Early Christmas Gift

Martha Stewart

I've been keeping a secret and I can finally reveal it. I'm having a baby! 

Our third little one is due this July so that means I am in the middle of the joys of morning/afternoon/evening sickness. That would explain why I have been MIA lately and will be for the next month. 

I know I could of picked a better holiday to skip than Christmas but I will just have to make it up to you next Christmas. 

So from my family to yours I wish you all a Very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!

Christmas Entryways

My Home Ideas

As I have said before, the entryway to your home sets the tone for what is behind that front door. 

Make it pretty!

All of these ideas are from a fabulous website My Home Ideas which I gather many a great idea from. These are just a few of my favorite Christmas entryways but they have many more beautiful ones. 

Enjoy!

My Home Ideas

I am a big fan of wreaths on the windows. This year I simplified things and only put wreaths on the inside of my bedroom windows. I did not want to put any wreaths on the front of the house this year but still wanted to use them. I will enjoy them as will the cows in the pasture behind my house.

My Home Ideas

I LOVE monograms. I don't know if it's a southern thing or just a Lisa thing but it is a statement of "This is who I am and I am proud of it" kind of thing. Make sense?

I am now on the hunt for wooden letters like these that I can paint and put my own spin on for my front door. 

Christmas is Coming

Martha Stewart

My husband told me that as a child he would tell his parents he wanted a certain toy and the response was always "Christmas is Coming". Well Christmas is coming...rapidly!
 I LOVE Christmas. I am the one who wants to put up the tree in October and I am the first to know which radio station has FINALLY started to play Christmas carols. I love Christmas.

Over the next month I will be sharing some of my Christmas traditions and some new one's I have discovered. These posts may be far between due to the cookie baking, present shopping and just enjoying the season but I will try to post enough eye candy between now and Christmas for us to enjoy.

Happy Thanksgiving

Country Living

With only a few days until Thanksgiving I am sure you are busy getting last minute groceries bought and table linens ironed. I have been doing the same.

With the menu written down and everything organized for a smooth Thanksgiving meal I thought I was ahead of the game! Until I realized I did not have a centerpiece idea or place card  idea.

I had never heard of the word pomander before but I had seen them all over Colonial Williamsburg and loved them. This is super easy to make and smells even better. Simply buy some oranges and whole cloves and push the cloves into the orange in any pattern you desire.

serenitydesign blog

This was the inspiration for my place cards. I already have the materials needed. Just draw the letter onto the orange with a pen, poke holes along the lines with a push pin and then insert the clove. This is a great gift for your guests as well.

Whether you are on the road traveling or busy in the kitchen, I hope you have a low stress, warm and loving Thanksgiving!

Thanksgiving - Ways to say "Thank You"

Better Homes and Gardens

You all know how I love the idea of message trees. This is a wonderful idea for Thanksgiving. Have each person write what they are thankful for on a tag and tie it to a tree branch. At the end of the meal take the tags down and read them aloud to your guests.

Thanksgiving is a wonderful time to give thanks to the one's you love. I started to think of ways to let those friends and family, I do not see very often, know how thankful I am of them and the answer was so simple. Write a thank you note!

Zank you 

My mother always had us writing thank you notes for gifts we had received at a very young age and it has carried over to my adulthood. Write a thank you note, not necessarily for a gift but for the relationships you treasure.

Thanksgiving

Country Living

Thanksgiving is upon us and I, like many of you, have SO much to be thankful for this year. I have the honor of hosting the Thanksgiving meal at our home this year and I have found numerous ideas to share with you on how to make it a stress-free and beautiful day.

Country Living if full of great ideas for decorating your Thanksgiving table. The "Giving Thanks" candles above are simplistic yet classic. All you need are pillar candles, felt and glue. 

Country Living

This rustic approach to the harvest table is very warm and welcoming. This would be perfect for an intimate Thanksgiving meal.

Country Living

Place cards are always nice. Especially when you have a large group of people coming to dinner. This is a place card that can double as a take home gift as well.

Fall Decorating - Vases of Plenty

Pottery Barn

One of my tried and true "emergency" decorating fall backs are vase fillers. If I need a centerpiece or a space filled with some color I empty a vase and fill it with whatever I have around the house. The possibilities are endless. Have some coffee beans and a candle? Apples? Lemons? Crayons? Just go shopping in your home. 

These vase fillers, by Pottery Barn, help create a beautiful harvest display.

Pottery Barn

If your lawn is covered in leaves and the squirrels have not taken all of the acorns that have fallen then grab a basket and gather some free vase fillers! If you do not have access to these things in your yard you can purchase them most anywhere.

These displays would be at home in your dining room or kitchen counter. Wherever you want to be reminded of the season.

*Disclaimer*
Do NOT use acorns from your backyard. After my mother read my blog post she relayed a story of a Thanksgiving meal she had where acorns were in vases and set in the middle of the table. As the warmth of the room warmed the acorns, the worms that were living inside of the nut decided to venture out. This is NOT a dinner guest you want crashing your party.

Fall Decorating - Warm Fuzzies

Better Homes and Gardens

Who does not like to snuggle? Whether it be with that special someone or your favorite blanket and pillow, snuggling warms the body and heart. I am blessed with a dad who crochets afghans so we have no shortage of beautiful blankets. Shake out those blankets that you put away for the summer and drape one over your comfy chair or sofa so it is easy to grab when you settle down with a good book or movie.

Matters of Style blog

Pottery Barn

Texture is a big part of comfort as well. Think of your favorite sweater and imagine a pillow covered in that or a blanket made out of that. I recently saw some sweater-knit pillows at Target and Pottery Barn sells them as well. Splurge a little on a blanket or pillow you find extremely comfortable and it will be your best friend thru the cold months ahead.

Country Living

You may notice that plaid or tartan is poplar this time of year. These blankets are not only good for warmth but decoration as well. Try using one as a tablecloth on the nightstand in your guest bedroom to add a punch of color this holiday season.

Good Housekeeping

This plaid scarf is a lovely table runner for your sofa table. Instant touch of fall to your family room!

Let your sense of touch and sight guide you when decorating for the fall.

Fall Decorating

 

Photo by Lisa

When the temperature starts to drop my natural instinct is to create an environment that feels warm...cozy. This week I will be giving tips on how to dress your home for the colder months ahead. This does not mean you need to repaint your dining room or spend a small fortune. Small accents throughout your home is all you need.

The picture below is of a ledge in my entryway located above my front door. It is the perfect spot to have a seasonal display. (not so perfect for my husband to access) About 90% of the items I already owned. I knew I needed a picture to fill a corner and I took a walk thru my home to see what pictures had warm/autumn colors and just switched it out for another picture. The lanterns were used in the previous seasonal display. The leaf garland was left over from a bridal shower I had hosted and the hay was bought during last years fall clearance. The orange pumpkins were purchased at Wal-mart, the small grape fine pumpkin from Target and the large pre-lit pumpkin from Pier One.

Photo by Lisa

I realize that everyone does not have a ledge like this to display your seasonal items. Entryway tables, mantels, and dining room sideboards are wonderful options for fall decor as well.

Photo by Lisa

My entryway table is decked out for the fall as well. The blessings pumpkins were a great find, last year, at the Family Christian Bookstore. The leaf garland is the same used on the ledge and the vases are filled with brown stones and sticks bought at Target. All of these things were already stored in my basement. That is one of the perks of buying a little here and there during end of the season sales. The holiday or season comes next year and you do not need to purchase anything! 

Halloween - Adorable Trick or Treaters

Martha Stewart

Enjoy the Halloween eye candy!

Better Homes and Gardens

Parents

Parenting

I want to use this idea for MYSELF next year!

Parents

My favorite!!!

Halloween - Wizard of Oz party

All You

I am sure you have movies that you watch at certain times of year. White Christmas for Christmas, Something's Gotta Give for the summer, You've Got Mail for the fall, and Wizard of Oz for Halloween. Those are just some of my picks for the holidays and seasons. Wizard of Oz is full of imagination and the perfect theme for a Halloween party.

Etsy

This cute Oz invite from Etsy sets the tone of the party. It obviously looks to be a kids party but if you want a more grown up look make your own.
Adult invite idea:

• Cut yellow card stock to the size of invitation you want
• Print the party info. in the center of the invitation
• Buy or make your own ruby red slipper stickers and past at the bottom corner of the invite
• You have an instant Wizard of Oz invitation

Ask your guests to dress up as characters from the movie to make it even more fun.

Party 411

If you have the time, go to your local Lowes and pick up some pavers and paint them yellow to make a yellow brick road up your sidewalk or even for a small doormat.

Amy Atlas via Project Wedding

Fill the party location with green decor and food. Your party is now being held in the Emerald City!

Parents

These fun witch cupcakes are perfect for the party. If I ever saw a "not scary" witch this would be it. Perfect for a kid-friendly party.

Cricut

These "baskets" and "Toto's" are an adorable idea for party favors. Fill the baskets with Halloween goodies and have your guests clicking their heels back home.

Halloween - Fun with Googly Eyes

All You

I don't now of a kid (or adult for that matter) who does not have fun with googly eyes. I've used them on birthday invitations and crafts for my kids but never did I think of putting them on my pumpkins. This is a fun and not-so-scary Halloween project that your kids will request for years to come.

Martha Stewart

I was watching Martha Stewart and saw her making this CUTE bracelets and vowed to make them too. Googly eyes can be attached to any fashion accessory. (Martha covered Michael Kors shoes with googly eyes this morning....Payless shoes I can do but NOT Michael Kors) Make a trip to your local dollar store for a pack of googly eyes and have fun!

Halloween - Candy Corn

Intimate Weddings

When I hear the word Halloween the first candy that comes to mind is candy corn and candy pumpkins. The sweet and tangy mixture is quite addictive. There are SO many uses for the candy and inspiration for decor that I just had to share.

This is a great whimsical decoration that kid and adult will love. The tissue paper pom poms come in a Martha Stewart craft kit and from my own experience they are very easy to make. Hang them over your food table or hang them from your ceiling throughout the room.

Womans Day

I know I say this a lot but I LOVE this idea! This has got to be one of the cheapest decorating idea's I know of. Go to the dollar store and buy several bags of candy corn and spread them out in a table runner form on your table. TA DA!!!

Womans Day

A clear vase, pillar candle and a vase filler are wonderful for any space you like to change with the seasons or holidays. Using candy corn as your filler for this Halloween season adds color and nostalgia to your table. Another option would be to omit the candle completely and fill varying sizes of clear vases with different levels of candy corn and arrange on your dining room table or candy buffet.

Food Network

Finding ways to create the look of candy corn with other foods is not all that hard. This candy corn parfait is a light dessert option for your Halloween party this year. 

Food Network

Hilarious! If you don't make this cake for Halloween you should save the idea for April Fools. This is just a fun cake idea that is extremely easy to make and would be a wonderful dessert to make with kids. It consists of cake, vanilla frosting, candy corn (stuck into iced cake with yellow end facing out) and green fondant. Now that is a vegetable most kids would enjoy!

Halloween - So many ways to Celebrate!

Better Homes and Gardens

Every holiday is celebrated differently in each home and Halloween is no exception. Our family chooses to celebrate the gift of imagination on Halloween. My husband and I love to watch our two girls when they are "pretend playing" and Halloween is an extension of that for us.

This week I will share some Halloween decorations, food, party ideas and some adorable kids costumes that I adore. However you chose to celebrate the season be sure to have fun doing it.

Happy Halloween!!!

Pumpkin Creatures

Martha Stewart

I saw this image in Martha Stewarts magazine years ago and fell in love with the whole them of pumpkin creatures.

Martha Stewart

Adorable!

Martha Stewart

I love how they use the stem of the pumpkin in the design as well.

Ladies Home Journal

This is for those of you who don't want to get your hands messy with carving a pumpkin.
How cute?!?!?

Pumpkin Illumination

Country Living

These pumpkins are beautiful both day and night. Arrange them on your mantel or entryway table. Kids will love them!

 Country Living

I LOVE this idea!!!

Pumpkin Firepit

Better Homes and Gardens

I don't know how pumpkin carving goes at your house but at mine I empty the pumpkins of their innards and my husband carves the pumpkins. I then roast all of the pumpkin seeds (thankfully this is done ONCE a year) and we enjoy our beautiful pumpkins Halloween night. 

Ever since I first saw this picture of a pumpkin "fire pit" I've wanted to create it for a fall party at my home. The only thing holding me back is the number of pumpkins I would have to "gut". This beautiful pumpkin "fire pit" is a great idea for your fall or Halloween party. Please send me pictures if you recreate this. I would love to post your efforts!

Pumpkins

Country Living

It is this time of year that my family, like most, likes to pull out the movie It's the Great Pumpkin Charlie Brown and other fall favorites. Pumpkins are a decorating staple for me when the first leaf changes color and the variations in color, shape and size seems to grow every year.  It is no longer just about the big orange pumpkin anymore!
This week will mostly be a show and tell of my favorite pumpkin decorating ideas with a little commentary on the side. Enjoy!

Fall Entertaining - Cheese and Wine (or grape juice)

Better Homes and Gardens

Anytime is a good time to throw a party or have your close friends and family over. You don't need to break the bank to provide a lavish spread every time you want people over. I think a cheese and wine party is a wonderful way to have food for your guests but do so on a budget. You might hear the word wine and think "there goes my grocery bill right now" or "what if I don't drink alcoholic beverages". Not a problem.

A great place to buy good and inexpensive wine is Costco. The same wine that my husband and I drink at restaurants we can find at Costco for less than $10. If you don't drink alcoholic beverages I would suggest finding a delicious cider recipe or substitute club soda for the alcohol in your mixed drink recipes. Sparkling grape juice is yummy and still gives the pretty bottle appearance you may be wanting on your table.

Steve Giralt

One of the wonderful things about a wine and cheese party is that the food serves as beautiful decoration as well. Just look at the clumps of juicy grapes, bowels of plump figs and plates of cheese. Many of these things can be bought weeks in advance so you are not overwhelmed with a large bill as the party nears. This would be a wonderful party to hold on Halloween if you did not want to celebrate with costumes and candy. Celebrate the time of harvest and beautiful friendships.