The Great Light Bulb Conspiracy

 

I got to spend some time in Kentucky with my family last week, and my dad and I made our traditional trip to Lowe’s—just to walk around.  He once again got me in a little panic about incandescent light bulbs, which are slowly but surely being phased out (in case you haven’t heard).  Beginning in January, 100-watt incandescent bulbs will no longer be available. . . 

 

 

 

 

Forcing us to start using the fluorescent bulbs instead. . . . (I know, I know—many of you have been using these for years already but I’m holding out.  They’re just not the same.)

 

 

 

My dad, for one, is not a happy camper.   If he was a Miss America contestant who had to choose a platform, this would be it.  He has literally been stockpiling the “old” light bulbs for the last year.

 

You can see his dismay when we found a final palette of bulbs and this sign at Lowe’s.

 

(This is why I love my dad.  He willingly poses for these blog pictures.)

 

So, do you have strong opinions about this?  Or, is it just my dad?  And, if you want more 100-watt bulbs, you better run to the store now—before he buys them all.

 

Christmas Card Tree

 

THIS idea I love for Christmas cards. . .  I’m thinking I need to go on a hunt for sticks in my yard.  I always throw my cards in a basket and never enjoy them like I should.  This would work perfectly on our front entry table (you know, the one in front of the vent, for now). 

 

Martha Stewart

 

Speaking of cards, here’s the post I wrote last year about our previous family Christmas cards (in case you need a laugh).

5 Christmas Mantel Ideas

 

Bob the Elf has officially landed—on our mantel.  And, as soon as he flies back to the North Pole tomorrow and takes up a new spot in our house, I plan to start decorating for Christmas.

 

 

In the meantime, I’ve been pinning my little heart out and found some great—and easy—inspiration for creating beautiful mantels:

 

Better Homes & Gardens

Love this idea of flanking the fireplace with two tall trees.  It’s such a statement and actually eliminates the need to decorate much of the actual mantel.  It’s also a fun solution if you are short on space for a full-sized Christmas tree.

 

 

Traditional Home

This monochromatic mantel would be easy to recreate.  And, it’s a great idea if you have a piece of art above your fireplace that doesn’t jive with your Christmas decor.  Simply buy a large canvas from your local craft store and wrap in a textured white fabric.  Mix in glass and natural elements for a clean, sophisticated look.

 

 

Coastal Living

I love the sparkle and casual element that galvanized tins bring to Christmas decor.  And, layering lots of the same thing—tins, glass, garland, etc.-- is always an easy way to make a big impact.

 

 

Martha Stewart

Traditional and simple (of course, Martha makes everything look easy). You can’t go wrong with layers of fresh garland, and I like how the icicles are mixed in.  The pop of green in the urns on the hearth completes the look.

 

 

Cottage Living (I think, correct me if I’m wrong.)

 

I’m not in love with this entire look but I like that the overall idea could be achieved with a couple of trips to Goodwill and some spray paint.  The layered white mirrors create an easy, sparkly backdrop for the rest of your decor.  Even if you can’t find enough mirrors, you could buy some inexpensive artwork, paint the frames white, and transform the glass with this product I found out about here through Pinterest:

 

(This could actually be great if you wanted to spray a collection of glass containers for your mantel, as well.)

 

Hope this gets you thinking!  Have you started your Christmas decorating yet?  (Don’t tell me if you’ve finished. . . )

 

PS—Just a quick correction on my previous Black Friday post.  The link I listed to HeadyBed’s Facebook page wasn’t working over the weekend so I wanted to post the correct one here.  Stop by to enter their “Sweet Dreams” giveaway, for a chance to win an Amazon Kindle and everything needed for a luxurious nights sleep.

 

Black Friday Specials from My Sponsors

 

Christmas shopping starts NOW!  Here are some great specials from my sponsors to get you started.  Just click on their logos to be directed to their sites and for more detailed information on each of their promotions.

 

Storewide sale offers $25 off any shower curtain or drapes and $5 off any pillow cover!  Offer good on Black Friday and Saturday, Nov. 26th.

 

 

Use promo code EMILYBF to receive 30% off any single bedding item. Valid online Friday, Nov. 25, 2011.

For local readers, Bedside Manor will be having an Open House in their Charlotte store on Dec. 1-4 with items in the store marked to 15% off. Local customers can use the 30% off single bedding item promo in the store, as well. Customers just need to come in on Black Friday and mention that they saw the promo on my blog.

 

 

 

 

Get ready for holiday guests with a MirrorMate frame! For a chance to win $200 toward a frame, visit MirrorMate’s Facebook page to enter the giveaway, running November 25^th-28^th. If you don’t win, there is still reason to celebrate. Everyone can enjoy the holiday sale with 15% off through December 7^th on their web site.

 

 

 

 

Use coupon code BF20GIFT to receive 20% off (excludes custom prints and print of the month) PLUS a free gift (while supplies last).  Offer good Black Friday through midnight Monday, Nov. 28th.

 

 

 

 

Use coupon code “Thanksgiving” to receive 10% off all orders Black Friday through Monday!

 

 

 

 

Offering 10% off all items in their Etsy shop through Monday!

 

 

 

Use coupon code HOLIDAYS20 to receive 20% off everything thru Cyber Monday, Nov. 28th.

 

 

 

Use to coupon code EAC725  to receive 50% off any (unframed) blue prints!  Offer good through Monday, Nov. 28th.

 

 

 

Receive 25% off any order!  Good on Black Friday only.

 

 

 

 

Use discount code ECLK15 at check out to receive 15% off plus enjoy free shipping!  Offer good Black Friday through Sunday (Nov. 25 through Nov. 27).

In addition, Heady Bed is hosting a special 'sweet dreams' giveaway. Included is an Amazon Kindle and everything needed for a luxurious nights sleep ($200 value). To enter & for more details, visit Heady Bed's Facebook page.

 

 

 

 

Offering a 15% discount off all items!  Offer good Friday, November 25th through Sunday, November 27th.

 

 

 

Use coupon code EMILY to receive a 20% discount off your order!  Offer good Black Friday through Monday.

 

 

 

I.O. Metro’s 28 days of giveaways starts Black Friday! Visit I.O.Metro for contest details. Be sure to “like” them on Facebook so you don’t miss the first scavenger hunt clue on Black Friday.

 

 

Happy Shopping!,

Thankful for . . .

 

This week, I’m thankful to be spending time with my family and taking a little break from blogging.  But, please check back on Friday (or very, very late Thanksgiving night).  I’ll be posting Black Friday specials from my sponsors that you won’t want to miss.

 

Canadian House and Home

 

Happy Thanksgiving,

Well, Dang It. . .

 

Well, you all just totally burst my bubble about the dresser in our foyer yesterday :)  I had so many comments and emails telling me to not cover up the vent (and my husband completely agrees, btw) that now I’m just paranoid and will most likely be going with Plan B—when I figure out what that is.  Thanks for caring, though. . .  Maybe I’ll look for some kind of open console/sofa table. 

 

 

 

Here’s how things stand now.  I hung the gallery wall last weekend.  Am I the only one who hangs frames with no art?  One day at a time. 

 

 

Thanks for all of your feedback.  I’ll take all the help I can get :)  Have a great weekend.  I’ll be finishing up a client install and doing lots and lots of laundry.

 

Welcome to my sponsor, Winterberry Cottage!

(Beautiful images printed on vintage book pages)

Our Foyer: Disguising Ugly Vents

 

Not only is our foyer the first “room” you see when you enter the front door, it’s also the space I stare at from my desk.  Needless to say, the lack of decoration is getting on my nerves.

 

Here’s what we have so far.  (I removed the heaps of stuff from the floor and dresser for the picture.)

 

 

The upside is that it’s a big space—lots of room to work with.  But, look closely and you see the problem.

 

 

Yep, a vent that’s about 3 inches higher than I need it to be.   The easy solution would be to buy a taller piece of furniture.  That solution isn’t fitting into the budget, however.  I’m using the dresser that used to be our TV console in the last house.  It’s nice to have the extra storage right across from my office space.

 

 

 

Here’s another view of the foyer.  My office is to the right.  My someday wish list includes a  new light fixture and a rug.

 

 

 

Okay, so back to the problem of the vent.  Accessories to the rescue.  Since I’m trying to get back into the mode of using what I have, I started with this huge piece of driftwood but decided it would get in the way of the gallery wall I was hoping to hang on this wall.

 

 

 

I also really wanted some lighting in this spot, so here’s what I came up with so far.  A tray and some stacked coffee table books are doing the trick for now.  I’m hoping a big collection of frames above will provide further distraction. 

 

 

So, there’s my start.  More on this later. . .

 

My Day

 

I had a birthday today.  (The mid-thirties kind.)  It started with a 2-hour visit to the DMV to renew my license, followed by lots of emails and a few work-related “issues.” Fortunately, it ended with a small celebration with my family at home:

 

 

My husband was mad, however, that the store sold him a “defective number 3 candle.”  I swear to you he really said that.  He might get me for telling you that, but it gave me the laugh I needed after my long day.

Sunnier Sunroom Pics & A Rug for Sale

 

I was able to snap some brighter pictures of a client’s sunroom we recently finished and wanted to re-share.  (You can see the before pictures here.)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

We also ended up with an extra rug in the process and I’m selling it, if you’re interested.  Unfortunately, I’m unable to ship it so if you’re in or around Charlotte, email me for more information.  It’s a custom Fibreworks 8x10 rug with a 2” cotton banding.  It’s a wool/jute blend which makes it really durable and still soft underfoot. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Welcome to my newest sponsor, I.O. Metro!