Decorating a Tree Like a Pro

My personal Christmas Tree is a mishmosh of handed down, Bought for novelty, trip finds, and clearanced ornaments.  It is not the most glamorous tree but it is definitely full of beautiful memories.  But as much as I love itI have always secretly wanted another tree that looked like the ones in the catalog or department stores..

I work in a lovely office that we enjoy decorating for most of the holidays through out the year.  I cannot take credit for the purchases of decorations.  But, for the last few years I have been the one to organize and decorate for the holidays.  

Here are a few tips for creating a tree like a pro!

1) PICK A COLOR SCHEME.  

 This does not mean you have to buy all ornaments that are the same color, shape or size.  Our scheme is cream and green.  There are various shades, sizes and textures within that. I even threw in a little gold.. Close enough..

2)USE FILLERS

 This is especially helpful with artificial trees that have a lot of open spots..  Here I used silk hydrangeas  it fits in with the color scheme and makes the tree look more plush and full.

3) PICK AN ACCENT COLOR

 Here I added a few bulbs of a deep eggplant purple. It gives a few pops throughout the tree.

4) PUSH YOUR ORNAMENTS AS FAR BACK AS POSSIBLE.

  This makes it appear that they are part of the tree and not just hanging on it.  You may have to hang them on 2 branches to make this work.

5) REPEAT TYPES OF ORNAMENTS

Try to have 3 to 5 of the same ornaments scattered in different areas throughout the tree for cohesion.  Don't put them all together... Then you just look unorganized : )

6)ADD A SURPRISE ELEMENT. 

 Here is a crazy little elf.. He gives the tree some life. and some grinchiness for that matter : )

7)  STEP BACK

make sure you step back and take a peak at your tree from multiple angles.  Add in more where you need to or adjust some that are already on.   Things can look great up close but the whole picture is a different story.  Make sure the tree looks good everywhere and make sure ALL areas look good.  You don't want to walk in from  a different room and see weirdness.

8) know when to hold them, know when to fold them, KNOW WHEN TO WALK AWAY

Overdecorating is one of the worst things you can do.  If someone can't even tell its a tree...  Too much.  If it looks like Santa himself threw up decorations on your tree..  Too much...   If you used 12 Rubbermaid tubs on a 4' tree... Too much...   Edit where you need to..   You should see some green people..  it is a tree... Good grief!

Most of all enjoy yourself and your creation..

Merry almost December all!

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Linky Fiesta #1

Come Join the Party!!  This is my First Linky Party.  Join up and share your creativity!!

Party Rules:

1) You need to follow this blog

2)Entries need to be crafts, food, or DIY that you have created.  Nothing Obscene or stolen.

3) Please link back to my blog

4) Have fun..  It is a Fiesta after all : )

ThanksChristmas..

The Station at work has been playing Christmas music since November 1st..  And I've been ticked about it.   Give the Turkey some respect people.... 

Now that being said..  I play music when I put little man to sleep and there is a song on a Disney CD that I absolutely love called My Gift Is You.  It is a Christmas song but... The Lyrics make me think about my family and all that I am Grateful for.  Sooo  here is my rationalization for doing a Christmas Printable at Thanksgiving....LOL..

Happy Thanksgiving All!

Here are All of the Lyrics and the Printable is the 1st verse.

My Gift is You

Words and Music by Gary Powell

Woman-Verse 1
I love a gift wrapped in red, a gift under the tree
When the lights blink only for you and for me
But what I like most and what most rings true
Is the way I feel knowing that my gift is you.

Man
We sip the hot chocolate and we sing “Noel”
Whether first or the second Noel, we won’t tell
I know that I’m tardy and long overdue
In telling my true love that my gift is you

Both-Chorus 1
All that we hold in each other’s heart
Is the hope that each Christmas we won’t be apart
So, our stockings are hung and from my point of view
We’re here with each other, and my gift is you

Man-Verse 2
We hold in our hands what we love the most

Woman
We hold in our hearts where others just boast

Both
But what I like most and what most rings true
Is the way I feel knowing that my gift is you.

Both-Chorus 2
All that we hold in each other’s heart
Is the hope that each Christmas we won’t be apart
So, our stockings are hung and from my point of view
We’re here with each other, and my gift is you

Woman-Verse 3
I love a gift wrapped by you, a gift under the tree
When the snow falls lightly for you and for me
But what I like most and what most rings true
Is the way I feel knowing that my gift is you.

Man
We sip apple cider, we sing “Deck the Halls”
We’ve trimmed the tree now and even some of the walls
But you know I am here now and though overdue
I will tell you my true love that my gift is ….

Both-Chorus 3
All that we hold in each other’s heart
is the hope that each Christmas we won’t be apart
But what I like most and what most rings true
Is the way I feel knowing ….

Tag
This is the way…
The way I feel knowing that my gift
My gift, my gift is you

(Copyright Jesmax Music, BMI 2006)

Eggless Banana Almond Cake

Ok..  Before you go thinking I'm turning Vegan or I'm trying to healthify my cake...  Just know this ended up being eggless because I was eggless and I wasn't going to take a baby out at 9pm to get some.  So.. Thanks to google.. I found an alternative.  I thought this was kinda crazy but it works.!!  I needed 3 eggs so the substitution was 1 tablespoon of baking soda to 3 tablespoons of vinegar..  I know.. It sounds yuck right?   It totally isn't and it works!!!  I am so excited about this because how often do you not have the right ingredients..  and I should be limiting the calories in my dessert...  So... I may have to do this more often....

Recipe is as follows..

1 box Betty Crocker Super Moist White Cake

3 TBS Vinegar and 1 TBS baking soda  ( mix these together separately and then add to the cake mix)

1 1/4 cup sprite 

1/2 cup oil

1 mashed banana

1/2-1 teaspoon of almond extract (i used an emulsion) depending on your taste

Mix all ingredients together, they will be very thick but fluffy.  Bake for 20-25 mins @ 350.  Cake will brown quickly but make sure it is firm (not overcooked) before removing.  Cake will pull away from the sides of the pan as it cools.

Topping

1 carton cool whip

1 carton Philadelphia White Chocolate Indulgence

Mix together and cover cooled cake.   Keep Cake Refrigerated until ready to serve.

 The cake is like a banana cake/banana bread hybrid.. It is dense but moist and chewy also.

It looks like it was enjoyed..  What do you think?