Girls Night In

I love having my girlfriends over for dinner.  It is so wonderful to catch up with everyone and hear about the latest gossip.  Which, funny how when you get older, there isn't as much to gossip about.  I have a special group of friends that I have been close to since high school, and some earlier then that.  This group of girls is very special to me, we have been through it all.  I really enjoy spending time with them, so when they come to my house I want to make sure they feel special.  That's why I go all out to decorate a beautiful table setting just for them!  So, I just wanted to share a few ideas with you so that you can create a special "Girls Night In"

Every girl loves pink roses, and I just loved these.  Because I live in a house with all males, I love to add a little pink every now and then!

I found these pink mercury votives and glittery bird at Michael's 50% off, YAY!  I love that the votives have jewels on them too, so very girlie.  The glittery bird adds that special sparkle and whimsy to the table.  

Another great Michael's find was this tree.  It sparkles and looks vintage.  

I love adding place cards.  These were really easy to make.  I just made them up on the computer and printed them out, very easy and simple.  Once I printed them, I glue them on some decorative scrapbook paper.  Voila', instant place cards.  Attention to the details!

Here is the wreath that I made to hang in my dining area.  It is similar to one I had featured in my blog about wreaths.  It added that fun little touch of whimsy to the windows.  

Collecting antique ornaments is one of my favorites things about the holidays.  They are all so unique and different, and you have to wonder how many beautiful trees they have adorned through the years.  The mercury candlesticks help to compliment them.  I wanted to make sure that the room was filled with plenty of sparkle, so I decorated the buffet in my dining area.  The more sparkle the better, especially when you are entertaining your best girlfriends!

Last but not least, here are the wonderful girls that I have been friends with for well over 20 years.  They are a special group of friends that I cherish dearly.  So cheers to 2011, hope that you are able to spend time with those near and dear to you, and make sure that you plan a "GNI", girls night in!

XO~Gretchen

Plate rack design

Just wanted to share an idea that I recently implemented in my own home.  When my husband and I built our home several years ago, I insisted on having a plate rack built into a wall in my kitchen.  I knew we would have a blank wall, and instead of filling it up with some art, I wanted a place to display some of the pretty dishes that I love to collect.  Plus I felt like it would add the charm you might feel from an older home.  I feel that sometimes "new builds" lack that type of charm.  Attention to the details, is my motto when designing and decorating! :)

Here was the starting point, mind you it took a while to find the perfect wallpaper.  Up until I found the perfect wallpaper, I would fill my plate rack with an eclectic group of dishes.  

Instant gratification!  What a difference it already makes.  I love this toile wallpaper because it is has an aqua background, and the actual toile print is a taupe/gray color.  A lovely twist on the usual brown/blue combo.

VOILA'  There is the finished product.  Pictured above are a few of my favorite dishes that I think work well against the new wallpaper.  Usually we have to stash our special dishes away into a china cabinet, or hutch, but I think this is a nice way to display them so that you can enjoy them on a daily basis. :)

Here is the same wallpaper being used in a recent powder room I decorated for a client.  I would recommend using this wallpaper in smaller spaces.  If you are interested, the name of the book that the paper came from is belle fleur.

Hope you enjoy creating a special space in your nest!  I think this wallpaper would be great in the back of a bookcase too!  The possibilities are endless.

XO~Gretchen

Pretty in Pink for the Holidays

I live in a house with three sons, and my hubby, so sometimes I love to look at all things pink!  This post is dedicated to dressing your nest, and yourself "pretty in pink" for the holidays! :)

Wouldn't this tree be simply adorable in a little girl's room.  I love how soft the pink pallet is.  It is modern and vintage at the same time.

This dress represents everything girlie.  It's pink, has ruffles, and a big bow.  How sweet is this?

This dress can be found at modcloth.

 I love the way this bottle brush wreath looks with these silver mercury candlesticks.

This photo is from Country Living magazine.  I think I will incorporate pink roses into the tablescape this year for my Christmas party with my best friends.  How special :)

I found this lovely picture at another blog that you may want to visit.  It is from queen of tarte.  I love all the pink ornaments and all the glittery numbers and stars.  Very dreamy.

When in doubt, just add a pink tree next to your traditional holiday tree.  

This is such a beautiful photo that I came across, just wanted to share.  The lighting is magical!

Love the little birdie hanging from the drawer pull.  Attention to details :)

Need a new sash belt.  This is a lovely one that can be found at shop ruche

This top would be great over a pair of skinny jeans with the boots in the next picture :)

These items can be found at modcloth

This is one of our pink Lulubelles cuff bracelets.  So sweet and lovely.

I came across this picture of this charming pink door and shutters in my quest for pink.  LOVE IT!

Here are some perfect pink colors to use, just in case you want to paint something in your nest pink!

They are Sherwin Williams paint colors.

Happy Holidays, and don't forget to add a little pink into the season!

XO~Gretchen

Holiday Wreaths for your Nest

This week I am inspired to make a wreath for my Nest.  Here are some of my favorites that I came across on my search for the perfect wreath.:)

handcrafted wreath by vintage dragonfly

Danielle actually told me that her mother created this wreath.  Lots of creativity runs through their family!

This wreath was created by cottage instincts

Handcrafted wreath by twinkle twinkle little star

I found a picture of this lovely wreath at star shine chic
Of course I love the colors.  I am a sucker for aqua :)

This wreath was created by the haby goddess

I think this the perfect wreath for all you Kitschy chicks.  Of course I love the bright fun colors and the vintage mixer ornament.  Adorable!

This next wreath I found a picture of via the internet.  I believe Ballard Design carries a wreath similar to this one.  So I felt inspired to create my own version of it for my "friends entry" door.  Ironic that it was the same letter that I needed to create for my door.  

Here are a list of the supplies that you will need.

Of course a sweet little birdie.  You can find a variety of these supplies at your local craft store.

 Once you decide on your greenery, you simply bend it into the shape you want.  In my case it was the letter B.  Try not to be too much of a perfectionist!  You can certainly add sprigs of other items to your wreath, such as berries, ribbons, ornaments.  The possibilities are endless.

I used the mod podge and Martha Stewart glitter to make my eggs sparkle.  Everything needs a little glitter, at least when I am crafting!  I used my handy dandy glue gun to glue everything into place.
VOILA' the end result.....

Hope you feel inspired to create a wreath to welcome your guest to your nest this holiday season. I would love to hear about any other creative wreath ideas you may have.  Until next time..

XO~Gretchen

Giving the Gift of Handmade

This year for the holidays why not give a gift that is personal and from the heart.  Sure it is easy to give a gift card, or run into Target and pick up a cardigan, or hat and glove set, but why not think outside the box and give something handmade.  Here are some ideas of things that you can give this holiday season that will not only support local crafters/artist, but really make an impact on the person that you are giving that gift to.

You can give the gift of hand crafted jewelry.  How nice would it be to receive a one-of-a-kind piece.  You certainly wouldn't have to worry about someone showing up a party wearing the same jewelry as you.  

This next project is a do-it-yourself project that I did at home this weekend.  I went to Hobby Lobby and bought this sweet bird frame.  However, I wanted to make it more special and personal.  So I decided to paint it one of my favorite colors, aqua.  And what a difference it made.  See the next picture.

I also inserted a piece of scrapbook paper for that added designer touch.  Now it looks like I bought the frame at Anthropologie :)

This next handmade project was also fairly easy to make.  I bought a pack of flour sack dish towels and some iron on transfer paper.  I downloaded the image of the bee, crown, and laurel wreath, printed it on the transfer paper.  Then simply ironed it on the dish towel and, voila', created this personal gift.  The possibilities are endless with this project.  There are so many cute downloads out there.  I think this would make a great hostess gift this holiday season.  You could make a set, and wrap them in some gorgeous ribbon.  Sure beats getting a bottle of wine ;).

Last but not least, is a company called Sew Sweet.  This company is owned by a good friend of mine, who loves to craft and create as much as I do.  Her name is Missy and here are just a few of the wonderful personalized items that she can design for you.  She has a fan page on FB called Sew Sweet with lots of other items such as personalized kitchen towels and aprons, which would make perfect teacher's or hostess gifts.  Her prices are great too :)  If you would like to order something from her you can reach her via email at timissy@bellsouth.net

Enjoy shopping this holiday season, and get inspired to give the gift of handmade!

XO~Gretchen