Thursday, December 16, 2010

a Christmas collection

i love collecting items to decorate my house for the Christmas season.

people know i love it too.

so most years i get gifts of Christmas decor for Christmas or for my birthday, which is in november. i love it. i usually spend my birthday money on guess what? Christmas decorations. i love going after Christmas and getting items 75 - 90% off at target.

like i said. i love decorating for Christmas!

so here is a quick tour of my Christmas collection.


the reindeer, a birthday gift to myself. the mercury glass tree in cloche, a birthday gift from my sister. the reindeer painting, a gift from my super talented sister in law.



the skates, my sister's growing up.



the fake mercury glass trees, $1 each at walmart after Christmas. the lanterns, from my brother's wedding 12 years ago.


the reindeer, a gift from my sister in law. the tree, a white elephant gift this year {i got lucky on that one. some people ended up with used wrestling singlets as their gift!}.


the ribbon, from a gift from my sister. the greenery, i buy more and more each year.


the picture, one of my favorites of me and my dad. the glass stars, a gift card and coupon spent at bed bath and beyond. the pine cones, collected on walks with my daughters.


the birchwood skis, on clearance at tjmaxx.



the fake tree, found on the side of the road with a sign saying "free". the ornaments, greens, golds, reds and whites collected slowly through the years.



the real tree, decorated with ornaments bought throughout the years as well as snowflakes from my daughter's first birthday party.



the stockings, a big birthday money splurge. even though i only need 4, i got 6. just in case. the letters, $.50 each at hobby lobby



the table runner, another birthday splurge. the candle, balsam and cedar from yankee candle. a staple at our house all winter long.


the presents, wrapped with love. i buy one new roll of wrapping paper each year. i also collect ribbons throughout the year and save them from year to year. my attempt to be green {thrifty too}.

Wednesday, December 15, 2010

step by step guide on giving merry this holiday season

step 1: have a family baking day and bake some of your favorite cookies and candies of the season.


step 2: have a cookie exchange with your girlfriends. this is such a genious idea. kudos for the first woman who thought of it. you bake lots of one or two kinds of holiday cookies or candies, then you take them and exchange with your girlfriends with the different kinds of cookies and candies that they brought. lots of variety. a small amount of work.


step 3: wrap these cookies and candies in pretty packages. Tie them with a bow. {i got my boxes half off at hobby lobby!}


step 4: give merry little gifts of yummy goodness to your neighbors, coworkers, baby sitters or friends!

Thursday, December 9, 2010

a merry entry


simple frames from the dollar tree. a store bought garland with real greenery attached to it. some battery operated lights. some ornaments.


don't you feel merry?

Wednesday, October 27, 2010

a fall entry

as previously stated, i was inspired by pottery barn {when aren't i?}

so, leaves in a big wine barrel.

wreath hung in an empty window instead of a mirror.

and an added element: a halloween banner made with fabric, jute and some hot glue.



Sunday, October 24, 2010

i'm back!

baby: delivered.

well rest? well, well enough.

so...

check out my blog soon for some simple projects i've been up to. plus a baby room reveal {once i finish it}. and maybe a den reveal {once i get it started}.

Friday, August 13, 2010

a simple creative space

being 8 months pregnant many projects have been on hold.

except for one.

a simple space for me to create...

Sunday, August 1, 2010

the copy cat

remember, there is nothing new under the sun - so there is no shame in using others ideas...

layla:


me, the copy cat: