MERRY CHRISTMAS!

Wishing you all a Merry Christmas!

xx

callie

image: livingetc

Christmas Week!

Love the antlers with the simple ornaments:) they make me smile:)

I will be taking the week off of posting and will be back after December 30th.  It will be nice and relaxing.... I can finally catch up on my favorite blogs!!

Have a wonderful holiday to you all!!

xx

callie

image: livingetc

Pretty Pretty

Originally uploaded by i.Anton

Have a wonderful weekend!
Can't wait to catch up on my blog reading:)

stay warm, xx callie

PHOTOS: Just luv! Penelope!

Okay, I really got lost in the internet last night.... searching looking and finding really cool images.  Usually, on Thursday I do quotes and use images that go with the quote. Well, today I am just going to place a few images of Penelope Tree! LOVE HER!  enjoy!!

found the images here, wish they would have had the photographer credit with the image! but they don't.

 Actually the site was pretty strange, they actually place square black dots over her nipples in some of the images (hello, like I don't know what a nipple looks like, and no it doesn't offend me... but the black squares do!! ugh censorship sucks)

just look how bad it is..... ha! totally takes your eye to her breasts!!  I am surprised they didn't have black outs else were.....

Anyway,

 Most of the images were taken in the 60's. Just love her look! as John Lennon once said about her in 3 words, "hot hot hot, smart smart smart" 

so who do you crush on at the moment?

xx

callie

ps

sorry for the rant about censorship!

STYLIST: Atlanta Bartlett

just a pretty image today

space by Atlanta Barlett

*sigh*

found here click to view more

xx

callie

5 Things: on my list!

This super sweet plaid coat from Toast! 

plaid, purple what is not to love!!!

*here*

These lovely "Paige Tall Riding Boots" Frye in Grey.

*here*

this digital camera!!

wishing! I know my dad is not going to spend this much, but a girl can wish!!

*here*

and I would so love to bundle up in this lambs wool or cashmere throw!

with the adapted St. Andrews Cross!

*here*

This lovely set of books!

*here*

What's on your wish list?

xx

callie

DESIGN: Holiday tables

Wow, today flew by!  
Sorry for the late post, I was out Christmas shopping.  I bought tons of beautiful yarn.  I am making lap blankets for my dad, brother and sister for Christmas.  I will post after the holidays (when I get my new camera, hehe my mum let it slip that my dad bought me a camera for Christmas!!) I have to complete them this week in order to ship them on Saturday before I fly out... wish me luck!


Everyone else will get store bought pressies!


I am so excited to go to the west coast for the holidays! I was looking through Idealhome this morning over my coffee and these beautiful tables are just perfect!!


Who wouldn't want a table surrounded by ghost chairs!! and the small petite ones for the children's table! The tree is so very pretty! *sigh*

**

and this table! so fresh and crisp with the snowflakes! Love the stars on the shelf and the simple branch tree!! What a way to showcase your ornaments!!

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I completely adore this pretty green glass and pine cone table setting! This natural setting is just stunning with the simple tree in the background.

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I love the framed "Merry Christmas" above the fireplace!! (and I do love the wall paper in this room) The white and red scheme is so festive. I also love the paper snowflakes hanging in the corner!

here is another red and white palette!

**

What holiday magazines or blogs are you pulling your inspiration from this year?

xx

callie

DECORATING: 'tis the season!!

Holiday Decorations:

This holiday, I am excited about decoration my new home.  While getting in the spirit of the season, I have been researching for some inspiration.  Here are a few of the idea's that I have book marked:  all images: livingetc

Love this idea of using a branch painted white and hung with ribbons.

So perfect when one does not have a fireplace to hang stockings 

(wish I did have a fireplace though, but this is a good alternate)

or this cute idea! Just tie coffee cups on the stairs! and fill with sweets.

(Kandi, is this similar to your Christmas Basket idea??)

Completely adore the paper cut out wreath, and that reindeer!! SO adorable.

I am really into reindeer this year, and these metal cut out deer work well with the gold accents. They look great on that table (looks like a west elm table)

LOVE those huge ornaments over the table.

I am really liking this string of baubles! and that glass container filled with limes and candles!! 

I am always in search of stars, and these are perfect for the 

backs of chairs or tied to a gift!

What are you doing this holiday season for decorations?

xx

callie

Tough week and no end in sight!

Don at Brux
Originally uploaded by James_at_Slack

Okay, I had to view James' site to calm down!! and found this lovely photo!! so beautiful and serene. 


I am working like crazy, I came home shoveled snow from my sidewalks, came into my house and my dog had got into the box I had all my craft items that I have been assembling for a charity holiday sale!!


Can I say feathers everywhere and I have the most sparkly house ever!!
GLITTER all over the place! then I found my digital camera!! in pieces!!!!!!
so I can not even take a photo to prove it all!!!


I am so stressed and this was so not helping my stress level!


I will be taking the next few days off of blogging to get caught up on everything!
until then, I will be thinking of you all.


deep breathe, ommmmmmm!
xx
callie

OBSESSION: Reindeer!

Okay, I admit this is a strange obsession. But I think they are really really cute!!
Here are a few images that I have been collecting in my favs folder.

Look at his cute face!! He's smiling

found here

This is always a favorite!! 

Bailey with Rudolph

found here

found here

sweet little detail on her coat!!

found here

Found here

While I was at the fabric store this past weekend, I overhead a mother and daughter discussing glitter and the amount needed mixed with Oats to make reindeer food. 50 baggies of food! Of course, I continued to ease drop, trying to figure out what the heck they were talking about! 
glitter? Food? gross.....  then I realized they must be setting out the reindeer "Magic Food" with the cookies left for santa. So, I looked up the recipe myself on this wonderful world of the web, and here for you "Magic Food for Reindeer" found here. I used this recipe since this one you can eat. Why they wanted to use glitter was beyond me!! 


If they really wanted to make "Magic Reindeer food" they should use these:
Fly agaric amanita muscaria, reindeer love these little mushrooms!! 

image found here

Have a wonderful day!!
xx
callie

DESIGN: Swedish Christmas

The window adorn with a simple wreath 

of boxwood an dried wheat.

mmm, marzipan fruit and ginger sweets!!

Love the goose feather tree.

The pine garland draped in wheat is a special touch on the banister.  The dowry chest from Lapland is 200 years old. What an amazing family heirloom!

This tree is so beautiful!!

(I spy my coveted wing chair)

What a sweet way to display Holiday Cards.

I was really into Swedish decorations this weekend!  I spent the day at ikea on Saturday (went to pick up the cup/tea set for my nieces and ended up there half the day!!)The decoration were so simple and pretty! Completely Scandinavian, so it inspired me to post this pretty house of Edie van Breems from Country Living.

How are you decorating this Christmas? What theme?

I think I am just decorating with what I like, not doing a theme this year!!

xx

callie

HAPPY FRIDAY! DIY weekend

How amazingly easy are these ornaments!! Buy empty clear baubles at any craft store and fill with Christmas items. Keep them simple like the image and tie a pretty ribbon on and your are DONE!!

I made some similar to these last week with G!

I will post some of the DIY projects we made this weekend:)

I hope to make more items for the holiday faire.
What are you doing this weekend?

xx

callie


image: livingetc

QUOTES: Eating Well & Celebrating Life, now vote!

                

 "Sharing food is communion 

with friends and the earth."

                                             ~Paul Hawken, Blessed Unrest

This is the Thanksgiving table setting by Kirsten Grove of  the blog SimplyGrove.  It just takes my breath away! 

Simple, elegant and very family oriented.   

She is a finalist in the Dwell Modern Thanksgiving Contest.... go here and view the table setting!! AND while you are there vote for Kirsten by leaving a comment under her table setting post!!! because we all love her!! if you would like to see the others, view here

Enjoy your day! It's supposed to snow today!!! yippy!

xx

callie

ARTIST: Karen Kilimnik

Snow White, 2004

Tabitha II, 1998

Karen Kilimnik, an American artist, her paintings recall the work of 16th through 19th century painters.

Mixing contemporary and historical references, her paintings make my heart race!  I love the colours and the textures of her work.  I wish one day to own one of her paintings!!!!!

Hope you enjoy her work as much as I do!!

Who is your favorite artist at the moment??

xx

callie

Mary Calling up a storm

The angel of cholera-1400's flood, fewer humans

2008

OBSESSION: Semi-DIY, Handmade Holiday gifts - etsy

Christmas is coming up fast! and I am usually, done by now. Usually, the key word here!  I have been so busy I haven't been able to even start my shopping, let alone my list!! 


  With the economy the way it is, I thought I would make items and be more thoughtful of my gifts or purchase homemade items from etsy.  So, over this past weekend I started researching some of my favorite blogs to search for gifts. There are so many great idea's that it was hard to narrow down to a few....


Lovely Clusters: This is the best place to find all handmade items at amazing prices!! You will be amazed at all the wonderful items on this site!! 

{frolic} one of my favorite reads, Chelsea has so many idea's, I review her blog daily to get inspired.  A few weeks back she featured Kata Golda's  new book "Hand Stitched Felt" The book is a great gift, and so are her sweet little ornaments.  If you are crafty, you can probably get the book and do sweet little ornaments like these:

 

I love to give ornaments so these are good options! and they look easy to make.

And, here are some really rocking ornaments from Vana Chupp! a dear bloggy friend and an amazing artist!!  The Sihouette Ornament, these lovelies are keep sakes that can be passed down in the family.

I adore silhouette's and Vana is the best at this craft!!

Here are some lovely hand made bags found on etsy!! {sis, if you are reading this post, please close your eyes!!}

Reversible Hobo Bag by a Chicago Artist:

retrofied

I found this wonderful little butterfly at BugUnderGlass:

My niece Lulu is so into butterflies right now, and I am thinking this might be really cute to add a collection of these pretty butterflies in her room.

Here is some cool ideas for decor that are semi-handmade or you can purchase.


whippetgrey always has really cool items, here is a wreath that I just have to have in my  new home!!! A card board wreath, it is eco-friendly and craftsy.  It arrives flat, then it can be customised  with spray paint, glitter and adorn with pretty little bits! Whatever you want:)

Another idea from whippetgrey!!!

How sweet are these little lovelies! and I think I can make these... I have a box full of crystals from an old chandelier, just need to get some linen ribbon!  

add a bit of vintage to your tree, corridors and dining rooms.  These paper chains would be a fun activity to do with the whole family. Pre-packed cut paper from clothears or you can purchase paper at your local craft store and cut your own strips .

My favorite online shop is Graham and Green. They have the prettiest Christmas decor!!

Here are are few of my favorite items:

Love these stars!! and with my obsession of antlers!!

These Heart of Bells are sweet, would love to hang the small one on all my door handles

What are you doing for holiday gifts and decor?

xx

callie