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Saturday, December 24, 2016

blue Christmas

The article I put together for the December issue of Romantic Homes magazine was a bit foreshadowing. At the time I thought it was simply a cute theme for an alternative holiday color scheme...

 
Holiday Blues

 
From vintage ornaments...

 
to charming sugared figurines...


 
to ephemera...


 
and all the other adorable winter decorations!

 
Well it turns out my holiday turned blue too.
I don't ever get very personal on my blog, but this has been a really difficult season so far. I am trying to maintain a grateful heart and look to the New Year for what the future holds. I appreciate all the prayers. Please keep my family in your prayers as well. Prayers are the most powerful gift of all!
Sending love and hugs to all of you!!!
Merry Christmas...  
PS. I am really grateful for having creative outlets like my monthly article in Romantic Homes magazine and this blog. I can escape the real world and get lost in a world filled with inspiration. Thanks so much for supporting me...and the magazine!
 

Wednesday, December 7, 2016

holly jolly

Look what I saw tucked into
Flea Market Décor magazine...

 
The background on the editorial page is an image from
my Christmas collection of holly Ironstone.

 
What fun to see!
I love my cracked, chipped and crazed treasures.
It's nice to see them in print for all to enjoy.
Here are more images of my holiday collection
of vintage holly china.
 

 
I rarely find pieces to add to my stash
but I am thrilled when I do!




 
I love holly for Christmas.


 
I hope you enjoyed a peek at my collection.
 
 

Thursday, December 1, 2016

ho-ho-ho

Have you recovered from the excitement...and the food...of the Thanksgiving weekend? Well...tis the season to eat eat eat! If you are anything like me, I can hardly get over one holiday before the next one arrives. Due to the long to-do lists, my baking duties seem to drop in priority every year. However, your emails have lit a fire under me and I'm getting out my recipe box. A number of people requested the chocolate chip cookie recipe for the cookies featured in the November issue of Romantic Homes magazine.

 
See the tiny little plate of cookies
awaiting Santa's arrival...
 
 
My mom gets the credit!
It's her awesome recipe...

 
Ingredients
 
¾ cup of butter
¾ of brown sugar
¾ cup of white sugar
1 t vanilla
2 eggs
2 ½ cups flour
1 t baking soda
½ t salt
12 ounces chocolate chips
  
 
Directions:

1.       Using an electric mixer, cream ¾ cup of butter, ¾ of brown sugar, ¾ cup of white sugar, and one teaspoon of vanilla.
2.       Continue mixing and add two eggs (one at a time)
3.       Beat until smooth
4.       In a separate bowl combine 2 1/2 cups of flour, 1 t of baking soda and ¼ t of salt
5.       Add the dry mixture slowly into the mixing bowl to incorporate
6.       Once incorporated add  12 ounces of chocolate chips and stir
7.       Drop by rounded spoonful onto a lightly greased cookie sheet
8.       Bake at 350 degrees for 8 10 minutes
9.       Allow cookies to stand on the cookie sheet for one minute then remove to a clean surface to cool. 


There are few things better than a house filled with the aroma of fresh baked cookies! Whether you are baking for friends, family, Santa...or yourself...this recipe will be sure to please!
Thanks Mom!

Sunday, November 20, 2016

a child at heart

As the holidays approach, it tends to bring out the inner child in all of us. I know it does for me! I took a play on this youth-centric feeling and staged a charming guest room with vintage toys as holiday décor for my November Romantic Homes article...

 
It's time to play!


 
Here are a few extra images from the article
Awake Your Inner Child

 
Some precious aprons are layered with
vintage postcards  upcycled into ornaments...


a super cute red tricycle...

 
and an antique sled
taking a break from the snow...

 
Give your pillows a makeover by dressing them
in old handkerchiefs...

 
and a few look cute as napkins
next to Santa's cookie plate!

 
The entire November issue is so inspiring!
I hope you will take a peek and maybe your inner child
will awaken too!

Monday, November 14, 2016

feeling fall

As the leaves are changing and the air is cooling across most of country...it's still 80 degrees and sunny on this tiny island. Sometimes my heart yearns for cool nights, warm blankets and apple cider. So to make me feel a little less homesick, I try to warm my heart and home with the colors and scents of fall. Here are a few pictures of my kitchen as seen in Romantic homes magazine...
The fall transformation all began
with this beautiful plate as the inspiration.

 
The pale blue and orange colors are perfect
for a southern fall color scheme.

 
I gathered blue and brown transferware,
dried hydrangeas and tiny orange gourds
to begin the transformation.

 
It might seem a little unconventional
to use vintage garden wares as part of a tablescape
but I am the queen or unconventional decorating.
I always throw the decorating "rules" out the window
when it comes to personalizing my home.


Fill your table with the things you love!!!


And don't forget to dress the part!
I love to be a girly girl
and I never miss the opportunity
to embrace the season.
Whether it's decorating my home from front door to back
or from dressing from head to toe!!!


Now I can believe that fall is here
and Thanksgiving is right around the corner!


I hope you too will follow my lead
and throw decorating rules out the window.
Decorate your home in a way that will bring you joy!


Don't forget to pay attention
to the smallest of details.
It will give the room an overall
cohesive finished look!


Fill your home with the joy and beauty of every season.
It will warm your heart and your home!

 
I try my best to "warm up" my home
and at least make it feel like fall...
even tough I can till see palm trees swaying outside my windows.
I can step outside and pick up seashells at the beach
then come inside and feel like I am back home in West Virginia.
The only thing missing are my family and friends!
Sending love, hugs and sunshine to everyone back home...

Monday, October 17, 2016

have a peek...

I decided to style and photograph my home
this year for my fall Surroundings article
in Romantic Homes magazine.
I love to share my personal style
and let people into my little world.
These are a few extras from the photo shoot.
I hope you will have a peek!
 
 
Although my home has a primarily neutral palette
I like to add a color or two each season.
This year it is blue and orange...


I love this dollhouse
and it made a lovely addition to the entry...


I can finally place my prized dry hydrangeas
front and center!
(who said you can't grow hydrangeas in south Florida)

 
Yes, my addiction to Ironstone is real!

 
Less isn't more.
More is more!
 
 
My antique French dress form
is getting into the spirit of autumn too.

 
For me, flowers are in season all year long...

 
These deep purple hydrangeas are perfection...

 
Here is my inspiration and my
"reason for the season"...
and his name is Pumpkin!

 
Thank you so much for taking the time to visit
my blog and my home!
I sure hope autumn is warming your heart
and you are enjoying the season...