Christmas in our Home, 2015


This year I was lucky enough to have my mom here with me to decorate for Christmas!! We had so much fun going to HomeGoods and Marshalls to find unique ornaments, garland, and candles. (I promise I'm not sponsored by TJX)

Christmas decorating has a fine line between perfectly placed festive decor and red/green clutter.  I love for every little space or corner to have a little Christmas cheer on it but I also try to step back and edit, asking myself "is that pretty or just messy looking?" 

With a toddler in the house, I decided to leave most of the special ornaments in their boxes and replaced them with felt or wooden ornaments.  I also looked specifically for dark red, dark green and cream decorations. Our stockings were my inspiration which were gifts from Paul's mom Sandy!

Below are more shots from around our main floor of the house!
{a few nativity figurines that Roswelle can play with - the three wise men are not pictured}
{last year with Santa}
{I love plaid, and I'm thinking I will buy more of it when Christmas items go on clearance}
{Nothing is more festive than a table ready for a dinner party}


I really wanted a wooden Christmas tree collar this year for under the tree.  There were a few at HomeGoods but I didn't get to the store in time before they were all scooped up! So this year I purchased some Christmas storage boxes that hide the cords and skirt and will be good for ornament storage.  

Living Room Update: Fall 2015


I did it. I got rid of the big blue buffet that was our TV stand/toy storage for 3+ years.  As my friend said, it was taking more than it was giving. And what it was taking was space. Living in the city, every inch of our home is important and valuable real estate which should be used strategically. I fought placing the TV over the mantel for years, but alas it just makes too much sense not to have it centered in our living room on wall space.  

I love rearranging; so one day when Roswelle was being quite laid back, I decided to get to it.  Below are the details of the change up (and a few before pictures too!).  

I loved my little gallery above the mantel but it also looks quite nice over my coffee bar.

Before:

We've had it set up like this for about a month now, and Paul and I both really love it.  btw...I read that you are supposed to feel your home with only things that mean something to you, and that you really love.  Well....I really love HomeGoods I guess, because my house is furnished with HomeGoods purchases!
{Below, circa 2012 - when I first moved in!}
{Fall 2014}


The cords will be hidden once the TV is actually mounted.  I found this chair on theGoods app and quickly went to the store to purchase. I love how deep it is - I can curl my legs up in it when I have my morning coffee by the window. And it's a great place to read Roswelle books that she selects. It's my new favorite spot.  
This bookcase was my grandmothers. And maybe her mothers before that? It's been with me through high school, my apartment in college, Atlanta, and the Northend...and finally it holds my daughters toys!
{a nice little blend of the Thanksgiving and Christmas Holidays}


Favorite Things Friday


//home 

I had an epic HomeGoods find this week, probably because I visited 5 different locations so my odds were high. I have been looking for light and airy bar stools since I moved in 3 years ago but I refused to spend a fortune or buy anything other than what I had in mind. Then I spotted these perfect wooden & rod iron stools and almost jumped up and down in the store!! They make me grin every time I walk past them so it was money well spent in our home. Roswelle thinks they're great too!

 


//food


My girlfriend Erin brought me cucumbers from her garden this week! She said her husband, Rich, was planning to use them as "baguettes" for his tuna salad and I agreed it was a great idea. We have been using cucumber slices as cracker replacements with cheese and hummus for some time now but hollowing them out and using it as bread brings the cucumber game to a whole other level. 



//baby 


Who knew there were critically acclaimed authors in the baby book world, but Karen Katz is killin' it! We love her books in our household, especially the Princess Baby series - I'm being totally serious!! It all started with Princess Baby, and then we added Princess Baby on the Go (to grandmothers house) and Princess Baby Night Night.  The tried & true test of a good baby book is if the parents enjoy it as well, which we do! Bright colors, cute themes, and plenty of stuffed animals, these books make a wonderful gift for any little girl.




//personal


You can get so much out of a girls night: a break, good food, some good wine if you choose, decorating inspiration and great beauty tips! I had all of that (minus the wine) this past Wednesday night.  My girlfriend Emily was so excited about her new facial cleanser that she brought it with her for all of us to try! The Cure Natural Agua Gel is fragrance free and feels like water on your face. Suddenly your dead skin will start to peel leaving a baby smooth new skin glow. The best part?..it's available on Amazon!  That's a win-win for me since I can never seem to make it to Sephora these days.