When the holidays ended, my daughter and I weren’t ready to pack up the tree. The worst of the winter weather was still to come. Not to mention, the beginning of a new year isn’t always the clean slate that we hope for. Sometimes it comes with its share of challenges. Why have a dark corner in the living room when the warmth of lights is needed more than ever?!

I got the idea to leave the tree up and cover it with a different type of holiday decor: hearts. When I looked online for inspiration, I discovered that the Valentine’s Day tree is a legit trend, rapidly gaining popularity. While our tree has more of a whimsical vibe, you can totally take this in an ’80s direction with brush strokes, splatter paint and more. Here’s how I brought our tree to life on a budget…

1. Use Ornaments You Already Own

Before I packed up my holiday ornaments, I set aside any that would work for Valentine’s Day, focusing on a red, pink and white color palette, plus anything that sparkles.

2. Make New Ornaments

I decided to use cardstock and watercolor paints to make our own heart ornaments. This is a great project for kids as well. My daughter and I used fast and free brush strokes to add pink, red, teal, blue and purple paint to white cardstock. As paint dried within a few minutes, I layered on more for a sense of depth and dimension.

I then cut a basic heart stencil and traced it all over the paper before cutting out the hearts (which you can see at the top of the post). A simple hole punch and some ribbon easily converted the simple paper hearts to ornaments.

3. Purchase a Few Ornaments

To add a dose of Valentine’s Day red, I purchased this set of glass heart ornaments. It was a great way to bring in “something new” without spending large amounts of money. In addition to ornaments, you can add faux flowers and other arrangements (found at craft stores) featuring sparkly beads, hearts and blooms in little sprays that can be spaced out around the tree.

4. Special Touches

For some larger bursts of color, I added heart-shaped balloons to the tree, which you can see below. If you’re considering this, be careful not to place them near twinkle lights. Hot bulbs + balloons = a bad combo. For a finishing touch, I cut a heart out of cardstock and place it at the top of the tree. Easy, fast and budget-friendly.

As mentioned, you can customize this tree to make it more retro. Try a pastel approach, add a touch of Memphis-Milano style, you name it! Cheers to repurposing your holiday tree and keeping a warm glow in your home through the coldest part of winter.

Original post at A DIY Valentine’s Day Tree
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If you celebrated Christmas in the ’80s, chances are your tree was a hodgepodge of various elements, from tinsel and colorful glass bulb lights to handmade ornaments crafted at school. On the other hand, some ’80s trees reflected a more sleek, modern approach, featuring flocked limbs and a deliberate color scheme. However you let your tree shine, today’s post takes a look back at some of the most memorable ’80s Christmas tree trends of the time. [photo above of A Very Brady Christmas, from Everett Collection via Decider]

Tinsel

Tinsel is hardly an ’80s-specific trend. In fact, many associate its height of popularity with the 1950s and ’60s. But would the ’80s, a decade known for its sparkle, really turn its back on tinsel? Whether it was wrapped around the tree as an eye-catching garland or hung strand by strand in “icicle” form, tinsel was what gave many a 1980s tree its shimmer. It sounds glamorous, but the telltale sign of a Christmas tree decorated by kids was unevenly dispersed clumps of that tinsel. Which would then fall to the floor. But beauty lies in the imperfection, right?!

Nowadays it’s easy to give your Christmas tree an ’80s look with the help of tinsel! It can even be chic and modern. Not convinced? Check out the music video for “Last Christmas” by Wham! [photo credit: Getty via Metro]

A Hodgepodge of Ornaments

If you were a kid in the ’80s, your family tree likely featured a wide assortment of ornaments, from Hallmark Keepsake pieces to that salt dough wreath that displayed your first grade photo! Don’t forget ornaments that featured the names and characters of your favorite movies, such as E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial.

Ball ornaments were also popular, from the glass variety to the satin balls featured above. These are from Etsy shop Le Petit Cheri.

For an eclectic ’80s tree, try combining an affordable new box of glass ball ornaments with actual ornaments from the 1980s, whether you purchase them on Etsy or use beloved pieces from your childhood.

Something Flocked

Speaking of ball ornaments, they’re particularly stunning when featured on a flocked tree. I’m talking about you, ’80s hotel and office lobby trees! Modern flocked trees of the ’80s begged for a color scheme and were likely less susceptible to the mix-and-match look of the family-friendly green trees we all know and loved. If you need a little more ’80s flocked tree inspiration, check out the 1987 film Less Than Zero, featured in the screen shot below.

Mix It Up

As we wrap up, I’ll leave you with a quick reminder that creating an ’80s Christmas tree is as easy as mixing and matching. None of the ornaments above are from the 1980s, but when combined with authentic ’80s elements, they’d fit right in. Whether you have a green, flocked or metallic tree, you can try any of the following techniques to get an ’80s look:

• add tinsel using garlands and “icicles”
• include ornaments from your childhood
• purchase ’80s ornaments from retailers such as Etsy
• combine the old with the new, creating the “hodgepodge” look showcased on many an ’80s family tree
• use glass ball ornaments to your advantage
• showcase colored lights if you wish, such as retro-style glass bulb lights

Wishing you the Happiest of Holidays, and thank you for reading!  XO, Kate

Original post at ’80s Christmas Tree Trends
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Happy November! Today’s post all about fall table inspiration. With a dash of ’80s style and a few of my current favorite finds, I was able to create a spread that’s easy to throw together (but also achieves an abundant look). Use what you have and sprinkle in some found items from nature, and you’re set. Keep reading for all of the design details…

The Palette

Does anyone else get a huge dose of ’80s inspiration from movies set in the fall, such as Baby Boom? Cue numerous shots of seasonal foliage…

I have my daughter to thank for most of the items featured in the center of today’s table. She never goes on a walk without collecting leaves, acorns and other souvenirs. We pile them onto a tray in the center of our coffee table. I created a “table runner” by spreading these found items across the center of a white tablecloth for today’s shoot. I also threw in a few faux items, such as the maple leaf and succulent shown below:

The resulting palette (also created by the tableware, which we’ll cover in the next section): teal, gold, and a range of reds and oranges.

The Tableware

Hunting down treasures from the 1980s is one of my favorite pastimes, but I also enjoy collecting new items with a retro look. Today’s post is not a sponsored one, but it does showcase many an item from CB2. This brand consistently features items with a retro-modern feel, and over time I’ve built up a nice little stash of serving pieces. While no longer available, the appetizer plates below (in teal and color-blocked tan and white) took center stage in my fall table shoot:

Another reason to celebrate the beauty of a small plate… After many months of pandemic precautions, sharing a cheese platter with a group of guests kind of turns my stomach. Serving individual portions on small plates is more my speed these days!

Also featured on today’s fall table: CB2’s Fia Luster Green Cocktail Glasses, shown above and below. Perfect for serving champagne and other special beverages!

The Details

My fall table also featured some statement pieces and vignettes. CB2’s Torino Vase is one of my favorite purchases from this past year. Its stucco-like texture and sleek form are centerpiece-worthy features. I filled the vase with Faux Japanese Maple Stems from Crate & Barrel.

I can’t let an autumn pass me by without collecting pumpkins, starting with pastel shades of peach and sage. I enjoy stacking them on a furnishing in my dining room. (side note: the mirrors below are from Wayfair–I love the ’80s look they create)

If you have 10 minutes, some paint and a paintbrush or toothbrush, you can create the speckled pumpkin shown below. Easy and fun!

Happy Fall Feast!

To recap, here are some tips for creating a retro-modern fall table:

• Select a fall palette using what you have on hand, plus found items from nature
• Don’t be afraid to mix retro items with new items that have a retro look
• Revel in creative touches, such as DIY painted pumpkins
• Create visual interest by incorporating items of different heights, such as tall vases and petite plates

If you celebrate Thanksgiving, I wish you a happy holiday week ahead. Amid all of the hoopla, don’t forget to take time for yourself if possible. Even a short coffee break can be energizing. CB2’s Black Dip Coffee Mug is showcased in the photo above. Cheers and bon appetit!

Original post at A Retro-Modern Fall Table
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This last-minute pumpkin project couldn’t be easier to create! Splatter paint will forever evoke a sense of ’80s style, and getting a speckled look is as easy as flicking a paintbrush or toothbrush. Read on for details, and craft your own splatter paint pumpkins in minutes…

Speckled Pumpkin Supplies

• pumpkins
• craft paint, such as acrylic paint
• a small container for mixing paint
• water
• a paintbrush or a toothbrush
• paper or a drop cloth to cover your work surface

Let’s Paint!

Step 1: Cover your work surface

Ready to get started?! The most important part of this project is covering your work surface with newspaper, spare paper, a drop cloth, or whatever you’re OK with getting completely covered in speckles. If I’m being honest, I did the project outside and had to wipe splatter paint from nearby planters, etc. It wasn’t a big deal if a stray paint dot found its way to an unsuspecting surface. But covering what immediately around you is a great place to start!

Step 2: Add water to your paint

Next, you want to use paint that’s thick enough to dry vibrantly, yet thin enough to splatter well. Experiment by mixing very small amounts of water with craft paint. I used basic acrylic paint you can purchase at craft stores like JOANN. This type of paint will dry with a nice sheen. You can test out the consistency of the paint by dipping a toothbrush into it and doing a “test speckle”. Does the paint splatter easily? If so, you’re set!!

Step 3: Time to splatter

Now let the fun begin! Dip a toothbrush or a paintbrush into the paint and run your fingers over the bristles. Watch as the paint covers your pumpkin in fun splatters. Use more than one color of paint if you wish!

This project is easy, fun, and a great option for last-minute pumpkin decorating. Enjoy, and have a Happy Halloween!

Original post at DIY Splatter Paint Pumpkins
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Halloween is almost here! Halloween is almost here! Today’s post is dedicated to the ’80s goth experience. But don’t judge me for not making it dark enough, OK? The playlist is more synth-y and less industrial, but this is how I goth. Use it as a jumping off point to add darker fare if your ’80s goth heart desires. There’s lots of music video magic to enjoy (plus a fun project and a snack idea), so get ready to escape.

An ’80s Pumpkin Project

Before we get to the ’80s goth playlist (scroll down to the end of the post for the tracklist), just a quick note about today’s visuals! I had some fun displaying pumpkins on pedestals made out of marble tile. I had a LOT of marble tile laying around from previous DIY projects for the blog. You can buy them individually at retailers like Home Depot or Floor and Decor.

I barely got away with using hot glue for this project, but I had to reinforce the pedestals more than once. Hot glue is what I had on hand, but I recommend a stronger glue like Liquid Nails if you’re serious about trying this.

Also note that there’s no such thing as a “perfectly-fit-together” cube when using pre-cut tile. You’ll have an exposed edge here or there (unless you happen to have a wet tile saw on hand). But cutting tile wasn’t a direction I wanted to go in on a relaxing Halloween-y afternoon, so I just had fun with it and embraced the imperfection.

Anyhoo, it’s as easy as fitting the tile together by placing glue on the edges and making it stick! As you can see above, you can easily leave the top of the “pedestal” open so it can hold smaller pumpkins or gourds. Don’t forget to have a snack while you work! My go-to Halloween treat seems to be some type of vanilla milkshake with candy on the side. Not very goth, I know. But you gotta love a Reese’s peanut butter cup as a garnish, right?!

An ’80s Halloween Goth Playlist

And now for the playlist. Actually, there are 2 of them! I used to only include YouTube music video playlists, but enough people started asking for a Spotify version that I now post that as well. So if you’re in the mood to watch videos, go for YouTube. Check it out here. If you love Spotify, here’s the link!

There’s no official music video for the Ministry track. But I learned the hard way from a former Halloween video playlist that leaving (Every Day Is) Halloween off the list is just not right.

I’ve got one more Halloween post heading your way before All Hallows Eve, so stay tuned. Thanks for reading and listening!

Original post at An ’80s Goth Halloween Playlist
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I love a change of seasons. Yes, it’s now officially fall and I’ve started decorating for Halloween. In fact, I’m writing this post on my patio as the very first cold front of fall blows in. With that said, there’s something about ’80s design that evokes an “endless summer” state of mind. I have some fun fall blog content on the way in the coming weeks, but before jumping head first into a new season, I wanted to highlight some of my ’80s design favorites.

What does “living in the ’80s” mean to you? If we’re being honest, there are many reasons why I wouldn’t want to live in the 1980s, as each decade that passes seems to lead to more progress and awareness in areas that truly matter. But in terms of the design, it just doesn’t get better than the bold variety of the ’80s, does it?! Take the earrings above, which were created by Colleen White. Crafted from 1980s-style erasers, these showstoppers are easy to make (scroll to the bottom of the post for more details).

Inspiration from ’80s Sellers

Anyone else love looking for ’80s design inspiration by checking out the Instagram accounts of retro decor sellers/dealers? With their eye for curation (and mixing and matching old with new), they always find interesting ways to refresh and display pieces. Above we see a vignette by LYC Vintage, featured at The Spruce (in an article about ’80s design trends)! Other seller favorites include Freska Living and The MOD Weekend. Who are some of your favorite ’80s merch dealers?

’80s Television

I’m way late to the party on this one, but I recently found out about My 80’s TV, which simulates the experience of channel surfing in the 1980s. It’s absolutely addictive. You can specify the type of television you’re interested in watching (cartoons, soaps, movies, trailers, talk shows and more). I watched a LOT of TV as a kid in the ’80s, so there’s a huge comfort factor for me here. Nostalgia aside, this ’80s TV experience is a great way to completely immerse yourself in the decade. Who’s up for the escape?!

’80s Design at Home

The photo above is from the home of Meg Gustafson, whose abodes have been featured multiple times at Apartment Therapy. Here’s a Mirror80 feature spotlighting one of her previous Chicago residences. In addition, Meg curates one of my favorite tumblrs, 80s Deco (Instagram account: 80s_deco). Her style is the epitome of ’80s maximalism, which is no doubt why Apartment Therapy’s recent article on the return of ’80s design notes some distinct elements of her look. The piece is definitely worth a read, especially since it talks about ways to bring the 1980s design home, as well as how people are combining different elements from the decade with a fresh set of eyes. How do you incorporate ’80s furnishings and decor into your home? Hint: feel free to mix and match different style (like Memphis and ’80s Deco), and don’t be afraid of color!

’80s-Style Decor

I’m always on the lookout for new decor that reminds me of my childhood. Remember those shell cushions that were featured on many a bathroom vanity stool?! Garden Glory is currently offering this Rose Shell Cushion, which can be placed on the chair or bench of your choice. Above we see two of them displayed together. Retro glam at its finest! I also find a surprisingly large number of ’80s-style pieces at retailers such as CB2, from tableware to vases. Where do you shop for new items with an ’80s look?

Deco Vase Vignettes

Right before I first started blogging (back in 2010!!), I began collecting ’80s Deco vases, picking them up for a few bucks apiece at thrift stores like Goodwill. (Here’s a fun 2011 post featuring me with all of my vases, shot by my talented friend Ben Aqua.) It’s been fun seeing ’80s Deco vases gain popularity again, and it’s also weird seeing pieces I picked up for mere dollars a decade ago now selling for $50-$120 on sites like Etsy! Thankfully you can still find good deals on ’80s vases, and I always wonder how people style them once they get them home. I’ve seen some stellar arrangements featuring dried flowers but I haven’t yet tried incorporating them into my own vases. Here’s a post I created with some tropical design ideas featuring fresh and faux flowers.

’80s DIY Projects

I love a good ’80s DIY project. Check out Mirror80’s collection of DIY ideas and projects here. Now back to the earrings featured at the top of today’s post…

Colleen White is someone I’ve had the pleasure of getting to know through the ’80s Design group on Facebook (come join us if you’re interested)!! When she posted this project in the group and revealed that she’d crafted the earrings from ’80s-style erasers, I had to have a pair! Here’s what she has to say about the project:

I got the idea for the earrings after buying a pair from Etsy made of Lisa Frank mini erasers. I saw the palm tree ones at Target. They looked so cute and 80s that I knew I had to do something with them. I found everything needed either through Joann’s or Etsy. Luckily I already knew how to wrap the wire to create the beaded link between the eraser charm and earring hook. After gathering supplies and finding an excellent tutorial on YouTube on how to make eraser charms, the process was pretty easy. I made them while watching TV, lol.

I’m always inspired by Colleen’s projects and finds, and I thank her for sending these ’80s-style eraser earrings my way, especially since I can now share them here on the blog.

What are some ways you’re “living in the ’80s” these days? Any projects in the works? Media that keeps you connected to the decade? Products you search for on a regular basis?

Thanks for reading, and stay tuned for a big batch of fall content heading your way soon…

Original post at Living in the ’80s
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Well, it’s been a minute since my last post! This season of life has been extremely full. I’m grateful to now be fully vaccinated. I’m constantly struggling with how to re-enter the world safely with an unvaccinated child (she’s too young to get the shot at this time). Everything is taking twice as long, and everything feels like a milestone. It’s an amazing time, and it’s a confusing time.

With that said, having an hour to write a blog post feels like a complete luxury, and one that I haven’t enjoyed in quite some time. I wanted to update you on some new developments and say that Mirror80 will always be the place I return to when I’m feeling my most creative. Since I have other full-time responsibilities at this moment, I’m not able to be here nearly as much as my heart desires. If it’s been awhile since I’ve written, it’s not because I haven’t desperately wanted to create more content.

With that said, today’s post is a checking-in of sorts. I’d love to hear how all of you are doing. If you feel like sharing, leave a comment below. If you’re like me and you’re struggling a bit, be sure you take some time for self-care. The Camp Mirror80 series I created this year is my way of immersing myself in the music, movies, projects and shows that comfort and distract me in all the right ways. Hopefully they can bring you some happy distraction as well. You can find all three editions here, here and here.

These days I’ve been wanting to get back to the writing, as well as the visuals. This past year I’ve taken a long hard look at so much in my life and taken stock of what I need and what is non-essential. I’ve overhauled some areas of our home, from the kitchen to our bedroom. I’ll be sharing a couple of room tours on the blog in the coming months, but above you can see a snapshot of an in-progress newly painted shelf in the kitchen. Bring on the moody teal!

I created a large ripped paper art collage for the bedroom (see the top of the post), and I’ll be sharing details on that soon as well. When it comes to the kitchen and the bedroom, these are two rooms I’ve fought so hard for over the last year plus! Unexpected home disasters (water leaks, a floor that opened up) have scarred these areas that are my true sanctuaries in my home, and one of these spaces required professional help to get back on track, while the other involved me repairing three appliances. Yes, three. God bless YouTube videos.

There are Money Pit-style stories to accompany the room reveals, so expect some “fun” details along the way. But I find that the most interesting spaces are the ones that make us fight for them. We earn the right to call them our own, to paint them, to put our artistic stamps on them. Design as survival, especially during a year like the past one. Am I right?!

Another development I’d love to share is an upcoming podcast I literally just started developing. It’s going to take some time, folks. Truth be told, I have an idea for two podcasts (one is science fiction, and one is more nostalgic in nature), and I’m figuring out which one to launch first. Thanks to Spotify giving podcasters an opportunity to use their catalog of music, I’m starting to see some possibilities that could be really interesting. I’ll keep you updated!

I wish all of you the best in your creative endeavors. Thanks for being here if you’re still reading, and thanks for having faith that I’d return once life calmed down. In the words of The Terminator, I’ll be back…

Original post at ’80s Design Projects and an Update
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Remember when the worst thing to happen this year was a global pandemic that prevented you from leaving the house? Well, it’s starting to warm up, so at least we can spend more time outside as Valentine’s Day approaches. Oh wait, there’s an arctic blast heading for much of the US, bringing the coldest stretch of weather felt in decades?! So we can’t take our kids outside for over a week? Mmkay.

Valentine’s Day is a holiday many strive to escape from, and this year the challenge has grown in many ways. But don’t fret! There’s something eternally ’80s about Valentine’s Day (see the image above), and that’s not a bad thing, is it? As we jump into today’s post, let’s look at a few ways to “get away from it all” this weekend while sitting on your couch wrapped in a blanket. We begin with some easy watercolor painting and then move into retro made-for-TV movie bingeing while consuming the beverage of your choice.

’80s Valentines

If you’re wanting to send some valentines to family members, neighbors and friends or you’re just feeling like getting creative, the cards above (and below) couldn’t be easier to craft. Use watercolors to paint a heart on a rectangle of cardstock paper, then cover it in squiggles and flick the paintbrush over the design to create a splatter paint effect. You can go over the squiggles with a metallic paint pen for an extra pop of color!

Now that you’ve done some art therapy, let’s have a little TV time, shall we?! Anyone else enjoy watching ’80s and ’90s made-for-TV movies on YouTube? After a few bad starts (poor image quality, not-so-compelling selections), I decided to really take the plunge and stick with it. I’m working on a post that rounds up my favorites, but here are a couple of picks to get started:

Sin of Innocence (1986)

The Incredible Hulk and the mom from ET get married, creating a blended family with their children, who include Dermot Mulroney and Anne of Green Gables. When the kids fall in love, scandal ensues! This movie (watch it on YouTube!) is worth it for an incredible cast that includes Bill Bixby, Dee Wallace and Megan Follows. Add Mulroney, whose character Tim will make you wish you’d taken a closer look at that jazz band trumpet player who you walked past in the high school hallway, and you have made-for-TV movie magic! The kids’ great dialogue and unusually high level of maturity will even help you overlook the family’s beach house, which is supposed to serve as a romantic backdrop, despite constant reminders of its lack of electricity or plumbing. But what’s a few trips to the outhouse when love is in the air? I’m going to stop typing now…

But before we move on, don’t hesitate to throw in some ’80s commercial viewing either before or after the movie. This compilation is one of my favorites!

The Colony (1995)

Remember when you went to visit your friend at their elite subdivision when they still lived with their parents, and you were asked to do things like check in with the guard at the front gate, not walk on the grass, and not park on the street? The Colony takes gated community terror up a notch by adding restrictions like “don’t jog in ugly clothes, don’t plant ferns in the front yard, and make sure your dog’s vocal cords are removed if he barks too much”. Also, they’ll kill you if you object to any of the rules. Drama, drama, drama, people! Plus, there’s John Ritter, who really can’t save this film, but definitely makes it worth a watch.

Be sure to follow up this viewing with a trip to blog favorite McMansion Hell, and relive the glory days of granite countertops, massive second-floor carpeted game rooms and brick facades.

And of course, feel free to pour yourself some bubbly, or coffee, or whatever makes you happy these days. Because sometimes it’s the little treats that get us through the most unpredictable of times. The recipe for the cocktail above can be found here. Cheers to you on this strangest of Valentine’s Days. You’re not alone. Thanks for reading, and stay safe!!

Original post at A Valentine’s Day Escape
Copyright Mirror80

Happy Holidays!! Since this is the 11th Christmas that I’ve been blogging, I wanted to look back at some of my favorite holiday moments! My all-time favorite holiday shoot was the retro candle swap, shown above. Inspired by Saturday Night Live’s hilarious “The Christmas Candle,” the concept of regifting unwanted wax cylinders really hit home to me–ha! While this year we’re not gathering for white elephant parties for obvious public health reasons, we can always dream of a day when a candle swap (featuring forgotten ’80s/’90s candles from the thrift store) will one day be possible again.  Check out the full shoot and post here, and keep reading for the ultimate retro holiday roundup.

Nothing Less Than ’80s Decorations

See what I did there?! Sorry for the heading above…I just couldn’t do anything less for holiday decor inspired by the 1987 film Less Than Zero. Not your traditional holiday movie, folks. BUT the interiors are amazing, and it’s hard not to love the white faux tree featured in Andrew McCarthy’s modern family home. And yes, that woman sitting on the couch in the montage below is his character’s mother. Yes, his mother. It’s like something right out of The O.C. 

See a series of ’80s holiday pics from Less Than Zero here. And while I’m linking to an old post featuring products that are likely no longer available, you can learn more about getting the look here. Below we see a fun photo from my 2018 holiday shoot. It was all about the silver and gold!

For more ’80s-inspired holiday fun, check out 5 glitzy ’80s Christmas decor trends, a collection of decorating ideas I put together in my second year of blogging. Get ready to bust out the metallic planters and ’80s swans! You can also view my holiday decor from years past here and here.

What to Watch

When it comes to movies, there’s so much ’80s holiday goodness to take in. Christmas Vacation, A Christmas Story and A Very Brady Christmas are just a few classic gems, but below you’ll find a list of others that feature some amazing ’80s/’90s holiday design, from department store/mall magic to the snowy streets of New York City.

• When Harry Met Sally
• Vice Versa
• Morgan Stewart’s Coming Home
• Miracle on 34th Street
• Trancers

You can find many more photos in this post, and obviously this little list is just the tip of the iceberg. I’ve likely missed a SLEW of made-for-television ’80s movies with Christmas flair. Let me know what you’re watching in the comments section below!

Gift Wrap Ideas

A little bit of gold paint and voila, a boring gift bag is turned into a Memphis Milano-style canvas. You can find the DIY for the bags pictured below here. I love a good gift wrap idea, so this is a post theme I come back to time and time again here on the blog.

You can also use a marker to draw dots, lines and curves on wrapping paper, so there are plenty of easy ways to be creative! I used marble contact paper to create the gift wrap in this post. Neon flagging tape was another favorite wrapping material, featured here. If I’d had more time this year, I would have created a post featuring mini paper fans used as gift tags.

And finally, let’s not forget the gifts to go in the bags! Last year I rewound to my ’80s elementary school days, and I made soap balls with my daughter. They were a hit with the grandparents! Get the full tutorial here.

What To Eat

If you really want to infuse your holiday with some ’80s style, check out Mirror80’s Retro Foodie series. This post on classic ’80s cocktails is one of my all-time favorites. But if you truly want to know about the glitz and glam of the ’80s restaurant scene, including food trends from the era, check out this post. Bring on the goat cheese and pink peppercorn!

I wish each and every one of you a relaxing Christmas. Because relaxing is what so many of us need after the amazingly bizarre and difficult year that 2020 has truly been. If you’re alone for the holidays and looking to connect with other ’80s design lovers, come join us on Facebook. I love the creative haven that is our ’80s Design group. From scans of original 1980s publications to pics of home design projects, there’s a lot of visual goodness to enjoy. Cheers to you, and I’ll “see” you in the new year!

Original post at The Great Holiday Roundup
Copyright Mirror80

It’s been a long while since I’ve updated the Mirror80 Society6 shop, but I wanted to add some new images as cyber week gets underway. I’ve got big plans for the coming months, including offering a collection of photos from the last 10 years of blogging! Stay tuned for some favorite images from beloved past posts. For now, I’ve included a new Terrazzo Confetti photo (pictured above). It’s a fresh update of the last terrazzo piece, which I’ve retired. Below we see Dreamy Cocktail, since there’s always an excuse for glittering stars.

If you’re not familiar with Society6, it’s a wonderful marketplace for artists, featuring prints, posters, and a range of merchandise (pillows, bedding, rugs, pouches, phone cases and more). Perhaps some of you have your own Society6 shops!! Check out all of the Mirror80 shop offerings here, and enjoy the big discounts of Society6 cyber week (up to 50% off everything)! More to come in terms of new photos, but for now, thanks for supporting the blog. Cheers to you and the upcoming holidays!!

Original post at New Photos in the Mirror80 Shop
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