Special Things come in Strange-Looking Packages

An ode to weirdness on Christmas.

Pre-lit upside down trees are all over the internet... of everything here, this is the only one to which I say...

WHY??

Now this is my kinda tree.

A jeweler in Singapore brought new meaning to the phrase "looks like a million bucks" with this tree comprised of 913 carats of diamonds! Talk about blang BLANG!

Knit yourself a tree!

Yup, that's a tree of Grolsh beer bottles.

::hiccup:: Lotta work goes intop this one ::hiccup::

The Charlie Brown tree!! My favoritest.

[all photos above from elanso.com]

Those are little people cutouts running around that tree!

[from jsanimesg]

Installation art- a light-fountain at Rockefeller center.
[from ablogabouthings.com]

Yup, those are kegs. And not pony kegs but the real deal.

[photo from tensionnot.com]

A prelit conjoined tree. Hmmm... do you put twice as many presents underneath that?

[photo credit: Green Head]

Special Things Come in Small Packages

Whats better than a Christmas tree? A mini Christmas tree! I love these miniaturized trees, decorated like they're 20 feet tall.

Red Red Red

I have no idea how to recreate this chandelier... but I must find a way.

From Michelle Engvall's blog, care of Once Wed

Tulle-y

A study of tulle:

Airy, ethereal decor ideas.... again from Once Wed, thanks to Laurie.

Shabby Chic

Again from Once Wed, an idea for paper garland, compiled of coffee filters, tissue paper, and old sheet music....

Blang BLANG!

A BRILLIANT idea- rock candy bling! A great, inexpensive, creative, and eye-appealing idea from Once Wed.

And here's a little Rock Candy: 101 from Ask.com

Addict!

I MUST get off this snippet & ink kick, this is horrible!

But alas, more inspiration I HAD to put all in one place for future reference.

First, herb centerpieces. Grown by the Bride & Groom and sent home with the guest for planting. Simplistic, lovely smelling, inspired!

Instead of a traiditional guest book, a bouquet of branches in a lovely vase, with tags and ribbon/yarn/string attached. Guest hang their wishes on the 'tree'. The branck motif can be carried on to the centerpieces, in simplictic (and cost effective!) arrangements.

Black, white, and yellow. Fresh, elegant, interesting. I ADORE the onyx earrings in the second row, I think I must have them. . . and the black and white floral print clutch from Etsy, as well.

I love the potted plant favors, and the necklace.

Elegant and warm- chocalote and marigold. I'm really not leaning anywhere near any kind of yellow, washes me out too much, but I can't help but be drawn to the contrast here. And I love love love the dress Leighton Meester is wearing!

I was really just inspired to see black and white borught into an outdoor, daytime garden setting. So crisp! I love just about every panel here. . .

Not a creature was stirring...

Its that time of year again! I love it- crisp weather (well, as crisp as it gets in SoCal), fires in the fireplace, the smell of neighbor's fires in their fireplaces. . . it's really all about the smells for me!

Check out this cute advent calendar from Black*Eiffel!

I don't know about you, but I had a hard time not going for all the goodies at once. Hard to make that last all month!

Focus of Attention

TheKnot.com has an interesting array of photographs from real weddings; while browsing through I came across some insiprational centerpices and outdoor decor. Sicne our reception will be outdoors, a focus has been to make good use of the space in a clean, minimalist way.

A pineapple centerpiece with candle holders down a long table.
Never woulda thought... So Hawaii!

Love this fishbowl centerpice with starfish and candles. Feels clean and beachy.

Silk flowers in a fishbowl, simplistic but classic. See below for a twist.

The drowned flower look is so interesting, especially if you can make use of floating candles.

Another perk? Silk flowers submerge beautifully, and its tricky to tell when they're under water! A good way to cut costs

Palm fronds and fans in the canopy. Another touch of Hawaii that I love. A good way to spruce up an outside space, as well.

Wooden letters from any craft store, suspended with ribbons. Can be painted in your colors, left plain for a woodsy feel, whatever.

A tricky idea for outdoors but cute enough to include nontheless- a bead curtain of tiny mirrors and photos.