Comments : 55

Good morning! I  hope you have had a great week, it is amazing that we are less than a month away from Christmas!! Do you feel the pressure yet? My week has been super busy but productive. I feel like I am juggling many balls in the air and on top of that I have been waking up at a ridiculously early time every morning (think 4ish)  therefore I am anxious for a little relaxation.  Think this will be the ONLY four relaxing days I will have in all of December! So, I am off today to beautiful Palm Beach, really looking forward to a 3 day mini break from well…….everything πŸ™‚

Such a beautiful jewel of a place, I plan on getting some much needed relaxation, rest, indulging in a few great meals, and maybe hopefully some retail therapy! Any suggestions that you feel compelled to share…..please by all means, let me know.  In the meantime…things are getting awfully busy around here. By next week hope to have my tree up and my front door wreath.

Though I like to hem and haw about how crazy and chaotic things are (and they are) it is very exciting to be celebrating Christmas in our new home. I am thrilled to be able to share it with all of you and hope your holiday season is off to  a blazing start! This is a very photo heavy post (consider it 3 days of posting all in one)! Enjoy your weekend……

I missed a dear friends birthday so invited her over for a one on one lunch.  I wanted to have it look pretty and we had such a nice time. I made my usual tricolor salad with grilled chicken and shaved Parmesan, a yummy chicken tortilla soup, fresh sour dough rolls and for dessert I was very practical, instead of a cake that would likely go to waste, or to have leftovers for that would be serious tempation for me late at night,  I got her one big oversized cupcake, fresh fruit and the best biscotti locally made I have ever eaten (its addicting, its that good). Here’s a few highlights…

Even had a bottle of champagne for her to toast her belated birthday………

Please remember those chairs are going……….do not like the plaid but they are something to sit on!

My pretty soup tureen

This soup is soooo good and really satisfying..recipe below!
The oversized cupcake, just perfect for 2!

Trust me it didn’t stay there long!

 My very generous friend, came bearing gifts….these gorgeous flowers (she knows my love for white flowers) and these were exceptional and this beautiful holiday candle from Nest, too pretty to open!

Want the recipe for the soup? Here it is…say hello to your new comfort food! ( I buy ready made tortilla strips, and am generous with the extra sharp cheddar for that extra little “zing”!

CHICKEN TORTILLA SOUP

Ingredients:

2 tablespoons vegetable oil or light olive oil
? cup minced white onion
? cup mined Anaheim pepper
1 clove garlic, minced
2 tablespoons cornstarch
4 cups chicken broth
2 cooked skinless, boneless chicken breasts, cut into bite-size pieces
1 cooked skinless, boneless chicken thigh, cut into bite-size pieces
1 package sharp or extra sharp cheddar cheese, shredded
3 (6-inch) corn tortillas, minced (if you actually want to do this yourself…not me)
2 tablespoons lime juice
Carrots very finely diced
1/2 green pepper and 1/2 red pepper, finely diced
? cup canned diced tomatoes
? teaspoon ground cumin
? teaspoon ground cayenne pepper
? teaspoon oregano
1 can pinto or black beans
3/4 cup of corn
? teaspoon salt
Tortilla strips, optional, for garnish

Directions:

1. In a large saucepan or Dutch oven, heat the vegetable oil over medium-low heat. Add the minced onion, pepper, and garlic, peppers and carrots and cook slowly, stirring occasionally, for 15 minutes, or until the minced onion begins to turn translucent.
2. Whisk the cornstarch into the chicken broth, then add the broth mixture to the pot, along with the chicken, cheddar cheese, corn, beans,, lime juice, diced tomatoes, cumin, cayenne pepper, oregano, and salt. Increase the heat to medium while stirring constantly to help the cheese melt. When the soup begins to bubble, reduce the heat to medium-low and simmer for 20 minutes. Serve the soup topped with tortilla strips and extra shredded cheese

Store news……Been busy fulfilling holiday orders, the monogram items are hot hot hot, the napkin rings and silver also moving fast. I do a consistent business with my pillows. This line is particularly fabulous, super high quality, beautiful heavy down filled and I discount substantially. I am excited to have a bunch of new pillows, they will be added on by Monday. Here’s a peek at the new loot in the pillow dept! Click here to visit my online store.

Also…several of you have made inquires about the pewter chargers. I had gotten in a large batch which went immediately. I am working on trying to get more, not so easy! I did get in a random assortment of 14 of the scalloped ones and 3 of one of the more ornate ones.. If interested just email me. I am discounting the scalloped to a great deal of $25 a charger (they sell for 40) because on some of them there is the slightest trace of a “sticker residue” on them but they will be covered any way so its a small “defect”. I tried to photograph them. Just email me here if you are interested!

 I have 14 of these

 And 3 of these



Moving on.….continuing to decorate around here for Christmas. I have had such a chock full week that I didn’t get as much done as I would have liked, but am getting there! Here’s a few new things in my holiday decorating….

 I do love the way red pops next to blue and white……

 Added some garland….will be adding pinecones at some point, this is phase I

 I like adding small sprigs of greenery with berries to vignettes around the holidays….

 I found this HUGE pumpkin for 1/2 off (so next fall you will be seeing a lot of it) Its so great looking, about 22″ round!

I love late afternoon sunlight and the beautiful silhouette it creates…..

 Though I am not a huge “red” person have to say a touch of it here and there brings the holiday spirit into my home in a beautiful way….

Love adding scented pinecones to the base of a planter for my holiday flowers…


There is so much inspiration online that at times its intoxicating and overwhelming( I know many of you are shaking your head in agreement)! But it is so incredibly fun to drool over all the amazing images available! Here’s a few I am loving lately……..

Such a magical time of year, so much going on, so much inspiration everywhere! It is a wonderful season but it is also so important to pace yourself, I keep reminding myself of this every day and am a “list queen” and  love checking things off my list! Enjoy the magic of the season that is upon us and I will speak to you next week! Wishing you a fabulous weekend. Ho ho ho…….

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I AM HERE FIRST! I AM YOUR FIRST GUEST!

Tina, I am literally tickled with joy to be here and see your gorgeous table. I have always wanted to “sit” (virtually, of course) at one of your table settings and here you have it for us. THANK YOU PRECIOUS ONE. You are so generous to welcome us all into your home and what a feast you have here. ENJOY PALM BEACH MY DEAR! We will miss you. Be well, take care and happy COUNTDOWN TO CHRISTMAS! Anita

As usual so much beauty to take in, it needs a second and third glance! Your lunch is so pretty and elegant, love your china. And your holiday decor belongs on a magazine cover, it is so elegant. I can’t get enough of all the beautiful decor I am seeing everywhere, I am not very creative so am always in awe!

Thanks for sharing the recipe, we are soup lovers so that’s one I will make and hope you have a nice time away.

Tina, I just love todays post. Have a wonderful few days in Palm Beach. I have gotten so many great ideas for sprucing up my home, just a bit! What a lovely birthday for your friend…. you are a dear.
~cheyrl

Hi am sure I will leave something out, but here goes, your lunch for your friend looks like its out of a fine French restaurant! That soup looks so good. I will have to try it.
Your holiday decorations are just magical. I love your touches, getting many good ideas here, as we are starting this weekend.

I love the new pillows too and will check back next week, the nautical ones would make a great gift for my parents who just bought a home in Fla. Have fun in PB this weekend.

Tina… Your friend is awfully lucky to have you as a friend. What a beautiful lunch! Your house looks so beautiful. Love the garland around the mirror and your Christmas plants, especially the white poinsettia. As far as I’m concerned, your “inspiration” pales to your gorgeous home. Have a great time in PB. One of my fav places…. we used to live in Boca.

So much Christmas beauty – know you are having the BEST time decorating!! Thrilled you are off to Palm Beach for a few days – we went in May and had a wonderful time – great relaxing. By the way, my birthday is in September and I’m pretty sure I’m available for lunch. So GORGEOUS!! Hope you have a great weekend ~

Oh, I’d give anything to be headed to Palm Beach! There is some really great antiquing there from what I’ve heard! Have a wonderful time! Loved all of your recipes and your beautiful table! Such a lucky friend to have you throw her a one on one party! I’m sure she appreciated it! Can’t wait to hear about your weekend! We are off to Memphis for my grandfather’s 90th birthday surprise! Should be interesting!

Hi Tina,
I’m so inspired by your decorating that I’m off to the our local nursery tonight after work to go Christmas tree hunting and garland grabbing with my Hubby! Have fun in Palm Beach! C. Orrico is always fun for Lilly stuff and they have a new beach wear store on Worth called Aqua Beach. It’s the beast!I picked up a couple things there last week!

I love all your decorations! Want to cone over and help mr? I am clueless!

Your friend is a lucky girl to have been treated to such a lovely lunch -,wow! It all looks so good too.

Enjoy your getaway , sounds perfect!

What a beautiful birthday lunch you gave for you friend! The soup sounds delicious and I plan on trying it over Christmas when my daughter and her husband are home for the holidays. Would you mind sharing the recipe for your salad as well? Have a wonderful time in PB!

Tina-
Have fun this weekend! Palm Peach is such a beautiful place.
The birthday lunch was fabulous. I ma making this soup when Angela gets home for Christmas.
You house looks gorgeous. I know that you are having fun decorating, and the design inspiration is great as always.
Happy Friday.
Teresa
xoxo

Tina have a wonderful and relaxing time away at Palm Beach!

Your luncheon table is gorgeous! A birthday luncheon would be a treat indeed!

xoxo
Karena
2012 Artists Feature

Can’t wait to try the tortilla soup recipe! I’m so excited about the new pillow additions too. Loving all of your Christmas decorations! I’m with you on the red, I don’t use it much, but I do like pops of it during the holidays! Have a fabulous and relaxing weekend!!

Lovely post, I’m always thrilled for pics around the house. Beautiful photos you shared from the internet as well ( especially the blue and white with hunting scene..yum) but none more beautiful than those from your OWN home. πŸ™‚
What a good friend you are to make such a special luncheon for your friend’s birthday. Everything looked beautiful and I’m sure she was most grateful.
XO Terri

I like the greens draped around the french mirror .. I have done something very similar around my french mirror. I’m with you on the red! Doesn’t it look gorgeous with the blue and whites? The subtle, natural decor you’ve posted is right up my alley πŸ™‚ love it all. I am envious that you are squeezing a little getaway in. My work has been crazy and I’m getting a little grumpy .. and fighting a cold. I really need my time to just work around my house.

Enjoy the weekend!

Tina if you put out a book on entertaining and decorating, I think it would be a huge hit.I love your style, its a lot like Carolyn Roehm who I adore and whom I have met twice. She is as lovely as her taste is.

Your holiday decor is so stunning love the garland draped over the mirror, your gold nutcrackers and all the red in the blue and whites. Lots of beautiful things happening there.

Enjoy your getaway weekend, its well deserved. Lucky friend to have been treated to such a lovely lunch!

What a stunning post! You made your friend’s birthday so special! Your decorations are absolutely beautiful. Thank you so much for sharing.
I’d love to recommend your soup on my blog if that’s ok, Tina. It’s looks very healthy and super flavourful!

Oh Tina, I am so excited for you to be spending your first Christmas in your new home! Your decorating so far looks just gorgeous and, of course, you know I love all the blue and white! I hope that in spite of all the hustle and bustle you can take a few deep breaths from time to time and just enjoy your beautiful house this month. The birthday lunch looks so lovely, what a lucky friend! And I hope you have a wonderful, relaxing time in beautiful Palm Beach, please say hello to the sun for me. XOXO

Beautiful table setting and wonderful menu. The soup sounds out of this world. It’s already up on my things to try. May you spend many, many wonderful Xmases in your new home!

Oh how I enjoy your “Random Musings”! You have a lucky friend – the birthday lunch was very special – sometimes a deux is more fun than a crowd! Enjoy Palm Beach…it is nice to begin the season with a tiny relaxation vacation.

xoxoxo

I have been reading your blog for several months now and really do enjoy it.
Is there any chance of sharing the general contents of your tri-color salad. It looks delicious.
Perhaps it is just the usual salad ingredients but somehow you have made it looks more than that.
In other words it looks REALLY good!!! I printed out your soup recipe as well.
Enjoy Palm Beach!!!

I’m with J. Kay. I would love to have the recipe details on that delicious-looking salad and dressing. I make a version of your chicken tortilla soup and agree that it is WONDERFUL!!! Your table setting is just gorgeous. Wish we lived close enough for a home tour. Have a FANTASTIC VACATION!!!

Beautiful house. I am a Blue and White girl too. Could you kindly share the receipe for your salad

what a gorgeous lunch, tina. your friend is a lucky lady.

emjoy your well-deserved break in the sunshine!

my mom is recovering nicely and is such a trooper. we are very proud.

love to you.

michele

Have a wonderful relaxing time in Palm Beach! Love your little lunch get together for your friend! You are the best friend in the world! What a beautiful setting you prepared for her! XOXO

Tina,

Enjoy Palm Beach, I love it there! We always go to the Breakers for drinks and brunch. There are so many great shops and antiques I am sure that you are not going to have any problem finding some retail therapy. Have printed the recipe for the soup looks delicious. And lunch looks spectacular! I am sure that it was a joyous occasion for two friends.

Have a wonderful day, Elizabeth

Tina, I know that you will most likely be visiting Antique Row on South Dixie Highway when you are here this weekend…you are going to have some fabulous weather. It has been heaven this season so far.

If you can, stop into The Brass Scale Antique shop and see some of the latest pillows from my collections that are on sale there.

You are not going to believe some of the goods that have found their way to this great shopping mecca.

Enjoy every minute.

Jane

Hope you have a wonderful time on your trip…….chill out and sleep in! I have no doubt your decorations will be stunning…..I’m not a big red person but I agree…small touches can be festive:)

Relax, enjoy, recharge…..!

I can’t imagine how you
keep so many balls in the
air, Tina, so rest has to be
on “the list,” as well!

Take good care of yourself.

xo Suzanne

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Just amazing! Such a beautiful post, I drooled all the way through. Great design ideas and I can’t wait to try that delicious looking soup. Thanks for sharing!
Patti

Your house is looking wonderful. I agree, I little spot of red goes a long way, especially in a blue and white setting. Looking forward to seeing more. Bon Dimache.

What a wonderful friend you are to host a special one-on-one for your friend. That is one of my favorite ways to entertain!!! Tortilla soup is a staple at our house but I’ll have to give your recipe a try, to spice things up!!:)

Enjoy your warm winter get away. The decorating and wrapping won’t go anywhere!!
xoxo Elizabeth

Hi there, I am new to your blog and just wanted to say “Thank You!” for sharing your beautiful home and life with us . . . you clearly have a lovely and generous heart, which makes it a true pleasure to read your posts. I recently emailed you concerning a lamp from your shop and you got back to me in such a timely manner, with detailed answers to my questions. I was very impressed!

Looking forward to following your through the holidays and into a wonderful New Year!

Oh, I too would love to learn the details of the salad you made for your friend . . . it looked so delicious.

Warmly,
Jennifer

That chicken torilla looks absolutely scrumptious. Thanks for the recipe too! I love how your serve your food so elegantly, and why not? We only live once! Have a wonderful time in Palm Beach!
xo
Sharon

Lucky friend to get treated to such a delicious meal in a lovely setting. Your decorations look gorgeous and I love the inspiration images as well. Enjoy your well-earned break! x Sharon

Your home is what my dreams are made of! I have to keep in touch with you no matter how bust=y and crazy my life becomes. I Too would love the salad idea. Summer over here in NZ Tried the soup this evening. Delicious Thank you, and have a safe and memorable family holiday season with you and yours.

Hope your Palm Springs getaway is wonderful and you have a change to relax and indulge a little! If I tell you when my bday is will you make me that salad and soup? Ha ha. Definitely trying the recipe! Love the garland around the mirror and of course, your holiday décor would be magnificent!!!

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