wreath envy . . .

When I came across this image from the lovely Kate - my jaw dropped, I had heart palpitations and I would love one to call my own. The combination of autumn blackberries, beautiful feathers and greens is dream-worthy and incredibly unusual. I'm in love with it, what about you?

*Photo: Saipua

season's musings :: anora grey tablescape

I am Christina Loucks Ahumada from anora grey. Caitlin, first and foremost, thank you so much for asking me to guest post on your lovely blog. I am so honored!

There is nothing lovelier that a perfectly decorated table and it can truly be done with little effort and cost. Simplicity says it best, and the repetition of shapes and color is what helps to create a consistent design. Choosing one or two style flowers, you can create impact in multiples. To add some more style, choose vases that speak towards your personal aesthetic. In this example, I chose more modern style vases, which repeats the roundness of the baubles and the color of the white amaryllis flowers. Using things you have around the house, you can create a mood or seasonal impact. Here I chose gold baubles to spread on the table to create a sparkle that is most definitely a holiday necessity in my home. This gold and circular pattern was repeated wrapping the inside of a clear vase with a vintage-find gold garland, and weaving it casually through the candles and vases. The clear vases were paired on this scape again repeating the round shapes and the sparkle of the baubles. To create height and dimension, clear glass candleholders were placed as yet another great reflective element, that I find so important in a design. To match that height, the soft natural color feathers soften all the linear lines of the candles and add a bit of interest and movement into table scape.

To find some of the items you see in this tablescape has a look here:

* candle holders - CB2

* white vases - west elm

* gold baubles - Target

* gold garland - vintage find but you can find something similar here.

* feathers - save on crafts

Thanks again for having me as a guest. I hope this helps to inspire your table design this holiday.

it's friday!

The holidays are in FULL swing - at least I think so because this is my favorite month. Tonight we're hosting friends for dinner, tomorrow will revolve around the Oregon Ducks football game (one game away from making the National Championship game) and then Sunday will be devoted to crossing things off my to-do list. I'm hoping to sneak in some time for holiday shopping - I can't believe I haven't bought one present yet. Talk about being behind!

What are ya'll up to this weekend? Are you going tree hunting? Holiday shopping? Ice skating?

I hope each and every one of you have a lovely weekend!

xoxo, Caitlin

*Photo: Homes and Gardens

hello december . . .

Where did November go? It was here one minute and the next it's done, over, finito. I welcome the holidays with open arms! I'm ready for Christmas music, cookies, wrapping presents, decorating, hot cocoa with lots of whipping cream, holiday parties and spending time with friends and family. There is nothing like the holiday season - cheer is in the air.

A big thank you goes out to Sacramento Street's December sponsors - Bustle Designs, Cottage Farm, Erica Tanov and Janezic. I'm incredibly lucky to call all four of them sponsors. Be sure to check them all out, they are all wonderful.

Happy Holidays!

*Photo: Elizabeth Scott Photography

deck the halls . . .

This weekend I started decorating our apartment for the holidays - I know it's not quite December, but I just couldn't resist. Ornaments went into bowls, stockings were brought out and my mantel is looking quite festive with lots of candles.

I've been lusting after this TOAST Christmas catalogue. I'm just going to warn you right now - if you open it up you’re going to want EVERYTHING. My Christmas wish list consists of socks, pajamas, dresses - the list goes on and on of items from TOAST. If only I lived near one of their stores, but that might be dangerous for my bank account. I hope these images from their catalogue puts you in the holiday decorating spirit, because it definitely got me in a cheery mood.

*Photos: TOAST

Happy Holidays!

Have a wonderful holiday everybody, I'm off to the Pacific Northwest this Christmas. I'm preparing myself for some cold, crisp weather and crossing my fingers it doesn't rain. I wouldn't mind waking up to a blanket of snow on the ground.

I'm ready to sit around the fire drinking a warm up of tea or hot chocolate or maybe even some spiced apple cider. This is one of my favorite things to do on a lazy day off with friends and family.

I'd love for the holidays to be lazy, but that never seems to happen. I've got parties to attend (one of which is my bridal shower), some last minute tree trimming to do and cookie making to be completed.

I want to take a moment to thank all of my Sacramento Street readers. Without you this blog wouldn't be the same. Everyday I wake up thinking about how lucky I am to have such wonderful and supportive readers.

Also, be sure to check out my guest post on From The Right Bank, coco+kelley's gift guide hit list , and of course my gift guides for this holiday season.

Travel safe everyone and of course have a wonderful holiday. I'll be back here on December 28th with a very special guest!

xo, Caitlin

{photo's courtesy of Homes & Gardens, coco+kelley and Canadian House & Home}

Holiday Inspiration: Ruby Red

Adding a touch of ruby red to your Christmas decor is traditional but lovely. It doesn't matter what shade of red because any shade will get you in the holiday spirit.

Whether you add a touch to your tree, bedroom, kitchen, or living room it will add a burst of Christmas cheer.

So if you're having trouble decorating or figuring out what colors to bring into your home, just add a dash of ruby red.

{photo's courtesy of beauty is everything, elle decor, decorno}

Happy {Deck the Halls} Weekend

It's time to get my house in the Christmas spirit. I can't believe it's almost mid-December. Tree trimming is at the top of my list. I can't wait to pick out the perfect little tree to bring home to decorate with bright lights and shiny ornaments.

It's going to be quite a job if I have to bring home the tree on the bus, but it'll be worth every minute once it's all set-up in front of our bay window. Just cross your fingers it doesn't rain.

If the rain does coming pouring down, I'll come up with some alternative DIY projects to decorate the house. I've got strains of antique beads my family used to put on the tree with lights, I can get more paperwhites that smell absolutely divine and light some candles to get in the holiday spirit. Oh, I'm getting so excited.

Just a few more things; if you're going holiday shopping this weekend (also at the top of my list), be sure to take a look at my gift guides for some ideas. Also, if you haven't heard or been to coco+kelley's hit list blog definitely take a look. Not only does she have amazing gift guides, but she also links to her favorite blogs gift guides. I’m honored to be included.

Have a lovely and festive weekend everyone. Happy tree trimming.

xo, Caitlin

{photo's courtesy of unknown and Karen Mordechai}

Checking My List

Since I went up to Portland for an unexpected trip, I'm a wee bite behind on my Christmas decorating. I've decided the best way to make sure I get everything done is to make a list and of course check it twice. I've got some tree trimming to do, shopping must be done and decorating is in order!

Also, I want to thank all of you for your kind words over the weekend, it meant a lot.

xo, Caitlin

{photo courtesy of livingetc}

Holiday Cards; No Postcards!

There will not be holiday cards coming from my house this year, instead I'm sending out postcards from Rifle Paper Co. Anna Melcon Bond's work is amazing and I'm thrilled she opened an online shop. Did I mention that the postcards are sold in sets of 10 for only $10.00. 

Her virtual shop will carry her very own greeting cards, wrapping paper, recipe cards (another favorite of mine), personalized stationary, invitation templates and children's paper goods.

Be sure to check out all of the fun paper good's Anna offers. I heading over there right now to buy more postcards in case she runs out!

Deck the Halls!

It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas around the apartment, with decorations being put up. Getting in the holiday spirit has never been a challenge for me. My eucalyptus wreath is on the front door and ornaments are being unpacked. 

Every ornament I unpack brings back a different memory from my childhood. I love the story each ornament has behind it. I'm lucky to have a mom that passes beautiful Christmas treasures down to me. 

This holiday season look out for a couple fantastic gift guides I've be put together, inspirational holiday decor ideas and a few holiday stories from my childhood (I promise they're hilarious).

I'm also very excited for the guest bloggers for my series, 10 Things That Make Me Happy. All of them are filled with amazing gift ideas.

Oh, I love this time of year. Happy Holidays!

{photo courtesy of Living Etc.}