It's a Merry Madness, while I'm dreaming of a white...

I know.  I am sorry.  I had to do it.  I plunged.  I am in Christmas mode.  I am singing jingle bells, much to Mr. Lovee's umm, well, to put it gently, surprise... 

      

I am Mr. Lovee's worst elf nightmare right now.  I am easing him slowly though.  It's not like I am walking around in Christmas tree earrings and reindeer sweaters along with antlers on my head (yet).  Although, he is showing great concern for the fact that Little Women has been on repeat on my television for one month. (it inspires the winter mood)

If you recall, there was a mantel in my gallery.  I did a major heist on the gallery this week.  Somehow lifting and carrying the 150lb. mantel to my bedroom in the country myself, and attaching it as a headboard (removing the mattresses etc. etc). As opposed to the bedroom at my in town home.

      

I delivered glittery dunce birds to owners here and there, and then pocketed the rest.  I feel a little guilty, I mean, I did make them to sell.  But, I had to have some for myself.  I took everything off of the Christmas branch (which did and will stay up forever, with minor changes depending on seasons) and painted it in two shades of white.  It looked so dreamy all white and crisp, so I only replaced a few of its treasures, including the birds.  (note: there will be birds in the shop ;)

      

I removed all of my Wendy Addison glitter banners and strands of silver stars, as they have turned black.  Has that happened to any of you?  I know it is that they are tarnished. But,can they be dipped in tarnish remover or will the glue dissolve? You tell me...  Luckily, I had the snowflakes put away, so those still look silver and sparkly.

           

I love how the mantel looks as a headboard... I almost bought one of these beds.  But I am quite content with the mantel for now...

        

      

I also was quite naughty at Anthropologie this week. Oh, it was devlish fun!!! 

      

I did just bring the India Ink Bedding home (on my bed now) from Anthro and I love it.  I brought home two different bedding options.  However, when I put the 2nd colorful Chika quilt set on, I had to wonder, what I was thinking (it is an amazing quilt, a must see, just didn't work for me). So now I have to drag it back.  I don't like returning at all...

I got a tiny bit of Christmas shopping done at Anthropologie, but mostly gifts for me.  You see, my mother always instilled the idea of exquisite bedding and towels in me.  I just love that about her... I also got the most beautiful Christmas stocking I have ever seen, I am so in love with it.  They had it hanging on this little bird holder, so I brought him home too, isn't it just charming???

      

      

When I got home yesterday I had a wonderful treasure I purchased waiting for me...  And it was wrapped oh so wonderfully.  From the delightful Noodle and Lou:

      

      

      

I have also been quite the Etsy shopper, oh how I love Etsy!!  I initially was looking for Christmas gifts, but I found a few for me too...

Etsy Treasures for me (& a few gifts):

For me. Beven by Du Buh Du Designs.  We started by adopting Beven. 

      

But fell so in love, we had to promptly order some of her sisters, in their exquisite clothing and details... We await the arrival of Eugenie, Imogen & Ainsley.  They are wonderful in person, such detail and little moveable parts.  Really a great purchase!!!  They have inspired me to retrieve my giant dollhouse form storage so they can have a home to play!  And, look at how charming she looks with Noodle and Lou's houses.

        

For the Studio, lovely, lovely Farm Music CD by Cold Antler Farm.  I have been enjoying this so much for the last month.  Just perfect for my dreamy winter mood:

 

For me again, A mini deer plaque, from Nice.  You can order it white or with designs.  I just noticed mine doesn't have those lovely little flowers surrounding it.  There is one in the nice shop like that, run and grab it. I want it!

      

A marvelous gift.  A Wonderful creature by Lori Brown:

      

For Gifts, Desdemona's Daydream {mini notecards}, by Stiletto Heights:

      

For me, from Mary Contrary, a cameo ring and a Sagittarius necklace:

      

Wellll, I have many more treats to share, but that should leave you with a few lovely places to visit for now... In the mean time, I must rest my soul after this long week, I will share more about it later...  Time for a little R&R.

      

See you very soon!!! ;)

Comments

[Melissa!]

You didn't! But we haven't had cranberries and stuffing yet! Gasp!

I do lovelovelove the birdie stocking holder! Sigh, I drool over Anthropologie!

[Du Buh Du Designs]

Ahhh!!Thank you Vanessa!
Beven is surrounded by art and books..she's in Heaven:) When you're not looking she's reading the Bell Jar (she's a Sylvia Plath fan).
Your room is beautiful!! I love the pink and turquoise colors for the Holidays..that reminds me ~I need to take down my Halloween decorations out front, seriously. Looks like you have a lot of new fun stuff to enjoy! That bed spread is beautiful! I just finished a doll today with a matching dress:) Nice finds on Etsy! I just turned my sister onto it and she says its addicting..no kidding:)
Enjoy your R&R!
Christine

[Mary]

Oh man I love that deer plaque from nice! Thanks for showing me this shop!!

[Jungle Dream Pagoda]

Deliciosity!!!
How I adore your X-mas stirrings! the mantel/bed decor is perfection! I am truly digging Beven,what a chic ensem!.... and now to find out she digs Sylvia Plath! Love her!
I have been outstandingly busy at the Pagoda,missing everyone!

[Marjorie]

I loved vicariously shopping through you!! :) and whenever shall you have those adorable duncey-glitter birds in your shop!!?? Eeep!! I love them! :) You are a marvelous decorator!! I almost pulled out the Christmas box (full of decorations galore) today...but I decided to wait.....for now! :)

[stephanie]

Eeee gads!!! What a shopper you are! and what great ideas you give us!

I must say....feeling too early for Christmas...but NEVER too early for goodies!!!

[Paris Parfait]

OK, Vanessa, you're too far ahead of me for Christmas - I am so not there until after Thanksgiving. But that fireplace mantel as headboard is inspired - very French - and the bedding and all your art purchases are charming! But I want one of those birds - don't you think one needs to fly to France for the winter??!! xoxox

[michelle]

Oh What a beeeeautiful post! Thanks for the jump on the christmas shopping. I am hoping to use etsy a lot for my shopping this year and is always nice to have someone tell you that the things the received are as good as they looked. You really have some gorgeous treats, which is good, you deserved them after that show you did. I think my favorite is your new bed, love the bedding, love the mantle and love the way you hung your painting! I am so glad to see you did keep one for yourself. Oh, and I love the new doll, you know what a sucker I am for dolls. Be sure and show us when her sisters come! Oh, and I love your new birds. It was all just lovely!

[sarah]

You always have the best stuff. Where did the plate come from in the last shot? That long necked deer thing is rad!

[Joy]

*heart. racing.* Too much goodness here to comment on!

LOVE the dunce birds. I mean, really? How do you think of this?

Secondly, the headboard. TO DIE FOR. And the hotel sign, divine.

As for the Wendy Addison silver, yes, my fav's have tarnished too. :( I wonder about your idea of use silver tarnish remover? You just never know!

p.s. I am in full Christmas mode here too. :)

Joy
xo

[Karen Beth]

I shop vicariously through you. :)

[Jackie Roorda]

I love your headboard/mantel!!! TOO COOL!!! and branch with the ornaments ... I've started decorating and Christmas shopping .. I love Christmas!! I love the music, lights, smells and of course the real meaning.

[Sandra Evertson]

Whew! My head s bursting! So much wonderful stuff! Love the mantel headboard! It looks so Terrific!
Sandra Evertson

[Pam Aries]

OKAY... I see that I am going to have to comment a few times on this post ..because i forget all the things I want to comment on by the tme I get to the end..Waaa! First things first...SO..YOU have an actual, tangible ANTHROPOLOGIE STORE? that you can WALK into and SEE things?? AND buy them right then and there!!!!!!!!!!!

[Pam Aries]

R&R ????? would that mean Reindeer and Rum & Eggnog!... I am in the Christmas mood to because it is cold!

[Pam Aries]

One more thing...your mantle is awesome! It is so cool...I have one , but it is not as ornate as yours...I want to do a checkerboard pattern on mine now!

[Lisa]

Love all the lovely items. First time here and the browsing is a real pleasure. Great pictures and lots of interesting things to see too.

[lisa s]

that stocking. wow

[carolyn]

Vanessa you always manage to find the most wonderful things to buy, I want them all!

[Moanna]

Oh my goodness. Love the headboard, am going to look for a mantle.

I need to start playing the lottery if I'm going to visit here very often! :)

[stilettoheights]

Vanessa!!!!!

Thank you for showing the mini cards you got from me, how delightful.

I am "almost" in Christmas mode, by next week I will be, now that we have a big house we are saving up for a big Christmas Tree, we are hoping to put it up next week...well once we buy it.

I LOVE LITTLE WOMEN, my bubs has forbid it in the house while he is home...

another winter movie I love, Anne of Green Gables!!!

[Conni]

Oh boy, you totally made me want to go into Anthropologie. The one here isn't that big...they don't have a ton of bedding, but I still love it. I've been wanting to redo our bedding...maybe that will be our Christmas treat! Love the stocking too! And all of your etsy finds! Yay!! :)

[lou]

guess what, i just bought that cd.

!!!

Hey, and if there are any spare loveees going over there, please send one over. im a terrible cook and i cant bake cupcakes so good, but i could shower him with rabbits and weird art:) lucky woman! yaya!

xxx

[Dees]

OMG V!!!!!!!!!!!that bed!!!that art!That doll!!! what are you trying to do to me WOMAN!Now I have my face all twisted in a very very nasty grinn and I am making all kinds of very very nasty plans to buy each and every item you showed us.Oh well I could also just enjoy that you have it all dearie,because you deserve each and every item!hugs and kiss Dees

[rochambeau]

Your HEADBOARD looks magnificent, and your new bedspread sublime! Especially with your paper maiden dancing and twirling you into sweet dreams! All your new treasures, fabulous!
Like the skaters boot stocking especially. Have fun getting in the spirit!

xox
C

[Catherine]

Oooh I love that stocking. I am feeling all Christmassy now!

[Nancy]

Good Morning Miss Vanessa! You know what? This was one of my favorite posts EVER! But you combined three of my major loves...shopping, decorating and Christmas! ;-) The bed...I LOVE it! It's fantastic with the black and white bedding! Love the way you framed your beautiful paper dress painting...thanks for the tip!! The dolls from Du Buh Du Designs, I MUST have one as well as one of your sparkly birds! Your stocking....how cute is that?? OK...seriously?...I'm beginning to get giddy! Time to take a break! ;-)

As much as I look forward to Thanksgiving, it's Christmas that I'm all about. I'll start to decorate Thanksgiving weekend and won't stop until there is something sparkly on every surface of my house. OH! The Wendy Addison glitter pieces, sadly they DO tarnish. The "Merry Christmas" silver glitter banner I bought came with a card that said it was normal due to the vintage glitter she uses. I'm hoping that since I only use my banner at Christmas that it won't tarnish too quickly and I'll be able to use it for several years. Wow! This comment was wordy, eh? ;-)

[phyllis]

The.Dunce.Birds.Are.Not.There.Yet.
Crawl out from under that gorgeous bedding and put those aviary treats up for sale!!!
This is the most elegant post ever, V!!!
Two shades of white? Wonderfully wintery!

[phyllis]

OH so funny video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ngRq82c8Baw

[Lisa S. Oceandreamer]

Even though I am not even in "holiday head" yet at all...I loved seeing all your wonderful treasures and touches and purchases. I LOVE LOVE LOVE the mantel as a headboard - FABULOUS! and as I LOVE black and white (see new studio pics) I am so drawn to the bedding. There is SO much here to inspire! I am in a handmade Christmas stocking swap and the one you bought actually gave me a great idea.
Anthropologie is where I go for ideas and inspiration and funny enough I had the monogrammed cup on my list to buy for drinking coffee/tea in my studio...realizing I'd just paint my own instead. HA!
So this was fabulous eye candy and got the imagination juices flowing even more. That's you..inspiration all the way!
LOVE the birds btw!!! AND are YOU a Sagittarius?
So much to say here I sound like I'm gushing!
XOXOXO
Love,
Lisa

[lori]

Miss Vanessa, your bedroom looks really lovely...calming and serene.
I envy your new treasures a bit. I've been coveting that deer plaque from nice for a while now and I just adore noodle and lou. You have exquisite taste.

p.s. Thank you for showing Leena...especially in such good company!

xoxo

[Randi]

Plunging into Christmas is the only way to do it. I'm about to dive into the deep end of it myself. I have a bad case of grabby hands for that headboard...GIMME!! I recently went to Anthro but I didn't find all the sublime goodies you did...lucky grrrl!

[Black-Eyed Suzie]

Your Christmas display is GORGEOUS, and so is your sweet little doll! I'm glad she will have her sisters with her soon - they hate to be lonely! I have a dollhouse, too filled with Dame Darcy ladies! Speaking of Dame Darcy Dolls, i have to thank you SO MUCH for helping me with the youtube thing because I just posted a Dame Darcy movie on my blog all thanks to you teaching me how. It has a very sweet, sad little doll in it...You are beautiful exuberance!

[cheeky]

Oh me oh my! It's eye candy for me every time I visit. You have such a gift you little chickadee. Not to mention, I am smiling and laughing when I read because I hear your voice telling me all about these lovely, little treasures. Each one soo loved by you.
I'm glad you didn't purchase a bed. I think the mantel looks fantabulous, absolutely delicious. Don't change a thing.
Turn up the music and keep twirling about the studio. I'd be over twirling with you if I could. Tea for me too, please.
xo

[risa]

wow! you get sooooooooo many comments.
anyway, i am totally obsesss with white fireplaces. i want one!
but i have to say the stuff in the brocade catalog is tempting. we bought a coffee table and a couple of side tables and they're beautiful!

[tiffany]

Miss V. your room is so lovely and elegant now. And, I love your new Christmas shopping stuff especially the stocking.. gorgeous. I am always hoping that more people will adopt pink as an official Christmas color. It needs to be one. I just love it! Every thing is looking so beautiful at your place!!!

[noodle and lou studio]

okay Miss Vanessa...where do I start!!? Thanks for showing your new treats from me:) I LOVE that my little houses live in that exquisite room. Adore your bed and mantle...I would never want to get out of bed!! I'm so jealous of your adorable creation from Lori too!!! And...Anthropologie?? I knew I liked you. Is there anything better than a good trip to that store? The first time I went into the one in Manhattan...I think I heard angels singing:) Adore it SO much it hurts;) Have a happy day surrounded by all your treats!! Thanks again for my lovely postcards...they are so fabulous!! xoxo....jenn

[Cherie]

V, you have been exquistely busy. I'm in love with the headboard...what a fabulous idea and it looks stunning. I'm drooling over everything else. Thanks for the links!

[Tricia]

Oh boy, Christmas is on it's way fast!!! I have done some shopping on Etsy too! I also sent a wish list of my fave items to Steven for his shopping for ME!! I love supporting the little shops as opposed to big stores! I love all your decorations and new goodies esp the painting of the row of little houses!!! How wonderful!

[Tricia]

and oopsy!! I forgot to mention how much i adore your mantel headboard...utterly fantastico!!

[Marilyn]

I must say you've spoiled yourself quite a bit there. Good for you! I also think that the mantel looks WAY better than what you were thinking about buying.

[sadira]

Oh how fun! I can not let myself officially slip into elf mode until after Thanksgiving as I am already alternating between giggling and bouts of crying (I am already over stimulated from all the holiday hype...)

I am loving the sweet tweets (hahaha!) aka-dunce birdies. Also loving the stocking, I made some like that only more jestery and not an ice skate a couple of years ago for a friends family...I swear I saw them in Pottery Barn...it's been forever though (lots of cobwebs occupying that space in the ole' noggin!)

Have a beautiful weekend...and rest up from all of the trials of the week!

[Betty @ She's Sew Pretty]

Oh!! Shopping! I love shopping for presents. Does the Sagittarius necklace mean that you have a birthday coming up too?

[flyinamber]

Your mantel looks so wonderful on its new place!And all other decorations are just beautiful!
I'm thinking about my Christmas decoration,too..
Have a nice weekend!

[mosaicqueen]

I too Love Anthropologie!!!
Love, Love, Love the Mantel behind the bed!!!

[wictoria]

merveilleux, j'aime beaucoup les draps noirs et blancs ! et aussi la tête de lit et...tout et tout !

Marvellous, I like very much the black and white sheet ! and the headboard too and...all and all !

[Mosaic Queen]

I forgot to mention that I'm having a give away....come and visit! :-)

[Donna O.]

Hmmm....lot's of "non-color" there in the bedroom. Love that. Little Women...ah.....I haven't watched it in ages- thanks for the reminder.My favorite, though is the lttle "V" cup. No, not your bra size, silly!
D.

[kkarla nathan]

I used a mantel as a head board too, but wish mine was more ornate. you have a great one there!!!

[Beth]

I just LOVE that bed! It's perfect!!! I think I am definitely going to buy that cd and those plaques are absolutely gorgeous!. You're awesome! Thank you! :)