When!

They say that's the trick . . . knowing when to say "when." Usually you hear it in reference to the consumption of alcohol, but in this case I'm referring to decorating our house for the holidays. I said I wasn't going to go overboard, then I started pulling everything out of storage and couldn't figure-out where to draw the line.

So, up went the silver tinsel tree in the dining room. Complete with a gift from Lisa and Ricki last year--homage to my dream of an Airstream trailer to renovate.

Up went the new hydrangea tree in the parlor. (A special thank you to my friend, Linda, for the dried hydrangea blooms--she grabbed more than 40 blooms out of her garden and dried them for me!)

Up went the 9' tree in the family room (back in it's location next to the fireplace).

(Sorry no picture yet--it's not finished getting dressed!)

The banister decorations . . .

and the mantel decorations.

So, where did I "cut back?" Well, there's still no garland on the big tree. There's no ribbon on the banister. There are no pine boughs or pine cones hanging from the chandeliers. There are no decorations on the top of our kitchen cabinets. The Santa and Nutcracker collections remain wrapped and packed.

The big question . . . will anyone else notice or care? At first, the kids were a little disappointed about the Nutcrackers, but after hours of decorating--they gladly carried the boxes of '08 rejects back to the storage space.

Here's hoping you've been able to say "when" and you're already enjoying the blessings of this wonderful Christmas season.

Thanks for your indulgence~Paige

Are You Done with Your Decorating?

Pine, pearl berries & ice twigs--$155

I'm still trying to get my house pulled together. I've got the three trees downstairs done--well, still no garland on the big one . . . I can't decide what I want to do this year. I just got in a gorgeous silver, over-sized hops garland. It's amazing, but it really won't work on my tree--too much gold.

Those folks at Meravic make some gorgeous artificial florals. When I first started carrying them, it was just to use as accents throughout the shop, but so many people started asking about purchasing them, I started buying enough to share. Then folks started asking for prices for entire arrangements . . .

Magnolia, pomegranates & oranges--$107

(SOLD)

While Nikki was here in November, I asked for help to put together some arrangements for the holidays. We used my favorite container, the french flea market vase--which also holds candles.

If you're in need of a a beautiful centerpiece or floral accent for the sideboard, you might consider one of these. They will all carry you through the winter, as they have enough-but-not-too-much of a Christmas touch.

Sarracenia w/ succulents--$110

Winter Nest--$105


Platinum & Blue--$155

Fern w/ Silver--$137

When you by the arrangement, you'll save 20% off the price of each individual item and there is no fee for the creative genius (aka: assembly).

I hope these ideas help you with your plans. Oh yeah, one more to show--piece of cake for anyone to do-it-yourself. Grab one of these two-tier baskets with candle holders--fill the base with ornaments (these are faux stone ornaments from our Mary Carol Collection), pomegranates (in this case, they're real)and a length of ribbon twisted around everything, add candles and spirali grass (in this case, platinum, which work great with the faux stone). The grass stems just poke through the wire mesh--easy peasey!

You Can Do It!

Alrighty, then. That's all for today.

Talk to you again soon!

Thanks for your indulgence.

Paige

in the nick of time

They're here! Fresh out of the box . . . The long sleeve Femme de Junque t-shirts and sweatshirts.

The t-shirts have a great, silky vintage feel with a chick cut. They are available in small, medium, large (back-ordered) and extra large. They're $18 each.

The sweatshirts are available in medium and large. They're $32 each.

They're not available online, but you can call the shop (931.647.0444) and we'll take care of you.

Thanks for your indulgence.

Paige

to blink or not to blink

Not a typical question, especially with regard to our Christmas tree. Yes, folks, we actually have a Christmas tree standing in our family room! Well, for that matter, in the parlor, dining room and the upstairs landing. (This is me "not going over board" this year.) Oh, and the staircase banister that I wasn't going to decorate . . . the first layer is already on. (See last year's post for the details of what's involved there.)

So, back to the question . . . to blink or not to blink? I am referring to the multi-functional lights on the tree. I'm not even sure how they got in the house--it must have been a purchase made by Darren last year and put away with the rest of the stuff. Anyway, all of the other lights from last year were dead--we had to use them. We can set them on a variety of settings--from fading in-and-out, to a seizure-inducing blinking. I decided to give it a try, but the blinking has been changed to the fade. I don't know why, but I thought I could achieve the Rockefeller Center tree look with a few blinking lights, but I now know its a matter of scale. You can get away with it on a tree that's 75 feet tall.

So much for my relaxed approach to decorating for the holidays. Four trees and the banister notwithstanding, I am holding back in some areas. I'm not pulling out the nutcracker or santa collections. The only reason the "Wornitz Haus" collection has made the cut is because it was never put away last year! (True confessions!)

Okay, I'll try to include some pictures when one of these items is actually complete. Oh yeah, I'll also be decorating the mantle in the family room. I better get busy. The kids are holding out hope for at least a delayed start for school tomorrow. The reports were warning about ice or freezing rain. Maybe I can get some stuff done if/then.

I hope you're having fun preparing for Christmas.

Paige

We Have a Winner!

STACY LAMM, come on down!

Stacy is the winner of our "Got a Gimmick" contest.

Come on down at your convenience and we'll have your prizes all wrapped-up and ready for you.



That was a lot of fun! Thanks for participating.

And . . .thanks for your indulgence!
Paige

Great Day in the Morning!

I hope I can say that tomorrow. The day will start bright and early--well, early anyway--when I meet Hank Bonecutter of WJZM (1400AM) at the shop for an on site broadcast for many of the shopkeepers and restaurant owners downtown. We'll have an opportunity to talk about our business and the festivities planned for tomorrow afternoon.

Today started much like the above picture demonstrates--brrrrrr! As Patty said, "Those children look so cold."
Don't forget that the parade starts tomorrow at 5 P.M. The streets will start closing around 2 P.M., but the businesses will remain open throughout and into the evening. Most shops will remain open until 8 P.M. tomorrow night. There are all kinds of festivities planned throughout the downtown.
Then on Sunday, you may want to visit the Smith-Trahern Mansion for their annual Christmas Open House from 5 - 7 P.M. This is a special event when they ask various businesses and agencies to decorate trees and various areas of the house for the holiday. Each year they develop a theme to use as an inspiration. This year, the theme is "The Songs of Christmas." I decorated the dining table with the amazing talent and help of David Presley for the centerpieces. Here are a few photos of the we grabbed as we put the finishing touches on the table.

A little simple for my normal table settings, but I needed to make it movable--for special events. I started with layers of burlap (surprise, surprise); then I scattered vintage sheet music all over the table; then a layer of royal blue tulle (to set-off the Royal Copenhagen dishes). The actual place setting stars with a silver charger, then a blue glass charger, a dinner and salad plate from the flea market collection by TAG. Finally, the inspiration for this table, the Royal Copenhagen dishes. I brainstormed with Patty for the setting and ideas for incorporating more sheet music. David's arrangements are gorgeous and can be purchased--just give me a call for pricing and delivery (after Sunday)!

I was going to post pictures of some of the trees and the staircase (amazing!), but as I forgot to ask permission, I think I better just encourage you to go see for yourself!

Thanks for your indulgence!

Paige

ARTifacts: open for business

Well, we did it. ARTifacts: an arts & antiques emporium is open for business.

Kendall and the vendors have been working double time to get it open. We are almost at max capacity with vendors, but several have yet to set-up due to scheduling conflicts. (This is what we call a "soft opening;" you don't make a lot of noise about it until you've got it running smoothly!)

Tonight it the perfect night to capture a first glimpse--during ArtWalk, from 5 - 8 p.m. You can start at the Downtown Artists Co-op for their $99 and under show; visit ladies at Visions Metaphysical Boutique (they've got several artists tonight); The Roxy has a performance of A Christmas Carol at 7 PM (tickets are available); Rogate's Boutique will host Judy Lewis; then head on over to Hodgepodge to see the work of talented Jillian Legg Romano. Jillian likes to "art-up" her photography--here's her artist statement:

"I am a graduate of Austin Peay University, where I received my BFA in photography.
My process begin with photographs, I then manipulate the images.
My pieces consist of hand colored silver prints, photo and media collages, digitally altered photos and scans, and painted photographs.
Many of my pieces relate to religion and current events that concern me as well as finding pleasure in just making beautiful things."
http://jillianleggromano.carbonmade.com/

Then, you'll head out onto Strawberry Alley, capture a glimpse of our amazing new fountain, then head-up stairs to ARTifacts. We're not hosting any particular artist this month--we just want you to enjoy are new shop.

I understand that on the next floor up, the ladies at La Bella Luce will have their ribbon cutting at 5 pm and host Kristin Sibley, a vocal artist. Stop in to see their beautiful antique chandeliers.

So, you can see, tonight is a night you don't want to miss downtown!

Thanks for your indulgence.

Paige