God Bless The Families of Newwtown,Conn.

20 beautiful children and six adults....

Via The Daily Bulletin

It is with a heavy heart I write this post.  The tragedy the families from Newwtown, Conn. experienced yesterday is unspeakable.  Losing a child creates a crater in your soul.  I pray for all involved to be comforted by God's grace.  Why do tragedy's like this happen?  There isn't a good answer to why or how something like this occurs.  Obviously, the shooter had mental problems and a disorder that went untreated or ignored.  It sounds as though he was ridiculed which must have caused a lot of pent up anger but we will never really know.  After a tragedy of this magnitude, we look for a way to find a tiny glimmer of good somewhere among the sadness.  Unfortunately, the only good that can come out of this unspeakable incident is the warmth felt by others, both people the families know and total strangers.    Last night there was a vigil held for the families at St Rose of Lima Roman Catholic Church.  While the rest of us were decorating, shopping and enjoying the holiday season the town of Newwton, Conn was mourning the loss of so many from their own community  with families who's lives will never be the same.  Please take a few minutes and pray for these families. 

"Be merciful to me, O God, be merciful to me! For my soul trusts in You; and in the shadow of Your wings I will make my refuge, until these calamities have passed by.Psalm 57:1"

Prayer from Mastin at "The Daily Love"

Dear God/Father/Mother/Source/Spirit/Divine Uni-verse, please help us to mend our hearts for the tragedy today in Connecticut. Please help to comfort the pain of the parents who lost their children too soon. Please surround all those who's lives have been forever changed because of the actions taken by fear and ignorance today. There can be no deeper pain than losing a child. Please help our nation to wake up and take action so that this never happens again. Please help us to heal our breaking hearts and please help us, even in this dark hour - to find Love in our hearts for the darkness of the world - for we know that Love is the only power that can heal our world. Amen.

Holiday Tips, Another Sneak Peek of My Christmas Tree & Holiday Blog Hop with Olioboard!

Holiday Tips Worth Sharing:

1) Black pipe cleaners are my secret weapon for hanging ornaments, garlands and wreaths,  they are easier on the hands than floral wire and ornaments can't fall off when attached to the tree branch with a twist. They also hide very well among the greenery.  Especially great for attaching the garland to your bannister rail, because it doesn't scratch your paint like wire does.

2) Put black candles in your candleholders, it creates drama and makes a room look stunning! Every room needs a touch of black!  Try it, you'll be hooked!

3) If you don't have many ornaments for your tree, buy ribbon to fill in.  Cut strips of ribbon and tie directly on the branch if you want.  Make sure you get ribbon with wire, so you can scrunch it to make it pretty.  




4) 3M Command hooks can be used to hang anything and easily removed after use. 

5) Every year I buy a few presents for the next year and wrap & tag them prior to packing up my Christmas stuff.  When the boxes come out of the attic, the next year, I immediately have gifts for under the tree!



6) I have learned the hard way but cup hooks and fishing line are my new best friend, when it comes to making sure my tree is secure.  We screw cup hooks into the chair rail on either side of the tree then we wrap fishing line  around the tree triple reinforced and ancor to each cup hook.  

6.  Have broken ornaments?  Don't throw them away, you can attach them to a wreath and hide the broken parts among the branches.  No one will ever know they are broken except you!

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Another sneak peek of my Christmas tree! I promise I'll show you the entire tree once I get presents under it!  It's just something about seeing the entire ensemble that is important to me.  I typically use blue in some fashion during the holidays.  I have never been much of a red person, so I gravitate toward blues and pinks even during the holidays. If all else fails I go metallic!  Silver and gold is aways good to add a little sparkle to any color scheme!  Below is my favorite ornament!  It is an angel sitting on angel hair and entwined in gold threads. This ornament is rather large so it takes a special place on our tree.  I think of it as my son I lost three years ago.  Of course his ornaments from birth through high school are lovingly placed on the tree as well. 





Twenty years ago, I started giving each of my children a Christopher Radko ornament then my mom started giving everyone in the family one, so we have a tree ful of Radkos which I adore.  Our tree has fallen three times over the course of the past several years, so I have a trick to make sure it doesn't happen again.  How do you like the turquoise ribbon?  My kids and hubby want an old fashion tree with multicolored lights and ornaments.  I think next year we are going to have to put up two trees to display all of our ornaments!  Either that or get a bigger house, so we can have one bigger tree! ( Something tells me we will be getting two smaller trees!)

I am almost ready to show you my tree! Hopefully the big reveal will be this weekend!

And The Winner is......

The Winner of the WilsonArt HD Kitchen Countertop Makeover 

Congratulations goes to ....

Teresa Hatfield from Splendid Sass!!!!

Teresa will receive a new WilsonArt HD countertop complete with a new 

integrated undermount sink!!!!  If you aren't familar with WilsonArt HD it is a beautiful

new product which is a great alternative to granite.  Visit the WilsonArt website

to learn all about this fabulous new product!  Best of all it is a green product!

We will be featuring her kitchen makeover, right here on the blog, so be sure to

check back for details!

Teresa chose the Ebony Eclipse (she has the prerogative 

 to change her mind if she wishes)

 The Historical Homes tour was in Chapel Hill this past weekend.  The home that I have been working on there, The Hooper-Kyser House was on the tour!  I will share some pictures from the tour tomorrow.  Today, I am decorating my own house for Christmas. 

 Here is a sneak peek of my Christmas Tree.  You get a little preview

 of the colors I am using this Christmas....

 I'll show you the rest once it's done!

"Holiday Style" Hop with Olioboard

I am so excited I was asked to participate Olioboard's
 "Holiday Style" Christmas Hop 

If you read my blog on a regular basis you know how much I adore Olioboard.  I use it for all sorts of things from client presentations to creating mood boards to inspire me for my blog. If you don't know what Olioboard is, it's not too late to learn!   Olioboard is a fabulous website that allows you to create your own interior design mood boards using their extensive library of products and images, or you can upload your own. It's similar to a simplified version of Photoshop.  It's super easy to use but I found watching the youtube video "How to Create 3D Room Designs on Olioboard" really helpful.  It's the quickest 
way to learn how to use Olioboard!


I am honored to be in the company of nine other well known designers and bloggers who  are also joining in on the fun and have created their visions of  "Holiday Style."  I chose to do two rooms, one for the "Lady of the House" and one for "The gentleman".  
Here are my Holiday Inspirations:

For The Gentleman of the House:

For the Gentleman's study, I picture a very traditional design in traditional red and greens.  which add richness to the otherwise masculine decor.  I picture the wall painted Benjamin Moore Grey Owl to compliment the dark wood paneling. The fun pillows tossed in the chairs are a crowning touch. All that is needed to finish this room is a fire in the fireplace, a yummy cup of cider and a good book.  I'm quite sure that Saint Nick will pause for a rest in one of these cozy chairs before taking off up the chimney again, don't you?


For The Lady of the House:

The lady of the house is sure to enjoy her holiday guests in this glamourous living room painted in Benjamin Moore's White Christmas 872and accent of Pink Bliss 2093-70.  The grey velvet sofa,mirrored side table, brass and black coffee table along with the pink with a dash of purple are perfectly on trend for the hippest holiday ever.  

I am inspired by a rooms decor when decorating for the holidays.  My inspiration rooms  have decorations that blend with the room's decor which elevates the room to its highest potential.  

 Below is a list of tips to make your room cohesive and festive in Holiday Style:

1) Sit down with a pen and paper and make a plan.  While you are at it, make it a pretty notebook and pen like the ones from Looking online, in
 magazines and books can be a great places to get ideas.  

Via

2)   I typically start with color ideas which always translates to ribbon for me because there are so many pretty patterns and colors available.  I find three to work with the decor and
build my palette from there. Ribbon can be used to wrap the presents, bannister rails and decorating the tree giving a room a cohesive look.  So shop for ribbon first!

3) Consider repeating the colors in your room in your holiday decor and add a touch of sparkle to make it look festive.  For example, if the room is blue and green, buy blue and green ribbon and add gold to the mix to great beautiful bows to accentuate the decor.

Add caption

4) Change out pillows to something more festive than pillows used everyday.  

Try something with sequins, holiday designs or colors if your room allows.

Tobi Fairley Pillows

5) Pretty Christmas books on the coffee table are always a nice addition to a holiday room.

Via

6) Don't forget the smell.  Pine or cranberry candles and potpourri arouse the senses when displayed.  Make sure you have a pine scented candles especially if you

 use an artificial tree.  I particularly love Thymes Fir Candles.

via

7) Bring in the logs and have a real fire.  There is nothing quite like a crackling fire.

VIA

8) Add a cozy throw to make your room feel warm and toasty by the fire or toss
 it on a table for surprising simple tablecloth. 

9) Choose a favorite holiday album to play while you sit by the fire. One of my favorites

is CeeLo Green's "Magic Moment"

VIA

10) Always, always add fresh greens and things from nature inside and out.  

Martha Stewart Living

The most important part of creating a "Holiday Style" Room is factoring in time to sit and enjoy it during the hustle and bustle of the holiday season!

I hope you enjoyed my "Holiday Style" Olioboards now make sure you click over and see what the others participating in the hop have created!

Holiday Style Olioboards:

Color Chats

Tobi Fairley

Embrace Your Inner Snob

Jennifer Reynolds Interiors

Sarah Gunn Wall Candy

Focal Point

Andie Day Lifestyle

All About Design

Pink Eggshell

See More of Olioboard at all their social media channels:

Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, and the Olioboard Blog

FACEBOOK PAGES

http://www.facebook.com/olioboard

http://facebook.com/tobifairleyinteriordesign

http://facebook.com/BenjaminMoorePaints

http://facebook.com/pinkeggshell

http://facebook.com/alliecat4ever

http://facebook.com/sarahgunncom

https://www.facebook.com/pages/Lisa-Mende-Design/205252529489782

https://www.facebook.com/pages/-FOCAL-POINT-/352417951888

https://www.facebook.com/pages/Snob-live-life-with-an-attitude/60000454607

https://www.facebook.com/pages/Andie-Day-LLC/132879273437960

https://www.facebook.com/pages/Jennifer-Reynolds-Interiors/85099551598

PINTEREST

http://pinterest.com/benjamin_moore/

http://pinterest.com/tobifairley/

http://pinterest.com/lisa_mende/

http://pinterest.com/sarahgunnstyle/

http://pinterest.com/alliephillips38/

http://pinterest.com/jane_gianarelli/

http://pinterest.com/pinkeggshell/

http://pinterest.com/jri_design/

http://pinterest.com/nyclq/

http://pinterest.com/andiedayllc/

TWITTER

http://twitter.com/ColorChatscolorchats (Also follow, @Benjamin_Moore )

http://twitter.com/tobifairley

http://twitter.com/nyclq

http://twitter.com/JRI_Interiors

http://twitter.com/AndieDay

http://twitter.com/JaneGianarelli

http://twitter.com/pinkeggshell

http://twitter.com/sarahgunnstyle

http://twitter.com/alliecat4ever

http://twitter.com/designLHM

http://twitter.com/olioboard

Thank You Olioboard, Sheilah MacSporran 
and Leslie Carothers!!!!!

Also, I am sorry I haven't announced the winner of the WilsonArt Contest but I was out of town from Thursday til Sunday and haven't had time to put the names in the random generator to I will announce the winner tomorrow!  I have another Giveaway in the works I think you will enjoy!

Great Christmas Shopping in Chapel Hill!

If you live in North Carolina, you must check out Southern Seasons in Chapel Hill!

It is chocked full of Christmas gifts and goodness!  They even have these cute little bags that 

can be filled with items from North Carolina to send your friends and family.

Take a look at some of there offerings that caught my eye...

There is anything you can imagine for the tea lover!  I especially liked

these Teaposy products which have a flower that blooms in the pot!

Kusmi Christmas tea is fab!  I have been drinking it all week!

Short on time but wanted to send a homebaked goodie?  Here's your answer!

My Grandma's of New England makes delicious cakes that taste as though

 you did the baking!

Rum cakes from North Carolina

Treats to thrill any child young or old

Beautifully packaged truffles sure to make someone's day.

Maple syrup in the cutest containers ever...bears, gingerbread men, stars and little log cabins

Beautiful Christmas china 

The North Carolina China is another gift that would be appreciate by 

some lucky Tarheel.  

One might even chose the Arte d'Italica like Oprah did!  

Speaking of Tarheels, if you have a UNC-CH fan in your house, I think these

 ram's head glasses would be a big hit for their bar.

Gifts for the girls include beautiful scarves from Powder, great bags from lines

such as Spartina and many more.

I spied these cute little books for kids at the check out.  Aren't they fun?

So if you are in Chapel Hill, NC make sure to go to Southern Seasons.  I am sure you will be able to check off many names on your list and find great stocking stuffers to boot!  If you aren't in the area, you can still take advantage of this awesome resource with their great online shop.  Click Here!

What cool gift ideas have you found while out shopping?  Please share!

Last Day to Enter to Win The WilsonArt HD Countertops!

Winner will be announced tomorrow!

Now be a good boy or girl and don't forget to enter my WilsonArt HD countertop Giveway if you want new countertops in your kitchen and a new undermount sink!!  For details in case you missed the original post, click here!  I'm going to working on a house the next couple of day that is on tour on Saturday so not sure I will get around to blogging much.  I also have an article I promised someone, a playlist I promised someone not to mention shopping and decorating to get done!  Whew!  Are you as overwhelmed as I am?   We need to stop, breathe and relax, right?  After all, it's about enjoying the season, not being perfect!  (Repeat 100 times until you believe this!)