tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4359674862357696702024-03-14T01:14:55.578-07:00The Mulholland ScoopThe real scoop on all things lovely.Ledahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00635831237592579044noreply@blogger.comBlogger8125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-435967486235769670.post-91068036079478310742011-12-22T09:28:00.000-08:002012-02-03T21:29:40.159-08:00Traditional Christmas Decor<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">For a warm comfy Christmas choose traditional decor. Create a gorgeous atmosphere by decorating your home with a fresh pine garland and big red velvet bows. The flower mart in downtown Los Angeles offers a multiple array of garlands, wreaths and sprays. The garlands sell for a dollar a foot or fifty dollars for 75 ft. I needed only 15 ft for my patio. I bought the bows from <span id="goog_456801957"></span><a href="http://Walgreens.com/" target="_blank">Walgreens</a><span id="goog_456801958"></span> but you can also find them at <a href="http://Michaels.com/" target="_blank">Michaels</a> and <a href="http://Target.com/" target="_blank">Target</a>.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
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Candles illuminate glistening reindeer and silver glittered leaves. The best Christmas candles are from Bath and Body works. My favorite scent from <a href="http://Bathandbodyworks.com/" target="_blank">Slatkin&Co.</a> is Fresh Balsam. Your home will smell like fresh pine on a cold winter night. The reindeer is from Target and the bells are from<a href="http://Bedbathandbeyond.com/" target="_blank"> Bed,Bath and Beyond</a>.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div>Ledahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00635831237592579044noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-435967486235769670.post-20128235852426606172011-12-22T00:11:00.000-08:002011-12-22T08:04:02.946-08:00Venetian Christmas<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">I love the opulence and sophistication of Venice, Italy. This Christmas I was inspired by the theatrical </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">flourish of the Venetian Renaissance period. Venetian masks are a centuries old tradition in Venice. The </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">masks I chose are called The Columbina which is a half mask and often highly decorated with gold, </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">silver, crystals and feathers. It is held to the face by a baton or tied with ribbon as with most Venetian </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">masks. I purchased these masks at <a href="http://pier1imports/" target="_blank">Pier 1 imports</a> but if you prefer authenticity I recommend </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><a href="http://venetianmasksociety.com/" target="_blank">Venetian Mask Society</a>.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"> <a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-digLWKT5mfA/TvIxKIVvB8I/AAAAAAAAAEI/WvO3zmVFOkM/s1600/IMG_0274.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-digLWKT5mfA/TvIxKIVvB8I/AAAAAAAAAEI/WvO3zmVFOkM/s640/IMG_0274.JPG" width="640" /></a></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br />
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<div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Create a holiday fantasy by decorating a brilliantly lit, lush green tree with sparkling ornaments. </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">I've been collecting large, painted glass bulbs over the years. <a href="http://Target.com/" target="_blank">Target</a>, Pier1,</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><a href="http://potterybarn.com/" target="_blank">Pottery Barn</a> and <a href="http://Costco.com/" target="_blank">Costco</a> are my favorite stores to pick up reasonably priced </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">elegant Christmas baubles. </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">I once stood in line at <a href="http://SaksFifthAvenue.com/" target="_blank">Saks fifth Avenue</a> in Los Angeles the day after Christmas and boy was it worth it! Last but not least </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">for the most dazzling collection of Christmas ornaments you will ever see you must go to <a href="http://Frontgate.com/" target="_blank">Frontgate</a>.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-epFDnSxN5ww/TvIxgyhG1fI/AAAAAAAAAEY/BYJxuIkRqbo/s1600/IMG_0278.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-epFDnSxN5ww/TvIxgyhG1fI/AAAAAAAAAEY/BYJxuIkRqbo/s640/IMG_0278.jpg" style="cursor: move;" width="480" /></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Add a bit of Venetian splendor to your tree with stunning masks and a ruby red beaded garland. Garland can be purchased at either </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><a href="http://CVS.com/" target="_blank">CVS</a></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"> or Target.</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="clear: left; display: inline !important; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></span></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"></span><br />
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</span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-IQfbzWHXyUI/TvIxpDFVl_I/AAAAAAAAAEg/SwXzNIhfs58/s1600/DSC00719.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; display: inline !important; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em; text-align: justify;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-IQfbzWHXyUI/TvIxpDFVl_I/AAAAAAAAAEg/SwXzNIhfs58/s640/DSC00719.jpg" width="360" /></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Hanging a mask on the inside of your front door in lieu of a wreath will add a touch of romance to your theme. I added gold bells </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">which I purchased from <a href="http://Bedbathandbeyond.com/" target="_blank">Bed, Bath and Beyond.</a></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 19px;">St. Francis of Assisi is credited with creating the first nativity scene in 1223 at Greccio, Italy, in an attempt to place the emphasis of Christmas upon the worship of Christ rather than upon <a class="mw-redirect" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Secular" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: initial; background-image: none; background-origin: initial; color: #0645ad; text-decoration: none;" title="Secular">secular</a> <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Materialism" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: initial; background-image: none; background-origin: initial; color: #0645ad; text-decoration: none;" title="Materialism">materialism</a> and gift giving. I would be lying to you if I told you I was that good. I think it is so much fun to give and receive gifts at Christmas! I happen to find nativities very beautiful and they remind me of Italy. The nativity shown below is a <a href="http://reviews.costco.com/2070/11489610/mercuries-asia-kirkland-signature-nativity-set-15-pieces-reviews/reviews.htm" target="_blank">Kirkland signature</a> from Costco.</span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Mprs8WGOVWo/TvIyNvd0cxI/AAAAAAAAAEo/3L-SvshcnBw/s1600/IMG_0327.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="332" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Mprs8WGOVWo/TvIyNvd0cxI/AAAAAAAAAEo/3L-SvshcnBw/s640/IMG_0327.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>Ledahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00635831237592579044noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-435967486235769670.post-80145264768087457112011-11-21T23:28:00.000-08:002011-11-21T23:35:44.125-08:00Happy Holidays!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Kr10geP-I3E/TstF28fxDHI/AAAAAAAAAEA/QMN2p3ildEo/s1600/mulholland-xmasgrn2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="229" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Kr10geP-I3E/TstF28fxDHI/AAAAAAAAAEA/QMN2p3ildEo/s320/mulholland-xmasgrn2.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
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Wow, has the year flown by. Thanksgiving is in just two days and my next favorite holiday is right around the corner. Yes, you guessed it, it's Christmas! It is so lovely to receive a card in the mail around the holiday season. My favorite website for Christmas, Hanukkah, New Years or just Happy Holiday cards is <a href="http://veryinviting.com/" target="_blank">Very Inviting</a>.<br />
Not only do they have the most beautiful selection of personalized stationary, note cards, wine labels and luggage tags they also offer a fabulous array of great gifts . My friends are always tickled pink when I give them personalized stationary from Very Inviting. The designs and colors are stunning and there is a uniqueness that you won't find anywhere else.Ledahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00635831237592579044noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-435967486235769670.post-42781206032227039272011-11-05T10:15:00.001-07:002011-11-21T23:34:27.207-08:00Haunted House!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-0NKYU6Qsx_4/TrVwY1pdlBI/AAAAAAAAAC8/0baL9W7fFoU/s1600/DSC00630.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="225" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-0NKYU6Qsx_4/TrVwY1pdlBI/AAAAAAAAAC8/0baL9W7fFoU/s400/DSC00630.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: right;"><div style="text-align: justify;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Grinning, ghoulish jack-o-lanterns get</span></i></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Halloween off to a screaming start. I always throw a little pumpkin carving</span></i></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">get together two nights before my party.</span></i></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">It is such great fun: good wine, yummy food, wonderful friends and lots of creativity!</span></i></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-SHcl_BsiFQw/TrVwdch-vGI/AAAAAAAAADE/L2Zc9CFx1ps/s1600/DSC00664.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="225" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-SHcl_BsiFQw/TrVwdch-vGI/AAAAAAAAADE/L2Zc9CFx1ps/s400/DSC00664.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: left;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Decorate your house in the spirit of the theme with creepy indoor decor.</span></i></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><div style="text-align: justify;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Transform your living room into a witches coven by hanging wall posters and spooky silhouettes.</span></i></div><br />
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<div style="text-align: left;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-zDusehSgw0w/TrcsR4KjqJI/AAAAAAAAADw/TeWyEWd4Ye4/s1600/DSC00667.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="180" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-zDusehSgw0w/TrcsR4KjqJI/AAAAAAAAADw/TeWyEWd4Ye4/s320/DSC00667.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: justify;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-EyTaDjD4Z9U/TrVwnyBhveI/AAAAAAAAADU/gQ0TAkA2IAI/s1600/DSC00674.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-EyTaDjD4Z9U/TrVwnyBhveI/AAAAAAAAADU/gQ0TAkA2IAI/s400/DSC00674.jpg" width="225" /></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><i>An elegant dinner table is shockingly sophisticated. Add glittered synthetic pumpkins and <a href="http://potterybarn.com/" target="_blank">gothic candle sticks</a> to evoke a bygone era.</i></span></div><br />
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<div style="text-align: right;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><i>Inspired by Edgar Allan Poe</i></span></div><div style="text-align: right;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><i>and <a href="http://marthastewart.com/" target="_blank">Martha Stewart</a>. </i></span></div><div style="text-align: right;"><br />
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</div><div style="text-align: left;"><i style="color: #666666; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">This eerie dark candelabra and crow silhouettes are another way of setting the mood for a truly vintage Halloween. (left)</i></div><div style="text-align: left;"><i style="color: #666666; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br />
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<a target="_blank" href="http://www.grandinroad.com/">Grandin Road</a> is also having an up to 60% off sale on already marked down items such as gothic tombstones that look, feel and even sound real. I bought one a few months ago and I was very pleased with the authenticity and the quality. I also purchased a vintage costume from the Victorian era and when it arrived I was pleasantly surprised by the accurate fit and of course the quality. There is something for everyone at Grandin Road. Oh and that lovely funeral wreath that you see.....I made it! I can't take the credit for originality because Martha Stewart had it on her Halloween website a few years ago.Ledahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00635831237592579044noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-435967486235769670.post-39278284898636155122011-10-22T20:52:00.000-07:002011-10-26T20:52:54.436-07:00Martha Stewart Halloween Decor<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-9QbuhL-k6Ms/TqjUuzMADfI/AAAAAAAAAC0/pE4UJrAddVI/s1600/IMG_0041.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-9QbuhL-k6Ms/TqjUuzMADfI/AAAAAAAAAC0/pE4UJrAddVI/s400/IMG_0041.jpg" width="300" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-bTB1A6ovcJ0/TqjUoaLIDWI/AAAAAAAAACs/6cBX2qI_01g/s1600/IMG_0040.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-bTB1A6ovcJ0/TqjUoaLIDWI/AAAAAAAAACs/6cBX2qI_01g/s400/IMG_0040.jpg" width="300" /></a></div><span id="goog_368772125"></span><span id="goog_368772126"></span>Ledahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00635831237592579044noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-435967486235769670.post-66760576963556044762011-10-22T19:14:00.000-07:002011-10-25T19:47:17.138-07:00Creating the spooky effect...<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-qrWO4T3TNk8/Tqd0bNwLOAI/AAAAAAAAACQ/a5mvw-vF-DM/s1600/Black+jack-o-lanterns.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-qrWO4T3TNk8/Tqd0bNwLOAI/AAAAAAAAACQ/a5mvw-vF-DM/s400/Black+jack-o-lanterns.jpg" width="400" /></a><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-7R7sCKDNTDc/TqdqDlKmnTI/AAAAAAAAACI/3dZS_IA56tk/s1600/Halloween2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-7R7sCKDNTDc/TqdqDlKmnTI/AAAAAAAAACI/3dZS_IA56tk/s400/Halloween2.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>There is nothing that says, " Halloween" like glowing jack-o-lanterns as your guests come up the walk way to your haunted house.Ledahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00635831237592579044noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-435967486235769670.post-87503648285455438912011-10-22T13:03:00.000-07:002011-10-25T21:47:19.903-07:00Some Enchanted Evening<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-uokwZ9T5Le0/TqeGLy53i-I/AAAAAAAAACc/MSnfTuDpmfQ/s1600/halloween2010.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-uokwZ9T5Le0/TqeGLy53i-I/AAAAAAAAACc/MSnfTuDpmfQ/s400/halloween2010.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">The Halloween history dates back to 5th century B.C. in Celtic Ireland. In those days the year ended with the end of summer which officially used to end on the 31st of October. This day was called Samhain. The custom of Halloween came over to America in 1840. My Halloween dinners are always traditionally Irish or English. Last year I prepared a pork loin in a fig and port wine sauce. This year I'm planning to serve a rack of lamb with mint sauce and homemade gravy along with harvest vegetables, yorkshire pudding, roasted potatoes, mushy peas and colcannon which is a traditional Irish dish of mash potatoes with chopped kale, green onions with a bit of milk and lots of butter. A full bodied red wine preferably a cabernet compliments a soul-satisfying meal on a dark and stormy night. My favorite store to pick up English goodies is <a href="http://thecontinentalshop.com/">The Continental Shop</a> and for wine BevMo on Wilshire in Santa Monica has a great selection and great prices. If you become a member of BevMo they will send you emails letting you know of their special monthly sales. They often have "buy one get the second bottle for 5ยข" deals which can be a real saver.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-mYJKb3XpnKY/TqeGa8oj70I/AAAAAAAAACk/u9l_ef7g2Uw/s1600/Halloween+wine+table.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-mYJKb3XpnKY/TqeGa8oj70I/AAAAAAAAACk/u9l_ef7g2Uw/s400/Halloween+wine+table.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>Ledahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00635831237592579044noreply@blogger.com0