Uses for a Julep Cup

Cups available at Affordable Wedding Accessories, $15.40 each.

Since Derby Day comes but once a year, what do you do with your mint julep cups the other 364 days of the year? A few suggestions:

Fill the cup with branches and use to drape your necklaces

Apartment Therapy





Create a homemade candle using the cup as the holder.

Via Wedding Ideas






Fill with nuts or candies the next time you host a wedding or baby shower.

MyWeddingFavors.com

You'll have to use your imagination here, but can't you see a julep cup replacing the glass as a container to hold bread sticks or cheese straws at a cocktail party.

Martha Stewart

Add a little elegance to your work space by using the cup to hold pencils or pens.

via Taste & Tricks

Everyone's favorite, use it to hold a small go anywhere bouquet. I'd place mine on the night stand beside my bed.

Via A Place to Dwell

Does your office host a Secret Santa gift exchange with a small dollar limit during the holidays? A julep cup would be a great alternative to another lame gift card. Wouldn't you love to give (or receive!) one for a hostess gift? At just $15.95 each or $54.95 for a set of 4 from Silver Super Store you might want to stock up in time for the holidays. For a personalized touch, have the recipient's initial or monogram engraved on the cup.

Not a fan of any of these ideas? You could always serve a batch of mint juleps in the cups during the holidays and rename them Candy Cane Cocktails!

Unique Ways to Decorate Your Staircase for the Holidays

Janell from Isabella & Max Rooms gave her banister a fresh look in 2009 by using silver garland and ornaments in non-traditional colors.

If traditional holiday decorating isn't your style you're not likely to be decking your staircase with simple garlands of pine or the conventional red and green color scheme this Christmas season. Still in need of some inspiration for a not-so-traditional look for your staircase this year? Try one of these ideas:

Pink tulle was woven through a traditional pine garland on one side of the staircase. What do you suppose is on the left side, could that be feather boas strung together to form a garland? If it's not, I hope someone steals that idea. Feather boas are available anywhere craft supplies are sold and are much less expensive than fresh or even faux pine garland.

The addition of a small tree and colorfully wrapped gifts finishes the look.

All You

For a twist on traditional Christmas colors, vary the shade of greens used. Here lime green ribbon and ornaments bring a modern touch. Substituting a hot pink for red would work equally well.

Kristen's Creations




Thick lengths of rope and starfish add a coastal vibe to this staircase.

Coastal Living

Simple tissue paper bells that could be purchased at the dollar store make quite a statement when grouped en masse.

House Beautiful

Coffee cups hung with colorful ribbon are a great place to stash holiday treats for the kiddies.

House to Home

For a custom look for your staircase skip the store bought garland and make your own.

How about whipping up a handmade garland of flowers in the color scheme of your choice like this one from Oh My! Handmade Goodness. Click on the link for a tutorial.

String colorful socks on a length of ribbon using clothes pins to attach.

Martha Stewart Living





For a very simple and inexpensive garland there's nothing like cardstock and ribbon. Find a tutorial for this garland at A Field Journal

Which is your favorite?

Swalla Studio Giveaway Winner

I wish that everyone could win, but sadly, there can only be one winner. Congratulations to The Cape on the Corner, the winner of the Swalla Studio giveaway. Please e-mail me at karen.evans@bex.net for more information.

Thank you to everyone who entered.

Swalla Studio Giveaway Reminder

It is your last chance to enter the Swalla Studio abstract art giveaway. All entries must be made by tonight, 7:00 PM EST. Details can be found here.

Wouldn't an original piece of art make the perfect Christmas gift?

What are you doing Thanksgiving weekend?

Country Living

While I'll be sharing Thanksgiving day with my extended family, Friday will be spent decorating my house for the holidays as well as watching the Christmas decorating specials on HGTV. (Check out the program guide here.)

Hope you have a very Happy Thanksgiving!

Are you planning to deck your halls this weekend?

Using Others Images on Your Blog

Before I started blogging in August of 2009 I contacted a respected blogger (who also happens to be an attorney) and asked her advice regarding the use of images on my blog. I was advised that if I found an image online, regardless of it's origin, I should credit the source. The blogger I contacted mentioned this is what she does and has never had an issue. I assumed that it was best to get permission and likely, there could be legal issues in some cases when permission was not given prior to publishing a post. I followed her advice and have taken care to always credit the source of images.

Until this morning, I had not encountered a single problem with the use of an image to accompany a post. Generally, I find images through well known magazines, retailers, design related sites or on other blogs. While I don't blog for profit, many others do so I try, whenever possible, to highlight images of creative ideas that I see on other blogs as a way to promote the blogger. In particular, if I can find an appropriate image, I try to feature lesser known blogs, rather than those that are well established and not in need of as much exposure.

This morning I found a rather harsh comment on my blog regarding an image I used in a post about uses for old glass bottles. I was told to immediately remove the image as I did not have permission to use it. (I'm pretty sure the author of the comment gets paid based on the number of exclamation points he/she manages to type.) The image was of a grouping of bottles, each containing a single flower, hardly a novel idea, but a pretty image no less. I specifically chose this image, rather than one from a better known source, to help drive traffic to the site. I credited the source and in no way tried to pass it off as a photo that I had taken myself.

Needless to say, I removed the image. I contacted the person who wrote the comment and apologized. However, I couldn't let it go without mentioning that not only had I credited the source, I included a link to the site and page where the image could be found. (I didn't mention it, but I used a large font and boldfaced the text to make it clear to anyone reading that they could find the site by simply clicking!) I went on to say that generally, those whose ideas are featured tend to appreciate the free publicity. I apologized a second time and included a link to the newly revised post, sans the flowers in bottles image.

I'm curious though, what do you think about having a photo that you shot used on another blog. As long as credit is given and perhaps, a link to your blog, does it bother you or flatter you? I'm very interested in hearing your response.

Add Some Plaid

Royal Stewart Tartan Table Lamp, $129.95

You'd think after 12 years of parochial school I'd detest the site of anything that reminds me of a school uniform, but I have always loved plaid. When used in the home, it just says cozy to me. The plaid lampshade in the image above is one way to bring a hint of plaid to a room in an unexpected way. It wouldn't be difficult to cover a lampshade in your own choice of plaid fabric. Hmm, I think I smell a DIY project coming on.

A few more plaid fav's:

DIY Plaid Ottoman

Lenox Nouveau Plaid Napkin Rings, $23.25/Set of 4




Plaid Throw from Utmost Fashion, $69







Green Scotch Plaid Candle from Aunt Sadie's

Serving Tray from Jeffery Banks Home, $39.95

French Bull Plaid Storage Containers from Art Effect, $39/Set of 3

Plaid bowls, cups and plates from Target, $17.99-$19.99

Tartan Plaid Pillow from Ralph Lauren at Macy's, Currently on Sale for $39.99

Plaid Salad Plates, Currently on sale at Macys, $31.99/Set of 4

Tartan Coasters from Williams-Sonoma, $15.95/set of 4

Moderation, people, moderation!

Via Cottage Cheese

Are you mad about plaid?

Abstract Art Giveaway from Swalla Studio

"Hope & Dreams", $73

When designing a room, one of the most challenging components is choosing wall art. We'd all love original art pieces to fill our walls, but finding affordable options can be a daunting task. LA based Abstract Artist Sali Swalla would like to make that challenge a little easier to accomplish. Swalla offers original works of art at prices so reasonable that even those on the tightest of budgets can afford to own an original piece. According to Swalla, 90% of the pieces offered on her Etsy site are under $100, some as low as $33, but none over $200.

So Inclined, $59

Life's Gesture, $159

Dream of the East, $89

Autumn Landscape, $59

Believe in Me, $109

Beauty Hidden, $59

Sali is offering on lucky follower of Strictly Simple Style the opportunity to own a piece from her Zodiac Birthstone Series. To enter:

1. Visit Swalla Studios
2. Come back and leave a comment telling me which piece on Sali's site is your favorite.
3. Tweet or announce the giveaway on Facebook for a second entry.


The giveaway is open to Strictly Simple Style followers, old and new. Entries will be accepted until 7:00 PM EST on Sunday, November 28. The winner will be announced on Monday, November 29.

Good luck!

Use What You Have Christmas Decorating

Crazy for my Collectibles

Christmas decorating, while lots of fun, can be pretty hard on the wallet. When you consider that you will only be using these items for a few weeks each year it seems wasteful to spend a fortune decking your halls. One solution is to combine a few purchased items with things you already own.


Hunt through your house and find all of your glass containers, big and small. Tuck ornaments, natural elements like pinecones, shiny pieces of costume jewelry or Christmas candies inside.

Sweet Designs

Birch and Bird Vintage Home Interiors

The addition of a tray and some candlesticks completes this vignette.

Country Living

Bring out silver pieces that you've received as gifts or picked up at thrift stores or flea markets and get creative.

My Home Ideas




The feathers surrounding the centerpiece are a unique finishing touch.


Kathleen Ellis Lifestyle Designs



Perfect for Thanksgiving day, just add some fresh greenery to complete the look.

Home Decor Village News




Don't forget to look through the pantry and refrigerator for the fixings for edible arrangements.

Fayette Woman






White dishes and serving pieces are ideal for Christmas decorating.

Shine




Life is a Party





Stack gifts that you've wrapped or wrap empty boxes and place on a mantle or a side table.

Shine

Decorating for the holidays doesn't have to be expensive. Keep an open mind and the possibilities are endless.