Tuesday, December 20, 2016

Kitchen shelves get decked for Christmas

Merry Christmas Darlins,

FIVE more days
I hope your at the bottom of your list of TO DO's list!

Over here, we're ready & excited.
I plan on baking tomorrow.

When it comes to the holiday decorating I love to add some *Merry* to each space. 
Let's be real we spend a lot of time gathered in the kitchen so I feel it's a fun space to deck out...sparingly!


Memorable pieces

This silver snowman melts my heart..
I filled the bottom of his belly with cocoa & marshmallows or whipping creme in the top.
A little tradition this became... when my boys were toddlers.
 Together we sat at little table in our kitchen & had cocoa.

 Somewhere I have sweet pictures of those cherished moments!


Loving the simple decor when we come in the kitchen...



..remember when Evian did this limited edition bottle?

A beautiful week before Christmas to you....
xo,
Gail




Friday, December 16, 2016

Wellies

Hello Darlins,

So excited it's raining at this moment in Southern California!
We have been in a serious draught for years here... I think this will help!

How's your holidays?

Yesterday morning my husband had us waking to Carols at 6:30 am...
He must of been still happy about the short ribs I made the night before!

I love this time of year so much!

One more small package to mail.



Here's a peak at the new powder bath floor & custom door. 
A couple things that aren't complete....
Soon they will be finished for the reveal!

I'm sooo wearing my wellies today! 

A perfect rainy day schedule... finish my wrapping
 do some business
 &
 later this afternoon I'm meeting a friend to go to the cinema.

 Can't wait to wear a cozy sweater. sip a hot latte & study film!
Off to the post Office to stand in line!

I hope your day is a beautiful one!
xo,
me

Thursday, December 8, 2016

Noel inspired



Hi Darlins
While the festive days are Kringling by...
You might be snuggled by a warm fire, with a hot latte 
 &
 would enjoy a little throwback Thursday's inspiration
 from my
*Noel*
Pinterest board

Link below



Love to hear from you if you have a favorite!

A beautiful Holli * day to you!
xo,
Gail

Tuesday, December 6, 2016

Tips How to Cozy for Christmas

Hi Darlins,

Aligning with our Casual Loves Elegance everyday life & style..
Christmas is a time when I love to load up on cozy * comfy elements.

I thought I would share some insight of how you can do this anywhere!

 We live in Southern California...which is lovely!

 ...but personally, between you & me...
 my heart is in a cozy lake house in the midwest!
 Tall evergreens branches weighted with snow, a crackling fire in a real mason fireplace.
 Ice skates by the door, ready for when the lake is frozen deep enough to go on.

Those are the childhood memories I experienced & cherish especially during this time of year.

So how do we create that feeling in California or anywhere?
Here's some inspiration from my living room to yours....


No.1

Candle light

Nature - Animal images - Antlers - fur faux or real

Shiny elements - Reflect light like snow or ice

Silver * Gold * Pewter


No. 2

Cozy textures

Faux or real fur - Linen- Important element to add warmth to leather
In our living room here I used faux fur pillows, Belgium linen all with down inserts including the leather sofa, it is down.  

Sparkle - Glittery beads, crystal, rhinestones
Pillow in front has a hand beaded snowflake.


No. 3
Homemade
 Time is precious & so is a one of a kind element made by you, your children or someone you love.
I made these "A Winter Wish" little banners.
 Fun, creative & cost... a little love & time!

Flowers
Always fresh - bringing a scent to the air & reminding us that beauty surrounds us.
These are heirloom roses from my garden.


Most of all Christmas is in our hearts
 how we feel
 what we believe is in the spirit.
There isn't anything serious about decorating, be inspired by your dreams.
 Use what you have, what you love, most of all what makes you feel warm & cozy!

A beautiful winter day to you!

Follow on instagram now at
casualloveselegance

xo,
Gail

Monday, December 5, 2016

Christmas mantle - my DIY candle stands

Hello Darlins,

*20*days...

This time of year is so beautiful isn't it?
 I LOVE the decor, nature & pet photos that are being shared...
 A visual reminder how the spirit Christmas is everywhere.

This year our greens were placed on mantles, headboards, balconies etc.
I had full intention to add twinkle lights to everything,
 but instead this year ...

I want simple...
Loving the dark green natural look, without lights. 
They are so pretty I want to enjoy them simply for what they are... evergreens.

Here's the dining room fireplace mantle this Christmas.


Nothing is perfect... yet I don't think about perfect for anything. 
It's pretty enough!
 Everything is vintage.
 The Louis Philipe mirror is a treasure find & is turn of the century.

Nothing matches...I use what I love & that has purpose.



The warm simple glow of candles will offer soft & cozy light for dining.


These two white wood candle pedestals are tops of fence columns.
 a friend gave me some fence posts years ago,
 he said... I knew you would want these! 
He was right...
 I loved repurposing them for large candles, I use them indoor & outdoor all year.

Follow along on instagram too!
casualloveselegance

A beautiful cozy week & sending you wishes for all that's magical for you!
xo,
me

Tuesday, November 29, 2016

Entry Foyer - a little christmas corner

Happy Holiday's Darlins,

The Holiday's are here.... I Love it!

I have begun decorating have you?
All the fresh garland & wreaths are placed.
I  don't know about you but.. when the garland is up it smells like Christmas to me!
It seems to bring the forest inside & everything seems so cozy.
mmmm Love* that!



In the entry foyer I have placed the new upholstered french vintage chair in the corner.
It's not it final location but the room it's going in is under construction!!



...this year I'm loving a teeny bit o red!


&
the boyzzz will like it!

Darling readers...
Thank you for the dearest comments you left for my family about the loss of Miss Chloe our Tibetan... we appreciate your kindness & prayers. Oh how we are missing her....
A beautiful day to you may it be more than you wish for!
xo,
Gail

Saturday, November 26, 2016

Tibetan mastiff Chloe

Hello Darlins

With a broken heart I write this post today..
On the eve of Thanksgiving my family and I found ourselves having to say our final goodbye to our dearly loved & cherished Tibetan mastiff Miss Chloe.


12 -23-06  *  11- 23- 16
RIP

Tuesday evening my husband looked at her ears inside, uses some liquid ear cleaner on a cotton pad and rubbed her ears inside and found fresh blood. A flag for concern...
 On Wednesday at noon we took her into the vet for apt. to see why she had been pawing at her face over the last month near her eyes, it seemed something was irritating the area. She scratched so hard it was bleeding & it wouldn't heel over. We thought maybe she had something going on there. 

We thought we would probably be getting some antibiotics & a maybe an ear wash and we would bring her home.

Long story short...the vet did some tests and found our her red blood count was almost depleted & her blood wasn't coagulating. They gave us her samples & paperwork with a referral to a animal hospital for a specialist, they said go now...

 Bottom line the vet aid she couldn't be saved, she was bleeding internally. Her immune system was attacking itself.
  We asked if we could bring her back home for a few hours to be with her and let her be with Lincoln our Saint Bernard. We hoped he would sense something and maybe it will help him later. 
My oldest son lives out of state and it broke our heart to make that call....omg so extremely difficult give him the news and explain the situation.
He was an important part of her life too...This was his dog so much, he found the breeder and led the descioson in getting her from the beginning...

We skyped with him so he could see her as we gathered around on the floor with both dogs..
Later that evening we said goodbye....


The first time we saw her... getting her ready to come home with us.



Quiet & sweet




Late in the spring her thick winter coats gets ready to shed for summer.


She was a friend and mentor to our Lincoln, whom I believe showed him the ropes and gave him confidence... he is almost blind.


Tibetan Mastiffs are a unique breed.
 Chloe was noble
 she pranced like royalty
 walked like a model
 &
 proud, quiet and elegant

 She was amazing guardian...
 She knew her natural primitive role..
She guarded us, our friends, our property, Lincoln and our hearts.

She was so beautiful...one of a kind.


We will ring the bell for her this Christmas...

We miss her dearly we loved her immensely.

Sweet dreams we love you....Miss Chloe..
xo,
me

Sunday, November 20, 2016

Pre - Holiday!

Happy week before the Holiday scramble!

I hope everyone is looking forward to the next couple months & all the festivities...
Sometimes I wish I could savor them one at a time, how about you?

So on that note...I'm at the store getting a few things for Thanksgiving dinner
 &
 I smell Christmas...

Evergreen wreaths, rosemary I got all excited
&
I got in the car & my husband said.. what? Can't you wait till friday?

Sorry...
 I had to have me some Christmas now...


....I want to smell Christmas


...wrap a few gifts


...sip apple cider


&
 enjoy the pre season!


I L*O*V*E the holiday's!

A beautiful week to you take time to enjoy the moments worth savoring!

I'm on instagram! 
casualloveselegance
come by!

xo,
me

Monday, November 14, 2016

Autumn weekend

Hi Darlins,

Hope your enjoying Autumn where you are!
We headed to the local mountains of Big Bear lake, California to get some Autumn...
It has been so warm in SoCal...uhhh

We loaded up our dogs, dirt bike, sweaters & hit the road.



This is Big Bear Lake, it's about 3 hours north of us. 
{with perfect driving conditions}


Ahh Autumn in the mountains!


A sweet BLUE JAY joined me for a latte on the porch.


We went into town & walked around the shops
Check out this FAUX Bison... It was Huge! 
It would be awesome in a big room in cabin. 


The nights got down to freezing, it was so fun to wear sweaters
 &
 sit by the cozy fire in the early mornings & evenings.


Mr. Lincoln & Miss Chloe were so HAPPY for the cool weather...
Can't you tell by her face!!!



Mr. Lincoln



Miss Chloe {laying in front} has a little attitude if you can't tell... she is very posh, so pretty & she knows it!
&
 doesn't like pics or interviews...
or anyone really!!!

A beautiful week to you, 

Follow along on Instagram, starting to decorate for the holiday's
casualloveselegance
xo,
Gail

Tuesday, November 1, 2016

Good Morning November

Hello November...
*
Good morning Darlings!


A quiet morning today, but so dark now when we wake.
.
I want to catch up with you!

Is this year flying or what?

Here's a few this and that things around here!

 was up last night late creating a layout & loading pics
 for my baby's Senior High School yearbook page! 




I was crying!
 I didn't use this one for his page but it makes my heart melt...
He is 6 weeks old...we were ready to leave for his baby shower and spend a fun day meeting some wonderful women whom I adored. It was his first real social outing! 
{The Home Depot was his official first} but that was normal for both our baby's!

I was 37 here & so in Love with him...I was grateful to have a healthy pregnancy & baby at that age.

Here he is now! 
We shot his senior pics done here at our home, 
I took this of him while the photographer was shooting him in the yard on his motocross bike,
 {he always wears a helmet & riding gear}

... but this was for the photo op...you know the HAIR!!!




Reflecting & finding the words to put on his page that are meaningful just between him & our family was difficult... 
I'm sure those of you who have had seniors can relate!

 Trying my best to keep it short but authentic like him...
 I only really wanted to write how much we love him over and over!!!

It's a surprise so I'll keep it that way and share it later.

HEY! We have finished the dog run, now we are building the country house for them..
 I'll take some picture of the project to share, it's going to have a porch!

On Instagram!
casualloveselegance 
Come on by, it's fun, love how quick it is to share daily inspiration & see others!

Life is beautiful!
&
 so are you!
xo,
Gail


Friday, October 14, 2016

Entry gates project before & after

Happy Friday!

Last night I was chatting about entry gates with a friend. 
Entry gates are a BIG deal...

The front entry is a big deal....it sets the tone of your home.
Bottom line, even if it's a door with a step, it's the entry!
 It's the first impression.
Your welcomed home everyday by it.
If you don't care what others think, that's ok ....but YOU deserve to have a welcoming entry.

I looked up the pics of before... Yikes, no wonder this house was on the market for soooo long.
I'm thinking buyers couldn't get passed this un-invitng entry to the property!
Trust me, my vision was overload & confused!

Here's a recap on the before & after of our entry to the property here at the French Farm house.


We found out the stone columns were hollow & the little stone walls were only stacked with out cement to hold them together.

We would have to tear it all down & reconstruct.


The columns had extension walls built to intersect the new fencing.




Once the columns were complete, a temporary gate was installed to keep our dogs in. 



Here they are in the shop, a first look at the shape. Exactly what are sketch called for.


This was our first time having something fabricated from steel. The raw steel was super cool, but would rust in a minute.
Our projects have always been solid wood material and painted. My husband did a awesome job building those. {Link to see those at bottom of post}



Fit was excellent. We went with 2 motors to power these big heavy gates.


Finally the welcoming entrance this property should have!

 We love how elegantly both gates slowly open, the motors  are super quiet. 
Nothing makes me smile more than spotting our dogs sitting at the top of the drive waiting to welcome us home!

One more project completed & one step closer in the making of our French Farm house.

A Holiday photo from last year... 


A beautiful weekend to you,
xo, me

I'm on Instagram - Casual Loves elegance
Trying to remember to post!


Link to my site and the beach house that shows our wood fences