Anna Monette Roberts
Assistant Editor, Food
Holiday Decor

Nostalgic Christmas Tree Ornaments

My grandmother has had the same decorations for over 50 years, yet every year it's always fun to check out her antique ornaments from the '60s.

My grandmother has had the same decorations for over 50 years, yet every year it's always fun to check out her antique ornaments from the '60s. Felt-shaped animals and Christmas characters, wooden nutcrackers, glass icicles, feather-covered clip-on birds, and glass ball ornaments are just a few nostalgic ornaments that come to mind when I think of my grandmother's tree. As for the pickle, my parents started this tradition in our family based off of a German tradition. Parents hide a pickle ornament in the Christmas tree, and whichever child finds the ornament first receives an extra gift. Even as adults, the game never gets old. Happy nostalgic Christmas tree decorating!

From left to right: West Elm Feather Bird Ornament ($9), St. Nicholas Square Drummer Nutcracker Ornament ($7), Pottery Barn Mercury Glass Ball Ornaments ($24), Urban Outfitters Hoot Owl Ornament ($11), St. Nicholas Square Knit Snowman Ornament ($4), Urban Outfitters Holiday Pickle Ornament ($9), Pottery Barn Icicle Ornament ($3), SANTA ($4), and West Elm Felt Stitched Snowflake Ornaments.

Holiday

7 Eco-Friendly, Recycled Wrapping Papers

It's time to start wrapping all those gift purchases you made on Black Friday, so why not wrap your gift in something one-of-a-kind or eco-friendly?

It's time to start wrapping all those gift purchases you made on Black Friday, so why not wrap your gift in something one-of-a-kind or eco-friendly? Feast your eyes on these seven gorgeous eco-friendly holiday wrapping papers, several of which are handprinted and made out of either recycled paper, post-consumer waste, cotton, or sustainably harvested lotka bushes.

Holiday Decor

Have You Put Up Your Holiday Decorations Yet?

Traditionally, families put up their holiday decorations during Thanksgiving weekend.

Traditionally, families put up their holiday decorations during Thanksgiving weekend. Have you already covered your house in lights? Have you pulled down and dusted off the boxes of holiday decorations from the attic?

Holiday

Shop Locally This Saturday

Get ready to shop all Thanksgiving weekend, because there's Black Friday, Cyber Monday, and now there's a reason to shop Saturday.


Get ready to shop all Thanksgiving weekend, because there's Black Friday, Cyber Monday, and now there's a reason to shop Saturday. Last year marked the first Small Business Saturday, a shopping day to support small businesses. This Saturday, Nov. 26, celebrate the Shop Small movement and support local merchants across the US by participating in the second annual Small Business Saturday. Over two million shoppers have pledged on Facebook to support one of the 200 organizations that have already joined American Express OPEN, the company’s small business unit.

So what are some great incentives to start shopping small? Register your card, and if you spend $25 at a participating American Express "Shop Small Day" store, you'll get a $25 credit on your card's monthly statement. Beyond monetary reward, shopping from a small, local store means your gifts will be unique. You'll also help keep the money in your community, and promote mom and pop stores in your neighborhood. Best of all, forget about having to fight the big crowds at big box stores and malls; it's all about shopping leisurely this Saturday.

Once Upon a Time

Fairy-Tale Inspiration From ABC's Once Upon a Time

Medieval and Romanesque architecture symbolizes majesty, royalty, and magic.

Medieval and Romanesque architecture symbolizes majesty, royalty, and magic. ABC's new series Once Upon a Time captures this grandiose style, featuring pointed arches, intricate stone carvings, and stained glass. And while the fairy-tale happy endings may be a bit fractured in this somewhat dark new series, the beautiful backdrops and set designs will inspire you to create your own happily ever after home. Take a peek at the truly incredible set design from the new series.

Screencaps Source: Courtesy of ABC

Inspiration

Indoor Greenery For Fall and Winter

As trees lose their leaves, and everything becomes grayer, keep things green in your indoor space.

As trees lose their leaves, and everything becomes grayer, keep things green in your indoor space. Potted plants, herbs, and forced bulbs are just a few ideas, so you can maintain your green thumb during the dormant Winter. Not a natural at gardening? Don't worry – here are five foolproof greens to keep around your house.

Inspiration

How to Decorate a Spooky, Halloween Staircase

Hosting a party this Halloween season?


Hosting a party this Halloween season? Then don't forget to deck out your staircase. Halloween staircases should be creepy, spooky, and crawly. Martha Stewart's spooky stairwell has all the components needed to shake up your guests: distressed cheese cloth, danger tape, lanterns, and black spiders.

By creating a no-cross zone, you also discourage guests and kiddos to climb upstairs during your Halloween party.

How do you plan on decorating your staircase for Halloween?

See six items to decorate your stairs with.

Interior Design News

Week in Review Quiz

Were you reading CasaSugar this week?

Were you reading CasaSugar this week? Let's see how well you remember what trends we spotted, who's house is for sale, and what advice celebrity stylists had to give.

decorating tips

Dreamy Ways to Decorate Nightstands

While it's easy to pile old magazines, unpaid bills, and a stack of unfinished books on your nightstand, organizing it with little trinkets can complete the look of your bedroom and make your room look professionally decorated.

While it's easy to pile old magazines, unpaid bills, and a stack of unfinished books on your nightstand, organizing it with little trinkets can complete the look of your bedroom and make your room look professionally decorated. We have some great tips to help you clear out the clutter and make your nightstand functional and stylish.

decorating inspiration

5 Must-Have Furniture Items For Twentysomethings

If you're a twentysomething professional settling into a new apartment, you might be thinking about craigslisting your college furniture and investing in some new pieces.

If you're a twentysomething professional settling into a new apartment, you might be thinking about craigslisting your college furniture and investing in some new pieces. Since you diligently saved up that hard earned cash, you should definitely invest in some hardworking pieces that will serve you well in this decade and into the next. Here are my five picks for furniture that will help you to achieve your very own beautifully decorated bachelorette pad.

decorating tips

4 Simple Sofa Facelifts — Starting at $40

Dying to update your sofa, but can't stomach the idea of buying an entirely new piece or paying big bucks for a reupholstery job?

Dying to update your sofa, but can't stomach the idea of buying an entirely new piece or paying big bucks for a reupholstery job? There's no need to spend major money on your sofa when renovating or redecorating your space. Spruce up your seating area with these simple and effective ideas, from least to most expensive.

Least Expensive: New Pillow Cases
While you could always buy new pillows, save space by buying new pillow cases. Go for seasonal colors, new patterns, or something sparkling like the West Elm Sequins Circle Pillow Cover ($39).


Keep reading for another least expensive choice, plus two other ideas for updating your tired old sofa

Inspiration

Spooky Candelabras to Set the Halloween Mood

No Halloween dining table is complete without a creepy candelabra with taper candles.

No Halloween dining table is complete without a creepy candelabra with taper candles. Try colored candles or classic white. While the no-drip variety makes clean up easier, the viscous dripping does add a spooky, antiquated quality. Go for a simple upright design, or a gnarled, twisted holder. My Halloween table will have something similar to the Velocity candelabra on the bottom right, which is bronze, modeled to look like tree branches. What type of candelabra will you decorate your Halloween table with?

From left to right: West Elm Root Candelabra ($49), Anthropologie Springing Springs Candelabra ($38), CB2 Labra ($25), and Velocity Roost Manzanita Branch Candleholders ($99).

decorating inspiration

5 Charming Ways to Organize Your Books

As an English major, cook, and writer, I've accumulated hundreds of books that constantly pour out of my four bookshelves.

As an English major, cook, and writer, I've accumulated hundreds of books that constantly pour out of my four bookshelves. Living in a studio apartment, it's sometimes difficult to organize my chaotic piles of books. If you have a similar problem, here are five charming ways to organize your gigantic book collection.

Inspiration

The Awesomely Outrageous Design of Hotel ZaZa

Dallas is the third-largest city in Texas and the ninth-largest city in the United States.

Dallas is the third-largest city in Texas and the ninth-largest city in the United States. This posh city knows how to keep its social sphere booming – it's full of luxurious restaurants, modern bars and nightclubs, and shopping centers that rival NYC and LA.

If you find yourself visiting Dallas for business or pleasure, consider staying at Hotel ZaZa, one of the most grandiose and trendy hotels in uptown Dallas. The hotel has a very eclectic and edgy style that meshes modern and classic styles. You'll find bold upholsteries, loud colors, and breathtaking chandeliers.

The Dragonfly Restaurant and Urban Oasis Lounge are busy gathering places for locals and guests alike, and the ZaZa spa offers a luxurious pampering experience. Beyond the standard rooms which feature a Mediterranean inspired style, ZaZa also features a variety of concept suites, or unique rooms with a variety of fun themes like Bohemia, Zen, and Shag-a-Delic.

Click through to see the gorgeous and equally outrageous looks of Hotel ZaZa.

Editor's Pick

10 Inspired Ideas For Your Makeup Vanity

As women, we tend to spend hours every week fixing our hair and applying makeup, so it only makes sense that our vanity space showcases this important space in your house.

As women, we tend to spend hours every week fixing our hair and applying makeup, so it only makes sense that our vanity space showcases this important space in your house. Here are 10 ways you can design your vanity area to look like an essential part of your house.

Editor's Pick

Lighting Designs That Celebrate the Bare Lightbulb

These days we have a wide range of lightbulbs to choose from: halogen, compact fluorescent, LED, filament, and incandescent.
Exposed Light Bulb Light Fixtures

These days we have a wide range of lightbulbs to choose from: halogen, compact fluorescent, LED, filament, and incandescent. While traditional designs attempt to diffuse and hide the lightbulb with lamp shades, now is the time to celebrate the bare bulb. These 10 inspired lighting designs emphasize the beauty of the bulb without the harsh, blinding light.