Happy New Year!

I am wishing all my readers, friends and family a very happy 2011!

Eddie Ross: Tips for Decorating your Entryway for the Holidays

Check out Eddie Ross' tips for holiday decorating!  Here is his video on how to decorate your entryway, but check out his videos on how to decorate your mantel and tree as well!  He is also hosting a $250 giveaway from Sears or Kmart right here!

First of Advent

Christmas is around the corner, the Swedish tradition is to hang an advent star in the window and it is usually a very welcoming light in the dark. The small holes in the paper creates a lovely soft light.  Happy Advent!

Happy Thanksgiving

To all, I wish you a very Happy Thanksgiving.  Last night, knee deep, in chopped fennel, carrots, parsnips, etc. I would occasionally glance over at this

and it would make me smile.  I was planning on using this elsewhere in the house, but when my husband heard me 'stressing' out last night, he brought it in the kitchen and placed it on the counter!  He's the best.  I also finished my thanksgiving tablescape (flower arrangement and all)!

Lastly, I want to thank you for taking the time to stop by and reading my blog!!  Every time each one of you leaves a comment, it makes my day and I'm just thankful that I have found a passion, a supportive group of readers and an outlet in which to enjoy it all!!  Thank you, thank you, thank you!!  I wish you all a very Happy Thanksgiving Day!!  Have a wonderful weekend!

Plum Cushion: Deck the Halls

For the past week, I've been searching for some new Christmas stockings and lo' and behold......my prayers  were answered!!

Plum Cushion to the rescue....and now, all I have to do is to convince my husband!! ;)  Have a great weekend!!

Friday's Favorites

Don't you love it when you have a great inspiration day or as is my case, a great inspiration week?  I can't begin to tell you how many times I was inspired this week.  Here is a little sampling....

So inspired by Modern 24/7's apartment.  It's amazing.  Check out more here.  I'm loving that tree in the corner.  What kind of tree is that?  Anyone?  Next up, if you haven't been introduced to Abbe's blog Studio Ten 25, go introduce yourself!  A fantastic designer and her master bedroom has been stuck in my mind for days!!

Who doesn't love a good before and after?   Well, I certainly do and both of these B & A's are kitchen related.  Casey, from Loft and Cottage, does a great play by play of her kitchen upgrades on a tight budget.  Go here for more.

Amy Meier also had a great kitchen before and after.  A true gut job, but with a warm and inviting finish.  Check out more here.  

Iomoi's lucite trays are on my christmas list!  Have they expanded their product line?  So much eye candy.......check it out!

via

And, speaking of Christmas, I leave with you this!!  I know it's early, but this definitely makes me excited!!  So colorful and happy!  

I hope you all have a wonderful weekend!!  

DIY: Halloween Silhouette Plates

I like to do a DIY every holiday because it always fun when you unpack the decorations (after a full year has passed) to see what is in there.  I always catch myself saying, "Oh yeah, I forgot about that!"  

I was inspired by Danny Seo's, a green living expert, craft room as seen on Bromeliad.  It screams 'fall' and looked liked a fun way to decorate seasonally without being too garish.  I bought some cheap white plates (8.5" diameter) from Walmart.  I did go to the goodwill store first, but none of the plates had a white background that I needed.  I printed out a couple of halloween templates that inspired me and stuck them on plates (using label printer paper). 

I painted the plates with black ceramic paint.  I painted two coats (make sure you let the first coat dry completely).  After the plates were dry, I stuck them in the oven at 350 degrees for 25 minutes.  Let plates cool completely in oven.

 And, then I hung them in our kitchen. 

What do you think?  I personally love them and plan on using the beetle all year round.  He is my favorite.  

For the full tutorial, go here.  

Happy Easter

More inspiration for the Easter table

Getting ready for Easter

Happy Easter! In Sweden we celebrate all holidays one day before anyone else i.e. Easter on the Saturday before Ester Sunday, Christmas on Christmas Eve and so on. (I never even though about it before one of my colleagues, who is married to a Swedish girl mentioned who funny this was.) A few ideas on how to decorate the table (as you have another day to get yourself organized). Glad Pask!

Happy Easter

Wishing you a very Happy Easter!  We have lots planned over the next week - Easter, family visiting, Luke's birthday and a little R and R trip for mommy & daddy!  Can't wait!  Blogging hiatus will end in a week.  See you then!

My Christmas Wish

Hey everyone! Thanks so much for the great comments on my last post. All of you

are so supportive. Actually, that's why I feel comfortable sharing my

feelings, because I know you all will be so kind. I will be on the road today and

with family for the week. I'm not sure how much posting I will be able

to do, so I'm leaving a Christmas treat for all of you. I love Judy Garland so

much, and this song is just perfection. Hope you enjoy it.

Merry Christmas to all my readers, fellow bloggers, and friends!

Love

Carolina

Holiday Blues

I'm not the only one who struggles with depression throughout the holidays, right? Why is that? I really try to enjoy Christmas time, but mostly it seems to bring me down. I hate that, but its the truth. Sorry to be such a downer today. Its just that its difficult for me not to be honest. My faith pushes me to be more positive and to invite good things into my life, but its a struggle at this time of year. I always feel like I haven't done enough for everyone and another year has slipped by. I don't have enough time to send out Christmas cards and take Liam to see Santa. I usually am scrambling at the last minute to finish buying gifts that I really can't afford, but feel guilty if I don't. Ahhhh! I want Christmas to be about my faith in Christ. I get frustrated that people refuse to acknowledge Christianity as the source of "Christmas" and yet my life doesn't seem to acknowledge that either! I mean what right do I have to complain?! I don't believe in expecting other people to do things I don't do. I have to say that I'm pretty fed up with these feelings I struggle with. (I'm only writing this, because it helps me when I get it all out). My life has to change. I already have been changing many things and will share them after the New Year.

You may be wondering what in the world these photos have to do with what I'm writing. Well, I posted them for purely selfish reasons. Basically, they make me happy! I needed a jolt of sunshine and fun and these photos have that, don't you think? I found them via Living Etc.