Special Blog Friend

I have the after Christmas decorating blahs.

After putting away all my Christmas, I wanted to do a new mantel.

Every year at this time I drag out my art deco mantel clock.

I bought this clock over ten years ago.

When I bought my little 1931 cottage I thought for sure this 1930's art deco mantel clock 

would fit in perfect.

But it doesn't. 

Every year after Christmas, I (needing a mantel design to get me through from the holidays
till it's time to decorate for Valentine's Day) place this clock on the mantel.

It never looks right.

How can a 1930's mantel clock on a mantel in a 1930's house...look so blah?

It's a beautiful clock. I love the chrome face and chrome ball feet and the curve lines of it.

Why does it not work?

I think this is a very good example of how it's much better to mix things up.

I need something more modern up there.

This clock is too serious, too low in profile and too brown.

I would be tempted to paint it...but that would involve removing the face of the clock 

and I don't want to do that.

Anyway...I thought I would show it but I'm working on a different mantelscape.

But see there to the right of the clock?

That was my little after the Holiday's surprise.

Valorie Hart aka "The Visual Vamp" emailed me a couple of weeks ago and said she was sending 

a little after Christmas stuff to me. She said she'd found a few things on sale that she just knew 

I needed to add to my vintage Christmas decor. 

She said these things needed a little love and she knew I was the one to provide it.

So the other day a package arrived. First thing, I unwrapped was this cute little Cody Foster Gift Box.

Yes...it's missing a little trim and some of the glitter had rubbed off. I quickly fixed that.

I couldn't believe it.

I'd seen this little box in a store here in Oklahoma City before Christmas and wanted it
but could not afford to buy for myself. 

And now here it is in my home. Like magic.

Not sure what I'll do about the missing trim.

I'll leave as is till I find something that might replace it.

She also sent some little glitter deer whose glitter had been knocked off.

I can fix those too.

And a pretty garland of tinsel and glitter bells.

All of that will get added to my vintage Christmas next year.

I felt so honored that Valorie had thought of me when she saw these things.

Her blog has been a must read of mine for quite awhile.

Her style is glamorous, artistic, unexpected and constantly changing.

She's a professional Tango dancer, a photostylist, decorator and writer.

 I love all things New Orleans and 

I love to check in on her blog to see what is going on there.

This is Valorie and Alberto her life and tango partner.

She and Alberto had quite an experience in Canada last fall (read here).

Alberto was stricken ill and they were trapped in Canada. 

Luckily, they are both back in New Orleans now and dancing.

I thought I'd show a little from her blog for any of you not familiar with it. 

But you should certainly start following it, if you aren't.

* V I S U A L * V A M P *

She recently rearranged the furniture in her living room.

Her bar at Christmas

Her dining room at Christmas

and she just redid her Planet Tango Dance Studio

Valorie also works at 

and contributes to it's blog.

There are lots of beautiful things instore at Perch.

And you can shop online!

This store is a mix of antique, vintage, modern and custom.

I know a lot of you love antlers and Perch has them available for $15 each.

I think that sounds like a very good deal.

Myself, I could clear a spot for this credenza in my own home.

I can't believe how lucky I am to have made such wonderful friends this last year through blogging.

I would never have imagined...a year ago that the writer of one of my most admired blogs would 

think of me when she saw some little Christmas things and send them to me.

So incredibly nice. 

But that seems to be what this whole blogging thing is about - other than sharing pretty images...

It's sharing our lives, our hopes, our fears,

and through kindness making each day better, together.