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}

It's Simple...Use Candles For Thanksgiving Ambiance

Easy-Simple-Easy-Simple!  Treat yourself and your guest to a lovely grouping of candles.  Clustering candles together will give you that needed ambiance without going through much trouble.  I will be hosting Thanksgiving at my home and I have to admit that I get caught up in the creative side of the holidays.  Fiddling here and there with table settings or decorations for my buffet is how I like to spend my time.  I know I should be cooking and shopping...blah...blah...blah!  I love to make everything look pretty and unique.  I think these images will work with what I had in mind.  I don't think it will take me much time to pick up some candles, set them out, and light them!  

Trina, over at A Country Farmhouse blog, uses taper candles beautifully in her dinning room.  I think she is all set for Thanksgiving.  It is the most pure and simple decoration for this season that I have come across.  She always does a beautiful job with her photography and decorating her home.  I was very inspired by these images to use candles to set the mood for our Thanksgiving meal.  Her home is darling!

I keep using the word easy but, how easy is it to place all white candles on a tray in different sizes?  Very effective.  Do you have some pretty or unusual bottles lying around in your attic or basement?  Get some gorgeous taper candles in different colors and just pop them in and you are all set!

  Everyone always looks better with candlelight!  If you don't have enough candles holders to use...head out to a local thrift store and pick some up!  In the past, I have scored adorable brass candle sticks for one dollar!  I actually feel a little better knowing that for Thanksgiving, my home will look beautiful and cozy by candlelight.  Maybe it will even mask a burnt dish or too!!!!!

I hope you give it a try too!

xojamilyn

Images via BHG and via A Country Farmhouse blog