Dear Santa Letter

Hey there!  Is this holiday season zooming by for you guys?  How is it that we are in our last few days of school before Christmas break?  I seriously can't believe it.  We are leaving for a ski trip in a couple of days, so in between rounding up cold weather gear, last minutes school projects, cheer competitions, basketball practice and Christmas shopping, we also started thinking about our letter and treats that we are going to put out for Santa before we leave.  Because even with our crazy, busy schedule, the treats for Santa are a big deal for a couple of kiddos in  my house :)

This letter is one that we have been putting out the last couple of years and I still just love it.  I think it helps remind my children the true meaning of Christmas and adds the whimsy of Santa too.  It's short and sweet, but gets the message about where our focus should be.

Does your family have any fun traditions that ya'll do the night before Santa comes to visit? 

Have a great day!

So, So Grateful

Hi there!  While I was closing out our Reader Appreciation Giveaway on Monday as a way to thank all of you for your support and readership, it occurred to me that I should also say a huge "thank you" to a few magazines and online sites that have recently featured my work.  I have to admit that blogging is a LOT of work (especially if you are solo doing all the photographs, editing, writing, designing, organizing, etc.), but it's something that I absolutely LOVE.  So to have the work that I'm passionate about recognized by these magazines is such a dream come true!  And to see myself, my children and my home in glossy print of a national magazine is definitely a pinch me moment that just still blows me away.  In the last month, these features below have happened and I am truly grateful. 

Thank you so much to Better Homes and Gardens Magazine, GoodHousekeeping.com, HouseBeautiful.com and BHG.com!

Better Homes & Gardens Magazine | December 2014

House Beautiful | 10 Genius Ways to Decorate With Wrapping Paper (#6)

Better Homes and Gardens Style Spotters | Holiday Decorating In My Neutral Palette Home



Good Housekeeping | 10 Genius Ways To Decorate With Wrapping Paper (#6)

And again, a big "thank you" to all of you who read, comment, pin, tweet, gram, facebook and share my work.  Y'all are an amazing group and I love all the connections I have made through this little blog.

Have a wonderful day!

 

My Classic Christmas Home Tour

Hi there!  Welcome to my little Christmas home tour.  For me, Christmas is such a magical time of the year.  It's a time of celebrating traditions from my past and creating new memories with my own little family.  So getting the house decorated is a big part of building those memories for us.  This year, I choose to stick with my classic, simple decorating style.  I love using greenery and then adding a little Christmas flavor with red in small doses.  

The kids stockings are from Pottery Barn Kids and always so fun for them to pull out each year.  We do not have an elf on the shelf, but instead celebrate the fest of St. Nick on December 6th who fills their stockings with some special treats.

And because the piano has been so famous this year, it too got all dressed up for the occasion :)  All ready for Christmas carols.

The dining room table is ready to go with this new reindeer I picked up at Homegoods, my red plaid napkins from World Market and fresh greenery from our holly bushes.

I added a few touches of Christmas to the kitchen as well.  The simple chalkboard and Christmas tree garland were quick, easy diy's.  Then I headed outside again for a few clippings from our cedar trees to add here and there.  Another boxwood wreath for the window over my desk finished things off.

And now the grand finale...our Christmas tree!  Much the same as last year, but I added the red ribbon and red wrapping this year.  I kept our tree simple with just lights and ornaments for the last two years and really like it that way.  We put all our ornaments on the tree.  The handmade ones from school hang right along side our fancy glass ornaments.  It's our little collection of treasures displayed for this special time of the year.  I added the linen stockings from Birch Lane and cozied up the fireplace with a new pillow and throw from Homegoods.

Now time to sit back and enjoy it all for the next few weeks.  Have a beautiful day!

P.S.  Our blogger's holiday giveaway has ended and the winner is Amy O.   Congratulations!  I will be emailing you soon.

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