Boots McBlog

Holidays at the McCottage are a little less formal, more homespun this year.   The hustle and bustle of the season are more intense since I’m now hustling the  8-5 working woman schedule again.  I adore my gig – I really do! –  but it does make it a little more difficult to shop for all the fresh goodies I prefer to properly deck the halls.  With less time, I had to get resourceful.

Decor came from mixed greens I picked up at a big box home store and  whatever was in the 12 boxes of Christmas we’ve acquired over the  years.   ( I have a theory that for every year of marriage,  you acquire a tupperware storage box of Christmas stuff).  In the name of efficiency,  I swapped my Radkos and Olde World Glass ornaments for less fragile ornaments that donned my mantle last year. I saved a full day of decorating because I didn’t have to unwrap all that bubble wrap surrounding my treasured ornaments.   Maybe next year, they’ll reappear.   In the meantime,  I tossed some old burlap over the pedestal table.  Put the tree in a clay pot.   I must say, I think our little tree still turned out quite charming.

 

Beneath our tree,  I have pictures of favorite Christmas memories – our first Christmas, fun celebrations, and the picture of my sweet Finley dog who arrived as a Christmas present in 199.7.

In the mix is one of my favorite Christmas treasures a red clay Nativity we bought on our honeymoon in Sedona.

 

 

 

The dining room is rather simple.  Mercury glass from our first Christmas in the McCottage, burlap,  mixed china, and cardboard snowflakes make for a more casual setting.

It’s a little less fuss than the rock salt table top I did last year. Another time saver.

 

I carried the burlap touches into the Master Bedroom by swagging burlap bows and greenery to our drapes.

 

Back in our great room,  I grabbed a silver tray from the dining room and topped it with glass balls and crystal candlesticks.   I love the light this reflects during the day.

 

The Mantle is a collection of Christmas pasts.  First a glimpse at the details.   You’ll see a few familiar sparkles and twigs from last year.  The silver vases were used years ago  for a Valentine’s party and I found them at the bottom of my craft closet along with a mini tremeau mirror.  The fabulous “M” was a gift from my green-thumbed big brother.  Over the years I’ve used various fresh greens and fuit entwined with ribbon on the form to decorate our front porch railing.  This year I brought it indoors and I adore the result.  The glittery Nativity was a gift from my mom and I think it makes a perfect center to our decor.

 

Be it ever so humble this year,  there is still no place like our little home.  And it’s definitely been a welcome respite after a long work day.  A cup of cocoa, a cozy blanket, the lights on the tree,  surrounded by memories and  old favorite finds used in a a new way, does a heart good.

From our McCottage to yours…

 

MERRY CHRISTMAS!

 

xxoo,

boots

 

 

A perfect way to kick off my favorite month.     Tiffany has launched their exquisite Holiday Campaign.  Once again, they prove there is nothing quite like a Tiffany Blue Christmas.

Bonjour December!

 

Deep down we all have a super hero longing to get out.

If you don’t believe me, think back to your childhood.  How many times did you tie a towel or sheet around your shoulders, and “fly” through the house?   (I paired my towel with my Wonder Woman underoos for maximum super power advantage).  Years later, our underoos may be long gone and we find ourselves folding sheets and towels,  but that doesn’t mean we don’t like to channel our inner super heros once in awhile, right?

Finally,  the fashion powers-that-be decided  it was high time we women who appear to be “regular folk” put a little bit of that  super flair on display with the piece de resistance of any super hero….the cape.

Capes are all the rage this season -showing up anywhere from ballgames to ballrooms.

 

They add a polished look to casual friday in the office.

This great J.Crew cape would also look great during the workweek with a classic white blouse and black pencil skirt.

 

Bring a little cape chic to the tailgate in this Razorback red cape.  Woo Pig.

Another fabulous work look.  This cape from Banana Republic in trench canvas makes is a great fall to spring look.

Not only are capes gorgeous with pants and jeans,  I love the regal look of this Stella McCartney charcoal cape over this simple dress.

 

Basic black dress + basic camel cape  = anything but basic.  How Fabulous is this Calvin Klein cape?

 

 

If you happen to have a super bank account as one of your super powers,  this Rick Owens Leather Trimmed Cashmere cape could definitely stop traffic with a single look.

 

Wow! Bam!  Zing!  This YSL cape packs a powerful punch of color.

 

And my favorite, this gorgeous evening cape. Every Wonder Woman deserves a fabulous night out with her Super Man.

 

 

I’ve heard it said, “give the girl the right shoes and she can change the world”.  I bet the same is true when it comes to capes.

I’ll be wearing my new cape for the first time today.  I can already feel it – it’s going to be a SUPER day.

Hope you have a SUPER weekend full of WONDER and an adventurous cape(r) or two.

 

xxoo,

boots

 

 

 

 

(images via Net-a-porter, Pinterest, Neiman Marcus)

Now  that I’m back working 8-5,  it means I’m spending the majority of my waking hours in a place I’m being paid to think.   In order to maximize my brain power,  I have figured out my best fuel source is surrounding myself with “pretty.”   A well-appointed office  should  inspire, invigorate, and calm.   It should be the spot everyone stops to chat, but also a respite from the chaos when needed.

Since the day I accepted the position,  I started an office inspiration board – collecting pictures and ideas of what my new think tank would look like.  Most show ideas that can take typical office furniture and kick it up a bit.

Here are a few of my favorites.

 

Love the creamy calm of this space.  What a great idea to skirt a run-of-the-mill, office issued desk. Topping with glass helps to reflects light and add polish.

Putting a counter top on the file cabinets is another custom touch.

 

This pop of pink in the office chair is energy inducing.    What about that gorgeous print of Grace Kelly?   What a great reminder to exude grace under pressure.

Although, it’s not an office staple,  how about that shopping bag under the desk — all that hard work, earns one a trip to Jimmy Choo, right?

 

 

A completely happy space here.   The small dose of wallpaper gives a hint of sophistication.   Big CHEERS for the wine glass on the desk for pens and pencils

 

 

Another linen skirted desk.  I love these!    Isn’t this a perfect spot for collaboration.   Those French side chairs prove you don’t have to do time in an ugly office chair.

The collection and symmetry of the prints adds a sophisticated yet cozy feel.

Don’t you think?

 

 

Speaking of chairs,  this fan chair makes quite a Queen Bee statement.   I’d suggest  only the most humble of leaders could get away with this, but love the bohemian feel.

That mirror is spectacular and a great way to make sure you look great before that big client walks in the room.

 

Table / Parson’s desks are my favorite for their clean lines that can be dressed up or down.  Check out the  multiple ways to corral clutter here.

The lucite tray, porcelain basket, document box keep necessities stylishly at hand.  Note that old credenza was probably a standard cherry or golden oak piece at one time.

Look how that fresh coat of white paint takes it from icky and stale to feminine and modern.

 

 

Check out the matching pair of lamps behind the desk.  Those are not those typical spindly candlestick lamps.  The oversize mirror is a great way to reflect light in a dark, no window space.

The gold accents in the mirror frame, guest chair, and lamp gives the space a midas touch without being too glitzy or gaudy.

 

 

Saved my favorite office for last.   As I opened this blogpost, I said I need to be surrounded  by pretty…and what is prettier than pink?

I adore the pink hues lining the bookshelves and repeated in accents such as the lamp, rug, and vase.

The tan and blue tones down the over the top girliness.

I have always been a big fan of the french memo boards as well.  what a great way to keep up with pics, important notes, motivational quotes, and business cards.

 

 

Aren’t these fabulous spaces?

Did you catch some ideas that can add a little more flair to your cubicle,  desk, or home office?

I’m convinced a little bit of pretty in the office has the best Return On Investment of all.

 

 

Happy Fall Back  Weekend, Y’all!

Boots

xxoo

 

 

 

My first “big girl” bike was a lavender banana seat wonder.   She had a basket on the front with daisies.   Her name was “The Debutante”

 

 

 

I was four, maybe five years old when she arrived.  It was winter.   She needed training wheels.   Mom and Dad let me keep her in my bedroom.

 

 

In hindsight,  I realize their decision to do that was  probably more self serving – sparing them from pushing me for hours in the cold weather.

I thought they were they coolest parents EVER.

 

 

My  mean big brother would push me  up and down the center hall of our house on that bike.

 

 

 

It was in those moments,  I didn’t think he was so mean.

 

 

When The Debutante finally got her training wheels,  we ventured outside.  My world got bigger.

 

 

It took awhile, but I finally got my balance.

 

 

The training wheels came off and I rode…and rode….and rode….

 

 

Up and down the street.      To the playground.    To my best friend’s house.

 

 

 

I was an adventurer.  An explorer.    I was invincible.

 

 

 

Then, one day, the bike wheel hit a rut.   I went flying over the handlebars.

 

 

 

I skinned my knees, my elbows,  my chin.    I chipped my tooth.    It was ugly.

 

 

 

I laid on the ground.  I cried.   a lot.

 

 

 

 

My friends saw me lying there.   I was embarrassed.  I was far from home.   I cried harder.

 

 

 

And then I stood up,  brushed myself off.

 

 

 

I took a big, deep breath.

 

 

 

 

Then, I got back up on that bike.  And kept riding.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(images via Pinterest)