It's been all about SNOW and SOCHI!

I love the OLYMPICS!  I always have.  Growing up we would gather around the TV every night as a family and cheer on the USA.  It was so much easier when it was on one channel and there was no social media for distractions and opinions.  Those were the good old days.  Don't get me wrong, I love that it is on multiple cable channels and I can tweet and Facebook all about the Sochi games but there was just something magical about a simpler time when everyone watched the Olympic games because there wasn't much else on the other channels before cable.

I live in the Chicago area which can be described with one word as of late... SNOW!  We have been getting snowstorm after snowstorm and keeping up with the shoveling has been quite the task.  We are currently at the 5th snowiest winters here and it is nowhere close to being over.  There is seriously nowhere to put it anymore.  I have this mountain of snow at my front door that I think will melt by May if I'm lucky!

But like they say, when life give you lemons, make lemonade.  So I took advantage of our latest 6" of snow and marched out a big USA as a shout out to our athletes and troops overseas.

The rings on the house were made by my Dad for the Olympics back in 1984 and they have been displayed during every Olympiad since - summer and winter - spotlighted at night.  I love them.

The Olympic swag is getting more and more expensive since Ralph Lauren has become the official outfitter of Team USA.  I did get a pair of the GO USA mittens as shown above.  But as I was turning them inside out to dry after a shoveling episode, I saw the tag shows they were MADE IN CHINA!  Wha?????  Seriously?  If you recall during the past Olympic that Ralph Lauren designed for, his brand was lambasted because the uniforms for the American athletes were not made in the USA.  And yet, the Team USA mittens from the USOC were Made in China.  I don't get it.  But they are cute so I have been wearing them since I received them as a gift in December.

With regards to the quite unpopular Ralph Lauren Opening Ceremony Cardigan sweater, I LOVE IT.  I think the story of how it was made and all of the thought and hand crafting that went into it, I think it was spectacular.  And if you doubted it, how can you argue with the way that TEAM USA looked walking into the Opening Ceremonies awash in a sea of stars and stripes.  Bravo Mr. Lauren!

I am also quite the fan of the flag crew sweater by Ralph Lauren.  This would look great under a vest with the Olympic patch on the sleeve.  I only wish they weren't so pricey.  I will hunt these down on Ebay for years to come.

This sweater by Ralph Lauren for the closing ceremonies is my favorite.  The Olympic rings on the back are perfect and the front with the traditional reindeer and snowflake motif is quintessential Ralph.

The price of the TEAM USA cardigan was $598 and I was shocked to find out it had sold out completely online.  But then hearing there were only 324 available, I understood.  SO many people hated them and claimed they looked like a 3rd grade teacher's sweater, an ugly Christmas sweater, or a cardigan your grandmother would wear.  But I don't agree.  I think they are quite awesome and hope to own one someday.  Although, to see them going for almost $3,000 on Ebay .... well, that is a tad ridiculous.

So, I am looking forward to Spring - especially spray painting weather.  I have a few projects in the works - trying to give my ugly fridge a cheap makeover so hopefully I will be posting that in the next week.  The weather hasn't been my friend trying to bring molding in from the garage in 10 inches of snow.  Once the weather finally breaks, hopefully my lazy streak will as well.  Althought, the temperature is supposed to be back down to 3 next week.  I hope the Easter Bunny has a snowmobile!

LOVE is LOVE!

HAPPY ST. VALENTINE'S DAY!  

I hope this finds your day filled with Love and Laughter.  I will spend the day with the boyfriend, cozy by the fire watching the Olympics from Sochi!  A delicious dinner and then all sorts of goodies such as chocolate, cookies, cupcakes, and wine.  Sounds like the perfect evening.  I don't mind spending the evening in - I have little desire to dress up in a dress and stilettos in this ice and snow.  Wool socks and cozy sweaters have been my wardrobe of choice since December during this epic winter!

I wish you all LOVE today.  Be if from your significant other, parent, sibling, best friend, son, daughter, husband, wife, it doesn't matter because LOVE is LOVE and there is nothing better in the world.  Single, married, gay, straight, I hope you spend the day surrounded by your most favorite people!   I love my readers and wish you a wonderful Valentine weekend!  Go Team USA!

Frozen - Princess Anna Coronation Day!

Frozen - Princess Anna Coronation Day! by tennnischik featuring black christmas ornaments

Queen Elsa's Frozen Couture

Queen Elsa's Frozen Couture by tennnischik featuring modern home decor

FROZEN! The Movie and Reality!

Hello!  Happy New Year!  It has been forever since I have posted but one of my resolutions is to blog more and definitely finish some, most and hopefully all of my projects which have been started yet never finished!

As I write this, the windchill is -44 degrees!  As long as the furnace is working and I have enough food, weather extremes such as this are always very exciting to me.  It has been a very snowy and cold winter so far here in Chicago but I don't mind.  In face, I LOVE it!  I love snow, ice and all things winter.

Which leads me to my latest obsession.... the Disney movie, "FROZEN"!  Have you seen it?  Anyone who knows me is full aware of my preoccupation with all things Disney.  I had high hopes for this movie but sometimes, you just never know.  I saw it over the Thanksgiving weekend and I fell in LOVE!  The story, the icy setting, the music, it is all perfectly perfect!

I purchased the Frozen Deluxe Edition soundtrack and it has basically been on repeat for the last month - competing amicably with my beloved Christmas music!  The songs are so fun!  And who can not love Tony Award winner Idina Menzel - broadway diva!  Her version of "Let It Go!" is chilling!  (No pun intended).  Lol!  The other songs such as "Love Is An Open Door", "Do You Wanna Build A Snowman?", and "Fixer Upper" have become fast favorites.  I dance around my house singing songs from this movie a little more than I should ever admit!  Billboard is reporting this could be the NUMBER ONE album next week on the top 200!  Another testament to how awesome the music is!

This has even been my cup of choice as of late!  I have decided just because we are grown up, we don't have to focus on adult problems and drama.   I am going to make 2014 a big year!  I can't wait!

Keep warm!  Happy 2014 and GO SEE FROZEN!  I guarantee you will LOVE it!  Trust me....

Holiday Splendour! Village Shoppes Open House 2013

It has been a sunny and gorgeous Autumn season here in the Midwestern part of the country!  Warm temperatures, blue skies and just a few hints of color as the leaves begin to turn.  And yet I spent the day singing holiday carols and enjoying all things Christmas!

Its the most wonderful time of the year!  Christmas?  Well not exactly - not yet anyway!  It is time for the holiday open house weekends at The Village Shoppes in New Carlisle, Indiana.  This store, actually two stores across the street from one another, is simply amazing.  I was first introduced to this store years ago when it was a Walt Disney Classics Collection Gold Circle Dealer known as Watson's.  Then it was converted to The Village Shoppes, expanded and the focus was converted from a collectibles store to home interiors and seasonal accoutrements!

New Carlisle, Indiana is the most quaint little town with lovely shops and great food!

I first introduced you to this unique establishment in my post regarding their holiday open house 2012 here.  Last year was simply gorgeous and as this time of the year rolls around, I am always quite excited to head to see the stores decorated in all of their holiday splendour!  It has become our Columbus Day tradition to head there AFTER the first holiday open house weekend.  I have been there during the actual open house dates and it is crazy crowded.  I like to be able to browse slowly and take in every decoration on every vignette on every shelf in every corner.  There is so much to see and even more to miss.  Here are my impressions and pictures of this years holiday spectacular 2013.  Prepare to be amazed....

Don't you just LOVE this chest?  It totally looks like a piece you would see in a Fred Astaire & Ginger Rogers musical.  Very art deco and yet stunning and so NOW.  I'm seriously gushing!

I really thought this lamp was adorable.  It looks like a family tree to me.  And the shade is a rectangle - very unique.  I love the mixture of silver and gold together.  

This giant red lantern is perfect for the holidays and I love the traditional red and green color scheme.

This traditional Merry Christmas reindeer sign is painted on old, weathered barn board.  It is adorable.  I  love the reindeer and the mix of fonts.  This could match any decor in any room.

Continuing with the reindeer theme, I feel in love with this collection of tin reindeers enjoying outdoor winter activities!  The girl reindeer is heading for the slopes as is her boyfriend shown below.  Other opt for the snow hills and sledding fun!  I couldn't choose if I had to!

If reindeer are your favorite holiday icon, there are many from which to choose!

How cute for your holiday table to hold utensils or even candy canes!  

I love reindeer and all things tartan and I instantly fell in love with this tea towel.  Smatterings of tartan were delightfully placed throughout both stores!

I love these scalloped red plaid placemats and stockings!

I love the vintage boxes mixed in with the bottle brush trees!

Fell in love with these regal reindeer, monocles and all.  If I had to choose, I would definitely pick the red one because of the black base but I love them both!

These tartan boxes are tin!  Oh the uses I would have for these! 

Who says holiday decor has to be red and green!  Here are a few unconventional Christmas vignettes which are all fabulous!  The sectional is a fabulous fabric!

Gorgeous woodland chandelier!  

This houndstooth chest of drawers is spectacular!  

This kitchen towel is the perfect hostess gift!  SO cute!

Pretty woodland wreath!

Continuing with the natural Christmas decor, there was a collection of these posable holiday squirrels decked out in various holiday outfits.  These could be used anywhere as here he is helping to string Christmas lights in the tree.  LOVE!  

Vintage ice skates are always so festive to me and they can be used well into February as accents.

I was completely charmed by this little holiday mouse which looks like he was made from a sweater!

AWESOME vignette!

Charming victorian carolers!

Who doesn't love festive pillows! 

Who says you have to put a candle in a lantern?  I think a snowman does quite nicely!  

Gorgeous in red, green and gold!  It shimmers!

I love the tartan pillows and the sweater knit blanket is PERFECTION!  

How great does striped material covered with a burlap topper look on this table?  It can be used year round for any season and looks equally impressive.  Such a fantastic look!

Various colors and textures of trees always look gorgeous on a bookcase or table.  Love these!

LOVE the sleigh!  It makes the perfect tree stand! 

And even though it was a Christmas open house, there was a smattering of lovely Autumnal holiday decor.  I want to seriously have a leftover turkey sandwich on this sofa!  

I am crying over this fall ribbon!  Just gorgeous!

I love this chair - and I love the pumpkin on the chair.  This fabric is just beautiful!  

My favorite Fall wreath!  The colors are stunning!

This is Bill - the owner.  The man behind the magic.  What I love about this store is that it truly seems like a team effort.  All of the cast members are so pleasant and helpful and if you peek behind the curtain, you can see them fluffing and primping garlands and ribbons.  As they walk through the store, you will usually see one stop to re-position a pillow or fix a bow.  It is these small attention to details and standard of excellence which makes this shoppe so exquisite.  I have quite a few items in my home from The Village Shoppes, and every season when I open the bins,  I am reminded how much seasonal garlands, wreaths and decorations became part of our home and family traditions.  Whenever I walk through the doors, I'm fraught with anticipation of what the newest "find"will be.

I hope you enjoyed all of the pictures and the holiday splendour!  I could seriously leave the store with one of everything but a sign which was hanging on the wall was a stark reminder of why I needed to curtail my wish list.....