Friday, December 11, 2015

O Tannenbaum 2015 and Holiday Magazine My Way Challenge Blog Tour

Holiday Magazine My Way Challenge Blog Tour

Hello, dear friends!  I hope you are enjoying the holiday season thus far!  I have some very exciting news here at the Parsimonious House!  I am so thrilled to be a participant in a very special blog hop with one of my favorite bloggers.  Back in November, Katherine from Katherine's Corner invited her readers to join her in what she hoped would become an annual event, the Holiday Magazine My Way Challenge. The instructions were to use a new or old holiday magazine cover (November/December) as our inspiration. The challenge is to A) Recreate it our way by creating a copy using our own items, or  B) recreate the cover with our vision. All of the participants will be included in a random drawing and 2 winners will each receive a one year subscription to Veranda Magazine, Elle Decor or House Beautiful magazine (winner’s choice).



 Such fun!

 I chose this lovely photo via Christmas Cottage's December 2015 issue.




Here is another shot without the barcode, et cetera.  What I liked about the tree were the traditional elements of red and gold.   Also, what spoke to me in the photograph was that it looked cozy and welcoming, like all of the comforts of home were right within reach.  It made me contemplate what is important to me, and where I find comfort.  To recreate the cover my way, I kept things a bit more pared down and simple, and added elements that I find soothing and comforting.


I decided to set my tree up in the foyer right next to the piano.  If you have read my blog before, you know that I adore art, dance, and music.



This spot is comforting to me, next to Picasso, the piano, where a tiny danseur looks on...with a bench covered in soft faux fur.


Like the inspiration photo, the ornaments are simple.  There are gold 



and red bulbs....however, I added beautiful velvety ribbon to make it a bit more upscale, while still keeping it simple,


and jeweled gold crowns to remind our family of the reason for the season, which is also important to me.


For a little more sparkle, golden sprays were added.



The topper consists of sprays, golden bells, and more cascading ribbon.







A very simple tree in traditional colors, surrounded by the things that make me feel at home.  Music has always been an integral part of my life, beginning when I was very young.  My mother sang us to sleep, we sang in both church and school choirs, and it is our tradition each year to sing karaoke as a family!  Three of my children take piano and two of them take drums...and yes, my husband plays both bass and acoustic guitar!  Gathering together, listening to or creating music together is what I enjoy most of all.


Do you have any family traditions?


 
 
 
 
Here is a look at the rest of my décor this season.  

The lanterns have been adorned with small festive swags.








To view the tutorial to make these, you may visit the post on my blog The Crafting Table here.



 When you open my door, a small lantern on the foyer table greets you with a warm glow.



I love the detail of this little lamp; its pretty scrolls.



A fat, festive bow


with pine and cranberries adorn the pole.



To create the base, I used a very large wreath, and nestled the base right inside.



In the living room, a large wreath hangs on the fireplace.  I will share a tutorial of all the prep work later next week, so please stay tuned!


Bells and ribbon were added to coincide with the tree topper.


A few night shots.  Isn't Christmas a magical time of year?














Please be sure to hop, hop, hop on to all of the other posts of the incredibly talented and inspirational participants of this tour!  Thank you so much for stopping by!




        

It's time to take the Holiday Magazine My Way Challenge Blog Tour.




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If you enjoy this post, please visit the archives!  You may also visit my full profile to view my other blogs. Connect with me on my Facebook Page, Parsimonious Décor Darling.   You might like to visit my other blog hubs,  

The Marvelous Maison, a lifestyle blog hub and 
Frugal Fab Fashionista, my fashion blog hub. 

Follow me on Pinterest!!  Please be sure to kindly follow the board guidelines, as it takes time and effort to find fabulous pins across the Internet and Pinterest!  Thank you!  

Thank you for stopping by! ❤

Wednesday, December 9, 2015

Set Your Table With Flair--Christmastime Tea

Hello, sweet bloggy friends and beyond!  I appreciate you dropping by today!  This time of year is definitely busy, and soon, my hobbits will be off of school; it makes me so happy to have time to enjoy each other.  Less running.  More cuddling.  Those simple things are what makes this season magic to me. 

Today, I am relaxing with a simple Christmastime tea as I prepare for our trip to Seattle later this week.  

Nothing too complicated....traditional tartan and holly, a sweet friend who looks on.



Making the season bright with a bit of twinkle


and sweet little cakes.


These vintage shakers are now used for sprinkling cocoa or cinnamon onto our favorite hot beverages.  Sometimes, it's good old-fashioned hot cocoa; sometimes tea or hot cider, and sometimes coffee!



If you would like to read my recipes for Keurig brewed coffee, you may do so visiting the post on my Parsimonious Pabulum blog here.



Dressing up a boxed cake for the Christmas Season

The following are a few ideas for dressing up a simple white boxed cake.  To make these mini Christmas cakes, I used an extra large muffin pan.  I frosted them all with plain white frosting, except for this one.


I used almond gum paste as a frosting and dusted the cakes with powdered sugar.  I used a mold create the leafy base,


and to make the holly leaves, I used a leaf mold and cut away portions.  It's very easy to accomplish this, just add food coloring.



To replicate snow, I sprinkled sweetened coconut.


To emulate pine needles if you don't have any real ones on hand, rosemary sprigs work quite well.


Lastly, I added fresh cranberries for a classic looking cake.


A classic, traditional tea.



I hope you are enjoying the season!


From my collection:
Silver tray, Sheridan Silver lazy Susan, circa 1940's
Teapot, Trimmings, Japan
Teacups, from China
Shakers, no marking





If you enjoy this post, please visit the archives!  You may also visit my full profile to view my other blogs. Connect with me on my Facebook Page, Parsimonious Décor Darling.   You might like to visit my other blog hubs,  

The Marvelous Maison, a lifestyle blog hub and 
Frugal Fab Fashionista, my fashion blog hub. 

Follow me on Pinterest!!  Please be sure to kindly follow the board guidelines, as it takes time and effort to find fabulous pins across the Internet and Pinterest!  Thank you!  

Thank you for stopping by! ❤

Saturday, December 5, 2015

Christmastime on the Porch

Hello, sweet friends!  Thank you so much for stopping in for a quick visit with me.  It's hard to believe that it is almost Christmas!  It is my favorite time of the year, for certain. 

Although we haven't seen much rain (or any, for that matter), the temperatures are lowering.  It is still warm enough to enjoy the outdoors, however, and a sweet little vignette on a comfy porch is just the way to do so! 



A large, full wreath, adorned in handsome tartan,



makes a festive background for a simple seating.



Pretty pillows of sweater and plaid


and an option of cutesy snowflakes for kitsch,


top a bench covered in faux prettiness.


When it is late, little lamps with matching shades and pretty pinecone bases light the way.



A very simple spot for reading, relaxing, or just taking in the sights of nature.



Have you finished shopping?

Until next time--



From my collection:

Wreath, local thrift
Sweater pillows, Ralph Lauren, HomeGoods
Plaid pillows, generic, from Marshall's
Lamps, maker unknown, HomeGoods
Large plaid ribbon, Costco



If you enjoy this post, please visit the archives!  You may also visit my full profile to view my other blogs. Connect with me on my Facebook Page, Parsimonious Décor Darling.   You might like to visit my other blog hubs,  

The Marvelous Maison, a lifestyle blog hub and 
Frugal Fab Fashionista, my fashion blog hub. 

Follow me on Pinterest!!  Please be sure to kindly follow the board guidelines, as it takes time and effort to find fabulous pins across the Internet and Pinterest!  Thank you!  

Thank you for stopping by! ❤