My Creative Studio
I haven't always had a creative studio space. For the first 23 years of our marriage I worked all over the house; the kitchen table, a corner of the master bedroom, or even the garage. I learned that you can make a space for yourself to be creative no matter how small your place is.But finally … [Read More...]
Hanging Snowflakes
I've been hanging snowflakes for several years. I love the magical element that a grouping of snowflakes brings to a space.This year Mike helped me hang a few (over 100!) in the entry...In past years, I added a few snowflakes to the playroom ceiling...In the entry, I picked … [Read more... ]
One Christmas Tree Three Ways
Using these beautiful ornaments from Balsam Hill, I played around with the tree in my studio and did one Christmas tree three ways!When I decorate any tree, I like to put all of my ornaments on a table...I divide them according to color and or style...Aren't these … [Read more... ]
Christmas in the Den
Christmas in the den from a couple of years ago! I know it's early and I know you're focused on Thanksgiving! But here's a bit of Before-Christmas inspiration from my den in 2016...I love Christmas decorating and Christmas in the den is my favorite. Yeah, it's the whole Christmas thing...the … [Read more... ]
Christmas at Biltmore Estate with Balsam Hill
Sources at the end of post- I was so honored to be chosen for a trip to the Inn on Biltmore Estate to decorate a Christmas tree with Balsam Hill's Biltmore Collection.This collection was over a year in the making! Balsam Hill and Lydia Vander Voort Licensing Director at Biltmore … [Read more... ]
Autumn Has Finally Arrived
She's been a long time coming but like a long overdue visit from a good friend, autumn has finally arrived. When I turn that calendar page from September to October, no matter what the temperature, I feel the need to nest for the cooler days that are surely on the way. Porches add a warm welcome … [Read more... ]
Fall Party Ideas
It's that time of year, the kick off to the holiday season, there's no better way to welcome in the best time of the year than to throw a fall party! I've done my share of fall parties (13 years), and I have a few fall party ideas for you...Probably. Maybe...okay, not better-than Thanksgiving or … [Read more... ]
Mail Art
I've had a strange year. Let's leave it at that. During the first part of the year, in addition to the "strangeness", I found myself in a creative slump. Creativity is really important to me, after searching for something to pour myself into I settled on mail art... In addition to using my hands … [Read more... ]
Rustic Chic Den Makeover
We've almost finished our rustic chic den makeover. In case you want to know, I'll source everything at the end of the post! This project took a long time because I had to pick out furniture and rugs. Those decisions tend to take me a while...We replaced the tables, the sofas, and all of the chairs. … [Read more... ]
Swing Beds
Last summer we had a screen porch built off of our bedroom. Shortly after, Mike made these two swing beds, and we love them. We sit out here almost every morning and sometimes after the sunset, the porch is a peaceful place for the pups, Reba-the-cat and I to slow down after a long day.Our bedroom … [Read more... ]
Reading Nook for the Littles
When I did a budget makeover on one of our guest rooms - ( Posted HERE)I kept the theme kid friendly and incorporated a fun reading nook...I had way too much fun putting this together and I thought you might want to jazz up a little corner for your little one just in time for Back-To-School … [Read more... ]
Sofa Table-Mike’s at it again
We did a little makeover on our living room this year and Mike designed and built a sofa table.He built the table out of 250 year old wood that he bought from a lumber supplier a few years ago. The wood has such an interesting history;It came from a building in downtown … [Read more... ]
Checking in…
It's been so long since I've posted and in these past months, many of my friends have emailed me to check in. Thank you for caring and touching base- I've been having some health issues and needed to step away for a season. I hope to be back soon- don't give up on me ;) Sending love xo … [Read more... ]
Quick and Easy Christmas Candle
Are you short on time but still want to add a little something to your Christmas decor this year? These quick and easy Christmas candles might work for you! They take 5 minutes to make, are battery operated and light up on a timer, so you literally make them in a jiffy, put them out and never have … [Read more... ]
Decorating for Christmas
My friends at Balsam Hill sent over a beautiful tree and decorations last week (I very much appreciate them sponsoring this post). I had so much fun decorating for Christmas at my daughter Stephanie's "new" old home.Steph and her husband Jon and 2 Littles moved into their charming 1928 cottage … [Read more... ]
Peace at Christmas
This second week in Advent we light the peace candle.This impossible week smack in the middle of the loud to-do lists, the party planning, the loved ones hurting and the wounds that cut deeper because after all, just as Christmas magnifies wonder and beauty, the season also magnifies anguish and … [Read more... ]
Holiday Planning
Whether you're an early Christmas decorator or one who holds to the "day after Thanksgiving" rule, the air is already charged with anticipation. Do you feel it? November and December are the two months of the year that best lend themselves to celebrating and memory making.And now, before … [Read more... ]