It's Beginning to Look a Lot Like Christmas

This year I decided to simplify my holiday decorations.  The goal was to have displays that were quick to assemble, easy to store, and budget friendly.  The best way to achieve this is to use items that you already have on hand and to use real plants and foliage (preferably the free kind from your own yard).

 

Here's a look at my final Christmas decorations.  For someone without a newborn, it would probably take about a day to complete.  For me, it took about two and a half weeks.  That means I only get to enjoy them for two weeks before Christmas.  I should have started decorating sooner!!

On the sideboard in our kitchen, candles and ornaments are arranged at varying heights atop leftover cuttings from the Christmas tree. Hanging ornaments and a lighted wreath add some sparkle.

 



 





My treasured handmade cross is displayed above the mantle.  A manger scene is featured the center of the cross.  Fresh cuttings from the pine trees and berry bushes in our yard were added to the pre-lit garland.



 

 

 

Stockings hang from a garland adorned with ornaments.

 

 

And finally, the Christmas tree.  This is not a decorator tree, this tree is filled with all the special ornaments we have collected over the years.  The repetition of the red glass ball ornaments and the gold twig fillers pulls all of the various elements together. 

 

Now we just need a visit from Santa.

 

The Devine Miss M

 

 

 

 



Little Luxuries

Don't get me wrong, if the hubs wants to buy me some bling for Christmas (just a little something like this) I will happily accept it, but sometimes I get just as much joy from the "little luxuries".  These are small things that make everyday life just a little sweeter.  I thought I would share my list in case there may be a great gift for some of your hard-to-buy-presents-for family and friends.
 

Personalized stationary makes me feel like a very important person

 

 

 A pretty tray to hold my small earrings
 

 

My nails will scream "diva" in this Essie Nail Polish

 

Scented soap makes my morning shower a mini-spa retreat

 

MAC lipstick is the best and Hot Tahiti is my fave
 

These books are the best I've read this year

 

Pastry Art Baby Bites are a little slice of heaven and a lot of calories, but soooo worth it

 

 

Pillow mist is the perfect way to pamper yourself

Flowers, especially peonies are always a good idea



A girl can never have too many pretty earrings



I always carry cute notebooks in my bag to jot down to-do lists and design ideas



This lotion is for baby, but Mom loves it too


Do you have any "little luxuries"?  Please share!

 

 

 

 



The Magic of Magenta

Doesn't magenta just make you smile?

 

 

 

 

Via

 

Via

 

Via

 

Via

 

Via

 



Problem Solved

I don't love DIY projects, but I just can't seem to stay away from them. 

 

 If you saw my Halloween and Thanksgiving decorations (you can check them out here and here) you will remember that I changed the items that hung above my mantle according to the season. 

 

 This left holes in the wall that will need to be patched before I re-hang the painting that resides there during the rest of the year. 

Not good.

 

So I got smart and devised this little DIY project to solve the problem of the holes in my wall.  I took the large gold frame that I already had, cut down a cork push pin board to fit the frame, wrapped the board in burlap, and fitted it into the frame.  Here's the result:

 

 

 

 

This will allow me to attach my holiday decorations to the cork board instead of driving nails into the wall.  Also, the frame makes the Cross that I hang during Christmas a little more prominent on the mantle. 

 

The best part is that the cork board is multipurpose.  When the holidays are over, I can use it in another room as a message board!



Christmas Time's a Comin'

In between feedings and diapers I have managed to spread a little Christmas cheer around the Shaw house.  Here's what's been accomplished:

 

 

 

 

Next comes the tree!