Saturday, December 19, 2015

AMSTERDAM CHRISTMAS AT THE CASA

 
Well well well, not long till Christmas now! Are you all bejeweled for the holidays??? Two weeks ago, I finally bedecked the Casa du Borghese with my finery, and unlike my friend the Dame, I'm much more simple. Of course, as a regular reader will tell you, Amsterdam Red, as in the Red Light Distict, is my primary color, and upon visiting Amsterdam in 2014, now it is so much more appropriate. The last couple years though, I have started infusing other colors, but RED, JUST SCREAMS YOUR MISTRESS!!!
 
As usual the lights can be packed up neatly every year, yet they come out a mess.
but the job managed to get done. In the living room, where my Shiny Brite balls can be seen....
One of my treasured ornaments is this cherub head which was a gift from a dear friend. It once hung on the trees in Philadelphia's Wanamaker's Department store, from way before my time. When they were taken over, he worked visual for the new company who was just tossing the old décor. SACRILEGE I SAY!!!! It's nice to have a part of the stores history.
Other touches that abound....
In the birdcage this year I filled it with HUGE sugar cones, and trimmed with pine and red berries, and what else....birds!!! Cardinals can be found through out the Casa this year. Next to the cage are vintage candle bubble lights. How old are those???
It's also very important for me to place out my treasured Christmas Pyramid. They are a big part of my families decorating traditions. It is unknown when they originated, but it is thought as early as the 1500s from the Erzgebirge region in Germany. This is one of two I have, a gift from the aunt and uncle, and treasure it.
In the kitchen, the jars were all filled with balls, and a cute little tree I enjoy are on the island...
The bar is ready...
and open!!!!!
 Below are very old mini bottle brush trees that were my grandmothers with a little deer in a bell cover and a cute little tree ornament, sitting in front of a Arborvitae tree
More BALLS!!!! The little ornament next to that is from a friend, who brought it back  from a trip to Russia.
Some evenings, I enjoy a quiet dinner in my bird watching corner...
Some scenes from the boudoir. Get your mind out of the gutter people....
I have a soft spot for this tree!
Even Buck is in the spirit!!!!
I do love a bowl filled with balls!
Speaking of balls, there are even some in the bathroom!!!
No red in here, just blue. And the only blue balls in the Casa. The vintage tinsel branches, yet another gift from the Dame.
 
And no holiday would be complete with my favorite cartoon character...and just for new blog friend, Fearsome Beard...WOODSTOCK!!!! From my mother. Next to a picture of yours truly with my dear grandmother.
 
It's nice to come home, have a cock-a-tail, and relax with the houseboys and take the finery in. And as you can imagine, after the holidays...I'm ready to hibernate.

74 comments:

  1. It's madness. Spectacular and lovely madness.

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  2. Hold on there missy! I am looking at that one picture of you, enslaved by the Christmas lights of yore, and you are showing a *thick* ridge in your jeans. I went right back and looked at it again, and there it is, your package and thick ridge line of the glands of your man parts. Yes, I know what I want to unwrap...

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    1. Your mean you haven't seen his tree topper yet???

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    2. I thought the same thing. Is this where the Amsterdam show part comes in? ...crosses fingers....

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    3. The next window performance it's till Tuesday!!!

      @ Cookie- There is actually a sign- Do Not Let Out till Christmas.

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    4. Thank goodness for thick ridge lines!!!!

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    5. Simply captivating!!!!

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    6. you haven't seen a thing till you see it in a square cut in P-town.

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  3. Yes, all glorious decor for the holidays! I love your comfy home. There is some serious ball porn for sure.

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    1. Wait till I put one in the corner pocket.

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  4. Your tree and all of the special Christmasy touches are beautiful! I spent a good part of yesterday trying to get our tree straight...finally tied it up to a ceiling, and am seriously considering going faux next year. We would have ages ago, but we so love the smell of fresh pine. Love all the birds about too,wink!

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  5. We haven't met, but when I see the things you do, for some reason it makes me want to give you a hug (and I'm not a fan of hugging).

    mrpeenee is bang on with his 'spectacular and lovely' - and I'd like to add warm, so very, very warm.

    I'm fascinated by your Christmas Pyramid, bottle brush trees (I guess you probably knew I'd like the trees) and of course, Woodstock. Also pleased to know there are no other blue balls around your abode.

    Wondering as well, do you have the arrow pointing at your decidedly classy bar so that you know where it is after you've had a few?

    Great job, my friend. You are a wonderful man and so generous to share your home, adventures and warmth.

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    1. Thomass, what a heart felt comment!!! Yes the arrow does point to the bar for reasons you mentioned. You have figured me out. Your are such a warm person yourself. Thanks for stopping by. XOXO

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  6. Never mind the bulge and the gorgeous balls - unless I am very much mistaken (and assuming your grandmother didn't have a beard), do I spot the very first face pic of you ever on this blog..? Jx

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    1. I had to zoom in for a look see myself. What an adorable lad.

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    2. Why yes dear, it is one of the few on here! But not that I haven't been a beard before.

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  7. Every year your place is some traditional with a natural comfy feel....yet so chic, but my favorite has got to be Buck. Your humor comes out there.

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  8. There’s nothing like pulling out your treasured ornaments and decorating your tree. Yours is beautiful! Thanks for sharing a little bit of your home with us this Christmas.

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  9. I absolutely love what you did with the place! I love your tree and the story of the cherub head from Wanamaker's. Something to treasure for sure. I also love the apothecary jars and the vintage ornaments in the bowls. You certainly have a very warm home and whether you like it or not, your warm personality comes through. This isn't even my blog, but Thomass's words made me teary eyed. It's hell getting old. BEAUTIFUL tour Mistress. *heads off to the bar*

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    1. I thought the same thing when I read it. He is quite an artist in many ways.

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  10. What a cool, chic inviting abode. I love the little tree in the bedroom. And the big one looks long and slender, but enough about your junk!!! Seriously looks very beautiful.

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    1. Smooth operator you, I bet you say that to all the guys.

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  11. I love your tree……and all the balls and other ornaments are great, but I love trees filled with memories. Your apartment is looking great!! The jar with the little bottle brush trees is so cute. And don't you look handsome in your cable knit sweater. Kisses!

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  12. Lovely post, I love your Amsterdam theme... and glad to see you are using vintage and ornaments with memories. A friend of mine said she threw out all her ornaments in order to make a theme tree. I was a bit not in agreement with that as I love the ornaments that have tradition with them. It is what Christmas is all about. Have a great holiday you strapping thing you!

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    1. I could never understand just getting rid of ornaments like that. There family heirlooms. Theme trees are great if your starting out, without anything. But I like the memories too.

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  13. LOVE THE RED! And if it is Amsterdam, just that mean you'll be dropping trowel, and giving a window show with your hidden gems?

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    1. I do have a new routine I dying to show.

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  14. red is a power color. and I see the lights are hanging to the right this year! I remember those wannamaker heads...

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    1. It's always nice to change things up!!!

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  15. So festive- love the special details! I love all the jars and the little birds all over. The little bird with pine is so cute.

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  16. Love your Christmas tree and all the decorating. These are the things that make it stylish and special, not “decorated". I always enjoy see what you will do every year. And I love your use of the cabinet as a bar.

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    1. I love the cabinet too. One of the best steals I ever got.

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  17. So beautiful and comfy.....and the Woodstock is a cute welcome improvement over the Elf on Shelf!

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  18. very colorful and christmas-y. The Engineer bought a poinsettia today, a cute little one for the kitchen table. :-)

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  19. Love the old-fashioned Christmas decorations, wonderful reflections of the olden days. I love all your lovely touches. I this year filled bowls and jars with balls and love the look.

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  20. What a welcoming home.Great decorations dahhling! particulary the trees. I love the little tress and the deer head. I always enjoy the jars. I sure wish I met when you were here.

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  21. Merry Christmas Mistress!!Your apartment, tree and jeans look fantastic!!! I love the miniature tree in the bedroom with the deer head...how fun.

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  22. Beautimus!! My new word!

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  23. if you hadn't placed the light right
    by your cock i never(ahem) would have noticed it.

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    1. He hate to disappoint you Norma. Can I get you a stiff one?

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  24. You've created a perfectly elegant and enchanting holiday atmosphere - I love the intriguingly romantic warm glow.

    ...and I wouldn't mind lighting your Christmas tree....(sorry, I couldn't resist).

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    1. Thank you Jon for your comment. I love help lighting my Christmas tree...blushing....

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  25. I love what you did with the Casa. Now we need to know what music you're playing to go with all of those decorations.

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    1. darling, it is almost always the oldies...Ray Conniff, The Christy Minstrels, and the like

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  26. Looks wonderful, great balls

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    1. Welcome and thanks for stopping in!!!!

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  27. I just love how you fill your apothecary jars and bell covers. They always look so beautiful!

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    1. Sorry about that, they have a mind of their own.

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  29. Easy and chic your place is. I can’t even get my act together to finish decorating my apartment!

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  30. These are fabulous images! I just love that bedroom, the deer head is very fun. Love your humor. it is styled so beautifully. And how many homes have a arrow pointing to the bar!!!

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  31. What beautiful Christmas décor, simple and easy. I especially like your tree topper!!!!!!

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  32. Thank you for such gorgeousness! I would love to visit, take in the décor and have a drink! So warm.

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  33. Your decorating puts mine to shame, Mistress!

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    1. Is it because your not good with balls? We could both teach some decorating tips.

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  34. Such beauty! Ball make everything fabulous. Tie them up all shiny bright or just let them hang. Red sets the mood. All of which makes me want to unwrap packages and curl up with a warm and fuzzy Woodstock. Whew! Thank you Mistress!

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    1. Thank you Fearsome! "want to unwrap packages and curl up with a warm and fuzzy Woodstock." You boys are making me blush today!

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  35. THANK YOU TO everyone for your kind and warm comments! I do love this time of year. Hope all your holiday season is going well.

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  36. Your place is so festive and what a beautiful apartment! When I was there is was very inviting. And every inch of "it" is magic!

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  37. Heavenly….wish I were in the right place. Hehe

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  38. WOW! That’s Christmas feeling! I especially like all the whimsy. You have talent my friend

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  39. You definitely have a nice touch! I would like to explore a few things in the pictures, one in particular.

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  40. Oh la la…I wouldn't mind a visit for certain too!!! I love the bold reds everywhere as pops of color—something Vreeland would have loved!!! And the compote on your coffee table is so beautiful.

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  41. I see your finery and cock have caused quite a bit of chatter.

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  42. If someone is not in the mood for the holidays, after seeing your place they will be. It's always so nice too see every year. Love the Amsterdam Red,lol!!!!

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  43. You always do such a fabulous job on decorating the casa. It instantly makes me feel like I would completely comfortable in your home. It's very warm, friendly, inviting, and all around goodness. Thank you for sharing your home with us. (Not to mention you always give me wonderful ideas. I have to get me some apothecary jars and a birdcage now...so versatile!)

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    1. What a lovely compliment Amanda. I always enjoy your visits. And yes, a birdcage is very versatile.

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  44. Red is such a glamorous neutral in my opinion.

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  45. I especially like the cardinal decorations. I may add a cardinal ornament to the tree next year.

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    1. I used to have just a small tree with a few cardinals on it. it was very quaint. But then I adore a good bird.

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  46. Thank you again everybody!!! Your comments have warmed my cockels!

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Go ahead darling, tell me something fabulous!