Black-eyed Peas = Good Luck and Prosperity

This is a favor idea I cut from a Real Simple magazine (January 2008) a few years ago.

While trying to de-junk my stuff this year I found this again, scanned it for safe keeping, and tossed the paper clipping.  De-junking is an on going project for me.  It's hard though, because at the same time I keep stuffing new or different stuff away.

I thought this would be a good thing to consider around this time of year.  We only have a few more days before our new year begins.
Let's finish this one strong and be prepared to begin the next year even stronger.

 

 

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What do you know about black-eyed peas?

 I checked it out.

 

pauladeen.com offers this and more, including recipes:

 

Why does Paula eat one black-eyed pea for each day of the New Year? We Southerners know that eating black-eyed peas ensures good luck and prosperity throughout the upcoming year.

 

A coin in the pot promises extra fortune to the one who finds it in his scoop of peas. And a penny is often put under each bowl of peas to boost the luck potential.

 

Legend tells us also that black-eyed peas became a lucky dish during the Civil War. Union soldiers near the town of Vicksburg, Va. burned all crops except the peas; thinking they were animal feed, the soldiers did not bother them. Residents discovered that the legume was the only thing left to eat; they adapted it into their diet, and black-eyed peas were therefore considered the food of good fortune.

 

Today, people wouldn’t dream of starting off their year without a good luck pot of black-eyed peas.

 

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I found info and some recipes at Southern Living, Wikipedia and at Aggie Horticulture.

 

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Here is another paper I filed away - more beans - from a page out of a Rachael Ray magazine (don't know the date).

 

 

 

Sliced Wood Chargers

 

Would anyone like a slice of wood?

I would!

This woodsy look from Wedding Chicks - would make a wonderful fall / Thanksgiving setting.

The clear plates over the wood slice is a great look.

I love the squash too.

 

 

Yarn Ball Decor ... Fun!

 

Lovin' this look from Inspired by This

Great table setting! 

 

yarn balls bunched above the table 

 

yarn balls in ... um ... old sinks ... right? 

 

 

 

 

Centerpieces with Photos

Go Frameless!

This is a fun way to display photos, especially for centerpieces or show cases at a wedding, anniversary party, or family reunion.   Show off the special couple or other special people in our lives.

Candle stick photo holders - From One Charming Party

(Note: I also love the color of these pumpkins and the look all together)

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Painted Bottle Photo Holders in whatever color you choose  - From Eighteen25





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The bottle displays could also be the yarn or twine wrapped look, like these from Wed Loft

imagine a cork in these displaying a photo. 

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This from Make and Takes shows us how it might look with clothes pins on dowels stuck into flower arrangements. 

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This isn't for a table display, but it's a fun look

Hanger Photo Hanger ;) - From Rustic Crafts

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Boho Chic

The bohemian look seems to me, to be a mix of gypsy, hippie, and middle eastern/India style. It has a touch of oriental too. It is a relaxed earthy look and feel. It's all things bright and beautiful..., naturally.

Bohemian or Boho Chic is such a colorful and dramatic style, at least in decorating.  It seems that in clothing it might be more of the neutral shades - it's earth tone, free, loose, and natural.

Here are a couple of my favorites -

From Green Wedding Shoes

(notice how they mix and match the colors, textures, and styles)

and We Heart It



and this one, from here, almost includes an American Indian look.

The definition of Bohemian or Boho might sound a bit hard...

"... a shortened form of bohemian, meaning someone who doesn’t conform to society and is often focused on art."  (definition here)

When it comes right down to it, I guess I'm not conforming to society by thinking that I have to follow the exact decorating rules, or the exact wedding announcement rules, etc.  Who's idea was that anyway to use only certain styles or certain words, etc.

I like the last part of the definition - "focused on art".  I do believe the boho look is "art felt" and "heart felt". 

It says what the creator wants to say.  That's good enough for me.

I like that idea! There are some times that we must conform (like with our morals), but in decorating I think the boho definition fits perfectly, no matter what look you want.  Create the look you love!

Here is another definition -

"Someone who tries to live by the ideals of truth, freedom, love, and all those beautiful-sounding concepts.
Someone who kinda does their own thing and as a consequence has a kinda weird fashion sense." (found here)

I kind of like that definition?!?!?!? (well, maybe not the weird part)

Another definition - I "bolded" the part I like most, and crossed out the part that is not acceptable to me.  (I'm really not conforming here ;) ... ah oh!  maybe I'm more bohemian than I thought.)

"somebody who leads an alternative lifestyle, they are not hippies because they can have an extremely wide range of different tastes in music, fashion, art, literature etc they are usually very creative people. they are above all optimists, even if they can be very cynical too(it does make sense...sort of). they like wearing a mixture of weird clothes and mix different fashions together just for the heck of it. they like weed. generally very laid back and relaxed." (from here)

This may be one of my favorite definitions I have found -

"In the fashion world, bohemian, or boho, refers to a a state of mind regarding fashion that is individual, romantic, and free-spirited. This style is often called hippie-chic, or even hobo-chic." (from wikihow)

So, having said ALL that - this post is about the decorating part of the bohemian lifestyle - and the decorating part, in this post, is in reference to decorating for a wedding or special event.

(Info Overload - there is more info at the end of this post.)

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I've put together some photos that speak Bohemian to me. 

Boho is at it's best when it includes flowers, blankets, pillows and poufs. It is great with flowing fabric and tapestries, canopy or tent style backdrops, hanging lanterns, and glistening glass and gold.

from 100 Layer cake

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Great boho looking poufs from here

or this from here

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Backdrop, poufs and pillows from Weddbook,

also the headband, the guitar, and the vases, the sphere hanging in the center, drift wood, etc. all say bohemian to me.  This seemed familiar to me, that's because I've shown this before, here.
This is the laid back and relaxed look and feel of boho.

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I found the info and photos at Inked Weddings very informative and just what I expect when I think Bohemian.  A few of the photos on this post are also in that site.

Boho is a gorgeous mix of bright jewel tone colors and beautiful metals. Love the gold, but it's not limited to only gold, additions of silver and brass here and there, even some black metal and rustic metal make the look lovely too. Just look at these lovely flowers, and awesome hanging décor.

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Color and nature, glass and metals - it's all here -

from United With Love

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 Boho is beautiful flowers, thistle blossoms, and other natural elements like rose hips and seed pods. And don't forget the foods like peaches, figs, pomegranates, oranges, lemons, etc.

Nature is used in a wonderful way for this boho look from The Sweetest Occasion

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 Have you noticed the candles, lights, and lanterns - tea lights galore?  They are a boho look. 

Shiny metals, candles, bright flowers, from Elegant Wedding

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Color, wood, metal, glass, votives, and flowers from Every Last Detail

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Lanterns and color and table décor from Inspired By This

I love assorted things (glasses, plates, chairs, lanterns, etc. Maybe that's why I like bohemian so much.)

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There was even a camel with this lovely look at

Inspired By This.  These colors are more neutral, with a bold pop of color in the flowers. It's so relaxing!

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Food and a great assortment of nature combine for a boho refreshment table found at Green Wedding Shoes

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Hanging décor, pillows / poufs, guitar, flowers, glass, shiny and rustic metals - all together a great combo - from 100 Layer Cake

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Earthy assortment of flowers from Wedding Bee

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Boho is beads and glass like this jar from  

Dishfunctional Designs - they do boho, check out their Bohemian and Boho posts.

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I've shown this before(here), but here it is again, from Green Wedding Shoes.  I think this backdrop is a lovely look. The head band is boho for sure.

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Flowers in the hair are often considered bohemian, but they don't have to be limited to that.
Style Me Pretty shows several beautiful photos of Hair Flower Inspiration.

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Luna Bazaar has many votive holders and lanterns that fit the boho look.

World Market and Pier 1 imports have items that fit the bohemian look too.

  

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I took some time to reminisce and add some links from the past that also speak boho.

- Beads as curtain tie backs here.

- A little more gypsy in this post, but the first photo has some great colored pillows - perfect for boho.

- Here is a jeweled cake stand (yellow and clear beads).

- The first two flower arrangements in this post, and the first one in this post are lovely for a boho look.

- Bead curtains and chandeliers in this post, and there is also a bead tree and bead heart there too.

- The second photo in this post shows some great looking painted cans and bottles.

- A lovely backdrop here, and here.
- Assorted glassware here, here, and here.
Tents and canopies here, here, here, and here.

- A few other posts include these - here, here, here, here.

Oh! I love this look!

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Bohemian Design exists on pinterest - of course:

Check out this board for many beautiful looks, including this hanging mobile,



these curtains,



and this lovely look

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More lovely looks at this board, including
some with a more washed out color - quite beautiful,

a lovely bed in front of a straw wall - awesome look,

and more beautiful bold colors

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This board seems to be bold, but not so busy with pattern and color.  I really like this board - It's a bit more relaxing with things like
this beautiful evening beach setting,

this lovely outdoor area,

a lovely outdoor building,

these lovely flannel lanterns,

this lovely canopy tent,

and these beads - wow!

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This board has one photo I wanna add

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Boho Weddings at this board
a lovely look

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Info about how to decorate bohemian style from ehow
("The rules of Bohemian is that there are none.  You use pieces in unconventional ways.  And you must use what you have or obtain pieces very, very cheaply.  Think outside of normal, or outside of the box." ...)

More about how to decorate bohemian here
("This style is similar to eclectic, as it often incorporates a blend of cultures, art and style.  Another way to describe bohemian style might be "hippie chic".  The bohemian lifestyle is that of the unconventional artist, musician or wanderer; a gypsy at heart.  Vintage collectibles and décor also fit in perfectly in a bohemian style room." ...)

FYI - BohemianLit.com might be an informative sight.

 Check out the Boho room designs at Houzz and Better Decorating Bible

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