If this room was an outfit...

Pantone's color of the year for 2012 - Tangerine Tango



Inspired by a post by Elizabeth over at The Mustard Ceiling - and a post by Wendy over at
The Shabby Nest, I decided to put my own spin on this fun new color emerging in decor and fashion for 2012.

If this room...



Was an outfit...

 

via Polyvore

This bright orange shade looks fabulous in your rooms and in your wardrobe.

So, is Tangerine Tango a color you will be using for 2012?

Happy Holidays

Wishing you a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!

Its a Wrap!

Here are couple of facts I found to be interesting and a little bit shocking!



As much fun as wrapping paper can be, it is also a wasteful part of gift-giving. As much as half of the 85 million tons of paper products Americans consume every year goes toward packaging, wrapping and decorating goods. Also, wrapping paper and shopping bags alone account for about 4 million tons of trash annually in the U.S.

The history of wrapping paper may surprise you.

Hallmark is credited with founding the gift wrap industry when, during the Christmas season in 1917, stores ran out of the red, green, white and holly tissue sheets that people used to wrap gifts.

The next year, the sheets were offered three for 25 cents, and they again sold out. Soon gift wrap became the first product Hallmark made that was a departure from greeting cards. From these small beginnings in Kansas City, the gift wrap industry now accounts for $2.6 billion annually in retail sales.

For the last several years, I have vowed to use less paper and use alternatives to store bought wrapping paper and bags.

First, I have been using up all of the wrap from years past...you know, all those 1/2 rolls stacked in the back of your hall closet! You may be surprised at how much you have once you pull it all out and start unrolling. Now, this obviously does not make for the picture perfect look under the tree...imagine a little bit of Santa print, red and green stripes, and some snow men on sleds.



This year I am happy to say it is all GONE! I actually went to wrap some gifts the other night and was pleasantly surprised when I realized there wasn't any left.

Now, I am on the hunt for cute and clever alternatives to the standard holiday wrapping rolls.
Here are some great options...



Plain brown wrap. This can be found in rolls at drug stores and office supply stores. I have even used brown paper grocery bags. Just add a festive red ribbon or a red doily and some kite string. I especially like the tree cutout...no need for a ribbon or bow means less waste too!



Newsprint. No need to look too far for supplies...it gets delivered to your front porch every morning! Add some string, a homemade name tag, and even a sprig of greenery. You can even combine the above options and create beautiful unique gifts almost too pretty to tear open...

Once you get started thinking about alternatives, the possibilities are everywhere...



Sheet music. Look for Christmas carol music to add to the festive mood.

 

You can find old maps and even an old atlas at your local thrift stores. Make it more meaningful by finding the recipients home city and center it on the top of the package. Its those extra touches that mean the most.

During this season of red and green, think extra GREEN. Find an alternative to the millions of tons of paper sent to landfills. The options are fun, festive, and recyclable too!

images via Pinterest

My Holiday Mantel...

Decorating momentum has set in. Moving on from the holiday dining table shown here, I was  able to put together a festive holiday mantel.

This year I decided to do something completely different than how I normally decorate. I have been collecting Santas for 20+ years...and always display them across our large white mantel in the living room. Here is a picture from last year...

Please forgive the photo quality...this was taken pre-blogging days. I love the Santas and how they fill the space. I just wanted to do something different...so I did!

Natural greens - clipped from my own backyard redwood trees - pinecones, red and white candles and vintage red and white christmas bulbs found at a local thrift store. I also added some natural greens and pinecones to the faux pine wreath, along with a partridge and initial ornament.

I like the simplicity and the fact that its so different than I normally deck my holiday mantel. Sometimes its fun to switch things up...place your decorations in different places, use them in different ways, and maybe not put everything out every year.

Moving into the family room...since I dont have a mantel there, I like to decorate the console table that sits in front of the windows.

The table is painted black so I decided to go with a black, white, and red theme here. Hanging a natural wreath and garland around the windows. I simply added white lights, red and white ornaments, and some snowflakes to each...oh and a couple of cute little red cardinals.

Finally, my favorite decoration in this room, and probably the whole house is the mini tree I fill with handmade decorations from my boys. Along with yearly picture ornaments, I hang the ornaments that remind me of their interests each year...think Pokemon, Scooby Doo, and Spongebob Squarepants! They have long outgrown these stages, but I still remember each one fondly...and love to think about all those fun years whenever I see this tree.

This is what the holidays are all about!

How will you be decorating your holiday mantel?

Linking up to the following parties...a la mode, Ten June, come check em' out!

all images via LKD - Laura Kristine Decor

Fun & Funny Gifts

Time to put the fun back into shopping and gift giving. While browsing over at Houzz the other day, I saw an ideabook that is sure to make you and the gift recipient smile.

Cute, silly, and borderline "tacky", yet in the most delightful and cheerful way...



via Mookie Gifts

Yes, I had to start with the classic! Who wouldn't love this "major award" displayed in their front window?



via Fred Flare

The Buddha Butter Dish. Set this not-so-subtle hint out on the table and your hubby is sure to join you on your after dinner walk around the block!

via Think Geek

The OCD Cutting Board. May you never have a carrot too long, cucumber slice too thick, or bread slice out of square. This one will make Martha proud!

via Fred Flare 

What better way to say "Thanks" for hosting this lovely holiday party than giving a sock monkey stuffed with a bottle of wine? This is sure to even make a bottle of 2-buck-chuck taste better!

via MoMa

 

 

If that still doesn't work...ditch the wine and use the glasses as lamps...or "glamps".

via Etsy

 

 

Moving on to all the tech lovers...how about a gray felt Cat i-pad cover? This one even comes with a shoulder strap to keep you looking purrrrrfectly stylish!

 

via Fred Flare  

The Aphrodite USB Hub. Bring class and elegance to your work space with the Greek goddess of beauty, love, and convenience!

 

via Fred Flare  

No live animals were harmed while creating this perfect piece of kitsch. Cozy up the kitchen or den...and perfect your puzzle making skills all at one time!

 

via Fred Flare 

Who doesn't wonder what Spot and Fluffy are up to all day? Clip this clever invention onto their collar and get a pets eye view of all the neighborhood bird feeders and fire hydrants!

 

 

 

via Tickle Me Plant

 

 

The Tickle Me Plant. A more vegan friendly option to the ever popular Venus Fly Trap.

 

 

 

via Uncommon Goods

 

 

Who needs to invest in Baccarat crystal when you can get this faux ziplock bag candy dish?

via Uncommon Goods

Dance Step Coaster Set. Just in case you enjoy a little too much of the bubbly, and you cant remember your Rhumba from your Cha Cha Cha!

 

 

Now you have no excuse to not get out there and shop til you drop!

My Holiday Table...

Finally making some progress on my holiday decorating

Last night my dining room table looked like this...

A collection of silver and gold ornaments, red and white candles, glass holders, pinecones, ribbon, some white linen and burlap, a faux table top tree, and a couple of golden reindeer!

I like the way things pulled together...



I have had these two deer for years...a gift from my Mom...and have always used them on my coffee table in the living room. This year I decided to move things around and these guys ended up here. I purchased the white linen and burlap from a fabric store and love the natural element they add to all of the shiny silver and gold ornaments and glass candle holders.

I used alot of the pinecones I collected and brought home from the girls getaway last weekend that I shared about here. But, my favorites have to be the pinecones my Mom brought over and gave me. They look just like little roses...

Another favorite are the wreaths hanging on the french doors. Simply adorned with pinecones, gold ornaments, and bows made of red ribbon and burlap ruffles...

(thanks Mom!)

Looking forward to enjoying Christmas dinner with family gathered at the table...

How will you be celebrating?

Enjoy your family and friends during the holiday season!

Linking up to the Holiday Home Highlights party over at a la mode, and Chic on a Shoestring Decorating. 

Stop on over and check out all the beautiful holiday tablescapes!



 



all images via LKD-Laura Kristine Decor