Christmas Tablescape 2011

Using the same Spode plates from last year, I created a new look, simply by using new plaid napkins.

My vintage red and green glasses are a constant, especially at Christmas.

They're like jewels on the table!

More sparkle came from Grandma's sterling silver which I am honored to have received and pass down.

It only made sense to recycle the wedding centerpieces into the Christmas table centerpieces.

I used three white hydrangeas in their bark covered containers and the succulent candle wreaths on the end.

After dinner, I gave the centerpieces to Grandma and Auntie Ann.

They should have taken more! I have 24 of the hydrangeas left over and 7 succulents!

It was a lovely dinner with traditional Armenian faire of lamb shish kebob, rice pilaf, grape leaf dolma, and root vegetables.

It was extra special this year with the newlyweds at the table!

Our family is definitely growing.

So far, I have enough plates for everyone!

A Candlelight Christmas Eve

Christmas Eve is always the "quiet before the storm."

A time to just relax after all the preparations for Christmas Day.

I like to play Christmas music and light every candle in the house!

Just sit back and enjoy all the decorations. Reflect....

Smell the scented candles and pies baking...

And enjoy a glass of wine...

While creating the tablescape, last minute with flowers and decor left over from the wedding!

Stay tuned for the final reveal!

Merry Christmas from the Arabian Family!

Wishing you a wonderful, happy day with your family!

Brown Paper Packages Tied Up With String

hgtv

Brown paper packages tied up with string.

These are a few of my favorite things!

etsy

If I actually had a gift to wrap, I would definitely wrap it with kraft paper!

December 21st, and I still need to Christmas shop!

etsy

This year, our family decided that presence instead of presents is what we are giving each other.

And of course, the wedding was one great big present for our family. So....

elle decor

....except for the grandchildren, no gifts will be exchanged.

Sunset

Which is kind of sad, because I love to wrap gifts.

The haystack Needle

I'm looking forward to wrapping the packages for granddaughters, Reese and Zoe though.

etsy

The whole time, I'll be humming "brown paper packages tied up with string, these are a few of my favorite things....."

etsy

Is your Christmas shopping done, and all your gifts wrapped and under the tree?

There are only four more days until Christmas!

I'm hitting the streets to "commando shop" today!

Wish me luck!

The Cake

Our new son-in-law is Welsh!

So for the wedding cake, Ashley surprised him with a Welsh flag on top of the cake.

I found the Welsh National Tartan ribbon online and had it wrapped around all three layers, which sat angled on top of each other. Maria the baker did a fabulous job with the Welsh flag, which wasn't an easy task.

The cake itself was the groom's favorite. White cake with strawberry filling and marzipan frosting!

Look how happy it made him, and his father, who came all the way from Wales when they saw it for the first time.

The top layer ended up in my refrigerator. No one had the heart to cut into it!

Traditionally, it is frozen anyway and eaten by the newlyweds on their one year anniversary.

Leather and Lace

Thanks to my friend Teresa, Ashley has personalized her wedding dress with the most amazing hand tooled leather and turquoise belt.

"Something borrowed, something blue!"

Add a new pair of matching brown leather Frye boots and there you have it, the perfect wedding attire for her.

Leather and Lace!

Wearing Many Hats

I'm wearing so many hats lately.

M.O.B./florist/wedding planner/stylist...the list is getting longer! Today, I am the florist!

I started the day with a trip to the nursery to pick up 22 white hydrangeas.

In the flower shop/garage, I set up an example of the centerpiece that will go on the 60 inch round tables. I added moss surrounding the wood log slices to embellish.

Remember, the succulent wreaths will go on the taller kiosk tables.

Nothing to do here except insert the candle jar.

I clipped a few succulents from various arrangements around the house to experiment with adding them to the bridal bouquet.

First, I washed off the soil and clipped the stem about two inches from the plant.

I then inserted a wire into the stem and wrapped it with floral tape.

After wrapping three plants, I put them with the white hydrangeas to see if they actually will enhance the bouquet.

I think I'll keep it simple with just white hydrangeas for the bouquet.

It will have to be made the morning of the wedding....

Meanwhile, this is my first attempt at a boutonniere.

The two white Iceburg rosebuds, lavender sprig and succulent rosette came from my garden.

I tied it with twine to give it the rustic look that I'm going for.

Now, if it will keep in the refrigerator until Saturday. And, hopefully, the groom will think it's cool to wear. We'll see...Maybe this is the beginning of a new career!

Rustic Wedding Inspirations from Etsy

While everyone else is out shopping for Christmas gifts, I've been shopping online at Etsy for our daughter's wedding! Which is in 4 days, but who's counting?

Etsy has been my number one source for special, one of a kind, rustic decorations, like this moss covered ring pillow. If the bride and groom were actually exchanging rings instead of getting matching tattoos, I would definitely buy this from BraggingBags!

I did, however buy 100 of these little wooden tags to tie onto the canning jars from NHWoodscreations.

Even the invitations came from Etsy. Brian at MyBigDayDesigns worked with me to custom design an invitation similar to the one above.

We aren't having a sit down dinner, so there is no need for numbered tables, but I would have bought these clever burlap numbers if we were! From SophiasSignBoutique!

For chilling the champagne, this burlap covered bucket is fabulous!

From asouthernbucket.

I ended up with two sources for the log slices. One of them was Rustic Woodworking, and the other was from Etsy shop, DreamWithPassion. These will be placed under the centerpieces and can be re-used as rustic chargers later.

I just love this rustic cake stand from RoxyHeartVintage!

I thought this was a great idea for party favors, but we are giving our Arabian Family olive oil instead. Still, this would be perfect for "spreading the love!" From DaSweetZpot.

I love the idea of a wedding banner, but I know there is no way I would get Ashley and her fiance to pose like this! Plus, I could make it in my spare time!

From PurplePeonyCouture.

Spare time? What spare time?

Actually, I'm "enjoying the process" as Kathysue from Good Life of Design always says.

It's her motto, and I'm sticking with it.

Also, "keep calm and carry on" works too!