Making it Merry

I honestly think I could write an entire month’s worth of blog’s on the items that you can decorate with for the Christmas season. I have three trees of three different themes myself and I’m a single girl. I thought this year I’d dedicate the blog to decorating rather classically with red and green touches rather than giving you the full scoop on going “themed.” 

That said, I adored these Crate and Barrel pillows. (Alpine Ivory Pillow $26.95 & Red Pillow $34.95). I think using pillows and throw blankets are a forgotten punch during the holidays where the decor can actually get used for something – 2 for 1! I loved the little top stitched vintage print, I think this could be used with country, modern, or even just a traditional Christmas look. It’s a little classic mixed with a nice nostalgic feeling.

Considering the “days of old”, I thought this little tree from Cost Plus World Market was precious. The 3 foot feather pine tree would make a great centerpiece on a side table or even make a college student’s dorm room a little cheerier during those days of tests. I would use this for those ornaments that I receive or buy that mark milestones or special memories, and have it displayed on my entryway table. It’s sparse branches would show off heirloom pieces perfectly without being in reach of little ones.

While you’re at Cost Plus, I fell in love with this 6 foot red berry garland. It’s steep at $25, but the fullness makes quite an impact. This would really make my white mantle pop with color!

When considering the mantle, make sure you’ve chosen great stockings. These simply elegant classics from Pottery Barn are super affordable at $9-15 each and the personalizing options abound if you’re a crafty person!

So the big tree marks the day and for the tree beginners it’s all about the tree skirt. I found this fantastically detailed  skirt on Target.com. The Bucilla Partridge In A Pear Tree Tree Skirt runs $54.99, which may sound expensive, but will last for many years. Consider also a great starter kit of the 225-pc. Tree Decorating Kit Red/Green/Gold $84.15 – this will get any size tree full and ready!

When it comes to table topping, you can lose your mind in this department. I try to have two or three Christmas related dinners so I can see friends, and secretly validate my addiction to Christmas entertaining vessels! I found this cute retro platter at Pier 1 for $30. This would be also a great use for a gift platter with homemade cookies. If I’m going to keep it for myself though, these great red plates at Amazon.com were $23 a place setting (Search: Laurie Gates Vintage Dekko Red 4-Piece Place Set ) and not only work throughout the year but would frame a mix and match holiday salad dish fantastically.!

That said, the sky is the limit! It’s the biggest holiday out there to look around and express your fashion sense in. Embrace that and enjoy all the trimmings!

Little Rounds of Heaven

6 Hole White Escargot Plate - Ace Mart Restaurant Supply

$7.95 each

I’m a sucker for an “odd” plate. Something that you’ll use once – sort of like those hot pink plaid shoes in the closet. You just need to try it. For me, I love escargot, and even though I’ve not used them yet for escargot, I’ve found that these little beauties work well with rose buds as an interesting vase alternative! Dipping sauces abound? – here you go! They also work wonders to hold Easter eggs.

 

 

 

Terra Cotta Collection Handled Dishes and Terra Cotta Tapas Plates - Sur La Table

$5.95 & $4.95

  I adore tapas. Since discovering them, I’ve become enamored with the idea that little dishes and noshes just make them have better mouthfeel. These two choices would be great to mix and match. The handled dish goes great from oven to table with a flourishing amount of queso flameado in it. Also great for a half sandwich and soup, or as smaller portion dishes for you all watching your waistlines. Sometimes the small dish makes it feel more special!

   

Wine Pairing Appetizer Platter - Williams Sonoma

$39.00

I know even if it’s from Williams Sonoma that this borders on a bit “cheesy” – forgive the pun. But the divided plate works wonders with cheeses and crackers to be laid out. A nice baked brie and accompanying cranberry jelly and water wafers would look lovely against this colorful dish. The crackers may look a little less “drab” against it’s palette.  

 

  Hammered Metal Lunch Box - Cost Plus World Market

$9.99

I’m attempting to be more eco-friendly this year. I’m not succeeding as much as I would like, but when I do bring my lunch, it’s in a lunchbox rather than disposable containers or bags. This, this makes me want to bring dinner somewhere too! I’m under the impression that if being eco-friendly makes me look good too, it’ll motivate me using the reusable items!

 

  

 

Vintage Wood Pizza Cutting Board -Pottery Barn

$39.00

Forget the name. This isn’t just a wood cutting board for pizza. Think cheese board. Think bread board. Think great way to lay out muffins for brunch. or a cake would look fabulous here too. The rustic look lends itself to upscale Italian table layouts just as much as it would serve a good ol’ Texas Barbecue.

Your Home will Give Thanks

Nothing makes me get more giddy than when I finally pull out the fall decor and start to show the good autumn palette in my home. My biggest impact is actually one of the easier things to do – stack pumpkins! I adore taking leaves or garlands and stringing them in and out. In my kitchen I used to put out a bowl of nuts, or little gourds. These funkins (faux + punkins) help me start the season off in style.

Kirkland’s Woven Pumpkins - $17.99 each, Target’s  Plastic Pumpkin – White/orange (7"), $9.99, Grapevine Pumpkin - White (9.5") $9.99

 

These leaves from Pottery Barn would be perfect to place in between. $9.99

 

 

When it’s going to be a quick decor change and you need to make impact, choose something like Kirkland’s Harvest Candleholder Centerpiece $29.99

 

 

Cost Plus World Market has these lovely Autumn Pine Cone and Berry Twig Garland $16.99  and Autumn Pine Cone and Berry Twig Basket Collection  $12.99

 

 

 

 

Now surely you’d know that my table was going to be decked to high heaven and back.Target’s Into Autumn Squirrel Salt and Pepper $12.99 and Red Oak Leaf Tea Light Holder  $14.99 will help to start to dress the table for me.

This year I’m loving Pottery Barn’s Passion Flower Plate ($5.95 each) to put as a mix and match with my solid green plates. Perhaps even find a good mustard bowl to serve ambrosia in after the holiday.

I See The Light

I recently replaced several of my house’s lighting fixtures and since then have been on a rampage about changing the look and feel of a room through the use of decorating lighting. While my house general stays on the traditional end of things. I fell in love with Ikea’s Maskros Pendant lamp for $89.99. I wish I had one of those lucite and chrome places or even a trendy New York loft to show this off. It’s just a fantastic piece of art….forget the lamp even. It looks like a firework come to life. The picture here portrays it as white, but really this is a lighter silver. I think it would look fantastic hanging above a stairway landing – the place I originally had picked out for it upon seeing it. It just screams for a minimal art space in order to share it’s burst of asterisks.

Next is the CB2 lantern arc floor lamp for $199.00 . This fits more into my current style – simple with a nice shot of color. I considered using this in my den where I have a bit of a retro look going. The drum shade, a current trend seems to make the color a little more toned down. I don’t care for a bright color plus an over the top design. That said, I love the scale of this, I think it makes a great statement in a earth tone palette.

Now, if you’re really look to personalize, you may consider Pottery Barn’s Atrium Glass Table Lamp for $139.00 . The fillable glass base could leave me lost for things to fill it with. Marbles? Old love letters? Wine corks? Typewriter buttons? Who knows! The sky is the limit. But that said, I have to admit that I adore the idea that I could change this look up over and over again, not only changing the base color but the lamp as well!

Finally, a fixture that I do own! I went to Lowe’s and found a beautiful  Portfolio  3-Light Chambers Shaded Island Light for a bargain at $159.00. The picture doesn’t do this fixture justice. The shades are a lovely light taupe linen and really have a cool 1920’s candy shop appeal on the dark cocoa metal frame. It’s just enough light for my dining room, makes it casually cool with a coffeehouse feel. Adore it!

Scoring the Touchdown

 

What a better way to get a tailgate started off right than to get all your theme ware up and ready to go! An easy choice that can be used in the day to day before and after the game is Walmart’s Anchor Hocking 4-piece Grand Pilsner Barware Set. At $19.99 it’s a great basic set, and shh, ladies, I use these as vases for flowers sometime, they’re too easy!

Getting into the spirit is easy with Target’s selection for your buffet table. I found these, the Touchdown Snack Bowl $19.99, 3- Section Server $24.99, Chip & Dip Set $19.99. I thought these were cute ideas to keep your theme up without having to buy paper plates each year – plus it’s much more eco-friendly!

  Now, for me, personally, I’ll get into the baking mood when it’s game time. Which means you’ll find me in the kitchen so that the cupcakes are ready by half time. I found these cute picks and papers at  Party City for $2 and $4, you can’t complain! It’s theme and icing all at once! :)

But let’s just say the game gets good and I don’t have time for cupcakes…nothing beats Wilton’s football pan in a situation. I even love their bread sandwich idea – how cute! For $12.99, I normally do not get into shaped pans, but I could see these being used for alot of creative ideas!

Finally, somewhere to store the refreshments. I like to keep it generic here, the Clear Acrylic Party Tub $21.99  is large and unbreakable – easy to clean and goes with anything. I love a multiple use item and I could see this being reused time and again.

And finally, if the game is terrible and you’re still looking for smiles, might I suggest going to Amazon.com and picking up the Excalibur NF07-08 NFL Vibrating Football game for $44. This could save your party should your team come up short!

Here’s to the touchdowns this season!

Treats for the Home, Tricks for the Kids

I’m not a big dresser upper of my house for Halloween. I do more fall, and will have a post on that shortly, but that said, I do enjoy carving a good pumpkin and having the good candy.

I remember as a kid that dressing up and going out was a highlight of my fall year. I remember the overflowing bags I used to come home with, I remember the remnants lasting for what felt like weeks. As an adult, and a dieter at that, I try and still have candy, but make sure it’s not laying around til the last minute!

That said, I think I’ve found a few cute gadgets and gizmos to highlight the night of ghouls around the home.

If you want something that may tend towards your indoor decor with a bit of the Halloween twist, try Kirkland’s Jack-O-Lantern – Large $14.99, Medium $12.99. These aren’t overly Halloween while still sending the message. I like that I can put these in with my harvest decor without disrupting the overall look of things!

 

 

Wal-Mart turned out these cute Air blown Halloween Inflatable Slender Pumpkin Stack, 9' Tall $35.00 & Halloween Peanuts Gang Great Pumpkin Yard Art, Glitter Gel, 50 Lights $42.00. I think these should stand alone. I’m not a big fan of over packing the yard. I’m a huge Peanuts fan, think these might just look cute tucked behind my smaller shrubs even with their heads peeking out!

 

Halloween String Lights, Set of 10 $14.99 available at Cost Plus World Market – I’m thinking these would look cute over my door – my door sits a bit far back off of the street, this may help people know that “I’m home!” and “I have this candy! Help! Don’t leave me with it! “

 

For the office or the apartment dweller, something small is still appropriate. Target always has cute Halloween stuff – wait for my The Style Myle costume extravaganza -  5.25" Jack O' Lantern - Battery Operated $7.99. When you need a bit of food for thought at the door, don’t forget the bowl – this will get a few laughs, or screams -  Animated Candy Bowl with Hand - Purple (9") $12.99