Wednesday, January 18, 2012

Crate & Barrel ~ Rebuilding Joplin

Crate & Barrel is one of my all-time favorite stores. They never fail to impress with their sense of style which is always right on target - from classically traditional to the brightest, newest colors. I look forward to their catalogs and dream of moving into one of their cottages/houses.


It is one of my go-to stores when the holidays roll around. I always go and buy pretty accents for my home like serving dishes, place mats and napkins that are holiday-specific. Even small changes have a way of updating a table and making it crisp, new and special.


When I heard about the amazing work between Crate & Barrel, The Land of Nod and Extreme Home Makeover I had to post some pictures.


In their biggest build ever, the Extreme Makeover team and an army of volunteers built seven homes for seven victims in the tornado-ravaged community of Joplin, Missouri. Crate & Barrel and The Land of Nod furniture and accessories were used to outfit two of the seven homes.
A beach style cottage for the Walter's family
An eco-friendly cottage for the Nevin's family

In addition to donating merchandise, Crate & Barrel and The Land of Nod are sponsoring an online donation campaign through Tuesday, 01/31, in support of the American Red Cross to aid in their disaster relief efforts.


How can we all join Crate & Barrel, The Land of Nod and Extreme Home Makeover to help? Crate & Barrel have provided us with a link (http://www.crateandbarrel.com/Extreme-Makeover-Home-Edition/) that contains more information and a way to make a donation.


I applaud the wonderful and thoughtful work of these three companies!  You guys rock!  Also - don't you LOVE this bed?  WOW!


Here are some of my favorite products used in the renovation:
DRIFTWOOD SIDE TABLE – isn’t this fabulous?

PALOMA SMALL SIDEBOARD
 – did you know that paloma means dove in Spanish?
DRIFTWOOD MIRROR – can you tell I’m on a driftwood kick? It’s so beautiful, natural and each one is unique!

Friday, January 6, 2012

Feliz dia de Los Reyes Magos!

Designed by Todd Weber for Nambé

January 6th is a day when a group of Kings arrived to worship and give their gifts to the baby Jesus after following a star in the heavens. It is a day celebrated by cultures around the world in various ways according to the countries traditions.  In Spanish tradition three of the Kings:  Melchior, Gaspar, and Balthazar (representing Europe, Arabia and Africa) arrived on horse, camel and elephant, bringing respectively gold, frankincense and myrrh to the baby Jesus.  Most towns in Spain hold huge, colorful and spectacular parades on January 5th heralding the arrival of the Three Kings  (Cabalgata de los Reyes Magos) so that children can see them in all their glitzy glory on camels or carriages before they go to bed.  Sweet wine, fruit and treats are left for the Kings and their camels.  Shoes will be shined and left at the doorway to be filled with presents (or if you have not been good - with coal).
The Roscón de Reyes along with hot chocolate is the traditional breakfast for Dia de los Reyes Magos.  A small figure one of the kings or baby Jesus is hidden in the bread along with a dry faba bean; whomever finds the figurine will be the "king/queen" for the day and whomever finds the faba bean pays for next years Rosca.

 So....here is wishing you a very Feliz Dia de los Reyes Magos and may you get tons of presents (since you have been good, right?)

{Images via:  Nambe.com; haus design}