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The Design Inspirationalist

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The Design Inspirationalist

Tag Archives: thanksgiving

So Grateful

26 Thursday Nov 2020

Posted by melissaoconnor in life

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blessed, grateful, thankful, thanksgiving

I am grateful for so many things. I have the best family and friends, a warm cozy home, an amazing little boy, and my health. Proof that I have been very lucky in this lifetime.

My career choice hasn’t always been easy but I was determined to do what I love and I’m doing it. Art and design is literally in my DNA and there is nothing else I could do with as much confidence and pride. I am thankful to still have Olive by my side and the memories of my sweet Jenny, which I will hold on to forever. She was truly a blessing in my life. And I continue to appreciate Mother Earth for all she shares and teaches me. Nature will always be a part of my soul.

These past few years have been pretty significant and many realizations have come to the surface. Growth is an understatement. I look forward to exciting opportunities, new friendships, and positive change as this year unfolds into another. The shift within me is truly guiding me as it should.

I wish you all a Happy Thanksgiving and send love to each and every one of you. Enjoy the holiday as best you can.

Inspiration Photo Friday: Being Thankful

29 Friday Nov 2013

Posted by melissaoconnor in Inspiration Photo Friday

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belief, cruelty-free, earth, family, holiday, life, love, morals, thankful, thanks, thanksgiving, tradition, veg, vegan, vegetarian

I hope you all had a wonderful Thanksgiving filled with delicious food, good times, and people you love. My husband and I started our own tradition about 4 years ago and love our peaceful holiday even more each year. My mother joined us for dinner this time, which was a nice bonus, and Dan’s parents visited with us earlier in the day. After our meal, we went to my cousin’s house for dessert, where the rest of my family was. It was a good day.

I decorated the table with harvest trinkets and kept within a country/rustic style. Simple and in the spirit of the holiday.

Inspiration Photo Friday: Being Thankful

This year, I tried some new recipes, all of which turned out awesome. The menu included Stuffed Peppers w/Brown Rice & Spinach in a Parmesan Mascarpone sauce, Green beans, Mashed Potatoes & Veg Gravy, Sweet Corn, and Tempeh Wheatballs. Yum!

image

Dessert at my cousin’s was fun and there was more than enough sweets to go around. And of course, its always nice to see family and catch up. We were home by 9pm and took the rest of the night to relax on the couch with our dogs and chill out.

You know, every day I am thankful for the great things in my life as well as all the amazing people. I am also grateful for change and new beginnings. The simple fact that Dan and I created our own tradition for the holiday, just makes it that much more special. It doesn’t bother me anymore that I am not sharing the infamous feast with all of our family because to us it’s more than just a holiday. We’ve chosen to stick by our beliefs and celebrate a cruelty-free Thanksgiving that we look forward to sharing with our future children. Being thankful for the Earth and everything it shares with us, is just the beginning.

{For any of my recipes, just contact me via email}

Holiday Party Tips

20 Tuesday Nov 2012

Posted by melissaoconnor in Events & Parties

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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.
Holiday Party Tips

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.
Holiday Party Tips

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.
Holiday Party Tips

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.
Holiday Party Tips

Little Holiday Heroes

13 Tuesday Nov 2012

Posted by melissaoconnor in Decor Ideas, Events & Parties, Everyday Design, Shopping

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Tags

anthropologie, BHLDN, decor, dinner, family, festive, holiday, host, Jayson Home, linens, ModCloth, party, ruche, thanksgiving, Through the Country Door, VivaTerra, west elm, World Market

Little Holiday Heroes

I always say, its in the details, because honestly, it is. Whenever I go to a party or wedding, even a dinner party, its the little details I see first. Whether big or small, they really show your guests you wanted the event to be special. When these little details are lacking, it just seems that sincerity is missing as well.

I searched for some really nice items to include in your holiday dinner this year for Thanksgiving. If you are not the host, than maybe you can use them the next time you have some friends or family over for a yummy meal. It’s always important to have fun and don’t overdo it. Especially, on a table where people are eating. Believe me, no one wants big centerpieces in their faces while they are trying to talk or tons of do daddies in their way when they want to get seconds. Keep it simple, clean and totally you.

Little Holiday Heroes
Cutlery Portrait Napkin – Anthropologie

Little Holiday Heroes
Amazon Dreams Pitcher – Anthropologie

Little Holiday Heroes
Stately Trio of Vases – BHLDN

Little Holiday Heroes
Poppy Pos Vase – BHLDN

Little Holiday Heroes
Felted Foliage Garland – BHLDN

Little Holiday Heroes
Wee Medallion Food Picks – BHLDN

Little Holiday Heroes
Piglet Placeholder Set – Ruche

Little Holiday Heroes
Pretty Cupcake Kit – Ruche

Little Holiday Heroes
Cheese and Thank You Serving Set – ModCloth

Little Holiday Heroes
Checkered Mercury Vases – Jayson Home

Little Holiday Heroes
Marina Vase – Jayson Home

Little Holiday Heroes
Rustic Set of Candleholders – Through the Country Door

Little Holiday Heroes
Hampstead Natural Napkins – World Market

Little Holiday Heroes
Natural Fiber and Lurex Table Runner – World Market

Little Holiday Heroes
Madras Serving Bowl – World Market

Little Holiday Heroes
Gilded Fig Vases – VivaTerra

Little Holiday Heroes
Metallic Diamond Printed Napkin Set – West Elm

Little Holiday Heroes
Cake Kitchen Placemats – West Elm

Little Holiday Heroes
Decorative Napkin Ring – West Elm

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