Double or triple your wreaths.

Is it too late to add to my Christmas decorating?
I found this chandelier wreath and so wish I had time to make it this year!!!  I would put it above my sink in my kitchen (where I spend the most time).  Of course using fresh evergreen is what would make it so wonderful and fragrant.  I might skip the bows and replace them with white or red fluffy feathers for my taste.
I wonder how they froze the ice in these glass cylinders?  Is it crushed ice?  Whatever it is, it's lovely with the layers of holly and berries.  Registered in my head for my Christmas brunch next year.
MarthatStewart.com
Aren't these red wreaths simply beautiful on this staircase?  I like a less fussy look.  Keeps it clean and less cluttered.
MarthaStewart.com
This triple wreath idea for the front door is so inviting!
Grandinroad
I think it is too late to add decorations now because it means I have to take more down later and I don't need one more thing on my "to do" list. 
I'll put these ideas in my 2011Christmas file.
Ruthie
Visit DecRenew Interiors to be inspired with more of my ideas.

An entertaining book for your Christmas list

I know I just wrote a blog entry but I heard about this wonderful book today and have just ordered it!  I thought I'd pass the details on to you. 
"Simple, Cheap & Chic Entertaining, When You're Tired, Busy and on a Budget"
 by
 Rhonda N. Grote.
  Order here from Amazon.com for your friends on your Christmas list.
This caption caught my eye right away....
The book that challenges politically correct party planning & hospitality, so that you can entertain more often.
Rhonda  is a woman after my own heart.   This is what she says about her book: "It encourages and inspires people to truly entertain their guests and have others over more often. Sharing your life with others is a gift for your guests...and for you." 
I'm all over that!  We have become a society where we are too busy to spend time with people all year round.  We shouldn't JUST be spending time with family and friends during the holiday season?? 
Woman's Day Magazine
You've heard me talk about that before on the blog and you know that this is my passion and one of the reasons that I started DecRenew Interiors and this blog.  I wanted families to gather in their homes and enjoy their space TOGETHER.  It doesn't have to be over the top expensive.  It can be beautiful, comfy, functional and within your budget.  This topic gets me so excited!
Visit Rhonda's blog too (Really Relish) .  Great ideas and fun for entertaining in your home.

Ruthie
Visit DecRenew Interiors (my website) to be inspired.

Deck the house with a party

My husband and I had a little party today over lunch in our home.  Always fun to stop the day for something that feels festive.  I always prefer being in a home vs. a restaurant, don't you?  We made homemade lasagna and it was a tag team effort.  My husband made the sauce and I made the lasagna.  We served it with ceasar salad and fresh bread from Central Market.  When hosting a party, not everything has to be homemade.  You would never entertain if that was the case.  My philosophy is to make it easy on yourself so you aren't stressed out.  When the hostess is relaxed then everyone has fun!
I ordered these little bundt cakes from Nothingbundtcakes.  Like their motto says "they are so good, you wish there wasn't a hole in them."  I did put the little decorative toothpicks in each cake because I thought they weren't dressed up enough.  It made the platter looks so much happier.  They are delicious little nuggets.
When throwing a party, the dessert is key in my opinion.  I had tried these before and knew they would be a hit.
Holiday punch was enjoyed by all.
Glass candy cane straws and wreath decor for each glass.
(shh, shh,  I used this idea at my last party but different people so we are okay)
My Christmas plates were happy to see the world.
Real holly makes things feel so like Christmas is here.
  Wow is it ever prickly!
A pop of red is needed at any Holiday party. 
  
Touches outdoors!  Jing a ling.
Finally cold enough today for a fire!
The wall sconces don't feel left out now that they are decked out with garland.
I finally have a few gifts wrapped.  My elves are slow this year.
Starbucks coffee for all.  What's a party without after dessert coffee.  My husband bought me these new china cups for an early Christmas present a couple weeks ago when we were in Jefferson, TX over Thanksgiving.
Bought one of these little stands for some of my friends on my Christmas list and of course one for us/me!  It is so much fun to write grocery lists, to do's, notes to each other, etc.  I'll use it as my menu card for parties too!
 
As you can see, my girls are already loving it.
Didn't take long.
A package above the refrigerator is noticed by every kid that enters.
A little elf stocking adds whimsy.
It is in my blood, I love to entertain and have guests in our home.  It brings joy to me and makes it feel like the holiday season!  We had great conversation, lots of fun and laughter.
That makes me happy.
Hope your weekend is wonderful.
 I'm sure you have a party or two to attend.
Participating in Tablescape Thursday.
Click above to read more entries.
Ruthie
The key to your decorating needs!
Visit DecRenew Interiors Website to be inspired.

DecRenew Organization for 2011

I was recently at an estate sale and found 5 of these black storage boxes.
I've learned that I love to find a treasure but have put one rule in place to keep me in check.  If I find something great, I must put it to use right away.   If I don't have time to do that, I don't purchase it.  I feel like this rule keeps me from becoming a hoarder.  If the items needs to be painted, repaired, etc. then I have to evaluate whether I have the time that week to do it or not.  If I don't, I don't purchase it.  It is a hard rule to go by but I have to do this or my garage would be full and my husband would kick me out there with all my stuff!

This week, I've been extremely busy finishing up a clients home so they can have all their final decor in their home before Christmas!  However, I decided I wanted the boxes badly enough and could stay up really late one evening to accomplish my goal (a girl will find time to do what a girl wants to do).   I've put my new boxes in my office and have created the new labels for each of the items in the box.
I don't like having disorganized, junky shelves but have to be practical about having my printer paper, photo paper, sketching pens, etc. at my fingertips. 
Problem solved now and everything is hidden away and I am happy...
yawn, yawn!
By the way, the boxes cost me $5.00 for all - Yippee!!
Ruthie
Visit DecRenew Interiors to see before and after pictures of my projects.

Budget ideas for your Christmas wrapping, bows and tags

Every year when it comes to wrapping my presents, I always try to find paper that isn't too Christmasy.  It seems that I always have tons left over.  My time is valuable and I like to stock up on my supplies and keep them throughout the year in my wrapping paper station (an old antique armoire that was given to us).  
Picture by google images
I thought I would give you some tips for your shopping this year and get you inspired to choose the right items to save you cash and time.
WRAPPING PAPER
When selecting my wrapping paper, tissue paper, bows and tags, I usually try to choose things that I can use all year round for any event that creeps up on me.



The above paper is actually wedding paper.  There is no reason why it couldn't be used for any occasion.  Tied with a red or gold bow would make it very festive for Christmas.
Purchase at Container Store
Red wood grain from Container Store
Red paper is a GREAT choice but this doesn't scream Christmas which allows you to use it all year.  Tie it with a black or gold bow and you are good to go for your holiday gifts under the tree.
Container Store
The wood grain paper is perfect for the man or co-worker in your life.
Leopard - Container Store
You can't go wrong with an animal print.  A gold metallic bow or red satin bow would make the person receiving this amazingly wrapped gift feel really special and excited.
Copper Tapestry - Container Store

This paper is so classy.  I Love the design because it is traditional yet has whimsical personality. 
 Quick Ruthie Tip: Any wrapping paper would make a beautiful place mat under a plate for your Christmas table.  Cut with decorative scissors around the edges and you have a really sophisticated table setting in no time and for little expense.  It can be used as a table runner too.
Herringbone - Container Store
I think this Herringbone paper is my favorite this year. Tie your package with a red bow and you instantly have a WOW present.  For the rest of the year you could tie a white, cream, pink, lime green, turquoise or any other color satin or wired ribbon bow around this package and it would be so striking.
Bohemian - Container Store
My oldest daughter will go nuts for this paper.  Tied with a lime green tulle bow and a fun sparkly copper or gold tag and your teenage girls will be thinking you are so cool.  Her friends will love it too.
The paper can be used for birthday parties all year long.
You might be the person that can't stand to be generic and want your wrapping to be totally personalized.  Well you got it.  Go to Giftskins.com and go crazy designing your paper for your family!!!
Quick Ruthie Tip:  You could design your own paper and decoupage it on your walls as a wallpaper treatment.    They don't just have Christmas paper that you can design.  Imagine how fun it would be to put pictures of your vacations at the end of a hallway wall or even on a side table or coffee table. 
Can you believe this is wrapping paper?
TAGS
Who wouldn't love these vintage tags hanging off their presents?  So adorable! 
Anything sparkly added to a gift is so much fun.
Etsy
I've got to have these vintage tags, they won me over!  The red satin ribbon makes them stunning.
Simple brown bags are perfect for generic wrapping.  I keep a these in every size on hand at all times.  You can enhance them with fun tissue paper, beautiful bows or you can even STAMP THEM (see below)
This stamp would be perfect on any brown gift  bag.  You can use a silver or gold metallic paint on the stamp and it looks very classy.  Black would show up nicely too.
Any craft store has these Metallic Acrylic paints in a variety of colors.
How about having your own family stamp made?   It could even be your family crest. 
This stamp is for a Birthdays, Showers or Weddings
  
This bag could have some red paper added or even a leopard print paper and you would be good to go.  Add a touch of Christmas by adding one of the red sparkly tags above that I mentioned and now you are set.
Pink ribbon tied to a chocolate brown bag is always true perfection.
Quick Ruthie Tip:  Glue gun grosgrain ribbon to the top and bottom of the bag on each side and you have something custom made immediately.
Amazon.com
Wouldn't these  leather embossed bags be amazing with some silver or copper metallic tissue paper added.  No reason why you can't make something look like it is suppose to be for the holiday season.  Love these bags for hostess gifts.
BOWS
You can't go wrong with a satin ribbon. It always looks so crisp on a package.  I like to choose a two sided ribbon so you have more choices when you are wrapping.  It also looks nice to see two colors on the gift.
Tulle is another one of my favorite ways to wrap a gift.  Wrap around the present a few times and tie a nice bow and it looks like a million bucks was spent.  Be bold and use multiple colors!
If you are doing a lot of wrapping then a ribbon that has wire in it is ALWAYS makes it easy.  I especially like it because if the kids are helping me wrap, you cannot mess a bow up.  Perfect for those that don't feel crafty.
Bend it to the right position you want and it always turns out GREAT.  

HOPE SOME OF THESE IDEAS AND TIPS HELPED YOU WITH YOUR GIFT WRAPPING SELECTIONS THIS YEAR.
Last year I used a black and white swirl paper and I have used it all year for gifts with a variety of ribbons and bows.
We are all watching our budgets and I hope you save some time and money this year with these holiday tips.
Ruthie
Go to my website to see additional pictures that will inspire you with your decorating!
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