Cozy Winter White.......Decorating, Fashion and Yummy Treats

sometimes i think i need to get a job decorating a store for Christmas.

maybe then, i wouldn't drive my family crazy with

the need to have a 

cozy/traditional/non-traditional/white/winter-white/pink/dreamy Christmas.

seriously.

but since i don't have that job yet,

they have to put up with me.

and the white tree still reigns here.

and it is soooooo GORGEOUS, if i say so myself:)

we have an abundance of winter whites.....

but i threw a new wrinkle in it.

however, that's for another day,

because today it's all about, you guessed it......

WINTER WHITE!

starting with winter white fashion or style.

i have always LOVED winter white, which is actually not pure white,

but a creamy, off-white.

according to various fashionistas, there are three items that you should have in

WINTER WHITE, if possible.

they are;

 ~~~a winter white sweater to wear with jeans and a pair of boots.

~~~a winter white coat, which may be the ultimate winter white must have.  i would have the one in the photo in a heartbeat if i lived in a cold climate.

~~~a winter white handbag.

~~~and besides the obvious way to wear it, with jeans or black,

my personal favorite is to pair it with pure white all year long.

doesn't the Queen look pretty in her winter white?

 winter white decorating.......

what else can i say besides BEAUTIFUL!

 i especially love the felt tree skirt and sweater covered furniture.

 i love, love, love angel wings as decoration.

 moving on to a winter white party......

cupcakes, donuts, snowflake cookies and white hot chocolate. (recipe below)

WInter White Hot Cocoa by Paula Deen

1 cup white chocolate chips 

1 cup heavy cream 

4 cup half-and-half 

1 teaspoon vanilla extract 

Vanilla whipped topping, for garnish

Mint leaf, for garnish

Directions

In a medium saucepan over medium heat, combine white chocolate chips and heavy cream. Stir continuously until white chocolate chips have completely melted. Stir in the half-and-half, and vanilla extract. Stir occasionally until heated through. Pour into mugs and top with a dollop of whipped cream.

that's it for my winter whites!

you have to admit, it's cozy, right?

happy winter white wishes,

Suzanne

Decorating Styles.......or How Do YOU Trim the Tree?

This is somewhat of a repost from Christmas in July.
I figured some un-festive people were not too happy
when I did this in July,
so I'm posting it again today.
Soon, I hope to repost one of my reader favorites,
which was a PINK Christmas in July from a few years back:)
If you see a stray reference to summer that I missed,
sorry about that.
It was SWELTERING hot when I wrote this originally:)
Alrighty then, here we go.....

what i thought i would do is look at Holiday decorating "styles".

do you have one?

or are you more of a "fly by the seat of your pants" kind of gal?

maybe your decorating is whatever your kids draw, create or want to hang on the tree.

that's what mine was, for YEARS!

i love it still.....

although now i change it up sometimes.

i'm sure when i have the empty nest, i'll bring back the kiddie tree,

just because:)

anyway, let's get started with the decorating PERSONALITY quiz.

 are you a traditional, red and green kind of person?

i'm not so much.....but i do love it when i see it.

and one of these days i'm going back.......

because i really want a red tree some day.

i know.......a red tree is NOT traditional.

hahahaha

but at least it's red:)

okay, if you go the red and green route,

you are classic, traditional, conservative and reliable.

you are okay with change to a certain extent.

but not too drastic.

decorations may change and get an update.....

but they must stay RED and GREEN.

and your lights are always white.

they look best with the red and green theme.

well, what do ya think?

am i close?  a little bit? maybe???

now, what if you use colors like

 orange, turquoise, fuschia, purple and lime in your decorating?

hmmmmm......

well, to start with ,

you would ALWAYS use multi colored lights.

the more color, the better.

you are non-traditional, obviously.

you like to try new things and you LOVE change.

you are adventurous, free-spirited, confident and outgoing.

people like being around you with your FUN outlook on life.

okay, okay.....what about all those people who have a single color scheme.....

like Pink?

well, obviously you are a bit non-traditional too,

although not necessarily "modern".

you may be vintage and classic, but just LOVE pink!

you believe in surrounding yourself with people and things that you LOVE,

that make you happy.

you don't care what others think.....you like it.

it is important to you that your choices in life reflect the real you.

you love pretty things and aren't afraid to be a lady

you are very warm and approachable and make friends easily......

especially if they like pink too:)

so pretty.....in pink:)

"i'm dreaming of a white Christmas....."

yes, let's talk about those who love their whites.

(including metallics)

that's the style i have these days.

but trust me, it isn't cold.

not at all.

mixed with creams and a bit of glittery metallics,

it's my Vintage glam" look:)

but i promise to be unbiased in my personality description here:)

white christmas lovers are......

non traditional, to start with.

i mean a giant white tree?.  definitely non-traditional!

they like beautiful things and love the idea of a 

snowy white Christmas.

they are confident, happiest when decorating their home,

a bit controlling in that they like decorations to

"go with" or coordinate with the decor.

know what i mean?

but in a good way, of course:)

they are dreamers.....and they are doers.

(had to stick that one in there:)

elegant too...did i say that?

heehee

okay, before i sign off,

just a few odds and ends.

this year, i am sticking with craft paper that i embellish real pretty

for my gift wrapping. 

i think.

if i get my act together:)

something like this......

although MUCH less professional looking:)

nice, huh?

and speaking of gift wrap, 

if the kiddies are getting cabin fever,

summer is a great time to have them make your Christmas wrapping paper.

we used to do this all the time.

just buy solid paper and stamps/sponges.

let them have at it with a bit of paint and you have great gift wrap!

 or if they are a bit older, maybe they can cut out some

COOL paper snowflakes.

lastly, any idea how these ADORABLE penguins were made?

penguin instructions

well, follow the link under the photo but here's a hint.......

they come from a soda bottle.

i'm not even giving more hints because you're going to LOVE

Lucy and her VERY creative blog!

so go meet her and look around awhile!

Be Blessed.......

Suzanne

Christmas in July...What is your Holiday Decorating "Personality"?

now please.....no hate mail about it being only summer.

I KNOW it's only summer.

it's summer all year round where i live.

and it is one HOT summer this year,

so let's forget about it and think of something "chilly", ok?

what i thought i would do is look at Holiday decorating "styles".

do you have one?

or are you more of a "fly by the seat of your pants" kind of gal?

maybe your decorating is whatever your kids draw, create or want to hang on the tree.

that's what mine was, for YEARS!

i love it still.....

although now i change it up sometimes.

i'm sure when i have the empty nest, i'll bring back the kiddie tree,

just because:)

anyway, let's get started with the decorating PERSONALITY quiz.

 are you a traditional, red and green kind of person?

i'm not so much.....but i do love it when i see it.

and one of these days i'm going back.......

because i really want a red tree some day.

i know.......a red tree is NOT traditional.

hahahaha

but at least it's red:)

okay, if you go the red and green route,

you are classic, traditional, conservative and reliable.

you are okay with change to a certain extent.

but not too drastic.

decorations may change and get an update.....

but they must stay RED and GREEN.

and your lights are always white.

they look best with the red and green theme.

well, what do ya think?

am i close?  a little bit? maybe???

now, what if you use colors like

 orange, turquoise, fuschia, purple and lime in your decorating?

hmmmmm......

well, to start with ,

you would ALWAYS use multi colored lights.

the more color, the better.

you are non-traditional, obviously.

you like to try new things and you LOVE change.

you are adventurous, free-spirited, confident and outgoing.

people like being around you with your FUN outlook on life.

okay, okay.....what about all those people who have a single color scheme.....

like Pink?

well, obviously you are a bit non-traditional too,

although not necessarily "modern".

you may be vintage and classic, but just LOVE pink!

you believe in surrounding yourself with people and things that you LOVE,

that make you happy.

you don't care what others think.....you like it.

it is important to you that your choices in life reflect the real you.

you love pretty things and aren't afraid to be a lady

you are very warm and approachable and make friends easily......

especially if they like pink too:)

so pretty.....in pink:)

"i'm dreaming of a white Christmas....."

yes, let's talk about those who love their whites.

(including metallics)

that's the style i have these days.

but trust me, it isn't cold.

not at all.

mixed with creams and a bit of glittery metallics,

it's my Vintage glam" look:)

but i promise to be unbiased in my personality description here:)

white christmas lovers are......

non traditional, to start with.

i mean a giant white tree?.  definitely non-traditional!

they like beautiful things and love the idea of a 

snowy white Christmas.

they are confident, happiest when decorating their home,

a bit controlling in that they like decorations to

"go with" or coordinate with the decor.

know what i mean?

but in a good way, of course:)

they are dreamers.....and they are doers.

(had to stick that one in there:)

elegant too...did i say that?

heehee

okay, before i sign off,

just a few odds and ends.

this year, i am sticking with craft paper that i embellish real pretty

for my gift wrapping. 

i think.

if i get my act together:)

something like this......

although MUCH less professional looking:)

nice, huh?

and speaking of gift wrap, 

if the kiddies are getting cabin fever,

summer is a great time to have them make your Christmas wrapping paper.

we used to do this all the time.

just buy solid paper and stamps/sponges.

let them have at it with a bit of paint and you have great gift wrap!

 or if they are a bit older, maybe they can cut out some

COOL paper snowflakes.

lastly, any idea how these ADORABLE penguins were made?

penguin instructions

well, follow the link under the photo but here's a hint.......

they come from a soda bottle.

i'm not even giving more hints because you're going to LOVE

Lucy and her VERY creative blog!

so go meet her and look around awhile!

Be Blessed.......

Suzanne

confession time...

i haven't taken down my Christmas tree.

worse yet, i don't WANT to take it down.

it just goes so perfectly in my house that i hate to take it down.

the rest of the decorations are down, 

packed in boxes,

downstairs in the family room...

waiting for that last step of moving them into my storage room.

somehow that seems to take awhile:)

but my tree?

no way...not yet.
even the chenille tree skirt is gone.
but not that tree!

i LOVE my white christmas tree.  

it warms up the room, day or night.

what's not to love, right?

and my ornaments feel so MAGICAL to me...

here are a few of my favorites.

and i hope Target brings back their colored, narrow TINSEL trees next year.

i could kick myself for not buying two of the

champagne colored trees to go with the big white one.
something like this...

my own little  SHABBY CHICKS tree farm:)

then i really would cut down on whole house decorating.

i would just focus on my pretty little corner of the room filled with Christmas trees.

i wonder if anyone else has this problem.

actually, i'm kinda glad the hustle and bustle of the holidays are over...

but please let me keep my tree...i promise to stop blogging about it:)

XOXOXOX

Suzanne

Shabby Chicks Online Christmas Party...Calling all Sellers!

Christmas Countdowns at WiddlyTinks.com

hahaha...

NO, i'm NOT kidding!

i'm talking real, honest to goodness, Christmas shopping.

i mean, have you noticed the survey

at the top right corner of my blog?????

okay...IF you're still with me,

here's the deal.....

this is september.....

and before you know it, december will be here.

this time of year gets crazy for so many of us.

the older i get, the more i hate that.

i don't LIKE that we get lost in only the FUN stuff of the Holidays

and lose sight of the REAL reason for the season.
(but i DO believe it's okay to be real AND have fun:)

this season is also NUTCRACKER season around our house

so it adds one more twist on this time...

and i end up wishing i had started earlier.

besides, you'll have more time to decorate like THIS.....

i KNOW it isn't the gifts that matter,

but since we DO exchange presents, i really like to put a bit of

thought behind this...but then i end up grabbing

SOMETHING just to be done.....
just to lose the crowds.

(bah humbug:)

so why not start early this year and even better,

why not support the WONDERFUL

friends we have all made who sell online?

it could be through a company website that has your name on it,

an etsy store, your own website, blog.....

wherever you sell your pretties and what nots:!
 and the beauty of it is, you can get involved
in as many of these parties as you like...
even more business, right?

PLUS, we all know that when you sell your own creations,
you still have a life.....
and the SOONER you get orders done,
the MERRIER your own HOLIDAYS will be.

so even though it's early,
i wanted to give you a head's up about our first annual
SHABBY CHICKS online Christmas shopping party.

 i'm starting it OCTOBER 1st.
that gives me time to make a link to the party for you to tell ALL
your readers where to shop,
time to make a shopping section on my blog...
good stuff like that.
it might start small at first but as we get rolling and gather more links...
it WILL be awesome, i promise you that!

so don't miss out!
all i need is this.....
send me the link to your site,
along with a brief line or two about what you sell,
 if you offer any early shopping specials, order deadlines, free shipping.....
any info you would like shoppers to know about.

what i will do for YOU is this....
each week i will PROMOTE at least one shop,
i will visit every possible place on the web and tell everyone i know
about our little party to bring in shoppers,
tweet often...HECK......
i'll even re-activate my facebook
to tell the snoops sweet people of this world all about it!
HEEHEEHEE!

and did i mention a few GIVEAWAYS???????
(that always gets everyone's attention:)

like i said...i still have work to do but i am DETERMINED
to make this work.
last year i did a bit of my shopping online and guess what?????
those ended up being my most creative, unique, clever gifts.
so let's DO this!

no matter what you sell.....
(except NOTHING inappropriate, of course)
from tupperware to tutus......
join in.
it's free advertising!!!

so take my shopping survey, send me your info,
start gathering your supplies,
make some RED VELVET hot cocoa
and
LET"S SHOP!

HO,HO,HO

Suzanne

RED VELVET HOT COCOA

• 4 cups Whole Milk
• 1 dash Water
• ¾ cups Premium Semi-sweet Chocolate Chips
• 1 teaspoon Red Food Coloring Paste
• 1 cup Heavy Whipping Cream
• 1 Tablespoon Sugar
• 1 teaspoon Whipped Cream Cheese 

In a medium mixing bowl or a stand-up mixer, pour in heavy whipping cream and sugar. Whip on medium with the whisk attachment for 2-3 minutes. Just before it peaks, add the teaspoon of whipped cream cheese and whisk for another 2 minutes. Taste the whipped cream and add more cream cheese to taste. If you like it more tart (i don't) ,  add another 1/2 teaspoon.  just be careful to not over-whip or you’ll have butter on your hands in no time.

In a medium saucepan, heat the milk over medium heat. Add a splash of water and the chocolate chips, constantly stirring gently. When almost melted, add the red food coloring paste and stir some more. The color should be a deep red, similar to the picture above. When the chocolate chips are all melted, pour the hot chocolate in four mugs and top with the whipped cream.

A Dreamy, Creamy Good Life...

today I am joining in on White Wednesday at Faded Charm

and Good Life Wednesday at A Beach Cottage,

which explains the title of this blog post:)

basically, I have a few pics of things that are some of my favorite

things for decorating

 (and they just HAPPEN to be cream and white!)

because they are favorites, they are part of the "good life" for me.

 Subway Art~I LOVE subway art.  but the next piece I get I would like
to be white-washed based, like this one.
Stenciled Pillows~LOVE these too!  especially with french words, numbers, quotes
or CROWNS:)

 

 Painted Vintage Luggage~I have 3 pieces painted and one to go...

and I look for them everywhere.

sigh...the good life:)

Mirrored Armoires and Mother of Pearl-ish handled silverware:)

two things I have always wanted...someday.

Twinkle Lights!!!!! 

everything looks better with a string of twinkle lights.

I have them in both girls bedrooms, the family room, in a large glass

cylinder of flowers, strung around the pool area and on the front porch.  

we LOVE twinkle lights..like these!

 now come on... would you EVER leave this bed?
i wouldn't:)
and how about this little trick... stringing them with a garland of doily hearts...
so PRETTY!

and since it's SOOOOOOO hot down here,

a white Christmas is sounding pretty good.

just looking at this photo cools me off...

now THAT would be a good life for me right now:)

and speaking of the Holidays,

it feels good to KNOW I am going with a white theme again this year...

so I think I'll just have to make this sweet little wreath,

made from a foam base with pearls glued on it.

one more thing...

CROWNS make every day a royal one:)

these are a few of mine...

so remember...

XOXOXOXOXO

Suzanne