I bought a pathetic 7 foot tree yesterday (we do fake because of the mess of the real one/babies in the house) until I can get a good bargain after Christmas. ETA: I added some ribbon and a cute little peacock at the top. I think I hung a few more ornaments in a turquoise color to go w/ my bluebird of happiness:
Close-ups of the ornaments and the skirt:
As promised, here's a few more. Bear in mind that I am constantly adding and changing things, so these pictures will probably be updated frequently:
Here's the entry foyer
ETA: I added some candles and ornaments to add some color, but I still want to find a white feather boa to wrap around the bottom for something funky. Maybe I can get a white feather wreath to put in place of the middle one, too:
The candy and ice wreath I made (but I'm going to take off the bow):
A crappy view of the front porch (I broke the snowman this morning ):
Some random collections:
ETA: I redid the top of my TV armoire to this: Still not to my liking, but better:
And with the newly-added wreaths on the windows (I still have more windows to do, but they're stuck):
I'll do some more decorating of the house this week and will post more pics later!
pretty! I finished my tree yesterday. I think I want two trees next year -- one for all our cheesy childhood ornaments and then one that I can make really pretty and color-coordinated.
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"We live in an age where unnecessary things are our only necessities." --Oscar Wilde
I love the jewel tones on your tree. Really unique and pretty. Ribbon would add so much, I agree- in an unexpected color on top of the tree- maybe the lime color { or purple}that is in the balls and adding the same color in an openweave mesh at the base , on top of your other tree skirt. It would be great.! just a suggestion...
My family has a Christmas pickle too! And i love that you call it a bluebird of happiness--that's something my husband says every time he sees a bluebird. Funny!
Anyway, you house looks fantastic! I love the colors you used on the tree--it's very you.
Here's the pickle “legend” from one Web site: “A very old Christmas eve tradition in Germany was to hide a pickle [ornament] deep in the branches of the family Christmas Tree. The parents hung the pickle last after all the other ornaments were in place. In the morning they knew the most observant child would receive an extra gift from St. Nicholas. The first adult who finds the pickle traditionally gets good luck for the whole year.” This Christmas pickle story, with a few minor variations, can be found all over the Web and in print inside the ornament package. It says that Germans hang a pickle-shaped glass ornament on the Christmas tree hidden away so it's difficult to find. The first child to find it on Christmas morning gets a special treat or an extra present.
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"Despite all your best intentions, sometimes, fate wins anyway."
Yes, that is exactly it-- it's something to look forward to when you are the first one up on Christmas morning (with my family, there's five kids, so it's kind of a challenge). I just think it's so weird and funny that it's a really cool and different tradition. Plus, who doesn't want a shiny pickle ornament on their tree? (lol)
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"In matters of grave importance, style, not sincerity, is the vital thing"
I don't even remember where I learned about the Christmas pickle. But I knew I would be the only person around w/ a pickle on the tree, so I was all for it! My husband hates that thing, much like he seems to hate all my "cute" stuff around the house!