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If you’re like me and wondering what you should hang on your front door right now, the answer is — a winter wreath! This time of year is always a little bit of a downer as we come off of such a fun holiday season and the decorations start to come down. With a couple more winter months to go, I typically like to leave some lights up, candles lit and a winter wreath on my front door. This has been my way of adding some warmth and comfort to a couple more winters months. To make a winter wreath, you can use things from your garden, as well as store bought flowers and branches. See below.

I started with a wreath template that you can find at your local craft store or floral supply shop.

For my winter wreath, I love to use purples, reds, different shades of green and some gray. Above, I used magnolia leaves, eucalyptus, dried hydrangeas and dusty miller. Since texture is important, I collected seed pods from my crape myrtle trees and tied them in as well. Other plants that would work well are olive branches, loropetalum (chinese fringe flower) and proteas.  They are all such show stoppers.  Side note, these also dry beautifully.

My tools

I bought moss at my local craft store and then soaked it in water so that it’s easier to use. Then I squeezed out all the excess water and let is dry a tad.

I wrapped the entire wreath in moss and then tied it with twine to secure it to the wreath frame.
I started at the bottom and then just worked my way up to the top of the wreath. I started with one foliage and then added another one and just continued to layer them, filling in the holes and covering the moss completely.
I found that I really loved the color of the dusty miller (gray plant), the movement of the eucalyptus and if I’m being honest, the texture of the crape myrtle seed pods warms my heart. 

Finally, I added copper battery operated LED lights which I think finish it off perfectly.

Then . . . enjoy your work. 

To see more of how I put this wreath together, check out my video on Instagram.

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Realizing we’re all living some crazy busy lives these days, I love sharing ideas on ways to simplify our lives while making them as enjoyable and beautiful as possible. Therefore, today I’m sharing a very simple way to put together a holiday wreath. Did I mention is was simple?

I found this wreath for about $15.00 dollars at my local craft store.
For the past couple of years, I’ve been obsessed with this gold/rust color that you see on the berries above. It was actually these gold berries which inspired me to put this wreath together.
I decided to go with three different variety of embellishments for my wreath but you could get crazy and do tons more — whatever makes you happy.
I started with the berries because they will dictate where everything else will go.
I started by adding them in the middle of the wreath on both sides. Working my way down and layering them as I go, my goal was to meet at the bottom while still leaving a little room for the pinecones.
Next, I added these little pinecones, with the goal of creating a small cluster at the bottom of the wreath.
Then, I added these two embellishments for more greenery.
Just add them above the berries on either side of the wreath.
And her she is! From start to finish it took me about 20 minutes. You could always add a beautiful ribbon at the bottom if you’d like.
Note: You may need some floral wire to attach everything securely.

HAPPY HOLIDAYS!

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PINK JASMINE | FEDORA HAT | TUMBLER | LIGHT FIXTURE | PLACEMAT | PLATE | DINING TABLE | DINING CHAIR | GAL COSTA BRAZILIAN MUSIC

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  Looking for inspiring ways to create a perfect work space in your home? Whether a designated home office, a bedroom space or a dining table, these ten favorites of mine will ignite your thinking.

Pinterest

Kara Rosenlund

Coveteur

This Ivy House

Pinterest

Clic

Pinterest

The Visual Vamp

Pinterest

Vosges Paris

Happy Tuesday!

~Shannon

 

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Who doesn’t love a good cheese board for the holidays? Below are simple steps to a super easy cheese board that’s perfect for any day of the year.

The finished product

 I found most of the ingredients at Trader Joe’s

What you need for this simple cheese board

  • Any shape wooden cutting board
  • 3 white cheeses, like Brie, Camembert & Manchego
  • Blackberries or figs
  • A honeycomb (World Market has some beautiful ones, as well as Whole Foods)
  • Nuts (My favorite — Trader Joe’s Marcona almonds)
  • Crackers (I like to use a simple cracker like Carr’s water crackers)

*Anything will work in place of my recommendations, these are just easy to find items.

First things first, pour yourself a glass of wine

A simple way to assemble — honeycomb in the middle, cheeses around the honeycomb and berries and/or figs to fill in the gaps.

I served this board with a Rosé but you can serve it with a Chardonnay or whatever you fancy.

Have a wonderful Thanksgiving!

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By removing a dated atrium in this Texas project, I gave my clients a much larger dining room, as well as more storage space in the kitchen. See the before and after photos below.

AFTERBEFORE

AFTER

Next time, I’m sharing my 5 favorite bedrooms.

Happy Thursday!

 

 

 

Photos: Madeline Harper

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When my girlfriends and I were in Laguna Beach a couple of weeks ago, we thought the idea of spending an entire day cooking a big meal, sipping wine and listening to good music sounded like an excellent way to spend a Saturday. So this past weekend we decided to try it out by inviting family & friends to help prepare an Italian feast.

The Menu:

Cheese & meat platter

Ravioli with sausage filling

Sausage Carbonara 

Caprese salad

Mix green salad

Grilled zucchini

Tuscan steak

Limoncello Cake

Even though my house wasn’t perfect, and I should have spent half the day doing laundry, I’m glad I decided not pay attention to any of that and just enjoy an afternoon with family, friends and really good food. Cheers to taking more time out of our daily duties to enjoy long meals with family & friends!

Happy Thursday!

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 From beautiful bowls and cutting boards, to plants & pottery, there are some fabulous ways to organize your countertop clutter and add style at the same time. Below, are some of my favorite examples.

via Heather Bullard

I love how Heather Bullard stacks her collection of cutting boards and displays her silverware & linen napkins in pottery and platters.

Adding a painting or piece of artwork can add a touch of personality, as well as connect the kitchen to the rest of the home.

via Jean Stoffer Design

Jean Stoffer’s use of plants in the kitchen brings a lovely polished greenhouse feel to it — very nice!

via local milk

Above, Beth Kirby’s beautiful kitchen with all sorts of fabulous objects in it.

via One Kings Lane

via instagram (@dreamywhitelifestyle)

via Local Milk

via The Style Files

 

SOME OF MY FAVORITE OBJECTS TO USE IN A KITCHEN…

1 .cutting board   2.Earthenware Pan  3.Copper Jug,
4. Jar  5.Triangle Cutting Board 6.Marble Bowls
7.Painting 8.Porcelain Cup  9.Marble Objects
10.Platter 11.Footed Plates 12. Marble Vase

Have a great day!!

~Shannon

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If you’re like me you’ve already sent out your Christmas cards, you’ve shopped for everyone and your home is full of Christmas Cheer — HAHA! If I’m being totally honest, as of this moment, I still have Thanksgiving decorations up. So, today I’m listing my top 5 go-to websites to help get us in the Christmas spirit!

1.I love this shop, Hillenmeyer Christmas Shop in Lexington, Kentucky. They offer gorgeous trees, garlands, wreaths and a barn full of animals that kids can pet and enjoy.

via Hillenmeyer

via Hillenmeyer

2. Home decor magazines like Atlanta Homes, Southern Living and Veranda are also great sources!

via Atlanta Homes Magazine

via Southern Living Magazine

via Southern Living Magazine

via Veranda Magazine

3. Another website that has tons of great ideas is Apartment Therapy

 via Apartment Therapy

4. I also recommend visiting your local garden store to see what kind of gorgeous seasonal products they have in stock. Some of my favorites are Thompson & Hanson in Houston, TX, Petersham Nurseries in London and Rolling Greens here in Los Angeles.

via Rolling Greens

5. Also, One Kings Lane, has wonderful decor for your tree, mantel and table this holiday season.

via One Kings Lane

via One Kings Lane

 I don’t want to make anyone nervous, including myself, but there are only 20 days until Christmas!

xoxo,

Shannon

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