christmas 2011

a little late-december catch up before officially moving into 2012

...

we hosted christmas here

in providence-

the official christening of our sweet home

and though i didn't manage to snap too many pictures to prove it

the weekend was lovely

our mantle

decorated with handmade gingerbread houses

and fresh cut greens

christmas morning, stocking excitement!

daddio, looking dapper in his new scarf

evening light

and dinner (beef wellington, which i don't have one picture of- boo!)

was topped off with

baked alaska:

(thin flourless chocolate cake, topped with a boule of alternating layers of strawberry and pistachio ice cream, covered in piped swiss meringue and just scorched in a broiling oven)

yumm.o.

family. friends. food.

christmas perfection

...

home for the holidays

... a snap a day, through the season, of a festive corner of our home...

one of my MOST favorite

family traditions

is that every year on christmas eve

while eating fondue by the fire

we open one gift.

an ornament

that has to do with something we have done that year...

this was from the year i learned to surf.

(and no, i couldn't hang ten that first year. i still can't... someday?)

home for the holidays

... a snap a day, through the season, of a festive corner of our home...

holiday greens

while in little compton for my birthday weekend

we stopped into peckham's during their annual holiday party

peckham's green house is always loaded with the most gorgeous plants and garden goods...

during the holiday season it is one of the most inspiring places

bursting with poinsettias

house-made wreaths

festive pots, tree ornaments and paperwhites

i love filling my home with greens and forced bulbs

especially in winter

when the view out your window seems bare, gray and frozen!

home for the holidays

... a snap a day, throughout the season, of a festive corner of our home...

waiting for the mailman's daily visit

to bring a new batch of cards

from family and friends

is truly one of my very favorite things

during the holidays!

home for the holidays

... a snap a day, through the season, of a festive corner of our home...

(yes, the reindeer's antler was mauled by the cat)

home for the holidays

i am getting so into holiday decorating this year...

SUCH a thrill with our own home to spice up!

i am going to try and post a little snapshot everyday

throughout the season

from a corner of our house...

this is my most favorite holiday decoration

a tiny little carved wood creche

every year when i unwrap it, childhood christmas memories flood right back

early december

the beginning of this month

has been an amazing whirlwind

of birthday celebrations

holiday preparations

gatherings with friends

and travel...

my birthday seemed to go on and on this year...

my friends and family have made me feel incredibly loved

and i really don't think i have enjoyed turning another year older since i was twelve!

it all started in little compton...

my parents joined us for a few relaxing nights at my in-law's gorgeous home.

we got right into the spirit by creating swags and wreaths- this has become an annual tradition!

my mom-in-law had all the cuttings ready to go!

i had found a fun wall pocket at christmas tree shop

daddio creating a simple, stunning juniper wreath

my festive creation hangs next to our front door!

what a wonderful way to start the month and get in the holiday spirit...

rikshaw's gift guide

catherine from rikshaw design

invited me back this year for her annual gift-guide round up...

check out my selections

for sprucing up our home for the holidays!

before+after: GUEST ROOM

(wow! these house posts have been a loong time coming!)

one of the things i really loved about our house when we first took a walk through

was the 3rd floor

two(!) rooms with full-height ceilings, good closet space

and

it was pretty much a blank slate.

(original mls listing photo)

score.

i was anxious to get this space looking good right away-

especially as the larger room was to be the guest room

and my parents were visiting often to help with projects!

we bought paint the same day as our closing and my mom and i got to work...

nellie supervised.

although we had decent hardwood floors up there

they would have had to have been refinished

and it was cold.

i also wanted to be sure the space felt cozy and not that you were sleeping in the attic!

so we decided our major first-year expense would be to carpet the third floor and staircase.

remember those mid-century chairs?

my $10 score at our church fair a few years ago

i kept the green velvet upholstery and refinished the wood.

the chinoiserie lamp/table was my grama's.

bureau: craigslist

tray: john derian for target

funky brass+ acrylic scalloped table lamp: goodwill

the trunk was my "hope chest" which my dad bought at brimfield in the 80's

lamp: homegoods

tissue box cover: design works

a few more detail shots

crocheted rocks photo: etsy in ikea frame

high-low bedding mix- quilt: target, duvet: john robshaw

i still have a few more pictures to find frames for

but other than that, i love this cozy

(and a bit girly)

guest get-away!

the big 3-0

i know, i know...

a very pathetic blogging-start to november

but, i promise, it was for good reason!

reid turned 30!

last weekend

and i had been busy busy planning

a surprise party...

i was pretty proud of the invite

seeing it had been quite a few years

since i truly tested my illustrator and photoshop skills!

...

i finally made pennant flags

i did each word individually so that over the years (and when we have kids)

we can add new names or holidays ("easter" etc...)

guests big

and small

a peek at the dessert table

and trumpet cake

(excuse the yet-to-be re-done granny wallpaper)

...

and the next night

we spent in boston

seeing AfroCubism

live

my very handsome and happy

THIRTY year old husband.

blustery day

wet. cool. grey. windy

here in providence...

seems like we were suddenly catapulted deep into fall.

but, i'm kind of loving it.

and finding pops of color right out my front door...

favorite things in october:

fall decorating

warm tea

cashmere blankets

mini pumpkins

wearing wellies

and

(first of the season!) beef bourguignon left-overs for lunch

thanks daddio!

xoxo

blue shutters baby shower

i'm a little behind on some fun summer posting

like this baby shower for a california cousin...

my husband's family spends summers in a string of cottages on the bay

and the family tradition has always been to hold the celebrations at "blue shutters."

tay loves that every summer there has been a shower to plan, decorate and bake for-

(two years ago it was my surprise wedding shower, last year was caroline's baby shower and this year was for BGH- baby girl hayden)

a late morning feast for the glowing mamma-to-be

tay and i decorated cupcakes- she planned the swaddled babies complete with bottles and bonnets!

each family member decorated a square for a quilt i will put together (before the little one's arrival!)

SUCH a special family tradition...

sewing sentiments

i've been spending an hour or so each evening upstairs in my little home studio

quilting my far far away quilt

so, seeing this adorable new piece from alyssa nassner

made me smile

via

nothing more annoying than coming out of a sewing trance to find stitch-less rows!