rustic refined {holiday decor}

I can not count the number of times I have posted on rustic refined decor, I would be remiss to not post some holiday decor in the style. I especially love the lights hanging from the ceiling mixed with the stars and pinecones.

(via living etc)

6:15 AM by beemagnet · 0

gift guide {for the gals}

So I am a procrastinator. I have the best of intentions to do things like buy my ski pass is August when they are sale or start my christmas shopping early and well it never happens. I started Christmas shopping today--case and point. So I thought for all of you (I hope I am not the only one) that procrastinates here are a few gift ideas for the all the girls on your list.

(winifred grace bracelet, john robishaw travel wallet, aubin and willis blanket, gold wishbone from jayson home and garden, banana republic slippers and jonathon adler pillow)
Happy shopping!

5:51 PM by beemagnet · 0

gift guide {luxurious stocking stuffers}

Sometimes the best things really do come in small packages and when it comes to stocking stuffers that is definitely the case--or at least I think it should be. Unpacking them has always been one of my favorite parts of Christmas day and I know I would love any of these small but luxurious trinkets in my stocking this year....

After all every girl needs something that comes in a perfect orange hermes box, a timeless chanel scent, a colorful accent on their desk, a coffee table worthy candle and a classic piece of jewelery. What are the luxurious necessities that you are craving this season?

12:00 PM by beemagnet · 0

christmas {down under}

I am getting on a plane today, one of my least favorite things, and heading home to Chicago for the holidays. However, with the bitterly cold weather we have had lately I think I may just be able to bear the much longer flight down to Australia and enjoy a Christmas dinner under this gum tree. Rannuculas, birdcages and cherry blossoms...oh my!


(via country style)
Also, thank you all so much for your sweet comments yesterday about delight by design's mention in the London Times!

3:00 AM by beemagnet · 0

luxury gift guide {home decor addict}

If you want to truly make the home decor addicts on your gift list blush then these items will do the trick. And if you are feeling generous you can just purchase all these pieces and provide the makings of a subtly elegant and whimsical living room.

(missoni home stool, madeline weinrib throw pillow, area rug designed by vivienne westwood for the rug company, geometric alpaca throw from pieces, kaleidoscopes by kelly wearstler, provence perfum bottle from anthropologie and french birdcage from pieces)

4:00 AM by beemagnet · 0

Happy Memorial Day!!

Hope you are all having a wonderful memorial day. A very big thank you to all of the men and women that have served (and are serving) this country! Just a couple photos that put me in the patriotic spirit...



(via aimee herring , {this is glamorous} and prue roscoe )

5:00 AM by beemagnet · 0

little piece of my heart

Love this silk screened complete my heart valentine from notty pooch's etsy shop (via call me chris).

7:31 PM by beemagnet · 0

result of holiday withdrawl...

I am going through some slight withdraw that the holiday season is over. So, much like all the retail stores I have begun thinking of the next holiday, Valentine's Day. I think it is one of those holidays that people have mixed emotions about but I think this heart and arrow hanging kit (complete with the twine) from heysusy* is well worth anyone's $4.

1:45 PM by beemagnet · 0

happy news years eve day!

I hope you have abundant champagne and wonderful company to ring in the new year with!

(via this is glamorous)

4:00 AM by beemagnet · 0

Merry Christmas From Sweet Home and Garden Chicago

What are these people doing to me?

Merry Christmas from Sweet Home and Garden Chicago. Our mascot, Jojo the silver/black mini Schnauzer, is so confused by the newest addition to our household - Lea, our first grandchild. She seems to think its some kind of big wind up toy and has gone bonkers trying to get close enough to grab it.

6:45 AM by beemagnet · 0

guest interview {holiday traditions}

The adorable and very talented Courtney over at Under a Paper Moon nicely asked me to share my Christmas Traditions on her blog. You can see my answers and those of other lovely bloggers right here.

Hope you are having a very happy and festive beginning to the holiday week. I am still rushing around doing last minute errands but will be back and posting in full force later today!

10:38 AM by beemagnet · 0

wrapping it up!

Even though I still haven't finished my Christmas shopping (I am very last minute!) I can't stop thinking about which lovely wrapping paper I will use. I think I have narrowed it down to these two:

(from riferaff's etsy shop)

(from snow & graham)

10:00 AM by beemagnet · 0

holiday clothspins

I have decided that from all the options in my previous post that I am going to hang my Christmas cards from twine with these adorable clothespins from susy jack:

Also a great idea for a stocking stuffer or simple coworker gift!

7:00 AM by beemagnet · 0

A Christmas Story

Far from the nearest town , our log cabin on a hill in rural Northern Alabama was nestled in a forest of evergreens -pine, cedar , holly and fir. It was home to many critters - wild turkey, guinea fowl, ducks, fox, squirrel, rabbits, possum and racoons, some of which ended up on the dinner table.

All summer long we preserved the many fruits and vegetables of our labor for the winter. The chickens gave us fresh eggs each day and fried chicken on Sundays, the cow fresh milk and the pigs bacon, sausage and smoked ham. Once a month we would travel to town to buy large sacks of cornmeal , flour, sugar and lard for our daily bread.

My two sisters and I went to church in town every Wednesday and Sunday. Younger sister Linda and I would say a special prayer every Christmas for the thing we wanted most : Snow. God please give us snow for Christmas this year. But our prayers went unanswered and we were beginning to wonder if what they taught in church was true.

I was ten and out of school for Christmas vacation. With no money to buy gifts we had to be very creative. I was sewed a sock doll for Linda , wove a bracelet for Wilma, and made handkerchiefs for Dad.

Each day I would go into the woods to get pine and holly to decorate the house. I also gathered hickory nuts, pecans, chestnuts and walnuts. We had a huge fireplace that heated the house and a crackling fire where we'd gather and read Christmas stories and the bible.

The night before Christmas Linda and I once again prayed for snow. We jumped in bed knowing full well that such a miracle would never happen.

Christmas morning we awoke to the smell of Wilma's bacon cooking as she called us to breakfast. Instead of the usual grits in the bowls on the table there was something very pure and white that looked a lot like ice cream. Linda and I both stammered in surprise : " Ice cream for Christmas ? " No, sillies, " Wilma replied, " Go look outside. "

We opened the door to a most wonderous sight. Every tree wore a sparkling dress of white . Snow ! I was beginning to think that it was something I'd only read about in books or see in movies like White Christmas that my brother took me to see.

Linda and I agreed that our first white christmas was the best we'd ever had and we were finally convinced that there was a God . It just took him longer to find us because we were way out in the country.

6:48 AM by beemagnet · 0

christmas tree alternative

A charming and low maintenance alternative to the traditional Christmas tree.

(via Southern Accents)

9:01 PM by beemagnet · 0

before+after {holiday decor}

After a long hot shower and glass of wine (cures everything!) I am feeling much better and couldn't help but post about this dining room. I saw the holiday styled version of this room in Western Interiors and found the unset table in Peter Dunham's portfolio. I just thought it was so fun to see how holiday decor can transform a room. The before...

(via Peter Durham)

And after...

(via Western Interiors)
I have to say I really like the cokes at each place setting--such a fun contrast to the formal room. The coca-cola polar bear has always been a symbol of Christmas, why not the actual drink!

5:46 PM by beemagnet · 0

touches of tinsel

I am note sure quite what it is about the room (maybe the tinsel rivaling metallics or decadent fabrics) but this room just reminded me of the holidays. Either way a very visually interesting and unique space!

(via Jocelyne Beaudoin)

5:35 PM by beemagnet · 0

winter white {guest post}

(Kristie Shevin (owner) and Elizabeth Eberly (lead designer) of Delilah's Flowers of Denver blog -- photo by Paige Eden)
I am so excited about this post! It showcases one of my longest and best friend's thoughts and talents. She is the brilliant lead floral designer for Delilah's of Denver and I hope you are all as inspired as I am from her words and work. Introducing miss L.T.B. aka Elizabeth Eberly. Enjoy!

" This wedding was held up in Keystone in March. They wanted everything to look winterish while still being unusual and elegant I like it when holiday arrangements aren't typical. I thought having more of a winter feel instead of traditional Christmas would be fun. I was really into pussy willows and so everything kind of stemmed from that. Random, I know.

The arrangements were white hydrangea with pussy willows shooting out of it. It's a clean and modern look while still being elegant. The vase is wrapped with fabric and ribbon in white and silvery/gray. Wrapping the vase with an unusual material is one of my favorites. Whether it's filling the vase with pinecones or cranberries or wrapping cinnamon sticks or boxwood around the vase, having a fun container is always a must.

This last picture is of the place setting. I always like to tuck something into the napkin whether it's an herb, flower or memento. It's a nice little surprise when guests sit down at their seats. In this case, there is a stem of pussy willow tucked into the napkin to coordinate with the centerpiece."

photo credit: Jenna Walker Photography

4:00 AM by beemagnet · 0

fun + frilly

I thought this ornament was incredibly fun to look at but is it too much frill for a tree? What do you think?

(from conran shop)

2:20 PM by beemagnet · 0

and the countdown begins!

(via Living Etc.)
And the official countdown to the 25th begins! I have not picked out an advent calendar yet but I am thinking about something very simple, like this one from blank page studio:
But, I really wish that I had the time and skills to make this festive cone advent calendar (find directions here):

5:00 AM by beemagnet · 0