mom’s woodsy tree December 13, 2008

So, mom’s actual tree…not the glitterfied sparkle-mania, but an actual tree…had a woodsy theme this year. Almost soley made up of pinecones and acorns, this tree really is fun. She sprayed the edges of real Tahoe Forest pinecones with white paint to give them a dusting of snow- seems we aren’t getting the real thing this year, so paint will have to suffice! She also grouped together two-three small acorns to make bigger bundles which create more of a statement. Moss balls were tossed in amongst the ornaments to enhance the natural elements. The tree is great, as you can see.

oh, and she made that cute little detail encrusted, festive wreath in the picture below that hangs on a bough. Very cute, what a great gift! Interested? She makes and sells these handmade beauties!

Mom part 3- entertainment center December 10, 2008

Opposite of my parent’s beautiful fireplace, on the other end of the living room is this very cool, custom entertainment center. (Dad was watching t.v. when I was taking pictures. Those are his legs dangling off the sofa!)

On the left side of this entertainment center, mom filled a cool three tiered wire basket with old fashioned ornaments. Cool. She also displayed her  santa and snowmen collection on the shelves. She and I have been exchanging snowmen each year for the past several. It’s quite fun…speaking of, I need to find this years…we always try to look for something out of the ordinary. Handmade or from a boutique. Let me know if you’ve seen something fun!

On the right side she pulled together angels. Some of these are antiques and others are more recognizable as current. I love how she displayed her antique angels under the bell jar. Cute!

Mom part 2- fireplace December 10, 2008

Mom’s beautiful fireplace mantle has a great wreath she made with natural elements- sticks, moss, nest, etc. She could sell these, don’t you think? She pulled the entry’s glittery silver theme into the living room.  She was contemplating adding more- more greenery, etc. I said to leave it. Who knows, it’s probably changed by now! Isn’t the symmetry refreshing? I wouldn’t have thought to use orchids. They have a simplicity that tones down the glitteryness. Pulled together very nicely, mama.

Contest…calling all contest junkies! December 4, 2008

I need your help! Below are pictures of our one and only guestroom. It’s really simple, cute and fresh as is. But it needs some help. I have gone with a chartreuse and white theme, with a little red thrown in for the season. There are two main things that I need help with…as you can see! First, a wall color. Second, something to hang over the bed. I am open to a headboard.

What you should know…I am looking for budget friendly ideas. I like simplicity. I like the idea of modern rustic. I don’t like things you see everywhere. I want something unique. I am visual…I need pictures…but descriptions work too.

Please submit your ideas by next Monday, December 8. I will pick the idea that I like the most and send the winner a super cool, handmade prize just in time for the holidays! So, get those creative juices flowing and send in all your ideas!

Thank you!!!!

Guest Bath Makeover December 4, 2008

We painted one of our two bathrooms a couple weeks back. I knew exactly the direction I wanted to go with the room. The vanity, tile and toilet are all white. I thought it would be cool to use a grayish green color on all walls to really contrast with the white. My dearest friend, A, gave me a cool hanging tree silhouette, that I’ve needed the perfect room for…low and behold…the toilet. No offense A. Since it was white it would work perfectly.

I chose Valspar Grandma’s Linen as the color. It took hubby a few days to get the walls perfected. He did a great job with no complaints. The color was perfect with the little glass accent tiles that were in our backsplash. The walls are a lot bluer than I thought, but I really like it.

I finished the room with a feminine shower current. A knock off of one that I have been eyeing for months at Anthropologie. Super cute ruffly fun. I settled for saving $70 by going with the Target version.

Here is the final result. What do you think?

Puppy dog eyes December 3, 2008

Dakota went to the doctor’s office today for a quick visit to see if the vomiting and lethargy is something more than what we were hoping…He was a very good boy. Before taking him in, I gave him a quick “grooming” if you will…brush, brush, brush and spritz, spritz, spritz. Now my car smells like lavender dog- at least it isn’t hairy. We waited out front of the vet’s office where he decided he was going to be a lap dog. Now I am covered in hair. The car is still clean.

The doctor gave him a shot for his nausea and noted the discomfort in his belly. So, tonight he will be getting the royal treatment. Lots of love with a side of chicken and rice! Maybe we’ll eat that too. Mmmm.

“I don’t feel so good”

sad eyes

 

Give and you shall receive December 3, 2008

Hubby and I decided that this year, being our first Christmas as husband and wife, first year with our very own house…I mean mortgage, that we will be purchasing a joint gift- something practical for the house. We definitely have different ideas of what “practical for the house” is. My dear, sweet husband thinks a big, flat screen t.v. is necessary. I don’t. With a new t.v. a stand/entertainment console is a must. (It’s desperately needed anyway). There are lots of other ‘things’ we need for the house, but I am learning, very quickly to give. If I don’t fight this t.v. idea then he will be more willing to let me do the choosing of the furniture and who knows what else. It worked like I expected. Although I did give my two cents about the size of this t.v.

So, last night we purchased the Tahoe Media Console at Cost Plus. It wasn’t my first choice, but it was half the price as my first choice. Hubby spent about a half hour putting it together. He can do anything. Not one curse word or bead of sweat. Before purchasing the piece, I researched it online and checked out reviews by customers. Out of about 16, two of them had a hard time putting the piece together. Not my handy man.

So, next is the flat screen…so we don’t have a hokey t.v. on top of a beautiful new console. Tonight we will put it in place and maybe do some accessorizing…

When you give, you get and vice versa. Not too difficult. I may actually get a hang of this marriage thing.

as requested… December 2, 2008

here are some details from the tree . unfortunately the camera doesn’t do it justice. the glittery branches are awesome.

detailed view

mossy branch

detailed view

textures

Christmas is coming…time to decorate! December 1, 2008

The activity to entertain the inlaws that we decided on was….christmas tree hunting. It was a foggy day down in the valley but once we got up to Apple Hill it was gorgeous. We stopped at a tree farm and it only took us about 20 minutes before we found the one. We picked it, just K and I. No unsolisited input from others was accepted. Nope, it was ours! Then we were off to other Apple Hill activites including apple cider doughnuts, a delecacy that my brother swears are the best ever…I just think they taste like doughnuts. After the hour trip home I was ready to bite into our leftovers and start pulling out Christmas stuff!

Saturday morning everyone left! Yeah!!! K went hunting and took the dog. I was all by myself! You never quite know how great that is until you have it. Time for me to do what I want. Clean the house and decorate. So….

Tree was set in place and I knew my theme. I played off of my wedding theme- chartreuse and chocolate brown. I added golds, silver and lots of glitter! Mom brought branches back from Tahoe, some with moss covering them and some skinny and clean. They really filled in the tree. I didn’t buy anything! I repurposed my shower curtain for the tree skirt! Used ornaments that I have collected and filled in with the sticks. What do you think?

I used the branches from the bottom of the tree and some Tahoe branches to fill in around the candles on the mantle. A few key ornaments make it sparkle. The Happy Holidays sign hangs over our mirror to greet guests when they first come in. When the fire is roaring it looks awesome. This fire…well, we were trying to let it burn out because Dakota is totally freaked out by it. He’ll follow me around the house as I tell him “back to your bed…on your bed…go on Dakota on your bed”…poor guy.

one holiday down… December 1, 2008

So I had a busy week…Thanksgiving happened. Our first in our new home as hubby and wife. We shared it with both sets of parents and K’s sister. The food was delicious! That’s what its all about afterall. Thanks mom for the mashed po’s and stuffing. She always pulls through with delectable dishes. K cooked some turkey breasts….as we weren’t ready to try the real deal. I love keeping it simple. Or at least attempting to. I threw together a wild rice/walnut/craisin dish, some green beans and delicious salad with a dash of homemade Port in the dressing. I served up some delicious Lodi reds after champagne and pom cocktails. Thanks Mandy.

The table looked quite cute I must say. For the centerpeice, I recycled wine bottles and even a few beer bottles. Cleaned them up, stuck some sticks and foliage in them and added a few votive for sparkle. The placesettings consisted of two different placemats on clearance at Pier One, a brown floral and a brown zebra print. I actually got to use my new dishes and silverware and purchased some cute stemless mushroom colored glasses also on clearance at Pier One. Had the napkins- some khaki linen and some olive green. This is a photo while it was a work in progress.

get the idea?

anyway, so all in all it was a nice holiday. the in laws stayed three nights so I needed activities….we headed up the road to Apple Hill for some Christmas tree hunting. Check the next post for more.