Tomorrow is December 1st and the beginning of the holiday season! The houses along my street are being decorated with lights and wreathes today. It's time to start thinking about cards before we get too busy and forget...I always do! Here are few I've found that all feel kinda folky and share the color red. All great choices. Stay tuned this week for more holiday cards, decorating ideas, and gift guides.
Today I am relaxing and recovering from thanksgiving festivities. I just want to stay home today and do nothing but maybe make some cranberry bread. I had to share these cute state bird prints from Dutch Door Press before I forgot. So cute! Would be sweet in a little girl's room. Just $15 for a 5 x 7 letterpress print. Buy now: littlepaperairplanes.com.
Labels: affordable artwork, kids
In no way are these pillows budget-friendly. Prices start at $299 each. The colors and textures are totally beautiful. My favorite is the pillow above. Great inspiration to steal for our own diy projects! Maybe a quilt? I've always wanted to make a quilt. Maybe this is my chance? Check out more: thisisauto.com.
Labels: pillows
I just got the new dec/jan issue in the mail from domino! So good. I was checking out their new holiday gift guide when I came across these awesome recycled wool blankets. So cute and a total steal for just $29 each. I just ordered two! Purchase now: royaloak.fatcow.com.
Labels: textiles
Tis' the season for cookie recipes. Check out gourmet.com's new online cookie feature: Gourmet's Favorite Cookies 1941-2008. I was eyeing a few that I want to make right now. I'm too tired of being in the kitchen. Actually I'm more sick of doing dishes. Maybe next week. You should make some cookies tonight and send them to me! Check out the cookie recipes: gourmet.com.
I hope everyone had a nice relaxing thanksgiving. We celebrated our first thanksgiving in our new house with family. I took a few shots of dinner in the oven and ready to serve (above and below). For lunch today we made turkey pot pies with the leftovers. So good! What did you make with your thanksgiving leftovers?
Be the first to go and check out my $1 holiday gifts story over at domino. With this $1 story I tried to concentrate on more handmade gifts and vintage finds. Many of the gifts were made from things I had lying around the house. As my boyfriend always reminds me, "You don't have to go out and buy everything new!" I remind myself in these tough economic times to spend less and really think about what I spend my money on. Check out the my $1 story for inspiration and budget saving gift ideas: dominomag.com.
For more budget friendly decorating ideas including my first $1 design finds story click here.
p.s. I had a sweepstakes for budget holiday gift ideas. The winner: macaroni snowflake ornaments. Make them now!
Labels: $1 design finds, accessories, diy, gifts
So I went a little crazy yesterday afternoon and painted the upstairs hallway. I really didn't need to start another project but I just wanted the walls painted. Four rolls into the process I realized it was a bad idea. The walls have major dents, cracks, and dings. We probably need to put in all new wallboard. I got really frustrated because nothing in this house is as easy as painting a few walls. I was about to give up but then realized it looked worse with a few streaks of paint just left on wall. So I pretty much said, "fuck it" and just painted the whole thing.
I knew I would hear it from my boyfriend when he got home (which I did) and asked why I would even waste my time painting when the wallboard needed to be replaced? Oh well, for 30 bucks of paint and a few hours work it does look better. I hung up a few photos and drawings to cover the badly dented walls. I have to clean the floors and wipe down all the modeling which is full of dirt this afternoon. So I had a momentary "I just want to paint something" moment! At least I own the place.
Labels: house renovation, paint colors
I think most all of us can agree that we are probably not going to rush out and buy whatever we want for holiday gifts. I feel like majority of people that I give gifts too don't really need them anyway. It's more of nice gesture. So why does it have to be expensive to show how much I care?
I've been gathering some budget friendly diy gifts that I will continue to share throughout the holiday season. I love these simple stripe string bracelets from Martha Stewart. You can buy the bracelets from places like Claire's for just $2.50 each. I want to make a few to give to my sister. Who doesn't love having a gift that is totally original and made by your sister?
A little midday pillow love...John Robshaw one of my favorite textile brands just added a few new pillows to there fall 2008 collection. Check them out now: johnrobshaw.com.
Labels: pillows
Now that I am done with my dark green walls idea. (I mean I will try a little area but I do feel over it). I need to pick out some lighter more ethereal art. I love these rock collection pieces by Casey Watson. The colors are totally what I am going for in the room. Check out more of Casey's work on: motelgallery.com.
Labels: artist
O.k. I can't sleep. I can't stop thinking about how I am totally over that whole dark green wall thing. It just seems too severe. My first inspiration for the house was Harriet's Maxwell house which I spotted in domino. All the room's are super soothing and light. Color is definitely my strong suit when it comes to design but I am still having major doubts and problems. Aaah!
So I turn to these light airy "meadow" prints by Seven Islands. I imagine them as roman blind fabric in a hallway. There are just too many choices! I should go to bed...
Labels: curtains, paint colors, textiles
All weekend Greg and I worked really hard stripping the paint off all the woodwork in the den. I feel like it's going to take a year to get it all done. The process is painstaking! I'll share more pictures of what we got done tomorrow morning.
While I was slowly cleaning out the cracks and crevices tonight I was having second thoughts on the green walls. I came across the room above which from a hotel in Savannah. I love the green with the white trim. Is it too green?? My green is darker and not so kelly green. I am realizing there is going to be a lot of woodwork that will be painted white in the room. I think a dark green might just be too much of a contrast with so much white. I think I need something lighter like the image below...
Labels: paint colors
We all have Thanksgiving on the mind. Some of us can't wait for a few days off, others lie awake in anticipation of the feast. Then there are those of us who plan the meals, dress the table, and do the dishes after everyone leaves. The few days before the big day we quietly gather our recipes, clean our fridges, and wash the linens as we wait for our guests to arrive.
Thanksgiving is one of my favorite holidays to cook for. My recipes are full of seasonal favorites and classic unfussy staples. I can't really say I ever use recipes on Thanksgiving. I just go with what I know. They are recipes that are standbys and past down traditions. I usually incorporate a new recipe into the mix each year. Below are a few recipes I have been eyeing to add to my repertoire. I'm thinking I might try Herbed Potato Gratin with Roasted Garlic and Manchego rather then regular mashed potatoes. I always make a pumpkin pie but it's nice to have another option. How about Pumpkin Cheesecake with Pecan Praline Topping? Ok it's still pumpkin but it sounds so good. Maybe we will cancel the pie and go for the cheesecake!
Goat Cheese–Stuffed Mushrooms with Bread Crumbs
Pumpkin Dip
Dried Cranberry, Apricot, and Fig Stuffing
Pumpkin Cheesecake with Pecan Praline Topping
Sherried Sweet Potatoes and Apples
Black Velvet Cocktail: Champagne and Stout
Herbed Potato Gratin with Roasted Garlic and Manchego
Sautéed Carrots with Lemon and Marjoram
Baked Brie with Pecans
Brussels Sprouts with Vinegar-Glazed Red Onions
Butternut Squash-Polenta Gratin
Mini Cranberry Meringue Pie
Pear and Sour Cherry Flat Pie
This is great new way to recycle old boxes and make them into reusable cute gingerbread houses. I found this this fun diy project in the recent issue of Craft: magazine. The mag suggest you use the gingerbread houses as gift boxes. Or you could work on the projects with you little ones. I am sure they will love playing with the homemade houses all winter long.
I just spotted this bookcase on the aero studios site. If you look in the back left hand corner there is a bookcase that is black on the outside and painted gray on the inside. Maybe I will try this for my bookcase? I kinda like the accent. I was thinking about painting the whole bookcase a black gloss. I think I might like this accent idea better...
p.s. there are shelves that go inside the bookcase but they are just down at the bottom right now and need to be fixed.
Labels: furniture
Looking for more budget friendly design ideas? Check out design*sponge's new Budget Friendly design section. Over 20 different stories jammed packed with gifts and finds ideas under $100. Included in the round-up is my $1 design finds story I did in August for domino. Stay tuned for my $1 holiday guide due out next Thursday. A great resource for those of us watching our wallets! Check it out now: designspongeonline.com/category/budget-friendly.
Labels: $1 design finds, affordable artwork
A little Friday morning eye candy to lull you right into the weekend. Karen Nicol is a mixed media textile designer living in London. Each piece is so feminine and just makes me feel delightful. Check out more: karennicol.com.
(via designersblock.blogspot.com)
This is a fun lighting link. A great resource for early-mid 20th century vintage industrial lighting, B4 It Was Cool. Great name. Check out their online website for ordering info: b4itwascool.com.
(via remodelista at dominomag.com)
Labels: lighting
I will always be a huge fan of Martha Stewart Living. The new December issue so good—its full of great doily crafts! I'll get to that later...let's talk about Thanksgiving tabletop decor first. I love the tissue paper lights above. So simply and inexpensive to do. Money is tight for all of this holiday season. Incorporate found objects like leaves, acorns, and branches into your table display. You can find most of these objects in your back yard for free. Pull it all together with a natural hued table linens. Check out more table inspiration: marthastewart.com.
I am kicking myself for not picking up these two pieces at White Elephant last weekend. I was there with my boyfriend working on my $1 story and he was totally rushing me. I guess I didn't really need them...but they are nice? The above painting was $35 and the print below was $25. I have to go back once I have my den a little more planned out and pick out some pieces.
Labels: affordable artwork
It's freezing cold outside and I am having a hard time leaving the safety of my very warm office. So for now how about a little window shopping? Above is a 19th century English Ironstone Platter. The platter is signed with a printed date mark, English, circa 1870’s. I was totally wowed by the color. Below the plate is from the same shop. Eric Ravilious designed the plate for Wedgewood circa 1932. I would love a whole set of these nautical plates! Unfortunately, one plate is $550.
Labels: tabletop
While I was up in Maine late last week I picked up this gorgeous winter berry wreath for my front door. The bright red berries enliven my homely front door! Greg keeps complaining that the twigs poke him in the eye when you walks out the front door. I tried trimming the twigs back a little so the wreath sits inside the door frame. I found the wreath at Wallingford Farm in Kennebunk, Maine. The farm is full of festive holiday decor including wreathes, trees, and decorations. Nice staff and reasonable prices!
Wallingford Farm
21 York Street
Kennebunk, Maine
(207) 985-2112
Labels: flowers, holiday, maine shops
I'm back! I am so sorry I haven't been posting the last few days. I've been hard at work on my $1 holiday guide for domino due out the end of next week. My next task: getting the house ready for my Thanksgiving guests. At the top of the list is a guest bed and dining chairs. Last week I drove up to NH and checked out a Jenny Lind bed I found on ebay. The bed I wanted was no longer available but I was in luck...he had three others! I choose the bed above. A great deal for just $250. I spotted the Windsor chairs below in the owner's barn. I am partial to the black bentwood style. I'm just afraid the chairs are too masculine and bulky for the space. They are pretty cool and I still love them but just not for my space. Check out more from this great ebay store: stores.ebay.com.
Labels: furniture
I just got back from my $1 hunting madness up in Maine. I have to share my new favorite source before I go out to dinner—Old House Parts in Kennebunk, Maine. A great architectural salvage resource that stocks old doors, knobs, mantels, windows, sinks, and much more. All the of the pieces in the store are incredibly organized which makes it super easy to sort through. Seriously, it will blow you away how neat this place is! Spanning two floors full to the brim with stock you won't need to go anywhere else. The staff is super knowledgable and friendly. One of the best resources I have ever discovered! Check out the website: oldhouseparts.com. Above and below are pictures I couldn't resist taking.
Old House Parts
1 Trackside Drive
Kennebunk, Maine
207.985.1999
Labels: architecture, bathrooms, maine shops, on the streets
I need your help! I am working on a $1 gift guide for domino and I am running out of ideas. If you have any cool projects you've done using products for under $1 let me know. It can be abstract so maybe one part of the project costs a dollar. I am also looking for stores that carry products for less then $1. Try to think of stores beyond just dollar stores. The best things I have found are usually from large antique stores or odd shops. Send me an e-mail or comment below and I will be sure to give you credit in my story due out in just 2 weeks! Thanks for everyone's help and ideas in advance.
Labels: $1 design finds
I headed to Ikea this afternoon to scope out some ideas for my holiday $1 gift guide for domino. Honestly, I didn't find that much. Most things I liked were just above a $1 which doesn't work for the story. I did spot these very Swedish looking pillows. The reds and blues feel super cozy but light enough to work in warmer climates. I'm usually a sucker for new pillow covers but this time I held back. I am eyeing those hand knit pillow covers by Ruth Cross, even though they are quite pricey and totally out of my budget. Check out more reasonably priced decor to fit anyone's budget at ikea.com.
Labels: on the streets, pillows
