Christmas Baubles and Such

Funny how the most simplest of things can bring delight if you look for the beauty in them.  Over the years, I've collected vintage beads, baubles and ornaments.  I pull them out each year to bring a touch of Christmas to each room.  I think these glittery vintage Christmas balls (a flea find) are so pretty sitting on an old ironstone platter amidst silvery mercury glass garland.

Twinkly lights reflect off the glass beads and make everything seem magical!

Frosty, vintage snowflakes on vintage Limoge china ~ so regal. 

And a footed crystal bowl holds randomly collected one-of-a- kind ornaments.  Each one is like a unique piece of jewelry. 

It really doesn't take much to add a bit of Christmas to a space.  Simple little touches like these are subtle hints that Christmas is drawing near.  Happy Friday to you ~ hoping your weekend is filled with  splendid things!  XO

Christmas ~ Kitchen Window & Wreath

 

This is my kitchen window ~ I spend a fair amount of time in this very spot during the holidays.  So why wouldn't I want to make it a place worth being in?  I always hang my favorite wreath right above the sink to enjoy.  I'm enamored with square wreaths ~ I found mine here.  They come with pine cones already wired on and they smell heavenly.  I vacillate every year whether or not to tie on a floppy ribbon ~ but I think the wreath is so beautiful in and of itself, I always talk myself out of it.

Underneath the wreath on the window sill I line up some vintage scale weights ~ I think they look artistic, stately and strong.

 

My decorations by choice for Christmas ~ pretty + simple = a calmer me.  :)

A white ironstone pitcher (thrift store find ~ for only a dollar!) holds "candy cane" spoons.

Old silver glass ornaments lay nestled in a milk glass compote bowl ~ it belonged to Nana.

A little helpful hint:  I spritz the wreath with water every couple of days and it holds up nicely until the new year rolls around and it's time to pack Christmas away. 

That's all for today ~ I'm off to tackle some Christmas shopping ~ I hope you've gotten more done than I have.  I don't have one present bought yet ~ yikes ~ nineteen days and counting! 

P.S.  Be sure to check out my last post about my Ladder Christmas Tree.  XO

Ladder Christmas Tree

It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas around our place.  For years I've put up a "traditional" tree ~ and was looking to do something different.  This year, after seeing a ladder tree photo floating around on Pinterest, I was mildly toying with giving it a try.  Additionally, I had a conversation with some friends, Angie and Keith, who have used a ladder Christmas tree for years.  This was the kick in the pants I needed to go for it.  I kinda thought I might get a little push back from the fam, but after pitching the idea to my hubby and my youngest ~ they both surprisingly said "let's do it."  

We ended up wrapping each leg with strands of lights ~ that was Nate's job.  Thankfully, he doesn't seem to mind too much.  Probably, next go round I'll buy white corded lights, but this year, I'm just using what we had.  At night, you really don't notice the lovely green cords.  :)  I also placed glass votive candles on each rung.  It's reminiscent of how people used to decorate trees with actual candles. 

I hung vintage balls and snowflake ornaments throughout the ladder, with mono filament.

So Pretty ~

The crowning touch ~ a capriz shell star I already had ~ perfect.

I love that there's plenty of space for presents to fit under the tree.  In due time, there will be pretty packages filling the empty spot.  The ladder tree went up much easier than a traditional tree ~ and decorating it was a breeze.  We're well on our way to enjoying a simply wonderful Christmas!  Hoping you have a relaxing weekend.