HoliDaY MaGic

Things are still not slowing down here at the Barn, the place is truly magical. The colors, the product, both new and old, flow from one vignette to another, and you feel like you have been transformed......pixie dust is all around. The crowds keep coming, bless your hearts... we have twice as many guests then the years before - thank you God! many travel great distances. My new friends Chris, Amy, Lori, and Lisa drove over from Hancock Michigan!!!! I am so glad I was in the store to greet them when they arrived (we were closed). The energy and excitement they displayed the 3 hours while they shopped had me on a High for days......I'm still talking about you guys! Too bad I did not have my camera on me. The fun never ends!!! I will quick post some pics of some new product, but its going to be short this week because I need every spare minute to prepare my home for our Holiday Home Tour. The tour is this Saturday.....yikes....start the coffee! What have I gotten my self into.

don't have a spare chandelier to hang your icicles.....try a couple of bike wheels....sorry these beauties have already sold.

hang your tarnished silver with your icicles

new signs.....metal....they don't last long

I am a sucker for any kind of art that has words.....love, love, Love

...and then we have the pots....too die for....many new arrivals every week

Thanks for stopping...L

PeaCe on EarTH

Opening day has come and gone. Success! Peace on Earth ...All of our long days and sleepless nights....well, my sleepless nights.....the perfectionist in me stresses about the smallest details. This year, setting up the store for Christmas went better then last year. I was able to take time and get the big, center stage, pieces in place. Then it was rearranging the lighting, bringing in more chandeliers, getting bigger and better trees....thanks to my sister Barb.... getting lights on all of the trees this year, and I even made time to paint some background props. Whew....time to take notes so I can start planning for next year. A couple of things that I have picked up on during the Christmas set up are time and work space. First, the ticking clock moves oh so fast when you only have days to get the project done, a plan must be in place before the action starts and then you must surround yourself with talented people to help. Second, which my friend and talented stylist, Julie has pointed out, "Stay off my TAIL"! we must work together but nothing gets done unless we work apart!..... so I have adopted her saying...and truthfully, I have been saying it every day....stay off my tail....I love it. Anyway, opening day guests started arriving early, the line outside began at 9:30. As we scurried to finish last minute details inside, the flakes started falling outside, how perfect could things get! The day was fast and furious, lots of oohs and aahs, lots of hugs from old friends, lots of kudos from new friends, lots of sales.... so for those of you who stopped by, Thank you. For those of you who missed the opening....check out some pics....it will tempt you to stop by before the goods are gone.

isn't the old screen above the mantel fabulous

coppers and browns

I nestled the tree within my old buggy and dropped the chandelier right down into the 15 foot tree

some before and after shots

before.....

and after....

again before and after....

The reds in this shot do not do this area justice....it is absolutely stunning. The tree has about 6 strands of red lights and is loaded with red balls....many set all the way to the base of the tree....cut out every other row of branches to achieve this effect....don't forget about the red awning.....

my porch swing.....filled with tea and assorted gifts

the kitchen area turned into a whimsical chocolate wonderland

I searched for 10 months to find the perfect vintage stove for this area....all parts working....gorgeous...note the chandelier dropped over the stove....too perfect.

I'm still smiling...

be good.... be safe......see you soon. L

Pre - PeACE...

I had wanted to title this post Peace on Earth....my mantra this season; however, I haven't quite got there yet. The Barn right now is anything but peaceful, rooms torn up, trees left barren, Fall Harvest in total disarray....don't forget we still have Thanksgiving. Many vignettes are starting to take form but it is this week were the long hours and the finishing touches take place. Luckily, my partners at the hospital take pity on me and allow me to have this week off every year. Whew! One less thing to worry about....now my husband and family, that's a different story. I will try to keep up on all fronts, which means shorter posts...hopefully many....with as many pictures as I can. Remember you are invited to our Christmas Premiere....this Saturday, Nov. 8th, so while your husbands are out slaying the deer, grab your girl friends and meet me at the Barn. The first 30 guests receive my new Christmas gift bag for Free!! A quick sneak peek

Winter in the woods has always been one of my favorite looks. Birch, twigs, feathers, frosted ferns, bird baths, and this year bright green sparkly nests....to die for

More of my winter white garden Christmas....not fair.... many of you are pre-shopping!

New bangles for your Holiday Parties


Whimsical fun

Gotta run.....I promise i'll add more pics....thanks for stopping. L