Christmas, Monday's Pretty Things

MONDAY’S PRETTY THINGS :: Decorating with Christmas Tree Branches

Every Christmas tree doesn’t have to be a big, Costco-sized production. Here are some lovely ideas to use small, table-top trees — or even the extra branches you might have leftover after trimming to fit into the tree stand!

My Lovely Things on Oaxacaborn's MONDAY’S PRETTY THINGS :: Decorating with Christmas Tree Branches
Tiny tree in the hallway via Anna Truelsen / My Lovely Things

Nora Lill on Oaxacaborn's MONDAY’S PRETTY THINGS :: Decorating with Christmas Tree Branches
Fir branches in jar of water via Nora Lill

Christmas Tree Branches as Chrismtas Trees via A Barefoot Day on Oaxacaborn's MONDAY’S PRETTY THINGS :: Decorating with Christmas Tree Branches
Evergreen branches in mason jars via A Barefoot Day

waltherogco_dk on Oaxacaborn's MONDAY’S PRETTY THINGS :: Decorating with Christmas Tree Branches
Cut tree in glass vase via Walther & Co

Design Chaser - Tabletop Christmas Tree, wooden, and wire geometric on Oaxacaborn's MONDAY’S PRETTY THINGS :: Decorating with Christmas Tree Branches
Table-top Christmas tree with wooden and wire geometric ornaments via The Design Chaser

Princess Pine in Clay Pot Anna Truelsen on Oaxacaborn's MONDAY’S PRETTY THINGS :: Decorating with Christmas Tree Branches
Princess pin in clay pot via Anna Truelsen / My Lovely Things

Noralill Branch in Jar on Oaxacaborn's MONDAY’S PRETTY THINGS :: Decorating with Christmas Tree Branches
Evergreen branch in jar of water on tin tray via Nora Lill

Fika on Oaxacaborn's MONDAY’S PRETTY THINGS :: Decorating with Christmas Tree Branches
Small tree in Swedish enamel bucket on windowsill via B.I.B. And I spy pour-over coffee! The whole photo series is here, and it’s lovely.


Have a photo of Scandi-inspired Christmas loveliness? Send it to me, and I might feature it on the 4th Annual Scandinavian/Nordic Christmas Series! Click here to find out how.

Inspiration, Monday's Pretty Things

MONDAY’S PRETTY THINGS :: From Sault Ste. Marie to Novi Sad

I haven’t done a Monday’s Pretty Things round-up in a while. In fact, if you’re a new reader you might not even know that Monday’s Pretty Things are, well, a thing! That’s just sad.  I’ve been collecting plenty of inspiration, I just haven’t been sharing it. (I’m sorry. Let’s end that drought now.)

Ten of the Snowiest Places in the World
Sault Ste. Marie, Michigan via Conde Nast Traveler: Ten of the Snowiest Places in the World

I’m shivering just thinking about the fact that I lived in one of the places on this list. Brrrr.

quitokeeto Modern Bamboo Steamer
Modern Bamboo Steamer via Quitokeeto

Utilitarian things like pots and pans and appliances should be attractive as well as functional, don’t you think? These steamers from Hong Kong are so pretty.

Le Dans la Camel and Off White Interiors
via the ever-lovely French blog Le Dans La

A space doesn’t have to have a lot going on to be beautiful. The unified color palette here is so calming.

David Fleck
Peter via David Fleck on Society6

David Fleck’s portfolio is full of gems. I spent a good twenty minutes browsing the other day, and enjoying all the illustrated details.

Novi Sad
Underpass in Novi Sad / Нови Сад

Images from the former Yugoslavia, or anywhere throughout the Balkans, Eastern/Central Europe and the former Soviet states fascinate me. There’s a sadness about so many of them, and yet such a poignant beauty. Like I wrote here, “it makes me very happy and it makes me very sad.” If you have any seemingly-everyday snapshots from those areas, favorite blogs or Instagram accounts, photojournals (like RFE/RL’s Picture This!) or anything else related. send them my way! They don’t all have to be epic — like these images of Communist-era buildings — I love a good peek into everyday life, too.

Inspiration, Monday's Pretty Things

MONDAY’S PRETTY THINGS :: Green, green, green (plants)

If you follow Oaxcaborn on Instagram, you know about our succulent planting adventures (see below photo) so it’s no surprise that this week’s Monday’s Pretty Things is all about greenery! This was inspired by a couple of things — one, the incredible Urban Jungle Bloggers project, and two, the fascinating conversation here about the challenge of spending time outdoors if you, like many people, are an apartment dweller. (Most people don’t actually live on a rambling ranch!)

Hopefully these Pretty Things — and the #UrbanJungleBloggers Pinterest board — will inspire you to create your own green oasis no matter where you live.

Inspired by #UrbanJungleBloggers

Hanging plants, plants in interior design - indoor/outdoor room via Atelier Solarshop - Monday's Pretty Things on Oaxacaborn
Hanging plants via Atelier Solarshop

succulent in urban window with textile coaster - Rennes on VSCO as seen on Oaxacaborn's Monday's Pretty Things
Urban window via Rennes on VSCO

Wit and Delight Floral Workshop
Floral workshop via Wit & Delight

Japanese home renovation with lots of plants via Spoon and Tomago
Japanese home via Spoon & Tamago

White interior with single green plant via ukkonooa
White interior via Ukkonooa

via Oaxacaborn on Instagram
Fika via Oaxacaborn on Instagram

Christmas, Monday's Pretty Things

MONDAY’S PRETTY THINGS :: Christmas Greenery

There’s nothing like the piney, earthy scent of fir boughs inside this time of year, don’t you think?

Deconstructed Christmas tree via Free People
Deconstructed Christmas tree via Free People

Herriot Grace Handmade Wooden Grain Spoon

Handmade wooden spoon via Herriot Grace

The home of designer Maria Cornejo and photographer Mark Borthwick
The home of designer Maria Cornejo and photographer Mark Borthwick via Totokaelo

Martha Stewart's Cedar Wreath Chandelier
Wreath chandelier via Martha Stewart

How do you bring the outdoors inside at Christmas?

For your merry perusal, here are some [Christmas-y] Monday’s Pretty Things from the 2012 archives:

Monday's Pretty Things

MONDAY’S PRETTY THINGS :: Fall, Family, & a Little Bit of Yellow & Blue

This week marks the start of fall here in the Northern Hemisphere, and while Florida’s proximity to the Tropic of Cancer makes the change of seasons less pronounced, the weather is dipping ever so slightly in the autumnal direction. It’s a welcome, if nearly imperceptible change; merely a bit less of an “I’ve instantly been poached” sensation when one steps out of doors.

And while my presence has been scarce here on the blog, it’s been for the best reason possible — family is in town! My heart is beyond happy watching this little face chatter away with “gamma” and “gampa”.

September 2013 - 3 - Milkmaid Braids on a Toddler

September 2013 - 2 - Milkmaid Braids on a Toddler

This seasonal shift always makes me think of yellows and blues, despite these hues often being seen as spring colors. But why should they be confined to just one end of the year? Autumn is full of ever deepening blue skies and — in some parts of the world at least — rich golden leaves.

And so here, on a very non-Monday, is a tiny round-up of pretty things.

The Adventurer Mug - an Anchor Mug - from ModCloth
The Adventurer, a nautical/anchor mug via ModCloth

Plywood Triangles Bunting Banner via AGAINST THE WOODGRAIN on Scout Mob
Plywood triangle banner via Against the Woodgrain on Scout Mob

Sandalwood and Musk soap from Mozi AU's Big Bear Collection
Sandalwood & Musk soap from Mozi‘s Big Bear Collection

Golden State California letterpress print via the Etsy shop 1canoe2
California letterpress print via 1canoe2 on Etsy

Enamelware plates from Best Made Co
Enamelware plates from Best Made Co.

CC1 Square Blouse via Yarnmade Sweden's Cactico line
CC1 Square Blouse via Yarnmade Sweden‘s Cactico line

(Want to see even more pretty things?)

Monday's Pretty Things

MONDAY’S PRETTY THINGS :: Greens in Florals and Foliage

Well, it’s not Monday; but these are still pretty things, so let’s just roll with it. :)

Justina Blakeney kitchen tour on the Kitchn

First of all, I have to talk about blogger Justina Blakeney‘s kitchen.  Isn’t it real?  I can not get over how welcoming it is! I feel like Justina would make a really good best friend, because it seems like the kind of kitchen a best friend would have. Seriously, you need to go see the whole tour here.

While I’m on a green kick…

Mel Kendrick Walnut Wood Sculpture

It’s a walnut sculpture by Mel Kendrick, but reminds of scrap wood you’d find in a great-grandpa’s workshop. I like that.

Daughters by Floral Magic - Florist Shop In Singapore

And this floral shop in Singapore . . . wow. What an amazing space, run by a mother-daughter team. It’s really worth clicking through to see more.

sealegssnapshots-Alexis Mire-Self Portrait
This is so pretty. A self-portrait by Alexis Mire. I love the floral robe.

Lavender via Geraldine Cooks

And finally, lavender, from a favorite Turkish blog, Geraldine Cooks.

These soft greens are a bit of a departure from the usual stark Scandinavian interiors I find so inspiring — yet perfect for tonight.

Calming and peaceful.

Sweet dreams! xo

Monday's Pretty Things

MONDAY’S PRETTY THINGS :: 6 Examples of Foliage Indoors

Cut flowers or branches, a little houseplant on the edge of the sink, herbs in the kitchen — these little touches really brighten a room, don’t they? I have a few potted flowers in ceramic pots on the stoop outside our front door, but nothing inside right now. I should change that!

Plants in Kitchen via Ikea Kitchen Dreambook
Plants in farmhouse kitchen via pages 50-51 of the Ikea Kitchen Dreambook

Muguet in Old Bottle - via Tongue in Cheek by Corey Amaro
Muguet in Old Bottle via Tongue in Cheek by Corey Amaro

Citrus Branches in Vase via Jessica Comingore Project Bly
Citrus Branches in Vase via Jessica Comingore / Project Bly

Sink side flowers via Real Estate Listing by Alexander White as seen on Interiors StockholmSink-side flowers via real estate listing by Alexander White as seen on Interior Stockholm

Anna Malin of Helt enkelt on the Sköna Hem blogFig tree in living room via Anna Malin of Helt enkelt on the Sköna Hem blog

branches in blue mason jar via mariefriis

Branch in blue mason jar via Mariefriis

How have you incorporated foliage into your home?

Monday's Pretty Things

MONDAY’S PRETTY THINGS :: That’s Why They Call it the Blues

I’m not quite sure what to call this shade of blue-green, other than beautiful. Maybe a combination of ice blue and pale turquoise. I apparently like it paired with neutral shades of white, tan, and light grey — I didn’t even realize that until I saw all these images next to each other!

This is one of those colors I like a lot, but don’t currently have represented anywhere in my home. Can you relate to that with certain colors, too?

The Solitudes - Penguin Cover by Designer Eric White
Penguin book cover by designer Eric White

Carry-All via PanacheBox
Leather Carry-All via PanacheBox

Polar Bear via Miss Malagata
Polar Bear via Miss Malagata

Recycled sari blanket by  JEANETTE FARRIER as seen on 51 Stars Paris
Recycled sari blanket by Jeanette Farrier via 51 Stars Paris

Astranzien Styling Anne Beckwilm Foto Janne Peters
Photography by Janne Peters; Styling Anne Beckwilm via JannePeters.de

Typographic Embroidery via Rosalind Wyatt
Typographic Embroidery via Rosalind Wyatt

Let's Hold Hands as We Grow Old by Arian Armstrong
Let’s Hold Hands As We Grow Old” by Arian Armstrong on Etsy

lieschen mueller
Outfit by Lieschen Mueller

P.S. Here’s the previous edition of Monday’s Pretty Things.