WEBSITE UPDATE and CHRISTMAS PLANTER HOW-TO!!!

My son came home this past weekend for his annual trip to "get the tree".  He is VERY "tree specific", lets call it, but I have to say he must be evolving because when he placed his find in the family room this year the size didn't warrant removing every piece of furniture from the room. HE LIKES IT BIG!!  He does a masterful job of placing each light and then scoots back to the city and I have 2 ladders around old tannenbaum for a month while I try and make it look less like Rockefeller Center and more like home....I truly LOVE Christmas but, probably like you, feel a little stressed with all the opportunities for fun.  I showed a picture of the store planters last week on the blog and many of you commented on them so I thought I could give you a how- to with my own, above. Very easily done. I went to our larger garden center and bought Red branches 2 red artificial fruits I poked on green sticks from the gardencenter 2 picks of artificial magnolia leaves ( love the copper color) Some cedar branches with seeds Some cedar branches without seeds Some evergreen boughs 3 "bricks " of oasis foam Take the 3 bricks and place them hole side down in water, below They absorb the water and also are easy to poke with stuff but so is dirt already in your pots. Cut with a knife to fit.  The planter above is 12 inches in diameter First the plain cedar Then add some cedar with the seeds.. Then add the evergreen for some form Then add the magnolias in the center...the brown color is a nice contrast...and then add..... red sticks for height.  I really wanted full red berry sprays but they only had short ones.  When I cut them I noticed the garden center had  sprayed healthy branches....the branches weren't even dried out yet . The fruit....you should try and find plastic as in very cold weather the foam ones usually crack and show the white styrofoam underneath. VOILA!! I must add that everything looks great in an antique real stone beautifully aged planter. EMAIL ME for pictures of planters I have available. I placed an antler to bring a little lightness to it. Pinecones also look great! Things have been abuzz at the shop. We have a new store window...a black and white themed family room with red and green.  Katie outdid herself again! Thanks Katie! The shop is FULL of small special accents and gifts....I have been bringing a car load of small items every day. Several spectacular pieces to use as wine coolers and the 19th century wood Turnbridge box, above, from England, is one of several available.   An antique box is a wonderful gift for the men in your life.  Functional in use for organization of  "his stuff" and also beautiful to add to your decor.  I gave one to my son a few years ago and I'm happy when I see it in his apartment knowing it will be a keepsake that moves right along with him. Also available are antique mercury glass Christmas trees, rare treasures. The vintage sheet music makes every bowl look great!  I am hoping to post some pictures next blog of gifts available (If  I can find the time) as I have found when I give an antique or vintage item they are always the most cherished. Have a great week!  My decorating will be finished (except the tree!) and baking will begin next week!  I have a question for you....do you like a full "perfect " tree or a Charlie Brown wacky looking tree like I do???? Would love to hear your thoughts... Warmest regards, Bonny  We are open Sundays until Christmas from 12-5 Bonny Neiman Antiques & Artisan  p.973-714-4541 www.bonnyneiman.com    Trouvaille 12 Beechwood Road  Summit, NJ  Monday-Saturday 10-5:30