Holidays are here again!

Since the holidays are here again I thought I would give you some simple holiday decorating tips. With kids, family, in-laws, cousins, grandparents... who has the time to even think about changing the decor. I mean, lets face it, I am lucky my counters get a Clorox wipe and floors get a quick swiffer in between our clean lady's weekly visit.

BUT.. I do change out my window treatments and mantle decor... down come the crisp white linen curtains and up go the mid-night blue sail cloth drapes. Somehow they just feel cozier, as if our living room is wrapped in a heavy cotton blanket. Off, come my sea shell throw pillows and on come the deep chocolate velvet... downside..ummm toddler drool / snot really shows up on chocolate velvet... Thankfully, IKEA thought of everything and they're washable.

Now, for the mantle.. My grandmother actually inspired this idea. As a child I remember sitting in her living room pocketing ribbon candy and looking up at the horse drawn carriage flurrying down the snowy trail which was beautifully framed and placed above the mantle on or around Thanksgiving. Down came the painting of the covered bridge and up went pine cones and bright red maple leaves.

Thus.. became my fascination with always changing out my mantle with the seasons. For fall, it's easy! Mini pumpkins and tea-lights. Now, I am no Martha.. I am not going to tell you to hollow them out for tea lights so they can turn to mold in a week in CA. Which reminds me of the clove oranges my own mother made for a centerpiece for Christmas.. they took FOREVER about 60 cloves per orange.. and then they rotted the next day! So... as Grammy would say.. "Keep it simple stupid!"

 For winter.. change out the pumpkins for pine cones here in Southern California the pine cones are the size of a softball... seriously... so go up to the mountains and grab some pine cones and place them on your mantle with a few pine boughs. Now.. I come from a long line of decorators.. so... it's in my genes I guess, but I am going to spray paint (credit to Momma B.) my pine cones a glossy silver, tuck them in the pine boughs, sprinkle in a few shiny red ornaments (.99$ Store) and a few silver pillar candles and Whhhaaalllaa! Done!

Now.. if you want to get "martha on me" soak your pine cones in cinnamon water over night to give them a fresh scent then place them on block (hidden by the pine boughs of course) to add some height to them... give them a little interest.

Remember... beautiful things don't have to cost you a fortune... keep it simple!

2nd Sunday of Every Month...

I know I have written about the flea markets in the past.... but I found some GREAT vendors at The Rose Bowl Antique Flea Market!

Every decorator in Southern California has spent a sunny Sunday wandering The Rose Bowl. Today I fell in LOVE with Euro-Linens... a Parisian grain sack has found a home in my mud-room. I am going to use the sack to recover a bench I use as a shoe cubby. Once I complete the project I will post a picture. I have to say it was meant to be, as the sack has the initials O & M on it (the initials of my two sons). They have fantastic pillows for a child's bedroom & the bolster pillows are perfect for daybed... now.. I just need an extra space in my small cottage for a daybed!

The second vendor I will be sure to use on future projects are Olde Good Things (they have 2 stores in LA). An old ceiling tin has found its home as a back splash behind my stainless steel range in my kitchen. They have amazing architectural salvage pieces, many of which are repurposed into unique furniture pieces. One of my favorites I saw put to use on their website is a clock face from an old clock tower. The new owner reused it as a headboard in their bedroom.... very unique!

For those of you on the East Coast or NYC they have two stores in NY and can also be found at flea markets. Addresses and flea market dates/locations are found on their website.

If you find yourself in The Bay Area in CA... be sure to check out The Alameda Points Antiques and Collectible Faire on the 1st Sunday of every month. Many of the antique vendors I chatted with today couldn't say enough about this flea market...

What a great way to spend a Sunday!
Live Beautifully! Erin

In a new light...

My latest decorating obsession... LAMPS! On Saturdays you can find me strolling down the lighting isle of Home Goods admiring their latest additions. Currently in stock are what I call "hotel chic" lamps, which are very contemporary and are made of heavy leaded glass with  rectangular shades. Perfect for a bedroom.

AND...It seems Ikea has an amazing selection of lamps, all of which can be reinvented with an amazing shade. Not that the white shades aren't nice... but you can upgrade the shade with a beautiful silk shade, should you choose. Additionally... the glass lamps (at left) are inexpensive and can be filled with cool objects, mine are currently filled with starfish and sand dollars, yay for summer!

During the holiday season it's filled with glossy red holiday balls, FUN! Easy to update and change or you can leave them empty.

My advice is to have matching bedside lamps to provide balance  on either side of the bed. But, have fun in the other rooms of your house.. and it's easy to do for under $50!


Live Beautifully!
Erin