Saturday, November 30, 2013

Pretty Golden Gifts

Are you one to brave the Black Friday crowds?

Me?

Not so much.

I did brave the flea market crowd, though.... on Black Friday.
It really wasn't much of a crowd... but, I did do a lot of walking and that helped burn some extra calories which I consumed on Thanksgiving Day. 

Anyway, I have been crushing on gold since before gold was really "back in"... but, now that it is.... it's EVERYWHERE and that makes my heart very very happy!

So, if you have someone on your shopping list like me, here are a few things I put together as a pretty golden gift list:

1 | 2 | 3 | 4
And the flatware below is DEFINITELY on my Wish List.
[Honey.... hint hint.... honey.]

West Elm Rose Gold Flatware

My love for gold has been prominently appearing in some of my new artwork.
Like this large abstract below.
I am currently working on a commissioned piece in a pink colorway with gold... LOVE IT!

Electric Youth | Acrylic on 36" x 36" Canvas | Available 

Now off to burn more calories.... decorating the house for Christmas!
Can't wait to share pics with you in the weeks to come.
There will be a lot of silver, red... and of course, GOLD on display.

Happy Weekend, friends!

Thursday, November 28, 2013

Happy Thanksgiving

Katie Stoops Photography

"The root of joy is gratefulness...
It is not joy that makes us grateful;
it is gratitude that makes us joyful."


Tuesday, November 26, 2013

A Gold Mix of Pretty Tablescape

So, Thanksgiving is right around the corner... do you have a game plan for your tablescape?

Since our place is on the smaller side, storage room for serving and hostess items are at a premium. 
Essentially.... I need to do double, triple, quadruple duty on all my items.

That is why I carefully chose the items I bring into my home.
My goal is to be able to mix and match every piece I have to create new, exciting, and fun place settings and vignettes.

That is precisely what I did with my planned Thanksgiving Tablescape!


I mixed my every day white plates, beige ikat print plates, and these fabulous zebra plates.

I also utilized a mix of chargers: a golden weave plastic charger and a black and white geometric fabric charger.



I also like to keep the mix of dishes and chargers with the glass items.

I used various wine glasses, vintage greek key tumblers, and other vintage glasses combined with these vintage crystal soup bowls.

The mix provides such a texture of uniqueness..... it's SIMPLY DIVINE!





To provide a softer tone with the marble table, I added the natural fabric runner.
The color adds a soft hue to the crisp white and shiny gold.


I love how the zebra plates add a little bit of color to the otherwise neutral palette.

This could totally be jived up with emerald green for a Christmas Tablescape..... ohhhh... now I have some other ideas coming together for Christmas!



As mentioned previously, I use my items for several different uses.... and my collection of glass paper weights are no different.

I love using them to add a splash of shiny glam to the tablescape.
Simple and easy.


I added a touch of gold antlers to the centerpiece.

Again, another good idea for a Christmas Tablescape.




I just LOVE how this seems all pulled together.... even though I used so many different elements.

Do you like to mix elements in your tablescape design?

Monday, November 25, 2013

FURNITURE: Dorothy Draper Espana Chest

I found a great deal [Craig's List] on a Vintage Reproduction Dorothy Draper Espana Chest awhile back.

It really needed some TLC.

New drawer pulls and a paint job.

I found the perfect pulls here at Lee Valley... but, the paint job I have been putting off.

Source: Domino Magazine

I contemplated doing the paint job myself with a high gloss paint.
I thought I would just stick with the original black and gold color scheme.

Source: Matchbook Magazine

But then, I had this crazy idea about really making an impact with a high gloss lacquered white color...
with the gold/brass accents.

Source: Turquoise LA

I even contemplated a bold move with color.
But, since I am sticking to more neutrals with my furniture pieces.... the winner is high gloss lacquered white!

Here is an image with my Vintage Reproduction Dorothy Draper Chest.

The white lacquer will look so clean and crisp.... a perfect vintage/modern mix!


It's in the shop now at Again and Again.
I also went with the professional route for the redo...
THEY have the experience with high gloss white lacquer!

I can't wait until it comes back home.
I'll share more before and after photos upon its return!

Thursday, November 21, 2013

FOOD: Reese's Pieces Cookies

As promised from this post about our 80's themed birthday party...

The Reese's Pieces Cookie Recipe!

Quick.  Simple.  SCRUMPTIOUS!


INGREDIENTS
1 Package of Super Moist Milk Chocolate Cake Mix
2 eggs
1/2 cup of Canola Oil [or 1/3 cup applesauce]
1 bag Reese's Pieces

DIRECTIONS
1. Preheat oven to 350°.
2. Combine cake mix, eggs and oil in mixing bowl. Beat well.
3. Gently stir in Reese's Pieces.
4. Drop onto ungreased cookie sheet in round balls.
5. Bake for approximately 8-10 minutes [or until done].
6. Let cool and ENJOY!




These cookies taste SO good!
And... they are so simple to make... plus, they freeze well.

Perfection!

Wednesday, November 20, 2013

WORDS: Let Go

Words that are true... when I just let go, amazing things happen!

Float Float Away from Dazeychic on Etsy

Have a FANTASTIC day, friends!

Monday, November 18, 2013

PARTIES: 80's Theme

Like... TOTALLY AWESOME!

We celebrated kiddo's b-day with an 80's themed party this year.


80's attire was encouraged!

Kiddo was sporting a vintage Atari Pac-Man shirt circa 1982.... pretty cool. 



Every year we chose our theme by kiddo's strong interests [of the moment]. This year was no different. 
He also likes to participate in the decision making and production of all the party decor.

For every holiday, birthday, or special occasion we decorate our front door. 
This is where kiddo participated and created all the pixel images of the ghost and Pac-Man.

  

Upon entering our home, our guests were greeted by a vintage E.T. Lite Brite, vintage Pac-Man Clock and some pretty radical buttons.




Awww.... boomboxes and cassette tapes.
Did you ever record songs off the radio on one of these things?



We wanted to anchor our decorating scheme with color. So, we chose the colors from a classic 80's puzzle -- The Rubik's Cube: orange, blue, red, yellow, green and white.


We also put emphasis on the 80's items that kiddo is specifically interested in: Pac-Man and the Rubik's Cube. And of course, the 80's pop music was playing during the entire party.

Before the cake, ice cream and presents.... we participated in our annual BOYS vs. GIRLS Scavenger Hunt
This year.... it was 80's themed. 

Each team was to complete a side of a "Rubik's Cube" in their team's color. Boys were blue and girls were yellow. Each clue provided an image from an 80's movie, TV Show, or song. 

Our guests had to guess how that corresponded to a location that was associated with the Birthday Boy. At that location they would find their puzzle piece. 

After 8 pieces were collected, the 9th location led them back to the birthday venue. 
The team that arrived first --- won. 
And.... the boys won... again
The current score is 2 wins for the boys and 1 for the girls. 
GIRLS -- We always have next year!



I made the cupcake toppers from an image located on the web.



The Reese's Pieces Cookies were delish! 
Here is the recipe.

Very very simple recipe, too. I'll share it later in the week.


What do you top a Pac-Man Birthday Cake with????

Ghosts.... of course!




Pac-Man wedges to place in your beverage of choice!
I utilized the same Rubik's Cube image to make the water bottle labels.





Each of our little guest left with a party favor Pac-Man cube filled with a vintage 80's Garfield mug, a mini Rubik's cube and popular 80's candy.


We had such a fun time!


Like... TOTALLY AWESOME!

Linked up at Thrifty Decor Chick and Tip Junky.
 
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