How to Spruce Up a Fake Wreath

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This post is sponsored by Coca-Cola.

Decorating for the holidays is one of the best traditions of all. Growing up in Wisconsin we always bought a real Christmas tree and had real wreaths hung on our doors, but living in Arizona when the temperatures can still get into the 80's during the day, real greens dry out quickly. So, for the past 8 years I have opted for faux evergreen, and I must say it's a lot easier, less messy, better for the environment and more cost effective. However, there's just something missing when you know it's fake. So, here's a little DIY process on how you can spruce up our fake wreath to get the best of both worlds:

View More: http://melissajill.pass.us/cocacola
View More: http://melissajill.pass.us/cocacola

Materials Needed: One fake wreath Two to three different bundles of real greens or berries Florist wire Shears Ribbon to hang wreath

Steps:

1| Choose a simple fake evergreen wreath. I found mine at Ikea.

2| Buy a couple bunches of greens and berries from your local grocery store or florist. (You can even include air plants). We used eucalyptus and red berries. I've seen magnolia leaves and rosemary used as well. You want to add different textures than the evergreen to give dimension and color. It will help the wreath appear fuller.

3| Clip a small spray of berries, poke it through until you can see the stem in the back of the wreath. Then fasten the stem to the wreath using florist wire (you can purchase it at Michael's).

4| Repeat step three with the other live greenery you purchased. Alternate around the wreath.

View More: http://melissajill.pass.us/cocacola
View More: http://melissajill.pass.us/cocacola

5| Once you have gone around the whole wreath, select your ribbon and tie it to your door or place your wreath around your dog for a picture perfect photo. (Our golden-doodle, Wendy, was a real sport).

MelissaJill_Cocacola_25blog
MelissaJill_Cocacola_25blog

Photos by Melissa Jill Photography; florals by Hoot and Holler; art direction by A.V.E. Styles

Winter Date Idea

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This post is sponsored by Coca-Cola.

Our schedules get packed with extra events and gatherings during the holiday season, and it's easy to let the important things like date nights, family time and alone time fall by the wayside. Here is a sweet holiday date night idea for you and your special someone that will put you in the holiday spirit and keep you connected through the hustle and bustle of the season.

View More: http://melissajill.pass.us/cocacola
View More: http://melissajill.pass.us/cocacola

Pack a winter picnic in a cooler such as this American Retro Cooler from Coca-Cola. I included popcorn, a baguette, cheese, a pear, two candy canes and two bottles of Coca-Cola. Grab two cozy blankets to help you stay warm, and head to the ice rink. Skate until you are tired and hungry, and then enjoy your winter picnic as you watch the other skaters. If you plan your date in the evening, you can take a ride around and look at the lights to finish your date.

MelissaJill_Cocacola_37pinblog
MelissaJill_Cocacola_37pinblog

If you want to look special for your date, try wearing a sequin top with jeans. It's comfortable and festive. You can even paint your nails a metallic color to complete your look. I used Coca-Cola's OPI "My signature is DC" color.

Photos by Melissa Jill Photography; Styling by Alex Evjen of A.V.E. Styles

Modern Holiday Table Design

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This is a sponsored post in collaboration with Coca-Cola.

It's the most wonderful time of the year. The season of parties and entertaining is upon us, and I'm sharing with you a simple, modern table design that you can put together in 20 minutes. You don't want to have to spend hours crafting away and stressing over details. You just want to create memories that will last a lifetime in a beautiful space.

MelissaJill_Cocacola_44blog
MelissaJill_Cocacola_44blog

I'm the first one to admit that I get anxiety over entertaining. My insecurities rise to the top, and I start thinking about all of the things that I need to do for my house to look "perfect." Here's what I have learned, fresh greenery and candlelight is really all you need. You don't even need to pick a trendy color scheme. Stick with neutral shades and metallic accents, and you will have yourself a picture perfect set up.

MelissaJill_Cocacola_14blog
MelissaJill_Cocacola_14blog

Here's what I did:

1| Buy linen fabric at your local fabric store. Fold it and lay it across your table. It's okay if it has raw edges. To clean up the ends of your runner, slide a napkin ring through the fabric and place some greens for a pretty touch.

2| Lay branches cut from your trees or nearby woods about a foot each. I used a mix of magnolia branches and evergreen branches. I even placed them in my chandelier.

MelissaJill_Cocacola_06blog
MelissaJill_Cocacola_06blog

3| Buy some sprays of berries at your local grocery store and place them in small vessels or votives along with some more evergreen or fresh herbs like rosemary. Place the vessels throughout the centerpiece. I used four.

4| To add some height, place candles through the centerpiece as well. I used some vintage brass candle holders I found at Modern Manor.

5| Forget the placemats. Just place simple white dishes on your table.

6| Roll up your napkins and place them in your napkin rings. I found vintage brass napkin rings that matched the candlesticks.

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MelissaJill_Cocacola_49blog

7| Place water and wine glasses on your table. I really love these Coca-Cola Reidel glasses. They have a beautiful shape, and they are so comfortable to hold. I even placed a classic Coca-Cola bottle on the table to add a pop of holiday red.

If you want to get crafty and go the extra mile without getting super stressed, try a couple of these personal touches:

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View More: http://melissajill.pass.us/cocacola

1|  Write out the names of your guest on a tag and glue to cinnamon sticks on either side. Just hold tight for a few seconds after you glue them and start on the next.

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View More: http://melissajill.pass.us/cocacola

2| You can also take a piece of black construction paper and write a special word with a chalk pen and pin it to the back of your chairs. Cluster any leftover greens you may have or cut some more off of your trees. You'll see a mix of the magnolia branches, rosemary and berries in this bundle. I found burlap ribbon at a local craft store and glued the paper to it.

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MelissaJill_Cocacola_47blog

Don't miss out on the special moments by putting perfection ahead of your family, but don't feel like you can't have a beautiful experience for your guests either. Share, connect and enjoy the process. Work with what you can find in your yard or at your local grocery store. If you want to get crafty that's great too, but go the extra mile after everything else is set.

View More: http://melissajill.pass.us/cocacola
View More: http://melissajill.pass.us/cocacola

So glad my dearest girlfriends could join me for this special moment. Each one of these women has helped support me in my career as a stylist, as well as my other roles of a wife, mother and friend. I am so thankful for each one of them.

Styling by Alex Evjen, A.V.E. Styles Photography by Melissa Jill Photography Florals by Hoot and Holler Calligraphy by Katie Sterbenz Design

Get the look: Drink glasses from Coca-Cola Vintage glass rim glasses from Modern ManorWhite plates from West Elm Dinner napkins from West Elm Napkin rings from Modern Manor Vintage candlesticks from Modern Manor Chandelier from Restoration Hardware Linen chairs from Cost Plus Wold Market White faux fur from IkeaVotives from West Elm Table from Chairish.com

2014 Epiphanie Lookbook

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View More: http://imaginale.pass.us/epiphanie
View More: http://imaginale.pass.us/epiphanie

Epiphanie is a camera bag company that makes stylish, modern bags for men and women. These bags aren't just for photographers, but simply for people that enjoy documenting their life, travels and work. I am so glad I got to bring this stylish adventurer to life in several ways for their 2014 look book.

As I shared last week, this is an important project for me because five years ago I had the chance to style another look book of theirs, but it was one of my first styling gigs. I've grown so much as a stylist, and Maile, Founder of Epiphanie, has seen that in me over the years. I cannot express what that means to me that a woman I had never met before believed in me and saw something in me earlier on when I was so full of doubt.

View More: http://imaginale.pass.us/epiphanie
View More: http://imaginale.pass.us/epiphanie
View More: http://imaginale.pass.us/epiphanie
View More: http://imaginale.pass.us/epiphanie

Maile said she wanted fresh, cool fall styles. All of her bags are leather, and she wanted to boost the level of quality in the experience of Epiphanie and yet keep it approachable. I saw an opportunity to create different personas in the outfits, but keep everything very cohesive. Ale Vidal, the cinematographer and director, had a central character being a young, creative gal that has a boy friend and a stylish group of friends. This character is really acted out in the story of the Epiphanie brand film that I shared last week (click here to watch). I started with her outfit, and built out from there including a French inspired gal, a tomboy inspired gal, an urban inspired gal and a creative, stylish guy.

View More: http://imaginale.pass.us/epiphanie
View More: http://imaginale.pass.us/epiphanie
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epiphanie2014

I tried to incorporate several trends in this lookbook too. Buffalo check, overalls, fringed kimonos, beanies, and wide-brim hats can be found in this collection. However, since the bags are the focal point I tried to keep the palette pretty simple to let the bag stand out.

View More: http://imaginale.pass.us/epiphanie
View More: http://imaginale.pass.us/epiphanie

I hope you enjoy this project! To read about the story creation and making of the film, check out Ale's blog.

Photography / Direction by Ale Vidal www.imaginaledesign.com

Video Assistant – Matt Hail www.matthail.com Styling by Alexandra Evjen www.avestyles.com Hair by Jenny Strebe www.theconfessionsofahairstylist.com Makeup by Stephanie Neiheisel www.snmakeupartist.com Assistant – Audree Lopez – www.simplyaudreekate.com Modeling by Agency AZ Styling Assistant – Alyssa Hodson

Clothing provided by Frances Vintage and Shop & Apparel

Epiphanie Brand Film Release

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In 2010, I was asked to style Epiphanie Bag's fall campaign. It was one of my first projects as a stylist, and I was so thrilled that Maile Wilson took a chance on me. As the years went by, Maile continued to ask me to help by contributing to Epiphanie's blog and doing some virtual styling for other campaigns. A couple of months ago, Maile asked me to style her fall 2014 line of bags, and I thought we would continue to do our virtual styling routine. A week later she emailed, and said, "No, I want to fly out there and have you style it in person and assemble a team of talent. I trust you, and I know you're the right person for the job." Her validation and confidence in me has meant the world over the years, and this lookbook project was one of the biggest honors to be a part of. I'm so thankful that she saw something in me at the beginning and has continued to support me in my path as a stylist.

Check out this video created by Ale Vidal with an amazing team of talent behind it, and make sure to visit Epiphaniebags.com to see her latest collection.

Campaign film for Epiphanie - a line of stylish camera bags for women. This film captures the spirit of the brand and the girl that carries an epiphanie bag like she carries her heart - full of adventure. 

Film / Direction by Ale Vidal www.imaginaledesign.com

Video Assistant - Matt Hail www.matthail.com Styling by Alexandra Evjen www.avestyles.com Hair by Jenny Strebe www.theconfessionsofahairstylist.com Makeup by Stephanie Neiheisel www.snmakeupartist.com Assistant - Audree Lopez - www.simplyaudreekate.com Modeling by Agency AZ Styling Assistant - Alyssa Hodson

Clothing provided by Frances Vintage and Shop & Apparel

Location provided by The Clarendon Hotel

Photos to come on Wednesday!