Merry Christmas from my growing family to your’s!
Merry Christmas! Saturday, Dec 24 2011
Holiday 7:52 pm
Fall Decor, New Front Doors, and a Little Pumpkin Monday, Oct 31 2011
Entryway and Holiday fall outdoor decor, fiberglass doors, front doors, halloween 3:38 pm
I’m excited to show you our new front doors!
BEFORE PIC (last fall):
AFTER:
You can somewhat see the new trim paint on the house in this picture. I’m very happy with the way everything turned out. I love the new doors. I ended up going with fiberglass doors because, as you can see, there is not overhang over the doors. These Oklahoma storms just pound these doors. The previous door was completely rotten, so I knew I couldn’t go back with wood doors. The new one’s are painted black. I’m still looking for new outdoor sconces.
We had a wonderful fall weekend with family and friends.
Happy Halloween from my little pumpkin and me!
Fall Luncheon Sunday, Oct 30 2011
accessories and Beautiful Homes and Crafts and Dining Room and Holiday and Kitchen decorating on a budget, decorative pillows, fall table decor, table decorations 9:48 pm
Yesterday, I had some friends over for lunch. It was a small, casual affair so we ate a yummy lunch of soup and salad at the kitchen table. I decided not to go with your typical fall colors of orange, yellow and brown. My new etsy pillows are grey and blue, and I already had a blue and brown table cloth from Anthropologie. One of the reasons I do this blog is to give all of you out there new ideas or good resources. So, today, I thought I would go through my table setting and share where I got everything. I think it goes to show that you don’t have to spend a fortune to set a beautiful table.
Tablecloth on sale from Anthropologie about three years ago. The pumpkin came from Whole Foods. The candles and hurricanes are from Pier 1. Always remember, never put scented candles on a table while your eating.
I love these bowls! I got them for Christmas last year. They are the perfect size for soups, chili, and pasta. You have no idea how long I looked for bowls just this size. They are from Anthropologie, and they had them yesterday! Just checked the site, and they are gone 
Here is another option for you. My mom bought the Flame Leaf Bowls, and they are very cute too!
I have some beautiful crystal goblets that go with my Vera Wang china. When I put everything together, they were just too fancy for this event. My everyday glass were just not looking up to par, so I started to look for some new tea/water glasses. I found several options on Anthropologie, but, alas, the Anthro of OKC is not quite finished. And I didn’t really want to make the trek to the mall with the toddler. So I did some brainstorming…
Here is what I wanted:
Here is what I found, at Dollar General!
Isn’t it cute!? They are really nice, heavy glasses.
My everyday white plates from Crate and Barrel are very nice, but they didn’t really look great with the blue and white Anthro bowls. Again Dollar General had just what I was looking for.
I think these are the perfect size for luncheons and showers. I’m planning on going back to buy about 30 more. I love using real plates at showers instead of paper. I think it makes things so much elegant and special. I had some cloth napkins from Ikea, but they were not looking so great. These napkins came from Tuesday Morning. The napkin rings are from Bed, Bath and Beyond.
I’m loving my new pillows. I’ve been very happy with the quality.
The two turquoise and burlap flag pillows are from Wisteria a couple of years ago. They grey and white stripe are from the etsy store Modern Marvelous Home. The ikat pillow is from the etsy store Martha and Ash.
Every party should have fresh flowers. I don’t like spending a lot of money on arrangements, so most of the time I do them myself. One of my favorite places to get flowers is the Homeland by my house.
I hope you are having a wonderful fall season. I would love to hear some of your favorite table or party decorating tips!
What’s on my mind? Saturday, Oct 15 2011
accessories and Beautiful Homes and Crafts and Family Room and Holiday and Nursery birthday party, garden, hanging wall plates, nursery 10:49 am
I have several projects going on right now. Some for me and some for clients. Here’s what’s in my head…
brook gianetti
restoration hardware
Oh and I forgot about the baby! So here’s a nursery pic…
I think this is Sarah Richardson…
Birthday Brunch Friday, Feb 25 2011
Crafts and Dining Room and Holiday 9:43 pm
While going through old photos this morning, I realized I never put up photos of my fabulous birthday brunch. My mom offered to give me a 30th birthday party. She said we could do whatever I wanted. I thought about it and decided I wanted all of my girlfriends together for brunch. Of course my mom let me help with the decor, because that’s half the fun for me. It was a very special day, and it made turning 30 so fun!
Flowers- Trochta’s (my favorite flower shop in OKC)
Table & Linen Rentals- Maryianne’s
Petite Fores- Sweete Memories (one of my favorite bakeries in town)
Chocolate Bars- Cadbury (these were the only bars we could find with a foil wrapper) yummy!
Balloons- Party Galaxy (balloons only last about 5 hours, so it’s best to buy the small helium tank to fill them up at home. Makes it less dangerous driving with them in the car also!
Food- Cafe Plaid (my favorite lunch spot in Norman, OK)
Paper Decor and Invitations- Lilly Pulitzer
Merry Christmas! Saturday, Dec 25 2010
accessories and Holiday bucilla stockings, christmas decorating, christmas ornaments, christmas trees, christopher radko ornaments, garland, glass ornaments, old world ornaments, stockings, wreaths 4:54 pm
For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace. Isaiah 9:6
Merry Christmas friends! I hope this Christmas is full of wonder and delight for you and your family. I’m so thankful for our many blessings.
It has been a crazy December around the Nance household–1st birthday and finishing our kitchen. BUT I still fit in a little Christmas decorating, of course!
I wrap faux berry swags from around the tree. The swags add color and fullness to the tree. I also like to use coordinating paper for my gifts. This year I used red and white paper with green tulle bows. I’ve mentioned my ornament collection. Two of my favorite ornament designers are Christopher Radko and Merk’s Old World Ornaments.
The Radko’s can be very large, so I display a few of them on their own. These two are Oklahoma’s official centennial ornaments made by the company.
My mom and granny started making Bucilla stockings over 30 years ago. It has really become a tradition in my home and my mom’s. They come in a kit. My great-aunt made mine and my husband’s for our wedding gifts. I made my son’s the summer before he was born. They are very special to us. It reminds me of my childhood. Don’t they have a ’70′s feel to them? They are made of felt and sequins.
In the dining room, I have my Oklahoma Old World glass ornaments and two glass hurricanes full of more glass ornaments!
Unfortunately, I’m allergic to pine trees, so we have to have a fake tree in the house. But on the outside, I mix the faux berries with real garland.
(working on ideas for a new front door! Will keep you updated!)
I will be heading out early tomorrow morning to buy half-off Radko and Old World ornaments! This is the only thing I will get up early to shop for! I will let you know what I find. Until then, have a very Merry Christmas!
God bless, stacy
Christmas Cards Wednesday, Dec 22 2010
accessories and Crafts and Holiday and Workroom christmas cards, displaying christmas cards, invitations, paper 7:57 pm
Do you send Christmas cards? I’ve heard a lot of talk lately about Christmas cards becoming a thing of the past. I hope this is not the case. Christmas cards are one of my favorite holiday traditions. I understand that the world is different now with Facebook and Twitter. We can send a message to our friends with the touch of a button. Doesn’t that make a handwritten note or picture even more special? I think I’ve mentioned my love for paper before. One of my favorite parts of hosting a shower or birthday party is picking out the invitation. With the price of stamps and paper, it is definitely a splurge. But if you can work it into the budget, I say, Go For It!
Do you display your Christmas cards? I’ve seen many a Christmas card on refrigerators. I’ve also seen holiday card wreaths. Well, I like to have my cards out all year long to enjoy, and I don’t really like magnets on my refrigerator for fear of scratching it. This year I’m displaying them on a bulletin board on my work counter in the utility room.
Aren’t my friends and family gorgeous?
Here are several of my favorite paper websites:
http://www.peartreegreetings.com/
Please share if you have other favorites!
My Only Collection Tuesday, Dec 14 2010
accessories and Beautiful Homes and Crafts and Holiday christmas ornaments, collecting ornaments, ornaments, travel 5:54 am
Hi friends! I’m sorry I’ve been MIA for so long. It has been CRAZY around our house the last few weeks. The kitchen is finished except for a few minor details! We had my son’s first birthday party at our house on Saturday. It was a great motivator to get the kitchen finished. I promise I will post pics soon. I’m having a little trouble with my computer. Until then, I would like to share one of my favorite things–Christmas ornaments.
I would not call myself a collector. I don’t really collect anything (it’s too much work!), except for Christmas ornaments. My husband even helps contribute to this collection. When we travel, we like pick up ornaments from each of the places we visit. We always have our eyes peeled for a special ornament to bring home. Ornaments are really trinkets in the best since. I don’t really like clutter, so this is a great way for me to keep a memento from our journeys without having junk everywhere!
Every year, I unwrap each ornament, and it brings back such wonderful memories of where we visited and how much fun we had together. Now, not all ornaments are from our travels. I also have many ornaments that I just like or represent some aspect of our lives. In some way, our tree represents our life–what’s special or important to us. It tells a story.
Ornaments can be tricky. And I’m picky (no rhyme intended!). I prefer to buy blown glass ornaments. I love the color and shine of them on the tree. You can’t always be so picky when you travel. Sometimes you can’t find an ornament at all. This always frustrates me! It was especially difficult in Europe. My husband and I were on a mission in every city we visited. If there was an ornament in that city, we were going to find it! I think we did a pretty good job on our last European vacation.
Here are a few of my favorite ornaments with a corresponding photo of us on vacation.
San Francisco Trolley Car
Me riding a trolley car on San Francisco!
Golf bag from Pebble Beach, California.
Hubby and me at Pebble Beach.
Painted scene from Carmel, California. If you haven’t been to this gorgeous little town, you’re missing out! It is so beautiful. It’s like a scene from Hanzel and Gretel.
Us in Carmel, California.
Only ornament I could find in St. Lucia.
On our honeymoon in St. Lucia. Can you believe this view? This is from the house we stayed in. Unbelievable!
This ornament is from Florence. This is the ONLY ornament we saw in Florence. The shop keeper said she had them specially made for her shop. She didn’t really understand what it was, but she said the Americans bought them! It’s a hand-painted view of the city. It’s one of my most favorite because it’s so detailed.
Us in Florence!
Ornament from Napa Valley, California. This was from our trip to Napa and Sonoma. One of my most favorite places ever. Sonoma has the BEST food I’ve ever eaten.
Ornament from Paris!
Here we are in front of the Eiffel Tower. Still can’t believe it!
We went to NYC for part of our honeymoon. We attended a Yankees vs. Red Sox game in the old stadium!
Here we are at the game!
This ornament is from San Giacomo. What a beautiful, beautiful place..
Here I am in Sienna. This was seriously one of the coolest moments of my life. Sipping champange in the square in Sienna.
This ornament is from Fredericksburg, TX. If you haven’t been there, it’s a great little trip. It’s a German immigrant town in the hill-country of Texas. It’s so quaint and beautiful.
This is where we stayed in Hill Country. It’s called The Inn Above Onion Creek. It was very quaint and charming.
This ornament is from one of our trips to Santa Fe, New Mexico. I LOVE Santa Fe. It is one of the only places in America that is truly unique. It has its own south western culture. Yes, there are some Spanish influences, but the Native American artistic influences along with the American western aspects make it a special place.
I really hope this post either inspired you to travel, inspired you to collect ornaments or BOTH! I really enjoyed taking a walk down memory lane. This makes me want to pack my bags and go somewhere fabulous. Not so easy anymore with a baby!
Most Wonderful Time of the Year! Friday, Sep 24 2010
I know you decorate for Christmas, but do you decorate for fall too? Christmas decor is fun, but fall decorations are my favorite! Because my house is currently under construction, my autumn indoor decorations could not be displayed this year. Sad. But I can still decorate outside! I have a passion for pumpkins and gourds. I love their shapes and colors. So beautiful. I also like to plant pansies in the fall. It’s not quite cool enough here in Oklahoma for pansies. The store are just starting to get them in. I will probably wait until late next week to plant them. They usually last all winter and look great in the spring. I bought tulips to plant for the spring also! Love tulips! They are a burst of happiness after a long, cold winter.
Here are a few pictures of my front stoop. Do you decorate for fall? I would love to hear some of your favorite fall traditions or even craft ideas!
stacy
