Where have I been, you ask?
Why haven't I posted since October?!
I have only one answer.
Retail.
This fourth quarter has been crazy busy, running a retail store and preparing for the holiday season. In November, we made some rather large store moves, flipping the front half with the back. This created additional seating for the lunch diners, and allowed for more shopping opportunities throughout. We have been ordering and reordering, as well as scouring flea markets for holiday decor and unique gifts to fill the shelves. We have been designing & working on a client's master suite remodel, while accessorizing another client's first home. We decorated the formal rooms of a McKinney house for the holiday home tour, and we have assisted Robert with his holiday catering events almost every weekend in November and December! We had an amazing day spent with Rachel Ashwell, we have had three farm to table dinners set up in fields all over Texas, Robert and I played foodie tourist in Chicago, I attended an inspiring business seminar, and I have made our business goals for 2012. Needless to say, it has been busy!
Keeping up with the maintenance of running a retail store during the holiday season has not only been a lot of work, but also a lot of fun! The store has been a magical place to spend our days with holiday decor around every corner. I wanted to start my first post back with store photos taken by local photographer, Wendolin who has captured the spirit.
I am obsessed with vintage Christmas ornaments and we started the season with a huge collection! Our vintage cream tree was a perfect display for the unique glass ornaments.
Everyday, I have loved this garden art sculpture (made from an old street lamp post) full of sparkling, handmade, beaded snowflake ornaments.
These little wire trees just make me smile . . . I would keep them out year long!
Jingle Bells, Jingle Bells, Jingle Bells . . . Rock!
These frames are handmade using reclaimed barn salvage (like the metal roof and wood side paneling), they make great holiday gifts! We have a fantastic collection of scented soy candles that are made in our friend Renee's kitchen . . . they too are popular gifts this season!
This year, I fell in love with the classic colors of gold and brass mixed with natural holiday green . . .
It is said that if you put a bird on your Christmas tree, it will bring you good luck and prosperity for the new year. I have been doing this for years, my mother started it as an early tradition in our household. So, this year we sold lots of bird ornaments to our clients to start their own traditions. Carved wood birds, metal birds, glass birds, hand painted birds, mercury birds, and hand sewn felted birds adorned the limbs of our real tree . . .
Wishing you the very best holiday season to you and your family.
such beautiful pictures, glad you are back and will be posting more eye candy for the rest of us!! Happy Holidays!!
Ironstone and Pine :)
Posted by: d | December 19, 2011 at 08:31 PM
Wow! You have been a busy girl! The store looks amazing! I'm so glad the store and cafe is doing well. Best of luck to you in 2012.
tot
Posted by: time worn interiors | December 20, 2011 at 08:26 AM
My Christmas wish is for you to be just as busy in 2012!
Merry Christmas from our home to yours.
Debbie
Posted by: debbie york | December 21, 2011 at 04:53 AM
Just found your blog via a photo search for sea fans and found your charming bird ornaments instead... love them! I have always had a bird/nature theme tree... glad to hear its good luck!
Posted by: Anne | January 21, 2012 at 09:19 AM