FRIDAY: Holiday INSPIRATIONAL WORDS!!!!

A SPECIAL NOTE FOR YOU!!!

Today I wanted to BLOG with WORDS of ENCOURAGEMENT.....Normally I write about fashion, food & design, but I thought I would change it up on YOU!!!!.....;)  So many of you, like myself love the Christmas season because it's the chance to get dressed up in stylish clothes, attend great parties and socialize til you drop!.....And we cant forget about all the things to buy!!!  But in TRUTH none of these things have the sufficient power to bring and maintain the one thing WE ALL LOOK FOR!!.........HAPPINESS 

Happiness does not mean living without pain or hurt—not at all. True happiness is learning how to live one day at a time, in spite of sorrow and pain. It is learning how to rejoice in God, no matter what has happened in the past. 

You may feel rejected and abandoned this season. Your faith may be weak and you think you are down for the count. Sorrow, tears, pain, and emptiness may swallow you up at times, but there is one who truly loves you. and He is still God!

Convince yourself that you will survive. YOU WILL MAKE IT THROUGH THIS TOUGH TIME You will come out of it. Life does go on and it will surprise you how much you can bear when you tap into a higher strength!!!!

Look up! Encourage yourself  TODAY!  When the fog surrounds you and you can’t see any way out of your dilemma, lie back in the arms of God and simply trust him. He has to do it all! He wants your faith and your confidence this Christmas 

The bottom line is faith. And faith rests on this one absolute: “Everything works together hand in hand for your GOOD OUTCOME!."   -  God

I pray that you will enjoy YOUR HOLIDAY to the fullest. MERRY CHRISTMAS!!

Be Blessed

Richard Tomas 

THURSDAY: HOLIDAY FASHION FAUX PAS.... VICTIMS!!

LENNOX SQAURE MALL - Buckhead, GA

Every Year I hit the mall right around the time Christmas Eve hits!......I know I am CRAZY!!.....I love the RUSH it gives me........Of course......I AM a POWER shopper!......This year the week of Christmas 

I decided to hit up Parimeter and Lennox Square Mall with my BFFFFF Keisha Cory......Love her!! It seemed like over 100,000 people had descended on these two locations. Usually i enjoy my experience but this year i was surprised at just HOW RUDE people were......I literally thought i was gonna CATCH A CASE alll up in the building!......But then i had to remember JAYSUS!!!.......;). 

I did get some great buys however. What people don't realize, is that merchants will mark down there stuff right on Christmas Eve and the day before to get last minute shoppers to buy, so you end up getting good deals. (just a little tip for you). This year i went a little light on my shopping.....SAVE SAVE SAVE!......my new motto for the new year!...

Myself with recording artist, Keisha Cory......Luv her

So we ended up in Forever 21 or XXI......same thing!!......As I  was walking around pa-rousing the goodies.......suddenly..... I WAS STOPPED DEAD in MY TRACKS!!!......There HE was alllll dressed up in PINK Spandex......and with a pink purse.....Now normally I see fashion victims committing FASHION CRIMES on a regular basis at the mall, but this guy was GANGSTER with his CRIME.....I just had to have a picture with him......I felt like i was meeting someone famous or something......

This dude was wondering around the store like you COUDNT TELL HIM ANYTHING!!!!!

I am soo glad Keisha was there to capture the moment, because as soon as i was done getting an autograph, HIS POSSE showed up.....ready to ROLE!!!!

OMG!!!!!!!!

Well needless to say, it was definitely an eventful day!........

Leaving the mall Nostalgia and warm christmas memories hit me when i saw the gorgeous tree atop the Macy's Store. I do lovvve this season!!!

THURSDAY - Christmas TABLE SETTINGS that will have YOUR Guest TALKING!

Christmas Table Settings

Every Year I search to find new and exciting ideas to decorate my dining room table for the holidays. Its not enough just to throw a simple bouquet in a vase. I want my dinner guests to not only remember the tasty food but also the beautiful atmosphere while they enjoy there food. I like to make my centerpieces a focal point for conversation. ...

Below are a few ideas.....That may get your creative juices flowing in the right direction!!!

Thank you Martha.....

Wintery Centerpieces

A combination of vintage and contemporary vessels holds white spider mums, seeded eucalyptus 

(available at florists), and blue Atlas cedar branches lightly frosted with silver floral spray paint. 

For a change of scene, line containers down the middle of a table.

Gilded Pear Basket

Pears sprinkled with with edible gold dust look straight out of a fairy tale.

 Magnolia leaves are also transformed with gold, in the form of floral paint. 

A beribboned, gold-dusted fruit welcomes each guest to the table.

Cranberry Flower Frog

Fill a glass vase with cranberries and beautiful fresh roses for a festive touch at the holiday table.

Yuletide Topiary

Using carnations to evoke a snow-covered tree, this centerpiece transforms

 the tabletop into a fanciful winter garden.

Christmas Cloche

Filled with sparkly trimmings, these garden cloches add radiance to any tabletop.

You can likely find these cloche domes in your local craft store (Michael's or Hobby Lobby)

 

Tree-Shaped Candles

A COLLECTION of candles adorned with beeswax trees create an enchanting winter landscape on the tabletop.

Peppermint-Candy Place Card

What could be sweeter? Cut out 3-inch ovals from colorful card stock. 

Using a hole punch, make a hole at each end, and then neatly write your guests' names on the ovals with black ink. Thread ribbon scraps, each about 6 inches long and 1 1/2 inches wide, through the backs of the place cards. 

Notch the ribbon ends, and set a card at each place setting.

I HOPE YOU LOVE THIS ONE AS MUCH AS I DO!!.......So CUTE!!!

STYLECODE: Holiday Romance is in the AIR at TIFFANY'S

ROMANCE WRAPPED UP IN A 

LITTLE BLUE BOX

Nothing SAYS LOVE like a little Tiffany Blue Box, especially during the HOLIDAYS. Every year Tiffany & Co. puts it's best foot forward with an advertising campaign that will make you wanna run out and knock over a small bank to purchase one of their stunning pieces. The holidays are always a good time to SPARK up a ROMANCE or solidify one. I loved the photos from this year. What a WAY to sell those DIAMONDS!!

Love the IDEA of this photo......but who actually is going to sit outside in the freezing snow dressed like that to sip on coffee......LOL........IT LOOKS GREAT THOUGH!

This one (Below) was MY FAVORITE!  New York can be so romantic this time of year.

The picture (Below) EXPRESSES it all without even saying anything.......

Check out the Rock on her finger!!

And Years Later after they have enlarged there family HE still brings her to TIFFANY'S......

What a MAN

TUESDAY DECOR INSPIRATION: The Callanwolde Mansion Christmas

Touring the Designer's Showhouse

The holiday season came to Atlanta seven years ago, but the Callanwolde mansion remained dark, many
Atlantans felt the Grinch or some other CRAZY creature had stolen Christmas.  This season, they can rejoice. Christmas at Callanwolde in all its GLORY, is back. A tradition for 27 years, Christmas at Callanwolde was a highlight of the season for many PEOPLE in the area.


 A tour of the lavishly decorated mansion, built in 1920 as the home of Charles Howard Candler, son of Coca-Cola Company founder Asa Candler, was all that was necessary to snap the grumpiest person into a holiday mood. Over 27 local designers came together this year to bring this home back to life. 

I know it's not showing up on camera but it actually snowed on Sunday when I toured the mansion, which made it all the more special for me.

THE LIBRARY

Upon entering the mansion I noticed the beautiful rustic decor of the LIBRARY to the right of the FOYER. Traditional Red and Green Christmas ornamentation adorned the English Country INSPIRED ROOM!........  LOVE LOVE LOVE!

3 Cheers for the 2 designers of this particular room.

Room Designers:  Clay Snider / Clay Snider Interiors  & 
Nancy Appel / Nancy Appeal Interiors

THE MUSIC ROOM

After leaving the library, I immediately noticed the room across the foyer, which was considered to be the music room back when the house was inhabited by the Candler family. My eyes were drawn to the oversized CHANDELIER hanging over the couch........UM HELLO can I get that for my HOME!.....no seriously!!!  It really created drama in the room, complimented only by the chinoiserie wallpaper which to my knowledge was the original wallpaper for the room. The christmas decor in the room really was the finishing touch.

Room Designer: Justin Caldwell Childers / Justin Caldwell Designs LLC.

THE BREAKFAST ROOM

As I walked around the corner from the main dining room I found this cute, cozy room which was in fact the official breakfast room right off of the kitchen.  The decor was simple yet elegant. The artwork selection on the wall really was the highlight of the room.

Room Designers: Ann Wisniewski & Theresa Druckenmiller  / Downsize Design


THE DINING ROOM

And of course I had to visit the MAIN DINING ROOM which my fabulous friend, Mr. Kerry Howard designed. His twist on design is a mixture of simple elegance, clean lines with pops of bold colors. He actually chose my favorite color and flower TIFFANY BLUE and WHITE ORCHIDS to fill the room. I could actually visualize this as my dining room........LOVE IT!......LOVE HIM!

Kerry Howard (Room Designer) & Myself

The BILLIARD ROOM

The billiard room was another favorite of mine.........well........I LOVED the WHOLE HOUSE!

The designer of this space, Ryan O'hara, definitely was not shy about his use of color......It really made a room with dark wood stained walls COME TO LIFE......And of course the GORGEOUS Rug was none other than a Moattar Rug Design.....It's funny but i guessed the designer before i even read the sign.

You can find more of these amazing rugs by visiting www.moattar.com. 

The hanging artwork is a Bobby Sikes original ( local Atlantan artist)

Room Designer:  Ryan O'hara  / Maison Couture Interiors

THE MAIN STAIRWELL!

The GUEST BEDROOM / Nursery

The nightstands and LAMPS were a FAV of mine in this room. I also found out that the proprietors of some of these beautiful antiques had actually been keeping them in attics, garages and storage spaces. I was soooo glad to see these forgotten items resurrected. 

I absolutely LOVED the Lamps used in this room. (PICTURED BELOW) They were extremely heavy due to the fact that they were made of solid crystal. Had they not been $1100 for the pair I would have totally snatched those up for my personal bedroom.

Room Designers: Joann Kandrae , Kelly Kole / Kandrae & Kole Interior Designs 

THE MASTER BEDROOM

To my surprise the master bedroom was a little smaller than i had expected for a 27,000 square foot home. But the designer came through with making the room into a boudoir worthy of a prince.....or princess. The neutral color palette was a great choice for this space.

THE MASTER BATH

Room Designer: Cindy Davis /  Luxury Lifestyle Design

THE CHILD'S BEDROOM

Room Designer: Kathleen Lower

What a Magical House........I hope you enjoyed the My Tour of the Callanwolde Mansion.

MONDAY! - THE DAVIS BLACK TIE FORMAL

AN EVENING TO REMEMBER! 

VOTED BEST PARTY of 2010

After attending many events, galas, fundraisers and dinner parties in the Chicago, Florida and now Atlanta area, I would have to say that "The Patti Davis Black Tie Affair" won for BEST PARTY of 2010.  Ms. Davis really out did herself this year!!! And since I had the opportunity of coming early to assist Ms. Davis with her makeup and hair I was able to get a few great shots before the crowds started rolling in.  

The house was literally filled with hundreds of balloons and tiny lights. In the main room Patti highlighted the hors d'oeuvres' table with a miniature white christmas tree and silver candelabras. VERY CHIC!!!......

Lets JUST SAY that the Champaign FLOWED all night long!......What a way to CELEBRATE!!!

The handsome bartender did a great job serving up some holiday cheer......

Cookies, Cakes, Finger foods and more........SIMPLY Delicious 

WHAT A WONDERFUL HOST!!!!........

Myself with Ms. Patti Davis (Party Host)

LADIES, LADIES LADIES.......I feel like it's a Sex in the City CAST REUNION......LOL

Meeting Suchita Vadlamani was the highlight of my evening!......What an EXQUISITE DAME!

Suchita Vadlamani and Myself

STRIKE A POSE!.......I think Vogue was playing in the background when this was taken.....LOL

Tammie Reed, Suchita Vadlamani,  Bren Herrera & Myself

Before the night ended I was introduced to the LOVELY Tammie Reed.....a personal friend of Patti Davis, who is  another WELL KNOWN blogger and celebrity corespondent in Atlanta.  www.talkingwithtami.com

 And even though she is on the RISE, I may have been taken back little at just how WARM and down to earth she is. Tammie is the GENUINE ARTIFACT!!......  LADIES THIS IS HOW YOU DO IT!

Tammie Reed and Myself

Lets just say that the PARTY ended right before most Country FOLK got up to FEED THEIR CHICKENS. I SIMPLY cannot wait until NEXT YEAR!.......Thank You to Patti and Eric Davis for a Wonderful Evening!!!!..........MERRY CHRISTMAS.