New Year's Eve Party Backdrop with Wrapping Paper

Saturday, January 10, 2015

Happy New Year!  I know I have been missing in action since right before Christmas, but I decided to take some time off.  I am starting a new job on Monday and have been "unemployed" since December 22nd.  I used the time off to finish wrapping and enjoy the holiday with family and friends.




We hosted our second annual New Year's Eve Party on our street.  I used my trick from last year by creating a photo backdrop with wrapping paper.









Anyone who knows me knows that I can't sit idle for 3 whole weeks, even at Christmas.  The next post will clue you in on what else I have been up to.  Cheers and Happy New Year!

Gallery Wall of Mirrors

Thursday, December 18, 2014


My handsome hubby's birthday is on Saturday.  As part of his present, I am hoping to hang the gallery wall of mirrors that we have hoarded accumulated.  He wants them hung in the corner to the right of his desk.   I love a good gallery wall.  I love balance and symmetry.  How do you get that with a corner gallery wall?  



Here are some of my favorite M inspiration:


Source unknown


Source Dimples & Tangles


Source: Focal Point Styling

These are clearly unedited or staged pictures.  You can see some of the mirrors that we will use strewn all over the floor.  Here's to keeping it real!


Here is a shot of the corner for reference.


For father's day I swapped out the standing lamp for a tall Fiddle Leaf Fig Tree.  The mirrors would be hung above the chair to the left of the desk and then wrap onto the TV wall.


Any tips for me?  Should I also hang mirrors on the right of TV?



New lighting from World Market

Sunday, December 14, 2014


I am in love with some of the lamps and chandeliers at World Market.  I keep trying to think of homes for them in our house.




Sentimental Christmas Tree Skirt

Monday, December 8, 2014

If you are anything like me you have your wedding dress stashed somewhere around your house.  Maybe it is in a box in the attic or stored in a spare closet like mine.

When we moved into our new house two years ago I wanted to change up our Christmas decor without spending a fortune.


I was on the hunt for a beaded, white Christmas tree skirt.  The ones at the department stores were a fortune and even $50 or more at TJ Maxx and Homegoods.  That is not a bad price, but more than I wanted to spend.


Then it dawned on me that I had the perfect thing at home.  The train on my wedding dress was completely detachable.  It was white satin, beaded and round.  Perfect!


If your train does not detach, you could always cut apart your dress.  Insert gasps here!  Are you ever going to wear your dress again?  Do you have daughters that would actually want to wear it?  I have boys, so that isn't even a consideration.  Why not make into a new and useful family heirloom.


Hill Ridge Farms Festival of Lights

Sunday, December 7, 2014

Happy Sunday!  We made a Family Winter Fun list last week.  It's a good way to ensure the Christmas season is not soley based on shopping and hustle and bustle.  We crossed one item off the list last night by visiting Hillridge Farms Festival of Lights.


Many of you Raleigh locals know about Hillridge Farms fall fun with pumpkins and more, but did you know thy are open at Christmas too?


We visited with Santa and the boys told him what they would like for Christmas.  Santa lectured them about not fighting with each other, no whining and to make sure to listen to Mom and Dad the First time!  I love Santa!






Our other favorite activities at the Festival of Lights include the hayride through the lights, the giant slide, and roasting smore's around a fire.  They sell marshmallows on a long stick for roasting and a packet of chocolate squares and graham crackers. Hot chocolate and apple cider are another favorite too!


Outdoor Traditional Christmas Lights

Thursday, December 4, 2014

I had the most wonderful Thanksgiving weekend and hope you did too!  We did tons of decorating! Handsome Hubby put the lights on the front of the house while I decorated inside and on the back porch.



We still need a rug for the patio, snowflake lights, pillows and more, but it is starting to come together.  I am hoping to wrap it up this weekend for a post on Monday.






Getting Christmasfied

Sunday, November 30, 2014

My oldest was adamant that we "Christmasfy" our house this weekend.  Good thing that is what was already on the agenda.


Please forgive the grainy iPhone photos. I have asked for a new iPhone and camera for Christmas.


This is by far my favorite Christmas tree!  I am sure I say that every year, but I am in love with the white snowflakes and furry critters.  It's the perfect mix of what makes me happy and what makes my two little boys happy.  Plus, it's blue.  Their favorite color.  I reused a lot from last year including the white feather boas for "snow" and the tree skirt is actually the detachable train from my wedding dress.  Not that you can see it since it's covered in the packages I stayed up until midnight wrapping.



My two boys helped me make this ornament garland out of leftover Christmas balls.   We moved the mirror from the Mud Room to the stairs to add some more color to the staircase wall.  I can't wait to have the hallway painted. 

     
We also built Lego Santa's Workshop. This is my new favorite tradition.  We still need to rebuild the Lego Winter Village Cottage from last year. 


What's your favorite Christmas tradition?

This is also posted to Best of the Nest Link Party. 
Best of the Nest

Did you see this Ikea Hack on the Shine Your Light blog?  Incredible transformation!






Subscribe to: Posts ( Atom )