Christmas Tablescape

Can you believe tomorrow is Christmas Eve?! There are so many last minute details to wrap up today and tomorrow that my head is spinning a bit. I know I’m not the only one out there wrapping presents, running to the store, and getting their home ready for guests. At least I imagine everyone is just as busy as me because it makes me feel better.

One item I can cross off my list is this year’s Christmas table. As always, my tablescapes are impromptu and very inexpensive since I usually shop my house and use glass containers that can be filled with holiday décor I already have. I don’t think I shared how inexpensive they are. My Thanksgiving table this year cost a whopping $3 for the gold pinecones I used as vase filler. I spent a bit more on Christmas, which came in at $14. I think this is the most I have ever spent!



I was so excited to find this red tablecloth on sale at Target for $8. I knew it would match my centerpiece perfectly that I put together from an old garland I made years ago. Reuse and repurpose when you can!



The Christmas plates were a gift many years ago and the champagne glasses were purchased at Ikea last year.






I was too exhausted last night to worry about ironing the tablecloth. I’m hoping the wrinkles will fall out today. If not, I’ll live. Raising three boys has beat any type A personality traits out of me.



I filled the glass cylinders with real cranberries, sprigs of garland from my breakfast room chandelier, and floating candles. My husband said, “what?!” when I started filling them with water to make the cranberries and candles float. Ha! I got the idea from wedding tablescapes I’ve seen on Pinterest. There are so many different things you could do with these glass cylinders-ornaments, branches, candles, pinecones, snow, etc. I picked them up several months ago at Target for $10 each knowing I would use them over and over again without ever having the same look.



At least this room is ready for Christmas! Are you ready?

A No Bow Christmas

I love beautifully wrapped presents as much as the next person, but I’ve had kids and pets long enough to know that bows will not last a week in my house. By Christmas Day, I’m lucky if I even have one bow left on a present.

Recently, I came across this idea on Pinterest. You can buy the wrapping paper, ribbon and labels at this Etsy store.




But, I decided to try this using store bought tags and ribbon. One day I’ll be crafty enough to make my own, but not this Christmas. Here is my version.






You could definitely make this prettier with nicer wrapping paper and tags, but I let the kids pick out their own paper. I just asked that it have blue or silver this year to match the tree. I love that I can stack the presents on top of each other now without having to worry about the bows getting crushed. Why didn’t I think of this before?! Now, if I could just figure out how to keep the presents wrapped since prying little hands are undoing the edges of the paper.

Fall to Winter Fashion

I overdosed on Christmas décor blog posts this past week. I bet many of you did too with so many beautifully decorated homes. I really think this has been the best year yet, but now I have Christmas fatigue. I'm sure I will get over it in a few days. :)

Now, that my house is decorated and almost all of the gifts are bought, I need to focus on my lack of a winter wardrobe. I may wear yoga pants almost every day, but I still need a few outfits for the days I do go somewhere other than the grocery store. Here are my favorite cold weather looks from my fashion Pinterest board.













I'm dying to own a tutu.






My favorite handbags













And shoes...









And I really want this...

It's fun to dream!

Christmas Home Tour 2013

Welcome! Come inside and my little elf will show you around.




There he is! His name is Mario. He's...an Italian elf?




Because my decorations are neutral in the back of the house, I decided to go with a pop of red in the front.




Off the entryway is the dining room. A small centerpiece and a bit of ribbon is enough for everyday, but I do plan on putting together a tablescape for Christmas Eve.










Once you turn the corner into the living room the décor is completely different. It's cool and neutral, which blends perfectly with the room.













Mario is all ready for Christmas in his holiday sweater. I think red is his color.




Seriously, could he not be a dog model?



He doesn't move once you put the sweater on and I had to walk around him to take the picture. I wish my kids would take note!

On the other side of the great room I continued the neutral décor, but I did add a few pops of red.













Looking from the kitchen into the living room.




And from the living area to the kitchen.




I also put a tree in my boys' game room. I needed a place to put our sentimental ornaments and the ones that the boys look forward to seeing every year.






Thanks for stopping by!