Gift Ideas for Kids: Mad for Muppets

The release of Disney’s new movie, The Muppets has me reminiscing about my childhood. Today, over at Project Nursery I’m talking about one of my favorite Christmas gifts. You may have guessed that it had something to do with those fuzzy puppets.

With the launch of the movie, Muppet toys, games and movies are hotter than ever. I think my kids would enjoy The Muppets version of Monopoly.

1. Muppet Monopoly Game via Amazon 2. Muppets Miss Piggy Plush Toy from Disney 3. Muppets Kermit Plush Toy from Disney 4. The Muppet Movie - Kermit's 50th Anniversary Edition (1979) via Amazon 5. The Muppet Show Poster via Amazon 6. Muppets Fozzie the Bear Plush Toy from Disney 7. Animal Plush Toy via Amazon

I am planning on taking my own kids to the new Muppet Movie and am curious to see what they think. Will they love the whole gang as much as I did do? Do you?

Design Board: Coastal Chic Living Room

Creating design boards for clients is such a fun part of my job. So when Cassidy of Remodelaholic asked me to join her Good Mood Board challenge, I had to say yes!

For this round of her mood board challenge, she asked several design bloggers to create our dream living room. I dreamt of a modern beach house with rustic touches. The driftwood table with oval glass top was my starting point and from there the room took shape.

1. Vent Pillow by Coco Cozy 2.Coral Art from Clayton Gray Home 3.Pipa Side Table by Oly Studios 4. Milo Sofa from Jayson Home & Garden 5 . “Horizon I “ by Karen Smidth from Serena & Lily 6. Kingston Driftwood Oval Glass Cocktail Table from Clayton Gray Home 7. Penny Lamp Ro Sham Beaux 8. Hide Rug with Metallic Silver from Clayton Gray Home

What do you think? Is is a place you’d love too?

Now that you have seen what I dreamed up, go and check out what the design bloggers came up with.

Amanda from Our Humble ABowed is up next!

Here's the schedule for the week and the other bloggers taking part:

Monday November 28th:

1. Remodelaholic

2. Home Stories A to Z

3. The Handmade Home

Tuesday November 29th:

4. House of Hepworths

5. Simplified Bee

6. Our Humble ABowed

Wednesday November 30th:

7. Design Dump

8. Under the Table and Dreaming

9. DIY Showoff

Thursday December 1st:

10. Just A Girl

11. All Things Thrifty
12. Living Room Mood Board Linky Party at Remodelaholic

Thanksgiving Family Photo Booth

Taking family photos when the whole gang is together over Thanksgiving is a must. I love the idea of creating your own photo booth with a solid drape background and handheld props. I’m smitten with these Pilgrim hats, Indian headdresses and turkey leg props by Silhouette Shop. This DIY collection is formatted to be printed on 8.5 x 11 heavy cardstock. Just print, cut, stick on a stick and have fun!

I just ordered mine this morning and already received the PDF from the Silhouette Shop. Love!

Blessing to you and your family.
Happy Thanksgiving!

Displaying Kids Artwork Collections

One common question I receive from clients is how to display children’s art collections in a stylish way. Displaying art doesn’t have to clutter the refrigerator or be complicated, but can be simple or as creative as the artwork itself.

In my own home {shown above}, I have simple white frames especially designed for kids artwork. Pieces can be easily switched out in minutes. I purchased these frames years ago at Pottery Barn Kids, but they carry a similar frame today.

Here are some more very style-savvy ways for displaying your child’s precious art:

{Cable system like this one from Ikea. Photo via style-files.com}

{Wooden grid and hanger display. Photo via Babble}

{Unified white frames. Photo via Babble}

{Gallery wall with some framed, some not. Photo via Houzz}

{My fav – archival collage created from scanned artwork. By Jan Eleni}

If you've found a great way to display your kid's art, please share with us here or on Facebook!

Fox Themed Nursery Room Design Board

A couple weeks ago as I rounded up some of my favorite fox home decor items, I came across a darling blue and orange fox pillow by Donna Wilson.

It was the inspiration for nursery room design board that I am sharing today on Project Nursery. The gray, blue and orange color palette is perfect for a boy, but I also think it works for a girl.

1. Paolo the Fox Print via Etsy 2. Malibu Chandelier by Ro Sham Beaux 3. Kalon Studios Caravan Crib via Layla Grayce 4. Socks the Fox from blabla 5. Ettienne Glider from PetitNest 6. Bungalow 5 Hourglass Side Table via Rosenberry Rooms 7. Monaluna Circa 52, Woodland Party Organic Cotton via Fabric Worm 8. Fox Cushion by Donna Wilson

It's a toss up. I don't know what I love more, the chandelier or the fabric. What about you?

Personalized Holiday with Red Envelope

Personalizing holiday home décor is a great way to make a space your own. One of my favorite resources for beautiful personalized décor is Red Envelope. The online store features many items, like the personalized wreath hanger {top left} that are designed to remain in the family for generations. Love this!

Red Envelope also carries a wide variety of personalized gifts the whole family will love. The “Dear Santa, I can explain.” tee {top right} is one my list! What’s on yours?

Also, enjoy 15% off your next purchase at Red Envelope!

Happy Holidays!

*Disclosure: I received a gift card in exchange for this post. All opinions are my own.

Friday Find: Ro Sham Beaux {RSB} Designer Lighting

It isn’t everyday I get intrigued by lighting fixtures, but today is one of those days. Ro Sham Beaux’s {RSB} lighting collection is fresh, sleek and trend-setting. Whenever possible, sustainable materials are used such as recycled steel/beads, hemp and organic cotton. Love this! I have pulled a few of favorites from the product line to share with you:

Gorgeous, wouldn’t you agree?

Cute Thanksgiving Kids Table Ideas

We are hosting Thanksgiving this year and we’ll need a separate table for the kiddos. So, I’ve been on the look out for cute ideas that will keep them busy. I love this darling table setting I found on The Party Dress.

Love the collection of crayons in the turkey cup!

Need more Thanksgiving kids’ table setting ideas?

Top Ten Hostess Gifts Under $40 for 2011

Although fun to host a Thanksgiving or holiday dinner, being a guest is preferred by many. If you will be a dinner guest this holiday season, bringing a thoughtful hostess gift is always appreciated. A favorite bottle of wine, homemade baked goods or a lovely bouquet of flowers are tried and true hostess gifts and will certainly be well received. However, if you are running short on time or want to bring something a little different this year, here are my top ten stylish hostess gifts under $40:

{Kate Spade’s Prize Ball Coasters – $20 – just makes me smile!}

{Bellocq’s Majorelle Mint Tea via Terrain – $36 – I’ve gotta try this!}

{Etsy’s Fond Remembrance Personalized Paper Weight – $10 – what $10? now that’s a deal!}

{Dabney Lee’s Catch All Monogramed Lucite Box – $40 – fun to fill with chocolates}

{20th Century Travel: 100 Years of Globe-Trotting Ads via Saks 5th Ave – $40 – for the avid travel}

{Custom Hometown Puzzle via LL Bean – $39.95 – fun & educational}

{Ames Farm Honey Sampler via Terrain – $24 – something sweet}

{Aji Amarillo Chili Paste via Williams Sonoma – $10 – for the cook who likes it hot!}

{Flora Grubb Gardens’ Footed Aerium – $32 – it just exudes serenity!}

{Etsy’s Dawn Correspondence Chevron Postcards – $12.50 – chic & practical!}

What's on your favorite hostess gift?

*this is not a paid advertisement, just items I like.

House of Fifty- Holiday Issue 2011–My Favs

Another holiday guide hit the virtual newsstand this week, House of Fifty. It’s head to toe full of great diy ideas for this holiday season. You are going to love this issue… it's House of Fifty’s best one yet! Check out some of my favorites:

Be sure to drop by House of Fifty for lots more. Enjoy!

Emily Henderson’s Holiday Guide 2011 & My Contribution

Our favorite HGTV Design Star, Emily Henderson has been decking the halls for her first Holiday Guide. Guaranteed to inspire, the issue has one of the most comprehensive gift guides on the planet. Speaking of our planet, you will adore Emily’s “Peace on Earth” themed holiday décor. I love it all, but think she knocked it out of the park with the globe snowmen. Here’s a sneak peek from the guide and that will be featured on an upcoming episode of her show, Secrets From a Stylist:

I was thrilled to be a contributor for this holiday issue and wrote an article about organizing gift wrap.

I also created an “Exotic Christmas Mantle” for Emily's holiday guide that features a ceramic elephant, Moroccan lanterns, and homemade stockings and pinecone garland. For color and life, I added a diy moss wreath, live aloe plants in birch wrapped containers and orange and lemon citrus fruit. The stocking pulls the non-traditional color scheme together. It’s quite an eclectic mix. 

It was all done over Labor Day weekend. My kids thought I was nuts and were hoping St. Nick was going to get thrown off and stop by early!

Hope you get the opportunity to check out Emily’s Holiday Guide. I know you'll be inspired!