A Sunset At The End Of The Day~ Pure Magic

After reading that most of my favorite blog authors are stuck in rain, wind or snow, I thought it is the perfect time to share our Southern California sunset. Especially for all those gals that just need a pretty landscape to enjoy for a second or two from all the holiday hustle and bustle.

My new years hope is to be able to surf better on my big red (far right) Trident epoxy surfboard in those gorgeous waters.

Surfs up from California!

We are taking Christian to see the snow for the first time next week, which about an hour and a half drive. I wish snow was in our backyard, so don't get me wrong, I am jealous!

Santa is bringing sleds and snow boards, so we are ready.

~~

What are you hoping for, going to experience, pushing yourself to do or going to just do differently in the New Year?

xo,

Christina

It's A Family Affair... A Little Christmas Tree Inspiration

Ho...Ho...Ho...

From my little family to yours...

From Christian and my Dad, Poppi...

With my collection of glass red ornaments

that I have collected for years...

And, Santa that was my first Christmas decoration from my parents 15 years ago.

Santa almost didn't make it through many a garage cleaning.

So, I am relieved to see Santa again this year. And, Christian loves him...

The Christmas tree is up in all it's red glory...

Crazy and Over-the-top with the huge poinsettias...

My Mom, Granna, and Christian

getting into the spirit of Christmas

while setting up the tree...

Good times with family...
Creating traditions and memories for all...
And, the official start of the holiday season for our family...

It's a family affair.

What is your favorite holiday tradition?

Happy Holidays!

xo,

Christina

All photos taken by yours truly, Christina Gough

Thanksgiving Table Contest and Giveaway!!!

So, just in case you can't make it to our Thanksgiving dinner today, you can feel like you are here from these photos. Come sit down and I'll get you a drink.

This Thanksgiving my family is Thankful most of all for family and our health. My Dad's recent shots to his kidney have been progressively improving his numbers and he is feeling a little better and standing taller. We are so thankful.

Please send in photos of your Thanksgiving table by this Monday to fabulousfindsandco@cox.net. My Mom and I will be the judges and a gorgeous book on called Tablescapes is the prize. We enjoy all types of decorating styles, so send them in to be posted and possibly win. Ready, set, go.... Set up those tables!!!

Happy Thanksgiving to you and yours!

Tell me, what you are Thankful for this Thanksgiving?

Thanksgiving Table Test Run~ Am I Ready To Get The Party Started???

Well, I decided to take quick break from the home tour of the owners of Whim's house because it was time today to do a test run for Thanksgiving. My parents were going to have Thanksgiving, but we decided yesterday that it was best that my husband and I have it. So, no pressure!!! Like a good little hostess, I hit a few stores today while small child was in school to gather a bit of inspiration and maybe a few new tricks. What I came up with was the wreath in brown and gold that I turned to hold the pumpkin as a centerpiece. On sale for $15 just seems to do the trick. After I hit a few stores I had my weekly training session with my trainer which proceeded to take my "at rest" heart rate. She said "wow" that's a lot higher than last time. I didn't have the heart to tell her I was in a decorator hell. Somehow I didn't think she would understand. We all have our sicknesses, right? After viewing the table scape from Eric and Daviell last weekend, they really set the bar.

Here is my everyday dinner plate, candlewick salad plate from my gracious Grandmother, Pierre Frey napkins acquired over 10 years ago, beaded butterfly napkin holders about 15 years ago from a San Fransisco trip, silver place setting from my gracious Grandmother, Versace glasses from my parents last year and custom wine glasses by a friend, Misty, last year.

So, after whipping out the said wreath I had to see what the heck I was going to create and if it would even work. I pulled these items from the living room and kitchen bay window. I was a mad woman on a search for all things orange and brown. These are items I have collected over the years from various shops. I always had a thing for those gold 60's grapes and I am thankful today I did. They seem to work perfectly with the Thanksgiving theme I am creating. And, they have such a great reflective property.



This is a great example of adding a special item each year to your table. This wine glass was hand painted by my friend, Misty Maretsky, a local talent and fellow momma. I had thought last year that leopard and those colors would be timeless and useful in my house. Again, I was very thankful today. (Um, I thought I should try to see what a glass of Merlot would look like... tee hee)


You can't see very well, but the drinking glass on the bottom left is a Versace glass that my hubby was lucky enough to receive as a set of 6 from my parents last Christmas. They are coming in handy this Thanksgiving!



So, I pulled a velveteen drape and made it the table runner. Don't tell anyone! I also pulled those balls from a previous decoration. Oh, how I love using what I already have. I used the balls to create interest and a lower filler for the grapes. The colors and different textures just seem to work. I mixed matte with shine to create interest as well.




Here's my storm trooper that just happened to match my Thanksgiving theme today. I guess I had Thanksgiving on the brain.



A little back side view. I need to fill it in a bit to match the front. The pumpkin does the trick, but if I could do my dream centerpiece it would be a piece of art glass in the same colors. But, since I still have a small stromtrooper, art glass is on hold for now. But, I can keep my eyes open. Now I know my measurements and you just don't know what you can find.




So, there it is. The official test run for my Thanksgiving table. It looks like we will have 6 adults and my little one. So, I could show the grain of the table instead of using a tablecloth. I am liking the wood grain, since I normally do a tablecloth. But, I was wondering your thoughts. Should I do a tablecloth? Any other suggestions? We have a little time to pull it off! This psycho momma hostess is now enjoying that yummy glass of wine and hopefully my resting heart rate is down to normal... I never said I was normal!



xo,
Christina
Fabulous Finds Gal

Vanity for Humanity~ My Home is Where My Heart Is

Claudia Strasser, author of The Paris Apartment book and blog, has asked for all bloggers to send her pictures of your modern vanity for the Habitat for Humanity Charity.

Claudia is calling it Vanity for Humanity. I love that!

So, I got my nerves up to post these

for the cause and for Claudia.

It's like being a rookie and playing with the pros.

But, she said the less professional looking the pictures, the better.

Thank Goodness, right?

When I was a Runner I won mostly because I Had The Heart. Not because I was the Better Runner.

A Wise Man once said that the Way to get Anywhere in Life is to Just Show Up! Since most People Won't even Do That.

So, I'm Showing Up, Playing Along and Hopefully Helping.
All the above pictures were taken in my current home.

This vintage cutie is from a previous home where I was lucky enough to have all my vintage clothes and girlie treasures in one room. We named the room "Betsey Johnson" and went bold with pink on the walls. Wild... I don't have the guts for that hot pink anymore. Truth be told, Claudia's book The Paris Apartment inspired this look ten years ago. I read that book night after night. I do believe the look is timeless. Now, I am blogging about her. Life is strange, isn't it?

This beauty is a sneak peek from my Mom's home. I'll post her home next... She's the true decorating talent in the family.

Who Else has the Heart to send pictures of Your Vanity to Claudia for the Vanity for Humanity? E-mail her at theparisapartment@yahoo.com. Come play along with us. She needs 300 pictures by August. It doesn't have to be structured or perfect. It could be a close up of a few of your favorite items on your vanity. There is no right or wrong. Please let her know who sent ya.

I hope you enjoyed taking a little gander at my home today. Come back again. And, please be kind with your comments. I'm feeling a little nervous over here. Oh, I have to push that dang Publish Post Button Now...

Hush Little Baby...

Hush, little baby, don't say a word, Mama's gonna buy you a mockingbird.

If that mockingbird won't sing, Mama's gonna buy you a diamond ring.

If that diamond ring turns brass, Mama's gonna buy you a looking glass.

If that looking glass gets broke, Mama's gonna buy you a billy goat.

If that billy goat won't pull, Mama's gonna buy you a cart and bull.

If that cart and bull turn over, Mama's gonna buy you a dog named Rover.

If that dog named Rover won't bark, Mama's gonna buy you a horse and cart.


If that horse and cart fall down, you'll be the sweetest little boy in town.

So, hush little baby, don't you cry, Daddy loves you and so do I.






Southern lullaby written by unknown. Am I the only one, what is up with the tragedy in our lullabies? But, I love the persistence of it all. If this horrible thing happens to your most precious thing, well then we will just do this. And quite matter of fact. I wonder if this is a Southern thing? My Mother and I were brought up the same way. Never stop and don't look back. But, surely this isn't only a Southern state of mind?




Anyway, it has come the time to sell the crib. You can find at Fabulous Finds & Co. I assume all you ladies understand how difficult this decision is. To have another and not. Oh.. that is THE QUESTION. So, obviously you can see what our decision has become. I think this is a final decision that leaves our hearts a bit sad. Or, at least for me. I think because it seems so final. This is a feeling you can not describe without feeling a bit of a foul. But, you wise women that have gone through this surely understand where I am coming from. So, I had an urge to share the nursery my dear son had a few years back. It was a room done on a tight budget and a room with no great ambiance. Four walls, two windows and a double mirrored closet door. Ugh... But, I tried to make the best of it. This was my first experience with making custom bedding. What a thrill!!! I was so lucky to have a local discount fabric store where I scored all my silks and such. You would have thought I was having a girl... I know... But, my thought was to make it a room that I adored. A sanctuary of sorts. I did know that I would spend many hours with my son, soothing and calming him. This wasn't a room that I had to worry about a TV for my hubby or anything for another human. Just me. A room to soothe my soul as well, while I was caring to my son. Huh... although I had no idea how late and how many! So, this is what I created with my Mom's final approvals. I've always been a bit of a fabric freak. My Mom has quite style, but her heart doesn't skip a beat on a fabric like mine. So, anyway I had a silk bed skirt and cover on the dresser. Cover for the crib with gold feathers that my Mom picked up for more glam.


I was so blessed to have Kimberly Booher able to turn a regular ugly bleached changing table and green 60's armore into a work of art. She has been my Mom's assistant for 18 years, more family than anything and is quite the little artist. So, off to the local thrift stores I went and Kimberly was there to turn them into little pieces of art for us.


I am sure that I felt many times like John Galliano when he said "they just don't get me and I don't get them". One of my dear friends told me my son would surely choke on the netting. But, I kept the vision. He has obviously survived. It was a special place for both of us and I am sure my husband enjoyed it as well. So, I thought on this day I should share this very special and private place with my favorite friends.