Birthday Party

Back in May Vince turned 26 and we celebrated by throwing a Birthday Party Picnic and Game Night. The first part of the get together was held in a local park a short walk from our apartment. After a picnic dinner, we retired to the house to play a competitive game of 'Ticket to Ride', which Vince fittingly won.

Baking cookies for the party. Chocolate chip are always a hit.

Setting up the picnic area. The invitation had bottles on it in the same colors as these fun 'olde-tyme' bottles that I found at Trader Joe's.

Picnicing.

After dinner games at our apartment.

Vince, the birthday boy on the right.

It was a delightful evening. I can't wait to host another game night at our apartment! I'm already plotting some new dining room decorations just for the occasion!

Bedroom Details

Here are a few pictures of our bedroom this winter capturing the vignette on the vanity. I finally found the perfect white bust that I had been covetting for so long. I adore the antique mirror with all of its imperfections. The antique metal frames around the bedroom often showcase my favorite vintage jewelry pieces. We're fortunate to have two walls of windows in our bedroom, so when it snows, you feel like you're inside a snowglobe - it's delightful.

Rhinestone Pocket Watches!

While looking through my picture files last night I was reminded of how much I love antique rhinestone pocket watches as necklaces - so glamorous! I had favorited quite a few in my etsy searches, but had not purchased one yet... Until last night, when I found the above beauty and knew that the time had come. So, she's on her way to my house to be worn as a necklace - and she really works, too!

Here are a few of the other beautiful rhinestone pocket watches available on etsy...

$42 from redtruckdesigns

Love this one so much, too!

$89 from 2007musarra

Show stopper!

$35 from bajunajewelrydestash

So sweet.

February Inspirations

Mmm...isn't February a lovely month? It's my Birthday month, Valentine's day, and a month full of beautiful winter wonderland weather. Here are a few images that are inspiring me this month.

Vintage Gold & Crystal Candleholders

These are one of the latest additions to my decorating accessories - vintage gold and crystal candleholders. These are brass and are quite heavy with hanging crystal prisms. There are so many variations on this type of candleholder. Some have marble bases, others come with matching bowl centerpiece. They are common at antique stores and also easily found on Etsy, where I purchased this pair.

I have a pair of similar candleholders in my living room, but was inspired to use them as a dining room table centerpiece after seeing a pair on a television show 'The City'. I thought they looked cute, especially amongst the otherwise modern decor.

Screenshot from 'The City'

Chandelier: Adding a little Glitz

The Chandelier has been decked out with lots of crystals to make it a little more glamorous. We rent, so painting or changing the light fixture is (sadly) out of the question. It was easy to string the beads onto beading wire and attach the strands to the chandelier with earring french wires looped through the holes in the chandelier.

Now to take care of the light bulb covers. I'm thinking of making covers out of glass beads to bring a vintage and more sophisticated flair to the chandelier. I'm thinking something like this:

These fabulous beaded glass chandelier covers are made by a AtelierDeLumiere on Etsy. They're stunning! Probably worth the $40 price tag, too.

I love this antique light cover available on Etsy. Look at how it opens - isn't that cool?

Here is yet another antique beaded light cover available on Etsy.

Smocked Pillows On Etsy...a few more!

I adore these gingham plaid smocked pillows! They're so fabulous!

Red Gingham Pillow ($14).

Black Gingham Pillow ($12).

And if you're willing to pay a little more to have brand new pillows in your choice of color...this seller makes lovely vintage inspired smocked pillows.

Yellow Smocked Pillows ($84).

Orange Long Pillows ($84).

And, don't forget, there are plenty of vintage patterns and kits for smocked pillows available on Etsy and Ebay if you want to make your own in the color of your choice. They're not difficult to make, just a tad time consuming, but definitely worth it! They make a statement on any piece of furniture!