Merry Christmas ...

and Happy New Year!!  I am taking a break from blogging for a week or so to enjoy some time with family during the holidays.  I truly hope you and yours have a joyous Christmas and many blessings in the New Year!

It's a Wrap

This will be the last present, this will be the last present, this will be the last present....
I finished my shopping a while ago, but still finding {smile} presents in my house and finishing up my wrapping!  

Still doing some wrapping yourself?  Check out these great ideas for beautiful packages!

Martha Stewart Cupcake Paper Carnations

Newsprint paper and initials

Design Sponge gift toppers

Jones Design Company Gift Tags

Naughty or Nice tag

Here are a few of mine.  I have to be creative with my embellishments.  I need presents that pack well to where the tops don't get smooshed {another technical term} in the car.  I added some inexpensive Walmart snowflake ornaments and secured them to the package with wide white tulle ribbon (purchased for half off at Hobby Lobby).   The tulle ribbon is easy to re-fluff later!

5 picks for Neutral Rugs

Looking for a new rug?  Need something neutral to provide a good base for a room or for your entry?  A neutral rug will help to ground a room and will help to differentiate spaces within a room (like separating a seating area from a dining area in a long room).

Look for rugs with neutral colors like grays and beiges with classic patterns like quatrefoil, diamonds, etc.  Tone-on-tone rugs also provide great visual texture without the distraction of competing colors or patterns.   I prefer the look and feel of wool rugs.  They are durable and plush to the touch, provide dense pile that is soft under foot and in general will last the test time longer than synthetic rugs.  If you go for hand-tufted or hand-woven rug, you can expect to pay a little more.  Here are my top picks for neutral rugs.

Capel Arrondelle Baroque Parchment Rug from Layla Grace 5x8 100% wool - $498

Luna Moroccan Trellis Beige Rug from Overstock.com 5x8 100% wool  - $161

Safari Rug from West Elm 5x8 100% wool  - $249 

I know what you're saying...animal print???  Don't be intimidated by the animal pattern, the soft gray and ivory make this rug a fun neutral option.

Morocco I Taupe Area Rug from Home Decorators Collection 5x8 100% wool - $269

Candice Olsen Cocoa Carved Area Rug from Overstock.com 5x8 100% wool - $374

When ordering a rug online, be aware of any additional charges for shipping for an over sized item.  Also, look into their return policy in case you don't like the rug once it gets into your home. 

Need a few more Christmas ideas?

Here are a few gift giving ideas for your decor loving friends and family and an idea for the kiddos that I couldn't resist sharing!

What about a home decor magazine subscription for that faithful design/HGTV follower? 

HGTV magazine is 10 issues for $15.  You can give a subscription as a gift, click on the gift subscription page to order for your loved one.  Keep in mind subscriptions usually take 6-8 weeks to get going.  In the meantime, you can purchase a copy at the store, wrap in a cute box and attach a tag that says "coming soon".

For the kids!!  I love paper ...journals, books, sketchbooks, newspapers, magazines, cards, hand-written notes.  I truly think penmanship and the written word is a lost art form.   I happened upon this site called Minted.  They have lots of paper products, but I especially love the personalized journals.  I am getting this one for Luke {don't tell him}...

You can not only personalize the picture but also the text boxes.  I am putting some of his favorite things that he would use this for ..words like invent, music, stuff, etc on the cover.  I am also using one of the boxes to put words that describe him like smart, funny, musical, inventive, etc. You can order them lined or unlined and you can also create a book "plate" on the inside cover.

For Olivia,  I am creating a sketch book.  She's my little artist and we love to sketch together.  Yes, we have five million sketch books and journals....but this one is different because it is uniquely hers. I love this design to put a big ole picture of her sweet face.

It's personalized and I think they will get a real kick out of seeing their face on something "published",  $16.00 each.

I love these pillows from overstock.com. They are made from linen and have a stitched detail.  The cross pillow is $26.99 and the heart pillow is $25.49.

Great books for your decor-minded friends and family.  Design Sponge by Grace Bonney from the blogosphere.  I love this book because there is plenty to pour over which includes home tours and tons of DIY projects, $24.00 from Barnes & Noble.

Patina Style by Brooke Giannetti and Steve Giannetti. Decor that is warm and worn yet timeless.  The Giannettis, creators of Velvet & Linen, show you how to recreate this style,  $25.50 at Barnes & Noble.

Saw this fun, yet simple store on a recent HGTV show ..it's called Muji.  They have lots of home and organizational items.  I love these little wooden "sculpture" sets.  They have them for Tokyo, London, New York and Paris,  $17.95 thru their online USA store.

Artwork from 20X200 ...love this site for original artwork and photography.  Here are some of my favorites by Jane Mount, Jeremy Kohm and Carrie Marill.   It is very affordable and there are tons of choices from emerging artists.

Have some unique present ideas...share!!!  Happy Shopping!!

Out on a limb....

'Tis the season...for Christmas parties by the dozen that is.  Ready for a change from taking the usual bottle of wine to your next holiday party?  Consider taking a beautifully wrapped ornament instead.

Here are a few picks I found at local stores that would make great hostess gifts for your next holiday party.  Tie a festive ribbon to the top.  Wrap in fancy tissue paper or sparkly tinsel.  Put in a beautiful bag or box with a unique tag.  Creates a special gift and your party hosts will fondly think of you each year when they put up their tree.

Crate & Barrel Antiqued Glass Copper Textured Dot $2.95

 

Pier 1 Glass Santa Face $13.95

 Nordstrom Jonathan Adler Dove $24.00

Pottery Barn Heart $15.50

 Pier 1 Le Bien Pear Tree $9.95

West Elm Mystic $12.50

Target Smith and Hawken Snowflake $10.00

Crate & Barrel Snowburst Ball Ornament $5.95

A little peak at Christmas

A few views of the Christmas decorating at my house.  The main colors used throughout my house for Christmas are metallics - mostly gold, silver and bronze.  I love how sparkly (technical term) everything looks against the lights.  I picked up some great bronze mesh that has some shimmer at Canton (craziest place on earth to shop til your feet fall off) - this is weaved throughout the trees and any greenery.  Downstairs, I have more muted tones, whereas my upstairs den (picture not included here) is more whimsical with blues, reds and silvers.

My mantle.  The wreath decor cost me about $13.  Dollar General ornaments and sprays.  I couldn't believe what cute stuff I found!!! Especially these funky glittered sprays in the form of leaves and feathers.  The poinsettias I got last year at Walmart for a buck a piece.  The wreath I have had for years.  

Love these rustic Wiseman

Entry Table

Living Room Tree - this is the tree that has all the kids ornaments.  I give them a new ornament each year.  They love opening the box and reminiscing about the ornaments from years past.  It also has a few of my ornaments from my childhood.  My mom started this tradition with us and when we married my brother and I got our boxes of ornaments from our childhood.  Love the tradition of putting up all these old ornaments to start the Christmas season every year...that and the healthy-sized mug of eggnog!

I'll end with one of my Santa's... he's waving goodbye y'all  :)  I have collected Santa's over the years and recently started collecting vintage-looking Snowmen/women.  Livy says this white Santa is her favorite.

That's it for the mini-holiday home tour!  Hoping your Christmas decorating is going well or DONE!