10 days until Christmas

December 15, 2016December 15, 2016 | circadee

It is hard to believe that Christmas is just ten days away. Quite frankly, I can’t even believe we have approached the end of 2016. It has been a strange year for sure and I’m ready to move onto 2017. How about you?

Every year after Thanksgiving, I get excited to make the leap into the holiday season by putting up a live tree. This year I found myself not wanting as many traditional adornments but to create more of a seasonal feel with wool blankets and candlelight. I gravitated toward natural ornaments as well.

I know it is hard to believe that this is a restrained Christmas, but it is! Especially on the tree…

I felt like having the Christmas tree right in the center of the room. It is not totally practical but I love how it lights up the space and sits among the other plants. Do I dare say almost like a conservatory? I decorated the tree organically with plants too! Live air plants, succulent terrarium ornaments, cotton stems and vintage arrows are the stars. You can find the live ornaments for sale at the West End Garage. Obviously these “ornaments” don’t have to be packed up next month which is fantastic!

I did pull out a few favorite vintage glass balls to create this vignette. All month, there has been a cozy, warm glow from every corner which feels very seasonal.

Have you jumped on the ceramic tree trend of the 70s and 80s? These nostalgic trees have been very hot here. Mine was made by my great-grandmother originally for my grandmother. She made one for everyone in my family back then. The tree strikes a chord with me as it is reminiscent of my childhood Christmases. Anytime we went to a relative’s house during the holidays, they always displayed Nana’s tree…and usually still do. Who knew it would be so trendy 30 years later?

Wishing you and yours a merry and bright holiday season!

rockin around the christmas tree

December 7, 2015February 19, 2016 | circadee

With just about a week until Christmas, I found myself cycling through old photos of Christmases past. It is fun to see what decor has changed and what has always made the cut. Some ideas definitely stand out as more of a win than others. Want to take a look at some of our past Christmas trees?

I was big on burlap and primarily gold ornaments in 2011 and years prior for that matter. This tree seems light on ornaments. Less is more, I suppose. I am not sure that I still subscribe to that though. Those red drapes in our old house. They weren’t ever really my style but they did work really well for Christmas and framing the tree.

In 2012, we purchased a ball & burlap tree that would later be planted in our yard. It was a small, shrub so we kept the decor to mostly red ornaments & rocking horses. The red drapes were still up so I guess they were more of my style at the time than I thought. Have you ever had a ball & burlap Christmas tree?

2013 was the year we moved to Cape May and also the year of orange slice garland, dried hydrangeas, twigs & peacock feathers apparently. As crazy as they all sound together, this might be a favorite Christmas look of mine. Considering you already have a dead tree in your living, there is just something about layering on more organic, natural ornaments. I also like the toile panels that framed the tree that year. This photo is making a strong argument for putting the tree in that bay window again next year.

In 2014, we broke away from the themed ornaments and started incorporating more color and sentimental ornaments. I topped the tree with vintage arrows and draped chenille garland that made an appearance again on this year’s tree.

And then there’s 2015. This year the tree is less themed than it has been in the past. I kept with the light colors we’ve been incorporating in our space as we’ve been updating it. I used cotton stems as an ornament. I like the softness, yet fullness that it adds. This year, more is more for sure.

Trees aside, what’s Christmas without a pink flamingo holiday sweater, candlelight, a chubby beagle and an awkward photo? Yes, more is certainly more. More ornaments. More lights. More silly photos. And more time with family and friends.

Merry Christmas from our home to yours!

We hope you enjoy this magical season.

favorite things 2015

December 3, 2015December 3, 2015 | circadee

We’re gearing up for one of my favorite weekends in Cape May – the annual West Cape May Christmas Parade! This Saturday evening, the legendary parade will march right past The West End Garage. We are still working on final touches on our store window but so far I am feeling the kitschy, colorful theme. Stay tuned…

Inside we’re stocked with our favorite vintage ornaments, painted furniture and one-of-a-kind finds. We also have a handful of new organic gift items. Some that you’re going to want to keep for yourself or your mantel… the lemon cypress trees have already landed on mine!

Friday night marks the Congress Hall tree lighting. We’re happy to be participating in Congress Hall’s Winter Wonderland for a second year in the shopping village. Over there, we’re stocked with items from our pet boutique, Houndstooth, but you’ll find a few wreaths, ornaments and the like from Circa Dee.

Cape May is truly magical at the holidays. In fact, it was just ranked #1 for Christmas towns in NJ! Check out the list here. We’re looking forward to seeing you this December!