Holiday Transitions

<div xmlns='http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml'> <p>This is a Sponsored post written by me on behalf of <a href="http://app.socialspark.com/disclosure_clicks?oid=363862" rel="nofollow">Pier 1 Imports</a>. All opinions are 100% mine.</p> <p> When <a href="http://app.socialspark.com/clicks?lid=1672&oid=363862" rel="nofollow">Pier 1</a> asked me to come up with some great <a href="http://app.socialspark.com/clicks?lid=1162&oid=363862" rel="nofollow">holiday entertaining</a> ideas, I thought it would be a fun way to usher in the season. One thing I love is a holiday table and while I'd love to have a separate set of dishes for each season or holiday, I simply don't have room for it. And it's not that necessary anyway. The same set of dishes can go from Thanksgiving to Christmas with just a swapping out of a few small pieces and accessories. So, I challenged myself to do that with items from Pier 1.</p> <p> I started with some new dishes for the basis of my Thanksgiving to Christmas table:</p> <p> I love green and I love a bead detail, so the Spice Route dishes in Clove Green are right up my alley. I also felt these would pair nicely with my cream Wedgwood dinner plates that also have a bead detail.</p> <p style='text-align: center;'> <img alt="" src=" http://media.pier1.com/img/pier1com/productimages/2489438_2489438_2489440.jpg" style="width: 240px; height: 240px;"/></p> <p> For my Thanksgiving table, I paired the green dishes with a pretty bird on a branch dish I found at Pier 1:</p> <p style='text-align: center;'> <span style='display: none;' _fck_bookmark='1'> </span><img alt="" src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4052/5195144857_2ca2bf387e_z.jpg" style="height: 311px; width: 466px;"/><span style='display: none;' _fck_bookmark='1'> </span></p> <p>  </p> <p> I topped the dishes with these cute little leaf bowls, which I imagine could be used for a soup or other side dish.</p> <p style='text-align: center;'> <span style='display: none;' _fck_bookmark='1'> </span><img alt="" src="http://media.pier1.com/img/pier1com/productimages/2381463.jpg" style="width: 240px; height: 240px;"/><span style='display: none;' _fck_bookmark='1'> </span></p> <p> I used my existing linens (yes, green again - have I mentioned how much I love green!) and found these great feather napkin rings, which reminded me of turkey feathers:</p> <p style='text-align: center;'> <span style='display: none;' _fck_bookmark='1'> </span><img alt="" src="http://media.pier1.com/img/pier1com/productimages/2481197.jpg" style="width: 240px; height: 240px;"/><span style='display: none;' _fck_bookmark='1'> </span></p> <p>  </p> <p> And so, we have a festive and colorful Thanksgiving meal:</p> <p style='text-align: center;'> <span style='display: none;' _fck_bookmark='1'> </span><span style='display: none;' _fck_bookmark='1'> </span><img alt="" src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5162/5195745436_26db37714e_z.jpg" style="width: 503px; height: 342px;"/><span style='display: none;' _fck_bookmark='1'> </span><span style='display: none;' _fck_bookmark='1'> </span></p> <p>  </p> <p> Okay, so fast forward 30 days and it's time to set the Christmas table. </p> <p style='text-align: center;'> <span style='display: none;' _fck_bookmark='1'> </span><img alt="" src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4151/5195747158_087a5cc2a7_z.jpg" style="width: 469px; height: 312px;"/><span style='display: none;' _fck_bookmark='1'> </span></p> <p> I thought that the bird dishes have a certain "Partridge in a pear tree"  look about them and decided that they would work for Christmas as well.   I swapped out the leaf bowl for a clear  glass mini-compote.  I added these  ruffled red napkins and glittering  glass bead bird napkin rings.</p> <p style='text-align: center;'> <span style='display: none;' _fck_bookmark='1'> </span><img alt="" src="http://media.pier1.com/img/pier1com/productimages/2481968-2481927.jpg" style="width: 240px; height: 240px;"/><span style='display: none;' _fck_bookmark='1'> </span></p> <p style='text-align: center;'>  </p> <p>  </p> <p style='text-align: center;'> <span style='display: none;' _fck_bookmark='1'> </span><img alt="" src="http://media.pier1.com/img/pier1com/productimages/2487965_2487978.jpg" style="width: 240px; height: 240px;"/><span style='display: none;' _fck_bookmark='1'> </span></p> <p style='text-align: center;'>  </p> <p> And here we have the final Christmas table:</p> <p style='text-align: center;'> <img alt="" src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5001/5195146787_4edbe57a66_z.jpg" style="width: 536px; height: 357px;"/></p> <p> As you can see, it only takes a few well-chosen accessories to move from holiday to holiday. I hope you  enjoy yours! And, while we're enjoying ourselves let's not forget those less fortunate.  Pier 1 is accepting unwrapped  toys or cash donations  for Toys for Tots, or if you "like" Pier 1 on Facebook during the month of November, they will donate $1 to Toys for Tots.</p> <p> <a href="http://app.socialspark.com/disclosure_clicks?oid=363862" rel="nofollow"> <img alt="Visit Sponsor's Site" border="0" src="http://app.socialspark.com/views?oid=363862" style="border:none;"/> </a></p> </div>

Holiday Transitions

This is a Sponsored post written by me on behalf of Pier 1 Imports . All opinions are 100% mine. When  Pier 1 asked me t...

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It takes a village - to fill two pages

Well, as I posted on Friday (and you'll see on my sidebar) I published my third issue of Surroundings Magazine - The Holiday Style Guide. It's a lot of fun for me to put this together, but it's a lot of work to do only twelve pages. Seriously - I have new found respect for the <a href="http://www.ruemag.com/">Rue Girls</a> (their 2nd issue is due literally any moment now) and the folks at <a href="http://www.lonnymag.com/">Lonny</a>, both of whom put out 200-300 page publications. Of course, they have staff people, but likely not legions of staff, just a few really talented people. I, on the other hand, have just me and I'm pretty cantankerous and am known to whine about holiday bonuses, especially at 3 A.M. Management doesn't find that behavior very productive, but is not yet ready for staff changes. Staff thinks Management should provide a better work environment and stop the late night hours. Picket lines are forming on both sides.<br /><br />Anyway, last weekend (7 whole days ago) I wrote to several of my favorite blog and design friends and asked them to provide me with their best tip for holiday entertaining, or ideas for hostess gifts. Basically, just some little nugget - because this is certainly a group that has lots of nuggets of goodness in their design holsters. Mixed metaphor's aside, they are THE BEST. Within 4 days, I'd received eleven fantastic responses, complete with photos (in some cases staged for this purpose) and great ideas. <br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://issuu.com/surroundings/docs/surroundings_nov_dec_2010"><img border="0" height="282" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMG1CFc4xVYIaylNakQpmdf-US3g9jGcdGbP2pZFnr0uwAoDOQFINvdULuazNjp2tc7FBGwxh2R5OhpyHPLWdBDNR5lMCaU5u0WZjqUJ0GfdHsCmN225G5hdRA7kojaiMG6CNLOxmo-CZr/s400/Surroundings+mag%253A%253AE%253A%253Azine+November%253ADecember+2010_1290380954622.png" width="400" /></a></div><br />So,I wanted to take a moment to thank my very generous friends for their excellent ideas and participation. I know how busy you all are and I appreciate your support!<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;">Eddie Ross - <a href="http://eddieross.com/">EddieRoss.com</a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Greet LeFevre - <a href="http://www.belgianpearls.blogspot.com/">Belgian Pearls</a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Stacy Kunstel - <a href="http://stacystyle.wordpress.com/">StacyStyle</a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Grant K. Gibson - <a href="http://grantkgibson.blogspot.com/">GrantKGibson, The Blog</a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Megan Arquette - <a href="http://www.beachbungalow8.blogspot.com/">Beach Bungalow 8</a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Vicki Archer - <a href="http://www.frenchessence.blogspot.com/">French Essence</a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Monika Claassen - <a href="http://splendidwillow.com/">Splendid Willow</a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Gina Milne - <a href="http://www.willowdecor.blogspot.com/">Willow Decor</a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Trish Allen - <a href="http://trouvais.com/">Trouvais</a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Joni Webb - <a href="http://www.cotedetexas.blogspot.com/">Cote de Texas</a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Scot Meacham Wood - <a href="http://www.tartanscot.blogspot.com/">Tartan Scot</a></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">You can read <a href="http://issuu.com/surroundings/docs/surroundings_nov_dec_2010">all their great tips here. </a></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div>Speaking of digital magazines, Megan, Joni and I chatted about the new field of digital magazines, including Rue and Lonny, and many others. <b>We're also hosting a give-a-way - a $200 shopping spree courtesy of One King's Lane!!</b>  So, stay tuned for that post up on Monday!<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>

It takes a village - to fill two pages

Well, as I posted on Friday (and you'll see on my sidebar) I published my third issue of Surroundings Magazine - The Holiday Style Guide...

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Surroundings mag::E::zine Holiday Style Issue is here!

<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://issuu.com/surroundings/docs/surroundings_nov_dec_2010"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwyHLuYJBKe7Jui7zOkd6-4lo2Rqy8y6XISxenaru8b5wW7aog70CBBN24ETUIOWDYjy-A1OMqM1Zk41L-71BWXG0q-iSyu1yYJ_2mxcmPyD6MbdChXcgwMrmL_pYT2CrtzrIJgJiuAecm/s400/NovDec+wrapped+cover.jpg" width="309" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div><embed align="middle" allowfullscreen="true" flashvars="mode=embed&layout=http%3A%2F%2Fskin.issuu.com%2Fv%2Flight%2Flayout.xml&showFlipBtn=true&autoFlip=true&autoFlipTime=6000&documentId=101119033827-661660bcb5d6446ebdcf0ffb91edf567&docName=surroundings_nov_dec_2010&username=Surroundings&loadingInfoText=Surroundings%20mag%3A%3AE%3A%3Azine%20November%2FDecember%202010&et=1290140036891&er=45" menu="false" name="flashticker" quality="high" salign="l" scale="noscale" src="http://static.issuu.com/webembed/viewers/style1/v1/IssuuViewer.swf" style="height: 272px; width: 420px;" type="application/x-shockwave-flash"></embed><br /><div style="text-align: left; width: 420px;"><a href="http://issuu.com/Surroundings/docs/surroundings_nov_dec_2010?mode=embed&layout=http%3A%2F%2Fskin.issuu.com%2Fv%2Flight%2Flayout.xml&showFlipBtn=true&autoFlip=true&autoFlipTime=6000" target="_blank">Open publication</a> - Free <a href="http://issuu.com/" target="_blank">publishing</a> - <a href="http://issuu.com/search?q=holidays" target="_blank">More holidays</a></div></div><br />I am thrilled to FINALLY release my Holiday Style Issue of Surroundings mag::E::zine. [Note to self: DO NOT start working on a November/December issue in November...just sayin'].<br /><br />I sent out a call to several of the most popular designers and bloggers out there and am so touched that they were willing to offer their favorite tips for entertaining, gift-giving and holiday traditions. I also include a roundup of 15 great gift ideas from $5 to $500. A little something pretty at all price points. I included my favorite cookie recipe (courtesy of Martha) and a guide for decorating for Bachelors - no more milk crates and leather sofas. So, click the link and read away. I'd love to know your thoughts!<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>

Surroundings mag::E::zine Holiday Style Issue is here!

Open publication - Free publishing - More holidays I am thrilled to FINALLY release my Holiday Style Issue of Surroundings mag::E::zine. [...

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