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Our Elegant {and even glamorous} Christmas Mantel

elegant chic christmas mantel decor
Last year our holiday mantel was decorated asymmetrical with lots of color, vintage ornaments and traditional fir & pine garland. As you can see, this year’s Christmas mantel is symmetrical, monochromatic and frankly more elegant. The Lee Industry arm chairs in chartreuse flanking the fireplace inspired the mantel’s color palette of greens and whites with splashes of gold and silver.
  
chic mini trees christmas mantel design
A trio of etched mercury cachepots from Pottery Barn are filled with crisp white feathers and playful white winter berries. A small collection of vintage and contemporary Christmas trees are set just off center and each pick up different colors in the palette {actually used these cuties last year}.
white silver green christmas mantel decor simplified bee
For a more formal look, a pair of small live fir trees are placed on either side of the mantel. Each tree is set in beautiful birch wrapped tins – this earthy element balances the sparkling silvers and glass and adds a warming neutral color that compliment the winter berries. Matching blown glass mercury candlesticks {Pottery Barn} hold chunky white candles and are placed next to each tree. The entire mantel is lined with fresh Heather and Camilla tree branches – love the varying textures and shades of green.
white winter berries snowman christmas mantel
Perched on a small present, a silvery white snowman ornament adds a whimsical touch.
silver green christmas mantel decor
Simple, low-maintenance moss balls are placed on a silver “trophies” picked up at an estate sale. I was told they were originally used to place cigarettes. Really? They look much better in this form I think.
metallic glass ornament wreath diy silver gold
Hanging from the hammered tin mirror is a glass ornament wreath inspired by Eddie Ross’ in 2008. This was a fun DIY project and easy to do. The glass ornaments are a combination of ones found at an estate sale {vintage for $1} and Goodwill {$1 for two dozen – brand new}. Here is the how to by Eddie.
chic christmas horse decor and stockings
A proud white ceramic horse stands stately atop vintage Lucite nesting tables and favorite design books. It’s fun to take everyday home décor items like this and make them holiday ready by simply adding a little festive ribbon and tinsel. A chic Moroccan inspired print fabric is added to crushed avocado green velvet stockings. The pair are hang from a single panel fireplace  screen – love how the patterns in the screen and stocking play off one another. Swags of silver tinsel are added to the mantel for a touch of glam.
Need some more inspiration? Go here are fabulous ideas on how to decorate your mantel for the holidays.

Happy Decorating, Happy Holidays!


* all photos by Cristin Priest for Simplified Bee
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Read full story By on November 30, 2010 in Christmas, DIY, Holiday, holiday decor, home accessories, mantels, simplified bee portfolio

My Casual Chic Thanksgiving Table

Before I head back into the kitchen, I wanted to share some glimpses of our casual chic Thanksgiving table this year. In the images the table is set for four, but tomorrow it will be extended to seat a few more guests.

 

Contemporary patterns in greens, blues and browns are mixed and play off the Italian China. The yarn turkey place cards were made a few weeks back. I love how they look on the napkin by Pomegranate.
A gilded pheasant figurine, collection of colorful gourds and chartreuse vintage hobnail glass vase with white baby roses make fun centerpiece.

 

The pheasant figurine was found at a local consignment store for $12. I spray painted it gold – thank you Mr. Eddie Ross for the inspiration!

william arthur ward appreciation quote

Thanks for reading Simplified Bee! Wishing you and yours a very happy Thanksgiving!
* all photos by Cristin Priest for Simplified Bee
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Read full story By on November 25, 2010 in DIY, Entertaining, holiday decor, simplified bee portfolio, Thanksgiving

Thanksgiving Place Card Ideas and Wembé Giveaway Winners

Thanksgiving. It’s just days away. Whether formal or casual, your table setting and décor will set the tone of the gathering. Setting out place cards for guests is something I do even when entertaining a small group. It puts guests at ease and can add a fun decorative element to the tabletop. Here are some place card ideas perfect for celebrating Thanksgiving: 

thanksgiving place cards autumn leaf

These handcrafted autumn leaf place cards by Timeless Paper simply perch on wine glasses. Made of cream or white card stock and embellished with custom colored dots, you only need to hand write your guests’ names in the spaces. Such an elegant touch to any table.
thanksgiving place cards printable diy paper
Paper Source featured these simple printable place cards on their blog recently. An edging of yellow ink  from a stamp ink pad and a simple raffia bow adds the perfect color and texture. Easily adapted to any color scheme too. Here’s the how to.
thanksgiving leaf place cards diy
Here is another Thanksgiving place card idea from Martha Stewart. Name cards are topped with leaves for a whimsical look that is inexpensive and easy to do yourself. Here is the how to.
thanksgiving yarn turkey place card diy
Here is one of the turkey place cards I made for our tabletop this year. The project needed paper, yarn and glue – and of course a little time. Super simple. I found the idea and how to on Martha Stewart.
If you will be a lucky guest this holiday season, providing the hostess with a small thank you gift is always a nice jester. Go here to see some great hostess gifts under $40. 100 organic and natural soaps from Wembé a Paraguayan Eco-lux soap company made the list.

hostess gifts wembe amazon soaps natural

The nice folks at Wembé Soaps also hosted a giveaway; The two lucky Simplified Bee readers are Wendy and Studio 13. Each has won a Frutal Energizing Set of their luxurious soaps. Enjoy!

random wembe giveaway winner two

Congrats and happy holiday decorating!
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Read full story By on November 19, 2010 in DIY, Entertaining, green design, holiday decor, Thanksgiving

Holiday Dinner Guest: Top 10 Hostess Gifts Under $40 & GIVEAWAY

Even though hosting a Thanksgiving, Christmas or Hanukkah dinner can be fun, it’s also nice to just simply be a guest. If you will be a dinner guest this holiday season, bringing a thoughtful hostess gift is thoughtful and greatly appreciated. A nice bottle of wine, homemade baked goods or a lovely bouquet of flowers is always well received. However, if you are running short on time and want to bring something a little different this year, here are my top ten stylish hostess gifts under $40:

best hostess gifts utopia elephant mugs jonathan adler

One. Jonathan Adler’s Utopia Elephant Mug – perhaps filled with flowers, chocolates or favorites teas.

best hostess gifts monogram stamp

Two. A Single Monogram Stamp – Something your hostess could use again and again.

best hostess gifts knit hand warmers cashmere red

Three. Cashmere Hand Warms at Restoration Hardware – The perfect gift to warm hands and hearts.

best hostess gifts monogrammed melamine plates

Four. A Stylish Personalized Plate by La Plate – Just add homemade holiday cookies and this makes a very thoughtful and chic hostess gift. 

best hostess gift stationary pink orange elephants paper source

Five. Elephant Letterpress Stationary at Paper Source – Who doesn’t love receiving exquisite letterpress notecards?

best hostess gift bee honey buzzz Jme English

Six. Jamie Oliver’s Jme  -100 English Honey at Williams Sonoma – Yum.

10 things jayson home bee candles

Seven. Journey of the Bee candle from Paddywax – Had to include a bee!

hostess gift squirrel wine stopper
Eight. Ceramic Squirrel Bottle Stopper by Jonathan Adler at Anthropologie – So sweet.

hostess gift monogrammed salt pepper shakers dabney lee
Nine. Monogrammed Salt  & Pepper Shakers by Dabney Lee – So fresh and fun… perfect for the hostess that has everything!

hostess gifts wembe amazon soaps natural

Ten. Wembé Soaps from the Amazon – Love that they are 100 natural and organic. Who wouldn’t want one?

Giving you a jump on your holiday shopping, the nice folks at Wembé Soaps are giving away a Frutal Energizing Set of their luxurious soaps to not one, but two lucky Simplified Bee Readers. The combination of these three frutal blends, mango, citric and passion fruit invigorate, emolliate and cleanse skin naturally.

To enter, simply leave a comment letting me know which scents or products you love at Wembé {leave your email if I don’t have a way to contact you}. For extra entries:

• Bec
ome a new follower of Simplified Bee’s Blog, Twitter or Facebook Page.
• Become a follower of Wembé on Twitter or Facebook.
• Mention this giveaway in a post or tweet, then leave a comment letting me know.
• Please post a separate comment for each extra entry.
• Open to US & Canadian residents only.
• Entry period closes at midnight PST, Wednesday, November 17, 2010.

Good luck!

* Wembé is hosting the giveaway, but this is not a paid advertisement
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Read full story By on November 10, 2010 in Christmas, Giveaways, holiday decor, Thanksgiving