CasaSugar

Su Casa: A Christmas Mantel Shelf

CasaSugar — Wed, 03 Dec 2008 04:30:45 -0800

Since we're not all fortunate enough to live in our dream houses, we have to be innovative with what we've got. Su Casa member JenLovesGreen certainly subscribes to this train of thought. As much as she would love to keep cozy by a warm fireplace in her own living room, her current digs are lacking in that department. So, she's made the best of things this holiday season by bringing in an alternative: a shelf. "Although my substitute mantel doesn't frame a cozy fireplace," she says, "it does allow me to decorate for the holidays." She's festively dressed her faux mantel with an arrangement of elegant white pillar candles, cranberry garland, and two Christmas stockings to boot. I think this is a great alternative for all CasaSugar readers who want to hang stockings, but don't have a fireplace mantel - it's a brilliant solution. I can almost see those logs burning; can't you?
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Nice and New: John Robshaw Christmas Stocking

CasaSugar — Mon, 01 Dec 2008 05:30:54 -0800

Not to be a brat or anything, but my family has been using the same gigantic Christmas stockings for more than 20 years, always filled to the brim with lots of goodies. So, at 12" x 21", the John Robshaw Block Printed Holly Stockings ($70 each) won't do for me, but they're certainly stylish enough to hang on the mantel simply as décor in my home. Available with a mistletoe, candy cane, or peppermint pattern, they're quite festive and would also make a wonderful gift for anyone you know who's building up their collection of holiday décor. What do you think?

Casa Quickie: A DIY Mantelpiece

CasaSugar — Mon, 15 Dec 2008 13:00:03 -0800

I love Su Casa member JenLovesGreen's inventive Christmas mantel shelf, but I'm sure some of you mantel-less folks don't want to spend money and time installing a shelf just for one holiday. So, I was delighted to come across this makeshift mantelpiece idea at Living Etc. If you're lacking in the fireplace department, you can create your own mantel for hanging stockings by finding a branch in your backyard, trimming it of excess twigs and bark, and spray
painting it white. Then, hang it with wide, red ribbon from your crown molding (or anywhere on your wall), add stockings, and celebrate! Oh, and don't forget to fill those stockings with lots of goodies!
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Can You Guess When This Christmas Happened?

CasaSugar — Tue, 09 Dec 2008 12:00:25 -0800

Life magazine has recently stocked Google Images full of its iconic photos of American life. I've been poring over these historical images for hours at a time, and when I stumbled across some Christmas images, I thought I'd test your historical knowledge (or guessing ability!). Since you loved my Guess the Decade quiz so much, I figured you'd equally adore this Christmas decade quiz. Can you guess which decade each photo is from?

Question 1 of 5

Which decade is this Christmas photo from?

How-To: Clean Out Your Refrigerator

CasaSugar — Thu, 15 Jan 2009 10:00:18 -0800

Another year, another resolution. It's hard to eat healthy when your refrigerator is stocked with temptation. And it's hard to get off on the right foot with any resolution when your home base is a mess. So, it's time that we all get a fresh start this year with a clean fridge. You may think that the task only requires a dose of motivation, but there's a method to this cleanliness, and I'm going to enlighten you with it. To learn the steps to a cleaner new year, read more.

To begin, clean your kitchen counter and sink and remove everything from your countertops.
Take out your trash, and put a fresh bag in your garbage can.
Put any dirty dishes in the dishwasher and turn it on, or wash them by hand. Unload your dishes and put them where they belong: out of sight!
Turn off your refrigerator and unplug it.
Now, on to the real work. Begin with your freezer. If you have an ice maker, toss all your ice and wash the ice bin by hand. If you have ice trays, toss the ice and put your trays in the dishwasher. If you have neither, get yourself some ice trays!
Toss everything in your freezer except unopened boxes of frozen food. If you haven't eaten your frozen leftovers by now, you never will. If you have curbside composting with your garbage service, you can compost your food and even paper towels, instead of throwing it all in the trash. If you have a backyard compost pile, only place fruits and veggie-based foods in it.
Put the keepers on your kitchen counter.
On to the fridge. Work your way down starting from the top shelf and toss all of your leftovers. Rinse all your Tupperware and other storage containers and put them in the dishwasher.
Turn your dishwasher on.
One shelf at a time, pull every food product out of your fridge, tossing or composting it if it's expired or the sell by date isn't within the last two weeks. Put the keepers on your kitchen counter.
Apply the last two steps to the refrigerator door and any bins you have in your fridge.
Fill your sink with water and a good dose of dishwashing liquid.
Soak each refrigerator shelf in your sink for a delicate few one at a time. Scrub it well with a sponge. Shake dry. Spray it with glass cleaner, wipe, and let dry. Continue with each shelf. And remember, you can also clean with vinegar.
Spray the interior walls of your refrigerator and freezer and their doors with Clorox Greenworks and scrub your heart out.
Now, clean your vegetable bins by soaking and sponging them, and then spraying them with your Greenworks as well. Let dry.
Now, replace the shelves and bins.
Replace your food to your fridge and freezer, keeping them organized with some system.
Remove your ice trays from your dishwasher, fill them, and place them in the freezer.
Unload the rest of your dishwasher.
Make a list of what to buy now that I've made you toss everything.
Remove the Christmas cards from your fridge and store them. Toss or store any other paperwork on your fridge. Start fresh with a paper-free fridge, just magnets!
Wipe down the exterior of your fridge.
Now, have a glass of wine and relax.

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Roundup: Santa and His Elves

CasaSugar — Mon, 22 Dec 2008 15:00:25 -0800

It may be too late to revamp this year's holiday decor, but that isn't stopping me from scoping out modern Santa and elven accents to add to my arsenal. If you celebrate Christmas, don't think for a second that the traditional Clausian iconography has to be tacky.

These North Pole-themed home wares, like the CB2 Elf Candleholders ($5.95) I've been eyeing, are so chic, you could almost leave them out year-round. But instead, I plan to stock up after the holiday to start building next year's new look.

Be Nice Elf Soap by Victoria - $4.50	Gnome Candle - $48.00
Matte Stephens Elmer Gnome - $160.00	Pamela Dalton's "Santa's Queue" - $295.00
Elf Soap From Sweden - $8.00	Glitter Santa Canvas - $149.00
Elf Candleholder - $5.95	Nordic Elf Plates, Set of 4 - $29.95

Sale Alert: Sundance Holiday Sale

CasaSugar — Sat, 13 Dec 2008 08:30:00 -0800

Sundance is currently offering up to 60 percent off of its festive holiday décor. So, if you're looking for stockings, ornaments, snow globes, festive hooked pillows, or nostalgic decorative items, Sundance is the place to go. As much as I like the look of CB2's holiday items, considering that Christmas is something that's celebrated year after year (and sometimes we even inherit our parents' holiday decorations), I prefer the classic look of this retailer's holiday décor. I'm loving this super affordable Set of 18 Vintage Jewel-Tone Ornaments ($12), this classic White Tree Hooked Pillow ($48), and for some odd reason, this kitschy Five Foot Santa Lawn Light ($49).

Gift Guide: Stocking Stuffers

CasaSugar — Mon, 17 Dec 2007 05:45:41 -0800

To be honest, pulling out stocking stuffers is probably my favorite part of Christmas. I think it's the surprise factor. Unless you're extraordinarily demanding and a huge brat, I doubt you send your family wish lists for your stocking stuffers. Right? So whether it's a fresh Chapstick, some sweetly scented soaps, or a classic Slinky, you never know what you're going to get. My stockings were always filled halfway with things I needed (socks, bobby pins, etc.) and the other half with goofy gags or gifts I'd probably never think to buy myself. To help you make the most of the stockings you'll be filling this year, I've rounded up a number of stocking stuffers that are either essentials, gags, or gifts that are just nice to have for the home.

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Casa Query: Do You Still Hang Stockings?

CasaSugar — Mon, 24 Dec 2007 09:56:43 -0800

Since you're the reason I write every day, I want to know all about you. Well, not everything - but particularly those things that relate to CasaSugar. With the new feature Casa Query, I'll ask you to tell me about yourselves, your homes, your decorating habits, and other Casa-related topics.

Well, 'tis the night before Christmas, and I want to know if you still hang stockings at your house.

If you do, does Santa fill them, or do only the kids get visits from Santa for their stockings? Finally, where do you hang them? Stairs? Mantel? Let me know by commenting below!
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Holiday Entertaining Essentials

CasaSugar — Tue, 11 Dec 2007 16:00:51 -0800

Since this month's theme is Home Entertainment, I thought you might be interested in iVillage's list of items that are essential to throwing a good home-based party. I've excerpted part of the list below, and while I don't agree that disposable hand towels are a party essential (setting out several hand towels next to the sink is a more economical and environmental option), most of these tips are definite party musts. Since I have a party coming up this weekend - a traditional German Christmas party called a Feuerzangenbowle that my fiancé throws every year - I know that I'm going to take iVillage's advice and stock up on many of these supplies.

Invitations. Set the tone for your holiday gathering with an invitation that reflects your party style - casual or formal, trendy or traditional.
Fresh flowers. Flowers are a lovely and welcoming addition to a table or a guest bedroom. Buy a bunch and use them for decoration.
Party favors. Send guests home with a small favor to help them remember your gathering. Candles, photographs, and cookies are fun and festive options.
Centerpiece. Assemble a holiday-themed centerpiece. For Christmas, find pine garlands, holly, mistletoe, and pine cones. For Hanukkah, purchase dreidels and chocolate gelt.
Firewood. A roaring fire will make your guests feel cozy and warm on a cold night. An even better option is using a Duraflame log. If you don't have a fireplace, and add a soft glow with candles.
Wreaths. Create an inviting entrance to your home with a seasonal wreath. Eucalyptus or pine will evoke the spirit of the holidays.
Soap. Fancy soaps, whether molded or French milled, will make your guests feel pampered.

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