Our family will actually celebrate Thanksgiving twice this year, both times hosted by our son and his wife at their charming country home. These photos are from “Shake It Up Thanksgiving” where we all tried new, adventuresome recipes that you might not be brave enough to try on traditional Thanksgiving. Lots of fun, low stress, family fun had by all!
Bulls eye flannel quilt made a perfect table cloth for appetizers and cocktails. Steve used his favorite Blenko pitcher as a vase for the maple leaves and hydrangeas.
Steve was inspired by the colorful foliage on the property that worked magically with Jill’s hand made quilt. Delectable focaccia, an assortment of cheeses accompanied the apple cider mimosas and martinis. We toasted our thankfulness for each other, work we love, and the sunny day.
Speaking of work, Steve had the pleasure of attending High Point Market this fall as a High Point Market authority style spotter this year. Take a look at his recap and trends here. Reach out if you’re ready to take your home to the next level.
Happy Thanksgiving to you and yours!
We’ll leave you with a close up of this stunning home-grown glass gem corn. Makes great popcorn too!
We all have folks in our life, who truly don’t need a thing. Yet you want to show them love and how much you enjoy having them in your world. Here are 5 consumable gifts they will enjoy using, thinking fondly of you every time. Consider what might be a bit of luxury for them, a treat, and indulge them this gift giving season.
This first one is a favorite of mine. The monthly arrival of a special magazine is a very thoughtful gift. You can tailor it to your recipient’s interests and they can enjoy the curated content, then pass it along to another friend. Double win!
Magazines are one of my favorite indulgences.
Paper is another savvy consumable gift. I love stationery, notepads, wrapping paper, greeting cards, etc. As happiness expert, Gretchen Rubin points out, we can be a bit of an under-buyer in this category. Maybe someone on your list would enjoy a being stocked up with personalized stationery or a pack of special greeting cards and stamps. Added bonus…support a local independent maker! Here’s a quick list of some of our favorite creative makers ~Thimblepress, Kat McCall Papers, Sara Fitz,
Notepads and jotters galore for 2021!
The gift of listening to music, a podcast, an audible book ranks high on the list of consumable gifts. Perhaps a gift of music & an Echo speaker, or Kindle Unlimited membership, or the gift of a podcast (also it’s free!) suits several folks on your gift list. One of my favorite podcasts is Gretchen Rubin’s Happiness Project! Take a listen here.
Count on Darlings Fine Things to have the best bath and beauty products. Luxurious treats for relaxing and taking care of oneself, like this Green Tea & Peony Bath Soak by Niven Morgan. Remember they will ship your gifts for you.
This therapeutic bath soak features lavender and mint.
No consumable gift list would be complete without food and beverage gifts. Is your gift recipient a tea or coffee lover? The talented team at Just Add Honey has many choices, including a gift certificate, for your tea aficionado. What about a handmade gift certificate for a tea-time together outing at their Beltline location?
parTEA in a box – sip at home kit from Just Add Honey
For gourmet treats, we’re stocking up on Schermer’s Pecans gift boxes. Perfect for teachers, tutors, and coaches alike. Salty or sweet? Why not both!?
Neighbors, teachers, friends alike will appreciate this tasty gift.
While the 2020 holidays look a bit different, let’s celebrate with our loved ones the best way we can. Remember to order early for best selection (supply chain kinks) and best shipping prices. Let us know some of your favorite consumable gifts on our Instagram and Facebook pages. Happy gifting!
Get ready for gift giving season now! To help out, we’ve rounded up 5 top gifts for her. You know, the ladies in your life, like your mom, your BFF, your sister, your sister-in-law, your aunts. You get the idea. According to consumer guru, Clark Howard, it’s more important than ever to shop early. Avoid higher shipping fees as the season merrily rolls along, and avoid possible out of stock issues due to the pandemic. This week also kicks off the shopping season with Amazon Prime Days and Target deals. If you’re not an Amazon prime member, take a look at the program details here.
Gift giving season is almost here.
Let’s make mask wearing a bit prettier and handier with this mask necklace from Lucy Inspired. Lucy is a talented jewelry maker, dear friend, and you might recognize her from “Beach Flip” on HGTV.
Genuine brown leather necklace with a cute vintage-style key charm
Since I’m wearing less lipstick these days, I’ve focused on my hands and nails. What lady wouldn’t love this London Butter Little Luxuries set? Four beautiful shades to match your holiday moods, and not something I would buy for myself. A thoughtful gift indeed!
We will travel again, even if it’s a car trip, and to celebrate that give her a new, shiny, pretty travel mug from NYC’s Effie’s Papers? Choose from any number of designs of these thermal double-walled mugs.
Tantalizing travel mugs by Effie’s Papers
Darlings Fine Things always has the best gifts! Natural stone necklaces, “Zara“, features a 30” antique gold plated chain. Available in (photo) Jasper, Snowflake Obsidian, Quartz, Green Aventurine, Rose Quartz, Dalmatian Jasper, Amethyst, Amazonite, Black Onyx.
Who doesn’t love a new necklace?
This stylish, hard working leather tote bag is a smart addition to any ladies wardrobe. It stands open upright so you can see what’s in there, holds a 13″ laptop and tons more, and it is easy to clean. Lots of fashion colors to choose from too!
Simple, classic style, this leather tote is a thoughtful gift.
Make your list, check it twice and happy shopping! Next up, gift guide for grandchildren and a gift guide of consumable (gifts that get used up) gifts. Cheers!
Our collection of over 40 vintage turkeys sets the mood for November
As November comes to a close, we’re grateful for being part of so many homes, near and far. Whether Steve has had the privilege of enhancing your home’s interior or exterior design, or perhaps you’ve added a piece of his art to your walls, or given a chair a facelift with his fabric, know we are truly grateful for your trust in us and our team at McKenzie Design.
McKenzie Design is now taking clients for early 2020. Contact us for a complimentary consultation. Photo credit: Gustav Wilde
Wherever you are, enjoy your time with family and friends this Thanksgiving.
Fall is here so let’s embrace pumpkin spice everything, and get ready for the holidays!
We’re so pleased to once again partner with the talented Shelly Dozier-McKee on Saturday, Oct. 20th for an inspiring class, How to Style Your Bookshelves, to be held at Verde Home.
Space is limited, so click here to get your tickets right away.
Learn tips from a pro!
Next up is the venerable NMP Gift Show (Northside Methodist Preschool), held every November in Atlanta featuring a curated selection of original art and gifts from talented local artists. Artist and interior designer, Steve McKenzie will be there for the third year in a row with his fine art prints, original art, greeting cards, pillows and home decor featuring his iconic fabrics. Mark your calendar for opening night Nov. 8th, Nov. 9th and 10th. Admission is only $5 with proceeds benefitting the preschool scholarship fund.
NMP Holiday Gift Show Nov. 8th – 10th
Get your holiday spirit on with our friend Shelly Dozier-McKee (Did you know she was runner up in a 3M gift wrapping contest??) for the Creative Gift Wrap class on Saturday, Dec. 1st at Verde Home. Last year, the guests all applauded her! Again, tickets are selling quickly, so click here to get yours.
Add something special to your gifts this year!
It’s time to make our own memories this fall and holiday season!
We’ll see you soon~follow us on Instagram for behind-the-scenes snippets and specials too!
I don’t know about you, but gift giving stresses me. I agonize over what to give a loved one. Will they like it? Will it be in the way and not loved? I’ve found 5 winning solutions – subscription boxes that take the headache out of gift giving and make you a hero all year long!
Enjoy the occasion with these subscription box gift ideas – no stress!
It’s simple really, think about what your friend enjoys – coffee, beauty products, fishing – and I bet there’s a subscription box for just about every category. These gift boxes usually contain a curated selection of exclusive and/or unusual items. Here’s a quick list of five proven winners
Suthinstyle Box– a quarterly subscription for women filled with fashion, food and finer things made in and inspired by the South. Curated by the stylish Ashley Stamoulis, who calls her boxes “her love letters to the South”. Membership plans range from seasonal to annual and your mom, sister, mil (mother-in-law), sil (sister-in-law) will be thrilled!
Founder Ashley Stamoulis and her fabulous pink SuthinGirl box
A sampling of all the goodies in the spring box
Darlings Fine Things– Known for their wide range of beauty products, fashion and shoes, Darlings Fine Things has hand-picked a selection of goodies for $35 per month. Personally I can’t wait to try my Michael Marcus Eye Gel! Again, perfectly geared to the women in your life…
Darlings Fine Things Box Full of Wonderful
MistoBox Coffee Subscription – After polling my Facebook group of savvy Atlanta-Decatur women, this coffee company rose to the top of the crema. For our NYC daughter and sil (son-in-law), space is at a premium. So I’m very aware of not adding to their home. The solution? A six-month subscription of craft coffees! They savored all the different coffees, from six different makers! Once they received their MistoBox coffee subscription, they were matched with a coffee curator – a coffee expert who learned the kinds of coffee they liked and sent them coffee based on their preferences.
A sampling of craft coffees
Next, one of my favorite gifts to give and receive, BOOKS! My dear friend, talented businesswoman and writer, Jill Niehaus Miner, owns a thriving, independent bookstore, Saturn Booksellers. Did I mention that she was awarded the Michigan Small Retailer of the Year award? Not a small feat these days. I could go on and on bragging about Jill and her team but let’s talk about their Monthly Book subscriptions for adults, teens, young readers and the grandbaby board books. It’s very simple. Choose your recipient’s age and Saturn Booksellers takes care of the shipping. Your loved one gets a book from you, every month. It’s a win-win! Also, do yourself a favor and sign up for their emails on book recommendations. You’ll be in the know with new releases and more.
It’s never too early for a family read aloud session as our son in law, Jim and daughter Molly, read to our sweet granddaughter, Amelia May.
Let me know what you think of these gift options, and I hope these suggestions will make your gift giving occasions less stressful and more enjoyable! That’s what it’s all about, enjoying time together with friends and family.
Merry Christmas dear friends, family, clients, customers and team members!! We wish you the happiest holiday and pray you spend the day with your loved ones, enjoying this special time together.
And don’t forget, take a minute to put your feet up, relax and be IN the moment…
Let’s not panic! We have Christmas gift ideas for everyone, so make your list, check it twice, and shop local where we’ll gift wrap for you, feed you cookies and you can relax by petting, Duke, our shop dog. Find more ideas here.
Not only do we have college football and basketball games (Go Butler Bulldogs!) to look forward to this winter, but our family looks forward to board games together. As our kids are young adults now, it’s the season to gather round the table for some game time.
Steve and I took up backgammon this year and love it. Keeps us unplugged and thinking strategically about the next move. Perhaps this would be a welcome gift for someone on your list?
Here is one of the hottest new games, have you played Catan? Looking forward to learning this interactive game of settlers with our adult kids.
Another fun intergenerational family activity is a puzzle. Many folks leave one out on a table so family and friends can stop and work on it a bit at a time.
Georgia State Puzzle – 500 pieces for ages 10 and up
Game time calls for crunch snacks. This Asian-inspired snack mix from Cooking Light looks like just the right recipe to share over your next game.
Photo credit: Jennifer Causey
Thank you for letting us share our thoughts as we make plans to create special memories together. That’s what this is all about, right? And let’s keep it easy, unplugged and authentic. Tell us what your family does to have fun together.
The turkey leftovers are history and holiday decorations are center stage. That means time with friends and family. Have you been meaning to gussy up the guest room? Liven up the living room? There’s plenty of time to add some special pieces, just in time for your upcoming gatherings with friends and family.
Boho chic wall hanging
Orbit MIrror
Ayo Mirror by Justina Blakeney
Curly Swirls Candelabra
If you need a professional hand with paint choice, art placement or furniture/accessories selection, contact McKenzie Interior Design today to schedule your consultation. Learn more about our award-winning projects here.
