Why creating whimsy is a good thing for you at Christmas: thoughts on decorating for the holidays
Whimsical Wednesday & Merry Christmas...
thoughts on holiday decor, family and creating memories.
All year long I like to keep the phrase "grateful" close to my heart. There are times in life we all want to bury our head and feel "whoa is me" when we have someone we miss or something tugging at our heart and bringing us stress, and like everyone else I feel this way too, but I also pinch myself everyday and cannot believe the magic of my life, the love that surrounds me, the great fortunate I have had, including the riches of a supportive and loving family and friends. I will divulge I do miss my mother dearly...don't get me started on the fact that her life was cut short, way too short, but then I am also reminded of the many years we had together.
To build a daily blog for with content around beautiful "things" like furniture, art, setting a table, hosting guests. may at first glance appear materialistic, but to the contrary, my idea of "nesting" is about creating a warm, welcoming home. My mom had a sign that hung in our kitchen that read, "Home Is Where The Heart Is."
and that motto is the foundation of Nest by Tamara.
Each time I pull out my holiday dishes and set my table, or wrap a napkin creatively or add whimsy to my table with little accessories, I bring a little bit of my family, my childhood and our traditions to our home. My mom made Christmas joyous, fun, and a fantasy day that truly had little to do with materialism. It wasn't what was in the boxes she wrapped, but, rather, the magic with which she created the morning...how our stockings were stuffed with our very favorite foods and treats. She worked hard to find those special little somethings we waited for each year....she sewed our names upon our stockings, baked our favorite desserts, and she did this while raising three little children all by herself. This magic is what I try to bring to my family, no matter how busy I am.
Now that the kids are getting older and waiting for Santa is a memory, we still keep those special traditions in our home. Randy's mother brought his Ukrainian heritage into the mix when she taught my daughter, Gabby how to make homemade Pierogy at the young age of 10 and now my 18-year old college freshman makes it for us every Christmas dinner to go along with the roast I cook. Miles sets the table with me.
I think traditions are good -- they ground us, bring us back to the best of our past and keep us feeling connected. It's exciting to mix traditions and make your own, but either way, it's not a silly candle you light, or a whimsical plate you set, it is the love and heart and traditions you bring that make it special. So, to this concept I raise my virtual glass to all of that happening everywhere today. I'm sharing some of my favorite items I brought to the mix this year.
Last year I created a glorious christmas tree (if I must say so myself) for the Bartow Pell Museum's annual holiday extravaganza. With the theme of the children's book the Velveteen Rabbit I added little woodland creatures and silver, gold and natural elements with vintage mercury glass ornaments. This year, some of those items are on my table and tree, mixed with my antiques and new, bargain items from HomeGoods, etsy, and Macys as well.
Let the celebrations begin~
12 days of Christmas plates, Williams Sonoma (top); Sferra cashmere throw on table (top); John Robshaw silver and white tablecloth, antique King's pattern silver, London Picadilly market.
Merry Christmas!
Happy Nesting
XO Tamara
