DIY Art for the Dining Room

I started a new DIY art project Thanksgiving night that I finally finished up yesterday. Living in a builder's beige apartment was driving me crazy, so I decided to add some color!

Christmas Decorating Party!

I was going to wait until tomorrow to post about our day of Christmas decorating, but I'm just too excited to wait! Kane and I spent the day with Logan and Logan decorating both of our apartments for Christmas. It was about eight hours of fun. Four tacky Christmas sweaters, lots of sausage balls and three Christmas trees later, we're done!

Apartment #1:

Logan and Kane.

Girl Logan.

Logan and Logan's pretty blue and silver tree!

Apartment #2:

Our tree!!

Sentimental ornaments.

Homemade paper garlands.

Glittery creative tree-topper!

Are any of you making any special Christmas decorations this year?

Thanksgiving #2

Saturday was Thanksgiving #2 for Kane and I. We celebrated a Simmons family dinner. Sister-in-law Logan did a great job hosting her first Thanksgiving! Her table was beautiful, and we used the napkins that I embroidered for her as a wedding gift earlier this year!

On To The Next Holiday

Image found via Canadian House and Home.

I hope that everyone has had a beautiful Thanksgiving with family and friends, and a productive Black Friday. Now it's time for the Christmas shopping and holiday parties to get into full swing. Let's all remember to be thankful for the blessings we have as we get swept into the Christmas season!

I'm thankful for all of you!

Rue is Online!

The new issue of Rue Magazine is online! GREAT ideas for the holidays! The tartan holiday decor is my favorite!

Cool Holiday Gift Ideas

Sometimes we get into a routine with gift-giving. It's always the same things every year. Movies, electronics, clothes, all the usual.

These fun finds from Reform School are unique gifts that would stand out in a kid's stocking.

Make your own music box:

Images found here.

Growth chart kit:

Images found here.

Or a Make Your Own Ukulele Kit:

Image found here.

Favorite Fall Treat

Apple cider is one of my very favorite treats for Fall. This year we found that the perfect recipe for hot cider is one gallon of cider + two cups of spiced rum, heated on the stovetop with cinamon sticks. But next time I serve it, I want to do it in these awesome apple cups!

Image found here.

  

Classical Cues

This project by John Saladino that's featured in the November issue of Veranda is really spectacular. The scale of the great room is just right.

Christmas Garlands

I posted about West Elm's paper Christmas decorations a few days ago. See the post here. Here's my first attempt at them. I'm planning on making several different shapes and sizes to cover my Christmas tree. It's going to take a while to get them all done so I'm starting now!

Here's how:

Step One: Use a paper punch or cut out your paper circles. Mine are about 2" in diameter. You will need 6 circles per ball.

Step Two: Fold all 6 circles in half, with the decorative side in.

Step Three: Use a glue stick or double sided tape to glue all of the half-circles together in a stack.

Step Four: Leave about 6 inches of string on the end. Cover the last paper circle with glue and stick the string onto it. Then close the two remaining half circles to form a ball.

Step Five: String as many as you like.

Here's the finished result, along with a couple of other styles!

Christmas Wreath Craft Time

I'm spending the day with my Mom and, of course, we've found a crafty thing to get ourselves into. We made a Christmas wreath for my apartment door. All of my decorations this year are going to be vibrant bright colors, with lots of sparkle (as you can see). Check out our finished product! I can't wait to hang it on my door in a couple of weeks.

Paper Crafts In My Near Future

West Elm is giving me some fun inspiration for my Christmas decorations this year. Their paper flowers and garlands are so great, and the supplies will be nearly free! Are you planning any fun Christmas crafts this year?

Images found via West Elm.

A Warm Inviting Table

Image found via Traditional Home.

This table evokes a combination of Fall warmth and Winter crispness. Have you made your plans for Thanksgiving yet? It'll be our first Thanksgiving with family in three years!

Great Gifts for the Ladies

Kate Spade's gifts are usually top notch. This Christmas it's no different. Check out these great gifts all for under $75 each.

Set of 6 coasters.

Jingle Bell bobby pins.

Bow bag.

"Place Snowball Here" mittens.

Polka dot bangle.

Images found via Kate Spade.