If you have read my other blog post, you’ll know that this year, for the first time in many years, I have had a less crazy busy December. While my schedule was still full of meetings and events, walkthroughs and photo shoots, I was able to find a little time to have a few dear friends over for a small Christmas party.
May you all have a wonderful Christmas full of family and friends.
“She’s got a martini in her hand and pearls around her neck.”
This summer I was on the hunt for a bar cart. And, not just any bar cart, but a gold one. Yes, I know, 1 year later and my love for gold has not wavered. While there were some glorious ones out there, I was not willing to spend hundreds of dollars for one. Although, if I did, I would have chosen ones like these below:
1. Lolita Bar Cart from One Kings Lane, $499 2. Daphne Bar Cart from One Kings Lane, $499 3. Fiona Serving Cart from Joss & Main, $155 4. Refined Bar Cart from One Kings Lane, $429 5. Clara Bar Cart from Pier 1 Imports, $300 6. Worlds Away Bar Cart from Zinc Door, $1,173 7. Acrylic Fitzgerald Bar Cart from One Kings Lane, $675 8. Brass Bar Cart from La Barge, Price Upon Request
But, one afternoon, Surekha and I were out in Grandville thrifting and antiquing, and we stumbled across this beauty. I was not convinced of its beauty at all. However, Surekha convinced me that with a little sandpaper and some spray paint, this horrid bar cart could be really pretty. So, $35 later, the bar cart was rattling away in the back of my jeep as I carted it home. Finally, 4 months later after a crazy wedding season and a busy fall fashion season, I finally had time to dust off the bar cart, lug it down stairs and take a second glance at it. Gosh, it was ugly.
With the help of my mom, I wrestled the thing apart and sanded every piece with 350 grit sandpaper. After washing it down and letting it dry, I spray painted 2 cans of Krylon white spray paint + primer over the shelves. Then came 1 can of Krylon gold spray paint. After a lot of waiting, I wrestled the thing back together and sat back with admiration and a really bad headache (leave the spray painting to warmer months so you can do it outside). $45 dollars and 24 hours later, a bar cart!
“Christmas is a coming and the bells begin to ring,
The holly’s in the window and the birds begin to sing.”
This past week I spent holed up inside, prepping for Christmas and listening to Christmas music from every speaker in the house. The past few months have been a flurry of schedules, meetings and to-do lists. It wasn’t until December 1st that I realized Thanksgiving had come and gone and pretty soon Christmas would be too, and I had yet to take in the joy of the season. So for one week, I cozied up inside my house watching Christmas movies, drinking cocoa, decorating for Christmas, and enjoying the most wonderful time of the year. Now, if only it would snow.
Every year it seems that more and more of my family doesn’t make it home for the holidays. Having siblings that live out of state and country has been the story of my life though, so by now I should be used to it. Each year it seems to be just my parents and I, settling into quiet evenings around the house during the hustle and bustle of November and December. It’s easy for me to be envious of all those other families that live so close to each other or who all get together on Christmas, no matter the distance or miles. However, I have learned to appreciate and truly cherish the times that all six of us (my parents and siblings) are together under one roof (it’s been 6 years) and for the time I spend with my Canadian family. Now, with Thanksgiving almost done and with Christmas on its way, I am looking forward to December where the Swagman house will be a little louder, a little more full, and just a little more festive. With a brother coming home to visit from Southeast Asia and a sister and her family coming home from the West coast, I couldn’t be happier. Now, if only we could get the one other brother and his family home too. Happy Thanksgiving and I hope you enjoy your time with your families.
For more pictures of the tablescape, click here.