12.21.2009

Santa's Helper: Stocking Photos


I wanted to get one last post in before Christmas because I think this is a handy little idea for stockings. I grew up with a stocking that my mom made and embroidered all of our names on them. If you are like me and not so inclined to make your stockings, let alone embroider them, this is a cute idea so everyone knows who's stocking is who's. And more importantly, so Santa doesn't get them confused!

I found these mini silver frames last year at Restoration Hardware (unfortunately they don't have the exact same ones that are as small) after looking here and there for a bit and they are perfect! I printed one photo of each of us in black and white and then hung them on our stockings. The fun thing with this, is that you can change up the photos every year if you like with goofy photos, or as your kids grow and no longer look like that sweet little baby they once were. My personal photo may be ever eternal at my age now.

I hope you find this useful - I know Santa will!

12.17.2009

Feeling Twiggy This Christmas


I had to share this ultra simple Christmas decoration with everyone before the holidays...which is just around the corner. Eeck! I am not ready! At any rate, I have used this same branch for several years now in various ways and this is my favorite. I look forward to putting simple red ornament balls on my branch that my husband scavenged for in our back yard. I have it placed in an antiqued glass vase with a floral frog at the bottom to anchor the branch and moss around the base to hide the floral frog. It's the easiest AND cheapest decoration ever and I just love the simplicity of the silhouette it creates. So go out, find a branch, put mini Christmas balls on it and you have instant and elegant holiday decor!

King of Opulent Home Furnishings: One Kings Lane


One of my new obsessions is One Kings Lane. I have to give credit to my friend for this find and I thank her for it. It's an online site offering high end home decor with major discounts. They offer just a few brands every few days and notify you via email, so you have to keep checking to see what's being offered that day. I can't say I have bought anything yet, or love every brand that comes through, but it has been so fun to learn about brands I may have otherwise never heard of. Or maybe some day I will find that one piece that is absolutely perfect and wouldn't have found anywhere else. So far some of the brands that have come through that I already love are Roost (always have cool home decor) and Serena & Lily (sweet nursery decor). Arte Italia is coming up tomorrow and I can't wait to see what products are going to be listed since we are collecting their dinnerware for our china - love them!!

Anyway, it's free to sign up and browse the sales as they come through. Take a peak if you have a chance. You never know if you will find that magical piece for your home at maybe a manageable price. Enjoy!

12.04.2009

Birds in Flight Mobile


Ok, if I can just get back on the blog train. Ever since Vivienne was born I feel like I am not out in the "real" world to find inspirations to post about. Everything is focused around her - finding the best baby bowl, toys, clothes, etc...I have become such a mom!!! When did that happen? Oh yeah, 11 months ago.

So this post isn't straying from the baby bubble I am in, but well...here it is. I have a crafty heart, but when it comes to actually doing crafts I tend to shy away because I don't want to deal with all the mess and sometimes it costs more to make something than going out and buying it. However, I wanted to make something for my daughter before she was born and I couldn't find a mobile I could stomach so my mobile idea was "born".


I wanted to incorporate birds in to her nursery to go along with the nature/branch theme I was creating. I used heavy wool fabric for the birds with contrasting yarn in a whip stitch. They were super simple and I could make it up as I went along (my kind of craft!). My husband then went out in the backyard to hunt for the perfect straight sticks to hang the stuffed birds from. It's been many months now that Vivienne's mobile has been hanging from her crib and I don't' know how much she gazes up at her mobile and thanks her mom for taking the time to make something so sweet just for her...but I feel good as her mom that I made something for my sweet pea. Oh and it cost less than $10!