Merry Christmas

Isn't this little nativity the sweetest? My Mom got it for Rob's nursery, and it has been a joyful reminder to us each day of what Christmas is all about; the birth of Jesus. Thanks be to God for this most incredible gift!

I'm enjoying time with family & friends over the next few days; I hope that you're able to do the same. Have a very merry Christmas!

Deal of the Day

Oh, if this had only come up 9 months ago...

HauteLook is selling Modern Classics plastic molded rocking chairs (knockoff Eames rockers) for $79. Yes, that's right; $79. What a steal! And they have them in blue, green and white. I have loved mine in the nursery; I don't spend tons of time in it anymore, but it's great for bedtime stories and I love that it can stay in Rob's room for years to come; it never goes out of style and isn't too baby-ish.

So moms-to-be or moms in need of a good chair for the kiddos, merry Christmas to you!

One more chic shelf

I stand corrected. If the aforementioned black bamboo shelf was still in my house, I'd use it like this (cue image on the right):

Image via Lonny. BTW, the new holiday issue is soooooo good. Treat yourself.

Happy Thanksgiving

Happy Thanksgiving, everyone. Eat well, enjoy loved ones, and give thanks!

And, if you're looking for a last-minute dessert to make, try this recipe for Pumpkin Cookies, found on the blog Habitually Chic. I make them each year and they are a HIT.

Pumpkin Cookies

1 cup sugar

1 cup canned pumpkin

½ cup butter

1 tablespoon grated orange peel

2 cups flour

1 teaspoon baking powder

1 teaspoon baking soda

1 teaspoon cinnamon

¼ teaspoon salt

½ cup raisins

Glaze:

¼ cup butter

2 cups powdered sugar

1 teaspoon vanilla

1 – 2 tablespoons milk

Heat oven to 375 degrees. In a large bowl, mix together sugar, pumpkin, butter and orange peel. Stir in flour, baking powder, baking soda, cinnamon, salt, and raisins. Drop by teaspoon onto un-greased baking sheet. Bake until light golden brown about 8-10 minutes*. Immediately remove from baking sheet and cool. Spread with glaze. Enjoy!

*I usually bake them for ~15 minutes in my electric oven.

Chic Shelving

This black, bamboo-detailed shelf is new at AAI/H&G.

If it were staying in my house, I would probably use it like this:

or this:

or, if I had room in my kitchen, like this:

The possibilities for stylish storage are endless!

The Decorista Agrees

One of my favorite bloggers, Ashlina of The Decorista, had a great post over the weekend about zebra ottomans. She wrote this:

"Absolutely every space in the world should have a little bit of something exotic.

I will always suggest a beautiful zebra ottoman, it just makes a room sing.

They may seem to be a little repeated at this point, but a wild animal print is still so chic.

In my opinion, if your home needs a pick me up... grab one of these bad boys and rock it!

Easy peasy."

So, in the words of The Decorista, make your room "sing," people.

Perhaps with one of these:

(Found at Hunt & Gather/Anna Applegate Interiors)

Pretty New Things

Email me for details...