Holiday Gift Guide - $5-$500

<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://issuu.com/surroundings/docs/surroundings_nov_dec_2010?viewMode=magazine"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbIG2oEjEoDLzp5pTQVE89azTgBLkOPQjn4D-35okTP8NC9RnJuFImsjtbTr-QL9NVoqOtOVkhtHVJ59sa2WNqyaZ2W9ExsMZQH77UiQp372WH3vzllGtmXQVCRnh-iLQdj7s1IEojYfvs/s640/Surroundings%252BNov%252BDec%252B2010.jpg" width="492" /></a></div><br /><br />In my Holiday Style issue of my digital mag::E::zine <a href="http://issuu.com/surroundings/docs/surroundings_nov_dec_2010?viewMode=magazine">::Surroundings::</a>, I included 15 great gift ideas from $5 to nearly $500. <br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://issuu.com/surroundings/docs/surroundings_nov_dec_2010?viewMode=magazine"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgh-fE_7SYYo4RTXKzuuo8RPra3UMkKDhhaQIg1WXBVK3hh4wu8qiZ5K0KkiRyHDsjMcnYvu9QksELRy1san-yYg2eYcfsxlNs2Q_b7glDKFQ74LCkkHFiFmXc0TigKrnD7XlEMABgYmBfT/s640/Surroundings%25E3%259A%258B%25EF%25B8%258D%25EE%259C%25BE%25EF%25BF%25BD%25E7%2592%2596%25E2%25AC%25AD.jpg" width="492" /></a></div>If you haven't had a chance to check it out, <a href="http://issuu.com/surroundings/docs/surroundings_nov_dec_2010?viewMode=magazine">click here</a> and go to page 5 for all details and links. And Happy Shopping!<br /><br /><br /><a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com/" target="_blank"><img src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/54487/40/61AD69B5456EE9E48D48218DA34439B1.png" style="background: none repeat scroll 0% 0% transparent; border: 0pt none ! important;" /></a> <br /><a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/blogspot/EQjz" rel="alternate" type="application/rss+xml"><img alt="" src="http://www.feedburner.com/fb/images/pub/feed-icon16x16.png" style="border: 0pt none; vertical-align: middle;" /></a> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/blogspot/EQjz" rel="alternate" type="application/rss+xml">Subscribe to ::Surroundings::</a>

Holiday Gift Guide - $5-$500

In my Holiday Style issue of my digital mag::E::zine ::Surroundings:: , I included 15 great gift ideas from $5 to nearly $500. If you haven...

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Oh, Yes We Need a Little Christmas (tree!)

<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgc5Z0-xfMFJS1xVgu1tmF0S-YljScVz4JgEBl-GL0dafWryqnx_ucC6oGTlsmkcLDQi6azkRfZEbxypTDUXN42tLV-WPrsFBgWkHpyMr4S1N5e9YMIWdl_3K7E4bXCVvISiefnm6kNfgd1/s1600/Star.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgc5Z0-xfMFJS1xVgu1tmF0S-YljScVz4JgEBl-GL0dafWryqnx_ucC6oGTlsmkcLDQi6azkRfZEbxypTDUXN42tLV-WPrsFBgWkHpyMr4S1N5e9YMIWdl_3K7E4bXCVvISiefnm6kNfgd1/s640/Star.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>When I was little, we had an ancient electrified tree stand that had three large lightbulbs (yellow, red and green) that pointed upwards under the tree.  I used to crawl under the tree and read my Christmas books by the colored lights on the tree and the stand. It was always very magical. We usually bought a standard chopped down tree somewhere, however, one year my Dad decided he wanted to get a living tree and then plant it in the yard. So, he dug a hole before the ground froze and covered it up till it was time to plant the tree after Christmas. Unfortunately, the freezing northern New Jersey winter wasn't a suitable climate and the tree didn't make it. <br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5285/5258238732_5546cd76a9_z.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5285/5258238732_5546cd76a9_z.jpg" width="480" /> </a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div>In my twenties, I was living in Boston and for a while I lived in the North End, the historically Italian section of the city (I'm of Irish/English descent, but they let me in anyway!) That was before the Central Artery was taken down and the elevated highway bisected the city, cutting off the No. End and waterfront from downtown.  I didn't have a car and used to buy my Christmas tree at the pop-up tree lot down the street, under the overpass. I'd then drag it up the street behind me and then up the stairs in my building. It's amazing there were any needles left after all that. I lived alone and as any single person will attest - it's very difficult to get a tree into a tree stand solo. But I managed.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5170/5257627481_ab0efa9943_z.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5170/5257627481_ab0efa9943_z.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>In my thirties, I lived for a few years up in Newburyport, MA which is a beautiful seacoast city just south of the New Hampshire border.  I didn't actually get a Christmas tree some years. Sometimes it was because I was too busy and one year it rained every weekend and I didn't want to stuff a wet tree in my small Saturn to get it home. So I made due with a few big wreaths that I decorated with my growing collection of ornaments. When I moved into my first condo that had a beautiful fireplaced living room, I really wanted to make a big deal of Christmas. I had a convertible by that point and would drive my tree home in the backseat with the top down - which must have been quite a sight. <br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5162/5258237312_db133e7fe5_z.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5162/5258237312_db133e7fe5_z.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br />In my current condo, I have a sloped ceiling which is sixteen feet at its peak.  For a few years, I had a friend who would pick up a tree for me and put it up. One year, he showed up with a ten footer to take advantage of the space. It was huge and actually blocked out the sun and required furniture to be moved around. We also had to buy more lights, a sturdier tree stand and he needed a ladder to do the lights and put the topper on. Luckily, he also took the tree away for me after the holiday. My town is on the ocean and people bring their Christmas trees over to the beach to be used to prevent erosion over the winter. <br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5162/5258236146_4553641647_z.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5162/5258236146_4553641647_z.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><br />Generally speaking, however, I prefer a smaller, more manageable tree and some years I just do big decorated wreaths.  Every year is a little bit different, which I kind of like. One thing is that I refuse to let it drive me crazy. I know if I had kids I'd be more consistent. <br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5126/5258236632_121768969f_z.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5126/5258236632_121768969f_z.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><i><span style="font-size: x-small;">This ornament is non-negotiable, it will always been on my Christmas tree. It was made by my Grandmother near the end of her life when she was in a nursing home. She gave it to my mother who always put it on her tree in a prominent location and when she decided she was done with dealing with Christmas trees, I've taken over the tradition. </span></i><br /><br />However, for all that, I do love a pretty tree and I love to reminisce over my collection of ornaments. My two best girlfriends and I give each other ornaments every year and I have many of my mother's ornaments when she decided she was done decorating Christmas tree.  I like to change up my decorating each year, but I still want to use some or all of my ornaments. <br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5127/5258235684_3b4b0ee268_b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5127/5258235684_3b4b0ee268_b.jpg" width="426" /></a></div>This year, I was offered a tree from the folks at <a href="http://www.greenvalleychristmastrees.com/">Green Valley Christmas Trees</a>, a mail order Christmas Tree company. After dragging trees through streets, in the backseat of a convertible or forgoing altogether - a tree delivered right to my doorstep seemed like a pretty neat idea. Plus, they say they cut them down the same day as shipping so they arrive fresher than the average pre-cut tree. I ordered a modest 4.5' tree and it was on my door step 3 days later. The box seemed quite small and yet when unpacked, it yielded a tree that just about 4.5' and has a beautiful shape.<br /><br />I discovered last year that the best tree stand for me is this gold planter that I had hanging around. It's heavy and water tight and because it's deep with a smaller mouth opening, the tree just sits in it nicely, with no need to screw anything in.  Plus, I can fill with a lot of water.  And I think it's pretty!<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5167/5258235052_ce2b7811b7_b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5167/5258235052_ce2b7811b7_b.jpg" width="462" /></a></div>This year, I decided to go with a predominantly gold theme to my tree and used all my gold ornaments, with some gold trimmed burlap ribbon, gold beads and a big gold star. A few touches of red and white round it out. <br /><br />At this point, I've had the tree for a little over a week and it's still fresh and smells great. I understand that the concept of mail order Christmas trees is really catching on. I did give some thought about the efficiency of this system, however, the reality, most people purchase trees that are pre-cut and those trees were shipped in from tree farms in other locations, so it's not much different. <br /><br /><a href="http://www.greenvalleychristmastrees.com/">Green Valley Christmas Trees</a> offers free shipping on their trees and wreaths. The trees are pricier than their tree-lot compatriots, but there is always a premium to pay for direct delivery and freshness. I wanted to thank Green Valley for offering me a tree to review. All opinions are my own and are not in exchange for free goods or services. <br /><br />How do you get your tree home?<br /><br /><a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com/" target="_blank"><img src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/54487/40/61AD69B5456EE9E48D48218DA34439B1.png" style="background: none repeat scroll 0% 0% transparent; border: 0pt none ! important;" /></a> <br /><a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/blogspot/EQjz" rel="alternate" type="application/rss+xml"><img alt="" src="http://www.feedburner.com/fb/images/pub/feed-icon16x16.png" style="border: 0pt none; vertical-align: middle;" /></a> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/blogspot/EQjz" rel="alternate" type="application/rss+xml">Subscribe to ::Surroundings::</a>

Oh, Yes We Need a Little Christmas (tree!)

When I was little, we had an ancient electrified tree stand that had three large lightbulbs (yellow, red and green) that pointed upwards und...

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The Skirted Roundtable chats with the one and only Kathryn M. Ireland!

<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1qGRNrAkljQQdjE3weSCwXztFnH1Gz8U2nJ08yEq49zPw-u0dooTISwNziANUH_5KOiz2vwGzc0g-wTOB9gnw3TNYokbNclfAZsUUN6SRxEWclmqGIxLXaxzMyqim2VaemfAByDac49GF/s1600/Snapshot+2010-12-07+19-44-10.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1qGRNrAkljQQdjE3weSCwXztFnH1Gz8U2nJ08yEq49zPw-u0dooTISwNziANUH_5KOiz2vwGzc0g-wTOB9gnw3TNYokbNclfAZsUUN6SRxEWclmqGIxLXaxzMyqim2VaemfAByDac49GF/s400/Snapshot+2010-12-07+19-44-10.png" width="338" /> </a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Interiors and Textile Designer Kathryn Ireland took time out from the "crazy life" (3 boys, a busy design practice, textiles to design and sell, books, and MORE!) to chat with Joni, Megan and me at <a href="http://skirtedroundtable.blogspot.com/2010/12/kathryn-m-ireland-visits-skirted.html">The Skirted Roundtable. Have a listen</a> to the voice behind these gorgeous designs! </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4YLrNSrPuUL4j_-m7Q_ffa_k8b3HjvzrIaGyf3pzKwPagGhvyvRGE8szuZ6hY8m8qfSN6ykvC14iHo5BNViaWnx3spQGO3isoFCnSF2kDBeFVQOpFK_AUkaINLdS8iw0RaLTkizhGnjov/s1600/Snapshot+2010-12-07+19-33-08.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4YLrNSrPuUL4j_-m7Q_ffa_k8b3HjvzrIaGyf3pzKwPagGhvyvRGE8szuZ6hY8m8qfSN6ykvC14iHo5BNViaWnx3spQGO3isoFCnSF2kDBeFVQOpFK_AUkaINLdS8iw0RaLTkizhGnjov/s1600/Snapshot+2010-12-07+19-33-08.png" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzGAC2qnl3Sd5MICLVKFUJgdVbxpYAMA4DPS2P86btsd4ZK2FQbah8rfiu15xe_bFNlnCtP4QHklLGIxVUJjG47I4iyVdarUUgsvf4qwYar1kWqsx8pF7M3jklPCL2O9-1MBAQjAYh0g_s/s1600/Snapshot+2010-12-07+19-33-47.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="393" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzGAC2qnl3Sd5MICLVKFUJgdVbxpYAMA4DPS2P86btsd4ZK2FQbah8rfiu15xe_bFNlnCtP4QHklLGIxVUJjG47I4iyVdarUUgsvf4qwYar1kWqsx8pF7M3jklPCL2O9-1MBAQjAYh0g_s/s400/Snapshot+2010-12-07+19-33-47.png" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiI08aOnIAbcBlq_vhAnLjhj0pdLqGtfo0YFFrYxSLbYQjy8o5owA-2JrYzFtEUlBQFySfnddWbOM8774YIG5M3Ta4sj0eB7qbwAZi96WKk_GLm5dLzYDIfzdH4o41BU0tq4xKkAWcwfqlQ/s1600/Snapshot+2010-12-07+19-35-51.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiI08aOnIAbcBlq_vhAnLjhj0pdLqGtfo0YFFrYxSLbYQjy8o5owA-2JrYzFtEUlBQFySfnddWbOM8774YIG5M3Ta4sj0eB7qbwAZi96WKk_GLm5dLzYDIfzdH4o41BU0tq4xKkAWcwfqlQ/s640/Snapshot+2010-12-07+19-35-51.png" width="508" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJtDbHi4jAXnAF0wiEArT66unp6rSa2Vm3qZpX3IULbowLzGSRT8RhyphenhyphenF4DbSEbuigYkydyH9BlhpqcLb5lVP9y0Gx3g6Jg2TS8PgPWeCgqWK-5FVntnn2AnNFIL-hfpoD69frIc4SHS2Vw/s1600/Snapshot+2010-12-07+19-42-16.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJtDbHi4jAXnAF0wiEArT66unp6rSa2Vm3qZpX3IULbowLzGSRT8RhyphenhyphenF4DbSEbuigYkydyH9BlhpqcLb5lVP9y0Gx3g6Jg2TS8PgPWeCgqWK-5FVntnn2AnNFIL-hfpoD69frIc4SHS2Vw/s1600/Snapshot+2010-12-07+19-42-16.png" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheraLjlxVJysW3lp6Np1h6rfcRiRgzSkbcwcGnuFmhvAjFDGHbQAmj9QYJH1h3mmlU1G8hiGqx988zsQmS6wFjiQPdadCtFuQ5AK24tzgwl_z8-5uWjsjuOXNu0In70OFoBjy9qRtuBrV4/s1600/Snapshot+2010-12-07+19-42-56.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="318" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheraLjlxVJysW3lp6Np1h6rfcRiRgzSkbcwcGnuFmhvAjFDGHbQAmj9QYJH1h3mmlU1G8hiGqx988zsQmS6wFjiQPdadCtFuQ5AK24tzgwl_z8-5uWjsjuOXNu0In70OFoBjy9qRtuBrV4/s400/Snapshot+2010-12-07+19-42-56.png" width="400" /></a></div><br /><br /><br /><br /><a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com/" target="_blank"><img src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/54487/40/61AD69B5456EE9E48D48218DA34439B1.png" style="background: none repeat scroll 0% 0% transparent; border: 0pt none ! important;" /></a> <br /><a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/blogspot/EQjz" rel="alternate" type="application/rss+xml"><img alt="" src="http://www.feedburner.com/fb/images/pub/feed-icon16x16.png" style="border: 0pt none; vertical-align: middle;" /></a> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/blogspot/EQjz" rel="alternate" type="application/rss+xml">Subscribe to ::Surroundings::</a>

The Skirted Roundtable chats with the one and only Kathryn M. Ireland!

  Interiors and Textile Designer Kathryn Ireland took time out from the "crazy life" (3 boys, a busy design practice, textiles to ...

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