Wednesday, November 30, 2011
My Go-To Christmas Decor
The Great Light Bulb Conspiracy
I got to spend some time in Kentucky with my family last week, and my dad and I made our traditional trip to Lowe’s—just to walk around. He once again got me in a little panic about incandescent light bulbs, which are slowly but surely being phased out (in case you haven’t heard). Beginning in January, 100-watt incandescent bulbs will no longer be available. . .
Forcing us to start using the fluorescent bulbs instead. . . . (I know, I know—many of you have been using these for years already but I’m holding out. They’re just not the same.)
My dad, for one, is not a happy camper. If he was a Miss America contestant who had to choose a platform, this would be it. He has literally been stockpiling the “old” light bulbs for the last year.
You can see his dismay when we found a final palette of bulbs and this sign at Lowe’s.
(This is why I love my dad. He willingly poses for these blog pictures.)
So, do you have strong opinions about this? Or, is it just my dad? And, if you want more 100-watt bulbs, you better run to the store now—before he buys them all.
Tuesday, November 29, 2011
Festive Table Décor
I love festivities… Christmas in particular is special… with fairy
lights, and ornaments, tinsel and mistletoes… and above all santa… and all the
gifts he brings along… *smiles*… There is always a little child in you …
somewhere!!!
Anyway… so
here is an outdoor setting… We did this for a dinner party in November… I put
out some petals, some potpourri, a few candles… and then I suddenly realised…
it looks all Christmasy... So I wont say
anymore.. and will leave you with these images…
So what do
you think?? Are you ready for Christmas?? Have you done all your shopping… We
will be putting up our tree this weekend… !! *happiness*
Nails for the DIYer
Christmas Card Tree
THIS idea I love for Christmas cards. . . I’m thinking I need to go on a hunt for sticks in my yard. I always throw my cards in a basket and never enjoy them like I should. This would work perfectly on our front entry table (you know, the one in front of the vent, for now).
Martha Stewart
Speaking of cards, here’s the post I wrote last year about our previous family Christmas cards (in case you need a laugh).
The One of a Kind Christmas Show
When I was at the Jenna Rose booth, one of the customers said that it looked “dreamy” and I have to agree. Jenna hand screen prints each piece and the result are these gorgeous pillows.
Nicole Tarasick was the darling of IDS this past year but this is her first time at OOAK. Her screen printed pillows with a nod to Canada had everyone talking. She is also a graphic designer who created these adorable wedding invitations encased in hankies.
I’m kicking myself for not purchasing these tea towels from Bookhou. I had meant to go back but somehow forgot. Tip: if you see something you love, buy it right away because most likely you will forget where the booth is or run out of time! (photo via Lisa.)
Nova Scotia based Allyson Simmie creates the most beautiful jewellery from Canadian stones. I love the pieces made from pink rhodonite from British Columbia – so pretty.
Would you believe that these “paintings” are actually paper collages – no paint was used in the making of these! Mary Karavos selects only the finest papers and these works of art are the beautiful result. She mentioned that the larger pieces can take months to complete.
Kelly Grace’s booth drew me in with the handsome wallpaper but it’s her quirky retro art that had me mesmerized. These hand painted wood panels entitled “Date Night” are an affordable $60 each. A great way to start an art collection. Oh, and yes that is her real name and she does have a Grace Kelly work on display.
Laurie Sponagle’s charcoal drawings are so realistic that they almost look like photographs. I must own one someday!
You can read Lisa’s post on the show to see some of her favourites. The show is on until December 4th, so you have plenty of time to stop in and shop. You can read my posts on the previous year’s shows here.
If you need decorating help, please contact me at decorhappy(at)gmail(dot)com. I would love to work with you!
5 Christmas Mantel Ideas
Bob the Elf has officially landed—on our mantel. And, as soon as he flies back to the North Pole tomorrow and takes up a new spot in our house, I plan to start decorating for Christmas.
In the meantime, I’ve been pinning my little heart out and found some great—and easy—inspiration for creating beautiful mantels:
Love this idea of flanking the fireplace with two tall trees. It’s such a statement and actually eliminates the need to decorate much of the actual mantel. It’s also a fun solution if you are short on space for a full-sized Christmas tree.
This monochromatic mantel would be easy to recreate. And, it’s a great idea if you have a piece of art above your fireplace that doesn’t jive with your Christmas decor. Simply buy a large canvas from your local craft store and wrap in a textured white fabric. Mix in glass and natural elements for a clean, sophisticated look.
I love the sparkle and casual element that galvanized tins bring to Christmas decor. And, layering lots of the same thing—tins, glass, garland, etc.-- is always an easy way to make a big impact.
Traditional and simple (of course, Martha makes everything look easy). You can’t go wrong with layers of fresh garland, and I like how the icicles are mixed in. The pop of green in the urns on the hearth completes the look.
Cottage Living (I think, correct me if I’m wrong.)
I’m not in love with this entire look but I like that the overall idea could be achieved with a couple of trips to Goodwill and some spray paint. The layered white mirrors create an easy, sparkly backdrop for the rest of your decor. Even if you can’t find enough mirrors, you could buy some inexpensive artwork, paint the frames white, and transform the glass with this product I found out about here through Pinterest:
(This could actually be great if you wanted to spray a collection of glass containers for your mantel, as well.)
Hope this gets you thinking! Have you started your Christmas decorating yet? (Don’t tell me if you’ve finished. . . )
PS—Just a quick correction on my previous Black Friday post. The link I listed to HeadyBed’s Facebook page wasn’t working over the weekend so I wanted to post the correct one here. Stop by to enter their “Sweet Dreams” giveaway, for a chance to win an Amazon Kindle and everything needed for a luxurious nights sleep.
Sunday, November 27, 2011
A fireplace redo!
The Weekly Story ~ wk 59
Now.. here are three projects that were assigned to be complete in November… and today, I think its not going to be done till New Year.. Well atleast there is hope!! That it will be complete in January… *smiles*..
My bedroom teal wall… is still incomplete… I was meant to paint a peacock feature in white, grey and orange… And then do up the room too… *smiles*.. This will be project 1 in January…
My parents room… is incomplete too… (oh.. I so don’t like the word incompete!)… I’m meant to be doing something to this olive green wall… What!! I still haven’t decided… So I guess… this will be project 2 in February…
This one in the living room is partially complete… and when I leave things half done.. I’m sooooooooooo not motivated to come back to them.. Do you feel that way?? This will either be completed in March… or will be revamped all together.. *grins*… with peacocks and paisleys.. and lotus’ and more…
In this pictures is my cousin from Canada... Im not sure he has painted anything before.. but was so motivated when he saw us... And my brother... who is Michael Angelo and Michael Jordan in the making... and my younger daughter.. another wanna be artist... *smiles*
So party with me... this week @ 'The Weekly Story' ~ open from Monday through Wednesday every week..
- Do a post on your blog, about ANYTHING! and it can really be anything – example – a fun recipe you tried out, a craft project, a DIY, a table top, a few candles, coffee with friends or a good book or a movie review… The list is endless… just about ANYTHING… and anything about YOU !! *smiles* ... It can also be 'anything pretty' ...
- Original photographs only... No images from other websites or magazines please!! This is about YOU.
- Link back to my blog.... only as a courtesy, so we have more people joining the party.
- Copy the 'permalink' from your post (not the link to the front page of your blog).
- Add your 'permalink' to the 'inlinkz' at the bottom of this post.
- Click the link before you. Don’t forget to comment and if you like the blog, please follow!!
Any questions, email me on torresp27@hotmail.com.
Please note, you DO NOT have to be a follower of my blog to join the party.. I'd love to see you here!!
Please grab the Colours Dekor 'The Weekly Story' button!!
~ Patricia
Friday, November 25, 2011
Salzburg - the city of music again
I am totally in love with this cemetery and the only reason I write about it so much… is that I found it amazing that people still remembered their loved ones. Some of the graves were really old, some were used over the years for the same family… however, there are still candles lit on some of them.. and you can still see people paying their respects to the ones they loved.
The cemetery was astonishing. More pictures and some of graves in my next post.
Thursday, November 24, 2011
Chocolate cake
Aisha (my friend)... shares a chocolate cake recipe. This was made for her son Aaron's birthday... Hope you'll try it too.. .
Chocolate Cake with 3
different types of icing
Chocolate Cake:
Ingredients:
2 cups sugar
1 3/4 cup plain flour
3/4 cup cocoa powder
1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
1 1/2 teaspoons baking soda
1 teaspoon salt
2 large eggs, at room temperature
1 cup milk
1/2 cup vegetable oil or sunflower oil
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
3/4 cup boiling water
Directions:
- Pre-heat the oven to
gas mark 4/350°F/180°C.
- Grease and line a 13x9 inch baking pan with baking paper.
1) In large bowl, stir together dry ingredients.
2) Add eggs, milk, oil and vanilla, beat on medium speed for 2
minutes.
3) Add in the boiling water and stir with a wooden spoon
(batter will be thin).
4) Pour into prepared pan and bake on the middle shelf for 35
to 40 until wooden pick inserted in center comes out clean.
5) Cool for 15 minutes in the tin then transfer onto a wire
rack.
Chocolate Icing:
Ingredients:
1/2 cup butter, at room temperature
2 cups icing sugar
1/3 cup milk or double
cream
1 teaspoon vanilla
extract
And, choose ONE of the
following:
1/3 cup unsweetened
cocoa powder, sifted (for light) OR
1/2 cup unsweetened
cocoa powder, sifted (for medium) OR
3/4 cup unsweetened
cocoa powder, sifted (for dark rich)
Directions:
1) Cream the butter in a
bowl for about 2 minutes with an electric whisk and then blend in the cocoa
powder, vanilla and icing sugar.
2) Add in the double
cream/milk until the desired texture is achieved.
Butter Cream Icing:
Ingredients:
1/2 cup butter, at room
temperature
2 cups icing sugar
1 tsp vanilla extract
2 tbsp milk
Food colouring
(optional)
Directions:
1) Cream butter and then add in the vanilla extract.
2) Add sugar a cup at a time beating on medium speed. Add milk 1
tablespoon at a time and beat on high until completely blended and you got the
desired consistency.
3) Divide into§ portions to add in different food colourings of
your choice or leave it as is.
Chocolate Fudge Icing: (I use this in between layers when I slice the cake)
Ingredients:
1 cup butter, at room temperature
2 cups icing sugar
6 ounces semi sweet or regular milk chocolate, melted and cooled
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Directions:
1) Beat the butter in a
large bowl with an electric mixer on high speed until fluffy, about 2 minutes.
2) On low speed, beat in
icing sugar, about 1/4 cup at a time until smooth. Add the cooled chocolate and
vanilla, mix well.
Please note: Any of the leftover icing can be stored in the freezer since they
freeze well.
Guest Post: Kelly of refresheddesigns
I'm happy to have Kelly of refresheddesigns on the blog today writing about something that is near and dear to my heart. Kelly is a decorator and professional organizer based in Calgary and has a very pretty blog. So without further ado, here's Kelly...
I'm thrilled to be guest posting today for Vanessa here at decor happy, one of my all-time-favourite design blogs. I'm writing about a subject I am passionate about - sustainable design. When people hear the term "sustainable home" they usually think of a new home built with green materials for high energy efficiency, energy-efficient appliances, and materials like bamboo flooring. This is all good stuff, if you can do it, but what about the average homeowner who is in an older home or in a condo or apartment? What can those of us who aren't building new do to make our homes sustainable without spending a lot of cash?
There are lots of things, but the simplest is to reuse, reclaim and re-purpose. When you want to update or make a change to a room, take inventory of things you have in other parts of your home that could be used differently in this room. Could the trunk at the end of your bed become a coffee table or side table?
 |
| via Design Sponge |
 |
| via |
What about using old sweaters, scarves or curtains to cover existing pillows?
 |
| via |
 |
| via |
 |
| via |
 |
| via |
 |
| from Elle Decor |
 |
| via |
 |
| via |
 |
| House to Home |
And bring in natural materials. Use branches as art or hang barn boards as shelves.
 |
| Re-nest |
 |
| Apartment Therapy |
 |
| Elle Decor |
No, thank you for all of the great tips Kelly! Please make sure you stop by her blog to say Hello.
