Trimming the Tree Alicia B. Style

Martha Stewart tree.

Trimming the tree is one of my favorite things to prepare for Christmas. My sisters and I take turns putting up ornaments to make sure that everyone gets an equal amount (or someone ends up crying or hitting each other). It's like a storybook Christmas (It really is.) This year however, I am forced to be a workaholic and work on Christmas Eve so my family will decorate the tree without me (dagger to my heart). My favorite ornaments have a history or are the ones that I have made over the years; a giant construction paper Santa that is not easy on the eyes, Mary and Joseph made out wooden spoons, etc. I also love the vintage ones that my parents grew up with, too. They are so beautiful. Here are some fun cute ornaments I found...I guess I have to live vicariously through my blog. Sigh.

A German tradition (though we are not German) is to hide the green pickle in the tree branches. My younger sister hides it every year and we are caught searching for it for way too long. This one from Oriental Trading Company for $4.99. Also can get them at Crate and Barrel.

How cute is the little Squirrel Nutkin from Conran Shop? For $19.50.

Pretty and makes a beautiful noise; these bells from Vivaterra for $24.00.

Surprisingly cute Sock Monkey Ornaments from Gumps. Set of 4 for $24.99

Faux Fur mink coat Ornaments from Ballard Design. Set of Six for $12.00! If only I had one in life size, and not faux. Ahhh.

Classic vintage ornament from Etsy seller JunkyardGypsy. $20 for four boxes! I love these vintage ones mixed in with regular ornaments. They add such a beautiful, festive, and traditional look.

Mini Munchkin Mice from Crate and Barrel for 17.95. Oh. God. These mice in hats are KILLING ME with cute.

Adorable Cabin Ornament from Anthropologie for $12.60 I keep seeing these fabric ornaments and I'm loving them.

Well, looking on the bright side, I won't be there to get in fights with my sisters and I still get to hear my father read 'Twas the Night Before Christmas. Tear.


Alicia B.

Nice Jugs--I MEAN recycled glass...

Did that get weird? Colored recycled glass is something that has been catching my eye of late. I love the subtle color of green or olive in them and each one is different. They are antiques as well as glass that has been reused (how green). They are used as vases or can be made into lamps. I know it's not exactly a new idea but I really love it.

Vicente Wolf uses them as vases in the foreground and as an accent in the back.

Tom Sheerer placed these two bulbous jugs side by side to draw subtle attention to the far corner of this room.

Martha Stewart. She always says if you have something odd like a little jar, to get a bunch of them and group them so they look like a collection.

Pictured in Metropolitan Home, a yellow and a green vase are paired together on the mantle. So cute!

Love this Barry Dixon hall with a large demijohn in the corner.

I love this mini still life scene in a Tom Sheerer interior.


You can buy these recycled glass wine glass and decanter from Vivaterra.

One of my favorite places for antiques is rubylane.com. This antique demijohn from ruby lane is $475.

Alicia B.

Eco Furniture

"Going green," despite my initial fear of everything being made of hemp, is actually a lasting trend. There are a lot of "green" or "eco" products out there. A lot of it is cliche--made of driftwood or pebbles; but there is some that it pretty attractive (see below). It adds a natural look to your decor and makes you feel like you're doing something good for the environment! How could you go wrong?

Above is a Pottery Barn duvet and sheet set, organic.

mini concrete planters from www.vivaterra.com

Ship wood bench from Viva Terra. Recycled products!

Woven basket from Gumps. www.gumps.com

Cork bath mat from www.gaiam.com.  My roomate and I have been faux fighting over a new cork or teak bath mat for months. Perhaps this one will be "the one!" I just discovered Gaiam today and it's a really great source for eco products and yoga accessories!

Ha-dong Patchwork quilt from Gaiam

Linen Shower Curtain, gaiam.com

Also from Gaiam, I really like the sheets but could do without that pattern as a quilt.

Alicia B.