Tie it on for size....

Holly leaves and a crushed green velvet bow add new life to this putty colored door and its many layers of well worn paint.

While a delicately tied nosegay of mint breathes renewed freshness into this white washed cabinet and the linens that it houses.

Fresh sprays of seasonal greeneries against an old backdrop lend the feeling of renewal and can be achieved at a very reasonable price, especially if you're able to grow your own!!

"Away in a Manger...

No crib for His bed, the little Lord Jesus laid down His sweet head."


I purchased these sweet miniature nativity figurines at Target. They're made by Department56 so I'm sure they can be found at most local retailers or on-line.


I embellished the set a bit by adding silver glitter to the star, Mary's wings, Joseph's staff and baby Jesus' crib. I then set them on a white serving platter, added a silver foil tree to the scene and sprinkled the plate with faux iridescent snow.

A Cloche by any other name...

Is quite simply a bell jar formed of a solid piece of glass shaped like a dome with a knob or finial on the top. The French developed the cloche for the intended purpose of protecting early garden plants from cold and frost as well as promoting growth of young seedlings. Many gardeners however would break off the knob or finial of a glass cloche because it tended to act like a magnifying glass during use. The additional heat would often kill or damage the very plants the cloche was designed to protect.

Since that time, cloches have evolved....coming in from the outdoors to adorn treasures, cover sweets and cheeses, house collectibles and showcase photos - all the while protecting delicate items from the elements without sacrificing visibility. My quest is to locate (and eventually I will) a vintage cloche to cover and complement my treasured ship's compass (see post dated November 20, 2009).

Mercury glass in all its glory....

First created in early 19th century Germany as an inexpensive alternative to sterling silver, mercury glass makes for some of the simplest and yet finest decorations. Their silvered glass with mirror-like finish help to create my desired look this holiday season.....Old World Christmas Charm!

Although just one piece is beautiful on its own, I love the look of grouping a collection in clusters.

Even the newest of pieces calls to mind that vintage look that I find so appealing.

I purchased this darling white linen and lace stocking ...

and was no sooner at home and in the door when I had it decorated with a sprig of seasonal greenery, a tuft of tissue paper and a "Winter Wish" Christmas tag. I hung it on one of my favorite (of which there are many) white chairs.

Vintage glass, silver ornaments and family photos adorn our mantel this Christmas.....

I filled this apothecary jar with vintage buttons, set it on top of a footer candle holder that I painted white and covered it with a cloche.


To give it more appeal, I embellished this candle with vintage bridal lace (handed down to me by my Grandmother) and beaded trim.


The mason jar (draped with a glass beaded necklace) boasts a photo of my parents, Anna & George (1956)


Both photos are of my older sister Dorothy and I. She lives in Florida and we all miss her very much....especially during the holidays.... Love you Dottie-Mae!


The photo on the left is of Dorothy and I dressed to the nines (crenalin slips and all) on Easter Sunday. The photo to the right is of Dorothy and our younger sister Susan while visiting with the Murphys.


I filled this large cloche with sea shells, sand dollars and sea glass. I then set it upon a silver butter dish and adorned the top with a silver heart ornament a friend gave us that commemorates our wedding anniversary.

(Reminder...you can click on any image to enlarge it)

It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas...

here in New England anyway!

We awoke to this beautiful sight on Sunday morning. Wouldn't it be wonderful if the powers that be re-created this same winter wonderland for Christmas morning.

And the stockings were hung......

by the foot board with flair!

For the record, this is not my bedroom, but again for the record, it IS slated to occupy its rightful place in my Big Book of "Oooh, Ahhh Gotta Have!". Speaking of which, I should probably post some of those photos - they'll provide you with a glimpse of the visions of sugarplums that dance in my head... and not just during the Christmas season.

Button, button, who's got the button.....

I've loved buttons ever since I was a small child. My mother, as well as both my grandmothers, had button tins that I would spend hours sorting through. I'd match up similar sizes and colors all the while meticulously pulling out the wayward threads. My favorites were those with rhinestones and my least was the leather knot (also known as braided) shank.

I now of course boast my own collection of buttons. Admittedly they aren't nearly as vintage or quite as impressive as the ones I lovingly poured over as a child but I'm working on it!

There's no such thing as "too thin, too blonde, too rich"....

and....in my biased opinion....too white!

I love the dissimilar and creative use of the vanity mirrors - certainly lets you know which is the "His" side and which is the "Hers" side... I mean besides the peonies and the television of course!

Although I'm not a big fan of bathtubs, I have to concede that this one certainly complements and adds to the overall charm of the room.