"Chairy" Christmas tree

Back by popular demand - here is our "chairy" Christmas tree! A live 8 foot tree packed with tons of chair ornaments collected over the years. Everybody has their favorite. The tree is usually a 3 day process. Day 1 - selecting, buying, hauling and standing the tree. Day 2 - lighting. Day 3 - Unpacking the chair ornaments (my favorite part - its like visiting with old friends.)

New this year is the "wicker tree skirt." Last year, I searched and searched for a large basket to plop the tree stand into. I finally found one but the tree didn't feel sturdy so we resorted to a small tree. This year a friend sent me a link for the wicker tree skirt. Both she and I couldn't order one fast enough! Its basically a wicker band - tree and tree stand simply get placed within. Just genius!

Here is the bare tree. Pretty but in need of sparkle and stuff.

I had plenty of burlap left over from Miss B's cowgirl birthday party...so I made strips of garland and added white lights.

Then on came all my chair friends. I have hundreds of chair ornaments - here is just a close up sampling of a few. Hope you enjoy. If you're in town - stop by and choose your favorite.

I joined the Christmas Tree link party at Thrifty Decor Chick - head there to see wonderful Christmas trees.

Our chippy, minty green/red Christmas mantel

Hi everyone. Are you tired of looking at my blimp post? Seriously, it's been forever since I've posted (since July to be exact). Life has been busy and with Santa coming its bound to get even busier ;-) We're slowly turning our home into a cozy, winter wonderland. I decided to go chippy, minty green and red on the mantel. Pops of greens and reds and lots of chippiness (sheer happiness). Hope you enjoy.

It all started with the chippy, minty green mirror. I loved the size and thought it was a perfect backdrop for the wreath. Then I just "shopped the house" for more mint green and reds. The only thing I needed to buy was the greenery.

My favorite touch is the "Merry Christmas" sign which was purchased from my favorite store, Shutters in Fair Haven, New Jersey :-)

"33" - our house numbers.

Mint green platter, pitcher & gravy boat from the kitchen. Filled with greenery and red vintage Christmas ornaments. The small chippy red chair from our guest room.

The corner of our mantel. A distressed metal "B" for Little Miss B.

Our angel overseeing the side of the mantel.

More chippiness - two antique boxes.

The top one is filled with assorted greenery and cinnamon-scented pine cones.

Minty metal tub taken from Miss B's room and filled with a tree. 3 chairs for more "red."

Thanks for popping by.

I've joined the holiday home link party at The Lettered Cottage.

To see other mantels head here.

blogging about a blimp!

I thought I would be a better "blogger" in the month of June. Never mind - I'll try again in July. I recently read a blog post someone wrote about getting the new phone books (seriously)...so, I thought I would try to top that with a post about a blimp. Yes - a blimp! Blog worthy, no?! Happy 4th.

Marine curio

So, I found this shell collection box for $5 and had to have it. It was vintage, charming, beachy and "blue." I wasn't really sure what it was but it was CUTE! Later that week, I got my answer...it's a marine curio. For more on marine curios go here...

Off to the fair tonight!

A riot of roses

Despite lack of care they bloom every June. Our loyal, pink roses mark the beginning of summer. I always vow to learn how to care for them but they seem to be doing pretty well all by themselves. Wishing everyone a good week.

Turtle!

We've had a busy week. Time to slow down this weekend. Nobody does "slow" better than the little friend that Miss B found tonight.

Hope everyone has a nice weekend.

blues, a basket and a chair...

It's June 1st and I realize I only did "5" blog posts for the entire month of May. Pretty lame. So, I'll start June off on a better foot (happy Stacy?). I hope everyone had a nice Memorial Day weekend. Ours was filled with relaxation, pool time and a BBQ...

Oh - and Aunt Chrissy and I went treasure hunting and found lots of goodies. My new love of "blue" continues. If I don't buy a "someday beach house", I might have change our kitchen from green to blue. I can't wait to fill the pale blue platter (only $3) with white shells. I also found a slip covered armless chair for only $10 - the fabric matches our current dining room chairs perfectly. $10 for extra seating - I'll take it!

Enjoy the short work week...

Armless slip covered chair only $10.

Current dining room chairs

Summer!

Happy Memorial Day weekend.

Wishing everyone a great summer!

photo: Shutters Fair Haven

Wicker wrapped demijohn found!

Perhaps my biggest yard sale find ever --- a vintage demijohn! This past Saturday, I snuck away from the Shutters sidewalk sale to venture out into the Fair Haven townwide yard sale. 200 houses participating. Obviously, I could only go to a few and I'm so glad I did. As I approached house number 8 - I saw it - right.out.in.front! My thoughts - "No. It can't be?" "Why hasn't someone scooped that up?" "I bet its really expensive". Heart racing - I quickly pulled my car up and headed right towards it. Marked on masking tape was $10 ;-) (smiley face included). ONLY $10? Pottery Barn sells them for $99 - $279! I quickly paid and as I loaded her into the car I realized she was even full of treasures (shells, white seaglass, 2 ping pong balls and a little troll doll). Oh joy!

Here it is...

How big? See it next to Miss B...

Masking tape price tag...

View from top of demijohn...

Contents: lots of shells, white seaglass, 2 ping pong balls and troll doll...

Demijohns are hot in decor...

See top shelves...

Some "demijohn" information from Demijohns by Bob Parsons:

The purpose of the demijohn was for transport and storage of bulk liquids.

Most all demijohns were wrapped or encased in wicker to protect them from breakage during shipping.

Demijohns are bottles that have somewhat been ignored over the years and are now becoming popular especially as the colors and shapes become known. They are ideal focal points and attention grabbers for enhancing furniture and room settings. Like many other antique bottles placed on a table, shelf, or on a window sill they are very attractive. Interior decorators have shown interest and are starting to incorporate them in their business.

photographs: Pottery Barn, Coastal Living & Southern Living