A Tale of Two Butterflies

Your mom always told you that when it comes to gifts, it's the thought that counts, right? And it's true...even a small gift packs a big punch when you can tell that the giver took the time to consider your tastes, interest, etc. And apparently, my thoughts are well alligned with MoS Charlotte....

Over Thanksgiving in Boca Grande, I saw these lucite-encased butterflies at an art gallery and knew that it would be the perfect little something for MoS Charlotte (and not to breakable just in case her little ones decide they want to examine it too!). So I picked it up and shipped it off to her last week (without saying a thing about it or giving any hints!).

Well, lo and behold, our packages crossed in the mail, and I was in a state of shock when I opened my prezzie to find...yes, a mounted butterfly! It's vintage and gorgeous!



This Christmas, we're grateful for friends who can apparently read our minds, for family who love us unconditionally, and for the many blessings we encounter in our day to day lives. We're taking a little Christmas break and will definitely be back January 3rd, if not sooner.

Hope you have a VERY merry Christmas!

Love,

MoS

DIY Lighted Ornament Balls

Some of my favorite Christmas decorations have always been oversized ornament balls lit up on trees outside. 

I decided to make my own this year (with the help of my dad), and it was surprisingly easy!  To make the "frame" of the ball, you use chicken wire.  I went to Lowe's and bought a roll of the flimsiest chicken wire they had.  It is 24-inches tall.

I used wire cutters to cut the chicken wire into 45-inch pieces.   

I then wrapped the ends around each other to create a chicken wire "cylinder" of sorts.  Be careful because that chicken wire is mean stuff.  I have quite a few scratches on my arms from the project!

Then start closing the top and bottom of the cylinder together and work with the wire until it forms a ball.  It doesn't have to be perfect.

Mine are about 24-inches in diameter, so they are a decent size to hang up in the tree.

After you have made the chicken wire ball, wrap strands of lights around them.  I used some white ones and some colorful ones.

She's not much to look at in the daylight...

I made 4 ornament balls total.

But at night, they brighten up the dogwood tree in my front yard! 

Merry Christmas!

Champagne Nights and Sarreid Dreams

Newest design obsession- the Sarreid chest (or it might be "Sarried"- I see both spellings). This would make the perfect bedside table, and I need a new beside table with drawers to hide all my magazines and books that are always spilling everywhere! I am scouring Craigslist, Ebay, auction sites, etc. in hopes that Santa will deliver one of these to me in the next few weeks. Hopefully the stars will align like they did with my Espana chest! If you've seen one anywhere and want to throw me a tip, I'd be eternally grateful...no lead is too complicated and I'm definitely not opposed to having one shipped.

The bedside table vision....
Sumner Thorton via Left Coast Luxe

Of course they're easy to find on 1st Dibs...if you're willing to splash a little cash.

Someone better buy this guy in Akron stat...a complete steal even with shipping- the same thing is $2,800 on 1st Dibs! Unfortunately I'm looking for the slightly taller/narrower chest, but this is a beyond perfect coffee table size!

Anyway, hope everyone is having a happy Monday before Christmas- hard to believe Santa comes in just 6 days! Also, we just realized this is our 1,002th post! Wow! Hard to believe that when we started this blog we'd actually have 1,000+ things to say...thanks for reading them!

New on MoS Marketplace- Just in Time for Your Holiday Table!

Pair of Vintage Gold Pheasants

Pair of Twisted Brass Candlesticks

Order today so we can ship Monday for holiday arrival!



Check out What's New on MoS Marketplace!

We are adding lots of fun new listings to MoS Marketplace!  Order now for pre-Christmas delivery!

Vintage Large Silver Walnut

Coral and Red Antique Prayer Rug

Measures 33-inches by 40-inches

Vintage Hollywood Regency Gold Wire Leafy Tree

Brass Turtle with Greek Key Detailing

Chinoiserie Porcelain and Brass Jewelry Tray

Vintage Brass Lobster

Order this weekend, and we will ship Monday in time for Christmas delivery!  And be sure to check back tomorrow for some more new listings!

Our Favorite Christmas Ornaments!

Like just about everyone else in the world, we love decorating for Christmas!  I like to buy one or two new ornaments each year, so here are some of this year's favorites!

The Girl (or guy) About Town:

A miniature version of Jeff Koon's iconic balloon dog (thanks to my dear friend Traci Z for hunting as far as CALIFORNIA to find one for me:)

 

Urban Outfitters Balloon Dog Ornament

An ornament-sized version of Robert Indiana's pop art LOVE sculpture:

No longer available at Urban Outfitters online, but they have them at the Charlotte store

Chic Mamas (of babies and fur-babies):

We love Jonathan Adler's menagerie of vintage-inspired pottery animals.

Jonathan Adler Gorilla Ornament at Furbish

 A pair of green glassy snails is an unexpected addition to a Christmas tree!

Green Snail Ornaments at Crate and Barrel

Vintage Fashion Lover:

Artist and scarf designer Vera Neumann's designs have been translated to Christmas balls available at the Met Store.  We love the designs and colors!

Vera Neumann Ornaments at The Met Store

Not-So-Basic-Balls:

These silver sunburst balls are so cute you could use them all year long!

Silver Starburst Balls from Crate and Barrel

Add a punch of color with blown glass balls.

West Elm Blown Glass Balls

Glittery green balls would be gorgeous on a green and turquoise tree!

Set of 3 Glittery Balls at Crate and Barrel

This Missoni-esque zig zag pattern adds style to any tree!

Anthropologie Fireside Ornament

Have you found a favorite new ornament this year?  Tell us about it!

Pop Up Nativity Update

After blogging about Mexican nativity scenes the other week, I pulled the trigger and ordered this one from Direct from Mexico. When it arrived, not only was it was gorgeous on the outside....

But then, of course, it popped up to reveal a festive painted nativity scene inside!

I couldn't be more pleased- it's the perfect size to decorate a chest in my living room.

I'm sure I'll be enjoying it for years!

Have you sprung for any new Christmas decorations this year?

Another Craigslist Score!

This never happens to me...  But I posted Monday about my Craigslist brass chiavari chair score, and today I have another one to share!  A lady was selling some things that belonged to her grandmother that didn't really fit with her decor.  I spotted this pair of antique gold leaf and crystal sconces, and, assuming they were of the Italian gilt variety, asked her what she wanted for them.  She said she thought they were outdated, so I quickly mumbled something about my taste being "old-fashioned" and handed her her asking price of $15 cash before I ran for the door.  They did have these odd ceramic floral candles in them that yes, were very outdated.  But the sconces themselves were fab, and they go for A LOT more on eBay, 1st Dibs, and in antique stores.

I didn't inspect them closely before I left her house (since I bolted before she could change her mind), but as soon as I got home, I found what I hoped to find.  The "Made in Italy" sticker on the bottom of the sconce.  I have found myself becoming increasingly more aware of where things are made, especially since everything these days seems to be made in China.  I used to think it was silly to pay more for something made in Italy or France or even the USA, but now I have a different view.

I decided to hang them on my Albert Hadley-inspired living room wall, since one of my old sconces had broken.

I removed the ceramic floral candles and haven't added my own candles yet.

Excuse the dark photos, but I think they add a fun touch of glamour to the space! 

I still have a few feelings of guilt for not telling the seller that what she had was worth a lot more than $15.  Do you ever feel guilty about not disclosing to a Craigslist seller what they are selling? 

And the winner is...

Congrats to the winner of the Shower Niche Kit, entry #3, Cheryl!

Thanks to the talented folks at Shower Niche Kits for such a great giveaway!

Christmas Music and MIJA Jewelry Pop Up Store

I love Christmas music, but as the holidays grow closer, some of it starts driving me a little bit bonkers. Enter A Very She & Him Christmas, which I've had on constant rotation since downloading it on Saturday. It's mellow, it's understated, it features the adoooorable Zooey Deschanel...what more could you ask for?

If you're looking to mix up your old favorites with something new, definitely give this a whirl (or you can listen for free on Spotify).

In other news, this week/weekend, the lovely MIJA Jewelry is hosting a pop up store in Georgetown! I was first introduced to this label a few weeks ago during a bazaar at St. Albans that the school hosted in connection with its house tour. Their line is gorgeous and the pieces are original - I was especially drawn to their earrings. They also offer some lovely and age-appropriate children's jewelry.

These lapis earrings just might have my name on them.

Though the turquoise cocktail ring is also singing its siren song...

I'd recommend checking this out if you're still looking for a few last minute Christmas ideas for yourself or for someone special!