I fixed a 100 year old broken mirror. Does that give me seven years good luck?

Here is another first for me.  I saw this beautiful broken mirror in the basement of my boyfriend's parents home.  When I was told they had it appraised and it lost its value now that it fell and was broken, I asked to take a chance at repairing it enough so that it could be hung again.   As you can see the fall left it a little damaged with pieces broken off.   After I warned them that the eagle head might come back looking more like a Halloween mask (I was half joking), we scooped up the mirror, the pieces and placed it in my car. 

One of the hardest parts of this project was figuring out and deciding which way I should place the wires for the eagles head.  They were a bit out of skew from the fall and I wanted to make sure the new head would sit just right.

Even though I was given a container of broken pieces, some were too small to work with or find where they actually belonged so I decided to rebuild the missing areas with wood putty.  I used a product that I could mold, sculpt and sand.  On smaller frame projects I have used spackle, but this project needed a product that would adhere to the old wood and also act like a glue for some of the smaller pieces. 

You can see the container of small pieces I was working with. Many did not even get used.  I gave them back in a small plastic bag.

Before I repainted the mirror, I decided to have the mirror glass replaced at Peabody Glass in case another fragile piece broke off and I would have time to fix it and paint it all at one time.  Once I got the mirror back home with the new glass, I proceeded to paint it.  Since it was almost a 100 year old piece the color variations were a challenge to match in just spots, so I lightly went over the decorative pieces with 3 different colors and then used a dry brush technique for the "mahogany gold" color I created to match the old gold finish.

I should mention that I took the mirror during the summer with the intent of giving it as a Christmas present.  After having it that long, I think they assumed I was unable to fix it and gave up.  I love being sneaky and it was a very exciting gift to give since it is a special family heirloom.

Here is the finished item.  Hanging proudly where it once did many years ago.

A Winter Theme Cocktail Party In the Making

At the beginning of the month I designed, created, boxed, and hand delivered many of the invitations for this fun cocktail party.  As you will see in the invitation below it is not a Christmas Party or A New Years Eve Party.  It is a Just Because Party! 

 This is where a lot of the mess and magic happens which in my office and studio.  A lot of glitter mess happens in my home too, but I am trying to get better at working in my office more and keeping the glitter there.

 The color theme for the party is ice blue, silver, and white with a snow flake theme.

Each of the invitations were rolled and wrapped with a beautiful glittery ribbon then placed in a box with ice blue tissue paper. 

Each invitation was adorned with a crystal snowflake to add that extra touch of glam.

From what I was told, the RSVP's came in fast and friends can not wait to see what the party is going to look like after receiving such a beautiful hand delivered package (Friends that did not live close had their invitations mailed to them).    I have some photos of what the buffet table and dessert table looks like, and  few of the other touches we did, but I need to keep that a surprise until after the party.

I am going to the party too and I will be making my signature NEFL-tini with a little twist. The NEFL (Short for New England Fine Living)-tini is a white martini I created for when I have parties in my showroom and it is made with Lemon flavored Vodka (I like Svedka for this recipe), White Cranberry Juice, Lime Juice, and Triple Sec.  For the party, I will be substituting the triple sec with blue Curacao to give the martini a fun blue color.

Stay tuned for photos of the party!

Lucky New England Birds Get A New Bird Feeder

I waited to share this post until after Christmas so that I would not give away the surprise!

This year I had the pleasure of being a sneaky little elf and helped with a plan to have an old bird feeder recreated for my boyfriend's dad as a Christmas present.   The above photo was sent to me to share with David, of Meadowview Construction, to see if he would take on this small project and make a new feeder for us.  I was delighted when he said yes.

Looking at the above photo, I am not sure how many birds actually had the nerve to show up. 

This next photo is what the feeder looks like now.  A cozy green carpet of moss is inside, the chimney is missing, and the birds,squirrels, and mother nature have helped with the removal of the shingles over the years.  I even witnessed a small woodpecker trying to find a yummy snack within the wood. 

Check out the new bird feeder David made for us!  The birds are going to love it!   Sorry woodpeckers, no bugs to eat in this beautiful feeder.

Merry Christmas From New England Fine Living

                                     Merry Christmas!  Photo Found on VT Interiors

A relaxing night in my New England home during the busy season.

I still have to figure out the settings on my camera to find out why most of my photos are coming out blurry, especially with evening photos, but I thought I would share my cozy night with you.  I had made the decision to just relax and allow myself to enjoy the season vs the busy hustle and bustle I have been enduring.  So with my fur baby by the tree, my guy sitting next to me, and my grown children tucked safely in their rooms, we enjoyed some wine, Christmas music, candle light, and a roaring fire.    A motto, which I sometimes forget is SIMPLIFY.

My Partridge salt and pepper shakers are not extinct!

Can I tell you how excited I was when I found out my Partridges were not extinct!  Others do exist!  Well ENsame breed, but mine are a little less detailed.  I found their mates on a fabulous New England based blog  called An Urban Cottage . When searching my home for these two, I realized I have a few bird couples.  I had no idea I had a collection pattern.  I do not consider myself a collector, but I will admit... I have a fairy hiding in every one of my rooms.  I collected them at one point in my life when I needed a little magic.   Collecting bird couples must be the hopeless romantic in me.

  Now check out what Steve did with his Partridge.  I love it!  He created an advent wreath.  Here is a link to his page on how he did it.

Photo source - An Urban Cottage

Photo Source - An Urban Cottage

Tangerine Tango - 2012 color of the year

All Photos Via - HGTV

Looks like we are going to see a lot of bright and cheery rooms and clothes this year since the color for 2012 is Pantones Tangerine Tango.  This is a color that I myself do not feel I can wear well, but I will certainly try a pillow or two! 

Aluminum tree with pink

I remember as a young child, I thought the silver aluminum tree was tacky.  I had a neighbor that had a tree with a spinning light that changed the color, but with that said... I love them now!  If I have the opportunity to use one I will be so excited (maybe I will have to put one in my office next year).   I have been tempted in years past to pick one up at thrift stores, but with my limited storage, I passed.

Photo Via - Source

Entertaining with a gold and cream monochromatic look

When I came across this photo on a Web site called Camille Styles  I couldn't help but get caught up in the beauty of the colors and how festive it looks.  I can't wait to use this color grouping with a client some day.  A link list of product information can be found on Camille's blog page.  

The old Ford gets a holiday wreath.

A live wreath was going to adorn the grill of my boyfriend's 16 year old son's 1951 Ford, but they could not find the size I suggested and he was afraid the wind would blow off the needles (hmmm not sure if this old gal could go that fast).  As luck would have it (well not really luck, I was decorating their house for Christmas), I had a faux wreath in my car that was a perfect fit.  The big decision now is bow or no bow?  I am going to let the driver decide. 

Getting Ready To Decorate For A Cocktail Party

OOOOH!  I can't wait!  I will be decorating a cocktail party for a friend (so I get to play with all of this pretty stuff, then I get to enjoy the party!  Can't get any better than that!). The colors are aqua, platinum/silver, and white.  With lots of glass and shimmer.    The theme I have in my head is "Old Hollywood Glam... Meets A Glammy Snowflake". The hostess did not want a Christmas party nor did she want a New Years Eve party.

This is a just because she wants to get everyone all dressed up in sequins, gowns, jackets, and suits (can you hear the Mr's all grumbling right now? LOL).

I will be creating invitations that are rolled like a scroll and wrapped in ribbon.  Then each invitation will be placed in a rectangular white box also wrapped in sparkling ribbon.  These boxes will then be placed at each invites front door as a secret gift (kinda like a ring and run, but in heels! I hope there will be no video cameras rolling!)


I will be decorating the dining room table and buffet table for the appetizers and desserts.  While the hostess will be decorating her home for the holidays and the party.  I went by a few days ago to see the table area and her normal red and green holiday decor of years past, has already been replaced with the color theme of her party.  Okay, what woman doesn't love to shop for new holiday decor, especially for a party?!

I am also creating a custom martini for the cocktail party. I created a  martini for my own business that is served during events called a Nefl-tini (N. E. F. L.  get it?  New England Fine Living? :-o ) My martini is a white martini sweet/tart flavored martini.    This party will get a Nefl-tini but with a color change.  Instead of Triple Sec, which is clear, I am going to use  Blue Curacao (I need to know how to say this word "Curacao" properly).  Well gonna grab another cup of coffee before I get myself to my office.

Just for an FYI...   Blue Curacao is a blue liqueur, distilled and flavored from the dried peel of bitter oranges. It can also contain distillates of lemons and curacao fruit, sugar and wine. The Caribbean island of Cura硯 is host to much of the fruit used in these liqueurs. Blue Curacao is often used to induce color into cocktails and other mixed drinks. 

Christmas Shopping at Mill River Winery

For the past couple of weeks, I have been helping the owners of Mill River Winery in Rowley, MA prepare for the holidays and for their Sip, Snack, and Shop ( dare you to say that 10 times fast!).

Yesterday I put up a tree on their front porch and adorned it with maroon and copper colored ornaments that were satin, shiny, and glittery in finish (come on.... ye gotta have glitta!).  Within the tree, I also stuck red colored twigs.  I have a full length photo, but not gonna show that one, it is blurrier than my own vision without glasses!

Three urns went from Fall grasses and flowers to several types of greens and twigs tucked in that I purchased at Wolf Hill in Ipswich.  This is the smallest of three.  Don't look at the leaves in the photo... they are a figment of your imagination.   My plan was to put a bow around this urn, but I ran out of ribbon (most was used on the barn door you will see in a moment.).  Can I add that I tried to make a bow for the tree and I couldn't do it!  This ribbon was tough to work with, but come on... I failed at making a bow?  I must go back to bow making class!

This picture was taken last week before I put lights on the beams, prettied up the urns for winter, and added the tree.  The winery is all wrapped up in a gift bow. Who wouldn't want a winery for a present? 

I took this on my way out last night.   I am going to try to get a photo when it is completely dark. 

You might have seen this photo before in a previous post, but I thought I would include the inside of the winery all decorated for Christmas.

I know this photo is a bit out of place, but I thought I would show you this.  Just a couple of weeks ago, Donna, one of the owners had a vision for a wall unit and we brainstormed with her amazing carpenter.  Below is the "almost there" photo of what was built.  Still to be added are lights, shelves, and frame work, but this is how it will be for the Shopping party with a few more adornments.

Creating an enchanted holiday dinner for guests

This photo is from Veranda Magazine

Enchanted Entertaining 

By Linda Smith Davis

The guests have arrived, and as they cross the threshold they are greeted by the soft, sweet sound of holiday music and the beauty of the seasonal decoration.  The family evergreen, recently adorned with treasures from holidays past, fills the room with a calming scent that brings back wonderful memories.  As guests make their way down the hall to see the holiday table, they are awestruck my what they see.  

At each seat are small gifts wrapped in silver and gold which contain a gleaming keepsake ornament, napkins have been folded and adorned with ribbons and bells.   The wax dripping from the flickering flame of white candles creates lace patterns as it trickles down the side, and the fresh flowers of the centerpiece add another incredible scent to the room. Visitors feel like children again as they wonder what is inside the little packages.  Better yet, they feel the warmth of knowing that you took the time to welcome each and every one of them into your home.  Little do they know that you were able to achieve this look with just a few stolen moments, and while you were relaxing.    Read More....

A Few Christmas Decorating Ideas From New England Fine Living.

A Few Decorating Tips From New England Fine Living

Strapped for time and you need some quick Christmas decorating ideas?  Have the time, but you want a few fun ideas?  Here are a few tips I have used myself that would make an elf proud!

Tie beautiful french ribbons around pillows to make them look like Christmas packages.

Tie candy canes around a short vase and fill with greenery and red berries or more candy canes.

Make luminaries out of paper bags, sand, and votives then line your front stairs for holiday guests

Tie red ribbons the ends of pine cones, spread peanut butter on them, then roll in bird seed, hang them outside for  the birds to enjoy.

Place a large candle in an empty half gallon milk carton (you might need to tape it in), fill the carton with water (do not cover your candle) and cranberries... freeze... and use outside as luminaries or in your holiday buffet.

Using a large decorative bowl, fill with beautiful red apples and glass ornaments for a quick holiday display.

Tuck fresh greens into artificial greens to add volume, scent, and beauty.  Add baubles, ornaments, berries, and miniature wrapped boxes for a festive holiday garland or wreath.

Let children freeze water and food coloring in small or medium sized paper and wax drinking cups... add festive ribbon to the top.... freeze... then remove them from the cups and hang outside on trees for temporary ornaments.

Make a snowman kit.  Gather with the children items for the face and buttons, clothes, and a hat.  Put aside some hot cocoa and wait for the weather man to promise a beautiful snow fall.

Christmas Decorating By New England Fine Living

Here is a little video of some Christmas decorating that has been done over the years by New England Fine Living.  Enjoy and I hope it inspires you for your holiday decorating.

The Lazy Christmas Decorator

Lazy?  I think not!  I think these neighbors have got the right idea!  LOL  

 This poor holiday elf gave up just a little too soon.

Napkin Folding With A Twist (No Pun Intended)

Recently, for an open house at my studio, I showed a few different napkin folding techniques.  Below are a few photos. I am slowly working on adding the directions to my web site, but thought I would start here first.

Table Display and Setting By New England Fine Living's Design Studio
 Custom Napkin By The Write Expression - Middleton, Located In New England Fine Living's Building

A Cute Napkin Jacket.  You can slip a faux shirt inside, place cards, or a menu! 

These Napkin Roses are so easy to make!