Quote of the Week

"Decorating for yourself is agony. It's easy to figure out what will make someone else happy. It's easy to make someone else's dreams come true. But to get into your own head as a decorator is hard because you're exposed to so many things."

- Robert Kime

"Assumption is the mother of screw-up."

- Angelo Rafael Donghia

"Good design has to tell a story. It has to stop people, and it has to make them wonder. Good design is a conversation."

- Zahid Sardar
"Whether it's fine arts or music or architecture, the most compelling works are finessed and manipulated so subtly that you're barely aware of the artist's hand."

- Scott Johnson, Architect

"If you think you're meeting your destiny on the other side of a door you may not be interested in its design."
- Ettore Sottsass

"We don't stop playing because we grow old; we grow old because we stop playing."
- George Bernard Shaw

Did everyone have a great Christmas?! I sure did. It's always wonderful to get together with family to celebrate and eat and drink and eat some more...(the treadmill is calling my name!). I thought I'd wrap up this year's "Quote of the Week" post with several great quotes by designers and architects. Enjoy and have a great week (hopefully you're off work and relaxing!).

Merry Christmas!

For today's post, I put up photos of red, green and white interiors - primarily because I'm burned out on shopping, last minute gift ideas and holiday decor :)

I want to wish each and every one of you a very Merry Christmas filled with lots of family, friends, laughter, love and good food! And a big thank you to all of you who visit and support my blog - it means very much to me and is a big reason why I continue with belle maison. Enjoy your Christmas and remember the true meaning of Christmas and why we celebrate - because of the birth of Jesus Christ, our Lord and Savior. God bless you all :)

Out Shopping...

I've been especially bad this year and still haven't finished my shopping! I don't even have that many people to buy for - I've just been a serious procrastinator this year (I think I know what one of my New Year's resolutions will be). I'm out and about today, trying to finish up and prepare for Christmas...is it really in 2 days?!! Be back tomorrow with a new post. Enjoy your day :)

PHOTO FROM HERE

Quote of the Week

"Neither good taste nor wealth... can transform a house into a home, for a home does not consist in the quality of its architecture or decor, but in the quality of the lives that it expresses."

- Philippa Tristam, Living Space

PHOTO CREDITS: LIVING, ETC. & THE SHOOT FACTORY.

Winter Wonderland

Is it really the weekend before Christmas? Good luck to all of you as you finish up your last minute shopping (or as you begin your shopping, like me...). Try not to stress too much and just enjoy the rest of the holiday season - because it will be over before you know it! Cheers!

PHOTO CREDITS: ART.COM

Last Minute Gift Ideas...

I do this every year - I wait until the last minute to get my Christmas shopping done, which leaves me stressed and annoyed at myself for being such a procrastinator! I'm going to try and do most of it online because the thought of braving the crowds at the mall and dealing with the horrible, sometimes even hostile parking situations makes me cringe! If any of you fellow-procrastinators need last minute gift ideas (that won't break your bank account), I've rounded up some options that are stylish, fun and affordable...

1) CB2 - Ibiza Wine Glasses @ $1.95/ea.

2) Burke Decor - Sarah Pillow by Thomas Paul - $94

3) Jonathan Adler - Utopia Boy/Girl Mug - $24

4) Mr.French - Pop Ink Memo Books - 2 for $5

5) Z-gallerie - Anne Taintor Flask - $21.95

6) Burke Decor - Soy Candle by Kobo - $34

7) Anthropologie - The Reminder Necklace (Peace/Love/Blossom) - $48

8) Sephora - Pure Grace Layering Collection by philosophy (my favorite! smells SO good) -$55

9) Anthropologie - "Misus" Monogrammed Mug - $6

10) Pare Umbrella - Mod Battic Umbrella - $65

11) Anthropologie - Atom Art Serving Bowl - $24

Online Holiday Shopping...

Finish up your last minute shopping with these three great websites. Online shopping is the best because if you want, you can go Christmas shopping in your PJ's and slippers, in the comfort of your own warm, cozy home :) Do you know of any other fab sites to find great gifts? Please do share!

gifts.com - the easy way to find great gifts

Etsy (Holiday Section)

Someone Spoil Me - your social gifting site

"Giving Back" Tuesdays

Christmas is just 9 days from now - yikes! While giving back is important all year round, the Holiday season is an especially wonderful time to give to those in need. While it feels great to receive gifts during the Christmas season, nothing compares to the feeling you get when you've helped make a difference in someone's life; even the smallest gesture can mean the world to someone less fortunate. I've rounded up several different charities offering many different ways to give back...

10 Charities to Give to Over Christmas

• Toys for Tots


• Operation Christmas Child
  
• Alternative Gifts International


• Angel Tree


• The Holiday Project


• Christmas SPIRIT Foundation


• My Two Front Teeth


• Inter Action
  
• Hunger Plus, Inc.


• Save the Children

Do you have a special charity that you'd like to share or do you have any great ideas on other ways to give back during the holiday season?

PHOTO CREDITS: ALLPOSTERS.COM

You can find me at Ofifteen today - click here to view the post.

PHOTO FROM HERE

Quote of the Week

"After all, life has seams. Your home should be like a loosely woven fabric of desires, memories, practical notions, and even compromises. Living in it, you mold it to yourself; you are what holds it together and makes it beautiful."

- Celerie Kemble, To Your Taste

PHOTO CREDITS: JAMES MERRELL (ONE OF THE BEST PHOTOGRAPHERS OUT THERE!)

QUOTE CREDIT: CELERIE KEMBLE, FROM HER NEW BOOK TO YOUR TASTE ( I JUST BOUGHT THIS BOOK AND ABSOLUTELY LOVE IT! I HIGHLY RECOMMEND IT TO ANYONE WHO LOVES DESIGN).

Bright & Beautiful Interiors

All I have to say is I'm very happy it's Friday! I had a really busy week and am ready for a relaxing weekend...this is the first weekend in a long time that my husband and I haven't been tied down with obligations - don't you just love it when you can just hang out and do what you want?!! Anyway, I put together some photos, via Cote Maison, of some cheerful, creative and fabulous interiors. Enjoy and have a wonderful weekend :)

PHOTO CREDITS: COTE MAISON

Jan Constantine Cushions

I have an addiction to pillows and I know some of you out there suffer from the same problem! I have so many fantastic throw pillows on my sofa...yet, I'm constantly discovering new, amazing pillows that I just HAVE to have! I guess it's because a pillow is an easy and (sometimes) inexpensive way to change it up once-in-a-while. I get bored with my own decor and feel the constant need to change things. I discovered these beautiful cushions designed by Jan Constantine via The Packhouse and absolutely adore them all! I'd like to add them to my Christmas list...(however, I don't think my husband will be purchasing any for me...he thinks we have too many pillows as it is)! Click here to view her whole line of pillows and throws.