Happy Holidays

I'm heading over to my parents' farm for the holidays tomorrow, so I'll talk to you guys next week.  I wish everyone a wonderful, wonderful holiday - filled with loved ones and yummy treats!

via Country Living Mag

A fresh spin on Christmas decor...

I was so excited when I saw photos of this home for the first time. It's so fresh and coastal, but somehow still manages to be festive and feels like Christmas.The home is a barefoot style cottage in Florida.

The chair was a flea market find, now reupholstered in a modern coral print.

I didn't know there were fireplaces in Florida...

Okay - I love this banquette. It's custom made in faux-ostrich vinyl that's super kid-friendly

Woolen stockings didn't scream beach cottage, so the kids used buckets in lieu of stockings

If you can, use accents from your own backyard.  They don't look like everyone else's decorations, and they're free. This owner took cuttings of pine from her own property. Don't have property? Take a walk in a park and see if there are any fallen pine cones you can gather.

I adore how she did up her stairs with mercury glass candle holders and jumbo pine cones.

The bedroom color palette is so serene.

Does this home still feel holiday spirited to you?

via Southern Living December 2011

Ready or not, Christmas is coming - some easy decorating ideas for those with little time or motivation to decorate for the holidays

I'm a little ashamed to admit that I love other people's Christmas and holiday decorations, but when it comes to putting up my own, I really drag my feet. I let the weeks pass by, and then it just seems too late to bother. If there are any other of you out there like me, here are a few simple decorating ideas, which are easy and quick enough that you won't need to procrastinate.

Love this photo.  See how just a red throw and a pillow gives it a holiday feel?
 (aside from the snow)
via Log Home

You can always just go with a tree.  Because there are no other holiday decorations around, the tree is all the more noticeable, and really takes center stage.

A red flower arrangement or poinsettia can make a big impact on your dining room table.  Keep the other table linens white to really make the red pop.

2 images above via Lonny Mag

Okay, so I know this adorable little shed is all decked-out, but I used it to impact the instant coziness that warm light gives off. Candle light and incandescent lighting from table lamps and sconces, not overhead lighting, give off a warm glow. I know that incandescent lights are not the most energy efficient option - so check out compact fluorescents (CFLs), which give off a light more similar to incandescents than traditional fluorescents, but still give you energy savings.

via Pinterest

Candle light makes the table festive, even without green garlands and red bows.
via Rue Magazine

Simple pops of red turn an everyday room into a holiday decorated room.  A throw, a table runner, a lampshade, or a throw pillow are all accents that can be swapped in on the holidays.

2 images above via Casa Diez

I thought this idea was cute and easy. Take some glass vessels with a wide opening - a large jar, a hurricane, a glass bowl, and fill them with a simple strand of lights (craft stores sell plain strings of lights super cheap), and cluster them together in an arrangement on the table, mantle, or a sideboard.

via Country Living

What do you do to decorate for Christmas or the holiday you celebrate?  Do you procrastinate or go all out once Thanksgiving has come and gone?

Simple but beautiful Thanksgiving decorating ideas...

I'm going to my parents for Thanksgiving this year, so aside from a few ornamental gourds and pumpkins I haven't done much Thanksgiving decorating. But if I was hosting this year I'd definitely being making some of these ideas my own...

For a more modern spin on a harvest theme, paint some leftover Halloween pumpkins white and use them on your Thanksgiving table.

Use some autumn colored leaves in place of these green ones if in your climate they're no longer green.  You could also try pine branches or just interesting bare branches.

We're used to seeing a lot of dark and earthy tones in Thanksgiving decor, but I actually like these fresh, light spaces. See the little pumpkins hanging from natural-fiber rope in the back?

images above via Digs Digs

Some really pretty ideas for dressing up candles.

I absolutely love this table setting

and this chair is gorgeous
via The Portfolio of Vickie Lan


Are you hosting Thanksgiving this year - what Thanksgiving decor do you like to use?

Merry Christmas - some last minute inspiration!

Enjoy and have a wonderful holiday!

via Architect Design

Isn't this the sweetest mantle?


via Skona Hem






images above via House to Home

Happy New Years from Spain!

I'm so happy to be in Spain for New Years because that means I'm able to celebrate it with my boyfriend, Chris who lives here in Segovia. I did a little research and based on what I've been told, this is a summary of how the Spanish bring in the New Year:

"Like most festivals in Spain, New Year's Eve, known as "Nochevieja" is usually a family affair which takes place at home. Until midnight people tend to stay at home and on the stroke of midnight it is traditional to eat 12 grapes, one on each stroke of the clock to bring good luck for the New Year. This tradition began when after a particularly big grape harvest the king of Spain decided to give everybody grapes to eat on New Year's Eve.

It is traditional to listen to the clock from Puerta del Sol in Madrid, usually via the television. Even young people won’t go out with their friends until they have seen the New Year in with their families. Throughout the country there are street parties and special nights in hotels and clubs everywhere."

-via Eye on Spain

The Puerta del Sol in Madrid on Nochevieja
image via Monsters and Critics

Chris and I picked up some grapes at the grocery store last night, and I accidentally ate a few not realizing they were for New Years, but we should have enough for both of us to have 12. Since our families are not here we are having a little potluck at one of his friends apartment until 12, after which we'll go out and celebrate some more.





via Nuevo Estilo





via Mi casa

Have a wonderful Holiday and holiday inspiration

I want to wish you all a really wonderful holiday and I hope you get to spend time and laughs with you loved ones! On Monday I'll be leaving for Spain to see my boyfriend, Chris, where I'll be staying for a month, a week of which I'll be in Morocco. I will do my best to update you with photos! Thank you all so much for your ongoing support and again, have a great holiday!

Love all the reds!
via Room Envy

What do you think of the post-it note Christmas tree? You could write sweet messages on them!



via Living Etc.

This mantle is GORGEOUS!


What a great room to curl up with your honey on Christmas Eve!
via BHG


via BHG via Decorpad