Christmas Decor

While growing up our Christmas decorations went up fairly late. I didn't know people actually got in the spirit the day after Thanksgiving until I was an adult. I still don't do that, but now is the time my mind starts "decorating" and soon, all will be put into place and be festive. Since I am still in the "gathering" phase I thought it would be fun to see what is already up for this season.

Southern Living

Magnolia leaves are plenty here in the south...love the creativity of the giant shell with the gold ornaments that compliment the vase beautifully.

Southern Living

Silver is my favorite and I am quite fond of the mercury glass that is so popular now. I have started my own collection to mix in with other silver pieces.

I love these images that Tracery Interiors (visit blog here) posted of some work they have done in Birmingham, AL. Simple but welcoming.

One would not think that in the south there would be so many beautiful evergreens. I enjoy so much going out into my yard and cutting different varieties to bring indoors. Tracery Interiors did such a spectacular job...

Horchow

Atlanta Homes and Lifestyles /Gretchen Edwards Designs

I love these white branches adorned with ornaments...makes quite a nice statement.

Atlanta Homes and Lifestyles/Gretchen Edwards Designs

Southern Living

Southern Living

Note the silver ribbon around the base of the candle mixed in with silver and hydrangeas.

Country Living

A home in Canada with the beauty of winter through the window, a simple vase with evergreens. (the puppy looks like my grand-dog Erma!)

Country Living

Country Living

I am just loving the apple green color for the season!

Country Living

I hope this sweet horse has her coat on! So tell me...what colors are you favoring this season? Do you like a fresh cut tree each year or one that lovingly gets put together each year? In the past we have gone and cut our own tree and when we cannot do that we support those that make a living growing trees. Snow is in the mountains nearby and cold is in the air...time to go make some hot chocolate!

Christmas Inspiration

Thanksgiving was lovely quiet, all the men were here, a treasure indeed. Now my thoughts are going to decorate and make festive, our home for Christmas.

I love the fragrance of winter evergreens,

perhaps with a mix of dried hydrangeas.

Have you ever experienced Christmas at the Biltmore in Asheville, NC?

Be sure and put on your 'top 10' list of "must do's". It is a wonder and a spectacular sight to see.

I enjoy seeing what others do, don't you? I took a look back to Christmas '08 to see what some bloggers did. Michelle Morelan of A Schematic Life.

A Christmas from Down Under, Anna Spiro of Absolutely Beautiful Things.

Eddie Ross

Katie Denham of Katiedid

Linda at Lime in the Coconut

Southern Living Magazine

Mrs. Blandings

Valorie Hart the Visual Vamp

Ingela at Love your Homes (Sweden)

What do you like to do? Do the same things go in the same spot? I like to mix it up a bit. I also go through and purge of things I have not used in the last few. I did a 'big girl' tree the last couple of years and my sons wondered where all of their ornaments were. So, out they will come this year.

Happy Thanksgiving!

After you have gobbled up your turkey and all that makes you happy, why not add this to your dessert buffet?

Pumpkin Gingerbread Trifle

I saw this last night at Urban Grace Interiors and stole from her!

Of course we all know that imitation is the highest form of flattery! I am on my way to get the ingredients right now! You can find the recipe here!

So, sweet friends, enjoy your family and friends and count your many blessings one by one!

xx

The Brickmaker's Table - Who will win?

My good 'bloggy' friend Brooke at Velvet and Linen posed this question a few weeks ago, "Can you create your own design style even if you buy some pieces from a catalogue?"

One of the comments came from Mark Sage of Bobo Intriguing Objects right here in Atlanta, and this is what he had to say...

"Some of you attended a Catholic school. There were certain girls that just looked “different”… better. How could this be when the uniform was all the same? The answer of course was the way they WORE that uniform."

"If six different people had the EXACT same coffee table, it would look COMPLETELY different in six different settings. It still comes down to how you place it, the other pieces surrounding it, the shape and color of the room and how you accessorize that table. Putting your personal touches to a reproduction piece can be very rewarding."

Mark and Brooke put their heads together and came up with a competition! Mark generously offered to give 3 of these tables away. Brooke asked for those interested to send her a picture of the room where they felt this lovely table would fit. Well, wouldn't you know that those out in blog land went crazy and Brooke had pictures of 170 rooms?! She then called on some her design bloggy friends to help her choose. We had to send her our top 5.
Do you have any idea how difficult this was? There were indeed many outstanding rooms.

These are just a "tease" of the contestants. Click on over to Brooke's blog Velvet and Linen to see the rest of the rooms and look at the top right corner and place your vote! Only one vote please.