Christmas is coming!

Everyone celebrates one way or another throughout the year. My family and I celebrate Christmas and I much prefer Thanksgiving because I don't like all this materialistic push surrounding Christmas...but I do love decorating this time of year. It gives us the opportunitiy to makeover the house and most imporantly be creative! 

So this year I am doing an orange, gray, and white themed tree...entailing a gray damask tree skirt, gray and white yarn ornaments, orange ribbon, spray painted white and gray bells and pine cones, and a silver glitter star for the topper! 

Here is a simple and quick way to make your own ornaments! Pictures to come of the tree!

 

photo

Frame + Foto of the Day

Today's frame of the day will hold this foto of my cousin, Terence, and I spending some quality time in NY over Thanksgiving. Love me some cousin time!

DIY ALERT

So I had a request for some throw pillows and decided last night to pump them out. I didn't incorporate a zipper so if you know how to sew this is a great way to make a simple fold back throw pillow!

  

1. Choose a pillow size. My pillow insert is 18" x 18".

2. Cut the fabric for the pillow cover. You'll need three pieces to make the cover – one front piece and two back pieces. The front piece will need to be 2" larger than your pillow - for my 18" pillow I cut a front piece that is 20" x 20". The two back pieces will need to be as wide as the front piece and long enough so that they will overlap. In my case, the back pieces are 18"w and 15"long.

3. For the two back pieces, fold the fabric approximately ½" along the long side of the fabric, then fold it over again and pin it. Next, sew this hem.

4. Pin the two back pieces, inside out, to the front piece. Make sure the sewn seam of the two back pieces overlap in the middle of the pillow.

5. Sew around the outer seam with a ½" seam allowance.

6. Turn the pillow sham right side out then stuff with the pillow insert.

Happy DIYing!!!

Family Ties with Style

I was up in NY for Thanksgiving which I spent at my aunt's house. Her husband and her have amazing taste...very Ralph Lauren. Here are some shoots I took of their adode! Her newly decorated sunroom has got to be my fav! Some of the pics are a little dark but you can see her style beaming through!

Love the gold tracks holding their prints!

Newly sprayed gray outdoor furniture is a quick and easy way to update any space!

Love the pop of pink off the gray!

Collection of old canes...grouping similar items gives big impact

love these native american prints hung through the hallway

corner chair with a nautical needle pointed pillow

flanking a heavy set fireplace like this one is a great way to frame it out and form a cozy spot. love the mills work running all the way to the ceiling



a large mirror flanked by equestrian prints brings the eye up from the dainty entryway table

Thanks for sharing your space Callahan Family!!!

Frame + Foto of the Day



Today's frame of the day is a classic with an orange vintage finish surrounded by a dark wood frame. The foto of the day is from this past weekend on Long Island. Here I am with my sister Molly we are heading over to Atlantique on Fire Island for a day filled with chili, hot dogs, cold ones, and great times with family and friends.

Sweet Finds

This past weekend I was up in NY visiting my father's family on Long Island. Bless my mother for knowing all the great fabric places up there including the Duralee factory, which has a shop attached to it where fabrics go for $3.50 a yard! Check out some of my finds!

Friday Finds...Weekly Agenda

Love my new weekly agenda! It is perfect for McNamara Design's weekly planning! Hope everyone had a great turkey day! Have a great weekend!



Happy Thanksgiving!!!



Happy Thanksgiving Notebook Readers!

Just a few things I am very thankful for: my family, friends, shelter, work, vacation, and my boy!!!

Frame + Foto of the Day



The frame of the day is a funky and fun yellow print! Perfect for a foto from our fighting Irish weekend in Southbend! Here is boy and I at the grotto. What a beautiful site to see!

Last Minute Decor Ideas for Thanksgiving!



Add real leaves to any plain votive candle holder with Modge Podge

Wrap an old paper towel roll with burlap to create the perfect napkins ring

Glue gun some pine cones to any ribbon color of your choice to welcome guest

HAPPY ALMOST THANKSGIVING!