Topiaries Are An Obsession

Images via me

Kitchen

Breakfast

You must own a topiary!  I have a hard time passing them up when I come across one.  I just love to look at them!  Over breakfast this morning, I was enjoying the lemony scent and the earthy rosemary aroma...so heavenly!  I have been trying to keep them alive due to the fact that I kill all my plants.  I am really surprised that these two have lasted so long.  I have been misting and misting and misting...I learned that they need that!  Aren't they lovely?  I think they are worth the investment.  I just wish I had space for more.  I would love to imitate this image below from Lonny Magazine.  To see more on topiaries go here.

{Love}

Martha Stewart

Clustering topiaries together really creates a visual impact!

xojamilyn

{Photo's via me and images from Lonny Magazine and Martha Stewart}

If You Need A Dose Of Snow...We've Got Plenty

Maggie...she looks good in red!

In the middle of the snow storm

Trying to lick the snow!

Looking down our street

My home looks like a Christmas card!

Four little ones sitting in the tree during the storm

I had to dig a path through the 2' of snow so she could go outside!


Have a wonderful weekend!

xojamilyn

{Photos taken via me and property of Living It At Home}

I've Turned Into The Crazy Bird Lady {with a great camera}

Do you see the sunflower seed in it's beak? The Black Capped Chickadee is the most enthusiastic bird at the feeder.  They actually will wait close by me while I fill the feeder.  A high energy bird and very busy.  They chirp and chirp until I am done.  These little guys don't like to eat at the feeder if it isn't full to the top!  {Photos: Living It At Home}

Cute bird that always look a little grumpy to me and very serious! 

Female Cardinal, the male gets all the glorious red.

Yes, that is my new nickname given to me by my husband and daughter.  I have become the caretaker of these birds you see above.  They visit my feeder everyday and have begun to consume large quantities of bird food!  My husband wants to know when they are going to start paying rent!  I have also moved up from the cheapo bird food to the supreme high nut content {expensive} food for them.  You see, I have become very fond of them and get great pleasure watching them everyday.  If something happens to their feeder, such as being empty, frozen or partially taken apart by those pesky squirrels, I run out in my PJ's to rescue it.  Hence, I look like a wacky bird lady...with bed-head hair!  Good thing we have great privacy in our yard due to all of our trees otherwise my neighbors would get a site of me looking like a cookoo bird myself!  I love taking photo's of birds and I am getting good at sneaking up on them {I sound even more crazy now}.  It is good practice for me because I have no idea how to use this camera {Nikon D300}.  I love how these pictures have come out without having to do much but snap the shot {and some editing in iphoto}. Taking photos also satisfies my creative side along with sharing them on my blog.  I think it is important to try something creative at least everyday!   Enjoy these photo's of my winter birds {my babies, how do they stand the cold}!  To see more photo's I have taken of birds go here.  Thank you for stopping by!

JUST IN....The snow storm!
I woke up to a huge winter storm this morning!  School is cancelled, fridge is stocked, and my camera is out.  Just wanted to add some photo's I just took!  Hope everyone is safe and warm!

I had to dig out the bird feeder!  It was buried!

xojamilyn

{All photo's taken via me and property of Living It At Home}

My Gorgeous iPad Case {Love}

I don't need to use many words to describe this DODOCASE for my iPad (just arrived).  I think my photo's say it all.  Well, I will say a few things!  I absolutely love it!  I have tried another case from the Apple Store but found it very lackluster and not attractive.  This case, however, shows off the true beauty of my iPad (yes, I think iPads are beautiful).  It is made beautifully and looks like a book too!  It also feels very sturdy and strong.  The DODOCASE is one of the most popular cases out there and won the MacWorld Eddy award and the 26th Annual Editors Award iPad case of the year.  It is hand made in San Francisco (remember, I used to live there so I am excited about that) and they use true book binding techniques to create this sturdy case.  Their philosophy is to manufacture things locally and keep the art of bookbinding alive by adapting it to a world of e-readers and iPads (how clever are they). They also have different color choices for the interior.  It is easy to install your iPad too.  Just gently place inside the bamboo frame and viola, your iPad is secure and looking so pretty!  They also make a case for the Kindle e-reader.  We are a Nook family and hopefully (I am going to write them) will make cases for the Nook too.

"This is the Rolls Royce of iPad cases."

 Source DODOCASE

Looks like a book when closed.

Cute book plate.  Love the Dodo bird!

I actually feel good supporting a company that makes things by hand and uses local craftsmen!  

Well, I am off to enjoy my new case and my iPad {the most amazing device-a dream}.

xojamilyn

{Photo's property of livingitathome blog and info. from DODOCASE.com}

Right Brain Creative Type Gets Organized With Plastic {Not Typical}

• Right-brain types are visually oriented. They tend to think in images rather than words, focus on the big picture rather than the details, and go through life in a somewhat seat-of-the-pants (a.k.a. scattered) way.  Source Real Simple.

OK, that is me in a nut shell {I try though}!  I have been reading so many organization articles recently and I am happy it finally is getting into my head on how to become organized.  I have a million projects to do for this new year 2011!  I definitely overwhelm myself  thinking about it all. Our bedroom closet has always been on my mind and it was a mess!  Without even putting it on my list for the day, I just walked in and starting taking it apart {I just had to}.  I had not even removed our summer clothes yet!  My one biggest frustration was how much dust accumulates on shoes, handbags, ect...   After stumbling across the Container Store's clear shoe boxes, I knew I found something that would solve my problem.  I couldn't wait to get over there and get busy recreating my closet {made a list first of what I needed}.  I am officially obsessed now with these plastic boxes!  They hold everything and no more dust or toppling items in my closet!  Neat...neat...neat and only $1.79 each!  I bought the box of 20 and saved a few dollars.  You seriously have to try these for your shoes and other items!

By the way...here is some advice from Real Simple for right brainers {go here for more-also some advice for you left brainers too}

Right-Brainers
Forget about trying to adhere to strict rules. Your keep-it-neat plan should capitalize on your pull toward the creative and the emotional. Containers you already own and love can be motivating. Investigate your clutter patterns: Do you drop your necklace on the bathroom counter when you’re getting ready for bed? Maybe you need a wall hook by the sink to catch jewelry. If it works for you, it’s correct.

 I love how my shoes look and fit into these boxes...I really am obsessed!  Container Store even has boxes for boots!  Seeing my boots here make me so happy!  

 My small handbags were always falling off the shelves and getting dusty.  I love how nicely they will be stored now.

I have managed to even find a spot for my delicate scarves.  I never knew what to do with them.  I seriously am giddy!  

I don't have the fanciest closet but it feels so much more organized now.  I can walk in and "see" everything and everything has a home now.  I am not a super organized person {remember? right brain creative type} however, I love it when I am inspired to become organized and actually accomplish the task!  I still have more work to do in here though.  I would like to replace all my plastic hangers with real wood and paint the walls.  Oh, I even got some mens clear plastic shoe boxes for my husband {he does not like plastic boxes}.  However, he loves how organized his side of the closet is now!

I hope this organization bug doesn't wear off!  I am feeling really good right now about my closet project and the results.  To keep it like this however takes work and maintenance.  That means periodically eliminating items you no longer wear.  Also, put back things were they belong...make sure everything has a place.  I am feeling neater already!

Go get organized!

xojamilyn

{All photo's taken via me and property of Living It At Home}

Too Soon For Tulips? Our Happy New Years Eve

After a long week away visiting family for Christmas, it was really nice to come home and fuss about.  Somehow I thought New Year's Eve was on Saturday and I would have a day to gather myself, unpack, clean and get organized before the New Year.  After I said to my husband about ten times that I couldn't believe it was New Year's Eve on Friday, I ran out to go food shopping (cupboards were bare).  I also needed some flowers ASAP for some cheer!  These tulips felt so fresh and gave me a hint of spring.  I hate to admit that I woke up that morning (Friday) excited for spring!  It is only the beginning of our long winter and  spring is very far away so I better get over it!  I highly recommend filling your home with flowers during these long winter months.  I plan on putting flowers in several rooms in my home, even on my bedside table.  Flowers when you wake up?  Just lovely...I will try and find some scented ones...

I think the reddish pink tulips compliment the antique silverplate vase perfectly!

For New Year's Eve, we kept it simple and easy.  No cooking (whew)!  I had to have candles to set the mood.  We kept all the lights low and put on some classical music.  We also had our fireplace going to make it even more cozier.  

I love my collection of brass candlesticks from antique stores

We had a lovely antipasto platter and an assortment of cheeses.  Opened a bottle of wine, ate shrimp cocktail and just sat back and relaxed.  It was the best night ever!

The aftermath....

Photo taken by my daughter

A view from my dinning room through the foyer to our living room where our chubby Christmas tree is. I did not do much decorating this year because we were traveling.  However, it is nice to be home and enjoy our tree now.  My husband asked me what are two things that I would like to accomplish in 2011...that would have to be, travel (Ireland and San Francisco-for now) and get a new refrigerator!  Also, healthy eating and exercise...oh yeah, update and care for my blog better (have not been posting that much).  It is exciting to "feel" like you can start fresh for the new year coming.

What do you resolve to do this year?

Happy New Year!

xojamilyn

{All photo's property of living it at home}

A {Tiny} Bit Of Christmas From Our House

I just have to face it....my decorating this year is just not up to par!  There are only eight more days left till Christmas and I did not do everything I wanted to do.  I have decided to be more like the victorian housewives {instead of the Boston housewives-wonder if they will do a show here}.  Anyway, since the victorian woman had to make everything by hand they began at least three months in advance {I think}.  This is where I need to be next year, starting in August!  On average woman spend about 300 hours or 38 working days preparing for the festivities {source here}.  I may have spent that amount of time thinking "I really need to get started".  Shamefully, our tree isn't fully decorated.  I will not be showing a picture right now because I hope to get to it this weekend!

This display on my sideboard I literally threw together in about 10 minutes.  Good for now.  My daughter made the sparkly red pine cones.  Great project to do with kids and they make cute gifts as ornaments.  Just buy red glitter, get some glue and get to work!  Cute!

Lovely sweet gingerbread house purchased from here.  We will be eating this soon...

How many days or hours have you spent getting ready?

xojamilyn

{All images taken via me}

Pin Me {Sparkle For Christmas}

Presenting my small ever growing collection of sparkly things.  I set up a little photo shoot for you to show them off.   I know using natural light is the key in photography, so I placed them by a window.  I have been learning that my house is just to dark for photos!  Note to self...  next home will have bigger windows or more of them for lots of sunlight!  We also have 7 very old large Oak trees surrounding our home which provides much needed shade in the heat of the summer.  My daughter has named our home Seven Oaks because we have so many.  I like that we have named our home!  It makes it sound so grand and old fashioned!  Well, back to my jewelry.  I have realized over the years that I really like things that sparkle.  Thus, my attraction to these beauties below.  The three lovely pins are vintage and very unique.  Perfect for a statement piece on any simple outfit.

The very large round rhinestone pin I just picked up at a local consignment store.  I was so excited to find it and it was discounted too!  It is so beautiful in person and looks great pinned on a black sweater or even a cream one.  It is done really well and picks up the light which makes it sparkle very brightly.  Perfect for a Christmas party.  We actually have one this week and I plan on wearing it!

Whenever I come across unusual vintage jewelry, I think that something great can be done with them.  They are so unique and made well.  I then came across Elva Fields.  Emily Wheat Maynard scours flea markets for unique jewelry and produces these gorgeous necklaces from them.  I seriously want one of these pieces.  Most of my favorites have already sold out.  They are one of a kind.  Gorgeous!  These are just some examples below.  Enjoy!

 

Have you ever come across anything so lovely?

xojamilyn

{Photo's taken via me and property of Living It At Home.  Necklaces from Elva Fields}

Our Easy Christmas Decorations For Front Door {Side Door}

One of the best things I have ever bought {for outside} are my black metal urns.  I use them over and over for every season.  This festive display only took me about fifteen minutes to arrange.  You can find the large red twigs and fresh greenery at your local nursery.  To do these two containers cost me around thirty dollars.  As far as a wreath, you don't need to get to complicated.  Just pick up an evergreen wreath and tie a simple red bow on it.  Now, there are years were I would like to do something different or more elaborate {like this year}.  However, this display is the fastest way to get your front entrance looking good and you can move on to more important things...like gifts!

To arrange these decorations, it is really easy.  First you start with dirt...you need that to hold everything in place.  I like to keep the red branches bundled together in the middle.  I usually tie them at the end with rubber bands and  place them in the middle deep in the dirt.  I then take each evergreen branch and stick them around the pot.  The large pine cones you can add in anywhere.  I think they look best clustered in a pair.  That is it and you are done!  I purchased all of these at Fran's Flowers in Natick, MA.  Go here to see there video on how to arrange a beautiful holiday display for your winter containers.

Our side door decorations.  Again, this was easy and simple.  I picked up two small trees and just placed them in my urns.  I then found some pine cones lying around outside and tucked them in.  Done!

I just saw snow flurries today.  Expecting snow by the end of the week?  Already?  I still have Christmas lights to hang outside!

Have fun decorating!

xojamilyn