Search results for “holiday”

  • DIY Valentine Decor: Heart Canvas

    Well, I caved a little on my “no decorating for Valentine’s Day” stance this year.  I have always been a “seasonal” decorator, not one that decorates for every holiday on the calendar. You see, I had a vision. Does that ever happen to you?  And my paint brushes were beckoning.  So I got a little …

    The Best Natural Room Freshener

    The holidays are over and all you really want for Christmas is your nice, clean house back. Caroling is over, the decorations are down, and the pine scents and cinnamon spice of the holiday are gone. How do you keep your home smelling nice through the rest of the winter? Adding heavily scented or perfumed …

    Champagne Drinks for Ringing in the New Year

    2014 is almost in the books and it’s time to celebrate a new year!  We always enjoy popping the cork on our favorite bottle of champagne to ring in the new year, but I thought it would be fun this year to try out a new champagne drink on our fellow revelers.  When I was …

    Party Ideas to Kick Off the New Year

    The fireworks, the countdown and the excitement of a “fresh start” have always made New Year’s Eve one of my favorite holidays.  Already, 2015 brings with it so many reasons to celebrate! It’s a great time to reflect on accomplishments and special moments from the past 12 months and also offers a new beginning for …

    Get Creative with Your Thank Yous

    Happy Holidays!  All the packages have been unwrapped, gifts are being enjoyed and now it is time to think about all those thank you notes.   I used to dread the task of thank you note writing as a child!  But as I’ve gotten older I can appreciate the art of a handwritten note.  So why …

    Christmas Morning Breakfast Ideas

    Growing up, Christmas morning was a highly anticipated annual affair, worthy of carefully coordinated pajamas and some serious calendar countdowns, suspiciously in full swing sometime after the daily grind of the school year began. One year in particular I vividly remember setting aside two full size candy bars from my Halloween trick-or-treating stockpile, rare precious …

    DIY Burlap Wreath

    Take one look at the blogosphere lately and one thing is for sure… burlap is having a moment!  The fiber, which is derived from the jute plant, is traditionally known for its strength and durability.  Historically, common uses for burlap included sandbags, concrete sacks and even at one point, protective clothing for German soldiers, hence …

    New Christmas Traditions

    This is our first Christmas in the new-to-us house, so we’re thinking about new Christmas traditions here. For one thing, now we have a formal living room and family room to decorate. So, while the tree is in the family room, I got to add some personal favorite Christmas touches to our living room. Something new I’ve …

    Keys to Finding the Perfect Christmas Tree

    Last minute shoppers and tree hunters, never fear—there is still time to find the perfect tree to light up your home this Christmas! If you have chosen to go all natural this year instead of purchasing a pre-lit artificial tree, there are some important things you should consider when taking your pick at the farm. …

    Décor Ideas to Dazzle Your Guests this Christmas

    Soft white twinkle lights, homemade wreaths, ornaments and festive doorway garland are just a few of my family’s favorite Christmas décor necessities. They always make our home feel especially cozy before guests arrive to celebrate the season with us. As the mother of a very busy five-year-old who loves acting as a “big helper,” decorating …

    Classic Christmas Center Pieces and How to Get the Look

    Christmas is just around the corner and if you’re playing host or hostess for a holiday gathering this year, you may be asking yourself how you want to decorate the dining room table. Each year, I see a variety of center pieces that range from extravagant to romantic to simple but chic. While your personal …

    Chanukah: The Festival of Lights

    Yesterday was the first night of Chanukah, the Festival of Lights. Chanukah means “dedication,” because the holiday commemorates the rededication of the Holy Temple in Jerusalem after the Jews defeated the Syrian-Greeks. After the victory, there was only enough oil in the Temple to light the menorah for one day. Yet, miraculously, the oil lasted eight days. Hence, eight nights of Chanukah, when we light …

    Making Learning Cozy & Fun

    Even though Christmas may still be a couple weeks away, the children of Ms. Jana Bell’s special education classroom at Calhoun Middle School, located in Calhoun, Georgia, received a holiday surprise early this year.  While there was no fluffy evergreen tree trimmed in tinsel, fresh baked cookies placed thoughtfully beside a simmering fire or trusty …

    DIY Ornaments

    Growing up, our Christmas tree always had several homemade, DIY ornaments. We had ones my grandmother sewed from felt, ones my brother and I had made, and always a construction-paper garland. Now that I have my own family and our own Christmas tree, I want to create some special homemade ornaments for it, but going …

    A Simply Set Table with Wintergreen Elegance

    Looking for a simple way to spice up your décor for the holiday season? Our design team is at it again with a brilliant and simple way to create a gorgeous dining room to serve as the backdrop for your festivities all season long. Step 1: Choose a theme Our inspiration for this design comes …

    Our Thanksgiving Menu

    I love Thanksgiving. It’s my favorite holiday. Leaves falling, football in the yard and on TV, family together, and THE FOOD!  The food is the best, to me. So today I thought I’d share my Thanksgiving menu with you. I’m largely a traditionalist when it comes to Thanksgiving dinner. Here’s what’s on our menu and …

    Five Things Your Guest Room Needs

    The holidays are almost upon us and that means guests are in the offing! I love having company year round, but it is always good to reevaluate the condition of the guest room – especially during the holiday season. I always want my guests to feel extra special and I have a few simple additions …

    Creating a Harvest Romance Tablescape

    Creating a warm friendly holiday table can be very simple and can transform the mood of your dining experience in a very positive way. The romance tablescape creates just this and more. This room has a rustic feel so by adding these Faux cotton branches and pumpkins it really pulled in the “earthy feel.” These …

    DIY Your Thanksgiving Table Settings

    I love the colors of fall – the reds, oranges, and yellows of the leaves, the deep greens and earth tones of pumpkins and gourds. Sure, you can go out and buy decorations for your Thanksgiving table, but why not DIY them instead? A trip outside or to the grocery store will yield some great elements for …

    Make Your Dining Room Grand

    The holidays are coming – time to host family and friends, often for a big meal. Is your dining room ready to handle the guests? Want to spice it up a bit? Here are some tips for making your dining room feel grand. Light It Up Because the light fixture in the dining room hangs …