Last Minute Holiday Decor Ideas

17 Monday Dec 2012

Tags

christmas, christmas tree, color, Country Living, decor, decorating, festive, garland, holiday, lights, metallic, nature, ornaments, rustic

If you’re like me, you’ve had your tree up and house decorated the weekend after Thanksgiving. If you’re not, than here are some last minute inspiration to get you moving. It doesn’t have to take all day to dress up your home and I know that sometimes you just need a few good ideas to get you moving. Here are some I found to be helpful, thanks to Country Living.

Go with a metallic theme and stick to it.
Last Minute Holiday Decor Ideas

Choose a rustic theme and keep it fresh, cozy and simple.
Last Minute Holiday Decor Ideas

hunting-and-gathering-fireplace-1212-xln

Hang a few festive ornaments mixed with natural elements where it is unexpected.
Last Minute Holiday Decor Ideas

Create a card garland and display your holiday cards with style.
Last Minute Holiday Decor Ideas

Brighten up doors in your home or the front entrance with shimmery bells and holiday cheer.
Last Minute Holiday Decor Ideas

Brighten up other spaces in your home with a little garland, even if its you who only spends time in there.
Last Minute Holiday Decor Ideas

Greet your guests with a festive foyer and create smiles the minute they walk in.
celebrate-xmas-tree-branch-lgn

Take the kids toys and dress them up.
Last Minute Holiday Decor Ideas

Use old lights and showcase them in a glass urn or vase for some color.
Last Minute Holiday Decor Ideas

Inspiration Photo Friday: Bayard

14 Friday Dec 2012

Posted by melissaoconnor in Inspiration Photo Friday

≈ Leave a comment

Tags

antique, bayard, grass, green, house, long island, mansion, nature, new york, trees, vintage

My husband used to work at the Bayard Cutting Arboretum in Long Island when we first met and since I have never been there, he gave me a tour so I could take photos. What a beautiful place. It was a clear day and the sky was a gorgeous blue, a perfect backdrop for the historic mansion that sits on the property.

As we walked around to the back, I turned toward the house and was kind of taken back by how lovely it looked buried among the trees. The lush green grass below and vibrant bushes placed around the exterior really set it off nicely. That’s when I knew this was “the” shot. And every time I look at this photo, I remember that day with Dan and what a nice time we had exploring the property. Never forgetting the feeling of capturing such a perfect view and sharing it with the world.

I love this photo most of all because it seems as if one has come to a special treasure hidden from society. The Bayard mansion appears stately and dignified, standing strong. With all its stories and memories, it’s gleaming with beauty. This is the kind of moment that is truly picturesque.

Inspiration Photo Friday: Bayard - © Melissa O'Connor

Inspiration Photo Friday: Scarred Tree

07 Friday Dec 2012

Posted by melissaoconnor in Inspiration Photo Friday

≈ 1 Comment

Tags

art, bark, clouds, earth, forest, long island, nature, new york, photography, scarred, sun, tones, tree

Nature has always been on of my favorite subjects to shoot. There is a never-ending storyboard out there, waiting for you to unfold it. No tree is the same, every cloud has character and the sun will always create a beautiful shadow on the earth’s surface. I simple adore everything there is to see when it comes to nature and I try to capture it all every chance I get.

I couldn’t resist the texture and detail this tree was showing off. Taken in Long Island, it was among lots of other trees but somehow it stood out to me. From its various tones and illustrative depths, the scarred look was appealing, yet sad. Opening itself up to the world around it. Showing us all what lies beneath.

It’s sort of like us. In life we go through experiences that enable us to dig deeper within ourselves. It’s either they force us to keep things hidden or they help us to open up and show who we really are. We all may be scarred in some way but none of what we have learned can create change unless its shared with the world.

Holiday Party Tips

20 Tuesday Nov 2012

Posted by melissaoconnor in Events & Parties

≈ Leave a comment

Tags

bouquets, centerpieces, christmas, Country Living, decor, decorating, favors, flowers, fun, garland, holiday, Holiday Party Tips, interior, nature, ornaments, party, thanksgiving

The holidays are here! With Thanksgiving in a few days and Christmas & New Years right around the corner, it’s time to start planning those holiday parties. There are so many fun things you can do to dress up your home and make it festive. Here are a few tips I scored from Country Living that should totally inspire the designer in all of you.

Using ornaments in different ways is always fun. You don’t have to just hang them from the tree. Gather some in a bowl or vase, hang from doorways and moldings or create garland out of them. Try to stick with a theme or color and go with it.

Let nature be your guide and feature lots of green. From small centerpieces to holly type garland, there are lots of ways to use flowers and plants. You can even create small bouquets for people to bring home as favors.

Create some laughs by dressing up photographs of family and friends with funny faces and holiday cheer. Just use a dry erase marker and you should be good to go.

Instead of adding lots of decorations, dress up your table with pretty bowls and plates. Whether they shine, shimmer or bring pops of color to the space, festive they will be.