wrapping it up

I can hardly believe that Christmas is mere days away. Two of my dearest friends-slash-surrogate-family have been visiting, so my time has been spent with them and I've gotten a tad behind on holiday preparation. Not to worry, though, time with family and friends is far more important-- because isn't that what the holidays are all about???

I have managed to get a few gifts purchased, wrapped, and sent off to their prospective recipients. Putting together pretty packages is loads of fun and every year I try to come up with something new. Last year it was kraft paper and metallic ribbons, this year it's butcher paper and colorful yarn.

I'll try to post photos of my holiday decor in the next day or two, but in the meantime I hope you're enjoying every bit of this magical season, and anticipating the great things in store in the New Year!

Images | Styling by Lauryl Lane.

marriage

Today marks the 65th wedding anniversary of my maternal grandparents. SIXTY-FIVE YEARS!!! They are now in their mid-80's, and as a couple they have been my role models for a happy, healthy marriage. My husband and I often say that if we can love each other even half as much as Grammy and Grandpa do, we'll be golden.

I love these pictures from my sister Olivia's wedding. Aren't they precious? I wouldn't be the wife, the daughter, the sister, the business woman, the artist that I am today if it weren't for George and Laurie Hoke and the incredible influence they've had on my life. They have shaped my world in every possible way, and I owe them so very, very much.

I know I am blessed to still have grandparents around, and I am grateful for Grammy and Grandpa every single day. My wish today is that they will be granted many more years of health and happiness together.

Images by Alec Vanderboom. Florals by Lauryl Lane.

ornaments from victoria hoke lane

When my mum was visiting over Thanksgiving, she brought some of her cookies for me to photograph. She also brought a few examples of her latest project, gorgeous one-of-a-kind Christmas tree ornaments! She makes these using the same molds she uses for her cookies, but these ornaments are made with a lightweight permanent dough that is perfect for these ornaments, which she then hand paints and embellishes.

They are each so charming, and I just fell in love with this castle scene! These are a few of my favorites, but there are many different styles to choose from. Wouldn't these make lovely gifts for friends or coworkers this holiday season?

Contact Victoria Hoke Lane via email {info (at) victoriahokelane (dot) com} for her catalog and ordering information!

Ornaments by Victoria Hoke Lane.  Images | Florals | Styling by Lauryl Lane.

treat time

Warm Apple Crisp & Hot Tea, perfectly soothing on a chilly afternoon.

To make an apple crisp: peel and slice apples, and layer them down in a 9 x 9" baking dish. Sprinkle cinnamon & allspice, then another layer of apples. Mix a cup of oats, a cup of flour, half a cup of brown sugar, a teaspoon each of cinnamon, nutmeg, cloves and allspice, and a cup of melted butter. Spread the mixture on top of the apples and bake at 350 for 30 minutes or until done.

Image | Styling by Lauryl Lane.

currently reading

Northanger Abbey by Jane Austen

Northanger Abbey is my favorite novel of all time. And I re-read it about once a year, usually around the holidays. It's not one of Austen's best-known or most-beloved works, but I find that Mr. Henry Tilney is the most enjoyable male character in all of literature. Everyone loves to swoon over Mr. Darcy, but I'll take Rev. Tilney's witticisms any day. Personally, I prefer a man who makes me laugh to a man who broods.

"The person, be it gentleman or lady, who has not pleasure in a good novel, must be intolerably stupid." -Henry Tilney

Images | Styling by Lauryl Lane.

accepting bookings for holiday season 2012!

I've been honored to design and install holiday decorations in some of the most exquisite homes & work spaces in Southern California, and now I'm delighted to announce that I will begin professional holiday installations here in Colorado beginning with the 2012 holiday season! Whether your needs are large or small-- from 2-week home overhauls to 1-day tree trimmings, I have experience with every style of home, every size of living space, and every type of client imaginable. I love every minute of transforming a home or office into a magical winter wonderland.

From trees....

To garlands...

To mantles...

and everything in between...

... the holidays are a time for your home to shine!!!

If you want your home or office to be the most festive place around, you're in luck! I am now opening my calendar for 2012 holiday bookings. If you need a professional touch for the first time or want to try a new designer for a change, please contact me to schedule a personal consultation. Booking dates are available beginning Monday, November 26th and running through Wednesday, December 19th, 2012. I would love to work with you to create an enchanting space for you as you entertain your family and friends in the 2012 holiday season!

Images | Design | Styling by Lauryl Lane for Denis LaVoie.

last thanksgiving

Last year, my husband and I flew to Cleveland, Ohio, to be with my maternal side of the family for the Thanksgiving holiday. My uncle/godfather hosted Thanksgiving Dinner at his elegant condominium home in a high-rise overlooking Lake Erie. Everything my Uncle puts his hand to is successful, and Thanksgiving Dinner was no exception.

As I posted yesterday about the Thanksgiving Dinner that I hosted at my new home in Denver, I realized that I never posted pictures from Thanksgiving Dinner last year, even though I was recruited to design the floral decor. Better late than never, right? ;-)

I created one very large mixed floral arrangement for the table, using assorted holiday greens, multi-colored roses, alstroemeria and wheat in a stunning silver and glass pedestal vessel.

I also added mini bud-vases down the center of the table with assorted roses and greenery. My uncle and his wife have very classic, sophisticated taste, and my designs were suited to the style of their home and the way they set the dinner table.

As is usual with family gatherings, my mother lent her hand to penning the place cards.

My cousin announced his engagement to his long-time girlfriend over this Thanksgiving dinner, and in September, we all joined them back in Cleveland for the wedding. Holidays and weddings: definitely a few of my favorite things!

Images | Floral Design | Styling by Lauryl Lane.

giving thanks

Whew! Has it really been a week since Thanksgiving? I had three visiting family members staying with me for nearly a week, so I'm still trying to get caught up on all the cleaning/laundry that ensues with houseguests. It was really wonderful though, to spend time with my mother and grandparents, and we had such a wonderful, relaxing time together.

We were joined by additional family members, for a total of eleven people around our Thanksgiving Dinner table. They came from Cleveland, Ohio; Tulsa, Oklahoma; Grand Junction and Colorado Springs, Colorado, and we were truly blessed that our family traveled from near and far to be with us on our first holiday in our new home city!

Although we are currently renting a small house, we didn't really have the space for eleven people. So we decided to get creative, and we actually served Thanksgiving dinner in our basement. The biggest room in our basement is long and narrow, and we have it divided into a den on one side and my office on the other, with a wall of curtains separating the spaces. So for Thanksgiving dinner, we moved the furniture to the edges of the room, pulled back the curtain, patched two tables together and covered them with a big tablecloth. We nabbed chairs from all over the house, not to mention the patio, so that we could provide a seat for every bottom. I was a little concerned that it would be too cold in the basement, or too unconventional, but nobody seemed to mind.

When you set a pretty table and ply people with good food and good booze... people tend to be very, very happy. ;-)

There wasn't much space on the table for decor, so I kept things simple with gold glittered trees, arrangements of holiday greens and gold roses, gold pinecone candlestick holders, and some assorted mini pumpkins.

My mother penned some placecards in her gorgeous handwriting, and provided her beautiful pressed-cookies as favors for each of our guests.

It was a lovely holiday. I hope your Thanksgiving was lovely, too. I think I should go eat some leftover pumpkin pie, now.

Images | Floral Design | Styling by Lauryl Lane.