trimmings & trappings

I think everyone would agree that moving at Christmastime is something you try to avoid at all costs.  Unfortunately sometimes it can't be avoided.  It's hard to feel festive when your walls are bare and there are boxes everywhere.  We did manage to put up our Christmas tree, Santa needs somewhere to bring presents don't ya know ;)  We are doing our best to get into the spirit despite the fact that our home is becoming increasingly barren.

There is something to be said for preparing your home and making it a joyous reflection of the season.  Giving your children the wonder of Christmas magic, the sparkly lights, the heartwarming smells, showing them the significance that something really big is about to happen...celebrating Christ our Savior's birth.  Showing His love through so many ways.

So while there's not much festive decorating, cookie baking, twinkly light hanging, etc going on for us this year, I've decided to live vicariously through these beautiful images from my Holiday Cheer Pinterest board.  Follow me on Pinterest here!

Let's get to it shall we?

how I would love to walk up to this front door, real live greenery is my fav

via

can a kitchen sink get any cuter

via

absolutely making these lighted Christmas "presents" for on the front porch next year

via

how about these sweet nests full of presents

via

epsom salts make the perfect snowscape

via

simply and adorable

via

I think we could all use a little more jingle in our lives...am I right?

via

December 2014...it's so ON baby!

How will you be decorating this year?  I truly hope all of you are having joyful holiday season and letting your creative juices flow!

I've also asked all that follow on IG to share their posts that mark the Christmas spirit with #holidayjoy, will you join in the fun?  Follow me on IG here.

Have a wonderful week my friends!

seven year itch | family room inspiration

We've been in our current home for about 7 years or so.  Much of our furniture is closer to 10 years old but sadly it is drooping and fraying and really looking more like twice it's age.
Sshhhh....don't tell my couch I said that, it has served us well and I wouldn't want to part on bad terms ;)
However there's no denying that the itch has begun to freshen everything up with a new look so I thought I'd share our inspirations with all of you!

The only hurdle is exactly which family room I will be making over ;)  For any new readers out there, we are in the process of trying to sell our home and move to a smaller home in the country.  It has been a roller coaster of an experience but it will be ending soon come hell or high water!  So the question remains, will I be remodeling our current family room or one in a new house?
Your guess is as good as mine....stay tuned!

Either way this is the color scheme I will be working from, although our wood choices will probably lean more towards darker tones.  Thanks again Pinterest!  Seriously, I don't know how I ever decorated our home before without it!?!  (You can follow me here)

image via

We actually picked out a slightly more bluish gray for the walls...Rocky Mountain Sky from Behr.  Below is an example of the look I hope to be incorporating, including pieces from some of my favorite stores....Target and IKEA....can I get an AMEN!!!

1. IKEA Hemnes Coffee Table
2. Target Slipper Chair
3. IKEA Ektorp Sofa
4.  Amazon Natural Storage Bin
5.  Amazon Metro Rug
6.  Target Ruffle Shear
7.  Amazon Barnwood Trunk
8.  Amazon Chevron Accent Pillow
9.  Amazon Silver Serving Tray


I can't wait to get started!
Do any of these pieces strike your fancy?

a classy football party

 A classy football party?  Can there really be such a thing?

When I think of a football party I usually think of greasy (albeit delicious) food and maybe some kitschy decorations.  Don't get me wrong kitschy definitely makes for a good football party, but I'm intrigued by the idea of throwing a slightly more grown-up version.  Hubsy loves him some football and I'd love to actually be able to have friends over to watch the game now that the boys are older and don't need to nap or be in bed really early.  Hmmm...maybe once our house situation is resolved.

So...how would one pull off a classy celebration of grunting, tackling, and throwing around the ol' pig skin?
Go vintage. Yep. Definitely vintage.
Instant class and credibility I tell ya.

I'd focus on the following themes:

~ Lettering
Choose classic sports fonts (like the ones seen here) for your invitations and any signage.

~ Stripes
Think striped jerseys/socks and referee stripes.  Maybe go for a striped tablecloth or napkins.
 
~ Stitching
That unmistakable football cross stitch.  Could be incorporated into food design or used on your printed materials as well.

~ Flags/Pennants
Have fun with these and string 'em up all over.  Nothing says party like a banner or pennant bunting.

Here's some additional inspiration to get you going on a sophisticated football party of your own.

1. flag cupcake toppers
2. concession stand chalkboard menu
3. penalty flag napkin holder
4. brew listing (love the use of the football's texture for the border)
5. pennant bunting

So what do you think?  Could I pull off a classy football party?  I think yes.  And you could too :)

Happy game watching!

Go Steelers!
(sorry I have to, I could not call myself a Pittsburgher if I did not give a shout out to the "Stillers" :)

gone coastal

photo via

The call of the ocean is undeniable to pretty much everyone.  It mystifies and lures the old and young alike.  Our little family is blessed to be able to take a beach vacation almost yearly and it always makes me want to bring some of the sea back with me and incorporate it into my home.  However heavily themed rooms can be overwhelming. I've always been one to gravitate more towards subtly, so these are the points I would keep in mind when putting together a room with a hint of coastal ambiance : )

- thick natural textures like wicker, sisal, and wood
- a breezy color pallet
- weathered finishes
- just a few coastal decor touches like shells, glass, and rope

Don't forget the personal touches, fill a bowl or container of shells you found or frame a photo from the beach that you took yourself.  Nothing can take the place of personal touches that speak to you and recall those memories and emotions brought to you by the sea. 

Here's an inspiration board I came up with featuring all Pottery Barn products.  I would absolutely live at Pottery Barn if I could ; )

1. Bronze Bowl
2. Carved Wood Starfish
3. Sheer Drapes
4. Wool and Natural Jute Rug
5. Oversized Sand Dollar
6. Seagrass Chairs
7. Glass Buoys

Do you have a vacation destination that seems to linger in your thoughts long after your gone?  Have you ever incorporated your favorite locale into your home?    How did it turn out?  Tell me about it, and send me pictures if you have them.  I would love to see it!

It's the most wonderful time of the year...

Happy New Year everyone!!!

I had a crazy December (like pretty much everyone else)!

It was SOOO busy but it was followed by a wonderful 11 day break.  Me Hubsy and kiddos are always off for about a week and a half at the holidays and I am blessed to be able to take off that time as well.  It is such a wonderful time of year to be restful and spend time with family.

Really recharges the 'ol batteries :)

We watched movies.

You'll notice these are all kids movies and I'm not afraid to admit I love 'em :)

We ate tons of sweets.

Um yep, I pretty much polished this baby off all by myself  *shame*

We crafted and played.

I used to LOVE these weaving looms when I was little.

We took advantage of some great local attractions.

Like the Carnegie Science Center. 

They had an unbelievable model train display.  To say my boys were big fans is an understatement.  My little E can't get enough of trains.  They had all of the seasons incorporated into the display and they even had the lights changing from day to night

And the National Aviary.

We even got to feed them fish and worms directly from our hands.  Well, not the eagles of course....scary.

We managed to take some time to revamp a few 
rooms in our house too.

Our bedroom

Vera Wang bedding from Kohl's...click here

I absolutely LOVE it!  I used to make fun of people that have "sitting" areas in their bedroom (all you do is sleep in there anyway right?) but now I have one and since the room is so pretty now I just want to spend all my time in there!

L's bedroom

I'll be doing a separate post for this one ;)

Our Basement

This one's far from complete but we recently added a projector and movie screen down there for the kids to watch movies and play XBox.   I avoided the whole gaming system for 6 years but knew it was only a matter of time and this year me Hubsy was able to score one at no cost!  So I guess I really couldn't argue.  Well you can hardly watch movies and play games without somewhere to sit...hello Goodwill!!  We scored a loveseat and chair with ottoman for cheap.  Watch out creepy spiderwebs, you're the next things to go!

Partying with the family can't be beat.
Getting to spend all that time together as a family is so rewarding.  

I look forward to it every year and I KNOW it means the world to my boys.

Hope you all had a wonderful holiday as well!

Finally fall in my house

I love decorating for the different seasons and holidays.

Problem is I don't have a lot of decorations!  

I normally don't like to decorate for Halloween specifically.  I'm just not that into spooky stuff so I tend to stick with general fall decor and leave it up for October and November.  But L and E are typical boys and adore the ugly spooky skulls and spiders we see at the stores so I may have to start decorating with some of them too to make them happy.
L thinks my current decor is "boring"...ha!

Front door: Berry wreath and "twig" witches brooms

Happy "Jacks" on my front stoop

Fall jewel tones

Fun window clings

Harvest Hearth: complete with handpainted pumpkins from my little Picassos on the shelves

What about you?  
Do you do "spooky" or "boring" in your house?

lowercase letters