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Oh Christmas Tree, Oh Christmas Tree… how we love thee! One of us, maybe more than the other, since we have five full-size trees in one house! It’s just so hard to have one tree these days, especially if you like to travel or like to decorate like we do.  Today we’re going to share some of these themed trees and maybe inspire you to step out this year and decorate a themed tree of your own. There are so many fun ways to decorate these trees with unique ornaments and keepsakes you collect from your travels, or from just around town. So sit back and take a tour of these five themed trees and let us know which one is your favorite!

The Local Tree

This tree is filled with fun Nashville/Brentwood items we’ve collected from local shops here in town.  This is a fun tree for out of town guests to see a little bit of what we love about Nashville!

 

The University/Favorite Sports Team Tree

These are great trees to showcase some of your favorite sports team’s swag.  Just stick poms, helmets and footballs/basketballs you have lying around.  Looks great in a man cave!!

 

The Collectable Tree

Lots of people collect things, we just happen to collect Christopher Radko ornaments.  If you have a collection of items you like to show off, why not nestle them in a tree this season for all to enjoy?

 

The Monochromatic Tree

Even though the color was hard to capture in these pictures, this tree is essentially all white with touches of blush and metal.  Make a statement by decorating a tree all in one color scheme.  It will stand out!!

 

The Family Tree

Of course the favorite, most special tree of them all…… the family tree.  This is the only real tree in the house and we all go as a family to pick this special tree out each year.  The kids make memories as this is the one tree, year after year, we put up together and share stories of the past years and the ornaments they made or the trips we went on.  We have a tradition of getting an ornament from every trip we take, and having everyone, friends and family alike, who are traveling with us sign it.  It is fun to go back each year and remember those trips with friends and family.

So there it is,  lots of different ideas on how you can “branch” out this year and create a themed tree of your own!!

 

Do you have any themed trees in your house?

Today’s post is all about how to decorate on budget this holiday season!  It’s as easy as stepping outside to find inspiration to fill your house with fragrant touches of nature you probably have in your backyard.  One of our favorite ways to decorate throughout the year is by using greenery inside the house, and the holidays are a great time to utilize some of the natural pieces we find outside and bring them in. Today were going to show you some fun ways to use nature’s beauty to add those finishing touches to your home this season. The best part about it is it’s practically free!!

If you are lucky enough to have a magnolia tree in your yard, or have a generous neighbor who will let you cut some branches, stick a few of these in garland you can purchase at your local store.  The magnolia adds layers and dimension to an otherwise pretty skimpy strand of garland.  You can easily attach these branches with the floral wire shown below.  Wrap a strand of lights around this to add a whimsical touch to the look.

We use this floral wire for all sorts of projects!  Its inexpensive, super useful, and lasts a long time.  Find it at your local craft stores.

Tie together branches of magnolia with the floral wire and attach to the top of your mailbox.  Add wired ribbon and bows for instant and beautiful mailbox swag.

Now bring the outdoors in, by adding springs of magnolia to ornaments and decor you have hanging around your home.  This is a wooden ornament we hung above an entryway mirror.  We added fake mistletoe and real magnolia to give it more depth.

Take natural branches and sticks you find lying around your yard and spray paint them.  We used a white paint on these branches, but a silver or gold would look amazing this time of year!

Here we took a few cuts of cypress from our backyard and we tucked them into this white bud vase.  It smells amazing!!!!

We found a four pack of these adorable little bud vases on sale at JoAnn’s for $4.50!  These were from the wedding section.

This is a spring of fake greenery we used on a table top display.  Tuck real, or fake, greenery into your decor to give it an instant festive feel.

Here’s another example of where we used fake springs in a bowl to give it some color and variety.

 

These ideas are easy, and a very affordable way to add that instant pop of nature to your holiday decor this season. They’re practically free, and look and smell amazing, so go out and find your inspiration today!

 

Will you try this beautiful, budget decor this season???

 

There’s a chill in the air and a long holiday week is around the corner… there’s no better time than now to take a drive up to Lexington, Kentucky!  We love going up there for Keeneland in the Spring or Fall,  but you would be amazed at how fun this bustling, hip city is in the winter as well.  We took a weekend to go up to Lexington and check out some of the sites last Saturday and came across a new area that has been revitalized called the Distillery District.  This area, home to James E. Pepper’s distillery built on this site in 1879, has now been made over to a great stop for restaurants, bars and distilleries.  The history of the area is really cool and you can read about how the Pepper family began distilling their whiskey back in the 1700’s here.  If you love a historic restoration project like we do, then you definitely want to stop by this unique little area just outside of downtown.  Here’s a run down of this must see stop next time you are in Lexington.

An outside pic of James E. Pepper Distillery.  We absolutely love the old architecture of these buildings.

Stop by for a quick tour of the Barrel House Distillery who shares a part of the larger James E. Pepper campus.

There are two really good restaurants to grab a bite before taking the tours.  Middle Fork is a little nicer but still very kid friendly.

Goodfellas’s pizza is another great option if you want more casual fare.

James E. Pepper’s is a tour not to be missed!!!  The new owner found the plans for the original distillery and has revilitized this legendary Lexington landmark mostly true to its past.

Our tour guide found a favorite barrel of his and gave us all a taste!

They hand dip each bottle in dark green wax to seal them shut for distribution.

After taking the tour, visit  Crank & Boom for some really yummy, and unique ice cream treats.

A cup of deliciousness from Crank & Boom.

The kids had a blast in the selfie room!!

The Break Room is the original break room for the distillery workers back in the day.  It has now been turned into a really cool bar.

Inside the Break Room.

They are in the process of revitalizing this old rickhouse……where they used to store the barrels of whiskey while they aged.  We can’t wait to see what they do with this historic building.

 

Last but not least, for the folks who need a break from the whiskey, Ethereal Brewery  is onsite brewing their own selection of craft beers.

 

We hope you enjoyed the tour!!!! Will you be visiting Lexington anytime soon?

 

Light fixtures can be a great statement piece in a room and really help set the stage for decorating the space. When buying a new home, or selling your existing one, often the light fixtures stay and they are very important when it comes to attracting a buyer. When you’re looking at large spaces such as a foyer or a two-story great room the eye is usually drawn immediately to the light fixture so you want to have an amazing one that buyers would be drawn to. Lighting in the kitchen is also very important. New and on trend light fixtures placed over a kitchen island can really make a big statement….. even if the kitchen happens to be a little dated. Additionally, changing out a fan in a bedroom for a fabulous chandelier can really make a big impact on a small space as well. Today were going to showcase a few light fixtures from some of our favorite sources and where you might place them in your homes to make a big statement!!

Here’s a gorgeous chandelier from Hudson Valley found on Overstock.  This line can be pricey but it’s well worth it for the quality.  This is a smaller chandelier that would look amazing in a smaller entrance or foyer.

This pendant from Joss & Main would look perfect over a kitchen table.  At just $170 this is an inexpensive way to update the look of the kitchen.

If you love the look of brushed brass in the kitchen, like we do, than a few of these pendants would be fabulous over the kitchen island to give a pop of color to the space.

 

Who doesn’t love this amazing chandelier from Gabby????  This would look stunning in a Master bedroom.

 

 

These two pendants, the one on the left is from Joss & Main, and the one on the right is from Restoration Hardware, are very similar in style, but NOT in price!!  The Joss & Main one at $206,  vs. the RH one at $596,  means you could almost get three for the price of one!

Last but not least, why not add a little glamour to a bathroom or closet?  This fabulous fixture actually has several glass spheres dangling from each level.  This one is a personal fav of ours to glam up a small space.

 

So whether you want to go all out to update the look of your home, or find some finds on a budget, these light fixtures are sure to look picture perfect in any space.  If you want to see more of our latest finds, check out our Pinterest board here.  As always, if you’d like to order give us a shout.  We’re here to help!!

Which of these fabulous fixtures is your fav???

 

Today’s post is all about one of our favorite ways to kick off the holiday season… Christmas Village!!!  If you’ve ever had a chance to shop this event this is a must stop for anybody who’s looking to pick up some fun and unique gifts for people on their list this season. We had the opportunity last night to go to the pre-party and check out some of the vendors who are there this year. Trust us you did not want to miss this!! Here’s a few of our favorites you must stop by and check out if you are able to get to the event this weekend. Christmas Village runs today through Sunday to find out more information follow this link. Let the countdown to Christmas begin!

Brittany Fusion is always a favorite of ours.  This is a must stop for fun girly gifts.  Love the addition of the coffee/ORCA mugs this season!!!

If you want some true Nashville flair you have to give the gift of Bang Candy Co!  This booth reminds us of Charlie and the Chocolate Factory…..

 

The story of Branded Collective is so amazing and so is their jewelry!  Do yourself a favor and read about this collection.  If you want to give a gift with meaning behind it and give something beautiful this is a must stop for you.  You are helping out locals and buying something so on trend and gorgeous this is truly a win win!!!

We can’t forget the men in our lives!!  The Good South is a high quality Southern collection of men’s wear that any true Southern Gentleman would love to see under the tree this season!!

And last but not least, the standard that everyone one loves to stock up on…. the wrapping paper booth!!!  They do have a great selection and at only $4/roll the mom and sister couldn’t resist!!!

Shout out to Tracy R. who we didn’t get a pic with:((((

Will you be attending Christmas Village or another Christmas event this weekend? 

 

Several of you are probably starting to think about the upcoming Thanksgiving holiday and all of the yummy dishes you and your family/friends will be sharing in just a few weeks.  We know we are!!!  Dreaming about the traditional dishes, as well as the new favorites we look forward to trying each year, having us thinking about the other most important part of the dish….. the presentation.  Yes, if you are fans of the magazines Southern Living, Better Homes and Gardens, or any other popular home publications, you will see picture perfect dishes that look as pretty as they probably taste.  With that in mind, we are starting to stock up on some gorgeous serving pieces that will be gracing our tables this season.  We all know the presentation is almost as important as the dish!!! So go out, and find some beautiful pieces that will show off your festive recipes so they too will look like they are straight out of the pages of your favorite magazine!

 

These are a personal favorite of ours to serve salad with.  So unique and you can get these on sale now at West Elm– $23

Here’s another personal favorite of ours…. this wood serving bowl from Ikea is as beautiful in person as it is practical.  At $19.99 you will get a great deal and a piece you will use time and time again!

 

This gorgeous serving bowl from CB2 would look amazing filled with rolls wrapped in a  crisp, white linen napkin.  Only $39!!

 

Love these napkin rings from Crate and Barrel.  They complement the wooden salad pieces and well as the gold bread bowl shown above with their unique design.  $3.95/piece.

 

Here’s another great way to tie in the wood and gold pieces shown above.  This graphite runner also from Crate and Barrel is elegant, yet somewhat casual enough to use with the mixed materials we’ve showcased in this post.

When using the combinations of wood, gold and graphite, it’s a good idea to keep the other serving pieces neutral.   Target has an amazing selection of white platters and serving pieces you are sure to use all year long!

 

 

As with the serving pieces above, stick with the clear glasses so that the tablescape can take center stage.  Riedel is a must have brand when it comes to glassware.  It’s elegant, and they have perfected the wine glass!  Find a full collection at William Sonoma.

 

Which of these looks would look perfect at your Thanksgiving feast?

 

Our Must Haves Friday post is all about the Brentwood Christmas Crawl going on now!  If you’ve ever participated in this fun event you will know the deals are great and so are the shops.  Over the past 10 years, Brentwood has grown and evolved when it comes to shopping options.  Greenhills was once the only option when it came to upscale shopping experiences, but now with the addition of the Hill Center Brentwood, the possibilities have greatly improved in our city.  These new additions, plus the established shops we all know and love, have given us more great shopping choices than ever before!! The way this crawl works is, you stop by the first shop and get a card, and each stop after you will get a stamp from that retailer until you collect all 14 stamps.  This is a great way to visit some of these shops maybe you’ve never been in and you are entered to win some fabulous prizes.  One of us won this in the past and trust us, the prizes are great!  The crawl is going on today and tomorrow so get out there and discover some new favorites or just visit your old standbys and check out the great deals and refreshments all these places will be offering.  Click here for more information.  Maybe we’ll see you there!!!

 

Which of these stores are you excited about visiting?

 

Happy Halloween!!!!  As we celebrate one of our favorite holidays today, we are preparing for lots of fun tonight and we want to share how to throw a freakishly fun Halloween party of your own.  With a little prep today, you can pull this off tonight and enjoy the costumes, candy and all that comes with this ghoulish holiday.  Happy All Hallows Eve Ya’ll!!!!

All images and recipes linked here

Which of these wickedly fun ideas will you be trying tonight?

We don’t know about ya’ll, but all this rain and cooler weather has us wanting to snuggle up inside with a cozy throw and a good book.  The layers, and plush fabrics of the season are so easily incorporated into your home when you find a good throw to toss over a chair or sofa.  Plus these are great to use when you are ready to nestle in for the evening.  Throws are an easy way to change up seasonal decor and get the look you are going for.  So check out some of these we found and grab a few to snuggle up with in your house!

Faux Fur Pom Pom Throw- Pottery Barn

At $129 these are a little pricey but they are running an online sale for 25% off right now. We so have to have one of these!!!

 

Faux Fur Throw- Restoration Hardware

Again, pretty pricey at $159 but these will last you for years.  Also they run sales on these all through the season so watch out for those deals!

Carlisle Tassel Throw- Magnolia Home $140

We love how this color adds an instant pop of Fall to any room.

 

Suzanne Kasler Plaid Throw– Ballard

These must haves are on sale for $63 right now.  A plaid is a great staple for winter decor!

 

If you want to see some in person, and find a great deal, check out the selection at HomeGoods.  We found so many there this week and all organized by color for easy selections!

 

Which of these throws would you like in your home this season?

 

One amazing combination of materials we love, that is popping up everywhere, is acrylic and gold. You can find this duo in light fixtures, trays, end tables… pretty much any object you need for your home. You may ask yourself, what exactly is acrylic and why are these pieces usually pretty pricey?  Well we did a little research ourselves and here’s what we found….

“What makes Acrylic Furniture so valuable?”

“Acrylic is made in sheets.  The thicker the sheet, the more expensive, and difficult it is to maintain the crystal clear quality that its sought after for.  Also, because it’s made primarily from petroleum, its price is related directly to the price of oil.  Lastly, most acrylic furniture, and all of AVF’s pieces are not only made by hand, but the steps needed to make an AVF piece require them to be.” source

What is the difference between Acrylic and Lucite?….. you may also ask.  Well it turns out nothing.  Same materials, just called different names.  They are both a type of plastic, just a thicker, higher quality.

Well that pretty much answered a lot of our questions on this fabulous material we love putting into ours, and our clients homes.  Check out some of these fabulous finds and try out this hot combination for yourself!!

Fanchone Bar Stool– ON SALE!!!  $135

 

Novo Acrylic Folding Table– $149

 

Joss & Main Mirror- $269

Acrylic Curtain Rod– Ballard’s Design $49

 

 

Kate Spade Stapler– $28

World Market Bar Tools– ON SALE!!  $13

 

Do you have any acrylic and gold pieces in your home?