Happy New Year!

 
Wishing you a wonderful New Year's Eve and the kick off to a terrific new year.  I spotted this photo on my dear friend's facebook (no, she didn't start boozing at 8am!  She's half way around the world so she's already run in the new year).  I love this photo because it reminds me of how I'll be celebrating tonight...in the warm coziness of my own home surrounded by good libations and great company. 

I remember times in my twenties when I would get all dolled up and dressed to the nines and buy an overpriced ticket for an "all you can eat and drink" venue to fight the over stuffed crowds to ring in the new year. 

In my vintage years, I'm much happier to hang at home in a smaller group of good friends and family.  To sip on good wine.  And sometimes I don't even make it up til midnight.  Gasp. 



Courtesy of Amy Anderson via Facebook

 

How will you ring in the new year?  What big (or small) plans do you have for the night? 

 

Wishing you a happy and safe night!

 

Best, Heather 

DIY: a scarf turned into art

One of my favorite presents this Christmas started from a simple scarf: The Cityblock Storyteller Scarf from Madewell.  As I've mentioned before, I covet anything with a reference to NYC because it reminds me of my single, childless days of living there (not that I would trade my child-filled days with EG in Connecticut!).  But when I spotted this Madewell scarf of the city on sale for $35.00 I grabbed one for myself and for Kurby for presents.  Then my wheels started turning...   

 

 

This scarf is adorbs with a pair of skinny jeans, flats and a denim shirt.  But I wanted to display the entire city scape somehow.   I decided to frame mine so it would be permanent art on my walls. 

 

The framer stretched the scarf until it would stretch no farther.  I selected a thick black frame with a slight hue of antique gold/brown on the edge.  I wanted something that would offer a modern yet vintage flair.   

 

 

 
 It turned out pretty large!  It's almost 5 feet wide and I love how it makes a statement in my hallway right outside my bedroom. 
 

 

 

The details are better looking in person... I didn't get glare resistant glass because I don't personally like the way it looks (but obviously I would have looked better in these photos, ha)

 

 

 I am always looking for unique art that can't be found in every store.  I like the idea of framing something that's a personal favorite because it creates artwork that is unique.  This scarf was on sale for $35.  The framing was obviously more costly (several hundreds) but the end result was a large piece of artwork that covers a large wall and makes a statement.  And it has meaning to my family. 

 

Have you ever framed something like a scarf or article of clothing to turn it into "art?"

 

Happy New Year's Eve (almost....)!

 

xoxo Heather

Holiday Table Decorations

 

We hosted this Christmas at our house in Connecticut.  We had my sister, Kurby and her family.  My lil mama and my dad, Dewey.  We had EG's parent's Viv and Pops.  Each time I entertain I try to find a new way to decorate the table.  Usually, I fill the center with fresh flowers.  Hard to go wrong with fresh flowers.  But this year I decided to embrace the spirit of Christmas ornaments.  I didn't have a single fresh flower on the table and instead adorned the table with all ornaments.  I even hung ornaments from the chandelier.  Here's how it turned out: 

 

 

 

  

 
(Recognize the antlers?)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 
I made my napkin rings with magnolia leaves and three ornaments tied around the napkins.  I scored the plaid place mats with the gold snowflake accents from Target.  I tried to stay as neutral as possible on the table but couldn't help but throw in a few color accents here and there.   
 

 

 These wonderful poppers have become a Christmas tradition in our family.  Our family 'Tia and Terry" that couldn't be with us, mailed these to us so we could celebrate on Christmas eve.  Each one contains a little gift and a paper crown (to be worn by each member at the dinner!)  Thank you so much Tia and Terry!  xoxoxoxo

 
I found these little glasses at a yard sale.  The twelve days of Christmas.  They had all twelve of them and I think I paid about three dollars for them.  All twelve of them total.  I loved them so much I would have paid $300 (not really, but you get the point!)  These babies were way under priced and I got a real treasure! 

 
Love my dove salt and pepper shakers in front of the magnolias! 

 

 
One of the ornaments hanging from the chandelier!

 

 
All of the gold ornaments are from Michaels craft stores.  The white containers are from Home Goods (and pulled from my cabinet in the kitchen)
 

 

We had such a wonderful and blessed holiday with family.  Half the fun is the prep getting ready for the family.  I could spend forever decorating for the festivities.  Of course, it's great fun entertaining everyone and spending time with family.  It always goes by way too quickly! 

How did you all spend your holiday!?  Do you have any special plans for New Year's coming up? 

It's been such a wonderful and special year for Vivid Hue Home.  It's hard to believe the year anniversary of this blog is just around the bend! 

Hoping you all have a wonderfully healthy and happy holiday!

xoxoo
Heather
Vivid Hue Home

Other links to Vivid Hue Christmas:
Holiday Trees
Sunroom at Christmas
Meaningful tree in Living Room

Gift Wrapping Traditions
Christmas Antlers
Holiday Card Tree and Sunroom Photos
Christmas Table Decorations

From My Family, To Yours

 

Happy Holidays.  From My Family, To Yours



 Funny thing is, this really is my family.  This is my mama's family. You remember my lil mama? Yes, the one that doesn't read my blog...that whole fiasco this summer?

Isn't this classic?  No, I didn't say CLASSY!  (Though I must say, every single woman you see in this photo is the epitome of true class!)  But I love how almost every single one of them has a cigarette in their hands. 
 
These are my aunts and uncles and my grandpa. 
Top left to right:  Aunt Lorsie, My Mom (Karen Sue), Aunt Sandy, Grandpa
Bottom left to right: Uncle Bubby, Aunt Jan, Uncle Bob, Uncle Stevie

I just love this photo. 

I hope you have the chance to be with people you love this holiday. 

Merry Christmas and a safe and happy and healthy holiday.

xoxoxo
Heather

 
Other links to Vivid Hue Christmas:
Holiday Trees
Sunroom at Christmas
Meaningful tree in Living Room

Gift Wrapping Traditions
Christmas Antlers
Holiday Card Tree and Sunroom Photos
Christmas Table Decorations

Gift Wrapping Traditions

  I've been reading all of my friend's blogs this holiday and it has occurred to me that not everyone follows the same traditions for gift wrapping and opening their holiday presents...imagine that?

So I thought I'd share what my family does for our holiday tradition.

This year, I selected black and gold as my "paper theme."  Now that only means that the gifts I wrap for my family will be in this paper combo.  I have gold plaid and gold polka dots and I mix the ribbons with gold and red and anything that will match the paper.  When my entire family rolls into the door this weekend, that's all going to pot because they will bring more presents and they will be wrapped in their own paper (and that's ok because that's part of the fun).   For now, I have the gold and black theme under my tree. 

 

 
On Christmas eve, we each get to open one gift.  Just one.  Even the adults.  That's because this tradition started when my sister and me were kids and we've carried it on into our adulthood as if we were still kids.  And everyone knows that even though we say "just one" that really means you can convince the family to let you open two.  At least.  But these eve gifts are usually things like slippers, or pjs or things that you can wear for Christmas morning.  So don't get too incredibly excited about it because you're not going to totally open your more prize possession on Xmas eve because then how fun would it be on Xmas morning.   Ok, yes, I still sound twelve and I don't care. 

The Santa presents get set out after the kids go to bed.  Ours are wrapped!  But recently we started the tradition of putting each child's loot into a pile so they wake up in the morning and can run to their stash. 

We try to make it so that each person opens one thing at a time, but I mean we have kids that are four, four and six...it gets tough for little ones to watch mama open another pair of socks when there is a tower of presents with their names on it! 

Growing up, my immediate family would go to a Christmas movie in the afternoon to get out of the house and break the day up (you know, because we were "bored" already with all of the new games and toys).  When Kurby (my sister) and I had real little ones, we stopped that tradition (because honestly, who brings a 3 month old to a movie theater....uh, actually, there are some).  But now, the kids are older and so sometimes if there is a good kids flick, we have been known to resume that tradition.   Plus, it gives the entire family a break from having to talk to each other for a few hours. 

We're hosting everyone at our house this year on both sides of the family.  They start to trickle in on Saturday, Sunday, Monday (until they read this post and are too offended by something I've said to show up....that's the point...whittle the numbers!)

How do YOU do your gift wrapping?  Do you wrap your Santa gifts? 
Do you watch each person open one gift at a time or does everyone tear into them at once?
Do you take a break for breakfast in between?

Happy Holidays to all!

xoxo
Heather

Other links to Vivid Hue Christmas:
Holiday Trees
Sunroom at Christmas
Meaningful tree in Living Room

Gift Wrapping Traditions
Christmas Antlers
Holiday Card Tree and Sunroom Photos
Christmas Table Decorations
 

Remember those antlers?

  Well goodness gracious, where has this month gone?

I gave you a teaser at the beginning of the month about my antlers...and promised ya'll that I'd let you know how I zhushed them up by week's end...well the entire month has almost gone by and I still haven't updated you on these babies.  So here goes.  Most of y'all guessed right... 

I made these guys gold to match my bone inlaid tray with the gold handles.  (For now, they're serving as a prop on my holiday table-and I will report more on that later).  Here's a glimpse of what they were before. 



It was so easy to paint these antlers that I may have fun when them later and paint the tips another fun color just to mix it up.  Can always paint them back to gold later. 

Sorry I've been so radio silence this past week.  The family decided to take a mini vacation to Boston to see a holiday show for the kids, see the grandparents, finish some Xmas shopping (and squeeze in a Killers concert for EG and myself).  We NEVER get a family photo together but managed to get a few together this trip. 

 
(Vivi wasn't feelin it for the first photo, but don't let her fool you...she's a ham at heart.  She shows her true colors by the second photo.  And this is Jack's "dress up" outfit.  It's all we could do to get him out of athletic gear (sweats) and into jeans and a sweater). 

Hope you and your families are healthy and enjoying this holiday season together.  I know we've been giving lots and lots and lots of hugs and kisses in lights of recent events. 

Lots of hugs to you and yours.

xoxo
Heather
Vivid Hue Home

Other links to Vivid Hue Christmas:
Holiday Trees
Sunroom at Christmas
Meaningful tree in Living Room

Gift Wrapping Traditions
Christmas Antlers
Holiday Card Tree and Sunroom Photos
Christmas Table Decorations

Upside Down Tree, not for me!

 

Courtesy of A Colorful Journey

No, the photo isn't upside down.  But the tree is. 
What are your thoughts on the upside down Christmas Tree?  Literally the top sits in the base on the floor and balances upside down.  Maybe I've been hiding under a rock, but I have just heard of these this year.  Now even Target is selling them ($400!). 

What do you think?

For you, or no?

Other links to Vivid Hue Christmas:
Holiday Trees
Sunroom at Christmas
Meaningful tree in Living Room

Gift Wrapping Traditions
Christmas Antlers
Holiday Card Tree and Sunroom Photos
Christmas Table Decorations
 
 

Kurby's Christmas Mantle in Atlanta

 
So while I've been busy over here in Connecticut decorating my extra trees and putting up my meaningful tree and attempting to make DIY holiday card trees and making countdown calendars, my sister Kurby has been down South in Atlanta styling her mantles with some pretty hip Christmas garland.  I just had to share because when I saw these babies surface on her facebook page, I must admit, I took a gasp at their beauty.  Kurby just recently renovated her kick ass house in Atlanta and I hope to share some of the renovations with you shortly (remember her porch that was featured in Better Homes here).  But for now, I present her wonderful Christmas mantle....

 

 

 

This is Kurby and her wonderful family, Michael and Jude.  BTW, Kurby is just my nickname for my sister, Brett.  This is their photo when they were picking out their Christmas tree this year.  Brett is 6 months preggo with their second child...my nephew.  I can't wait to get my hands on that kid. 

Hope you've enjoyed the Christmas sneak peek into her home.  I'll share more of her renovations when I get down there to take some "after" photos of their renovations.  I can guarantee you that they're stupendous!

We're all spending Xmas together in Connecticut and I can't wait. 

xoxo  Heather

Other links to Vivid Hue Christmas:
Holiday Trees
Sunroom at Christmas
Meaningful tree in Living Room

Gift Wrapping Traditions
Christmas Antlers
Holiday Card Tree and Sunroom Photos
Christmas Table Decorations