SPARKLY

 

As 2011 winds down, I wanted to share some images full of sparkle, but also thank you for following this blog this year.   You are the "spark" that encourages me to write and so I'm thankful for you.

 

 Goals for 2012 should include adding some orange to your decor , THE Pantone color of the year.  And living sparkly:

 In 2012, I hope you share  alot of this:

  I hope you add some sparkle to your rooms:

 Wear something fun this New Year's:

 And always remember to spark up your  boudoir:

From our family to yours, I wish you a blessed New Year, full of love, happiness, peace and good health.

 

(Jackie, Billy, Bridget (Billy's fiancee), and Luke) 

All the best,

p.s.  I hope in the New Year to figure out the " new editor" on this blog.  Do any of you utilize the "new editor" on Blogger?  My text is all over the place, even though I tell it to "center".  So bear with me as I learn the new editing version.  

A  goal of mine in 2012 is to finally hire an assistant again , part time.  IF you are computer & graphic or interior  design savvy, email me! 

Resolutions and New Starts

 

Each new year always gives us an opportunity to start anew.  I normally don't like resolutions because I really don't keep them but I've noticed that I do much better when I have set goals in mind.
So, here are the new goals I'm setting for the 2012.


1. Stop dressing like a bum - A work from home a lot and I tell you, sweat pants and head scarfs are my friends. However I was in Walmart buying a bottle of wine when the cashier took a look at my driver license's picture, and said (no lie) "You look nice here".  She was lucky she was an older lady because I might have been prone to cuss her out.  I was also recently (ok two days ago) approached by a woman in HomeGoods who wanted to know where I got my Louis Vuitton bag and she was shocked when I said 'the Louie Store' to which she replied, "Oh I thought it was a knock off" because obviously I looked like couldn't afford a real Louis Vuitton Bag.  Yup she needed to be cussed out too.  So I guess that's a sign to say stop looking homeless?  Hmmm maybe...

2. Finish my bedroom - yes it's still unfinished

3. Remove the carpet from my steps and replace with wood, because right now it's nasty looking... ewww

4. Get an additional source of income -- still figuring this one out

5. Eat a piece of fruit or veggie each day


Do you have any resolutions or new goals for 2012?




Wishing everyone a healthy and prosperous 2012!

Christmas in NYC

Picture Heavy Post
I hope your holidays were great and I hope Santa brought you the gifts you needed.

I had a great time with my family in NYC.  If you ever had the chance to spend Christmas or even a couple of days before Christmas in New York City, do it.  NYC comes alive on Christmas, we ventured out to enjoy the store windows and of course Rockefeller Center.  I was disappointed with the Saks Window displays, it was so not Christmassy (it that a word?) but the Lord and Taylor windows made up for it.

Rockefeller Center

 Rockefeller Center

 Rockefeller Center

 Rockefeller Center

 Saks Fifth Ave Holiday Window

  Saks Fifth Ave Holiday Window

  Saks Fifth Ave Holiday Window

 Lord and Taylor Holiday Window

  Lord and Taylor Holiday Window

  Lord and Taylor Holiday Window

  Lord and Taylor Holiday Window

  Lord and Taylor Holiday Window - Do you see Santa?

ONE OF THE BEST BEDROOMS OF 2011!

             The Crystal Creek bedroom I designed in 2011, was voted one of the best bedrooms of 2011 from the HOUZZ "readers choice" panel!

 I'm honored to be amongst wonderful Designers that were chosen.  Check out the other beautiful choices here:

http://www.houzz.com/ideabooks/1022374/list/Readers--Choice--The-20-Best-Bedrooms-of-2011


Thank you HOUZZ, for the shout out!

All the best,

xo,

THE STOCKINGS WERE HUNG.....

 

The stockings are now all hung by the chimney with care,

but here's a history of how they were created that I wanted to share.  

Our previous Pottery Barn stockings had seen better days, the velvet was starting to fade and I was tired of  the colors , hunter green and burgundy.  Plus this Christmas, we have a new addition to our family: Bridget.  Bridget is Billy's fiancee.  So, I decided it was time to create a new arrangement of stockings including Bridget into the family.  I had linen fabric stored away from previous projects, along with some lace I've had for years, and found a stocking pattern you can download on the internet.

 

 Next I gathered an assortment of brooches I inherited from my Mother-in-law Molly to embellish the stockings, along with some ribbon:

 
 I ended up using just the French ticking stripe ribbon for the hooks, and nixed the turquoise velvet.  The insides of the stockings are a plush , "soft as a baby's blankie" fleece fabric.  And here's what "Mrs. Claus" came up with:

(you can always click on photos to enlarge the detail)

I'm thinking of adding some satin small ribbons to the brooches, but that will be next year!  It's Christmas Eve and this sled needs to get into high gear!

From JVW HOME  to yours,
we wish you a very Merry  Christmas filled with lots of love, family  &  many blessings,

Cheap Last Minute Gift - DIY Sugar Scrub

Did you get up this morning thinking "Oh Sweet Jesus" Christmas is a day away and I still need to get a couple of gifts, or oh crap, I ran out of money and can't afford to buy another gift.  Well since I have that pesky thing called a mortgage, (would you believe that bank has the nerve to want it every month) and I'm on a budget, I didn't want to spend a lot of money on Christmas this year but I still wanted to give my friends gifts they would love. Let's face nothing is worst than a scrappy gift.

I like a good sugar scrub and I started shopping around for a sugar scrub to give as gifts, but those suckers aren't cheap.  So of course I thought why not make my own because I roll like that. I did a little research and there so many recipes for sugar scrubs to choose from.  I tweeked the recipes and came up with my own.

Here's my recipe

3/4  cup brown sugar
3/4 cup white sugar
1 tablespoon essential oil ( you can buy this at Michael's or a health food store)
 3/4 cup extra virgin oil


In a small bowl, combine the brown and white sugar. Add the remaining ingredients and stir well to blend well.  Spoon the scrub into a pretty glass jar and viola, great gift for less than $3.00.  I also created my own label to add to the jar.

Working on

Reveal to come soon

A Hint of Gold

Here's a 5 min project I did today using a dollar store candle holder and using spray paint.

Cover outside of the candle holder or vase with paper, spray inside of the vase with mirror spray paint, let dry, then spray with gold spray paint and Viola...

 A fabulous little candle holder with a hint of gold.  This would look great with multiple holders with flickering candles inside.