Seasonal Decorating At Russell's

These rustic decorations are perfect for Thanksgiving.  Grab a wreath and go!

They have an abundance of dried flowers and beautiful tall twigs.

Adorable twigs with little bells on them.  Coming back for these!

Country wreath, leave it as is or add a pop of color.

I have an obsession with mushrooms.  These dried mushrooms are sold in bags and would be great to add texture to any vignette or flower arrangement!  I will be picking some of these up!

Russell's Garden Center in Wayland, Mass. has a very large department for Christmas decorating.  They will make a custom wreath for you or flower arrangement.  They do a really beautiful job.

Lovely large pine cones at only $1.50 each.  These are the most affordable and make for a simple, elegant decoration.  Check out Two Ellie's post at Mrs. French on decorating with pine cones.  Below is a photo of Paula's dinning room over at Two Ellie.  She used one large pine cone as a simple decoration on her beautiful dinning room table.  Her mother has had that pine cone since she was a little girl.  How wonderful and sentimental is that?  I think her home looks absolutely lovely for this season.

Image via Mrs. French via Two Ellie

I used to collect Dept. 56 Christmas In The City.  The tall brownstone to the left is new.  I would love to live in something like that.

Picked up one of these lovely rosemary topiaries.  I usually get one every season for my kitchen.  I eventually kill them though!  Very unfortunate that I don't have a green thumb!  Poor plant!  I love the way they look!

I am coming back for this Norfolk Island Pine.  Isn't it just gorgeous?  I want to find an urn to place it in my kitchen.  It is like a little whimsical Christmas tree.  I will not be putting any ornaments on it.  I like it just the way it is.  Go here to see when I first fell in love with this pine and the lovely urns they are planted in.

Happy Hunting!

xojamilyn

Photo's via me except for dinning room via Two Ellie

"Don't Skip" Thanksgiving Wreaths

Photo via me

Gerard's in Lincoln, Mass has the most beautiful wreaths for Thanksgiving and Fall (above).  Visiting his shop always puts me in the mood around this time of year.  I know there is only about 2 weeks before we all sit down to a cozy dinner with family but, wouldn't it be nice to be greeted by one of these lovelies at the front door?  It is easy to overlook the potential of making a welcoming impression right away by just hanging a beautiful fall wreath.  Everyone moves very quickly on to Christmas and all the decorating that is required.  Don't miss out on the warmth and textures that these wreaths provide.  It might be worth the effort because you probably can preserve them to use next year!

If you get creative with wreath forms and hot glue, you can make any of these wreaths.  The one above is my favorite. 

All images via Better Homes and Gardens. 

Have fun~

xojamilyn

49 More Days Till Christmas...I better put these away!

Built-in dinning room hutch

Pumpkin on a post in our front yard

Crow caught a bat

Hand made Halloween wreath via me.

Till next year and wishing for more motivation and inspiration to do some really interesting decorations.

Love my black crows!

Have a wonderful weekend~

xojamilyn

Photo's taken via me and property of Living It At Home

Looking For A Chair...Is Always Fun

Chairs are like shopping for accessories for me!  I feel like you can just grab one and take it home!  I have done that before ya know!  That is why I love my Honda Pilot!  You can stick anything in the back!  Anyway, these cuties have to be ordered.  How fun is the Petite Bird Armchair  above from Oly?  Not sure if I am loving that fabric but this would be a fun whimsical addition in a unexpected spot in your home or maybe not...too much?  Actually don't think it work in mine!  Moving on!

I am currently looking for a chair next to my sofa and two flanking my fireplace.  I am glad that there are so many wonderful choices out there!  However, I think I have at least narrowed down the chair for next to the sofa.  The O.Henry House slipper chair above will do the trick!  So cute isn't it?  I will be keeping the fabric simple.  Actually daring to go very light...white?  Scary!!!!  The room is kind of dark and the pop of white will freshen it up...hoping!  Also got that advice from a designer so I should be on the right track!

This Jackson winged chair from Hickory is what I am looking for to flank the fireplace.  There are many versions of this chair out there now.  I am really looking for a chair with height.  The photo below shows my fireplace.  The chairs in this photo are not there anymore and have been moved to a reading area.  I am really looking for a taller chair for here.

Or maybe something with some wood like the Kirin Chair from Oly?  DO NOT like that fabric or color so don't think that is the direction I am going.  It would be a linen fabric for sure and maybe an oat color but on the lighter side.

Kirin Chair from Oly

Hickory Chair's adorable Le Clerc Chair

Hickory Chair's leather...love it...Gunnison Chair.  Just don't have a place for this rustic gem!  I am off to go hunting today for more furniture.  That usually involves the internet and some local shops!  If you would like to see some other chairs recommended by one of my favorite blogs, Good Bones Great Pieces, go here.

Have a great day!

xojamilyn

"Fake A Healthy Head Of Hair" products that I am going to try

With the air becoming dryer and the heat constantly on, I am looking to make my hair behave and look healthy!  Here are some intriguing products I came across that are now going to be in my shopping cart to give a try.  The above product by L'Oreal claims that it is a restorative shampoo.  It has ingredients that help to thicken the hair and temporarily seal split ends.  It is a reconstructing shampoo that helps fortify the hair.  This can't hurt to try!  I absolutely hate standing in the shampoo isle trying to find a new product on the fly.  There are just way to many with such fancy names and claiming to do this and that.  Overwhelming!  I end up just grabbing anything.

We are told to at least once a week to deep condition...right?  I never ever have.  However, this product above by Shu Uemura has caught my attention.  The ingredients leave behind a smoothing film that hides dryness and damage for days.  Oh, and also tangle-free!  We all want smooth hair don't we?

Everyone's got them...split ends!  The only way to get rid of those "stinkers" is to trim them.  However, the White Sands The Cure 24/7 Hair Cell Renewal will hold the frayed strands together all day.  Yeah for us!  May help future breakage by lubricating wet hair before brushing, and preserving the cuticle.  I am thinking I may not have to get my hair trimmed so much now!  Hee-hee!

Did you know that the heat from a flatiron can crack your hair's cuticle?  Ah, duh?  However, the Remington Style Therapy Frizz flatiron is actually good for hair (didn't know burning your hair could be good for you...ever!).  Supposedly its plates have a porous ceramic coating that emits a silicone-based conditioner that has been shown to eliminate frizz more effectively than a traditional ceramic iron.  Sounds better than mine which burns and rips my hair out at the same time!  I think this may be worth a try for me.

This product is a heat-protecting spray.  Because when you use your friendly flatirons ladies you are scorching your hair at 410 degrees!  A spritz of Tresemme' Thermal creations Heat Tamers Spray protects heat-tool junkies' hair with a layer of silicone.  There is that mention of silicone again.  It is in everything these days that has to do beauty.  Regardless, interesting product if you are heating up all the time.  I mostly air dry my hair unless I have a function to go to.  Then it is burn baby burn to get it looking good!

Last but not least an at-home gloss!  You can fake a shine (if you have horrible hair) with a gloss treatment in 20 minutes!  John Frieda Luminous color Glaze Clear Shine gives a noticeable gleam that last for a week.  This one I like the sound of!  Well, next time I go to the store one of these is coming home to test out.  I will let you know what I think. What is your favorite "fake a healthy head of hair" product?

Happy shopping!

xojamilyn

Source from Allure

anna karenina - gravity of love

When I have to start hunkering down due to the fact that it is colder and darker earlier, I turn towards a great period piece movie to get me through this tough New England weather (sounds crazy but it is true).  Anna Karenina by Leo Tolstoy fits the bill (see video below).  This is my absolute favorite version with Sophie Marceau and Sean Bean.  A tragic steamy (oh yes, very) love story that I am sure you will enjoy and never forget!  It was hard for me too!  The strong emotions and desire for love is depicted beautifully in this film.  Also the moral dilemmas that go hand in hand when you follow your heart and not your head.  The chemistry between the two is perfection and you will be rooting for them wholeheartedly!  Love, love, love this film!  Many blissful hours to get lost in it while snuggling with a nice cozy blanket and a cup of hot chocolate!  Can't help it, I am a period piece nut! {Warning: tear-jerker}.

Sean Bean here playing the dashingly handsome Count Vronsky.  One can see why Anna could not resist his charms!  His intense love for her will sweep you away!  You will become a huge fan of his if you haven't already!

Source

Source

Sophie Marceau plays Anna Karenina.  She is truly stunning in this movie.  I think she portrays Anna beautifully and there are many moments where she doesn't even speak and you can understand how she feels just by the look in her eyes and her expressions.  I found her acting very moving.  I am including a video montage of Anna Karenina the movie from YouTube.  I think the song by Enigma, Gravity Of Love fits perfectly because of its drama.  The song also portrays the turmoil they face because of how strong their desire and love for each other is.  Take a peak...you can still watch the movie later!

If you would like to see other period piece movies that I absolutely love go here and here.  There is plenty to keep you busy all through this coming winter.  I am going to make you a period piece fan yet!

Have fun watching...while it is cold outside and warm inside!

Let me know what you have watched!

xojamilyn

Video via YouTube

Heart Pumping Creative Halloween

Halloween decor at our prior home in California

Halloween design above via me.  My daughter is obviously very happy here because I have passed on my love of Halloween on to her.  I think it is a good thing because it is such a great way to get creative.  Getting creative is what makes you feel truly alive!  If it gets your heart pumping than you are on the right track and doing what you love! The rest of the photo's below are from Martha Stewart.  I really need to work for Martha!  I think that would be a dream job.  These images below are some of my favorites and I really have to try to do some of them next year.  I hate when I say that..."I will do it next year".  Usually two years end up flying by before I get to it!

The use of moss is underated!

I am wild about mushrooms!  Who would have thought to do this?  Martha of course!

Gray, gray and more gray!  One of my favorite colors!

This ghostly graveyard is fabulous!  

Happy Halloween!

xojamilyn

First photo property of Living It At Home, The rest from Martha Stewart Living

Stop And Take A Moment To Enjoy

Stop and take a moment to enjoy...before it is all gone!  These photo's are the result of me doing just that this morning!  With my camera in tow and my pup, we walked along beautiful paths enjoying this lovely fall morning!  The trees are starting to shed their leaves in preparation for the winter.  This prettiness is not going to last.  Why don't you just slow down today and enjoy.  Stop your car and get out at a pretty spot and look around.  If you are inside...get outside!  It truly is spectacular.  You don't want to miss it.  Have a wonderful fall day!

xojamilyn

Fall photo's taken via me and property of Living It At Home