Christmas Kitchen and Hot Cocoa Bar

My Christmas kitchen is pretty much the same as last year's, but with a few changes to the hot cocoa bar. I just love the way the blue and white vases look with the red poinsettias.

Even though my kids drink cocoa almost daily in the winter I didn't realize how much they would love having all the toppings and Christmas cups out last year. I improved it a bit and bought marshmallows, candy canes and m&ms. The m&ms never made it into the container because the boys ate them all before I could blink. I'll be running by the store this weekend for chocolate and red/green sprinkles at their request too. I obviously need to buy twice the amount of anything that has sugar in it. This isn't the best picture, but I just love the little gingerbread house I bought at Hobby Lobby too. I had a few gaps to fill from last year because some of the pieces are now in the upper glass cabinets. 

The view from the living room.

And the most festive of them all!

This picture never gets old! I am going to try and take a new one this year if I can find something cute. You can tell by his face how much he loves it!

My Black Friday Find and More Christmas Decor

I may have finished my Christmas decorations a week ago, but as usual I pick things up between now and Christmas as I see them. These gold reindeer were just calling my name!

I've been eyeing this mirrored tray at ZGallerie the past year for my coffee table and I finally bought it once I noticed there was a 20% Black Friday discount. It's a bit hard to see since I covered it in greenery, but it's the perfect size for this table and it made an instant difference in the entire feeling of the room.

I've been putting off buying it because I've been way too overwhelmed with all of the projects going on around here. Now that I'm coming down to the final details of my living room I decided it was time to finally finish it. Well, the custom drapes and massive chandelier that will require scaffolding to hang because of the tall ceilings will be held off indefinitely because of the cost. I can't justify such minor details when an entire home office remodel will equal the same price. Other than those projects and maybe some future woodwork, I am working hard to finish this room by the New Year. I received my final major piece of furniture today, a console table for behind the sofa. It fits in perfectly and just makes the room feel so much more finished. I'll show it to you as soon as I find decor to accessorize it. 

Now, for the best seat in the house! I popped in the dining room to take a quick picture of the chandelier I decorated a couple of weeks ago. It was then I realized the seat at the head of the table has the best view of the entryway and dining room decorations. 

Like most people with formal dining rooms, we rarely use ours. As I took this picture I vowed to have more family dinners here instead of standing around the island eating with maybe one or two of us at the breakfast room table. There's just something about the holidays that makes you want to bring tradition and celebration back to every day life. I guess that means I need to start cooking again so we have something homemade to eat here!

Early Christmas Decor

Life is busier than ever for me with work, kids, and an always out of town husband. I'm not complaining because even though it's busy life is full and good. Once Halloween was over I decided to start on Christmas because I was a little nervous things might not get done on time if I didn't start early. I was right because I'm only halfway done decorating the interior at this point. I'm hoping to finish the decorations and finalize the kids Christmas list this weekend. Wish me luck!

I'm not big on anything I have to store for Christmas, but I absolutely love this reindeer. Doesn't he look handsome with his poinsettia wreath? He's the first thing you see when you walk in the entryway and he makes the best impression. Love him!

I am so excited my tree is finally done. My kids said that the cream, gold and silver tree from last year didn't look like "Christmas." My son made the air quotations and everything when he said it. My other son said he wanted to see more red. Okay then! I had a bit of an issue decorating with red because it does not fit in with my house at all. It feels so jarring when everything else is so light. I had to figure out a way to add in red that fit in. That means in very small doses! I actually like this better than my tree last year. The bits of red just add a little something extra.

I just need to work on the dining room and stairwell when I get a chance. So far it looks like Friday night is going to be the only time that's going to happen. My fingers might be sore from floral wire next week, but I am determined to get it done!

A Romantic Fall Tablescape

I just love this year's fall tablescape...white pumpkins, roses, fresh greenery and a bit of mercury glass for sparkle.

 

 

 

 I can't wait to re-create this look for my Thanksgiving guests!

Fall Mantel and Entry

It's finally fall! The best part is I am feeling it even in Houston. Cool mornings and evenings, warm days...ahhh! It's so nice to go outside and not melt. If we could just get rid of these mosquitos!

I pulled out my fall décor a couple of weeks ago, but it just didn't fit my style anymore or my new house. After thinking about it, I really just wanted lots of candlelight, cozy throws, pumpkins, a bit of sparkle and a fresh flowers/greenery.

 

 

 

 

I love the eucalyptus I bought at Trader Joe's for $2.99. I had so much of it I made two more arrangements from it. Crazy! I've never been into fresh flowers, but I have to have them weekly now. When I was in high school I thought the flower arranging class offered was ridiculous ( I was going to be a serious RN, which I am except the serious part), but now I'm regretting not taking it. I spent way too much time tonight arranging my hydrangeas and eucalyptus I just bought. They look good, but I keep side eyeing them and turning the vase in circles to be sure. Maybe flower arranging is not for perfectionists. FYI, if you need inspiration Carolyn Roehm is a master at flower arranging and I stalk her Instagram regularly for ideas. I'm also coveting her gardens and hope to one day have a formal garden to cut fresh flowers. Just typing that makes me feel really old. Let's move on.

 

If you've been following my chair saga, I finally decided to order a second one. I still need a small table between them and add pillows, but I just throw whatever pillow or blanket ends up in the living room. My kids are always moving them around. One day there was a plaid blanket in the living room and a couple of days later it was a faux fur throw that I found. They all seem to work fine so I just roll with it.

 

 

 



The only fall décor I added to the entry is the orange flowers and mercury glass pumpkin, which is plenty considering the front door has been piled high with mums. I'm waiting a bit to buy pumpkins since our days are still warm. Real pumpkins are nice, but not when they attract bugs. The wildlife in my new neighborhood can be a bit terrifying at times.



I'm also in full party planning mode. My younger kids are 8 and 10 so I decided if I ever want to throw a Halloween party now would be the time. I remember going to a Halloween party when I was in elementary school and it being such a blast. I hope I can re-create it for them. They are so excited, which is refreshing since things never went as planned when I tried to plan events several years ago. Sometimes they act like little adults now instead of kids with their pumpkin spice latte requests and adult observations. My 10 year old recently left feedback on Chik-fil-a's website to complain about the new zesty buffalo sauce and then decided to make it a campaign to bring back the original buffalo sauce on Youtube. I just about died laughing when he said, "The link to the feedback is in the comments." Future blogger? According to him, the money is in vlogging. Okay, Mr. 10 year old! Bloggers, take note!