Oh Mighty Succulent...

 
January may seem like an odd time to consider gardening, but ever since the hubs and I cleared out a vacant lot beside our home, I can't stop thinking about all the possibilities!

 I am no expert, but I know that this is no time to consider planting outdoors in the dead of winter.  To satisfy my fixation, I have been focusing on the possibilities indoors!  I started with my potted succulents which were in dire need of being rescued.  These little creatures were once living in my office, but too many hands kept touching it.  I am not sure, but I have a theory that the oils on fingertips is not good for succulents.  Does anyone know for sure!?  Anyway, I brought them home about a month ago and started my own little growing / rescue project.  

I started by rounding up all the clear containers I could find.  Nothing is new here besides the potting soil (which it is actually cactus soil... you could make your own if you prefer).

Next, I gently pulled apart the plants until I had individual units.  I wanted to keep some of the original soil in effort to not shock the roots during the transfer.  I even saved some of the broken pieces, and let them sit on just on top of soil.  After a couple of weeks, roots began to form. 
 

I decided to separate my plants out into mostly individual containers.  I was to give each of them room to grow and to really establish their roots. At some point, I may combine several of them into one container to make an interesting collaboration. Here are the outcomes...

During the holidays, I decided to decorate my mantel with the terrariums in lieu of having a Christmas tree.  It was quite serene in my opinion.

Right now, I have placed mine in the window seal for extra sunlight.  There are so many ways to use succulents in your home!  Really the possibilities are endless.  Plus they are great conversation starters.  People love them!!

So far, I am pleased with my results (i.e. nothing is dead yet!).

Happy Chinese New Year!

People around the world today will be celebrating the Chinese New Year welcoming the Year of the Dragon.  I do not know much about the culture and history of the Chinese New Year, but I do have a healthy appreciation for ancient Chinese design.    

I spotted this Foo Dog while shopping at Packards Antiques in Huntsville, Alabama over the Christmas holidays (note the tree).  I thought it was absolutely fabulous!  I wish I would have checked the price!  If I could get it past airport security without it shattering to pieces, it would be guarding my apartment now.

Here's a game you can play when your slumming through your Monday morning blues.  Can you spot the Foo!?!

Kristy Lee Interiors...

Photo: Kristy Lee Interiors

Naomi at Design Manifest...

Photo: Design Manifest

Cullman and Kravis... you just can't miss it! 

Photo: Pretty Pink Tulips via Juba Life  

Miles Redd...

Photo via Sketch 42 Blog

Ruth Summers on the cover of her book... 

Photo via Sweet Chameleon

Design Sponge at Anthropologie!!

Eeeeeeee!!!  I'm very excited that Grace Bonney from Design Sponge is making her way back to Philadelphia to one of my (and I'm sure your) favorite places on earth, Anthropologie.  

Image: Design Sponge

I missed the first book signing at Terrain, *sigh*, but now I have another chance to get my new book (which I purchased from Vintage Now at Fete Noel) signed by Ms. Grace herself!   Not only is this a book signing event, but it's also a Wreath-Making Workshop!!  How fun is that!?  And you know how we here at The Tiny Abode are starving artist, and how I work in Early Childhood Education by day... yeah that stuff.  Well, we are happy to hear that they will be supporting a local charity, Fresh Artists, by requesting donations of new art supplies such as pens, markers, crayons, etc. for art education.  If this is anything like the Oh Joy workshop we went to August, tickets will likely sell-out in just a couple of days (if not hours)!!  If you are interested in reserving a spot sign-up here.

I realllly hope I can make it!!

Holiday Pledge... Shop Local!

This season, I have been doing a lot of thinking about where I will be purchasing presents for my ever growing Christmas list.   Should I just go to the mall and knock it out with one trip?  Possibly online... I love private sales!  Or should I wait and just cram all Christmas shopping in the day before Christmas Eve?  Crazy, I know, but we fly home to Alabama, and sometimes it makes sense to go this route.  Shipping can get expensive!!

Source: inslee.net via Robin on Pinterest

Last week I enjoyed Fete Noels' pop-up shop so much in Chestnut Hill, that I thought, "This is it!  Shop local and support small businesses!"  Hello!?  Of course!  I'm sure many of you already support local businesses and avoid the King of Prussia mall like the plague during the holidays!!  Being married to an artist, I should really have this mastered by now.  However, for me, going to the mall creates a nostalgia that I yearn for this time of year.  Regardless, I am pledging to show my support this holiday season at a more local level.

Source: tchochkes.com via Whitney on Pinterest

So, my friends, I would like to encourage you to also shop local!  One way you can do this is by supporting the Pop-Up Shops that are literally popping up all over Philly!  This weekend The Little Apple will be hosting Meadow Sweet Vintage at their shop in Manayunk.  You may remember Meadow Sweet Vintage from Clover Market (the most fabulous flea market of the year).

So go get your vintage groove on and support small businesses! 

 Photo: Meadow Sweet Vintage

Also, be sure to come back and visit The Tiny Abode tomorrow.  We'll be announcing a fab giveaway!!

A Sunday Afternoon

Sunday's are my absolute favorite... a nice cup of coffee, lounging on the couch, catching up with favorite blogs.  I'm telling you, Sunday's are fantastic here at The Tiny Abode.  On this Sunday afternoon I'll be spending my afternoon (at least a full hour of it) catching up on two of my favorite online magazines: Lonny and House of Fifty.  I am absolutely in love with this gold glitz animal print wrapping paper in Lonny, but I have no idea where to buy it!

Source: lonnymag.com via Jessica on Pinterest

I'm sure all you craftsters out there could just happily make it yourself.  But I'm a proclaimed BIY-er (buy-it-yourself)!!  So if any of you are up for making it, I would be happy to purchase!

On another note, today is Ann Taylor's last day for their Friend's and Family sale!  Yesterday Jason took me to the King of Prussia mall (God love him) and I came home with two Ann Taylor shirts for a total of $11.00!!!  I couldn't believe it!

Here's what I got: 

The one on the left is the Palm Print Halter that originally sells for $78 and the one on the right is the Ballet Neck Striped that originally sells for $32.  I think both will look great with my black linen blazer that I sport weekly.  For your 40% off savings just type in FRIENDS at check-out or print your coupon here.

Weekend Recap... Splurge @ Fete Noel

So remember that pop-up store I told you about?
Totally worth it!!

Seriously, I highly recommend stopping by Fete Noel's pop-up store in Chestnut Hill.  So much eye candy!

I was swooning over this chair, but maybe that's because it looks so yummy with all the other teal accents.  Who am I kidding?  The chair is great, and can definitely stand on it's own.  I mean seriously, I would kill to know how to reupholster like that!

Unfortunately, the chair and I had to part ways.  I don't have that type of cash, Honey!  However, I did come home with the much overdue Design Sponge at Home book by the infamous Grace Bonney.

Photo: Design Sponge

I know, I know.  Shame on me for not having it months ago.  WHAT was I thinking!?  Check out the details here.  Definitely worth adding to your Christmas wish list.

P.S. If you are the vendor of the swoon worthy chair, please shoot me an email.  I would love to give you proper credit.

Jump Start the Holidays... Pop-UP @ Fete Noel!

So we're a day late.  Technically two since today will be over in approximately 3.5 hours.  However, we figured you were all busy at work today (being the professionals that you are), sooo technically we're right on time!  Right?  

Just go with it. 

Chestnut Hill, one of our faaavorite neighborhoods in Philly, will be hosting a "pop-up shop," Fete Noel!  Right in the old Margarity Car Dealership lot at 8200 Germantown Ave., you'll be able to find a gift for everyone on your holiday list.  Women and children's clothing, jewelry, stationary, terrariums, gifts for the home, etc., etc. ETC!!!  Even our friends from Vintage Now will be celebrating this holiday season early!  

For a full vendor list please visit Fete Noel.

Hope you pop-up!!

Even More Christmas Leftovers!!

So I promised in my previous post that I would share two additional ideas as to what to do with all those Christmas cards... including those we receive in the mail from others year after year. 

Let's continue with our personal Christmas card leftovers before discussing what to do with ALL the others.

Previously you were shown how the card was simply cut into desired sections using a straight edger in preparation to make the magnets.  The next idea is even simpler than the first
(No GLUE involved)! 

Gift Tags: 

I chose to crop the card leaving the picture of Jason and myself along with the "Merry Christmas" section.  I then punched a small hole and used some silver thread to tie to the tag to the present.  I think this will add a nice personal touch to the gifts we give out next year.

Now what to do with the masses of cards you collect over the years from friends and family??

Photo courtesy of www.themotherhuddle.com


I can't bare to throw away these oh so cute cards that come our way during Christmas.  New babies, missed family members and old friends.  It's one of the few times I actually enjoy checking my mail!  This year I'd like to start an album collecting all cards from Christmas' past.  Which leads me to the final Christmas card leftover idea: 
 
Christmas Coffee Table Book
 

I'd recommend purchasing an 8 x 10 photo album like this one from Barnes and Noble.  A scrapbook would work too.  Many cards I received this year were the rectangular 8 x 4 photos.  This album would assure that the cards would fit without having to dismantle them.  I'm sure you could get really creative with this idea, and I'm sure this would become a cherished keepsake as you add to your Christmas card greetings every year.  I'd love to hear of more ideas!

Enjoying Christmas Leftovers

This year I had exactly three Christmas cards leftover that are just too cute to chunk.  

These are the cards that I received in the bright orange Shutterfly package which inspired me to seek out Calligraphy.  You can check out that post here.
 

   

I had a few ideas on what to do with these cards other than leaving them on the curbside for Monday's pick-up. 

My first thought being: creating magnets of a memorable year.  

First I used my straight edger to cut the card into desired sections.  

 

Next, using magnets around the house that were free from local restaurants, colleges, and stores, I simply cut the magnet to size.  Of course you can purchase magnets from your local craft store that are already sticky-fied, but I'm being resourceful!  So, I used some basic craft glue that has been hiding in my closet for quiet sometime.  

Now I have four new refrigerator adornments that can be enjoyed all seasons as well as years to come. Perfect for our apartment!

Be on the watch for two more ideas which I promise to post in the near future... possibly even today.

Shutterfly Explanation

Ok, so some of you may have been thinking, "What's the deal with her promoting all these companies?"  Well, my friends, there are incentives.  First things first... you must be a blogger to benefit from the Shutterfly deal I'm about to tell you about.  As mentioned in the previous blog, Shutterfly is one of the best photo sites I've come across that has a tremendous amount of benefits for their loyal customers.  No credit card included... no gimmick.  It really is easy to reap the benefits, I promise.  

All I did was sign-up to receive Shutterfly's email, and promos just come my way... like magic.  This particular promo consisted of creating a blog basically to brag about Shutterfly (and rightly so), and afterwards inform Shutterfly of your blog.  Well my friends, doing that granted me 50 FREE holiday cards of my choice to send out this Christmas.  The only catch is the selection.  I had to choose a 5 x 7 flat or folded stationary.  All I'm paying for is shipping which is around $8.00... not too bad seeing that most boxes at our favorite stores... ehmm Target... cost around $5.00 if not more a box.  I can't post the one I chose because then it wouldn't be a surprise to all of the lucky ones to receive it!  However, now you know my secret.  Whoever said, "Secrets don't make friends?"  

Here's a sneak peak of one of the pictures included in this year's Christmas card. 

 I hope you all have a wonderful holiday with family and friends.  Eat lots of Turkey!!  And don't miss me too much!  Jason and I will be celebrating in Philadelphia.  If you are still looking for an awesome dish to bring to a Thanksgiving dinner, you may want to try the Turkey N' Dressing recipe I posted a few weeks back.

Happy Thanksgiving, Y'all!!!

All I Want for Christmas is My Shutterfly Cards!

When looking for the "perfect" Christmas card this year, I headed over to my favorite site Shutterfly!  What I love about Shutterfly is once you are on their email list they send you amazing promo codes for all kinds of great deals throughout the seasons.  This year we were able to get a  photo album and give it to Jason's dad as a birthday present for practically free!  We only had to pay for shipping, and what a great gift it was!

Currently, you can save 20% on your photo books.  Plus receive free shipping if your order is over $30.  Click here to see more on photo albums.

Now, back to Christmas cards.  I've already done the hard work for you... the selection is massive!  Here are a few of my favorites!   Aren't these elegant!?

I love the monogrammed look!

But anyone who knows me well, knows that I find it hard to resist a little COLOR and FUN!  I must get that from my dear mother!!  Speaking of my mother, a Christmas tradition at my house was receiving a new calendar.  We each had our very own!  Shutterfly has them too! Check them out!

In the meantime, here are some more FUN cards!!
 

What kind of grandparents could resist spoiling their grand-babies when they received this in the mail?  The most difficult decision is which one to choose?

It's not even Thanksgiving, and I'm alreay dreaming about Christmas!

My mother was not one to have Christmas decorations up ahead of time, but she did decorate every year... every room.  This year I am feeling the Christmas spirit early, and I am already conjuring up ideas that would be fitting for our one bedroom apartment.  Today I even went browsing to get some ideas...  a little too early for that, I suppose.  As I arrived, the stores were just getting started with unpacking the first delivery of Christmas goodies.  Oh well, maybe next week.  The internet however has remained a reliable source for my Christmas "FIX".  I mean really, if I want cute stockings I better order now!  These whimsical stockings were found on chicmommybags on Etsy.  This girl takes all final orders on December 10th.  Aren't they cute!?

My college roommate use to describe my decorating style as froo froo.  She may be right, because I'm loving this one!  Yet again another etsy find by snazzieque.  Better yet, she monograms!

If you're more into the shabby chic look and need something a little more subdued (but just as fun), you may want to check out South House Boutique.  She has a huge selection!

Let's take a poll!!  Which is your favorite?

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