Atlanta Day 6 ...more santas?!

Just when we thought we had wrapped up Christmas purchases, we made a quick side-trip into a favorite vendor and got caught up in the holiday spirit again! Just look for yourself and you'll see why...I mean how could we leave these glass glitter houses out of the 2012 season?!

This house looks like it could have been transported right out of Bucks County!!

Ignoring the damaged window, look at the gables! Another Bucks County historic look in glass glitter! *sigh*

Cutest ever mercury glass vases with "joy", "wish" , and "celebrate". Lighting prevented a very good camera shot, but how cute will these be with fresh evergreen cuttings?!

Although we swore off buying any Halloween this year, we were sucked in by glass glitter pumpkins. I'm pretty sure Cinderella had a hand in them. Trust me, you're going to love them!

We headed to the High Design temporary exhibits in search of art and accents for the store as well as the Designer House. Here is just a hint of my color pallet this year for the Bucks County Designer House. We will be doing one of the major rooms.

Bold color...oh so Susan!

We spent the remainder of the day sourcing retail inventory, lamps, art and accents. Feet begging to be done for the day, we headed back to our room for room service. Tomorrow is our last day and we head back with a heavier load than we came with...it's that darned cash and carry!

I'll try to report on one more successful day.

The Problem Is...

Some days, we get so wrapped up in staying on track that we forget to take important photos to document our day. List in hand; appointments scheduled, we travel the three buildings with 20 floors each to find our treasures. Lunch...what's that ?! Dinner, sometimes. Sometimes not.

We realized today that one of our problems is that we love almost anything that is designed with glitter as a factor! I'm not saying that all of our inventory will be glitter encrusted...but I would go as far as to say that there will be a good selection including glitter! Just say'in.

A big theme for this year will be vintage reproduction houses and churches. Take a look at these crystal encrusted, glittered houses, all battery lit for soft atmosphere.

We're hoping to finish most of the Christmas orders tomorrow and move on to general merchandise the last few days. It gets exhausting seeking and culling Christmas selections day after day after day. Good thing there is an end in sight.

We did find these cool things at the end of our day today:

Super fresh music-covered ornaments-we will probably cut the ribbon hangars off and use them as ornamental spheres.

I'm a big fan of birch-themed props that can be interpreted into home decor use. Look at these bundles in two sizes! I can already think of multiple ideas for these.

Tomorrow is day 5. Whew. I'll try to do better with photo documentation for your review. No matter how we organize our rolling cart, it becomes a black hole very easily; full of files, notes, sample fabrics, sample ornaments, pain relievers, cell phones, lipsticks in assorted colors, pens and pencils, sticky notes, gloves, secondary wraps or scarves for temperature changes within the buildings, snacks, multiple eye glasses , directories..even sometimes a change of shoes!.Can you see why it's sometimes hard to mull through all this for the camera?! Now that you have the visual of the rolling cart dilemma...I'll try to pull out the camera throughout the day.

See you tomorrow. It will be a new day.

On the job, day 5 and 6

Each day at market, we feel the pressure a little more to complete our buying search.

Some vendors take hours to work with.

Some days, there are long lines to get lunch.

Some days, there is not lunch.

Some days, we find superior treasures.

Some days, none.

Some days, we catch the shuttle on the first run.

Some days, we wait...and wait...and wait...

Some days, the elevator is jam-packed.

Some days, we take the escalator.

Some days, we wear stylish shoes.

Some days, our feet hurt.

Some days, we trade shoes.

Today, we filled in the last of the Halloween purchases. One of our favorite vendors is a vintage reproduction designer. She has loads of glass glitter houses, figures, banners, and trees. I admit, I had to order the crows in party hats again for the second year. Take a look at one of her displays, complete with small "potion bottles" filled with orange and black glass glitter! The display was further complete with the addition of a vintage ledger beneath it.

We found this very pink (!) glass glitter house to complete the pink accent story that we selected at the end of the Holiday buying. I mean, a girl just can't resist a little pink holiday merchandise!

I couldn't resist documenting this totally American style crepe! Although the booth was filled with authentic Parisian music and cute cooks in chef's hats (a little like French cartoon depiction), this crepe was filled with chicken, spinach, cheese, and a little raspberry dressing! I could just see my daughter, Michelle, rolling her eyes at this one! Really, it wasn't bad, although a little on the crisp side. Lunch at market is seldom memorable.

I realize that I did not give you the day 5 report! Mid day on day 5, I started to feel like a major allergy attack had just hit. By 6:00pm, I was to discover that a full blown, major cold was coming on. By 8:30pm, I was out like a light with two NyQuil. Hoping for a better day tomorrow.

Looking back

A full week with the best help imaginable, my darling baby sister Denise. While I am most grateful to look forward to a few more hours of sleep, I'm so sad to be the cheese standing alone once again.

Take a look at some of the snapshots of work completed

12 foot Christmas tree nearly completed......


Grand foyer---at least (12) 9 foot garlands and yards, I mean yards of ribbon.


It happens......

Ah, the beauty of shatterproof beautiful ornaments!

Fresh magnolia branches foraged from a client's fabulous garden! Cry your heart out South Carolina gals!

Soothing color pallet, so pretty.


A whimsical embellishment to client's whippet! Oh, the wonders of ribbon.


Refreshment in a crystal goblet during a creative setup.


Lush, beautiful window boxes filled with fresh greens and sugarcones. A personal favorite!

Another window box! Call me for your fresh greens----incense cedar, wow!
We took a minute to visit one of our favorite client/friend's home to see her own Holiday design! Check out this great idea with candle columns on a crystal cake plate, surrounded by our fresh incense cedar sprays. Great idea Lisa!
Susan demonstrating chandelier embellishments during her Thursday night events. We have had a great time and a great crowd each evening. One more this Thursday night! Come join the fun---wrapping ideas, embellishments and bow tying. And that does just about wrap up the events for Holiday 2008.Last weeks crowd. Come join the fun!Glass glitter strikes again. Take a close look at our artificial cedar garland--soft to the touch and drapes so fabulously

Self portrait of Denise and Susan at airport...so sad.I guess this means you're really going, then? And what, exactly, is that horrid tarp thing in the background.....only at the Philadelphia International Airport.

So there you have it, high notes from the week of weeks. I guess I'd better start wrapping.....