Wednesday, December 28, 2011

Dreaming....

Have you ever dreamed of junking?
Periodically I have a dream where I am out junking
in back alleys, an amazing hidden little gem of a store
or someones home.
This morning it was the back alleys and dumpsters of NYC.
It was bliss....my dream.

My dreamy finds....



a dumpster of old fans....






old cocktail shakers in fun colors....



racks of old party dresses and tutus....




red suitcases with and without white trim....


I woke with that urge to find a great find.
Maybe it's a small premonition to a great junking day.
Keeping on dreaming....

ciao,
f

Saturday, December 24, 2011

Christmas....

WISHING YOU ALL 
A VERY
MERRY CHRISTMAS!!


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May your Christmas be filled with
much joy and love.


Ciao,
Francisca

Thursday, December 22, 2011

snow....

let it snow....


















dreaming of a white Christmas!

ciao,
f

Wednesday, December 21, 2011

tannenbaum....

Here is proof that you don't need 
a live tree to have
a Christmas tree in one's home. 
There seems to be many a version today.

Floating tree


Homage to the gift of paper


One way to make a bookcase


Couldn't decide what to read


Scrap tree


Re-purposed



 
O' Tannenbaum....

Ciao,
F

Sunday, December 18, 2011

Lights....

Someone got into the lights....

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Ciao,
F

Monday, December 12, 2011

baubles....

baubles for the holidays....





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vintage holidays!

ciao,
f

Sunday, December 11, 2011

Christmas....

well, we finally got the tree up today.
we found the cutest little tree.
it's absolutely perfect!

here are the pictures promised.


the built-in in the dinning room





dinning room table with red and white stripes and pine cones



the lace doily runner i made and 
my wood cookie mold collection on the wall



mistletoe of course! xxxx



the living room in red, gold and cream 
with the santas standing watch on the mantel





the cute little tree
in half vintage, half new




hers and his elves in the bathroom




you can't forget the front door!



that is Christmas in our house this year!

ciao,
f

Friday, December 9, 2011

decorating....

wanted to surprise my husband today
with a house decorated for the holidays,
Christmas music on and fresh cookies.

and i did.

my mom came over to help out
we got all the fall decor taken down
and the house clean so we could decorate.
i love re-doing my house but who has the money
to go out and buy new furniture or art,
or time to paint the walls.

it doesn't have to be expensive or time consuming.
it can be as simple as changing the drapes,
adding a few throw pillows and blankets.
we placed our wood saint Nicholas collection 
on the mantel with some greenery.
replaced the art work above the mantel with a large mirror
to add reflection and light during these long dark days.

in the dining room, 
i changed out the runners on the table and side board
to red stripe and lace doily
that i made by sewing a few doilies i had collected over the years.
filled a antique white porcelain bowl
with pine cones picked up last winter on walks
with the dogs and white candles.

added a few small evergreen trees with faux snow
and pine cones on the built in to top it all off.  

we even added a few small touches through out the other
rooms like the kitchen and bathroom with an
advent mitten calendar my mom made
and little glitter vintage elves.

just like that the house took on a festive 
feeling with out much time or money.

tomorrow the tree and the house
will be ready.

my husband was pleasantly surprised
and starting to feel the holiday spirit.

tomorrow i'll post some pictures.
want to get the tree up.
you understand. 

ciao,
f

Thursday, December 8, 2011

cocktails....

tis the season 
for celebrations and parties 
with friends and family.

we plan the decorations,
the appetizers,
the music 

and the cocktails.

you might pick a theme drink,
your favorite drink
or a holiday punch which is making a comeback.

but with all that planned
you need the perfect 
cocktail set up.
It could be a bar or a cart
but you want to be sure it is
in a place your guests
can easily access.

here are a few ideas for your next
holiday party!


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  silver bamboo cart adds a festive touch!


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 this side board would make a fantastic cocktail cart.



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 use a tray to layer the bottles and glasses



 use a tv tray tucked between furniture


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love the vintage lines of this glass and gold cart


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convert an old steamer trunk into a cocktail cart


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tuck it into a cabinet or an armoire


let the festivities begin

Cheers!

F

Monday, December 5, 2011

SinterKlaas....

Wishing you all a

Happy Saint Nicholas!
Groeten van Sinter Klaas!



may he fill your shoes with lovely treats
unless of course you have been very, very bad
then careful he may carry you away in his bag or leave you coal.

Dag,
F

Saturday, December 3, 2011

vanity....

a girl loves her vanity.
it's a place where we get to truly be a girl.
....the bottles,  the bling, the perfumes,
even a few true rocks to remind us of our travels.
....all our own.














ciao,
f