Merry Christmas - 2008

...I think the picture says it all...

White Christmas - Tricia Foley

I havn't posted in awhile so I thought I'd would give you a peek of what's inside my book called White Christmas by Tricia Foley. Foley is a frequent contributor to Victoria, Town & Country, and House Beautiful magazines.

I have been sick so many times in the last few months that my tonsils finaly gave out on me and I got tonsillitis for the first time in my life! My god trying to sleep when your throat keeps closing up is scary! Anyways im gettin better and hope to stay that way at least for the meantime.... I couldn't wait for winter and now I can't wait for spring? tse tse ... never satisfied.....

What I like in the below photos is not only that the theme is all white but notice the vintage linen stockings, the basket for storing bulbs filled with straw and a chandelier draped with moss, which is great for me because I can't seem to get a wreath to look good on my chandelier! and we all know how hip that is right now! hellooooo mosssss....






I got this book from Amazon and so can you...

On another note I want to say thanks to Charmaine at Beautiful Things To Share for the wonderful lemonade from lemons award. Charmaine has one of the best blogs I've seen and she has impeccable taste, so if you havn't been to her blog, your really missing out.


Now im supposed to name 10 other bloggers to give this to, but im soooo lazy this time, sooo I will just have to nominate everone in my blog list! They all deserve it anyways!

Annie Brahler of Euro Trash

I have wanted to do a post on Annie Brahler's home in Jacksonville, Illinois for a long long time and since I'm on a roll today here it is! Her home is actually a landmark and is called the William Howard Thompson House. Annie owns an import company called Euro Trash and from the looks of her home, she's got some good access! I absolutely love her style with all the french pieces and soft colors, and just look at her Christmas mantels! The pictures below are from www.countryliving.com and also from Mary Engelbreit's www.homecompanionmag.com.








www.euro-trash.us

Bob and Caroline Boniello - Horses and Snow Christmas

Bob and Caroline's love for horses shines through in their choice of decorations in their upstate New York home. I am also loving this because there is a definite Nordic style to this home. All images were found on www.countryliving.com

Mary Tucciarone - Christmas Craft Inspirations

Mary Tucciarone's 1877 farmhouse in Connecticut is filled with her flea market finds which she crafts into gorgeous decor. The photos below are just a few from her BHG Christmas Ideas 2008 shoot. My favorite is the tree topper full of vintage crystals, rhinestones and pearls!






ohhhh if I only had a farmhouse!.......

Pearl Centerpiece - Southern Lady Holidays 2008

This wonderful floral centerpiece I found in the Southern Lady Holidays 2008 magazine is made using 2 containers. One holds the florals which sits in the 2nd glass container. The 2nd container is filled with hundreds of pearls and gold trim has been added to the outside top and bottom, which could be easily glued right on the glass. I am going to try this for my home. What a beautiful craft idea for a Christmas tablescape...

Victoria Christmas 2008 Mantel

I recently got the November/December 2008 Victoria Magazine and of course was pleased as usual. Victoria has been my favorite magazine for the past 16 years at least and I have editions dated back to 1992. I would call myself a collector and every so often buy old editions to add to my collection. Infact I should do that today because the photo below has really gotten me in the mood! I can't put this one down! The mantel decor is to die for..... Now I won't be happy until I make a floral garland, and look at those beautiful bottle brush trees from Cody Foster. I have the vintage silver ones but cannot find these blue ones with white pearls anywhere. I need to get a wholesale account with them asap. The best part about this is the color....BLUE! This is truly my happy color...

www.victoriamag.com

Shabby Vintage Christmas Stockings & Victorian Cones

I usually don't bother to post anything on my home because im never satisfied with the photos or I feel it just looks plain boring, but I've decided to give you a sneak peak on my mantle design this year. This fireplace mantel is located in my keeping room off of my kitchen and sits to the left of my desk. Nice and cozy when im working. For my Christmas this year its all about my all white custom made true vintage linen stockings, victorian cones, cherubs, shabby candelabras, greenery and of course mercury glass. I added the victorian cones right on top of the white stockings to be filled with candy. I think I will change out the side french plaques to hanging christmas swags.

My very talented mother is also sending me some of her Nordic Victorian Cones for my other rooms. I asked her to put some together for me and they have turned out better than I imagined! I love the Nordic look and you will not find another designer or seller that has yet to put together LINEN, FUR AND CUSTOM EMBROIDERY all in one design! You can find her cones here www.pablobdesigns.etsy.com. I will photo them in my home with they arrive.

Please exuse my bad out of focus pictures, my camera is out of it! To zoom in ckick on the photos. Here is what I've put together so far:




.....what I would give for a true french stone mantel!......

White Leather Wingback Love

I've been looking around for a pair of white wingback chairs and found these lovelies over at 1stdibs. The first is sold by Woodsons & Rummerfields and made by Jecco. They have silver legs and chrome nailheads and are covered in white pig-skin textured vinyl. Perfect for the animal friendly. These make me want to take a bubble bath before I slip into the chair, then wearing a white robe, sipping champagne, I have become the princess I was born to be....

The second one is from Emmerson Troop. This one has white leather upholstery with a white lacqueer frame and silver grommets.


There is only one of these. too bad.
Anyways these would go great with my mercury glass Christmas theme this year. Here's the beginnings of my stock of ornaments, some are silver and some are sepia and look centuries old! lovvveeee them! The problem is they are soo heavy, I'm gonna have to tie these very securely to the tree. Check out my new blinged out birdies!




I don't know about others but this year I started in July buying my Christmas decorations to get ahead of the rush. Last year I waited until Halloween to buy for Christmas and the good pickings were all gone by then. Maybe its just Tennessee, but nothing good stays on the market for more than a couple of days here. If you wait its too late!