Christmas: Vintage is the way we go...

So, all is not royal weddings at my house... especially during December.  The weekend finally came and we got to bring the tree inside to decorate.  Vintage, vintage, vintage.  That's the way we have been going decoration-wise for the past few years.  All it takes is a steady collecting of old decorations, anything that reminds you of your childhood Christmas celebrations.  I don't keep a lot of stuff, with the exception of photos and Christmas decorations.  I am very proud of a few things on the tree in particular... one, the angel.  The tree topper, pictured below belonged to my grandmother bought, I think sometime in the late '50's... there is still a K-Mart price sticker reading 68 cents on the original box that it came in from the store.  Another ornament is a glass ball, belonging again to my grandmother, this one is depression era we think, faded color on the glass and a rusty fixture on the top for hanging.  They are most treasured, along with some ornaments that were on the tree when I was young.

Along the way, I went back to using the big C7 colored lights, bubble lights, light reflectors, tinsel garland and the true, heavy, shimmering lead icicles.  It really gives the tree a vintage look.  EBay is the best way to go vintage when it comes to Christmas.  Just search "vintage Christmas decorations" ... there are literally hundreds of pages of old things to buy or bid on.  Good luck with creating your vintage-look Christmas tree.

Royal Tidbit of the day ... Kate Middleton is about to spend her last Christmas as a commoner, after she is married, she will be a Princess as well as rumored will become the Duchess of Cambridge.  For years to come she will probably be spending the holidays with The Royal Family at Sandringham, in Surrey, or at Balmoral Castle.  Good luck Kate!

A Holiday Diversion

What with all the royal engagement news in the past weeks, some might be finding it hard to concentrate on the holidays coming up.  Not so at our house, we are giving equal attention to Christmas and to Wills' and Kate's big news.

This year we decided to give ourselves a little rest break between Thanksgiving and the decorating for Christmas.  Normally our tree and outside lights would go up on the Saturday following Thanksgiving, but, this year we have waited a week.  However, I couldn't resist buying the tree the day after Thanksgiving.  While buying a tree for my mother's house in Savannah, I spotted a great tree that would be just perfect for our living room.  Typically we travel not far to a local tree farm to cut our own Virginia Pine.  But, when I saw the tree, pictured above, I just had to have it.  This tree will be perfect, with its sparser branches to really show of the many vintage ornaments we have, as well as the fantastic lead tinsel/icicles we have collected.

Buying this tree was an adventure.  After choosing my mother's tree, hauling it to her house, decorating there... I return to the tree lot in Daffin Park, in Savannah.  My little tree that I spotted earlier in the day was still there.  I will admit that many people wouldn't have given it a second look, but I knew right away it was the type of tree that really reminded me of the old-timey Balsam firs that we used to get in the '60's and '70's.  These days all that are available on tree lots in our area are the super trimmed and super perfect Fraser Firs from.  However, this tree lot gets it's whole supply from a North Carolina farm that doesn't believe in shaping the trees to such an extent.  The weather had turned ugly by the time I went back for my tree, but I was determined to have this one.  So, after getting it securely tied to the top of my rather small car, I drove back to Hilton Head in a dark driving rain.  Our tree is good and watered, and has been waiting patiently on the back patio for a week now.

We can't wait to start decorating tomorrow.  I will be sharing pictures of the finished product, as well as posting some other interesting pics that I have come across.  Also, some of my own pics of Christmas trees from past years.

Hopefully this will keep us occupied while we wait on further details of the upcoming royal wedding.

Royal Tidbit for the day... The Christmas trees that grace royal residences such as Sandringham, Windsor Castle, Buckingham Palace, and Frogmore were typically cut from the woodlands of Windsor Great Park adjacent to the castle.  These trees were mainly Nordman Firs, the most popular choice in England for Christmas trees.

The Countdown Begins!

The date has been set... and the location!  Friday, April 29th, 2011, in London.  The day that royal watchers and royal wedding fans have been waiting for since 1981.  Personally, I am happy that it is sooner than later, no need to keep the world waiting longer than necessary.  I just hope the English Spring weather is over and done with so Wills and Kate will have a pretty day for their event.

Also, this royal wedding fan is very pleased that they have chosen Westminster Abbey as the venue.  Perfect size for a "non-state-event" royal wedding.  And, it keeps things in London where the media will have easy access, and the world will have a better view of things.  I would imagine that things are chaotic if not at a high excitement level on the grounds of the Abbey this morning (afternoon there).  All the planning that will be needed for this event will surely start immediately.  So much to do, and so little to do it all.  Most weddings these days take around a year to plan and execute, and none of them will have the elaborate details that this wedding will entail.  Music, staff, security, attire, horses, carriages, banners and flags, and FLOWERS!  I am hoping to hear from my dear friend David Longman (legendary London florist, maker of Diana's bouquet) to see if he has any inside information on who the lucky florist will be.  I could speculate all day as to what Kate's bouquet will look like, however, without knowing what the dress will look like, the bouquet would be difficult to plan.  Wondering if there will be a sentimental nod to Princess Diana some how in the style of the bouquet and it's contents... possibly Lady Di roses?  Who knows, only time will tell, and we will find out for sure early in our morning on April 29th, 2011.  Don't forget to set your TiVo's and DVR's.

Royal Wedding Tidbit for the day... in 1947, there was so much curiosity over Princess Elizabeth's wedding gown, that designers tossed bogus designs and patterns in the trash bins in order to distract and confuse the media so eager for a look at the dress.

Congrtualtions to Wills and Kate!

Like this blog posting... the royal engagement has been a long time coming.  I know that several fall weddings, vacation, work, etc. has kept me from my blogs, but what took William so long to pop the question?  All is forgiven now, as we get set to count down the days to the next royal wedding.

Yesterday's announcement had the world and the Internet abuzz.  Excitement on both sides of the pond, this story taking the lead on all the news stations.  Well, it has been almost 30 years since Diana and Charles got married, and the world is truly in need of the spectacle, pomp and pageantry of a British Royal Wedding.

So, we are left without a wedding date, therefore we can only speculate as to when they will actually get married.  Speculation too for where the wedding will take place, what style of dress will Catherine wear... and most importantly, WHAT FLOWERS WILL BE USED IN HER BOUQUET!

I did some reading yesterday, snippets from all the news stories, there was so much information, it was hard to take it all in.  One story suggested that Catherine will eventually, with any good luck, be the most famous Queen Catherine since Catherine of Aragon, first wife of King Henry VIII... with no doubt, as Miss Middleton will have the benefit of the Internet and 24 hour news to get her story out to the world.

About the ring... so many opinions on using Diana's engagement ring.  I can easily see how many would think using this ring is not a good idea.  I have read, morbid, creepy, in bad form, ghoulish even.  I think we really have to consider Williams great love and respect for his mother.  Obviously, he wanted to use her ring as a special symbol and respect for his mother.  Superstition would have some saying that this ring has a negative aura since Diana's marriage ended, shall we say tragically.  However, consider that for even a short while the ring, for Diana was a symbol of love, happiness, and hope for the future.

Both prospective brides wearing blue and the grooms in grey suits... some times the past repeats itself.  But, this blogger is hopeful that the royal family, especially William has learned many things from the past, and Catherine will have a much easier time dealing with things than Diana did.

Royal Wedding Tidbit of the day.... it is speculated that prior to the wedding the Queen will give the happy couple new titles and they will be known as the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge.

American Royalty...

Congratulations to the Clinton family, Chelsea is married, yay!  It's been a couple of years since we had a First Daughter wedding... the last being Jenna Bush in 2008.  No matter what you political affiliation, it seems that a Presidential family wedding can cause excitement in the U.S., somewhat like the excitement that is generated for a royal wedding.  Face it, the Presidents and their families are the closest things we Americans have to royalty.  If not for their heritage and royal blood line, then for their ability to make news and stir up controversy and plenty of photo fodder for the Paparazzi.

I fully approve of Chelsea's style choices for her wedding.  The location was stately and secluded, the guest list was studded with famous friends, and her choice of flowers was flawless.  From the pictures I have been able to see of the bride, her bouquet appears to be made of all Gardenias.... Superb Choice!  However, upon closer viewing, I believe the Gardenias are supported by a base of white Hydrangea.  You can tell from the picture above that the rather thick green stems belong to some other flower besides Gardenias.  I really like the choice of all white flowers for the bouquet that is a perfect compliment to her Vera Wang gown.  Also, in perfect royal understatement, the groom's boutonniere is simple with a single white freesia, and low and behold for an American wedding, the groom's boutonniere is an appropriate size.

At this point, we can only look forward to a time when the Obama daughters are of marrying age... sigh.

Presidential Wedding Tid Bit for the day ...  on August 6th, 1966 (great year by the way) Luci Baines Johnson, daughter of then U.S. president Lyndon Johnson, married John Patrick Nugent at the Basilica of the Immaculate Conception in Washington D.C., the bride carried a small nosegay of Lily of the Valley.

The British just have a way with weddings...

I have said it before, and I'll say it again... the British just have a way with weddings.  Can't exactly put my finger on it, but they just look different, when compared to American weddings.  Possibly, it looks as if they aren't trying too hard to pull it all off.  They are dressed somewhat formal, yet, the atmosphere seems relaxed and and not forced.  Their outfits aren't matched to death, yet every one's attire seems appropriate to the occasion and the surroundings.  A wonderful friend from England has shared these pictures of her daughter's wedding from June.  After viewing all of the pictures, it is very apparent that it was a special occasion where each guest had a wonderful experience.

Again, nothing looks forced or orchestrated, though, I know that much planning and work went into this wedding.  Congratulations to Penny and Ken on their daughter, Sarah's wedding!

here are a few more of their pictures... thanks Penny for allowing them to be part of my blog...

Wow, orchid plants as the table centerpiece... wonder who suggested that?? ;)

Finally... a picture of the lovely bride with her bridesmaids.

Good luck Sarah and Nick, from everyone here on Hilton Head!

Royal Wedding Tidbit of the day... Princess Diana's bouquet contained quite a few varieties of flowers... one was the Gold Medallion rose... for her wedding it was referred to as the Lord Mountbatten rose, in respect for Lord Louie Mountbatten, special friend and confidant of the Royal Family and Prince Charles..

 Lord Mountbatten had been assassinated roughly two years prior to the Prince and Princess's wedding in July of 1981.

It's Sweden's turn to shine...

... and shine it did... the wedding of Crown Princes Victoria and Daniel Westling, uh-hem 'scuze me, now Prince Daniel.  They were just married yesterday, so I have only seen a few pictures and a little coverage on he news channels.  Looks like it was a perfect day, and from the looks of this picture, the Crown Princess could not have been happier.

Her bouquet is certainly a lovely all white cascade of what looks to be Amazon Lilies, clusters of Stephanotis blossoms and some Dembdrobium orchids.  Hopefully, this will signal the return of the cascade bouquet as a popular choice for brides, royal and not so royal.  The groom looks very dignified in his formal wear, and as usual with royal weddings, some medals of recognition and rank are being worn instead of a boutonniere.  Video on the Today Show highighted the reception at the palace for the guest count of about 1,000.  Some of the centeriece were vases filled with lavender Sweet Pea, simple, elegant, understated: the signature of royal wedding floral style.

Just a short mention about the head wear.  Loved the coronet of cameos the royal bride wore...fantastic and so unusual... I wonder if that was her something old?

The British royal family didn't miss the event all together, as Prince Edward and the Countess of Wessex (Sophie) were in attendance.  Other royal guests included kings, queens, and crown princes and princesses from Jordan, Spain, Norway, Denmark, and the Netherlands.

Royal Wedding Tidbit of the day... Crown Princess Victoria's wedding party included two future queens!  They were Princess Catharina-Amalia of the Netherlands and Princess Ingrid-Alexandra of Norway.

Thanks for checking in... sorry for the absence... this thing with Fergie had me distracted. Terry.