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Our 2014 Christmas Cards
10 years ago
Ahhhh apothecary.....jars, that is
Once upon a time, before little recyclable orange plasticcontainers existed, a pharmacist would deliver your cold serum in a glass bottle labeled with ingredients that would probably make the modern world laugh, or worse, cringe. Around a century and half ago, in addition to small bottles, larger apothecary jars were used as storage like they are today, though the concept of sterilization on the tools they enclosed was nearly non- existent.
Fortunately, times have changed, but the concept of apothecary jars for storage has resurfaced in the form of decorative purposes. Jars in all sizes and often intriguing shapes have given us an impressive way of displaying
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everything from boring cotton balls on the bathroom vanity to lemonade in pretty jar-dispensers.If you shop in high-end antique boutiques you'll find a variety of these jars, usually collectibles, sometimes over a hundred years old. The smaller jars are perfect for simple decoration but these authentic accessories come with a hefty price tag. Plan to spend nothing short of $80 in boutiques for a pale pink 4'' tall medicine jar that ranges 90 years in age. If you can stand rummaging through item-stuffed, musty antique shops or estate sales you .jpg)
may find an array of dirty jars for smaller prices. Washing the dirt is possibly worth the extra step. The value may be just as exceptional and your wallet won't take the generous hit.
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may find an array of dirty jars for smaller prices. Washing the dirt is possibly worth the extra step. The value may be just as exceptional and your wallet won't take the generous hit. Finding replicas of the age old jars can add just as much inspirational design to your space as the actual antiques. After all, sometimes it's hard to justify spending $60 bucks on a tiny piece of glass. There is an extensive inventory of replica's as well as originals on EBay. The pictured above left set of three French stenciled jars are actual jars from the early 19oo's found on EBay. I found a beautiful antique monogrammed replicated jar at Hobby Lobby (pictured right) for $9.99.
Larger Apothecary jars serve many "hard to store and display" purposes. .jpg)
Bathrooms are an easy way fill glass jars full of Q-tips, bath sponges or bath salts. (top-pictured set of four monogramed jars- Potterybarn.com). Try filling a tall jar with multi-colored glycerin soaps for a bright burst of color in a neutral setting or break away from clear glass jars and try a collection of colorful ones. (Pictured multi-colored set currently available on EBay).
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Bathrooms are an easy way fill glass jars full of Q-tips, bath sponges or bath salts. (top-pictured set of four monogramed jars- Potterybarn.com). Try filling a tall jar with multi-colored glycerin soaps for a bright burst of color in a neutral setting or break away from clear glass jars and try a collection of colorful ones. (Pictured multi-colored set currently available on EBay). 
Jars full of lemons in the kitchen may be a current trend slightly overdone. However, if you have control over your sweet tooth or inquisitive children, try filling a series of different sized clear jars with peppermint sticks, orange slices and lemon drops! My favorite jar display is an "apothecary jar" drink dispenser; quite possibly the most elegant way to allow guests at a luncheon or soiree to serve themselves!
The possibilities are endless with these jars. While I'm glad we're used to purchasing our headache medicine in disclaimer plastered-plastic bottles, I'm grateful we can use pieces of history to bring inspired style into today's often over-medicated world.
Hobb-knobbin' around
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When I was a child, running in circles and playing hide-and-go-seek, I was fascinated by the door knobs in my grandparents home. They weren't like the typical shiny brass knobs that filled my own house. Instead, clear glass engraved knobs accompanied every door in their 1940's home. What was even more intriguing were the key holes in each knob. I was told that skeleton keys were the only way to open these locks, but if you had one, it could open any interior door in the house..jpg)
Obviously homes just aren't built with the charm and detail they once were. It's typical to see brass or cheap gold fixtures through out new constructions. If you're lucky, you may get silver plated or coated. Thankfully, there is someone sitting at a design desk somewhere, who also remembers the romantic door knobs in their grandparent's homes. These designers are recapturing the essence of hand crafted design. While .jpg)
it's not cheap to refurnish you whole home at once with individualistic knobs, it is an investment to work toward and then cherish. Decorative knobs can be found everywhere from Lowe's to high end boutiques. Be sure to measure the knobs first. Apparently, door knobs aren't one-size-fits-all. I was short of devastated when I got home with my hand-blown pink glass bubble knob only to find it didn't fit correctly.There is no rhyme or reason to door knobs. Don't fill every room with the same one. .jpg)
Variety is available, so take advantage and mix it up from room to room. How many of your friends have pink crystallized glass knobs on their french doors? Mostly likely not many, if any at all! Be one of the first to have a conversation piece that will add the detail to your room that today's homes unfortunately simply lack.
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Variety is available, so take advantage and mix it up from room to room. How many of your friends have pink crystallized glass knobs on their french doors? Mostly likely not many, if any at all! Be one of the first to have a conversation piece that will add the detail to your room that today's homes unfortunately simply lack. Bubble Glass Pink knob, Enter/Exit Knob and Glass Flower knob all Anthropologie.com
The lion, the witch, and the incredible walk-in wardrobe
In an ideal world, Nick and Jessica would've never filmed a ridiculous (yet dangerously entertaining) reality show which would eventually result in divorce. In a perfect world, we wouldn't be subjected to hear Kendra Wilkenson's infamous and relentless laugh on E! network over and over again. In an absolutely flawless world, every last person would have their dream closet right out of an episode of Cribs.... If only the world wasn't hopelessly flawed.Luckily, there are options to make your own dream closet. While it may not exactly be the immaculate vision pictured top right; Though it may not be worthy of a California Closet's advertisement....Your closet can be your own beautiful, organized, budget-friendly utopia.
One of my friends just bought a house where she is lucky enough to have an extra small spare room after the guest room to use as a closet. That's right, AN ENTIRE ROOM! There are so many things to fill a closet up with besides clothes. After all, this is the room where the "Should I Wear the play-it-safe black dress?" or the "I'm going to turn every head in the room red dress" decisions are made. This room should be your personal escape. 
So paint your closet a color you love, but nothing too drastic. This is the palette for your collection.Most likely you won't be able to surround the walls with enclosed shelving. Instead hang "hanger shelving" and leave room to build a few stacked shelves to display shoes and handbags.
Your Must-have closet accessories include:
-Wooden Hangers. This is going to take your displayed clothing from a "disheveled TJ Maxx rack look" to a "fresh off the Kate Spade shelf look." Buy them in bulk online where you'll get a discounted price.
-Lighting. Get rid of the overhead light. Nothing too bright. The ideal lighting would be the toned down flawless look the bulbs in the Gap Dressing rooms give illuminate. They're forgiving brightness makes almost any outfit a ten. A must have for your room is a mini-chandelier. (Pictured 39.99 from IKEA.com) Now you're in your personal boutique with this elegant piece.
-Furniture is imperative. Maybe you need a chaise lounge to pass out on from your too-tight pants or a "pondering chair" to browse fashion magazine inspiration. Either way, choose something that flows with the room's colors and overall theme and most importantly, something comfortable. Chaise Lounge- Ballarddesigns.com and Vanity Chair- Potterybarnteen.com. Lastly, stack your Harper's Bazar Magazines and extra 
handbags on a ottoman. Choose a color that compliments and a pattern that contrasts your seating.
handbags on a ottoman. Choose a color that compliments and a pattern that contrasts your seating.-It's possible the single most important accessory you'll have in your closet is the mirror. Purchase a floor-length over-sized mirror with a thick frame to take up one of 
your walls. With one of these you'll get the full vision of your fabulously dressed self, and if the room is small, the mirror reflection will create the illusion of an even larger closet.
your walls. With one of these you'll get the full vision of your fabulously dressed self, and if the room is small, the mirror reflection will create the illusion of an even larger closet. -Artwork. Decorate any unused walls with Fashionable art pieces. You can order vintage Vogue Covers on art.com. I personally like these pictured Fashion Barbie collector sketches. 
-If sq. footage permits, you can add an armoire or vanity to your room. Display Jewelry on an antique mannequin. With the combination all of these pieces and your individual touch, you're sure to have the most coveted closet around. And why shouldn't you? You have the space. You have the wardrobe. Now you have your own clothing playground. Let the games begin!
Temptations in the Garden of Good and Retail
Lock me up and throw away the key. If you don’t, I’m sure to commit this crime again. I’ve previously spoken of my weakness for impulse dress shopping and I must say I can’t be held completely accountable for my actions. Everyone has their weaknesses; In the Garden of Eden, Eve’s weakness were pretty red apples. Personally, I would’ve passed up the apple for the nearest palm tree. Palm leaves or some other tropical plant could’ve resulted in a perfectly lovely dress, if put together correctly. My view is: If there’s a marvelous dress on the rack, I don’t have to have an event to attend like a swanky soiree or Wedding # 76. If it’s fabulous and fits like it was made for me....Darn it, it needs to be hanging in my closet. End of Story. THERE WILL BE A SOIREE. THERE WILL BE A WEDDING to attend and I WILL have the perfect dress strapped over a crisp wooden hanger when the time arrives.This is a very logical way of thinking. I buy with in my means (most of the time) but refuse to sacrifice the opportunity to own “The perfect dress”. I was lucky this past weekend to score the top right brownish-bronze mini cocktail dress with burnt orange piping at What’s in Store in Downtown Franklin. Amongst the array of boutiques on Main Street, What’s in Store values fashion and the current status of the economy. Their modestly middle priced clothing, jewelry, handbags, and hats can’t be found any where else and celebs like Taylor Swift and Jessica Simpson have graced the doors. A rarity sprung among Franklin’s “High and left your wallet dry” shops, What's in Store even advertises coupons once in a while. 
Quite possibly one of my favorite boutique dresses is the pictured right ivory “puff dress” as I like to call it. I would have never chosen this party dress on my own, but when I went into The French Shoppe last Spring on a sales call the exuberant owner prompted me to try it on. Uncertainty clouded my reflection in the mirror and visions of 1980’s bridesmaids came to mind. Convinced I would fall under the spell of the subtle sparkles and pompous puffs, the owner told me to take the dress free of charge. If I didn’t like it, I could bring it back the following week, no questions asked. He was convinced the only thing I’d be returning to the store with would be my debit card. He was right. Six days, Two hours later I was the proud owner of a piece of fashion I’m convinced no one else in Nashville owns. That was over a year ago. I still haven’t worn it. The uncertainty still surfaces when I try it on. Confidence is the only accessory to be worn with this dress. I’m at 99.9; “Puff Dress” takes 110%. I’ll be sure to post pictures when I get the courage to display this individual piece in public. Until then, it’ll hang nicely on bar snuggled with my collection of “Worn” and “To Be Worn.” A collection of femininity; bright and subtle pieces, individualistic; Many Expressive, though some subtle... A collected collaboration worth the wait of wearing.
A twisted and tied idea.....
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There are certain friends that everyone needs in their lives. These people are creative and can lend the helping stylish hand when you're at an idea standstill. My friend Katie Zimmerman as I mentioned in my Summer Daze entry is great with entertaining ideas. Lyndsey Marr- a master at home interior picks. Harlena Walters can turn any outfit into a Ten by just adding one of her fabulous pairs of shoes! And then there's Erin Drawdy; Ms. Queen of craft herself. 
Last night a large crowd celebrated our friend Jamie's birthday. When cake and gift time rolled around Jaime opened several cards and clever gifts. What was impossible to miss was the brightly wrapped gift box from Erin, in a sort of fabric material sitting so 
pleasantly loud in the middle of the table. I admit before Jaime opened the mystery box I was quite puzzled by the wrapping technique, but it became oh-so-clear when she pulled the knotted bows with their tassels apart....It turns out the wrapping was made from one of the ever-so - popular scarves that everyone is wearing in the midst the of 90 degree heat hysteria. Though I make the heat remark with sarcasm, I admit I'm a sucker for the stylish and affordable finds. My drawers feature colors and prints of every sort. 
I just can't imagine being happier if my gift wrap was indeed part of my actual present! Jamie received cute accessories inside the box but the scarf definitely was the key find!Another great way to wrap a scarf is by using a square silk one. These are great finds at vintage stores. Example pictured with orange silk scarf. My personal wrapping tips: Stock up on bright colored scarves at Forever 21. They range from 5.99- 14.99. (pictured middle left) Longer scarves will be better for more rectangular boxes while the silk
scarves will be good for your square boxes. You may want to iron the scarf first if it isn't a naturally wrinkled up material (as many of them actually are). Practice with a few different knot-tying techniques before you settle on one. I practiced on a creal box (above hounds tooth scarf and left brown scarf). This can be a little tricky. Lastly, if your gift needs a little something extra, try finding a broach or a silk flower to pin on and complete the look, as I did with a pink Broach on the above hounds tooth scarf. I've absolutley found a reason not to settle on those impersonal gift bags, but instead try out some seriously fashionable gift...or should I say "scarf" wrap!
If God closes windows, forget the bigger door, I want another window
When I was a little kid I watched a show on The Disney Channel called The Torkelsons. Adolescent, yet so ready to be grown up 14-yr-old Dorthy Jane Torkelson would end the show each week by curling up on the cushions upon the window seat in her Victorian Bay window. "Oh Man in the Moon..." she would plead in her southern drawl..."While this window seat provides me a sanctuary from the storm of five younger brothers and sisters, I'm still not at peace...Will older sophisticated Riley ever ask me to the Homecoming Dance?" Dorthy was dramatic and maybe a few years beyond her age...But what better way to consult The Man in the Moon than in your own personal "sanctuary from the storm?" 
I love windows; Big sun-pouring windows. So, what better of a place to relax inside than a window seat? The feeling of the sun or moon shining in on you while you get lost in your thoughts is truly a sense of peace. What I love the most about window seats is you can build one most anywhere. My junior year of college we had an open space under the window about 3 feet wide between the refrigerator and the counter. I decided I'd take it upon myself to design and build an easy seat with bright cushions. The slide in seat took me a few hours to build (okay, I actually directed my friend Bill while I leaned again the counter with a tall glass of lemonade). This kitchen spot always ended up being a gathering place when people came over. I eventually ended up moving it into my bedroom. It fit between my armoire and desk. (Pictured above left, with green and pink pillows.)
If you own your own house and can put in a permanent seat, pick an open spaced window in the kitchen or that corner window in the family room. You can find simple plans to build your own online or you can always get a more elaborate built in seat like the pictured circular. Renters, build a removable seat or you can purchase ready-made seat like the ones pictured side by side, above, from MaineCottage.com ;available in about 25
different eye-popping colors! Picking out cushions may be the most exciting part. I'd choose two options so you can change them out twice a year. Such an easy way to update a simple room.
different eye-popping colors! Picking out cushions may be the most exciting part. I'd choose two options so you can change them out twice a year. Such an easy way to update a simple room. currently don't have a window seat in my home but I did move a bench I got on deep discount from Pier One Imports in front of my living room window. While it's mostly used for my cat to lounge and bake in the sun, I still find myself on it every once in awhile watching the sun go down, getting lost in my dreams. Maybe someday my window seat will be like this ocean view. That's something to get lost in.
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