Holiday Mantel

To me nothing creates a feeling of hominess, warmth and holiday cheer like a well decorated fireplace and mantel. Below are pictures from Better Homes and Gardens, Country Living, myhomeideas.com, and Southern Living. I hope that they inspire you too.


I love this display. I like using natural elements when I decorate and using red cranberries with the evergreen garland really makes this display pop.
















Here is another great example of bringing natural elements inside.




















I also love the idea of incorporating live trees and flowers into your displays.




For those of you that are looking to make more of statement these two displays hopefully will give you some inspiration.

10 Fabulous and Unique Gifts for under $75

With the holiday season in full swing and the thoughts gift giving ringing in our heads I have found some fabulous and glamorous gifts for under $75 most under $50. Happy shopping and happy giving!

Naughty Paris: A Ladies Guide to Sexy Paris - $26
GIVE TO: Your travel bug, but slightly naughty girlfriends.
Click here to purchase.






Vinturi Wine Aerator - $35
GIVE TO: The wine enthusiast.
Click here to purchase.














Nintendo DS Style Savvy - $30
GIVE TO: The Rachel Zoe wannabe in your life.
Click here to purchase.














Waals World Time Clock -$54
GIVE TO: The jet setter or businesses traveler
Click here to purchase.















Engraved Satin Gunmetal Pocket Watch - $50
GIVE TO: Your father or husband as a sentimental gift or to a gentleman that has a unique style.
Click here to purchase.












Family Table Topics Game -$25
GIVE TO: The inquisitive member of your family
Click here to purchase.














Roxy Laptop Tote - $50
GIVE TO: Give to the high school or college hipster
Click here to purchase.
















Fifty Dresses that Changed the World $15
GIVE TO: The fashionista book worm
Click here to purchase.

















Rock your Religion Cho Rho Braclet or Pendent also available in Cross, Star of David and
Peace sign -$75
GIVE TO: Give to the spiritual person in your life
Click here to purchase.














Bijou tea light holder - $20
GIVE TO: As host gift or to home décor enthusiast.
Click here to purchase.

Tis the season to eat

Southern Living has created 25 amazing appetizers sor this holiday season. So whether you are host a holiday gathering or attending a potluck party these amazing appetizers will wow your guests or your hosts.

Layered Sun-dried Tomatoe Basil Spread
This recipe will save you time by makeing it days in advance of your party. Here is the recipe - Layered Sun-dried Tomatoe Basil Spread


Cranberry Meatballs - These meatballs can be made ahead and frozen to help save time during this busy time of year. Here is the recipe - Cranberry Meatballs




Hot Roast Beef Party Sandwiches - These crowd pleasing sandwiches will sure to delight your guests. Here is the recipe - Hot Roast Beef Party Sandwiches

Be sure to check out all 25 recipes from Southern Living.

1 table, 3 Holidays

One of my favorite websites is myhomeideas.com. They recently did an article about how a few well-chosen containers and candlesticks can create the framework for three very different holiday schemes that will carry you from Thanksgiving to the New Year by simply changing the color scheme and adding seasonal items can create beautiful tablescapes while saving you time and money.

THANSGIVING TABLE
Silver and orange make a unique Thanksgiving color scheme. A mercury glass pumpkin tops the tall trumpet vase, but you could easily spray-paint a real pumpkin with metallic paint. Branches of silk leaves mingle with fresh berries for rich color, and a scattering of white miniature pumpkins provides a fun note at dining level.


CHRISTMAS TABLE


















NEW YEAR'S EVE

An explosion of color and shine sets a festive table for a New Year’s Eve dinner. Bunched sequined sprays arch from the trumpet vase, with purple candles echoing the spray’s color. Jewel-toned stemware continues the theme.


Table Shopping List
1 tall centerpiece vase
6 mercury glass candlesticks
3 footed hurricanes
3 orange candles
6 red pillar candles
3 purple pillar candles
3 branches of silk fall leaves
250 peppermint sticks
1 pound peppermint balls
24 assorted glass ball ornaments
8-10 sequined sprays

My new obsession

It is my strong belief that flowers will help create an atmosphere and a mood at an event. If you love flowers and event decor then TLC's new show Flowers Uncut with Jeff Leatham is the show for you. While most event planners don't have the huge budgets to recreate Jeff's designs the show will inspire and spark your creativity.

Boo-tiful Tablescapes

With Halloween just around the corner I thought I would share some of my favorite spooktacular tablescapes that I have seen around the web. Hopefully they will give you inspiration to create your own Boo-tiful table.

The first couple of pictures are from Maddycakes blog. These are beautiful and easy to do tablescapes.





















These next couple of pictures are from HGTV.com



















Last, but not least from Tablescaper blog is this spooktacular setting.

Coutour Shoe Boxes

To all my shoe fetish and clean freak friends this product is for you. I read about this in the Rachel Zoe newsletter and fell in love with the idea. Closet Fetish offers a great organizational tool for your closet a couture shoebox. Store your treasured soles in style with these colorful cases. These boxes come in a variety of colors - Stiletto Red (my favorite), Ballerina Slipper pink, Lavender, Light Blue, Chocolate Brown, and Beige. Each box includes a frame on the outside, so you can display a picture of the enclosed platforms. Not only will these stackable boxes help you sort your flats from your heels, but they will also prolong the life of whatever treasures are inside.

Before and After

And just jealous!











"Give a girl the right pair of shoes and she can rule the world." Bette Midler

"The perfect pair of shoes can change your life." Cinderella

DIY Gilded Pumpkins

I saw these pumpkins on the Country Living website and fell in love with them. It's a unique way to transform traditional fall decor into lovely fall pieces. Find the full gilding instructions here from Country Living.

Fall Drink recipes

Well, it is almost the weekend. Almost time for rest and relaxation and what a better way to unwind then with a cool, crisp cocktail. The Intoxicologist at http://intoxicologist.net/ had some wonderful fall drink recipes that I wanted to share with you. They sound delicious and I can’t wait to try them. Here’s to the weekend and relaxing. Salute!
And for the under 21 crowd here are a few mocktails.

Halloween Inspiration boards

Whether you are planning a wedding, holiday décor or decorating a room an inspiration board will help you throughout the planning process to stay on track and to ensure that everything fits together perfectly. An inspiration board is just like the collages you created as a kid, but with a grown up twist. The images that you put together represent the colors, style, theme and vibe that you want your event or home décor to convey.

Since Halloween is just around the corner I thought I would share these wonderful inspiration boards I found online. They are a great example of how to take silly and playful holiday and turn it into a elegant and divine celebration.

For the traditional orange and black affair these images are sure to envoke the Halloween spirit.




If "True Blood" is more your style the images below are sure to get the creative blood,humm I mean juices flowing.