Christmas at Cotton & Brass

Thankfully the three other ladies of Cotton & Brass fully indulge my holiday love. Including decorating ornaments, overnighting them to my house, and photographing them over freshly baked cookies.

*Photo via Christa Kimble

'Tis the Season

The tree is up and trimmed, presents are wrapped, and there is even a little mistletoe. I'm unapologetic about my enthusiasm for the holidays. I must be insufferable with my Maria Carey Christmas blaring, our dining room table bursting with Holiday crafts, and the constant chatter of what to get whom. I don't care.

Maybe it has something to do with Ohio winters and needing to cling to every good thing we have once winter hits. That could also be why I have never been able to hate Valentines Day.

•••

• introducing our new friend, Miss Fish
• twenty dollars well spent at the farmers market
• kitten print! on a cute dress! yes!
• kitten kisses
• lay on the couch and what do I see? a tree!

a tiny little tree

When Christmas tree shopping these are the things I look at: how prickly are the needles (I like my tree's to be the prickliest), which tree looks the loneliest, which one will fit into our little house and not swallow the room with Christmas cheer, and finally but most important which one has the tallest top branch.

Also why do cats refuse to drink out of their water bowl but then slurpe down the Christmas tree water as if they are neglected.

Cat tested, owner approved.

More pictures to come.

Goodbye couch slide

CURRENT SOFA





OPTION 1 - obviously need reupholstered





OPTION 2





OPTION 3 - my favorite





OPTION 4


Our house is officially broke in and I am feeling the tug to redecorate. A new couch is obviously the first priority as we are lovingly referring to our current one as the "couch slide". Above are the Craigslist options I'm leaning towards. Thoughts? It will depend greatly on which ones are still available.

Happy New Years

We had a relaxing laid back New Years. The boys played video games, the girls chatted, and we all ate way too much fondu.

A Holiday Feast - snack size

Evie put together a lovely holiday snack feast yesterday. It felt so festive with the house all decorated and everyone in their holiday best.

How amazing are the little fruit sushi's made with rice cooked in coconut milk and topped with peach slices?!

A lovely home

Sara's apartment is always one to envy. Everything is tidy, clean, and cozy. Her holiday decorations were too cute for me not to attack with my camera. So I snapped and ooed and awed and must share with you. I know that Christmas is only ten short days away but this will be my inspiration for next year.

Trimming the tree

I can't remember the last time I was this excited about Christmas... maybe the year I got my baby so beautiful doll. We purchased our little tree from the market down the street. Mark and I don't have a collection of ornaments yet so I am free to do what I wish and was inspired by a few other blogs.

The first ornament project that caught my eye was the dried oranges. So simple (and cheap!). I just sliced the oranges thin, about the thickness of a nickle, and dried them in the oven. They add a lovely pop of color.

The second project that almost knocked me over with excitement was the filled glass bulbs. I have been hoarding all the Terrarium books from the Columbus Library over the past couple of months so this just seamed fitting. I scavenged and clipped little treasures to fill them with but you could really fill them with whatever you wish.

I topped it all of with a gorgeous vintage tree topper found at my favorite little shop.

Now... if I could only keep the kittens out of the tree.

a little holiday cheer

I'm drowning the house in Christmas music and combinations of red and green.

Before & After - Basement door

This little door which leads down to the basement is one of the first things you see as you walk into our kitchen. When we moved in it had this strange section of pealed off paint. So this past week I finally got around to peeling off the rest of the paint and turning it into a chalkboard for all of our important messages. I still have a ton of the chalkboard paint left... I think I will cover everything in it.

Upon Request

Here are some photo's of my current work area upon Ali's request. Now, just to get the rest of the room in order....