Holiday Ornaments from Home

I have been TERRIBLE about blogging. Just returned home from a trip to Florida to celebrate the holiday with the Hubs family. Did you know that it could be 30 degrees in Orlando? Me Neither! I am doing a bit of catch up here, but promise to blog more in 2011. I am really finding it so much fun and holds me somewhat accountable for my ideas.

I really really really love our Xmas tree and am dreading the thought of having to bring it down. Luckily, some Facebook friends schooled me on Twelfth Night. So it will stay for another week at least.

I went shopping today at Pottery Barn and West Elm to pillage through the heavily discounted holiday ornaments. Aren't they pretty?
Another addition to the tree this year... gifted from Santa of course was this pretty one from Paloma's Nest. It has our wedding date and a heart over central CA. This would have been a cool wedding day gift for him had I thought about it sooner.
And this was my favorite new addition from last year from Nate. I love it and am temped to continue to collect Polar Bear ornaments for a theme tree someday when I am 50 something.

It can't be naked!

I just bought Xmas tree skirt last night. It is a terrible picture, but $30 isn't so bad compared to the lovely from Pottery Barn at $120. I figured the ivory will be able to stand the test of time for after I fall out of my "vintage,rustic, burlap, twine phase" (not to be confused with country bumpkin okay!)and will hopefully transfer well in the many years to come.
Here are some more lovelies to share that I have found and am currently drooling over.

1.) ETSY found here

2.) Pottery Barn

3.) ETSY found here ( this one should be for Rose, for her grey and white tree next year)

4.) Ebay found here

5. Horchow found here. (wish I had a bigger picture of this $600+ beauty)

It's that time again...

We are back after a week long excursion eating, drinking, laughing, and did I already say eating, in Oregon. We drove up stayed in Ashland on the way up to Portland and again on the way back from McMinnville. There was also alot of "This American Life" bumping. I would say that we had the best time, but really it was Ms. Delilah who benefited the most. She got to run wild and get all muddy on the Vineyard AND she got to sleep in the beds with us at the Hotels. Lucky dog, huh.

So this week, I am working on some major catch up on some Holiday projects I am working on and then... we will be decorating the place. Can't wait to get the tree! I will be posting all holiday love all month!

For the record... we had our Xmas tree ornaments stolen out of our garage last year (WHO THE F*%K DOES THAT??) So this year, the tree will be decorated in vintage , as in my old, as in from the early years, as in the 80s holiday ornaments. Including this one--- which says 1980 on it.

DIY Holiday Brainstorms

Okay, so it is officially NOVEMBER! Which means it is officially time to start planning for the holidays! We are going to be spending Xmas with the Streu's in Florida. We will for sure be making this a big part of our holiday visit. Don't be jealous.

So I want to start documenting some of the DIY ideas for holiday gifts I would love to attempt if not too lazy....

How about a screen printed bag for a sewing kit? Like this one from Same Made. Or should I just buy them? Cause I know with trial and error I will spend more than that if I try myself.

How about screen printing some napkins. Could I copy these adorable ones from Emersonmade?

Or how about these easy flavored sugars, yet packaged ridiculously perfect. From Chewing the Cud. Here is the DIY tutorial from SMP from last year.

I hope I don't spoil any surprises... but my mom has been cooking up some adorable gift bags with chalk board fabric. Yep, that's right CHALK BOARD FABRIC. What?! These are in the spirit of Halloween....

The Great Pumpkin

My mom sent me the above picture of her cold weather projects from last weekend and it got me so excited about Halloween. My mom always made a great effort at Halloween, so I think this blog entry is definitely a dedication to her. :)

Here are some of the tools she used. Also, you can download the pattern from Martha's website here.

And presto- beautiful. Not a bad picture either. WELL DONE, Mom!

Has anyone ever heard of the "Great Pumpkin", who comes to your doorstep the night of Halloween to collect candy that we leave for it? Here's how the tradition goes:

Step 1. Trick or Treat in your snazziest of kiddie costume.
Step 2. Come home and sort your candy into what you want and what you can give to the Great Pumpkin. The size of contribution to the GP indicates the size of gift he leaves for you. For example: 1/2 pound = Stickers. 1lb = Barbie. 2lb= Barbie Car
Step 3. Leave it on the door step for the GP.
Step 4. Open door morning after Halloween for a surprise.


This tradition will definitely be passed to our kids. However, I will do my best to trash the candy instead of stashing it for my own late night munchies/desserts. ( Yeah, Mom- we found the brown paper bag in the cupboard above the pantry).

My mom made me some of the coolest Halloween Costumes every year. Here is a list of just some:

1.) Carmen Miranda - with wax fruit on hat. Classic!
2.) Mother Nature - basically a Jesus Costume with leaves all over me.
3.) 50s Girl- every girl wears a poodle skirt once, right?
4.) Mrs. Claus- this one was more of an adult costume, it did include battery operated Xmas lights.
5.) Bunch of Grapes- this was a costume for lip sync contest. Temptations "Heard it Through the Grapevine." Won 1st place for Best Costume. Won 2nd place for lip singing. What? .... ever.

Thanks Mom!! You are the best! Seriously.