Hermes winter ad

"It is Christmas in the heart that puts Christmas in the air."

-W.T. Ellis

Hey Y'all

We are still celebrating Thanksgiving but I wanted to pop in let you know that Paula Deen is posting 32 days of homemade gifts on her website. Click here for a look.

Thanksgiving Wishes

Happy Thanksgiving Friends.

Handmade Holidays

Today I'm joining Kathy at Kathy's Cottage for Handmade Holidays.

I'm so excited I could just scream because I'm Not Crafty!!

Have you seen birdseed wreaths in catalogs lately? They are usually around $30.00.

It's tempting but in the end I always pass.

Got the great idea to Google the other day and I found a recipe.

Birdseed Wreath

Ingredients:

1 1/2 cups boiling water

4 1/4 ounce pkgs. Knox unflavored gelatin

8 cups birdseed

dried cranberries

Empty the 4 pkgs. of gelatin into 8 tablespoons of cold water in a large bowl.

Let the gelatin sit for a minute.

Meanwhile, boil the 1 1/2 cups of water. Add the boiling water to the gelatin and stir for 2 to 3 minutes until the gelatin has dissolved.

Pam your Bundt pan thoroughly.

Place a handful of cranberries in the bottom of pan.

Stir 8 cups of birdseed into the gelatin, mixing thoroughly.

Let the mixture set for a few minutes, then stir again. Repeat this process several times allowing all liquid to be absorbed. Pack birdseeds into Bundt pan.

Refrigerate at least 3 hours - overnight.

**After my first attempt here's what I will do differently:

Next time I will use 4 cups of birdseeds to keep it from being so heavy - it's supposed to hang from raffia.

Oh, I will also follow the direction with the gelatin so mine will stick together. :)

My cost to make this was about $2.00.

DIY: Deck Your Heels

Guilia heels $325

Although these kate spade heels are absolutely stunning, they sadly don't fit within my budget right now. Fortunately, there's great DIY potential. Maybe I'll try decking out heels I already own by using an inexpensive brooch like these from Forever21.

Left: Rhinestone Shell Brooch $5.80; Right: Floral Rhinestone Brooch $5.80

Hermes Spring/Summer 2006 ad

"Sometimes your only available transportation is a leap of faith."

-Margaret Shepard

Poofing a Corner

Happy Monday! Today I want to show you a little poofing that I've been up to. The vignette below just came together by accident in the last few days and there's a story with it.


Awhile back The Nester did the post about looking around for bare spots that need to be beautified...stay with me here...I have thought about that post several times.


Then last week I was Christmas shopping at this adorable shop here in Edmond called Sterling's. I bought that clock that you see there on the wall for someone else. Yes it's true...I know you do it too. I decided it had to hang on that bare spot above my table. Perfect!


See the cute red reproduction bucket? I don't know what it's called but I saw it the same day and it was part of a set of 3. The set was $99.00 and I had no use for all of them. I kept thinking about the red one though...so I called the man and asked to buy just the red one. He said yes! $25.00. Woo hoo! I'm so proud because I never ask questions like that.

Right now there's a fabulous fake plant in the red bucket but I'm picturing geraniums or a fern when the weather is nicer.

I'm happy with this spot now and it's the perfect view when looking into the living room from the kitchen.

Thank you for coming by and leaving your sweet comments. :)

The Fall

This is for you Cinnamon!

Norah Jones is evolving as an artist and her new album reflects that. The Fall is different from her last album in that it's not as gentle. Though you can still definitely hear classic soothing Norah, overall it's a bit more "rock+roll". The lush fresh tone of her new music features more bold guitar and less piano, but still highlights the seductive charm of her velvety, smokey voice.

Legacy

Just enjoying "Legacy" by Nicole Nordeman.

Turn your speakers on. :)

Happy Sunday!

Happy Friday

This weekend I'll be catching up on some reading, working, studying, listening to the new Norah Jones and John Mayer albums, watching a few DVDs, and among other things, watching after this little guy...

Here my mom, who came over to my house for my birthday, holds Little Foot to prevent him from running and falling off the coffee table.

It's been about 2 weeks since he was diagnosed and treated for the Parvo virus, and thankfully he's back to running around all over the house, jumping with excitement for more food, licking the floor, and chewing on and getting into things and places he shouldn't be. Although he's a handful, we're so incredibly grateful for his restored health and energy. He continues to be absolutely adorable and lovable.

Have a great weekend everyone! Hope you get to do the things you want and spend it with the people and/or pets you love!

Foodie Friday

Hi girls! Today I'm joining Michael at Designs by Gollum. I haven't done this in awhile. :)

You know when you are just minding your own business shopping at Target or the grocery store...and that wonderful smell comes to you? The smell of roasted chicken. Yes, I knew you would understand. This supper was inspired by Target's Southwest Roasted Chicken. Easy breezy and so delicious. :)

Ingredients: Crispy tostada, shredded chicken, refried beans, lettuce, tomatoes, cheese, and guacamole.

Happy Foodie Friday!

My Eye Jumped Right to...

...this beautiful photo styled by fashion designer Liz McClean.



I'm loving the standout little black dress, glamorous red lipstick, and alluring red heels. {Minus the big frizzy hair}, it could make for a pretty fantastic look for a holiday party.

The Sweetest Days

Do you know the song "The Sweetest Days" by Vanessa Williams? I remember hearing that song when my boys were little bitty and just being overwhelmed by it. I tried to have it playing for you here but it makes me cry.

These days I'm thinking of that song again.

This is Tanner. We just picked up Senior proofs today. He's going to graduate and go off somewhere...

This is Spencer. He studies really hard because he wants to go off again.

These Are The Sweetest Days!

Now pass me the Kleenex please.

Vintage Beauties

Fresh flowers and a vintage cup to make the everyday a little more beautiful.


A vintage headboard with just the right amount of ornate detail to add interest to an otherwise simple bedroom and create a comforting space that's perfect for unwinding.

Changing

The seasons are definitely changing now in our little part of the world. It's getting cold and we may have our first freeze tonight. Let's take a quick walk around the yard.

My oakleaf hydrangeas have been the most beautiful colors.

The leaves are beginning to close up now.

Looking down the walking path behind our pond....there's a roadblock of leaves.

This one little geraniums refuses to give up.

The ornamental grasses are all topped out with seed pods.

Oh how I love to be in the yard!

I will miss it this winter...this girl doesn't spend much time out there in the cold Oklahoma wind!

Now let's run back in for some hot coffee...it's that time of day. 3:00!!

Home Tour: Kelly Wearstler's Opulent Color-Filled World

Interior designer Kelly Wearstler isn't one to shy away from using bold color, especially in her own Beverly Hills home...and good thing because her risk-taking has led to pretty fabulous results...

Black fireplace in the lounge room styled with tall purple alliums

The lounge room featuring vintage sofas re-covered in blue leather from Ashbury Hides and vintage Pierre Paulin faux snakeskin chairs


Pink velvet chairs


Chandelier original to the house


The foyer featuring a vintage horse, custom red and white wallpaper, and a zebra hide from Rags in Los Angeles


One of her son's bedroom decorated using a monochromatic color palette


Kelly's office featuring Pedro Friedeberg hand chairs and gorgeous wallcovering by Robert Crowder


Spectacular vintage chandelier


Friedeberg hand chairs


The guest bedroom featuring the Tracery rug from her collection for the Rug Company, a vintage bed, Sferra bedding, and a black and white Hermes throw


Vintage chairs recovered in pink material


All images via Vouge Living Australia

Her new book, Hue, has just been released. You better believe its on my Amazon wish list!

i

"I give you the contagious influence of joy, with which you may infect all persons with a new dimension of abundant living."

-Eric Butterworth

She Naps

Hope you are having a wonderfully relaxing Saturday.

Designer Spotlight: Dee and Randy Kruse

Newport Beach based designers Dee and Randy Kruse are the owners of D.Kruse Studio & Showroom and experts at creating simple, clean and sophisticated interiors. They prove that modern design can marry well into traditional style not only through the juxtaposition of old and new but also by updating classic interiors with modern sensibility.