Happy Thanksgiving

copyright Jackie VonTobel 2011

I know he's not a Turkey but he's as close as I could get! I'm on the road tomorrow to San Francisco with my Hubby to spend the holiday with two of my kids who are in college there. We will be having a scrumptious take out meal courtesy of Whole Foods and lots of fun trying to eat in my daughters itsy bitsy apartment. See you after the weekend.

Have a Happy Holiday!

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Happy Halloween

via, Gemma Comas photography

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Getting it Together for the New Year

2008 is just a couple of days away - Are you ready???? I know I'm not, but I'm trying to get a head start by weeding out some of the clutter and getting my essentials in order.
Here are a few things I found that might help you get the year off to a good start.

First of all, you need to take stock of your general mental health and well being. This diagnosis wheel from Knock Knock should do the trick.



Next, make sure to thank everyone for everything they've done for you over the past year and for all of those great gifts you received over the holidays. These little personalized notes should do the trick!


Now it's time to get serious and get your schedule in order. You're sure to stay on track using this saucy little number from Kate Spade, a pink-gold day planner.


And of course, no self respecting fashionista using a pink-gold day planner should be caught without a matching pencil bag!!

For those more casual moments on the run you can grab this little gem - compact and self contained, it's a calender at a glance.


Prioritize your calender with these perky place holders

Making lots of lists for the New Year? This pad lets you make them and keep track of them all in the same place!


I'm ordering some of these great painted wood desk organizers from The Home Storage Warehouse for my office so I can start fresh in 08. I figure if I have a lot of really organized looking receptacles, bins, and paper holders in my office, it will automatically look and feel more organized. (I like to live in denial or as I refer to it - living in my bubble!)


Hope you're all successful in getting it together and enjoy a hassle free, highly organized, 2008.

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Merry Merry Christmas

Here's hoping everyone has a happy and meaningful holiday. Take some time to enjoy the little things and the great traditions of Christmas. Here are some images from this years National Gingerbread House Competition. They look good enough to live in.


2007 Grand Prize Winner


2006 Grand Prize Winner



2007 Entry

Merry Christmas!!!!!!

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Not-So-Extreme Holiday Makeover

So, you've decided to host the perfect Holiday soirée. The Tree is trimmed, the halls are decked and the table is set with your finest china. Everything is just as you had envisioned until you take a look at that dingy old sofa or chair with the threadbare, dirty upholstery. Can your party really be the success you are sure it can be when you are overcome with fear that your guests will notice that your furniture hasn't been updated since 1980? Will someone sit on the chair that Uncle Larry spilled red wine on last Thanksgiving? What about the ottoman that serves as your dogs chew toy!

Have no fear - you still have time to pull off an instant makeover with slipcovers.

These great slips from Before-n-After could be hiding all sorts of sins but you'd never know it.


Whether you go with a ready made or semi-custom slip cover companies now offer many options that give your furniture a custom high-end look. These are not your grandma's sofa throws with chain fringe trim.


Stretch and Cover is a company that has pioneered a new type of stretch fabric that is made specifically for slip covers. The weave is multi-directional and is formulated to rebound and keep its shape.


Each product comes with retainer bars and straps that are designed to help keep the covers in place even with daily use.


For a more casual look try these styles from Conterelle, one of the companies that modernized ready to buy slip cover design.


Found these chenille covers on Overstock.com. They are well priced and available in rich colors.
Another Overstock.com find.




For a brighter and more varied selections of fabrics try The Slipcover Company. They have a large selection and very good pricing.

These dining chair covers are my favorite. I love that they come in short and long skirt styles.



Finally, how about these winter whites? These would look beautiful in any holiday dining room and they only cost $10.99 !!!!!!

Here's hoping your Holiday Parties are smashingly successful. That no one gets food poisoning or drinks too much eggnog and that most of all, no one looks under the slipcovers to see what lies underneath!

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Christmas Couture

It used to be that only we humans had to choose just the right outfit for that special Christmas party or event, now we have to worry about dressing our pets as well. My own miniature dachshunds have sweaters that my daughter forces them to wear at Christmas time when we have guests although they invariably wiggle out of them before the night is over. I confess that if they were more comfortable in the outfits and didn't try to chew them off I would probably have them dressed all the time. It's like the ultimate doll, a living toy that you can dress to fit your mood or season.


Look at this guy with his Grinch dog outfit - Love the hooves. He doesn't look that happy though.



My dogs would have this shredded into a million pieces in seconds but I love it.


This one looks a bit more sturdy but it's sized for a larger dog.


Another reindeer outfit - this is the coolest dog! She looks so bored.


This one has a sense of humor.



Foofy outfits for foofy dogs.


Since my dogs won't wear outfits maybe I should have them dyed!!!


Looks like someone's been a naughty dog.



This cracks me up. How do they get three dogs to sit still for this picture. Must have been trained by the Dog Whisperer.



Too cute,


Every dog needs their Christmas pj's.


This cracks me up. Does your dog really need a passenger?


Santa's helper



These two have arms - kind of creepy but very funny.


Last but not least let's not forget our feline friends.


Dog outfit links:

www.dogsmartway.com/Dog-Clothing.php
www.wiggle-n-waggle.com/.../Categories
http://stores.thehautehound.com/-strse-698/Reindeer-Costume/Detail.bok
dinkydawg.com/Pajamas
www.brandnewdad.com/.../halloween/christmas.asp
www.mypethaven.com/santa_dog.htm
www.shortorderdogs.com/HyperCart/Category.asp?category=Holiday+Houndz

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Have We Lost Our Everlovin Minds??????

The cover of this months Blueprint Magazine is showing this pink "designer" tree. Now in the hands of a professional, this type of "theme" tree can work in a stylish interior but it always looks sterile and cold. Are we so into appearances that even Christmas has to be staged. What ever happened to tradition and sentiment. The old family ornaments handed down from generations and the handmade ornaments your kids make.
How have we gone from the perfect simplicity of the American ideal of the Charlie Brown Christams Tree to this......

Big Bird Yellow!!!!! Who needs this tree, are we really this tacky?



How about silver spikes for branches? This tree really says comfy down home Christmas doesn't it?


You never know when you'll need a red foil tree. Maybe this is the tree the devil puts up in hell.



Dead sticks for branches. I suppose it could work, but do I really want a dead tree?


Now this one brings technology into play with a center tube filled with lighted bubbling water. Who couldn't feel festive with that kind of trickery going on.



Iridescent mylar! A thing of beauty to be sure but not for you nature lovers out there.


Then we have the ever popular red foil topiary. A truly classic element sure to add class and sophistication to any interior.



Who wouldn't love this stunning purple tree?



Or perhaps you prefer blue foil. This one is sure to make that statement you are looking for.



A red Chile tree for you south westerners.





A lighted Palm for the Floridians in the group.




And of course the newest addition to the lineup the upside down tree. Truly the pinnacle of the new age of Christmas adornment.


Please for the sake of future Christmases show some restraint in your choices. Think back to Christmases past and the simplicity of the finer things we enjoyed as kids. Bring back some sense and sensibility to the Holiday season. And for God's sake please don't buy an upside down tree!!!!

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