New Years Decor

Images via Pinterest

Enjoy tonight everyone!

HAPPY NEW 2014!!!

Christmas Decor: Table Centerpieces

Last weekend I helped in decorating a couple of tables for our church school Christmas program. Here are some pictures for you guys. 

The red and gold theme came from our chirstmas tree decorations. This is what I'd call decorating on a budget. All the decorations are actually ornaments, even the "runner" which it happens to be snow flakes, then on top I added different sizes of sphere ornaments.
On the first set up I added a deer and two gold pine cones from Target. I also decided to add a candle in the middle of it, in case they needed to turn the lights off during the program. As you can see, the second set up it's very similar. I had this gold decor piece at home from few years back that I almost spray painted white, I'm glad I didn't though. I think I got it at a thrift store somewhere in GA. I also added a candle inside it.
All these different ornaments can be purchased at any dollar store. Adding a runner contrasting the table cloth can make it extra special!

Christmas Spirit 

Leather Short Inspiration

Images via Pinterest

Enjoy your week friends!

The New Project: Living Room Chairs

I bought two of these Drexel Furniture Co. chairs from a lady who sold them to me for a total of $75 for both! I was super happy for the deal she gave me and even more when I went to pick them up these beauties where heavy and when I sat on them they were comfortable! Thankfully my husband was there to help me, we both knew these chairs were good quality.

 I've been wanting to add more seating to my small living room, since I only have a small turquoise sofa. 

However, the fabric is in bad shape, I expected much since these chairs are from 1960's. The fabric was rough, but the wood, both cushions and the chairs' springs are still in great condition. I will reupholster them, sand the wood and restain it. Hopefully this chairs project comes out good. I also did a bit of research on the drexel furniture company, to learn a bit more about these american made furniture pieces.

 There will be pictures coming soon, as the project begins. Meanwhile, here are some ideas for the new fabric. I'm trying to stay in the neutral colors, so there can be room for different types of color, designs and patterns added by the throw pillows.

Images via Pinterest

Living Room: Pop of Color

I'm trying to bring the mustard and orange colors pop out from the pillows in a cohesive way. I'm still in the process of making this living room complete, but this is how it's starting to look so far. I now have moved this sofa few times, trying to arrange the furniture in a way that will be useful and at the same time will go well in our small space.
 Lately, I've also been looking through pinterest pinning my favorite living room decor, and adding ideas to my boards. There are different way to decorate all the other rooms in the house, although my house is small in size, I'm aiming for it to be big in style.

Blazed up

blazer:DC, skirt: Old Navy (old), booties: BCBG, scarf: Marc Jacobs for Target

Enjoy your week!

 Stay warm.

XO

The One

This is how the search for the right tree started. Lilly has been asking "When are we doing Christmas?"

This Christmas will be a bit more "celebrated" now that Lilly understands it more. In the past I only did few decorations here and there, but the importance of having a tree and decorating it is more meaningful as Lilly gets older. 

When we got there the owners had a little pony and well we actually had to pull her from there to actually go and search for the tree.

 She found it and wanted to cut it... well help cut it. She tried and then said "Daddy this is really hard" 

Daddy and Lilly cut the tree together in the end. You can see it on her face, it was a workout for her! :D

It's now in our living room with some lights we added. Lilly and I still have to decorated it. I love the smell of pine by the way, but more importantly I love the happiness this tree brings to my little girl. 

This tradition of cutting the tree has been on my mind even before Lilly was born. I've been waiting to start it in our family. It will bring many special memories for us but mainly for her as she grows.

XO

Decoration On Budget

Ok so I'm working the "wreath" project and I'm mastering this thing like a pro I must say. However, I'm on a budget and I don't have more money to be buying extra stuff.. 

So what do I do? I turn to nature! There are lots and lots of pine cones outside now and I have some gold mesh left over from the burlap wreath I made earlier. 

I love!

Burlap Wreath Project

I had been on Pinterest lately looking ta some wreaths, there are so many pretty ones, and the more pretty they are, the more expensive the are. I decided I was going to try to buy one from a local shop and well, the prices weren't very appealing even with a 30% off. So, I decided to give it a try and do it myself!
This is how it all went..

I youtubed some videos on how to make a wreath at the last minute before starting this project and well, I saw few but I ended up just going with it and filling on any empty areas I saw as I went around it.

I'm loving the results, still looking for some extra decorations to give it the Christmas feel. I chose burlap because it can go with every season! I can just take the gold out and add whatever.. 

Not bad!

I'm so proud of my new wreath!

I'm a new Do It Yourselfer addict!!

Remember This?

So I showed you how this used to look. 
This is how it looks now..

I recently started to decorate for Christmas, thus the golden angel next to the golden pumpkin. I think I like the gold theme decoration for this Christmas, with that said I will post a burlap wreath I have done for my front door. Getting in the Christmas decoration spirit...

Picture Frame Inspirations

          Image via Pinterest 

       Image via Pinterest 

        Image via Pinterest 

          BEFORE

All but the big frames are from Target

        AFTER

The two big frames are actually a set of three, I bought them about seven to eight years ago. It was my first time hosting Thanksgiving and I wanted something to put on the bare walls of my Atlanta apartment, so I went with the black and white theme.. I guess we all have done the black and white theme once.. Right?

  Anyways, now these three are covered with a few layers of an aqua color I bought at Lowe's. I chose to hang two of them this time around, so far so good. I still have to add a picture to one of the frames, but I'm liking the results so far. 

XO

Into It..

TAKE 1

Location: Outside our City Library

TAKE 2

Location: City Park

TAKE 3

Location: City Park

This year I wanted us to get professional photographs for Christmas, and/or for our collection. We have never had a professional photographer take pictures of us and I really wanted this year to be our first. 

However, I haven't look for one yet to be honest, and I know my husband can take good photos... if he's really into it. That sounds kinda blunt (if he gets into it) but it's the truth. On our first year of marriage I would ask him to take pictures of me, us, anything and everything, but mainly of me (this was way before EMPHASIS by the way) so with all my requests... I drained him.  Now, if he gets into it I'm more than happy, and this is what happen on the days these pictures were taken. HE WAS INTO IT. 

We have FEW good pictures that I think we will choose from for our Christmas cards, but I wanted to share some with you. 

Anyways, this whole "story" just to say that now we won't get professional photos taken this year because my hubby took them for us.. 

Now that I think of it, maybe he had this thing all planned just so I don't spend money on a photographer.. Ah Ha!!

Well played mi vida, well played!

Thoughts.. Life Lately

Lately I've been giving in my creative side and well, I have also been stocking a new blogger, Jennifer from Withheart. The projects and ideas she gives in her blog are very easy and simple to make that the more I read through her blog from old to the latest projects, I can't help but to get my hands on some projects of my own.

Also, I have a confession to make... I've been thinking of not posting on EMPHASIS anymore. I know, I kinda stop few times, but I would try to post at least one outfit post once in a while. Now, I don't feel the urge to make sure I have my camera with me every time I put an outfit together. Also, although clothes continue to interest me and the love for improving my style is there, I don't feel as passionate as I did when I fist started this blog. The more time goes on, the more other things interest me..

 However, I started to think that just because my passion for a "style blog" wasn't there as strong as it used to be, I didn't have to completely give up posting on EMPHASIS. I've decided that I will post whatever interests me, and whenever. That way the feeling of pressure on having to post something on EMPHASIS doesn't take over.

Staring Now!

Porject #1 "Dinning Room"

I will leave you with this new addition to my teeny tiny house.