Mini Needlepoint

Mini CCC Needlepoint Rug

One of my favorites in sourcing items for my new chinoiserie dollhouse has been finding fabulous miniature needlepoint rugs. I love needlepoint. Above is a beautiful handmade vintage chinoiserie blue and white needlepoint rug with Chinese dragons and Greek key border that is going in the living room.

The Chinoiserie Dollhouse

Mini CCC

I have just had my new dollhouse for 2 weeks, but I am having so much fun. I thought I would post a little progress report. This is early on, but I have found some wonderful pieces. Above is the master bedroom with hand painted chinoiserie bed, Herend monkees, and cream velvet slipper chair and ottoman.

Happy Christmas Eve

CCC

Happy Christmas Eve from CCC. This is my "big" tree in the great room with two themes - chinoiserie and the beach. And speaking of Christmas trees, may everything you are hoping for be under the tree.

A CCC Christmas Tour

CCC

 

During football commercials yesterday, I took some Christmas pictures at CCC. Hope you enjoy -

Christmas @ CCC

CCC

 

This is my smaller Christmas tree in the foyer. It is a great choice for folks with kids or grandkids or pets because everything is unbreakable. Here are some close-ups -

The CCC Entryway @ Christmas

CCC

 

My chinoiserie entryway chest is adorned for the holidays. Meri Meri Santa hats on my blue and white calligraphic ginger jars, vintage Eric Cortina chinoiserie ornaments, and Chefanie poinsettia cocktail napkins add Christmas cheer.

A CCC Christmas

CCC

 

I was going to put up one of my Christmas trees over the weekend, but it was such beautiful weather, I did my outdoor decorating instead. I'll put up the trees this week since I am not hosting for Thanksgiving. The inside of CCC is all done except for the trees. Here are some pics of a favorite blue and white spot.

At CCC

CCC

 

Roses are BOGO this week at Publix, so this pretty arrangement of two dozen roses was just $12.99. A great deal!

Halloween Decorating @ CCC

CCC

 

I think I will continue with some serious Halloween decorating at CCC this weekend. I have two of these gold life size skeletons that I love. The second one was "taking a shower" in my guest bath last year. Not sure where they will end up this year.

My Orange & Black Guest Bath

CCC

 

CCC has a wing of the house with a vestibule, a guest bedroom, and a guest bath. It is very private for house guests with a pocket door closing it all off.

The guest bath is a full bath with a walk in shower with no steps or door. This was the room when I moved in.

Orange and Black @ CCC

CCC

 

Both my powder room and my guest bedroom at CCC are orange and black. Both rooms are perfect for the autumn (and Halloween). The leopard print above by Caitlin McGauley hung in my dining room in Alexandria, Virginia and now in my powder room here in Florida. 

Autumn @ CCC

CCC

 

It is 72 degrees here in South Florida - we finally have a cold front. Of course, it will be up to the mid eighties this afternoon. I have started a little fall decorating here at CCC.

Hurricanes, Halloween, and Fall in Florida

CCC

With no fall foliage in South Florida, fall decorating is especially important to me. I am not complaining, I'll take palm trees and no leaves to rake any day!

Monkey Business

Lilly Pulitzer

I came across this Lilly Pulitzer photo shoot featuring pieces from their collection worn by a vintage Mario Lopez Torres rattan monkey. It was shot with items from the wonderful West Palm Beach vintage store Circa Who.

Halloween Decorating Planning

Martha Stewart Living

 

I absolutely adore Halloween decorating. I decorate CCC inside and out and am always looking for new ideas. In August I start my planning.

I will absolutely try this fun floral arrangement. I even have a black ginger jar I got last year that will be perfect for the vase. I am always looking for ways to incorporate chinoiserie touches. White roses from Publix and black snakes and bugs from the five and dime. Are there any five and dimes anymore? I guess the closest is Dollar Tree or Michaels, but my go-to is Amazon Prime because it is so convenient. I have an Amazon warehouse a mile away so most things I get delivered within twenty four hours.

Seashells & Chinoiserie

Amanda Lindroth

 

Seashells and chinoiserie are a marriage made in heaven. Amanda Lindroth is a master at combining the two, and her newest book Island Dreaming has a myriad of wonderful examples.

Beatrice

Mrs. Alice

 

I came across this photo of a fabulous dog bed with a black and white Japanese Chin. Chins are quite rare in the United States and becoming far rarer as new CDC rules prevent the importation of puppies under 6 months of age. It took me a year to find Bea and she is from Canada (before the ban went into effect). Here is my little girl Beatrice all grown up. 

New HomeGoods Finds

CCC

I love topiaries and have many in my garden at CCC. In Virginia, my topiaries were English Boxwood which sadly does not grow here in South Florida. Fortunately, there are many great substitutes like Eugenia that loves it here. 

Ally the Alligator

CCC

 

One of my favorite television shows was Ally McBeal. Last year at this time I had a 10 foot alligator at CCC and I named him/her Ally. Then on Monday I posted on this darling alligator plate I found on eBay and it has arrived.

China Pattern Search

Mystery Alligator Plate

 

I came across this place setting image and loved the alligator plate and decided to try to find it. When I looked closely I realized the alligator has five legs - clearly AI created since they don't have five legs normally - LOL. Even though this is clearly computer generated, I went on a little search to see if there is anything like it out there.