Christmas with Mary McDonald

Mary McDonald's Country English style Beverly Hills home was decorated for Christmas and featured in Veranda. Each Christmas she changes her decorations and this was her winter wonderland infused with Gilded Age glamour. She collects items and inspirations from her worldy travels, in which this year was from a trip to India in which she collected peacock feathers.

Tangerine topiaries with peacocks adorning the skirted side table

The amazing tree with peacock topper

Peacock feathers, fans and faux birds from India, pinecones, velvet ribbon, and dried/real and faux fruits embellish this holiday greenery and entranceway.

Spruce, Bay Leaf and Eucalyptus cuttings in urn

Pine garland and white paperwhites in dining room.

New York, New York!

I'm baacck! Here are a few cell phone photos from my trip to NYC...more to come! I hope everyone had a great Thanksgiving! Can't wait to check on what I missed while I was gone!

Love the color changing stars at Time Warner Center by Columbus Circle.

Frozen hot chocolate at Serendipity. One with a peanut butter twist...yum yum!

Nothing brings in the holiday season like Santa at the end of the Macy's Day Parade!

The infamous Laduree macarons which are flown in daily. They were divine!

Chestnuts roasting

The beautifully decorated Macy's

Canoli's in Little Italy

Beautiful flowers at Dean & Deluca

C. Wonder home accessories

Colorful C. Wonder home section

Goodies from Henri Bendel

The beautiful and festive Radio City Hall to see The Rockettes!

Thanksgiving fun

With Thanksgiving nearing us, here are some fun Thankgiving pictures I have been saving.

Sorry for my lack of posts here recently. I was traveling some for my work and this week my hubby and I leave for NYC for Thanksgiving fun! 

Table setting with pheasant feathers

White pumpkins and pinecones as table arrangment

Serving olives in acorn squash

Popcorn filled paper turkey for kids table

Fun Thanksgiving ikat print

Pumpkin butter would be great on pumpkin butter or biscuits

Honeycrisp Apple Sangria

It's not Thankgiving without Charlie Brown & Snoopy

All images and sources from my Pinterest

Fireballs

I used to call these "cannon balls for your fireplace". Well they are officially called fireballs...close enough right? I was intrigued by these since at first, I thought they were just decor for the fireplace, but then realized these nifty little balls are supposed to be soot free and provide an alternative to gas logs.

Love the black background so the fireballs stand out from Betsy Brown

In the bedroom Things that Inspire

Traditional style setting from Bungalow Home

Modern seating area

To get your own:

Pacific Fireplace

Tortoise Shell

I love tortoise shell frames, antique boxes, but I wanted to feature something I have seen popping up interiors which is the actual tortoise shell. They can be found hanging on the wall, or on a stand on a table as part of a tablescape. Sometimes they are lacquered, painted bleached or left raw.

 To be environmentally friendly, many people try to find an antique turtle shell or one that has been verified as naturally shed, but even better is using a replica/faux turtle shell, which is what Kelly Wearster used at the Tides Restaurant. I have heard stories of people who have found smaller turtle shells in the wild.

Tortoise shell mixed among other natural finds from Karen Robertson 

Tortoise shell rests on antique directors chair from Country Living

Built-in bar located in a little nook with a large turtle shell above from The Decorista

4 similar style tortoise shells arranged on the wall from Southall on 1st Dibs

Tortoise shells on the walls fro this small cottage style living room from Pinterest

Singular tortoise shell on stand from Tilton Fenwick

Mini tortoise shell on stand on top of porcupine quill box from Haus Design

 Natural Curiosities styled bookcase features tortoise shell from Muraca Design

Another Natural Curiosities inspired bookcase with light colored shell from Well Appointed House

Small light colored tortoise shell sits on side table from Victoria Hagan

Two tortoise shells above bird prints accentuate this island style room from Phoebe Howard

Two tortoise shells add symmetry to this room from Suzanne Kasler

Antique turtle shells grace this enclosed porch Country Living

Wall of 100's of  resin tortoise shells used by Kelly Wearstler to decorate The Tides La Marea

Tortoise shell on stand in front of mirror from Design Gumbo

Tortoise shells on stand for this modern vignette from Vivre

Tortoise Shell lamps

Amazing Louisiana artist, Amanda Stone Talley uses a tortoise shell as her base.