In With The Old!

I hope all of you had a wonderful Christmas and are gearing up to start the new year.  I can't believe it's almost 2013.  2013 should be an exciting year for us, as baby #3 is set to arrive this spring.  More on that to come!

I love using "something old" in every room.  I have thought for a while that my kitchen was missing something old.  My breakfast room has a vintage tole chandelier and settee, but it is a little trickier to incorporate something vintage into the kitchen itself. 

If you are like me, you probably have a few silver ice buckets sitting around.  They are so versatile, as you can use them on your bar when entertaining or to hold a beautiful flower arrangement.

As I was cooking over the holidays, I started thinking about the sad state of my kitchen utensil holder.  Boring and black.  I think it was a free gift with purchase when I bought my pots and pans.  Sad!

So I went up to my "butler's pantry" in my attic and grabbed this ice bucket.

I quickly moved all of my utensils over to it, and I love the result!   The ice bucket adds "something old" to my kitchen as well as an unexpected touch of glamour. 

Do you use any pieces in an unexpected way?

Friday Vignette

Balloons for New Years Eve!



via Pinterest

Friday Vignette

Christmas Bells



via Pinterest

Unadorned

This year, I didn't go all out with the Christmas decorations.  We have a tree (my 16-month old has removed all of the ornaments on the lower 36-inches), a nativity scene, advent calendar, and a wreath on the front door.  And I am totally okay with that.  My children are so excited for Christmas, and it has nothing to do with the decorations (or lack thereof) in our house this year. 

I decided not to add a bow to the wreath on our front door.  I love the wreath's natural shape, and it just feels a touch more modern and organic without a bow.

My mom goes to a small hardware store and buys perfect red velvet bows every year.  And they look beautiful at her house.  But I am liking the unadorned, bow-less look on my front door.  My friend Traci Zeller has a bow-less wreath, too.  And so do these folks:

Images via Pinterest

via Elle Decor

via Southern Living

via Southern Living

Do you prefer a wreath with our without a bow?

Heavy Hearts

Let the little children come unto me, and do not hinder them, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

- Matthew 19:14

My heart is so heavy today for the families who lost their precious children in Newtown.  As a mother, I cannot imagine anything more painful than losing a child.  Saturday morning, I woke up (after a sleepless night) hoping that it was all just a bad dream.  The details are so upsetting, so I have stopped reading the news about it.  I have been hugging my children extra tightly and thanking our teachers, who make so many sacrifices for our children every day.

I pray that these grieving families in Newtown will experience love, hope, and healing this Christmas season.  They are forever in our prayers.  

The Lord is close to the brokenhearted. 

-Psalm 34:18

Friday Vignette

Christmas at the beach



via

Speaking of Things Made in China...

Speaking of things made in China, I took a quick spin through Homegoods the other day, looking for picture frames for Christmas.  Having seen some nice pieces of furniture there (Hickory Chair, Drexel) in the past, I looked through the furniture to see if there were any treasures.  

This Lilly Pulitzer dresser jumped out at me.  It is adorable- lacquered and lined in a signature Lilly print.  I love the brass hardware, but I wish it was white white and not so off-white.  I also wish it wasn't $800.  I'm not sure that is going to fly off the shelf at Homegoods...

This modern red bar cart was pretty darn cute.  I like its geometric lines.

Every chair needs a place to set a drink (even if that drink is a sippy cup as in my house...), and this brushed chrome little table does just the trick.  I love the quatrefoil cut-outs.

Lacquered boxes always look lovely atop a stack of books.  These have pretty chinoiserie hardware.

My favorite aisle of Homegoods is the one with organic elements, like shells, horns, agate, etc.  This tray with horn handles is just like one I bought in Argentina for a LOT more money.

I have a weakness for anything koi.  This vase is a (Chinese) copy of the majolica version that costs so much more.  A pair would be pretty for setting a springtime table.

And finally, what I came for...  The frame selection was great.  I decided on these inlaid horn frames, in fun chevron and quatrefoil patterns.  Don't they look so much more expensive than $10 each?  They are heavy, and the quality is great.  And lest you think I am a hypocrite, they were made in Thailand not China!

Tuesday Marketwatch!

Hope your holiday season is off to a great start!  If yours is anything like ours, it is busy busy busy!  Even so, I've been busy shopping for MoS Marketplace and have a solid line-up for this week's new items!  

Here are a few (of many!) selections!

Fabulous Original Framed Zebra

Lidded Blue and White Ginger Jar

Peacock Wall Hangings

Pair of Large Ceramic Acorn Finials

Brass Birdcage

Check out all of our listings at www.mosmarketplace.bigcartel.com!

Friday Vignette

Topiary Christmas trees!



via Pinterest

Reading Between the Lines

Over the past few years, as I have become relatively well-versed in vintage goods, I am increasingly aware of where things are made.  Generally, if something vintage is made in Italy, France, England, or the USA, the quality is high and the style is good.  

We all know the big C-word, where it seems like everything is made today.  And whether true or not, to many people, myself included, the words "Made in China" are often synonymous with inferior quality.  I am not sure if it is due to my vintage obsession or my desire to purchase quality over quantity, but now I find myself checking labels before I buy something.  In fact, I will hesitate and often skip the purchase if it is made in China.

I guess I am not alone, because the folks at JCrew seem to be playing games with their descriptions in an attempt to convey that their clothes have Italian origins.  I snapped a quick pic from the latest JCrew catalog.

The description states, "The Cocoon Coat, in our stadium-cloth, inspired by extra-toasty stadium blankets and made just for us by Italy's Nello Gori Mill."  Sounds like the coat is made in Italy, right?  When you look more closely at the tiny description on the side, you see that code word that just screams MADE IN CHINA-  "Import."  For anything in their catalog that is actually manufactured in Italy, the words "Made in Italy" are typed in the boldest of prints.  But here, the word "Import" (as is printed beside 90% of the items in the catalog, even those with seemingly Italian roots), shows the discerning purchaser that while the fabric may be made in Italy, the garment itself is made in China, even though the word China is nowhere to be found in the catalog description.

This is just one of many examples of this description game-playing in the catalog.  Does this bother you?  I am sure the team of JCrew lawyers made sure the appropriate commas, italics, line breaks, and hyphens were located in the big bold description shown above so that they can argue that the description refers to the fabric, not the garment.  But to the average consumer, this description strikes me as misleading.

Do you check labels for the item's place of origin?  Does it ever affect your decision to purchase? 

Going on a Bear Hunt!

On Monday, we went on a field trip.  Well, it was really two field trips combined into one.  One for the kiddos to the zoo to see the bears:



and bison (this one is a statue, obvi).

And one for mama to a tiny town near the zoo to pick up a mirror.  A fabulous pagoda mirror.  A mirror I have always dreamed about but never found until now! 

And the ride home- a successful field trip indeed!

Isn't she a beaut?

Tuesday Marketwatch!

We have some great new listings in store this week on MoS Marketplace!

First, we have some fantastic vintage holiday pieces, such as these mercury glass ornaments.

Vintage Mercury Glass Ornaments

And a beautiful Italian nativity:

Vintage Nativity

Faux bamboo brass trays add glamour to any space.  This one is very large, measuring 22-inches long, making it perfect for a coffee table!

Large Faux Bamboo Brass Tray

In the market for a piece of modern, geometric art?  I am in love with the patterns and colors here.

Framed Geometric Oil on Canvas

A pierced blanc de chine lamp is a lovely touch in any room and works well with so many different styles.

Pierced Blanc de Chine Lamp

This is less than half of what we listed this week!  Check it all out at MoS Marketplace! 

I'm Loving Lately...

Remember my friend Jane's FABULOUS shop in Aiken, SC, called Folly?  Just in time for your holiday gift-giving, Folly has just introduced an exciting new line of bag accessories called Folly's Clips and Tassels.  These chic accessories add style and personality to any bag strap, from a fancy Kelly to a canvas tote.  The designs include all of my favorites, from leather tassels to gold equestrian stirrups, alligators, pagodas, and shells.  The quality is great, and they come beautifully wrapped.  What a perfect holiday gift!

Have you decorated yet?  I always love adding beachy touches to my home, in small ways.  These oyster shell Christmas trees are well-priced and such a fun way to decorate for the holidays.



If you have children, you are probably giving a few framed photos as gifts this year.  Finding a pretty frame is always a challenge, but check out these arched silver frames from Pottery Barn (not the one in the front but the double one and the large one in the back).  Aren't the arched lines fabulous?  Love the white mat, too.

Finally, I am obsessed with this weekend find!  It's a handwoven fuchsia oushak rug (12'10 by 3'2) with lavendar, turquoise, and cream accents- it looks redder in pictures, but it is fuchsia in person.  It has a bit of wear consistent with its age but is in fabulous condition.  Perfect to brighten up a hallway or (large) kitchen!

Sadly, it is a smidge too wide for my hallway.  If you are interested, email me at mattersofstyle@gmail.com!