Around the house

Today has been a crazy day around here.  Mainly because my husband and I had very different plans.  I planned to finish up last minute Christmas dealings outside of the house WITHOUT children... meaning he would need to be home.  His plan... play golf...  Since his included "clients" I lost.  So, instead of staring at my list of things I need to finish up buying before the big day I decided to do a little post from around my house.

This year my decor included a fair bit of DIY but I stayed very traditional in color, sticking to red, green, and gold in my living room.

 

My tree decorating recipe. 

1. Lights.  Push some in deep to the tree and some wrapped further out around the tips.  And, in my opinion, you can never have too many!

2.  Garlands.  I use two types.  A small beaded garland and also a giant spool of gold mesh.  I get mine at Sam's and for around $10 a roll I think it has big impact.  You just wind and twist it as you go.

3.  Layer in your biggest ornaments.  I like to put my biggest deep into the tree.

4.  Call in the kids!  Let them help with putting all the rest of the ornaments.  I have some pretty, some hand me down, lots made by my kids, and all shapes and sizes.  You can't go wrong here.

5.  Finally, I stick in picks.  Mine are always glittered for the main tree.  Curly, berries, and flowers.  Fills in all your gaps.

6.  Add presents!  Trees always look better to me with presents stacked under it.  There have even been times when I wrap empty boxes just to add to it!

My mantle this year includes lots of greenery from my yard.  A little tip, if your yard doesn't have tree suitable for cuttings you can stop at a Christmas tree lot.  They always have huge piles of limbs they have cut off of other peoples trees and they are happy to let you take them free of charge!  With mantles I think the key is always to layer, layer, layer!  Layer textures, colors, and height. 

You've got to love where "Cobbie Face"  our Elf On The Shelf ended up today. 

These topiary trees are incredibly easy to make.  All you need is a paper mache come and some yarn or twine.  Wrap around cone making sure you fill in all gaps and glue the ends in.  That simple!  I put mine on brass candle stick to help vary the height and to add another brass element to tie into my stocking holders.  Greenery and holly berries from the yard, a little sparkle, and that's it!

A few other little vignettes.

Footed Milk Glass Pedestal plus vintage ornaments.

Willow Tree Nativity... after all... this is what its all about!

Merry Christmas!!

Kandi

Beautiful Mantels via Pinterest

I love Pinterest; but I especially love it this time of year.  If you have not become a member of this amazing site, do it soon.  (www.pinterest.com)  Pinterest allows you to "pin" any image that is on the web to a board.  Allowing you to create online inspiration boards.  Pick a topic, and start finding pictures.  It is great because you don't have to remember a million different websites.  Just one; all your ideas, in one place).  But I will warn you, it is addictive. 

 Here are a few of my favorite Christmas inspired mantels.

picture from Pinterest

 Picture from Pinterest, Simple Evergreens

Traditional Home, via Pinterst

My Mantel

 Aren't these mantels gorgeous!  My husband was teasing me earlier tonight that I could look at Pinterest all day long, and not be bored, and I think he is right.  The last picture is a shot of one of my mantels.  As I said in my last post I have been feeling a bit under the weather so I am sorry I have not posted my other mantels for you.

I hope to see your mantels on Pinterest soon!
love,
Rebekah

It is a mercury glass christmas in Lynchburg

It has been a crazy couple of weeks; 3 of my family members have been to the doctor for vayring ailments, the compressors in my heat pump, and my refrigerator died, two of my faucets are not working, and my back door is on the fritz (permanently locked)!  I feel like I barely have had a chance to breathe, let alone decorate for the holidays.  Lucky for me my energetic mother came for a visit, and has decided to extend her stay until we are all on the mend.  While I have been sitting in my chair (trying to rest), she has cleaned out my pantry, reorganized my storage room, blown all of the leaves off my decks, pulled out my christmas decorations, and last but not least she has made a couple of my favorite meals.  Although sitting in my chair is not where I want to be, it has not been that bad either.  Before all this crazyness here is a house I helped decorate for the holidays....

My friend Karen Covey has a Christmas Open house every year.  She invites several local artist/businesses to sell their products.  This year she asked me to decorate her livingroom, and bring a few of my Christmas pillows.  She has such a beautiful traditional home, I wanted to bring decorations to her home that would complement her space, but also give an unexpected twist.

Vintage Linen "Love"pillow, and Vintage Apron Christmas Tree Pillow

Mercury Glass Christmas Trees with fresh greenery

I wish you a very Merry, and Healthy Christmas!

Rebekah

Happy Thanksgiving from Lynchburg Va

Happy Thanskgiving!  The turkey is in the oven, and our family is on its way.  Here are a couple of pictures of our tablescape this year.  The pumpkins are from Pottery Barn, the paper bag flowers were inspired by 52 Mantels from Pinterest, and the"Give Thanks" banner was one of my creations!  I know the pumpkins were a total splurge, but I compensated for them by making those beautiful homemade paper bag flowers and "Give Thanks" banner.  Every table needs a little glamor mixed with a good deal!  I do love this season...

I love these Pottery Barn Pumkins.  I have used them in several places around my home this fall....including the mantel.  The main thing to keep in mind when decorating a mantel or even your table, add height, depth, and texture in your design.

I like the combination of rustic and time warn treasures mixed with shimming glass. 

I hope your Thanksgiving was filled with friends and family, and lots of joyful moments!
love,
Rebekah