Oversized Snowglobe Centerpieces ...

k so you can't shake um up and watch the snow twirl around ... but the snow globe is where these Hurricane center pieces got their inspiration. You can do this type of centerpiece with any pretty jars, doesn't have to be hurricanes such as these. Just simply take some faux snow ( I needed just one $2.99 bag from Target for all three ) and pour it on in. The next step is to place some of your favorite collectibles/ pretty ornaments/ small wrapped boxes in cute paper etc. on top of the snow. Try to think light to objects, the heavier ones seem to sink a bit. And presto ! Insta-Snow-Globe Wonderland... enjoy !

Items in the Hurricanes as fallowed :

1. Vintage celluloid glittler manger $1 ( estate sale )

2. Vintage celluloid glitter tree .50 cents ( estate sale )

3. Metal crown $10 ( small shop in Napa )

4. German Mica House Ornament $ 1 ( estate sale )

5. 3D sparkle snowflake ornament ( Target )

6. Small Shiney Brite Ornament (estate sale )

7. Vintage 1950's Pinecone man ( estate sale )

8. Hurricanes ( Crate & Barrel )

Sparkle while you eat ...

have to be honest, I didn't really care for that dining set when my husband first found it after weeks of scouring Craigslist. I'm not sure what was wrong with my eyes at the time ... but I can assure you they are seeing much clearer now. It is a teak Danish Modern dining set by Harry Ostergaard in 1961. I believe we got it for $650.

The Chandelier we got at a garage sale in our neighborhood for $60, it had some missing crystals...actually quite a few. But sometimes you have to put in some effort to end up with something you love for a price you love even more... so we have slowly added vintage crystals , about 25cents - 1.50 each to complete it. For Christmas I went to Target and purchased some long glass icicles, a box for only $6.99. I think it added just the right amount of sparkle without looking tacky ... another great idea I have seen is to hang vintage ornaments from your chandelier as well. With the light bouncing off of it like that it keeps you eyes dancing ;) And make sure to either use fishing wire or pretty ribbon to hang them, or else you'll notice old metal hooks instead of the old pretty ornaments !

Christmas Past ...

othing is more exciting to me than Christmas. It has always been my favorite time of the year. When I was little I loved the different traditions my family had, all the food and the festivities and of course the presents. It seems all the glitz and glitter that caught my eye when I was little still holds it to this day ... but with one giant difference : Christmas Decorating :) . One of my many new found passions.

Then if you want to times that excitement by 20 , make that decorating with vintage items. ( yes, I know how big of a dork I am ) But nothing is as exciting to me than finding a little antique hand painted German wooden angel for 50 cents at an estate sale... the same ones that stores like Anthropologie ( one of my favs ) makes repros of in China and sells for 20 plus dollars each. For the record , God bless Antrhopologie.