Comfort and Joy with a Couple of Stories To Boot!

So I'm watching Million Dollar Decorator's last night, (I DVR'd the series), and it's about Martyn Lawrence Bullard, Mary McDonald, and Kathryn Ireland's participation in the Greystone Mansion Show House featured in Luxe Magazine.  Everyone who really knows me, knows that I totally get a kick out of Mary McDonald!  She is a hoot!  During the first season, after the episode aired where she designed a zig zag floor for her client Jill, Jill requests that Mary pay an immediate visit to her home to see the floor.  Mary walks in and exclaims, "I love it"!  Jill dryly said, "I don't".  Well, Gillian and I would go back and forth with this exchange and also threw in when Mary said, in reference to another client, "Clients don't know what they want.  I know what they want"!  I sent Mary a message on Facebook telling her how Gillian, six years old at the time, and I would imitate her and had a blast doing it; she replied by telling me, "I'm not so sure a six year old should be watching me"!  She went on to say a few other things that were totally hilarious, and I loved it!  Sadly, she was kinda right! LOL!!!

 

Anyhoo, I was blown over when I saw that she was doing the grand hallway in the mansion!  Needless to say I was glued to this episode to see if what they were going through was reflective of what I am going through now...and yes!  Thank goodness it's not just me feeling a wee bit stressed by this whole process!  At the end of the episode when Mary warns not to do a hallway, hmmm...you're a bit too late with that piece of advice Mare!

 

 

The holidays can be pretty stressful.  When my kids were younger; yes, I know they are only twelve and seven, but when they were much younger, I would almost obsess over making a perfect holiday season for them, beginning with Thanksgiving.  I would do many of the things that my parents would do with my brother and I while growing up.  Those memories are some I will treasure for the rest of my life!  A friend of mine and I were talking about how we would wake Christmas morning and already have certain toys already put together and ready for us to enjoy!  I'll never forget when my brother got a train set and my dad spent the night mounting it to a big piece of plywood and placed it on casters to make it easy for him to roll under his bed when he was done playing with it.  That same Christmas, I was for some reason, into wanting to be a secretary or something?  Hmmm, doesn't sound quite like me but let's just go with; I had an L-shaped corner desk already set up with a typewriter, Bugs Bunny pencil sharpener, and Bugs Bunny task lamp styled nicely for my enjoyment!  So, this is what Pete and I did for Noah and Gillian.  They're older now, not to mention times have totally changed and we don't get to do this anymore... 

 

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The wonderful thing now is they love being together as a family and doing things!  I'm so glad Noah is still very much a family guy.  I hope he stays this way.  Gillian, well she's a bit dramatic, but this kid loves to give.  I have not taken them shopping yet; yes, I know time is ticking!  I actually love the energy of last minute shopping.  I know, sounds a little crazy, but what can I say!  I digress, Gillian has written everyone in the family letters and placed them under the Christmas tree.  I have to share this!  In her letter to Santa, she immediately begins it by apologizing for being bad and explaining to him that she just can't help it!  She also ends it with what she wants for Christmas!  She wasn't gonna let that slip by!  Afterall, the whole confession part of the letter was calculated, don't you think?  My mom asked her if she'd been good, and she told her quite simply, no!  Hey, at least my kid is honest!

 

Tiramisu Bread Pudding

 

I actually like to prepare holiday meals!  These are pretty much the only meals I get excited about cooking.  Don't get me wrong, I cook and sometimes actually enjoy it depending on the day, mostly my mood, or the occassion!  I'm not much of a baker, though.  I wish I were.  Maybe one day when I grow up!  Maybe, just maybe (far away, longing look in my eyes).  Until then I'll just enjoy the goodies that my friends bake for me, as well as the ones I can pop into shops and bakeries and purchase!

 

Cranberry-Pineapple Cooler

 

I'm sure many of you can relate to needing a nice little something, something at the end of the day; hmmm, or maybe during the day to assist in bringing you down a couple of notches and helping you shake off the dust of the day!  I don't think there is anything wrong with that!  My fav thing to do though, is to curl up on a cold day in front of the fireplace with a cup of hot chocolate, some scrumptuous pastry, and my faux fur throw!  This time of year, I love to go into the room where the Christmas tree is and just sit there and admire the beauty of the lights and the sparkly refection of the ornaments.  For some reason, it calms me, centers me, and reminds me that my life truly is amazing and I am more than blessed to have the family, friends, colleagues, aquaintances, etc., etc.  Everyone that crosses my path has a reason for doing so, and I am very humbled and grateful for them.

 

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Make it AMAZING!

Rhonda



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Front Doors Dressed To Greet Holiday Guests

Whether you're hosting a holiday soiree for dozens or just a few friends over for an afternoon or evening of fun, what a delightful way to welcome them than with festive holiday decorations!  It can be something as simple as a wreath with a red bow or as elaborate as the entire entry dressed to impress with twinkling lights, trees, and poinsettas.  Whatever your decorating plan, nothing says festive more so than a front door dressed in it's holiday finest!

 

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via google images

 

via google images

 

via google images

 

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Now, if you haven't already dressed your front door, I hope you're shutting down your computer at the end of this posting and running right out to get your look together!  Even if you're not entertaining, do it for the most important person in your life...you!

 

Make it AMAZING!

Rhonda



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Tis The Season To Be Stylish: Festive Christmas Tree Decorations and Home Decor

With the holiday season hurtling towards us at a rapid speed, it’s that time of year again when we start to prepare for the perfect Christmas. With so much to think about in the run up to Christmas, festive decorations don’t always take immediate priority. A lot of us slip into the habit of using the same old tired decorations year after year, citing ‘tradition’ when really we’re just too tired from doing everything else; but why not go that extra mile this year? Our environments have a huge impact on how we feel, and a festive interior can really enhance a festive spirit. Whether you prefer traditional or contemporary festive décor, or a fusion of both; adorning your home with the perfect festive style is both easily to do and great fun for any design junkie.

 

 

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Traditional all the way!

 

The ‘traditional style’ is a safe, tried and tested way to go. A real tree, seasonal foliage, candle bridges, nativity scenes, reds, gold and greens. All the stuff you grew up with. Going the traditional route means you can still introduce those little personal homely touches (such as home made Christmas decorations) without being too restricted by a distinct style.

 

 

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A Very Chicmas

 

In complete contrast; if your home is decorated in a sophisticated, sleek and contemporary style, it only makes sense that your festive decorations work in harmony. More and more companies are catering for those after something a little more high fashion for Christmas, yet the style isn’t necessarily as expensive to obtain as you might think – and it’s never been so sought after. With plenty of online deals out there, you just need to get inspired and shop around. Black Christmas trees have become quite popular in recent times, as have ‘upside down trees’, both being strikingly modern takes on the classic, whilst a contemporary sculptural metal or wooden Christmas tree becomes as much a piece of art, as it does a festive focal point in your living room. More simplified colour palettes, such as black and silver, or just pure white, will ooze glamour and fabulosity.

 

 

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Festive Fusions

 

Like many interior designers so often do, fusing the old with the new always works a charm. You can still embrace traditional Christmas décor whilst introducing a modern, stylish and unique twist to it. Perhaps the simplest way to achieve this is by keeping the basics traditional, but using a modern colour scheme that compliments your home. For example instead of the traditional red, green and gold, why not go plum, copper and bronze? Or perhaps turquoise, white and silver? This is a very easy way to achieve something different, without straying too far from the comfort of tradition – which is what Christmas is all about. Style injections of glamour, vintage shabby chic, and quirky woodland charm all work well next to the traditional Christmas aesthetic.

 

A few festive tips:

• Rearranging Furniture: If you’re entertaining over Christmas consider rearranging your furniture to maximize comfort and practicality for your guests. Give people enough space to stand and mingle, and enough comfortable seating to sit down and talk.

• Get it cosy: There’s no better excuse than the festive season to make your home indulgently comfortable, cosy and snuggly. Adding things like faux fur throws, sumptuous cushion cases and a lovely soft rug are all things that can subtly transform your living room into a beautiful, cosy, festive retreat - and if you shop smart it doesn’t have to cost a fortune. Buying things that work alongside your festive décor and colour scheme will help unify the overall style of the room that much more, tying all those little touches together.

• Lighting: Warm mood lighting is perfect for those decadent Christmas evenings and can be achieved in many ways alongside your existing lighting. Lanterns and candles are great for this, and look fantastic flickering around the fireplace. Choosing candles with festive scents can help ensure that your festive spirit burns bright well into the evening. When it comes to your Christmas tree, always go for clear fairy lights as opposed to multi-coloured ones. As pretty as multi-coloured lights are, they dilute any carefully chosen colour scheme as soon as they’re turned on.

• Table Wear & Table Decorations: Since the Christmas dinner table is the most important table you’ll lay all year, it’s only right that you go to town on it. It goes without saying that napkins, crackers, and table dressings should all compliment the rest of your scheme - and don’t be afraid to go a little opulent. If your style is more contemporary, go glamorous where you’d usually go festive. For example, a traditional foliage centre piece can be replaced with a chic silver candle holder with a scattering of glass crystals around it to catch the light. Think Christmas dinner at Anna Wintour’s house. Another nice touch is personalized Christmas cracker gifts. Empty crackers are easy to come by and you can treat your guests to personal gifts they’d actually appreciate, instead of the normal tacky gifts that are often included in pre-filled crackers. A more contemporary alternative would be little personalized gifts placed in small boxes, much like wedding favours.

• If it doesn’t exist, make it: If you’re struggling to find that perfect centre piece for your table or you haven’t found the right wreath – then make them! If you have kids, get them to give you a hand. Activities such as this are rewarding and get everyone into the holiday spirit.

Make it AMAZING!,

Rhonda

 

 

* Special Contributor, Evelyn Burke





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