Garland and Lanterns and Candles, Oh My!

Such a pretty holiday set-up we pulled together at a client's house on the fly.  

And that Beni Ourain doesn't hurt either!  

P.S. Do you see that sofa fabric in the background? #Jealous #ClientsHouseIsCoolerThanMine

Our Christmas Tree.

I hope everyone had a wonderful Thanksgiving.  We had a great one filled with tasty treats and the ones we love.  And we even squeezed in an early feast a few days before, in honor of husband's favorite holiday.

In other news, it's official.  The day after Thanksgiving might just be the best one of the whole year.  And forever more we get to celebrate it as not only the first official day of the Christmas season (yay!!), but also the anniversary of our engagement.

Here's how we spent our Black Friday this year.  Only one purchase, but a very special one!

Christmas Table.

This year, I helped my mom decorate the Christmas table. We decided to go pretty simple, but the result was beautiful. One other stipulation: she wanted to use as much of what she already had as possible. (She's moving a few days after the new year, and the less to pack the better!)

I picked up the pine cones, she got some extra white candles, and we used a green table cloth and gold chargers she had. Very affordable and simple, but strengthened by the fact that we ran the same theme all the way down the table. The most common mistake I see is when people place items sporadically down the table or fail to choose one theme and continue it all the way. To create a striking effect, you'll probably need to buy double the amount of centerpiece supplies you think you'll need. This will ensure a full and festive table.


(A fun idea for pine cone placecards)



P.S. This was a day or two before Christmas Eve. Don't worry, we had silverware and glasses the day of the feast :)

Merry Christmas.

Wishing all you sweet readers a very Merry Christmas! Stay warm!
(Image here)

Cleveland Christmas: Edition 2.

Wreaths and lights and bows, oh my!
This time around town was just as impressive as my last shoot. Admiring the great decorations people have adorned their homes with makes me so happy and reminds me what this time of year is all about, spreading a little warmth and light (and being cozy with the ones you love). Walking up to these beautiful doors made me smile from ear to ear.



Don't judge a book by it's cover? Well in this case you can. The family who lives here is just as great as their front door : )



Fire engine red. What an exciting welcome home! And uber festive during the holiday season.


That luscious red bow was crying out to be photographed.


The combination of lace and the most perfectly textured white wallpaper in this entry way was such a sweet surprise. This photo doesn't even do it justice.


The pine cone wreath only enhanced this gorgeous home.



As if this door didn't have enough wow-factor, the bay window next to the door had me as giddy as a kid on Christmas. The sheer drapes with twinkling lights shining through truly stopped me dead in my tracks.

Happy Holidays!

Deck the halls.

This time of year can be so hectic! Everything from buying last minute Christmas presents to hosting holiday get-togethers, it seems like there is always something left to do. Every time I return to my apartment after a busy day, these beautiful decorations remind me to slow down and enjoy the beauty of the season.

This wreath with its tiny lights welcome me home in the best way.


Some makeshift mistletoe. Muah.

And a mantle overflowing with live garland...


that smells soooo good.


DIY "mercury glass" votive holders. Definitely not the real thing, but for $1 and about 5 minutes, not too bad. I completely agree with Carlee. I used silver metallic spray paint but want to try it again with the mirror paint to achieve an even shinier effect.

(Images are property of A Thousand Laughing Starfish. DIY tutorial via Deliciously Organized.)

Merry Christmas. Love, J. Crew.

I find J. Crew endlessly inspiring. Everything from their color combinations to their innovative use of classic materials blows my mind.






Then again, when she's your creative director, would you expect anything less?

Cleveland Christmas.

I announced Cleveland Christmas yesterday at the perfect time, as Cleveland proceeded to get what seemed like foot after foot of big fluffy white snowflakes. The roads were covered, the sidewalks were covered, and my Ugg boots were covered after I took all these beautiful pictures. Hope you enjoy!



























Happy Holidays!

Cleveland Christmas.

I'm so lucky to live where I do, in Coventry Village. Once Cleveland's mini version of San Francisco's Haight Ashbury, it was a favorite hangout of hippies and counterculture youth in the 60's. And while it's still populated by a younger crowd, this is due in large part to Coventry's proximity to the universities in Cleveland.

I love my apartment with its giant moldings, gorgeous wood floors, beautiful french doors leading into the dining room, and tree-lined street. Today, Coventry retains its creative past, still attracting artists and musicians, while bringing in wealthy families who savor its classic architecture and eclectic neighborhood charm.

Christmas has arrived in Coventry like it has everywhere else this season. The houses look so beautiful decorated for the holidays that I decided to start a segment in December featuring exteriors ready for Christmas! The homes I feature are mainly from Coventry and surrounding areas such as Cleveland Heights and Shaker Heights, also noted for their drool-worthy homes.

Here's a tiny glimpse of what's to come. Looks like Santa came a little early this December.












(***All images by me. Please feel free to use them but link back to me as the source. Thank you.***)