The Imperfect Christmas House Tour

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It's been awhile since I took you on a tour of this big old house of mine.  Well technically my house is neither big nor old, but hey in blogland you can pretend whatever you want right?! ;-)

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I thought I would show it to you while it is still relatively clean.  Two big dogs (see Misty Belle in the left of the photo), do their best to mess it up regularly! We are having guests on Thursday, Friday, Sunday, Monday, and then the following weekend, so I'm trying to keep up with the little stuff so that it stays nice and tidy.

I also thought it was a good time to take a few photos for memory's sake...my memory that is.  You see, the dining room will soon be undergoing a change, and the living room too for that matter.  The china cabinet, that once belonged to my grandparents, will soon be replaced with a lovely new one that is more than twice as large.  Yay, since I need every ounce of storage I can muster in this house.

And the rug will also be replaced, yipee!

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I haven't yet decided if all of the dining room set will go bye bye, or if I will chose to keep a few of the pieces for sentimental reasons.  The buffet would actually work well in our bedroom, so I'll have to give it some thought.

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If I decide to get rid of the table in the dining room, it will be replaced with this one, the farm table my dad made me.  So there will be a piece of family history in the dining room no matter what.

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By moving the current kitchen table into the dining room, I would actually gain a lot more room in my family room.  And since this area also serves as our office until we add on, that extra space would be nice.  I might even throw a dance party to celebrate...ok, just kidding!  Well I might dance, but one person dancing does not a party make!

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See how much space it takes up?!  But here's the rub, we love sitting here and looking out over the water while we eat...so what's a girl to do?!  Maybe a smaller table...yeah that might work.  Maybe even something round.

Now, for you Christmas purists in the crowd, please ignore the man behind the curtain.  That's code talk for please ignore the fact that I have a fake tree, and that the base is nek'ed.  No really, it's exposed, looking sad and revealing my secret that I have a fake tree.  I know, I know, it's sacrilegious, but it is what it is.  I swore on everything holy that I would never do a fake tree, and then when my dad asked me if I wanted his because it was too big, I said why the heck not!  We've had it for about 6 years now, and my parents probably had it for 4 or so before that so we may be back to the real deal next year, but this year it's all about the realistic fake tree around here!

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Ok, where was I before I felt the need to unburden myself about the fake tree?  Ahh yes, I was in the kitchen where I feel the need to explain that my *$&% backsplash is still not in!  I did email a friend/contractor who should be able to handle my bad boy tiles which have scared everyone within a 100 mile radius off, so we'll see.  2012 may just be the year of real trees and finished kitchens...exciting eh?!

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So there it is, my imperfect Christmas House tour.  And since I'm posting twice in one day...egads, I think I'm losing it...I might as well say Happy Holidays again too!

I hope your imperfect home (it is imperfect right?), and imperfect life (just says it's imperfect to make me feel better!) have a very good day!

Home for the Holidays

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I think I'm finally done.

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Done decorating...

Done shopping...

And just able to sit back and enjoy the season. Enjoy the blessing of having a place to call my own, a place to welcome friends and family and share in the spirit of the season.  This is home, where I can hang my hat and my Christmas ornaments!

You Might Be A Christmas Redneck If...and Other Outdoor Decor

Thank you everyone for your sweet comments about my dining room in my last post...I truly do appreciate each and every comment!

The last few days I've been outside in the cold and wind, both with the dogs and also trying to get my outside decor pulled together.  I always like to do something nautical on the exterior of our house since we live on the water, but this year I think I took it to a whole new "redneck" level!

You might be a Christmas Redneck If...you decorate with crab pots!  Yup, I got this bright idea the other day when I was down by our dock and saw our empty crab pots, which are retired until summer rolls around again.  I thought, hey, wouldn't it be neat to tuck a tree into the pot and then put my glass fishing float (that was a gift from the lovely Caroline at Ekster Antiques) next to it?!  Of course Mr. Tide helped with this endeavor, I love a man who doesn't question my crazy hairbrained ideas...he just nods and helps me find a tiny cedar tree!

Of course you can't have a crab pot without a crab right?!  This beautiful rusty crab garden stake came from my dear friend Traci.  She sent it to me for my birthday this year, and I LOVE it and quickly found a spot for it in the front flower bed right by the steps.  Thank you Traci!!!

Mr. Tide also helped wrap the fragrant pine roping around the porch.  I love having fresh greens both inside and outside this time of year...it just says Christmas is here to me!

I had hung several wreaths around the property earlier, but we added some pine roping to the fence as well to give it a more finished look.

While out running errands with my son yesterday I stopped by my grandparent's farm and grabbed some pine, holly, magnolia, and nandina berries to add to the porch.  Our property doesn't have many pine trees or magnolia, so I'm happy to still have a free source for some of my favorite greens!

Last year, I asked my sister if she knew where the old sleds we had as kids had gotten to.  We both agreed that they must be somewhere buried in the barn at the farm, but after searching tirelessly we came up empty handed.  

This year around my birthday my sister "M" informed me that she had something BIG that she wanted to give me and could she stop by one day to drop it off.  She had found not one, but 2 beautiful vintage sleds and I love how they look on my porch!  Now if I could only find my old ice skates to hang on one of them!!!

I love how glossy magnolia leaves are and how beautiful their bright green looks against the red nandina berries!

I also have a fresh wreath on my front door that I bought from a local Mennonite family.  They always have the best wreaths and they last for a very long time.  The one I chose for the front door has several pine cones sprayed white to resemble snow!

Tonight while I was doing other stuff, Mr. Tide graciously went out into the cold and wind to take a few pictures of our little crab pot tree.  I combined blue and white lights for a beachy feel.  The lights said they were blue, but they are really more of an aqua color...how lucky was that?!

I strung white lights inside the crab pot itself, and believe me I have the scrapes on my hands to prove it.  Next year I'll wear leather gloves!  I also tucked more nandina into the top of the crab pot for a little added color.

I'm sure a few city slickers out there will be rolling their eyes at my little redneck creation, but hey I'm lovin' it!

And if you want your very own crab pot tree...the real deal, not a redneck substitute...be sure to stop by The Painted Cottage!!!   Maybe next year I'll own one of these!

What decorations do you incorporate that could be considered a little bit country...or a little rock and roll?!

Silver and Gold

 I haven't replied to emails...

I haven't visited other blogs...much...

I haven't wrapped a single present...

I haven't baked any cookies...

I haven't mopped my floors...

Or finished pulling together the guest room for the visit from my in-laws...

I haven't been able to keep my son Bugs from trying to find every present hidden in the house...

I haven't finished all the laundry that's been piling up...

I haven't sent out a single Christmas card...

I haven't put a few bins away...and on occasion I haven't been able to breath...but... 

I DID finally get my house all decorated for Christmas...both inside and out!!!

I went with a silver, gold and white theme in the dining room this year and I love it's simplicity and sparkliness (hmm, is that even a word...sparkliness?!).  

I used a cheap mirror from Target that was supposed to go in my son's dorm room and put it on my white tablecloth which has silver and gold threads running through it.  Added a crystal tree garland to hide the fact that it was in fact a cheap mirror.  I would have gotten a real tabletop mirror if Ikea wasn't so darn far from me, and if I actually planned anything out longer than 2 hours ahead of time...yup my mind works in mysterious ways...especially at midnight!

Then I added some beautiful crystal trees I bought years ago, and 2 I inherited from my parents, some creamy white tree candles I bought on clearance a few years ago from Pottery Barn, a crystal sleigh (that came with nuts in it from the drug store eons ago!), and a crystal Santa my parents gave us when we were first married.  I also added some crystal look alike reindeer I purchased last year which are actually acrylic, and I LOVE them! 

Sprinkle some instant mashed potato flakes for some white snow, throw a few crystal and sparkly ornaments on the chandelier...and voila...instant winter wonderland!

I hope to be able to photograph more of both the interior and exterior of my house, and I apologize for not getting back to each of you or commenting on all of your beautiful decor, but the clock is ticking my friends...and this year I'm like the rabbit from Alice in Wonderland...LATE, LATE, LATE!

Confessions Of a Shop-a-holic

Phew, has it really been since last week that I posted?!  Thankfully my daughter stepped in and did her wonderful cocktail party post or I would have left you all hangin' for even more time!  She loved reading all of your sweet comments, so thank you all for your kind words!!

This week has been a complete blur with single digit temperatures, high winds, and lots of outdoor time with a new puppy.  Who thought it was a good idea to get a puppy during the coldest time of the year?!  Hmm, I think I'll take the 5th on that one!  I know our temperatures may seem tame to some of you who are used to living in the Arctic, but for us "southern" Marylanders...well we just aren't used to it.  I live south of much of the state of Virginia, so I'm a southerner at heart and appreciate heat and humidity, not wind and freezing temperatures!

In between my many trips outside this week, I was able to finish up another story and with just one more to go I've had some time to do a little shopping.  The title of my post is actually a little misleading.  You see I don't live to shop, and I have to confess that I haven't set foot inside a mall for probably 3 years...I detest indoor shopping malls!  I think I spent too much time in them when my children were little, hauling strollers, sippy cups, and diaper bags, so for me, the magic of mall shopping wore off a long time ago.  When asked by his pre-school teacher where he liked dine, for a book they made as a gift for mother's day, my son said that his favorite place to eat out was Nordstrom Cafe...so you can see we spent a fair amount of time shopping back in the day!

Plus, the closest mall is 45 minutes away, the "good" mall, the one with more than just a J.C. Penney is almost 2 hours away...and that's each way folks!  So over the years, I've become quite adept at that thing we call online shopping.  I can pick out pj's in my pj's and shop for tea while sipping a cup at my desk.  Plus, I don't have to spend money on gas, or a meal and it doesn't take me all day to buy what I need.  I love technology...but not as much as you you see...(ok that was from Napoleon Dynamite, did any of you get the reference?!...didn't think so!).

So I thought in this post I would share with you the only Christmas tree...can sticks be a tree?...that is gracing my house at the moment, and also share with you some of my favorite online retailers.   Now don't get me wrong, I love to shop at small local stores, and I'll tell you more about that in another post, but for now, here are some of my favorite online places to pick up some loot for the holidays!

For the bargain hunter in the crowd, you'll love these.  I'm a girl who loves a good bargain, and you'll find me picking through the clearance rack, even online!  Some of these sites require a free membership, some don't, but they offer designer finds at wonderful prices...my kind of shopping. Others on this list are simply sites that tell you which of your favorite retailers have things on sale...or where to find a coupon for something.  I always do a Google search for coupons when I'm buying something, I saved a boatload this year with coupons that weren't advertised on the retailer's website.

Shop Style

Rue La La

 BULX

Slickdeals


Overstock


Passwird


Dealighted

CSN Stores

I love giving things that are special or one of a kind, so this next group consists of shops where you'll find that perfect something for someone who has the soul of an artist...or those that don't want mass produced gifts.. I love those kind of people!  Some of the folks on this list are my sponsors, which means I love them even more!

Fearless Nesting

The Old Post Road

Scarborough Seashells

The Nest

Sissiecakes

Cottage and Vine

Itsy Bits and Pieces

Romantic Farmhouse

Simple Daisy

K.Young Photography

Hartwood Roses

Cheryl McDermitt Jewelry 

Farmgirl Paints

There are so many wonderful Etsy stores out there that it would take me all night to list them all, so I apologize if I missed someone...I will probably wake up tonight in a cold sweat when I remember who I forgot!!

This next list consists of small online retailers that have those cool, unusual items that make me smile and drool!

Barn House Marketplace

Farmhouse Wares

Mothology

Razmataz

Patina

French Bleu Vintage

Red Barn Mercantile

White Flower Farmhouse

Pale and Interesting


Paper Relics


Seaside Inspired


Violet Swan


Such Pretty Things

Williamsburg Marketplace


Madison at Main

Of course this list is just scratching the surface, but they are some of the places I like to frequent.  The clay tags you see in the photos above of my "branch" tree came from The Nest, and I love that they are homemade and one of a kind!  Of course I shop at the major online retailers and big box stores, but I truly do love the little things I find and the idea of supporting independent retailers and craftspeople!

And another thing I love to do is to support charitable organizations, not just at Christmas, but all throughout the year.  CNN had an article (HERE) that gives you lots of information on ways to help others, while helping yourself to some wonderful gifts!

I'm am 99.9% done with my shopping, which is a record for me...normally I have my decorations up early and my shopping done late...this year it's flip flopped!  Oh well, you can't win 'em all.  I hope each of you is avoiding the shopping frenzy and finding those perfect gifts for the ones you love!

Studio Three Part 2 and A Giveaway

Yesterday I took you on a tour of a store in La Plata, Maryland called Studio Three Flowers.  As I mentioned in my last post, Studio Three will be hosting their annual open house this weekend from 9:00 am until 4:00 pm so they've been busy decorating the store for the holiday season...and it's beautiful!

Yesterday I showed you mostly overall shots of how the store looks, but in today's post I wanted to get up close and personal and share some of the wonderful items they have used to create this winter wonderland!

And be sure to scroll all the way down to the bottom of the post to find out about a lovely giveaway!!!

I think what makes these trees and this store so special is the lavish way in which each tree and the entire store is lovingly decorated.  It truly is a sight to behold!

The trees are all done in a different theme and you really have to stand and stare at them for awhile to appreciate all of the wonderful individual ornaments, silk flowers, and ribbon on each one.

Musical instruments filled this tree...

As well as beautiful European style ornaments in a variety of themes.

My daughter goes to the ballet each year to see the Nutcracker, so she would appreciate these lovely sequined fellows!

This tree was my favorite of all the trees in the shop, which is really saying something since all of the trees are magnificent!!  It had a chartreuse and white theme and Anne Ford, one of the owners, had used gorgeous silk tulips and shimmering branches at the top of the tree to create a little unexpected sparkle and drama.

Dripping in icicles, flocked branches kissed with snow, and strewn with sparkling seashells, it immediately caught my eye.  It was so completely fresh and different, and I thought to myself, "wouldn't this be perfect for a winter wedding!"

I also loved this beautiful nativity set.  Its simple antiqued white color with a touch of glitter would be beautiful on an entry table or just about anywhere!

Here is more of the set atop a mantle...so pretty!

I mentioned my love of snowmen in my last post, and this one almost came home with me.  Look at that faux fur scarf, and his top hat made from tree bark!  Looks like Frosty has had a makeover!!

Snow 'men' aren't the only ones who can look fetching during the winter months.  This little snow girl was happy to be safely nestled in the branches of the snow themed tree this year.

Butterfiles seem to be all the rage this year for Christmas, and this be jeweled beauty was ready to take flight.

If visions of sugar plums dance in your head, then this candy cane confection is sure to please.

I think I saw a teddy bear or two trying to steal a few licks when no one was looking!

Creative ideas are everywhere at Studio Three, including this wonderful tree!

What a wonderfully clever idea to use this sample staircase leading up to this lovely tree...this is such a great idea, and I've never seen anything quite like it!

Of course you all know me, I couldn't leave the store without a little something for myself...I mean I've not been naughty...only nice, I promise!

It turns out it wasn't me who was nice, but Studio Three owners Anne and David Ford who were more than just nice...they were extremely generous as well!  I spied these darling little swirly peppermint puffs as soon as I walked in, and Anne and David gave me some to take home...sweets for the sweet they said.  Ok, they didn't actually say that, but they did give them to me, and I was thrilled, thank you Anne and David!!!

I bought some other things as well, but you'll just have to wait until after Thanksgiving when I will be hauling out the bins and putting up my new favorite finds...including the lovelies I bought from Studio Three!

After the shoot, and before I was treated to a lovely lunch with my friends Doug and Joan Vogel...thank you again, Anne gave me a beautiful gift bag with a special treat for one of my readers!

This isn't just any treat, it's a gorgeous Lampe Berger oil lamp from the Limoges Lampe Mandolino line.  An ethereal angel playing a lute graces both sides of the white Limoges bisque lamp, and it is a work of art in and of itself.

But you don't just get this beautiful lamp, this is a gift set that includes a leaded gold top, burner, instructions for using the lamp, a funnel, and of course fragrance oil.  The fragrance oil included is "Ocean Breeze," sounds soothing doesn't it?!

I took the lamp portion out just long enough to snap a few pictures, and I have to admit that it looked right at home on my white bucket bench!!!  Hmm, did I say to Anne that I would give this away....I'm feeling a little fuzzy on that!! ;-)

If you are familiar with Lampe Berger then you know they have a long history of provided soothing fragrances that not only make a home fresh and welcoming, but they also help clean the air by actually eliminating odors.  And they are also beautiful objets d'art!

I can't thank Anne and David Ford enough for giving me this lovely gift valued at $120.00.  And the best part is that one of you will get to win it!!!  Thank you Anne, David, Doug and Studio Three!!!

Before I get to the Giveaway details, I want to remind you that Studio Three Flowers will be hosting their Holiday Open House this Saturday from 9:00 am until 4:00 pm.  There will be door prizes and lots more, so if you live near La Plata, Maryland...or within driving distance...be sure to stop by and please tell them Kat from Low Tide High Style said hi!!

And if you need flowers, don't just go by what you see on their website, they have lots of custom designs to suit every budget and every taste!

Ok, now to the Giveaway details.

For Chances To Win the Lampe Berger Oil Lamp

1.  Simply leave a comment telling me what your favorite fragrance is, it doesn't have to be one of the Lampe Berger fragrances, just something you love!!

2.  Become a Follower of Low Tide High Style, or if you already are a Follower, be sure to leave a SECOND SEPARATE comment letting me know...and thank you in advance!

3.  Tweet, Blog, or Facebook the Giveaway for a third chance...Just be sure to come back and leave a 3rd separate comment letting me know!

The Giveaway will be open until Friday, November 19th at Midnight PST...Good luck everyone!

I truly appreciate all of the wonderful comments everyone leaves, and I apologize for not getting back to some of you...please know I read and enjoy every one!  Things have been crazy around my house, and as of today they will be ten times as crazy, because as you read this...I'm off to pick up my new puppy...little Misty Belle!  So please bear with me as I won't be able to reply for a few weeks while we all get settled in!!!  Enjoy our weekend, I know I will...puppy kisses everyone!