mydogsmygardenandmary

Tuesday, September 30, 2014

Let's Go Shopping

On Saturday, I went to Shinoda Design Center in Santa Ana, CA. to see their Christmas Designs and I was not disappointed. Oh my, oh my, my eyes glazed over, and sugar plums danced in my head. I didn't know where to look first.
Get a comfortable chair, coffee or tea and get ready to see some beautiful displays, trees and everything else you could possibly think of. This is going to be a long one and I apologize for the length, but I wanted you to see it. I still didn't show you all of the photo's, or you would be asleep.

Now let's get started......................

I noticed that they are using a lot of black/white checks and polka dots this year in their decorations. This wreath was simple, but elegant.

This is the first tree I saw as you walked in. It had beautiful white sparkly pine cones and poinsettias with glitter on them - very simple but, beautiful.

Look at the row of Christmas trees the entire length of the showroom. The showroom must be over 100,000 square feet of decorations. I noticed that they were using a lot of poinsettias at the base of the Christmas trees. Looked very pretty. I was sure tired when I left - a lot of walking.

Shinoda's location is on Dyer Road in Santa Ana, past Grand Avenue. You have to have a re-sale licence to get in and to purchase any items. They also have a design center in San Diego, CA.

Look at the rows of ribbon - all sizes shapes and forms and every color you can think of. French ribbon, lace and wire ribbon. I love ribbon and making bows, but so many people now are just putting everything in pretty Christmas bags. It is a lot easier than wrapping, but I do love pretty wrapped packages. I guess you would say I am a ribbon hoarder - LOL

This was a very pretty tree with all sizes of snowmen - white, silver and lots of bling. I always love a lot of bling on my decorations, even the dogs walk around with it on them.

See all the little bird houses scattered throughout the tree, so pretty and woodsy looking. Great for a cabin or home in the mountains.

Owls are really big this year - all throughout the tree, aren't these stunning?

Lot's of French buckets and red birds. See the black and white ribbon, really makes a statement. I just might have to get one of these owls, but two would be so cute, don't you think?

Notice the black./white checked and polka dot ribbon. Really makes a statement on this tree. I think I need some ribbon also.

Aren't the buckets pretty and I love those red cardinals.

A very pretty gold elegant tree. Beautiful gold glittered poinsettias.

Another pretty tree. It was hard taking pictures as I am short and they are up about 4' off the floor. I needed a step ladder. LOL

I loved the houses in this vignette.. Some of them are quite narrow and such a pretty display. I will not be putting up Fullertonville, this year - just to much work and I am a little off my game.

Lots of Santa's and Teddy Bears in this set. I also noticed that they are showing a lot of signs pertaining to Christmas this year.

OMG, this tree is stunning with all the pretty blues, pinks, and aqua's - sea shells and fish. Not my style but this was beautiful.

Just look at that black and white fish, doesn't he look real. Just like the beautiful fish in Hawaii when you go snorkeling.

If your into wild animals this set is really nice for a den, office or family room. Look at all the jungle animal print ribbon. It was so pretty.

Aren't these jungle cats the cat's meow - all dressed up in their finery.

Just look at that jungle ribbon -

Animal print orchids, oh so pretty - terrific.

Look at all the Wooden Soldiers and Nutcrackers - never saw so many different ones together. They were
stunning.

How Regal they all look. If your a collector they have some unusual ones here.

Loved this sign - The choice is yours - Naughty or Nice. Sorry I couldn't get the "THE" in the photo.

How cute is this for a child's room

Sorry, this is a little blurry but I wanted you to see all the cute items on this display. Wouldn't a little girl think that she was in Fairy Land? How magical.......... it blew me away with all the wonderful Santa's, elf's etc. The colors were spectacular and they looked like they were all going to gt into trouble the minute the lights went off.

She is singing and dancing for you.

Just look at Santa and the little elf, they are having a fun time. Wonder what they are laughing about?

A little French dessert..... the choice is yours - tarts - chocolate dipped strawberries - beautiful real looking faux desserts.

Santa is sure busy making Gingerbread houses for all the little children.

I believe that they are singing some carols - Santa and his elf's Looks like they are having a grand time.

Listen ............Santa is saying WE BELIEVE......

I see a list of children's names - do you think they are Naughty or Nice?

Don't you just love this sign - wouldn't it be cute in a powder room for the holidays?

Love this Candy Cane tree with all the Santa's. Just look at all the peppermint candy, yummy

Everything in this vignette looked like candy. I was getting hungry and sure could have used a little treat.

I have to say I have never seen so many new beautiful poinsettias this year - they are stunning.

Don't they look like marshmallows - oh how cute is that.

Look at these poinsettias, they look like they were etched in icing, so pretty.

Cute candy figures - I wanted it all. I usually do a candy tree in the kitchen with peppermint candy, and gingerbread cookies.

This was a very pretty tree with lots of colored ornaments.

A pretty plaid tree with al the decorations. Aren't the wooden solders regal looking.

If your looking for out door decorations they have beautiful Wooden Solders and white reindeer's. The solders are about 5' tall and look so good standing at attention.

A vignette of pretty white arrangements or center pieces for your tables or mantles.

Isn't this angel magical - so very soft and pretty. Feathers, long crystal garland hanging down.

I'm sorry this was such a long post, but I was so excited to see all the lovely decorations. As you probably guessed I love Christmas, decorating trees and everything connected to Christmas. I will miss decorating the trees that I normally do for a local hotel. Unfortunately, the hotel has new owners and they do not want to spend the money for a professional job, just let the staff work on it.

So glad you stopped by to leave a comment as Waldo, Lili and I love reading them. I hope you enjoyed this post as much as I enjoyed seeing it.

Mary

Dwellings ~ Amaze Me Monday

The Dedicated House ~ Make it Pretty Monday

Between Naps On The Porch ~ Metamorphosis Monday

A Stroll Thru Life ~ Inspire Me Tuesday

Confessions of a Plate Addict ~ The Scoop

Coastal Charm ~ Nifty Thrifty Tuesday

Savvy Southern Style ~ Wow Us Wednesday

Ivy and Elephants ~ What's It Wednesday

No Minimalist Here ~ Open House Party Thursdays

Between Naps on the Porch - Tablescape Thursday

Have a Daily Cup of Mrs. Olson ~ Share Your Cup Thursday

My Turn for Us ~ Freedom Fridays Blog Hop

Common Ground ~ Be Inspired Friday

The Thrifty Groove ~ Thrifty Things Friday

Rooted in Thyme - Simple & Sweet Friday

Saturday, August 30, 2014

JUST LIKE THE MODELS

JUST LIKE THE MODELS

About a week ago, my friend Phyllis from "Aroundthehouse" called to see if I wanted to go with her to "Just Like the Models." Of course, I said yes and off we went. Phyl was on the hunt for some decorating items for her daughter and grandson.

Just Like The Models purchases all of the furniture and decorating items from the model homes after they have all been sold. It is a very LARGE warehouse just full of everything you could think of. They even buy irons, toasters, etc. The cords have been cut before they go into the models so no will steal them. When they buy a model home they get everything in that house.

Here are some shots of the warehouse so you can see how big it is. For those of you that are in So. CA the store is in Irvine. Not to far from Jamboree Road and Alton Parkway.

Here is some pictures of the furniture in the warehouse

This picture is of the dinning room tables, coffee tables and end tables

This aisle is so fun because there are dishes, glassware, decorating items of all kinds. There are boxes to go through that have napkins ring, shells, candles, etc.

Lots of beautiful rugs and some that are very expensive. I know most of us bloggers are great shoppers and know the value of items when we see them. There are some great deals if that is what you are looking for.

There are rows and rows of beautiful pictures in all shapes and sizes.

There are rows and rows of couches stacked on special frames so they can get more in there. The longer the items stays - the more it is marked down, but if you really want it, you can't wait to long.

They have staged about four different living rooms so you can see how it looked in the model homes. Of course you don't have to purchase everything only what you want. Some of the decorative items are stunning.

I felt so sorry for that young man working there - he was trying to hang a really big picture and it was so hot in there - no A/C only fans.

Now on to the items that I purchased.

Don't you just love the decorative breads and sweet rolls - they look so real.

I only paid $7.98 for all of the breads and rolls.

There were only two of these napkins. They were lovely linen with big rick rack on the edge of them and were only $1.00 each. They will be fine for just me or if I have one guest over.

There are 4 of these beauties - such a pretty fall color for only $1.00 each. Will look great with a Fall tablescape.

These napkins are such a pretty color combination and I just couldn't pass them up. There were 6 napkins for $7.99. The reason I purchased them is they go so well together with the wine glasses and napkin rings. I have two sets of dishes that they will look stunning with.

These are a beautiful blue abalone shell napkin rings which look so good with the napkins - now wait for it and you will understand my thinking.

Aren't these the most stunning blue wine glasses you've ever seen for just $1.98 each. There were 5 of them, but I thought I really don't need 5, so I just purchased 4. Got them home and didn't I drop one of them and it broke in so many little pieces. I was so mad at my self, but I thought - oh there is another one. So I called right away and asked the girl if it was still there and she said yes. Can you please hold it for me until tomorrow. No, we only hold items for one hour. I said I would give her my cc and when I explained what happened she agreed to keep it for me. It was to late in the day and with after work traffic, I knew that I would not get there in time. But I sure made it the next day.

This is how they all look together. I have two sets of dishes that I can use these with. I think I had a very productive day, don't you?

Thanks for stopping by and I hope you liked my little shopping trip.

Hope you will leave a comment as my staff likes it when I read them.

Mary

Dwellings ~ Amaze Me Monday

The Dedicated House ~ Make it Pretty Monday

Between Naps On The Porch ~ Metamorphosis Monday

A Stroll Thru Life ~ Inspire Me Tuesday

Confessions of a Plate Addict ~ The Scoop

Coastal Charm ~ Nifty Thrifty Tuesday

Savvy Southern Style ~ Wow Us Wednesday

Ivy and Elephants ~ What's It Wednesday

No Minimalist Here ~ Open House Party Thursdays

Between Naps on the Porch - Tablescape Thursday

Have a Daily Cup of Mrs. Olson ~ Share Your Cup Thursday

My Turn for Us ~ Freedom Fridays Blog Hop

Common Ground ~ Be Inspired Friday

The Thrifty Groove ~ Thrifty Things Friday

Rooted in Thyme - Simple & Sweet Friday

Wednesday, July 2, 2014

HURRAH FOR THE RED, WHITE and BLUE

Since I love the Fourth of July, thought that I would do a tablescape to honor our wonderful Country.

I decided to put this on my front patio with all the roses enclosing this little area. Most of my dishes that I used I have had for a while.

The red charger plates I purchased at Marshall's about 4 years ago along with the bowls The blue glass ware is from the Dollar Tree for $1.00 each.

Meet Liberty - I found him at Michael's and he was $14.99, but with my 50% discount I got him for $7.50. Don't you love it when you find a great deal. I danced all the way to the check out counter. Not that I needed another rooster, but he was calling my name.

The table is set for 2 and I will be inviting my girl friend over for a early dinner so we can watch the fireworks from Disneyland. During the summer they set off Fireworks almost every night, which gets to be a little much.

I made these napkins from material that I found in my stash and I put a white napkin with it to bring out the pretty design of the material. I have enough left over to make a table runner or more napkins, as I only made four. I also found this red/white check material which I made into a tablecloth. I have enough material to make 4 napkins.

The white plates with the blue strip I found at SA for a $1.00 each. They are nice and heavy plates and I felt that they would go with what I was trying to achieve for my tablescape.

My friend Phyllis from Aroundthehouse gave me the red silverwar and the little metal buckets, which go very well with the dishes.

I love the little flag pillow and it looks so good with my red throw and pillow. Phyllis gave me the pillow many many years ago and I almost forgot that I had it. The little angel bear is guarding all the decorations.

I made a wreath for the front porch with all red, white and blue flowers and decorations. I have placed numerous flags in my flower pots on the porch.

Just a few of my flags flying in the breeze. I must say that it was very hot here today. What made it so bad is the humidity - which normally it is very low, but not today. I though that I was going to melt. No more tablescapes outside when it's hot,

I hope you have enjoy my little tablescape. I would like to give thanks to all our military who keep us safe and sound - God Bless you all.

Waldo, Lili and I hope that you will leave us a comment as we love reading them and I try to answer all of my comments.

HAPPY INDEPENDENCE DAY to all of my blogging friends.