I am......

  a mother of two beautiful children

 a wife to a first responder

 daughter and sister to four teachers 

and I am at a loss for words

  

As we try to return so some sort normalcy 

join me in remembering the victims, Newtown community and our nation....

God Bless America............

Gotcha Burgermeister Meisterburger!!

Kris Kringle was a pretty smart cookie!
The 1970 animated Santa Clause Is Comin' to Town is where many of us first learned the story of Santa Clause! I always loved how Kris outsmarted that mean Burgermeister Meisterburger. After being threatened and ordered never to return with gift for the children......He did exactly that! Kris secretly visited each house and stuffed the Stockings that were hanging over the fireplace to dry, full of gifts for the children. So when inspection came, the guards checked each house and never even thought to check there.....  During the inspection no gifts were found, Meisterburger a happy, grumpy man....complemented the children on their drying socks (filled with gifts) and doing their chores so well! Ha! Gotcha Meisterburger!

Christmas Stockings have such personality.....can you find yours?

Limited Edition....for Jo Malone London by Charlotte Stockdale .... 

Inspired by the Art Deco glamor of 1930's...simply awesome

Just Fabulous! French inspired, Burlap Stockings...... These stocking with the traditional, curly toe, Elf style, give a unique and Whimsical twist to the traditional Christmas stocking!  The front is hand painted with a bird perched on a branch and finished a French address at the top. They hang from black and white polka dot ribbon, with a matching Polka-Dot bow at the toe.

no Secrets in these stockings! semi transparent stocking made from sewing patterns...

very different and very cool

Nordic influence - Stunning Christmas stocking from one of Canada's top designers - this one with its Trendy colors and graphic patterns are perfect on this pompom-trimmed stocking. Designed by: Leigh-Ann Allaire Perrault; Colour specialist, Benjamin Moore

Need more Stocking Ideas? Check out my Pinterest Page........

Magical Mantels

I was about nine years old when Santa started to lose his magic.  I starting bombarding my mother in October with the Santa questions.....

"OK, who is it,  you or Daddy eating the cookies on Christmas Eve?" 

"Really, it is YOU that knows when I'm sleeping and when I'm awake, right?" 

"There are just too many Santa's in the mall today! He can't be everywhere, I've seen more than two at once!"

"I think it was Uncle Joey wearing a Santa suite last year at Grandmas, Santa's beard was falling off and I'd know Uncle Joey's shoes anywhere!" 

"There is  NO way the fat man is fitting down the Chimney .... did you see how small that hole is?!"

My poor mother, she spent 3 months 'sshhing' me and protecting my younger sisters. She was persistent and had all the right answers, but I could be a handful.  In the end  how she didn't wring my neck is proof she's part saint. 

As the years ticked away my doubt in the spirit of Santa Clause began to dwindle, and the magic returned.  I've often looked at my fireplace and remembered looking into my childhood fireplaces with great anticipation of what this enchanting season will soon bring.  It very well could be why I love decorating the mantel every year!

Personally my mantel has taken on many different identities over the years, I've had the reindeer theme, the winter village, the traditional greens and my most recent favorite.......nutcrackers! 

Captivating mantels can be simple, whimsical, classic, wild and so much more! I've absolutely fallen in love with these ........

This mantel showcases antique heirloom ornaments. After loosing our tree twice one year, this display I would definitely consider. It is safer for the ornaments and keeps my anxiety to a low roar.  Not to mention, the ornaments are out where you share their memories and tell their stories! 

Here is a whimsical, naturally inspired twist on a holiday mantel design. Lemons, Kumquats, Clementines and Limes mixed with a few little silver ornaments creates an unexpected texture and coloration with these vibrantly colored fruits. The delicate touch of evergreens with their sharp fragrant and free form branches build the final perfect element for this exquisite design.

 

A few years ago I wrapped all my gifts in a white a red theme, not even a glimmer of green, gold, or sliver just red and white. I mixed stripes, polka dots, solids and other fun patterns. I loved the challenge of staying truly monochromatic, not to mention it was a refreshing new look.  Here this transitional mantel display in red and white, is crisp, bright and is reminiscent of the youthful memories candy canes bring to life!


The same year I became briefly disenchanted with Santa, so did my neighbor Steven, also the oldest of his siblings.  His Mom & Dad weren't ready for Steven to loose the magic.  On Christmas Eve after the children were all nestled in their beds, Steven's dad went to work.  On Christmas morning Steven made his way down the stairs without that typical extra Christmas morning bounce in his step, after all there was no Santa. To his surprise he found his mom livid, her hands on her hips, her face bright red grumbling about Santa being an absolute slob!  Apparently when Santa arrived down the chimney, he must have been behind schedule.  He didn't take the time to wipe his feet on the hearth rug, instead he  just ran right out of the fireplace soot and all on his boots across Steven's moms white carpet. He did of course stop for a gulp of milk, which he spilled and a few bites of a cookie.  Santa always took the carrots for the reindeer but this year one slipped out of his hand and landed in the fireplace. There was just enough question in Steven little head, that for a least one more Christmas he believed, after all his father would never ruin moms carpet, and leave spilt milk........only Santa could get away with that!

I raise my mug of cocoa and toast you, here's to you creating an enchanting holiday mantel and keeping the magic alive!

My collection of inspiring mantel designs continues on my Pinterest 'Holiday Mantels' join in the fun, share and comment on which ones are your favorites!

Next up.......Stockings!
Until we meet again...

Victorious Christmas Wreaths

There are times during this glorious Christmas season that I honestly feel like Rocky Balboa.  I'm far from the physique of the Italian Stallion. Although, I have been know to leave a mall with shopping bags raised high, head thrown back, trotting along belting out my version of Gonna Fly Now!   Seriously, if I don't leave the mall without a black eye, bruised rib, or a broken high heel, I feel Victorious!!

Being victorious is actually where the origin of the Christmas Wreath began!  The history of the Christmas wreath is quite extensive.  In a nutshell, Christmas wreaths symbolize the strength of overcoming the forces of winter, hence the popularity of evergreens which survive the harsh winters so well.  The hanging of a wreath on the door probably comes from ancient Rome, where wreaths were hung as a sign of pride and victory.  Add in the traditions of the Advent wreath, and you have your Reader's Digest condensed version of the Christmas Wreath's history! 

Because your wreath is the first Christmas decoration to greet your guests when they arrive at your home, it's important that your personality shine through and that you welcome your guests with a wowza wreath! I've had a blast collecting various wreath styles on my Pinterest Christmas Wreath board over the last few weeks. Let's check out a few of my favorites......

Its no secret that I'm a huge Etsy fan, and this gem is another Etsy find! This simple and understated wreath is not only a rustic beauty, but it's Antique White Pip berries are scented with vanilla sugar spray. The Burlap Ribbon is neutral enough to blend with any color palette, and honestly you can continue to use this well into the winter months! 

Hydrangeas hold a very special place in my heart. When Joe and I built our house 14 years ago my grandfather planted a heirloom hydrangea bush in our front yard. Over the years, a cutting of this family hydrangea had been planted at various family members homes with great success. Unfortunately, this was not the case at the Davenport House. This beautiful bush didn't bloom for years, although it was always lush with greenery. It never even hinted at a blip of a flower. The year my grandfather died, the bush bloomed for the first time ever and I've had luscious, colorful blooms every year since. This wreath immediately brought memories of my grandfather to mind.... 

I just adore this simple little gem. A Split Pea Wreath!  It is the perfect crafty project to do with kids! All you need is a straw wreath, white glue, dried peas and ribbon. Check out detailed directions on See Kate Sew. I would love to whip up a batch of sugar cookies, hot cocoa with candy canes and set up shop to make a few of these with my kids....humph, I'm not sure I could get my kids to do this they're 20 & 14 now... maybe I'll bring in my nieces and nephews!

Lemons, aren't a traditional Christmas accent but here, they are simply awesome. I love the size variation of them in this wreath, creating a less contrived, perfect layout to the collection of lemons. The free form greens keep a whimsical atmosphere to the design.....I think I might add few red berries for contrast..... 

I just love scouting out amazing Christmas wreaths. Let's continue the exploration together....visit my Pinterest page for more great wreaths.

I'd love you to share your favorites with me! ..... Who wants to guess my top five favorites? Hint... they're not all here, check on my Pintrest......

Next up? Holiday Mantles! 

Get Ready to Deck the Halls!

My taste in music is about as broad as it can be. 

Michael, who works in my Studio, has accused me of having MMPD (Multiple Music Personality Disorder), he never quite knows what will be greeting him when opens the Studio door, Reba, Nickelback, Josh Groban, Frank Sinatra ..... he's even been accosted with show tunes on occasion! 

My music preferences can't be wrapped up in a package and labled with a certain genre, neither can my taste in Christmas decorations! 

This holiday season I'll explore with you various Christmas styles of decorating.  

Tune in Tomorrow Morning as we devel into Christmas wreaths! After all this is the first holiday decoration your guests get upclose and personal with when they arrive at your home! 

Until we meet again~