Standing Tall

Today we put up a 20 foot tree in a business lobby.   This is our 3rd year to do this for them and it's always lots of work but fun.  Essilor is a provider of vision and vision care products.
This is their color scheme and you can see that I decorated the tree very simply with the colors that compliment their decor (Silver and ice blue).
STEP 1
STEP 2
STEP 3
Next, all the decorations.
DONE!
Now the stairway banister.
You can see the guys on the scaffolding in this picture.
What goes up, MUST come down!

Thanksgiving/Christmas in Madrid

Our family went to Madrid, Spain for Thanksgiving to visit our good friends.  We had an amazing trip with a 3 day trip to Paris as well.

Over the next few weeks I'll post some pictures from our fabulous experiences as well as some of the treasures that I found along the way. It was a trip of a lifetime and we are so grateful to our friends Jason and Becca for making it possible for us.  They were truly so generous to us! 

I thought I'd start by showing you some photo's of what downtown Madrid looked like the night before we left.  We were fortunate that they had just lit up the whole downtown and we got to experience a bit of their Christmas before we left.  I say a "bit" but it was GRAND.  We all walked downtown and it was AMAZING to see what they do for this special holiday.  Some of these photo's were taken in the car so I apologize if they aren't the greatest.

My favorite - the photo doesn't do it justice.  All the snowflakes were falling...it was breathtaking.
Their Christmas Trees were all so very different.  Each one unique.  Loved this one!  We counted about 12 of these great big trees and I'm sure there were more.
The "bubble" street
This tree was stunning.
I'm crazy about the blue and white lights together.
All the trees had such beautiful color!
These lights were over the wrought iron gates.
Giant present-imagine if this was your balcony?
The Love tree
This is how each street looked. 
Each street had different lighted ornaments hanging.
Simply beautiful!  My neck was sore from looking up but I couldn't help myself!  I was in heaven.
The girls loved these butterflies.
Enjoy your Christmas decorating!

Swags, feather's and pearls - Tablescape Thursday

Christmas Dinner for friends. 
My inspiration for this table was the above Christmas swag.  See below for pictures of other swags.  I purchased it because I fell in love with the colors.  They aren't the typical red and green colors we all usually have for Christmas and it goes really well in my house!
I wanted to create height on the table and knew that I could do that with "something I already own".  I finally figured out that I had a tall wrought iron topiary in my garden.  I cleaned it all up and spray painted it.

Placed the wrought iron topiary (as seen above) in the middle of the table and then draped the swag on top of it.  I then filled the rest of the topiary in with live Christmas clippings from my local tree farm.  Added ribbon and that was my centerpiece.  I also put some sparkly silver feathers and some white "real" feather's at the top of the topiary to add some whimsy and interest.

I used king size pillowcases for the chair covers in a wonderful gold satin color.   (My best friend Suzanne is in setup mode here with me - she's the absolute best ever!!!!)
A black tablecloth always makes for a great backdrop.  After I put the black table cloth on the table, I just used a bolt of fabric around the table and pinned it securely.  I eventually used this fabric to re-upholster my chair which I've posted before.

 I found the green charger plates at a thrift store about 3 years ago if you can believe that! There were 8 of them and I was tearing them off the shelf as fast as I could. I love the holly leaves on them. Who would give them away?  Paid $2.00 for each plate!!
Tied the napkin with some burnt orange ribbon to complement the ribbon on the swag and added some winter acorns.  Each person had a handwritten name tag  (slipped into my silver name tag holder's) and their own personal sparkly feather.


I added some pearl garland around the centerpiece and that finished it off complimenting the silver feather's.
Go to Between Naps On The Porch to see more wonderful tablescapes.

Talented Artists

I've got three incredible artists that I want to introduce you to this Holiday Season!!
My very creative friend Sheila is so very talented. With Christmas around the corner, she has something gorgeous for everyone on your list.   
Visit Sheila's blog at designs4faith to see her beautiful cards, crosses, decorative boxes and canvases. 
She does such gorgeous, detailed work!!
Since we were just talking about "hostess gifts" the below note cards would be perfect for someone hosting a party this season.  Go here to see my post about "hostess gifts"
This cross is stunning and layered with pebbles.  It's nice and large too!  Great quality and a great price.

She has an amazing selection of coasters too!  Very unique!  I have some of these and all my guests comment about them whenever they are used.
Visit her blog and place your order.  She can create your custom order today.
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I also wanted to introduce you to a very talented Cheryl Singleton Holmen
 She is a crafter of Crystal Crossbottles, Shell Bottles and other crystal designs soldered to vintage bottles and decanters.
 She has worked in stained glass for over 30 years. You may have seen her “Message on a Bottle” Shell and Stone Bottles in Wisteria's Catalog. Wisteria featured her in their September 4, 2009 Blog: here. These bottles are growing in popularity and have been seen in House Beautiful, Country Living Magazine, California Home and other publications, as well as gift shows and the various Marts around the country.

Her prices start at $20. She uses lead free silver solder on all her bottles.

Visit her website http://www.crossbottles.com/ to see more pictures of her work.

Aren't these bottles stunning!
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Another wonderful artist that I've been hearing all kinds of buzz about in our area is Valeria with Bijou Jewels
Valerie makes incredible jewelry.  Her latest is this beautiful necklace with interchangeable inserts.
Below are a few of my favorite items.

I own a blown glass piece and EVERY time I wear it, I get compliments.
Great quality jewelry!
Happy Shopping, enjoy!
Ruthie

Hostess Gifts

(My centerpiece last year)
(The pink Protea's are the South African flower)

Many of us are going to friends and family for Thanksgiving.
We all know that it's nice to take some kind of hostess gift but what do you take?
Hostess thank you gifts don’t have to be expensive or big. You are just making a token thank you gesture for the time and effort made by the hostess to include you. The most important part is to be gracious and make sure the hostess feels appreciated.
THANK YOU!

 Here are a few ideas:

Wouldn't you LOVE to receive this mini pumpkin cheesecake as your gift? 

Or these wonderful sugar cookies?

These coasters would make someone happy too.  Very personal.


Above items all from Horchow

I'm absoloutely nuts about these doorknob bottle stopper's.

Perfect for those who have everything!
A beautiful snowflake ornament could be hung anywhere, no  matter what your style.  The above items found at Pottery Barn

I had a party a couple years ago and one of my dear friends gave me dish towels with my initials on them.  I've used them so much and felt so special to receive such a personalized gift.

Any dishtowel can be initialed.  Target has some beautiful ones that you can buy and have personalized as well.

Thought these coaster's were great for a guy (silver with leather is a great combination).  More of a masculine touch.  I'd love them too!  Pottery Barn has these.


Everyone loves flowers!  If you are going to take flowers to your hostess, make sure that you take them in a vase.  The hostess is usually really busy and doesn't have time to find a vase to put her flowers in once you arrive.  If they are all ready to go she will really appreciate that!
Another gift I recieved once (the best ever) was a basket with goodies for us for breakfast the next morning.  She filled the basket with breads, muffins, etc.  It was wonderful the next day because all I had to do was brew my coffee.
If you don't take a  hostess gift that's fine, it's not expected.  However, do write a thank you card.  Here is a great website for cards that you can send online with your handwriting for about a $1.00 a card.  Perfect for business thank you's too! 

Have fun finding a treasure for your hostess this year!