Neighborhood Gifts

If you've read my blog for any length of time, you know I love making the gifts we give our neighbors. But, I'm not a baker.  So, I have to come up with different ideas for a gift other than your usual yummy cakes and cookies.  Here's what we gave last year as our neighbor gift.

Homemade Amaretto

The main reason I'm posting about this gift idea in early November is because Homemade Amaretto needs time to infuse.  You can't simply mix it up and drink it (it's just not as good).  So, now's the time to make it.  Then, when your guest receive it, it's ready to drink.

Since I decorated our home last year without using any red, I kept the theme going with our gifts and used greens and chocolate for the label and ribbon.   One other great thing about homemade amaretto is that it does not need to be refrigerated (another key factor for me since we will be leaving this in mailboxes for friends who are not home when we deliver it).  Also, I don't always have time to make it and immediately deliver it.   

I think with any gift you pull together, it's important to make the card special.  I wanted our friends to know this could be used in more ways than just adding it to your coffee (which I'm not knocking!).  So, I included this on the label - "Enjoy in coffee, over ice cream with biscotti or as an after dinner drink."

I also include a recipe to the inside of the card for for Baked Brie which is oh so yummy!  

OK, so the steps here are super easy.  First, make your amaretto and let it begin to infuse.  I used this recipe for mine - Homemade Amaretto Recipe.  Next, I ordered stopper style bottles from here - Swing Top Bottles.  I actually had the cardstock from a Christmas card a few years back, and I picked up the ribbon locally at Davis Wholesale.  If you live in Birmingham, run (don't walk) to get your ribbon from Davis.  It has been out since October, and it's already beginning to feel picked over.  Here is a great online source for ribbon too (should you just not want move from in front of the computer) - Satin Ribbon.

Once your amaretto is ready, sit down and pull it all together.  I love to do this closer to the Christmas season.  We play Christmas music and form an assembly line to make it happen.

I already have our idea for the 2012 gift (which is the hardest part for me), but you will just have to wait until next year!  If you're curious about gifts we've given in years past, here are some links to them!  

2010 Gift - Rum Butter Sauce

2009 - Bloody Mary Mix with Hot & Hot Season Salt

2008 - Cava with Lavender Syrup

I realize there's a pattern here - so no alcohol will be involved in this year's gift.  Have a great day, everybody. M. 

Veteran's Day

I'm taking a break from interior design, to recognize a most important day.  Today, we celebrate the men and women who have devoted their lives to protect the values and beliefs our country represents to the world. 

I am so grateful for all the sacrifices these selfless Americans have made to allow me to enjoy the freedoms our amazing country has to offer. 

 To every person serving or who has served to protect our freedoms - Thank you to you and your families from the bottom of my heart!  The sacrifices of so many are certainly appreciated by this one.  M. 

2012 Gift Guide

With Thanksgiving quickly approaching (yikes!), it seems holiday shopping is in full swing.  So, here are my favorite picks for the season. 

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all images in this category compliments of Pinterest

I will be including this guide on my side bar for quick and easy reference should you get in a bind and need a little inspiration.  Happy Monday! M.

Friday Randomness

Sometimes, interior design ideas come to mind that just lend themselves to a blog post.  Then, there are these random bits of information that swirl around in my mind sort of like a dream you can almost remember.  It's right there and then it's not.  These ideas/thoughts/events are too small to feature on a post, yet too interesting to let go.  So, today I'm going to do a brain purge.  Here are the swirly bits that have no place to go.  Hopefully, with this post, I can stop thinking about them and move on to other things.   

Silhouette Artist

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I met this very interesting guy, Keith Donaldson, last Fall at a cute shop in Crestline Village.  He is a silhouette artist who trained and worked at Disney World cutting silhouettes for guests at the park.  Now he travels around the Southeast doing silhouettes.  He does these by hand (no tracing of the shadow); so, they are a true piece of art (not to mention they look amazing).  Also, they are very reasonably priced.  He will be in Birmingham December 7-9th.  If you would like details on the specific locations (or other cities where he will be visiting) click here and then check out the "Events" tab at the top of the page.  

Spoonflower Wrapping Paper

Most of you are familiar with Spoonflower - this is a fabulous website where you can design your own fabrics (and wallpaper).  There are also lots of very talented designers who sell their fabric on the site.  It's one of my favorite resources for children's rooms and nursery fabrics.  

Well, for a limited time, Spoonflower is making all their fabulous fabric designs available on wrapping paper.  I rarely admit this, but I have a true obsession with wrapping paper.  My favorites are unique designs on very thick, high quality paper. 

And to make this even better, Spoonflower is hosting a giveaway of three rolls of free wrapping paper. Click here to enter the giveaway.

Shelter Pups
I love this website.  Shelter Pups will make a custom stuffed animal of your pet from a photograph, and a portion of the proceeds go to help dogs in shelters.  Some of these images are incredible . . .   

Such a clever present for the pet lover on your list.  Click her for more information.

Herbal Fire Starter

With chilly weather knocking at the door, I thought these herbal fire starters would make a wonderful gift for neighbors.  

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IKEA Ribba Frame in Gray

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Not sure if this is new or I've been out to lunch, but I just discovered this particular Ribba frame comes in a fabulous gray color which opens up a whole new look/use for these frames.  I have used these frames for all kinds of art installations, but have never seen this glossy gray.  So, I will be including it in a plan soon! 

Printed Canvas Rug

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Saw this on Pinterest from High Point Market and was intrigued.  This is from Tozai Home, and it is a piece of canvas that's been printed with the image of an oriental rug.  Although the image looks great, I'm not sure whether I give it a thumbs up or a thumbs down.  I would love to see it in person.  If it has a good feel to it, I could possibly see it used on a screened porch, in a high traffic area where you still want it to look nice (like a mudroom) or even in a beach house for a pop of color without the heavy feel of an oriental.  If any of you have seen it in person, I would love to know what you thought about it.  

Now, how's that for some randomness on a Friday!!  I hope you all have a wonderful weekend.  Do something fun and relaxing as Monday will be here before you know it.   M.

More Exciting News - Village Living

A great big thank you to Village Living for allowing me to contribute to their November/December issue!  

For those of you located elsewhere in the world, Village Living is this wonderful "go to" source for everything that's happening in the city of Mountain Brook.  These editors truly have their finger on the pulse in our fabulous city.  They are constantly sourcing everything from social events, food adventures, fashion, night life, volunteer opportunities, school events, politics, and sporting events - whew!  You name it, they know about.  

So, when editor Jennifer Gray contacted me and asked if I would be interested in writing an article on decorating for the season, I was beyond excited.  Here is a link to the entire article - Making Holiday Decor Meaning, Not Just Beautiful.  I hope it gives you food for thought on what is special to your family during the holidays! 

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 Also, in the article, I talk about a new tradition our family started last year of a Christmas Trivia Calendar.  I've had several people ask about how they can access the calendar.  Just click here - 

Free Downloadable Christmas Trivia Calendar.  I hope you enjoy it! M.

Eye On Art Series - StudioKoop

Time for another addition of Eye on Art.  In this series, I highlight local artist, you may not know, who are doing some fabulous artwork.  If you are looking for a unique, special gift to give yours friends for the holidays, original art is the way to go.  Couple this with the fact that it is also affordable, and you have the perfect present!
Let me introduce you to the fabulous work of Nell Koopman of StudioKoop.  

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I've known Nell for several years.  We met through volunteer work at our children's school; but I had no idea she was such an accomplished artist!  Then, when someone mentioned to me how excited they were about a piece they purchased from Nell, her secret was out.  

Nell grew up in Texas and studied Graphic design at the University of Alabama.  This peaked her creative interest, and Nell went on to receive a Master of Education in Art.   With this background it's easy to see, Nell loves to teach.  She teaches classes on art and even host art parties which I think is a fun way to introduce a child to art. 

With Nell's ability to work in lots of different mediums and pieces ranging from playful to sophisticated, you are sure to find something perfect for your space.

If you would like more information on Nell, visit her website StudioKoop.  Happy Monday! M.

Exciting News!!

Last Christmas, Jean Allsopp took pictures of my house and another project I was working on at the time for the Holiday issue of Birmingham Home and Garden.  And I just found out my house made the cover of the issue (!!!!) . . . 

I'm thrilled beyond thrilled! 

There are also several pictures from the other project included in the article.  

Thank you Birmingham Home and Garden!   

The issue is chocked full of fabulous holiday decorating ideas, beautiful homes and features some very talented artists.  I hope you'll pick up a copy.  I promise it'll get you over that Halloween candy hangover and ready for Turkey Day!  Also, if you're from out of town, this fabulous magazine is totally worth a subscription.  Birmingham truly has some of the most talented designers around, and this magazine features lots of their projects.  (click here for more information on subscribing)  

Over the next few weeks, I'm going to be sharing details on the whole experience as well as a tutorial on how I made our Christmas stockings!  Have a wonderful weekend everybody. M.