If you are one of the lucky ones and have a breakfast bar in your kitchen, I really hope you know how lucky you really are! Breakfast bars are a great place to get a quick snack, decorate cookies and cupcakes, make nice spreads for fun get-togethers,  chat with your loved ones or just read the morning paper with a nice cup of coffee. But you obviously need more than just some plain, boring stools! Take the extra time to figure out what the space needs and jazz it up a bit. And take the extra time to take a peek at some of our decorating tips to get you started.We must say it again. Wooden, plain and boring stools just don’t cut it in the stylish department. Find some stools or taller, comfy chairs that have some personality. Color, shape, design … whatever fits your vision!2. Shine some light on it.Grab some great light fixtures to add something special to the breakfast bar. Highlight the space and add something more than just regular lampshades and light bulbs. Plus, the extra light will be great for decorating on the extra counter tops!

Create a warm, welcoming space by adding family photos. It’s a great place to display some of your favorite memories, starts fun conversations and add some punch to a usually bare tabletop.Breakfast is a time to wake up and smell the coffee! So add some color to the space. Breakfast bards are obviously associated with morning time and it should reflect that! The colors you choose should pop and remain cheerful.Yes, flowers add color. Yes, flowers add a happy ethos. But they’re also great for your health. Fresh flowers brighten up your space and are good for your spirit. So, keep a vase full of your beautiful favorites.6. Natural light, as always.We’re big believers in natural light, especially when it comes to the kitchen. Breakfast nook or breakfast bar, bright sun is always a plus. And if you end up creating your own nook or bar, place is right in front of the window!7. Pay attention to counter tops.Make sure whatever counter top you have is functional for you. Even if you use your breakfast bar as extra workspace, as an “island,” then make sure you have a butcher block or granite … whatever works for you.

Narwhals wearing Santa hats and yarmulkes. Find them all at this year’s Miracle on 7th Street Christmas cocktail pop-up, launching Friday night at 5 p.m. fun cheap bedroom decorating ideasUnlike last year when the “Christmas Bar” was limited to Mockingbird Hill, this year all three of Derek Brown’s bars will participate. home decor diy paintingThat means three themes, three times the irreverent decorations, and three times the nog-crazy customers. wholesale wedding decorations suppliesSouthern Efficiency’s theme couldn’t be more hipster even if it came with coconut LaCroix and fashion overalls. diy room decor pin

Enter what’s normally a sedate whiskey den and find walls covered in four-foot portraits of goats wearing Christmas sweaters. living room decorating ideas warm colorsThe goats are rescues who live at the Peaceful Fields Sanctuary in Winchester, Virginia.“christmas decorations buy online ukOne is named Toby,” says Angie Salame, Brown’s business partner and the CEO of Drink Company. “He was the most charming. He has three legs.” According to the sanctuary, Toby enjoys long lap naps, apples, and head butting. His favorite thing about the holiday season is caroling. Print images of the goats will be sold to raise money for the sanctuary. How about unicorn-like toothed whales called narwhals? They’re next door at Mockingbird Hill where the theme is "Christmas at Midnight in Iceland."

A mountain range serves as the backdrop for wall projections of the Aurora Borealis designed by New York artist Deborah Johnson. In the back of the bar, the "Hanukkah Hang Out" is back with a mirror menorah and blue and white decorations. Finally, Eat The Rich tips its hat to the Netflix show, “Stranger Things.” Salame says she doesn’t want to give away too many secrets about the throwback science fiction theme because there are some Easter eggs to sort out. The back area of the bar looks like Christmas imploded, and is perfect for larger groups.While the bars carry different themes (see more photos below), the food and drinks will be the same. This year's cocktails ($13 each) include:"Cornmeal, Gunpowder, Ham Hocks, & Guitar Strings" with bourbon, Don Ciccio & Figli Nocino, orange bitters, lemon, and maple soda."Buzz, Your Girlfriend, WOOF!" with gin, pine liqueur, rosemary grapefruit soda, and a Christmas tree."Show Angels, Ice Skating, Cookie Dough & Snuggles" with butter-washed vodka, Don Ciccio & Figli Coffee Liqueur, creme de cacao, cookie dough infused Frangelico, milk, salt, and cookie dough bits.

There will also be egg nog shots ($5) and rum ham shots ($6). The latter combines a Christmas rum blend, pineapple Bud Light syrup, and lime. Pad your stomach with "Schweddy Balls" made out of smoked gouda and cranberry tomato sauce; a meatloaf sandwich with curry ketchup; and a Thanksgiving sandwich with turkey, oyster stuffing, cranberry sauce, and garlic sauce on an Amoroso roll. Miracle on 7th Street will be open from Friday, Nov. 25 through New Years Eve and the hours are Sundays through Thursdays from 5 p.m. to 12:30 a.m. and Fridays and Saturdays from 5 p.m. to 1:30 a.m.Mockingbird Hill, 1843 7th St. NWSouthern Efficiency, 1841 7th St. NWEat The Rich, 1839 7th St. NWLet friends in your social network know what you are reading aboutTwitterGoogle+LinkedInPinterestPosted!A link has been posted to your Facebook feed. Log InSubscribed, but don't have a login?Activate your digital access.Restaurants open for Christmas or the eveIf you haven’t made a reservation yet for dinner on Christmas Eve or brunch or dinner on Christmas Day, there’s still time, but tables are going fast in many cases.

Alioto’s — Dinner is 11:15 a.m. to 4 p.m. Dec. 25; entrees include baked ham ($17.95); soup or salad and potato included. 3041 N. Mayfair Road, Wauwatosa. (414) 476-6900.All Purpose — Serving the regular menu from 5 to 10 p.m. Christmas Eve. Usually closed on Mondays, AP will be open on Dec. 26. 814 S. 2nd St. (414) 672-6000.Antigua Latin Restaurant — Open until 10 p.m. Dec. 24, serving the full menu. 5823 W. Burnham St., West Allis. (414) 321-5775.Asian Fusion — Open until 10 p.m. Dec. 24 and noon to 10 p.m. Dec. 25. 1609-C E. North Ave. (414) 273-6688.Carson’s Ribs — Serving noon to 9 p.m. Dec. 24 and 25. 301 W. Juneau Ave. (414) 223-3311.Dandan — Serving the regular menu 5-10 p.m. Dec. 24. 360 E. Erie St. (414) 488-8036.Devon Seafood & Steak — Serving dinner from 2 to 9 p.m. Dec. 24. 5715 N. Bayshore Drive in Bayshore Town Center, Glendale. (414) 967-9790.Destination Kohler — Blackwolf Run serves dinner 5 to 9 p.m. Dec. 24; on Dec. 25, the buffet ($38, or $16 ages 4 to 12) is 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.;

1111 W. Riverside Drive, Kohler. Cucina serves the full menu and specials 5 to 9:30 p.m. Dec. 24 and the regular menu 4 to 9 p.m. Dec. 25; 725 E Woodlake Road, Kohler. Horse & Plow is open 4 to 10 p.m. Dec. 24 and 25; 419 Highland Drive, Kohler. The Immigrant has its full menu plus a tasting menu for $120 a person, or $190 with wines, 5:30 to 9 p.m. Dec. 24; Whistling Straits has a holiday a la carte menu from 5 to 9 p.m. Dec. 24; N8501 Lakeshore Road, Sheboygan. And the Wisconsin Room has three courses for $72 (and a children’s menu) from 5:30 to 9 p.m. Dec. 24, then on Dec. 25 it’s breakfast 7 to 9 a.m., brunch ($42, or $16 for children 4 to 12) from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. and the three-course dinner and children’s menu 4 to 8 p.m.; Reservations: (920) 457-8000.Fleming’s Steakhouse — Serving the regular menu and a three-course menu for $89 a person from 4 to 10 p.m. Dec. 24. 15665 W. Blue Mound Road, Brookfield. (262) 782-9463.Giovanni’s — Serving the regular menu 4:30 to 9 p.m. Dec. 24.

1033 N. Old World 3rd St. (414) 291-5600.Il Mito — Serving the regular menu 5 to 10 p.m. Dec. 24. 6913 W. North Ave., Wauwatosa. (414) 443-1414.Indian Village — Open 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. Dec. 24 and 25. 7640 W. Forest Home Ave., Greenfield. (414) 585-9777.Karl Ratzsch — German dishes and prime rib from noon to 7 p.m. Dec. 24. 320 E. Mason St. (414) 276-2720.Kil@wat — A five-course wine dinner ($69, or $94 with wines) is served 4 to 9 p.m. Dec. 24. A plated brunch is 7 a.m. to 2 p.m. Dec. 25 in Kil@wat. InterContinental Milwaukee, 139 E. Kilbourn Ave. (414) 291-4793.Mader’s — On Dec. 24, the regular menu and specials will be served 4 to 8 p.m. On Dec. 25, the brunch buffet ($33.95, or $11 for children 10 and younger) is 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., and the dinner buffet ($35.95, or $11 for children) with schnitzel and spaetzle stations is 4 to 7:30 p.m. 1041 N. Old World 3rd St. (414) 271-3377.Mason Street Grill — Open 5 to 10 p.m. Dec. 24, serving the regular dinner menu. On Dec. 25, a three-course dinner of turkey or prime rib is $42.50;

it’s served 1 to 7 p.m. 425 E. Mason St. (414) 298-3131.Meraki — From 5 to 10 p.m. Dec. 24, serving the full menu and the Culinary Adventure, a shareable menu for the full table at $35, $50 or $65 a person. 939 S. 2nd St. (414) 897-7230.Miller Time Pub & Grill — Serving the regular menu from 11 a.m. to 1 a.m. Dec. 24 and until 11 p.m. Dec. 25. 509 W. Wisconsin Ave. (414) 271-2337.Milwaukee ChopHouse — From 5 to 9 p.m. Dec. 24, specials and the regular menu will be served. Hilton Milwaukee City Center, 633 N. 5th St. (414) 226-2467.Mimma’s Cafe — 4-10 p.m. Dec. 24. Full menu available, plus a fish and a meat special. 1307 E. Brady St. (414) 271-7337.The Bay — Serving the lunch menu until 6:30 p.m. Dec. 24. 342 E. Silver Spring Drive, Whitefish Bay. (414) 455-3045.The Neighbors Bar & Grille — The full pub menu is served 5 to 10 p.m. Dec. 25; the bar closes at midnight. S16-W22255 Arcadian Ave., Waukesha. (262) 408-5872.Old Town Serbian Gourmet Restaurant — Serving the regular menu and a special of roast sirloin from 5 to 10 p.m. Dec. 24 and 25.

522 W. Lincoln Ave. (414) 672-0206.Packing House — An abbreviated holiday menu is served from 4 to 8 p.m. Dec. 24 and from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. Dec. 25. 900 E. Layton Ave. (414) 483-5054.Pasta Tree — Serving the full menu and a special three-course dinner for $55, with choices including whole roasted fish, from 4:30 to 8 p.m. Dec. 24. 1503 N. Farwell Ave. (414) 276-8867.Pfister Hotel — In the ballroom, the buffet brunch is served from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Dec. 25; $60, or $20 for children 3 to 10. 424 E. Wisconsin Ave. (414) 935-5950.Polonez — A takeout meatless Polish feast of 12 dishes, with pickup from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Dec. 24. Prices from $45 for two to $110 for eight. 4016 S. Packard Ave., St. Francis. (414) 482-0080 to order.Potawatomi Hotel & Casino — Dream Dance Steak is open 5 to 10 p.m. Dec. 24; Bella Italiana will serve dinner 4 to 8 p.m. Dec. 24 and 4 to 10:30 p.m. Dec. 25; Canal Street Cafe is open 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. Dec. 24 and 25. RuYi is open until 9 p.m. Dec. 24 and 4 p.m. to midnight Dec. 25, with the sushi bar closing at 10 p.m.;