Blog redecorating?

Ive never been one to change my blog header or name but I'm thinking maybe its time.

Pros of changing:
-I'm not really renovating anymore.
-The header is getting dusty up there, it could use a redesign.

Cons:
-I do plan on doing some reno flashbacks next year (2nd year anniversary!)
- I like to think that the archives can be helpful to those that are in the midst of renovation hell. Without the word renovation, they would never find this place.
- Adventures in Decorating sounds really lame.

What do you think: Leave it as is or change it to reflect what I'm focused on now? Any suggestions for what I can use INSTEAD of "decorating" or "design"?

Drats. Office setup foiled by Ikea.

I had very much hoped I would be able to post photos of my office setup in progress. I wasn't foolish enough to think it would be complete by today but I had hoped to show a glimmer of possibility. My plan was to show you this sad looking before photo

followed by a less pathetic after.

Sadly, here I am on Monday morning with nothing to show. Its not because I was lazy and put it off (as I have been doing for the past 4 months). I had a plan this time. As you can see, I need storage as well as some display space and finally decided on the Ikea Trollsta sideboard.

Its not 100% ideal but it met all the key criteria: cheap, fun and could be assembled in the room so I could fit it thru my narrow hallway to the office.

I even roped a very nice friend with an SUV in taking me to the local Ikea to pick it up on Sunday. On Saturday evening, I had a date with an SUV and a Louis inspired sideboard. I dutifully checked the invetory tool on http://www.ikea.com/ And what did I find? They were OUT OF STOCK!

Boo! Hiss! (sound of rotten tomatos being thrown)

So no progress was made at all. My office is the same barren wasteland its been all these long ugly months. Damn you Ikea, you sapped my home decorating agenda of promise!

All jesting aside, I was bummed. I hate when Im all geared up to do something and I get off course. But Ill try again the next time I can get my SUV driving friend to give me a ride. I hope Ikea is prepared :)

In more positive news, I did get some time to work on Christmas cards and cleaning up my disaster area also known as a closet. Silver lining, clouds, all that.

Entertaining basics...

Last week, commenter Raye Law asked:

Can you share what your must-have entertaining basics are? I noticed your white ruffle cake stand and tall glass cylinder. Any others you always go-to?

First off to Raye, thanks so much for reading along and the comment. (I luuurrrve comments)

As to an answer, I wish I could say I had a handy little list of entertaining must haves but Im simply not that organized. I tend to throw together my parties with what I have at the time and I pick up a thing or two depending upon the occassion, if needed. But spurred on by your question, I do have a few suggestions of what I find important to setting up a lovely buffet or display.

Small plates

I try to avoid plastic whenever possible. And a few sets of small cocktail plates prove very versatile and inexpensive. You can find them in all sorts of designs too like the whimsical example above from West Elm. Personally I have I have two sets with small imprints of wine and cheese that I received as a gift a few years ago and I use them constantly.

Cheese platter

Any sort of large flat black board will do. I have a slate one that is good for smaller cheese plates and when I have more people over, I tend to use a large black cutting board I have handy. Having a board makes it easy to put the hunks of cheese down and then fill in the spaces with crackers and fruit. Always a crowd pleaser.

Tiered Serving Dish, Cake Stand and or Footed Bowl (or all three!)

Here is where you can add some height to your display. Very important for visual interest. It has some obvious uses (um, cake?) but a cake stand/footed bowl also makes a great spot to create a centerpiece, display favors or a host of other uses. I have a ruffle one from Williams Sonoma but I have my eye on the milk glass set pictured above from Martha Stewart.

Other things that I also like to keep on hand: Clear tumblers for any kind of drink, a big tub good for keeping bottled drinks on ice, plenty of flatware and a big stack of plain white paper napkins.

As Im clearly an amateur entertainer, thats all I have to share. But if you are looking for some professional (and much more complete) advice on stocking your party pantry, you can look no further than this book

I was very fortunate to be one of the winners of a contest that Restyled Home hosted to celebrate Matthew Mead's new book. My autographed copy arrived last week and I finally got a chance to pour over the beautiful photographs and practical tips Matthew includes. I wish I could add a few of my favorite photos in the book but Im afraid illegal scanning of a gift book would be in bad form so I can only share my comments. A good deal of this content is devoted to suggestions about what serveware you should have on hand for a party and its a very good list. This is the perfect gift to give to a new homeowner or bride&groom. If you are looking for a better answer to Raye Law's question, I definitely suggest you pick it up.

Happy Friday!

Hello November...

With Halloween and Election day behind us, I think that means its officially time to start thinking of the best holiday of the year: Christmas.

(Saks Fifth Avenue, Dec 2006)

I know, I know - many of you out there will say its too early. I know all you grinches who complain when you hear Christmas music in the stores or decorations going up before the twelfth month is upon us. But not me: I love Christmas.

Think of the beauty of a city lit up with twinkly lights and greenery. The fun of giving and receiving gifts. Cheery music with a message of joy to all. George Bailey running home to hug his wife and kids. Christmas is symbolic of all the best things about humanity. What could be more wonderful?

Restyled home started off the season with a great post that rings in the spirit. I hope I can live her advice to prepare in November and enjoy in December.

My first order of business is to work on my holiday "cards" for 2008. I tend to go a little overboard with my holiday mailings. No hallmark cards from me. Last year I sent out a package of mixed greeting cards that I designed and packaged wishing everyone happy occassions to celebrate all year:

The year before that I sent out a trifold of good luck wishes along with a lotto ticket (can't find the photo of that one). In 2005, I sent out a little box with "sweet" holiday wishes and Christmas pez

And in 2004 I sent out a holiday music cd in a personalized tin


So you probably get the idea - I take christmas cards seriously. And I love to receive all kinds of cards too. I don't get nearly as many as I would like now that its a lot less popular of a tradition with people our age but Im hoping I can re-start a trend.

And speaking of Christmas cards, isn't this a fabulous idea for displaying cards?

(courtesy of the now defunct Blueprint mag)
Not sure if I'll have time or the need for such an elaborate display but I think its a great idea.

Happy All Hallows...

Halloween 2008 is now behind us. Our little get together to hand out the goodies went well and we're now cleaning up.

Here are a few photos from the nights festivities.

Thanks to another great idea from Martha, I made this no bake cheesecake the night before the party. The spider web design was super easy to make and it got oohs and ahhs from the guests.


I focused most of the effort on decorating the outside of the house but I did a few things to outfit the indoors as well. Like these mouse silohuettes which were a steal at $5/package at Michaels crafts. (Also from Martha Stewart.)


I made a coffee table centerpiece using a small skeleton I had in my old Halloween decorations box.


I created a little witches brew bar with some extra plastic spiders, black thread and green food coloring. I didn't get a great photo of this but this was a very last minute project and it turned out really cool with the spiders looking very eerie in the green liquid.


And of course the Wisteria candelabra looked pretty fab with its dripping candles on the buffet.


And yes, I decided to keep it but I bought some dripless candles for non Halloween use.


And in case anyone is counting, we gave more than two thousand pieces of candy out last night to all the tirick or treaters big and small. We saw some great costumes including an invisible man, the Mona Lisa and a bridge to nowhere. 364 days and counting til Halloween 2009...