt the presentation!! Here are a few beautifully presented presents and hopefully some great ideas for your own!



The first "how to" - remember a little embellishment can go a long way in creating an interesting package. With a simple solid paper, use a contrasting ribbon and add a few left over ornaments or bells and you are set to go!





If I am in a last minute rush to wrap a present I grab some colorful tissue paper (I always have a stash of it in the craft cabinet). It is quick, easy and something you can be creative with by folding and using multiple colored pieces. Tie it up with some ribbon, as seen above and you are set to go!




Martha Stewart over at MSN is offering these great black and white papers for wrapping. Just click here to print them out straight from our home printer!












Above are a few very sweet papers from Red Stamp!
Of course I am loving the trendy purple and the Tweet Paper is just adorable! A present wrapped in any of these would be truly difficult for me to rip open!









Think Eco-friendly when wrapping! What can be used again or reused? Gift boxes can play double duty for storage later on. The polka dot version above from Paper Source is a great option! I love to find a sweet napkin or tea towel to wrap gifts in. One of my all time favorites is the Petrol Kitchen Tea Towel from Feel More Human. It is just lovely especially if you are gifting a kitchen platter or cookbook! Also use left over newspaper or me tear out pages from your favorite interior magazine to wrap the present in! How fun would it be, to have beautiful rooms from magazines as wrapping paper! A present AND I am inspired!! FANTASTIC!

Hope you enjoyed these tips and may you get many ohhs and ahhs from your creatively wrapped holiday gifts!


(images from Redbook, MSN Martha Stewart, Paper Source, Red Stamp, Feel More Human, BHG)

Diary Entry - Design Books

Stylefeeder
Take a peak into my "Diary" for my favorite gift giving books!

Lather up the cupcake

These cupcakes look scrumptious but WAIT, STOP!! There's no eating these cupcakes (unless you are really naughty and need your mouth washed out....) they are actually luscious soaps. Created in all different "flavors" or fragrances. It's really amazing what can be found on Etsy, isn't it?!




(images from Lily Bay Soap and Verbena Custom Blends)

Last Minute Holiday Table Decorations

Running out of Time? Feeling the stress of pulling together a holiday table? No need to worry, here are a few quick ideas to instantly transform a table into Holiday Joy!
Ballard Design's Snowflake Chandelier Shade is perfect. The quickest way to change the look of a room is to switch out shades on a lamp or chandelier. The snowflake above is on sale for under $10 and would be perfect to use throughout the winter! Or these Argyle Tole Shades, a bit more at almost $20 but still a great quick addition to any holiday decor! Sweet!



Let's be honest, we all know there are naughty and nice people around the holiday table. Why not hop over to Delight and purchase a few of these name tag tiles, they even have a small bud vase attached to the back! Love it!





P.O.S.H. is a really fun and unique store in Chicago. You never know what you will discover in there as many items are flea market finds. The buyers have a great eye!
I am loving these retro napkins, how perfect would they be to dress up the table?





I saw these Crate and Barrel Copper Reindeers at the start of the season and just fell in love, I am not sure what it is about them but they are just adorable. It could be that they are just so simple and the antique copper finish just adds enough shine to make it feel even more festive. Now that they are on sale, I might just have to scoop them up. They would look so sweet on my dining table, mix in some greens and berries and I will be all set!




If time is really of the essence open the cabinets and pull out all of your clear vases. As seen above, filling them with left over ornaments can be quick and festive. The middle picture shows peppermint candies filling a tall vase. There is a small bud vase in the middle to keep the flowers in water than just surround with candy canes or whatever you have on hand!! No Stress!




If you completely run out of time a doormat like this one to greet guests is festive and they will feel the holiday spirit as soon as they step up to the door!!
Hope these tips have helped!


(images from Crate and Barrel, Pottery Barn, Ballard Design, Delight, BHG, Home Ideas)

It was bound to happen...

...the "winter cold"! You know the one where the sniffles and that little cough turn into an all out attack on your body, which than tells you there is no place to be except bed? Well it happened to me over the last few days! Canceled plans and time on the sofa with large cups of warm tea and o.j were my only plans. Now I am on the mend and will be back with a few great last minute gift ideas for tomorrow. Here's hoping all of you outrun the "winter cold"
JUL

Creative Boston Events this Weekend!!

This weekend is a great time to be living in Boston or hopefully coming to the city for a visit. The Sowa Holiday Market is taking place on Saturday and Sunday. It is a fantastic display of local creative artists. Last year I was invited to a preview of this event and purchased many great gifts. There's everything from jewelry, tablewares, stationary, cute little handmade onesies, custom hats and to die for brownies! Another fabulous event is on Friday, the Buon Natale Holiday Stroll, you guessed it, in the North End. This section of the city has seen a transformation in the last few years. Meaghan Agnew wrote a great article for the Boston Globe on the latest store openings. This area is now filled with unique clothing and home good boutiques, most owned by local designers! So get out there and enjoy some of the local goods for sale, I know I will be doing some holiday shopping of my own.

Twilight - one of my favorite North End boutiques!

(images from Sowa and the Boston Globe)