Family Time: Blessings of Snow (and a snowman)

Living in Texas, means we are used to the idea of not having snow that sticks through the day. So, imagine our surprise and delight, when we had a White Christmas for the first time in Texas for over 40 years, AND we had enough snow to make a snowman yesterday... and it stayed around and even almost doubled today!

 

 

*above trees from yesterday, and I thought THAT was a lot of snow*

 

I'm quite certain we will not be able to attend our little Valentine event this weekend since the roads will be too icy to drop the kids off at the grandparents, but that's okay by me. For more reading about our family snow day, visit my blog post here!

Homefront: The New Digs

Our move went well, 6 helpers per side and only 2 hours of loading/unloaded each side. Had I not been sick, I probably would have everything unpacked by now, but given it's only been 6 days, we've accomplished a lot, only about 2 boxes left! I have 4 boxes and 2 chairs given to Goodwill already and a few more to go. Of course, that probably should be done before the move, but sometimes, it's easier to have an objective eye when you are unpacking.

I had planned on showing the home before we started Christmas decorating, but a lost camera prevented that. I added 2 red pillows to tie in the Christmas colors, otherwise they will all be the black/white/charcoal combo. I painted that wrought iron circlet above the couch a shabby textured aqua and white, but am thinking of doing a lot more white since my aqua decorations are put away for the season.

We are really trying for the crisp, white, uncluttered look in this new (temporary) home. It's nice refreshing and airy with the large windows and archways. So, of course, Holly's all white and ebony wood floor home is in large part an inspiration. Eventually, we are going to paint our furniture white and the table black, but that won't be until well after Christmas, when I get my orders all made and shipped. Right now, I'm loving our Pottery Barn slipcovers, I haven't had to bleach them yet, but they have been cleaned and toddler spots come out quite nicely.

It's funny, our little 4 foot Christmas tree was *too big* in our last place as the only room for it was on our table, but now it is dwarfed by the windows. I'll put some garland up there on those windows soon. We still love the trees and the boys had fun decorating it too. Maybe daddy will surprise us with a real tree, hmm?

 I'm contemplating hanging something from our archway. A couch sits right below it, so the void is kind of interesting as you can see in the photo, and a little room divider coupled with the couch would be nice. I thought that this contemporary white  wooden chandelier from uncommon would be beautiful there, maybe I can add some vintage chandelier crystals to the bottom, or just leave it plain, what do you think?


(less wordy posts soon, I promise)

Throwin a Party

I am so happy Halloween is over! Of course, the struggle of toddlers demanding copious amount of candy throughout the course if the day is not over, but the decorating, the idea searching overload, the MESS of making my sons costumes is OVER (I will be uploading pics soon)! I'm so happy, I could throw a party! And if I did, it would be filled with balloons, and flower garlands!

Of course, since we are moving next month, all of my decorating goodies will be given to Goodwill or packed, *sad face* so it will be good for us to live simply (ha!) for a little while.

So, while we are on a new adventure of stressing out (while being super happy and feeling blessed at the same time, of course),  and the inner turmoil of not unpacking hardly any decor while we are in transition for the next year, what to get rid of... it also feels kind of nice to purge. (A theme discussed on this blog every now and then, but now I have to get serious!) Though, we have gotten rid of several pieces of furniture on Craigslist, we can't have a garage sale for the little things since we are apartment dwellers. I also found Fly Lady and UnClutterer, two sites that are inspiring for those wishing to simplify.

I will be giving boxes of craft supplies and such to goodwill. If you want it (for the cost of shipping) contact me and I'll send you a box :)  I'd love to hear your purging success stories, it would make me feel more like this is possible.

Treasures in Fall Decorating

 

put your treats in little baggies and hang from a tree- sweet! 

This monster of a post is going to be in three parts. Harvest style,  touches of whimsy, and more pumpkin ideas!  Sorry to make it so long, but, folks, we are running out of time. Halloween is almost here so these ideas need to get out NOW! Next post will be treats and MY decorations here, so you can see what I have been a-brew-in. Enough talkin, start imagining how you can apply some of these ideas to your festivities or your home... If you really want some amazing ideas like decor, glittered pumpkins... then go visit Martha's Halloween page. Also,  The Decorated House has some great tips on painting those plastic pumpkins using Fusion spray paint! I personally can't handle anymore overload, (as you can see from my extra long Halloween posts) so the link is going to have to do!!)

Part 1: Getting Creative. Skulls, pumpkins and monsters are not the only thing Halloween decor is made of, so use something you have lying around, or in the attic, watch faces, keys, vintage baby carriages, anything!

woodcutter axe framed, think faerie tales here - curious sofa

jarred fairy lights with creature faces, brilliant! -not so idle hands

witchy legs -curious sofa

wicked witch of the east- old painted dollhouse and witch legs - curious sofa

doll hands, vintage treasures -sadie olive (follow link for more)

clock face, pedestal cake stands, witch sillohette - sadie olive

autumn bird mobile -awe!!-  emilie friday

watch faces and an awning, very 'Sweeney Todd' - curious sofa

Part 2. Decorate that Door! I will be skipping this part since I'm cooped up in an apartment, but for those of you who can, try skipping the foam tombstones, and pull out that wheel barrow, throw some hay and pumpkins in it. Put up some lights, twigs, painted gourds, garlands, candles, a wreath, urns, flowers, corn, create a welcoming theme for your entry way...

painted gourd ghosts, and vines - bhg

martha stewart

 vintage characters, cotton, broomsticks, pumpkins and wheat on a carriage - curious sofa

 

pottery barn

good housekeeping

spell a message to your guests -country living

halloween outdoors

Part 3: Decorate those Pumpkins! You can paint them, carve them, glitter them, but arranging them, that is the magic of a display. Pair odd sizes together, sort in sections of threes, cascade them down steps, or a table....

gilded pumpkins, so fancy, but not uppity -country living

paint them white, then add black polka dots, stripes and swirls - house of 3

or, after painted, stencil them, stamp them, put them in urns and candy dishes- house of 3

paint them natural colors, in plaids and other patterns, and disperse them with natural pumpkins -bhg

ooh, a candelabra! I would love to this this lit. -bhg

glue mini ones to a moss covered foam wreath, then tie with a ribbon

fall bounty on a fabric wreath, so charming - craftstatic

acorns, pine cones, nest, sweet bird, can be up all season! love the peach and pinks! -knock knocking

Harvest filled pumpkin. Hollow it out, insert a water filled jar and fill it up, put on a pedestal. Easy!

love the plaid and argyle painting. with a nice shiny coat of sealer/polyurethane -country sampler mag

or a pretty, primative harlequin design

Henna pumpkins! I used to do henna way back when, got certified and everything. The key to it is having proportion in negative and light spaces. So basically, keep the design centered and even, thin lines, then swirl away. Start small in the center, and then build out from there to create, paisleys, flowers, lace designs...  here are some free ebooks, or google for more. Henna kits can be bought at craft or beauty places like Sally's.

Classic black and white. Simple vignette includes boxes, leaves and a frame. Don't have pretty boxes that fit your theme? Then wrap it in paper. Store the paper in the box and change it out during the seasons.

paint your pumpkins, hot glue ric-rac and sprinkle with moss.

 

freehand scrolls. or, you can always get this effect with those nifty vinyl stencils

skewer through a pole for a lovely pumpkin tower! put two flanking your front door or use as a centerpiece -country living

mini jack-o-lanterns on a multi tiered pedestal, ingenious!

pumpkin head in a jar! love the clear glass pedestal stands serving up gorgeous candy apples

beautiful pumpkin cascade, aqua looks so perfect in this autumn setting

dried hydrangeas, white pumpkins, candles in a serpentine pattern, lovely.

Thanks for your visit! Feel free to link to your Halloween ideas, I  would love to see what you have done!