December 12, 2012
Naturally! Garland (a mass of plant material) is the basis for most holiday decor, whether it is wired together or just strategically placed on your mantle, in the middle of your dining table, or hanging from your light fixtures. It's nice to match your holiday decor with the environment in which you are living. For example; in Hawaii place a shell wreath on your door but in Alaska use antlers, decorative snowdrifts, and large pine boughs! Use what is abundant in your particular area during the holidays, whether it's pinecones, driftwood, or fruit. Lots of citrus is bright, colorful, creates a wonderfully fragrant atmosphere, and is readily available in the orchards and the grocery stores.
Clementines, tangerines, satsumas ,lemons, kumquats (which are small and lightweight), and pomegranates can make a beautiful statement in garland, on your mantle, or in a tablescape.
The greens should also be available in your area.
Eucalyptus, pine, boxwood, citrus greens, or olive branches (if your lucky enough to live in the Napa Valley or another Mediterranean climate) are all very decorative.
To add a little sparkle, just spray some twigs, branches, or nuts gold or silver and throw them into the mix!A Couple of Quick Gift IdeasI came across these yesterday and thought I'd share them with you...
For the watch collector/minimalist in your life this "Mysterious Black Watch" is a great deal for $35. on Etsy!
This sweet "Chunky Rhinestone Bracelet" will go with anything and it's only $10. on Etsy. Two are shown in the above image (available in black or natural).Happy decorating...Lori
Posted by Lori Pepe-Lunche. Posted In : Holiday Decor
December 8, 2012
Wreaths are one of the easiest things to pull together for the holidays. It will only take you 10-15 minutes and you'll have exactly what you want.
You can either start from scratch (with a wire form) or take much less time by starting with a plain, unadorned, pine or boxwood wreath. You can pick them up in the grocery stores, at the Christmas Tree lots or even at Trader Joe's (where I purchased mine) for $9.
I just started with some greens that I picked off a Laurel bush on the side of my ... Continue reading...
Posted by Lori Pepe-Lunche. Posted In : DIY (Do It Yourself) Projects
December 5, 2012
...Customize your own! It's fairly simple to customize your own doormat. I needed a new one and just could not find what I wanted (ridiculous, I know, as it launched me into an entirely new project). If you just can't find what you like then purchase a plain doormat that you can usually find at your local hardware store and design away!
First you'll need a piece of paper the same size as your mat to make a stencil of your design. I used cut up grocery bags that I taped together.
Draw your des... Continue reading...
Posted by Lori Pepe-Lunche. Posted In : DIY (Do It Yourself) Projects
December 1, 2012
It has been raining all day so that DIY project that needs to get done is on hold until I have a few hours of dry weather because it just will not work to do it inside! So I'll interrupt the scheduled post to bring you some fun and unusual gift ideas for the holidays. This is the X-Mini II Capsule Speaker that plugs into your iPhone, laptop, or mp3 player to give you a big fantastic sound anywhere you go. It's available in several fun colors and about a third the size of your iPhone for only ... Continue reading...
Posted by Lori Pepe-Lunche. Posted In : Gifts
November 28, 2012
Tis the season for giving and do I have a great personalized gift for you to give! It only takes 2 minutes and costs less than $5!
This is the easiest to make. I call it the "Snow Leopard Winter Mug".
All you have to do is go out and pick up some really inexpensive white dishes. I decided to try my luck at Cost Plus World Market. They had a great selection of white dishes just begging to be adorned.
I picked up a mug ($2.), a bowl ($10.), and a small serving platter ($3.). Any of these coul... Continue reading...
Posted by Lori Pepe-Lunche. Posted In : DIY (Do It Yourself) Projects
November 17, 2012
I've been a bit swamped with last minute deadlines before the Thanksgiving holiday thus the silence for the last week. When Thanksgiving has passed, I'll have some new projects to share. Here is one that looks easy and I would love to try! These wonderful "PulpLamps" were created by Enrique Romero, an Industrial Designer in Madrid, Spain.
The only material he uses is the paper paste made from recycled newspapers.
Shred the newspaper into a container,
Add your glue and water,
Stir well
Let sit ... Continue reading...
Posted by Lori Pepe-Lunche. Posted In : DIY (Do It Yourself) Projects
November 6, 2012
I fell in love last time I visited Costa Rica...with Epiphytes, otherwise known as air plants because they don't need soil to grow. All they need is something to hold onto (don't we all), indirect light, and moisture! They are the easiest plants to care for, indoors and outdoors, whatever the color of your thumb. Not only that, they can look so fabulous!
While at a neighborhood party last week, I was speaking to friend, who low and behold, has the same love of Epiphytes that I do! You just do... Continue reading...
Posted by Lori Pepe-Lunche. Posted In : Flowers
October 30, 2012
I wanted to give you some last minute ideas to make your Halloween night extra fun...
Grab some white or green water balloons, break open a glow stick, insert it in the balloon, fill the balloon with water and hang it inside an old nylon from your front porch or even from the tree in front. If you're throwing a party, hang them from the ceiling!
Take your old wine bottles, oil bottles, vinegar bottles...ANY bottles...and spray paint them with a matte black. Stick a black candle in the top and ... Continue reading...
Posted by Lori Pepe-Lunche. Posted In : Halloween
October 27, 2012
If you're ready to switch up your bedroom a bit, try a new headboard! Here are some easy, inexpensive, and creative ways to do it yourself!
This is an old head and footboard you can find at an old junk shop, flea market, or antique shop. All you need to do is paint it. This one has been totally modernized in black with the blue stripe down the center.
Another idea would be to make your own tufted headboard. You can make your own traditional curved style, but why not go big and sophisticated. ... Continue reading...
Posted by Lori Pepe-Lunche. Posted In : DIY (Do It Yourself) Projects
October 23, 2012
Make your own! Flowers are such an easy way to brighten up your home for fall, especially with some deep, bright, warm colors.
I picked up a length of scrap metal screen at the local junk re-use yard (Urban Ore) and it was just the thing to get my creative vase making juices going. I was picturing a long, low arrangement, and this made it work. I just took 3 short (about 4 inches) fat jars,
placed them on top of a piece of scrap wood that I had,
wound the scrap metal screen under the wood ... Continue reading...
Posted by Lori Pepe-Lunche. Posted In : Flowers
