Happy New Year

To all of my amazing friends in the blogging world, thank you for your friendship and camaraderie in 2011. 

Cheers to a New Year

I look forward to another great year of friendship, fun posts and learning new things.  Hope you and your families have wonderful happy & healthy New Year.  


Linking up to Pink Saturday at How Sweet the Sound.

Aqua and Red Flocked Coastal Christmas Tree....

So I've finally finished my Christmas tree...and I have to say, I'm really happy with it.  I love the combination of Aqua and Red...so that was my theme this year, along with my favorite coastal touches.  And let's not forget the flocking which I love so much...I may never go back to a traditional tree again.  Or maybe I will have to have two trees next year.   

It is filled with starfish, seashells, red coral, apples, jingle bells and other beautiful ornaments.  I think this tree reminds me of a really large, beautifully wrapped Christmas present.  You'll notice the tree is not decorated on the bottom third...and has nothing around it other than a burlap tree skirt.  That's because I have some very curious cats who have lived under the tree since I put it up last week. I decided to not tempt them by decorating it at the bottom where they could do some major destruction.   

Hope you had a wonderful weekend...and while I'm a little late to the party, I'm linking up to:

Thrifty Decor Chick's A Christmas Tree Party
My Romantic Home's Show and Tell Friday
Funky Junk Interior's Saturday Nite Special
The House in the Roses Show off your Cottage Monday
Between Naps on the Porch Metamorphosis Monday

Beautiful Ombre Jingle Bells....

I feel in love with these ombre holiday bells when I was scrolling Martha Stewart's website and just had to share these gorgeous creations.   

The easy to make how to instructions can be found by following this link to the fabulous Martha Stewart website, the best resource for holiday decorating, crafts, recipes and more.  


And while my tree is still a work in progress...I'm currently waiting for red bows that I've ordered but thought I'd share some preliminary photos of how it's coming along....

Hope your having a festively fabulous week!

To Flock or not Flock..that is the question....

First off, I have to say...I am totally overwhelmed by all the fabulosity that  is currently being displayed by all my very favorite blogs.  There are so many wonderful holiday inspirations going on...I can't keep up with them all so I decided just to make sure that I don't miss anything, I'm going to spend at least two or three hours on Saturday catching up on all these wonderful holiday posts.  I'm in full holiday decoration mode.  

And with that, I'm excited to say that I found a flocked tree. Or shall I say, my husband found it for me.  This season, I've been on the hunt for a real tree, that is flocked...and trust me, this is not been an easy task here in South Florida.  But, as of today, the hunt is over.  My husband found one for me...and since I'm on the road, he's ordering it, via Iphone texting and photos between us, tomorrow.  That way I will have it by the time I get home on Saturday.  I'm so excited.  

Why do I want a flocked tree?  Well, first off, I love to ski and I love the mountains...so here is my inspiration:

There is something so beautiful about a a winter landscape.

Here are some of my favorite shots of a lightly dusted tree....

So now I will have my own version to decorate, even if it's still 80 degrees outside...inside, my Christmas tree will be flocked with "snow".  Once again, my husband comes through for me. 

Stay tuned for photos of my coastal inspired "flocked" Christmas tree.  Why do I feel like this will be my very best tree ever?  Hope your enjoying your holiday season.  

Holiday Tables & Centerpieces....by Country Living

During the holiday season, there's nothing more beautiful than a dining table filled with festive decorations.  To me, a beautifully appointed table epitomizes the warmth of home that I love to experience during Christmas.  So with that, I thought I'd share some of my favorite tablescapes from Country Living. 

   

It's hard to pick out my favorite one...I think it is the first shot because it's so festive.  But really, I like them all.  Here is the link to go to the Country Living section where you can see alot more tablescapes and settings.  Hope you enjoy my selections...and that they provide a bit of holiday inspiration.  

A Coastal Christmas Warm up...

Well Santa has finally arrived here at Love of the Sea.  I just received my "coastal style" Santa from Wisteria and he is just so cute.  I just love his satin coat with the turquoise and blue seahorses.... 

And as you can see...Santa's workshop is very busy...getting some things painted for the holiday season while he awaits all his other loot coming from My Shabby Chateau.

Trying not to make too much of a mess.

Hope your having fun with your holiday decorating!!