Mom's Best Bets - Classic Tree Skirt Give-Away

Our friends over at Mom's Best Bets are giving away one of our Classic Tree Skirts. Their site is a GREAT resource for any Mom needing child-friendly resources or gift ideas (they even fun travel tips on Hawaii, since that is where they are based).  Entering the give-away is easy so make sure you visit their site today!

Inspirational and interesting 4th of July ideas

The long 4th of July weekend is just around the corner and I just can’t wait!   The taste of BBQ, hearing the kids squealing with joy while running barefoot through the sprinklers, the beautiful nighttime display of fireworks . . . These are just a few of the things that I love about the 4th of July holiday.

Many web sites and blogs are now featuring a lot of really cute, new ideas for decorating and entertaining the 4th of July. One of my favorites blogs that I’ve recently come across is TipJunkie.  Apart from the wealth of knowledge found on this site,  you’ll also see above and beyond (but realistic) patriotic decorating ideas submitted from their followers.

As for entertaining, I’m always semi-confident on the food side (make sure to check out the YUMMY recipes at Delish), but always get stumped as to how to set up an easy bar.  This is where another recent new web find comes in handy.  The Kitchn features a great article on how to build a basic summer bar.  Now, no more worrying about if I have the right bar stuff on hand.

And what 4th of July celebration isn’t complete without some decedent desserts!  Hostess (with the mostess) has her 4th of July Dessert Roundup (take 1 & 2) up and I have decided that I’m making it a goal to try each and every dessert (hello red-velvet cake with raspberries and blueberries)!

Enjoy your 4th of July holiday and remember the freedoms we enjoy.  Also, we’d love to hear how you plan on celebrating the 4th.  Let us know your favorite decorating or menu ideas in the comments below.

Contributed by Heather Dietrich, Sterling Pear

Making a Memorable Memorial Day

For most of us Memorial Day marks the official start of summer. While the original purpose behind Memorial Day is to commemorate and honor those who lost their life in battle, more and more people are now taking advantage of the three-day weekend to recreate with friends and family. Hosting a Memorial Day party can incorporate both the traditions of the holiday and allow for plenty of relaxing as well.

Memorial Day Decorations
 
If you decide to host a party, don’t be afraid to go blatantly patriotic on your Memorial Day celebration. Put up American flags outside your home, and even go a little crazy and use a few of them as decorations indoors. On your tables, spread blue tablecloths with red runners. You can use the holiday’s red poppy as your centerpiece flower, or you can simply use American flags in vases. Your unused 4th of July tableware and utensils will really come in handy on Memorial Day, so don’t forget to bring them out.

And in a true Memorial Day tradition, if you have a flag in your yard or lawn, fly it at half-mast from morning until noon in honor of all the fallen soldiers.

Memorial Day Food

Memorial Day often brings with it the first really warm weather of the year, so take full advantage of the weather and barbeque outdoors (plus, clean-up is MUCH easier!).

There are lots of great foods that go along with good old-fashioned grilling; watermelon, potato salad, deviled eggs, home-made ice creams are a just a few of my favorites.    Keep in mind, guests will inevitably ask, "what can I bring?" Even if you tell them "nothing" they'll bring something anyway. Best to use this to your advantage -- ask them to bring something you'll use at the party. Guests feel useful and you can then check something off of your list and stay within your budget better. BYOB is, of course, a classic way to cut your party budget -- drinks ain't cheap. Plus, folks get to drink exactly what they want and you don't have to worry about providing an array of choices to suit everyone.

Memorial Day Activities

It's safe to say that many Memorial Day activities usually involve something to do with water; a pool, lake or the beach.  If you're hosting a party and don't have a pool, it's easy to buy a $7 kiddie pool and scatter beach chairs around.  Guests can then sit and sip their cool drink while dipping their toes in some cool water.  Plus, anything containing water is bound to entertain kids for hours.

If you want to take some time before your party begins to honor our fallen soldiers, visit a local cemetery or attend a church services in their memory. You can even volunteer to put American flags on the graves of the fallen soldiers to honor their memory.  These soldiers died nobly for the country, so it’s only right to put aside a little of our time to remember and visit them, even if we are not related to them.

Whatever your Memorial Day plans are, please take a minute to remember the people who have died to defend the freedoms we enjoy.  Have a great Memorial Day!   Another small tip:  make sure you save any left over decorations -- you'll be a step ahead for the 4th of July celebrations!

Contributed by Heather Dietrich, Sterling Pear

Fun and Easy Spring Photo Tradition

These days it’s hard to go more than a block without noticing the beautiful blooming trees and emerging daffodils and tulips.  Why not capture these to enjoy throughout the year and start a new annual spring tradition!

Take your camera and snap photos of your favorite colors.  Try taking close-up shots of blossoms or full-frame shots of a daffodil.  If you have children or a pet, why not include them in front of a lush bush or among a bunch of tulips?  Let your creativity flow, and try interesting angles, or unusual framing.
 

After you’ve evaluated the photos, choose your favorites.  Then group 4 or 6 in a neat square or rectangle on a hallway wall.  Choose matching 8x10 frames that work with your home’s décor, black, brushed nickel, white, chocolate brown, whatever works best in your home.

If you didn’t include family or pets in the original photos, why not take recent photos (maybe a Spring school photo) of your family and intersperse them with the beautiful blooms.  This is a fun and unique way to display your latest portraits.

And, to take this tradition beyond an annual event, why not update the wall each season; when the foliage changes to the lush greens of summer, or to the striking burnt oranges and yellows of fall or the beautiful, stark landscape of winter?  

Contributed by Heather Martinez

Easter Storage: Peace of Mind and 20% Off!

Spring has arrived and Easter has now come and gone.  You are now faced with taking down your Easter décor.  Do you usually throw your Easter pieces in a plastic box, left to knock against each other?  Or are you more of a newspaper and moving box type of person?  How will the decorations look when it’s time to unpack them again next year?  Are they a little worse for wear?  Think of your collectibles, you fragile items.  Do you have to work at storing them properly?

After evaluating what you have, could your Easter décor use a little more care in its storage?  Here at Sterling Pear, our Signature Storage Box is the ideal solution to protect your Ukrainian eggs or glass Easter chicks.   With three pullout trays, each storage box is quite large and can hold up to 52 individual items.  Dividers separate each item, keeping things organized and preventing delicate pieces from bumping against each other and breaking.  Additionally, the dividers are completely removable and adjustable, so the trays can be customized to make room for varying sizes of seasonal pieces. 

To further protect your smaller pieces, tissue paper or paper shred could be used to fill in gaps and prevent pieces from shifting.  Or better yet, raffia or Easter grass could be used to cushion items in the storage box and to give you an additional display for Easter.   You could very easily use the happy, pear-green box as a display case during the Easter season (green is always in at Easter… plus, you’ve cradled your beautiful pieces in that festive raffia!).

Sterling Pear wants you to enjoy the peace of mind knowing that your favorite Easter pieces will be safely stored all year long, which is why they are offering 20% your entire purchase this Spring.  Make sure to use coupon code EASTER2010 at checkout.

Contributed by Heather Martinez

Elegant and Easy Easter Centerpieces

In a few days, you’ll be sitting down to a fabulous Easter brunch, or perhaps you’ll be hosting a family dinner after the egg hunt outside.  How does your table look?  If you're feeling at a loss and want to try something different from the standard Easter bouquet, we have several easy and beautiful ideas that you can try this year! 

One quick and unique table centerpiece idea is to find several small baskets or, if you’re lucky, a few “nests.  Gather up your decorated eggs and fill each basket or nest with dyed Easter eggs.  A good decorating tip:  if you fill each nest with the same color, it will really pack an elegant punch!  

Next, scatter votives or candlesticks throughout (in coordinating colors if you have them), and you have a simple and elegant Easter table!  Want to take it one step further?  Tie the napkins with raffia in coordinating colors.

Another modern but stylish idea is to take a pair of clear glass hurricanes and fill with a few inches of water in the bottom.  Next, add pure white hard-boiled eggs.  

You can then accessorize with your favorite white blooms using the eggs below to secure the stems.  Even in the most sophisticated home this modern arrangement will look amazing!

Our last idea is just plain simple and really easy.   Use your dessert as your centerpiece!  If you are having cake, why not frost it in pure white and decorate it with edible flowers (be sure they are edible, and not from a nursery where they might have been sprayed with something less than safe).  Place the cake on a snazzy, footed cake plate, toss a few petals on the table surrounding the cake plate, and your table will look luscious!

Enjoy trying something new this Easter!

Contributed by Heather Martinez

Nature Inspired St. Patrick's Day Decorations

It’s a known fact that I LOVE to decorate for each and every holiday.  However, each year when St. Patrick’s Day rolls around I’m always stumped as to how to decorate.  Of course it’s easy to cut out shamrocks and color leprechauns with my five year-old son, but I always yearn for something a step above – decorations a bit more, dare I say as a Mommy,  “sophisticated”?

This year I have decided to try something different (though I’m keeping with the shamrocks and leprechauns for my son’s playroom).

In pondering what to do, I decided to go with the master herself and use Mother Nature for my inspiration! For easy table or mantle decorations, I’m starting with my ample supply of clear or white vases, glasses or water pitchers that are about the house.  First, I will fill 2 or 3 of them with water (if you are using clear add clear or green marbles if you have them).  Next, tuck some outdoor greens and white accent flowers gently into each of the clear/white containers.  

If you want, center the vases on  a few Shamrock cutouts and Voila!  You have an instant, nature inspired AND St. Patrick’s Day friendly centerpiece.  Side note:  For those of you lucky enough to live in a warmer climate, take an early spring stroll outside to gather greens – fern fronds are always a favorite if you can get them!

For other around-the-house decorations, fresh fruit (or fake) is always an easy way to accent any décor with needed luck-o-the-Irish color.  Fill white cereal bowls or remaining clear containers with fresh, green apples and green limes.  By accenting again with a few of my son’s Shamrock cutouts my mantle turns from boring to an emerald inspired focal point. 

Lastly, if you are entertaining and “mood” lighting is needed, you can hollow-out the centers of a few of the apples.  Insert votives and scatter them around your table, mantle or bar.

Happy St. Patrick's Day!!

Contributed by Heather Dietrich, Co-Founder, Sterling Pear

Quick Fixes for the Late Winter Blahs

So, here it is -- late winter.  Easter is more than a month away and the early blooms have yet to start peeking their heads out.  It’s the late-winter blahs . . . You look around your house and it feels gray, drab and dreary.  This means it’s time for a quick room-brightening fix or two!  And there’s more you can do than just a pretty bouquet of flowers on the coffee table.

Take a look at your curtains or sheers.  When was the last time you laundered them?  For that matter, when was the last time you replaced them?  If you can’t remember, it’s probably time to either get them cleaned or replace them with something eye-catching and brand-new.  This easy little task will instantly brighten any room.  While you are out, pick up a few new throw pillows.  A fabric with a cheerful, contrasting color will easily update your living, family, or bedroom.

When was the last time you rearranged your decorative pieces?  This is another quick and easy fix to give a room new life.  If things look a bit crowded on the mantle, it’s time to edit.  Perhaps just a few bold pieces will do.  Next, check out the bookshelves.  Are they neat and tidy? Everything lined up properly?  How about using a beautiful piece of pottery or glasswork as a bookend? 

Remember, for true sophistication less is more.   No need for overcrowding of all the wonderful things you have collected the world over.  If shelves are crowded, go ahead and stash some of your treasures in a protective storage box.  Then, every few months you can rotate pieces, changing the look in a room just a bit.  Your things will have more meaning when you can truly showcase their beauty (and that won’t happen when looking at 15 things on a little shelf!).

Enjoy your easy, new changes while enjoying these last days of winter.  Spring is just around the corner!

Contributed by Heather Martinez

Easy and Memorable Valentine's Day Table

Still trying to come up with a plan for Valentine’s Day?  Are you past the need to head out for that romantic restaurant with all the other couples?  Well, why not set a pretty table for dinner in! Kids/no kids, paired up with friends/just the two of you, take-out/homemade -- it’ll make for a nice change from the typical Sunday night routine.

Start by repurposing holiday items.  Break out a red table runner or tablecloth from the recent holidays.  For a focal point, take a clear glass or crystal vase and fill it with conversation hearts.  Finish by adding your favorite white, pink or red flowers.  Remember, don’t fill the vase with water or your hearts will become mush! 

Next scatter candles across the center of the table.  You can also fill small ramekins or glass bowls with chocolate covered almonds, cashews, raisins, or blueberries.  Arrange these amid the candles. 

Finally, a quick and easy way to dress up place settings is to replace napkin holders with red or pink satin ribbon tied in a big, beautiful bow.  With just a few minutes’ work, you’re set for a memorable dinnertime in the comfort of your own home!

Oh, some quick dessert ideas:  make a pan of brownies and cut them out with a heart-shaped cookie cutter.  Serve with your favorite ice cream and garnish a side of strawberries or raspberries.  If your selection of cookie cutters is non-existent, make a quick heart-shaped stencil out of paper.  Place it over cupcakes (square-cut brownies, slices of Bundt cake, larger round cakes will all do the trick too) and shake confectioner’s sugar or cocoa onto the stencil.  Gently remove the stencil, and voila! A beautiful presentation for easy, everyday desserts!

Contributed by Heather Martinez

Hosting Tips for a Casual Winter Get-Togethers

One of the best ways to beat the winter blahs is to fill you home with friends and family.  Whether you have are having just a few friends over on a cold winter’s night or having a full blown out Superbowl party, these get-togethers offer a warm, welcoming place for you and your friends to kickback, relax and have some fun.  

Below are a few simple steps you can follow to get your house ready and welcome for your guests. 

Set the mood:  You can easily change the setting in your home with a few easy things.  First, decide which areas of your home will be used for the get-together and start by decorating with fresh accents as centerpieces.  Strings of Christmas lights or candles, even cozy fires in the fireplace are also easy ways to set a warm and inviting mood. 

Food & Drinks:  Everyone knows that the great food and drinks make the party!  For your food, the trick to easy entertaining is sticking with finger food appetizers which are easy, but can be “dressed-up” by placing them on your good serve-ware.   You can go all-out with the beverages, or just keep is easy: chilled beer and wine, soda and water!  

Entertaining Guests:  Mood – check. Food & drinks – check!  Not every type of party requires entertainment, but it’s a good idea to have a back-up plan should the mood get a little dull.  The best part about entertaining your guests is that it’s an inexpensive option: Have a few games handy that are large-group friendly; Karaoke – even better!  Even upping the music to a dance mix can spice up any party.

Now you can sit back, relax and enjoy your guests!

Contributed by Beth Eppley and Heather Dietrich

Helpful Holiday Organizing Tips

After Christmas the big task of organizing and putting away the holiday decorations comes about.  With a little thought and planning, the take-down can be simple and easy. Sterling Pear, a new brand in holiday décor and ornament storage boxes, recommends a few simple tips for ensuring your seasonal décor will be organized and protected from breakage until needed next year.
 
1. Protect your floor from falling pine needles and sap
Cut several large plastic garbage bags down the seam and open them up under the tree to catch falling pine needles and to protect carpet and floors.  When you’re done you can then simply lie the tree down, roll up and throw away the trash bags, leaving little mess in your home.   This also makes the put away process much more fluid and easy. Without an additional mess you can focus on placing your holiday ornaments in their ornament storage boxes when that time comes.

2. Gently remove delicate ornaments first
Ornament hooks can easily get stuck on tree branches.  Carefully remove fragile ornaments first to avoid disturbing others on the branch. By doing so you can keep ornaments safe for years to come and ready them for their ornament storage container.

3. Organize while putting things away
Organize ornaments in ornament boxes by color and size.  This will make decorating next year much easier, and will help you know how many of each type you have at quick glance when you re-open your ornament storage box next year.

4. Consider needs for next year
Make note of any ornaments that have broken or need replacement.  After the holidays take a good look at what you have in your ornament storage chest and assess what you have. The time after the holidays is the best time to go shopping for new ornaments, when stores sell their leftover holiday decorating products often at 50-75% off.  Additionally, collector’s edition ornaments sold on EBay often go down in price immediately after the holidays when demand is lower and the market gets flooded with unwanted gifts.

5. Wrap items in acid-free tissue
Wrap sensitive items snugly in acid-free tissue paper or unbleached non-dyed cotton fabric to keep colors from fading and yellowing over time. Fill extra spaces in your storage containers for ornaments with additional acid-free tissue to keep items from shifting. Expert archivists recommend changing the tissue in your ornament storage bins paper every five years.

6. Beware of plastic storage boxes
Though plastic ornament storage binscan often be an economical choice, it’s best not to keep ornaments in plastic air-tight ornament storage containers.  Any moisture trapped in the ornament storage box could cause mold to grow and black spots to appear over time.


7. Store things in the proper place and environment
While garages, attics and basements might be the places you’re used to placing your ornament boxes, they’re actually the worst places they can go.  These locations are prone to water leaks that could damage your stored items.  Even more important, fluctuations in heat and humidity can cause glass ornaments to crack.  Ornaments that you care about, as well as keepsakes of any kind, should always be stored in the main area of your home and in a top notch ornament storage container, where temperatures and humidity are kept at relatively stable levels.

8. Consider storage as home décor
When closet space is limited consider buying ornament storage boxes that complement your home décor such as the Keepsake Ornament Storage Chest by Sterling Pear.  These contemporary ornament storage boxes are so attractive they can be lined up on a nice-looking shelf and left out all year-round.  
9. Use desiccant packets for humidity control
Keep the packets that come in the trays of your ornament storage box and pack them away with the ornaments.  Desiccant packets keep the humidity level down – a dry climate and a solid ornament container is best for preserving anything you care about over time.

10. Dispose of your tree properly
If you have a backyard and a fireplace, set the tree outside in an out-of-the-way place.  You can then use the needles as mulch, the branches as kindling and the truck as firewood (after it’s dried out).  If you don’t have a backyard or fireplace, most localities participate in a Christmas tree recycling program, often picking up the trees curbside, and sometimes providing a drop-off site.  Check your local government website for more information.

These tips are provided by Sterling Pear, the premier holiday source for both sophisticated design and ease of use, which is encompassed in Sterling Pear’s slogan, “Holiday elegance made simple.” The entire line of Sterling Pear products is available for purchase by consumers at www.sterlingpear.com.