WELCOME to CAROLINA PANACHE! I believe our homes should be a haven, a place of beauty and peace that reflect who we are and what's important to us. I'm on a journey to add personality and panache to every corner of my house. For me, good design evolves, grows and changes with the needs of one's lifestyle. I want my home to be creative, to be stylish, to be entertaining, to be real. I hope you will join me on my journey. It's always more fun to travel together.
This blog is all about bringing style and elegance to the home. The art of dressing your home goes beyond hanging a few items on the wall and arranging furniture. Much like a fabulous set of earrings or a new stylish handbag may take your little black dress from fine to fabulous, home accesories and key furnishings can take your rooms from ho-hum to singing the Halleluiah Chorus! Join with me as we discover new ways to add panache to every room of the house.

So Much to be Thankful for!

HAPPY THANKSGIVING! (a day late!)
I hope you all had a wonderful Thanksgiving and that you were able to be with the people you love the most. I hosted the holiday at my house this year. My brothers and their wives and children came down and have been visiting. We've had a good time catching up. It's so important to be thankful for family and love on one another while you can!
I've been traveling lately so I haven't had the opportunity to share alot of what is going on in my corner of NC but it's beginning to look alot like Christmas around town and around my house. I will flying out to Chicago on Sunday for the week but once I return I will have lots and lots of pictures to share with you...
A Christmas Tea on December 5th
A Holiday Decor extravaganza on December 10th
A Holiday Home Tour on December 14th
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On another note, please continue to pray for my dearest and best friend - Bella Mella - and her son Andrew who has been diagnosed with Stage 4 brain cancer. We are believing for a miracle because the Doctors have offered no other hope. BUT GOD!
To read more about this precious boy and this family's walk through the fire, visit BellaMella.
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Until I see you again,
Live Life Beautifully!
~Alisa ;-)

Peppermint Twist and other delightful tablewares at a discount

It's that time of year when decking the halls and walls and tabletops are on us ladies' to do list!
Making spirits bright is as simple as doing that little something special that let's our family and friends know we love them and they matter. I especially like to set my table with pretty dishes and serving pieces all throughout the holiday season. That's why I was so excited about my Celebrating HOME Christmas collection this year. I want to highlight some of our new pieces and to make a special offer to all of my Readers.The festive design and generous size of our handpainted dinnerware will create instant holiday dazzle...with a twist; Peppermint Twist that is. Each piece is diswasher, oven and microwave safe! Pictured above are the Peppermint Twist mugs and dessert plates. Many of you know that I use mainly white dinner plates in my tablescapes. So adding this pretty red, white and green dessert plate as an accent is the perfect touch to add holiday whimsy to my tabletop. Mixing and matching with other red or green dishes is also an option or used alone these cute plates add holiday panache to cake and coffee! The matching mugs are perfect for hot chocolate, coffee, tea or spiced cider. I will even use them as gifts for teachers and neighbors. Simply package them with packets of hot chocolate or flavored teas and coffee for a great, affordable gift that will brighten someone's day.
The matching bowl is shaped with a convenient little handle and will be a favorite for offering up warm soups and stews during the cold months of winter.
As part of my Exclusive Customer Offers for readers of this blog only, you can order directly from me any of these delightful tablewares and have them shipped directly to your home address. As a reader of this blog you will receive a 20% discount plus FREE shipping if you order by November 24th.



Peppermint Twist Dessert Plates
8" plates
Set of 2, Item #93266
Regular: $20/set
Blogger Sale: $16/set
Peppermint Twist Medium Bowl
Set of 2, Item # 93267
Regular: $24.00/set
Blogger Sale: $19.20/set


Peppermint Twist Mugs
Set of 2
Regular: $20/set
Blogger Sale: $16/set

Another fun and flexible tabletop accessory is this set of Whimsical Santas. Display them anywhere you want to add a little holiday color and cheer. These cute little guys are made of resin and are 3 1/2" x 4" each. Two sets would give you enough Santas to set one at each tablesetting for a table serving six. If you really want to get creative, take a fine point, black paint pen and write names or initials on each one and use them as placecards! The options are endless!
Whimsical Santas
Set of 3, Item #45052
Regular: $16/set
Blogger Sale: $12.80/set
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To order simply email oopsadaisync@aol.com or leave a comment for me to contact you via your blog. Most orders ship within 2-3 business days. To see more of my Celebrating HOME season product line go to www.celebratinghome.com/sites/AlisasHomeAccents
For more simply joyful ways to decorate your hearts, hearths and homes this holiday season, visit often as I bring our family's Colors of CHRISTmas to you.
Until I see you again,
Live Life Beautifully!
~Alisa




"...later on we'll conspire as we dream by the fire..."

Okay ladies, we've only got 42 Days and counting!
Are you getting ready for the two biggest holidays of the year? I am! I've been cleaning, moving furniture, planning decorations and menus. I have a big CHRISTmas design show in two weeks and I've been getting ready designing wreaths, garlands, centerpieces and tabletop decor. SOOOOO busy has been my middle name!
Do you like to change up your decor each year or do you like the tried and true?
Some things like the kid's stocking being hung on the mantel are a given. A grand nativity displayed in the entry is another given. But beyond that I constantly look for new, fresh ways to decorate each room of a house.
In the pictures that follow you will see a collection of rooms from my "Inspired Me" file. Each one features a fireplace mantel - some are in living rooms, dining rooms, and bedrooms. I think it's fun to browse photos for new updates on this iconic home feature.
What do you do if you don't have a fireplace mantel?
Try the same treatment on a long shelf or the top of a hutch!
What inspired me in this photo was the use of fresh seasonal fruits nestled among the lush greens of the garland. I also liked the way the garland was draped below the mantel as well as on top of the mantel shelf.
In this photo the designer used a simple mix of evergreen, pinecones and red berries. It is not a complicated or fussy treatment but the wow factor is great because of the gorgeous wreath hung on top of the gilded mirror. The bright red bow adds a touch of festive color and complements the red roses of the centerpiece.

I don't use very much blue in my holiday decor. Mainly because I don't have very many rooms decorated in this color. However, when I saw this picture I stopped cold. The wintery scene in the oil painting is perfect with the understated mantel garland. The addition of the silver finials and blue ornaments bring the perfect balance to the grouping.

Here is a sweet and soft look. A simple evergreen garland hung below the shelf leaves plenty of room to display candles and family photos in pretty gold frames. What a dreamy little getaway. I could dream away hours during the holiday season in this cozy little room.

I love this look. It doesn't fit in my house anywhere but the sparse evergreen twigs and single stocking hung by the fire is understated elegance at its best.

You just can't go wrong with magnolia leaves woven into a generous garland.

Bright Red Ribbon and Amaryllis blooms make quite a pair against the soft green of this wall and surround.
Pineapples have long been the symbol of hospitality. Here, a sweet pair graces the ends of this mantel with just the right touch.

A rich and masculine library wouldn't be complete without a blazing fire. The bare tree branches painted gold and displayed on either side of the photo resembles antlers to me.

An all natural treatment is perfect for this cottage look. The varied textures keep the minimal color palette looking fresh and interesting.

This room is so warm and inviting. The warm red and gold color scheme is perfect for the holidays. I love the garland draped over the mirror.

Another warm and inviting room. The mantel decor is simple but beautiful. I love the use of white magnolias.
This elegant dining room is a show stopper! The grand fireplace is framed in a generous evergreen and magnolia leaf garland.
The white starfish add coastal whimsy to this modern room. Decorating with accessories or items that are native to your area makes Christmas Coast to Coast unique and inspiring.

Our last photo is from a rustic, log home in the mountains. Stockings galore is what caught my eye! The thick, colorful mantel garland is generous but not fussy. I love it!
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Hope you've had fun browsing some of the mantels that have inspired me. I am hoping to have all of my decorating complete before Thanksgiving. Rhoda over at Southern Hospitality is hosting a Christmas Home Tour on December 10th. Mark your calendars and join the fun! In the meanwhile visit often to check out our Colors of Christmas. To view last year's colors go to Colors of Christmas.
Until I see you again,
Live Life Beautifully!
~Alisa













CHRISTmas Countdown!

Today marks the 46th day until CHRISTmas!
So my holiday countdown is officially on!
I am spending the day packing away the pumpkins and harvest decor and making room for CHRISTmas cheer! I usually start my holiday decorating with the mantel in our family room. Last year I bought these two large metal ANGELS and displayed them on either side. The walls in my family room are a soft mossy green. I used a palette of gold, green, white and brown. It was so fresh and different from my usual red and green. I plan to use the same colors this year but want to change up the look a bit. I found this picture at bhg.com. I love the stars that are hung from clear fishing line to dangle above the mantel. The clear glass vessels make pretty showcases for bright red cranberries and white candles. I'm on the lookout for some stars like these. Anyone have an idea of where I might find them?
Here's another look that I am considering - much more formal but I already have several mercury glass CHRISTmas trees that I could display among a lush evergreen garland. I love the floral swag and red ribbon that are off to one side of the gold mirror. It would be easy to pull this look together with items I already have on hand.

Another project that is in the works is a tablescape that my friend Ann and I are doing for a ladies CHRISTmas Tea. Each year CALVARY Church in Charlotte hosts this wonderful event. We have the honor of designing a table this year. Ann moved to this area from NJ's coast and I moved here from FL's Gulf Coast. So without any reservation, we agreed that our tablescape would be a coastal theme. In the past I've seen all white coastal themed tables and aqua and white. I found this photo online and just fell in love with the coral colors and texture of this table. I don't know if we will recreate this look or go with cooler blues but the Tea is on December 5th so visit on the 7th and I will have pictures posted.

If all goes as planned I'm hosting Thanksgiving at my house this year. My brothers from WV and OH are planning to visit and with Mom and Dad here now, it will be a wonderful reunion of family. This will be the first Thanksgiving I've hosted at my house in many years. While we lived in Florida, we would go to my sister-in-law's in Seminole or we would travel back north to visit with family. Since we won't be together at CHRISTmas, I've decided to have my holiday decor in place so we can have our family tree lighting ceremony after Thanksgiving dinner.
I just love the holidays - faith, family and friends! I hope you will visit often over the next 46 days as I share our family's Colors of CHRISTmas!
Until I see you again,
Live Life Beautifully!
~Alisa






With a grateful heart...

Can you believe it's November already?
Where has this year gone? I'm not sure about you but I feel that I've been on a roller coaster ride since last January! If I started to recount all that has changed, all that has happened, all that we've gone through and all that we've learned; I don't think anyone would stay seated long enough to read this post! Days without number seem to pass me by and all that I want to accomplish never seems to be accomplished. But amid all of the hussle and bussle of my life, the ups and downs, twists and turns it is with a grateful heart that I post today's blog. We have SO much to be thankful for and this year more than any other I can remember, I am making a conscience choice to be thankful in all things! No, not just give the thought of gratitude lip service but rather heart service. God has brought me through some trying times, He's tested my faith and taught me to walk by faith and not by sight. When things couldn't have gotten worse or so it seemed, they did. When I couldn't go on or so it seemed, I did. When life seemed to hard and my strength so weak, God proved faithful. So, today with a grateful heart I count my blessings, numbering them one by one. I'm looking forward to this holiday season, knowing that the abundance of my life comes from above, from the One who made heaven and earth. I hope that you have a blessed day and take time to give thanks with a grateful heart. Love on your kids and grandkids. Shower your spouse with special care or gestures. Bake some cookies for your neighbor or surprise a stranger with a random act of kindness. Whatever you do, do it with a generous spirit and a heart of love and gratitude. Two years ago, we celebrated Thanksgiving at home. Just the four of us. Usually I deck the dining room in the gloroious colors of Autumn but in this setting I chose to use a pure white palette of Ivory dinnerware, white linen and lace and white ceramic pumpkins.
I called it "Pure Thanks". I name my tablescapes. That's probably weird but I've been doing it for so long that it seems weird to me not to give each creation a name.

The only color was the green and brown of the fresh magnolia leaves scattered and woven around the accessories.

While still living in Florida, I found the white, ceramic, Tom Turkey centerpiece at Marshall's in 2005 right before the holidays. I've displayed him each year since either on the dining table or a nearby tabletop.

Ivory candles and crystal goblets provided all the shimmer and shine required to set this table aglow.

Tomorrow I start pulling out the Christmas decorations and getting ready for this year's Colors of Christmas. I hope to give you a weekly countdown, as I did last year of our quest to bring holiday cheer to each and every room of our home. I hope you will stop by for frequent visits.
Until I see you again,
Live Life Beautifully!
~Alisa






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