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Posts Tagged ‘Holidays’

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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Today, I’ve got some super easy Holiday decorating ideas to share with you. This is my favorite time of year, but like so many out there, it’s tough to get everything done. Since this year has been a bit busier than normal, I’m depending on my easiest holiday ideas to help my own home feel more festive. I’m hoping that some of these ideas will inspire you as well.

Styling & Living

1.Wreaths

Besides the front door, I love using wreaths all over my home. I use them inside and out. I place them around candles, and on garden statues. I hang them from mirrors and on walls.

via Design Sponge

via Design Sponge

Above, I love how Design Sponge just plopped one on a table — fantastically easy.

2.Pinecones

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I typically have a basket of pinecones next to the fireplace, however they look good anywhere and in anything — from baskets & wooden bowls to glass jars and trays — I love the natural texture and look of them.

via Belgium Pearl

via Belgium Pearl

3.Votives

Candlelight around the home, especially this time of year, is so soothing. I use votives just about anywhere. I group them on trays, scatter them on my mantle, use them on the dining table and around the kitchen. This group of lovely votives I found at Marshall’s.

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4.Ornaments

Another super easy but effective idea is placing some ornaments in a beautiful bowl or glass hurricane. This year I placed mine in a large antique wooden bowl I found on my recent trip to Texas.

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5.Bulbs

Using bulbs around your home is super festive and easier than you think. Just make sure they have some light and water occasionally. Below, I love how they are placed in a wooden bowl with moss and ornaments.

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via Marjonel-Marjonel

6.Lights

Besides my Christmas tree, I use lights on whatever house plant I have at the time. Right now it’s the fiddle leaf fig, but I’ve used lights on some of my other indoor plants such as Olive, Boxwood & Ficus.

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7.Nuts

I like to have a bowl of nuts around the home. It reminds me of being a kid — my grandmother always had a bowl out for all of us to enjoy. Cracking the shell while chatting with someone slows the day down nicely.

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8.Tree Trimmings

I save all the trimmings from my tree and place them around the house, usually in planters or vases. I also tie them together with floral wire (or a rubber band) and hang them with a pretty ribbon. You can also place them on the ground around a lantern like in the photo below.

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via It’s a house

9.Food

 The most important idea of all. Holiday foods make my kitchen more festive, and bring people together, especially this time of year. I keep a tray of coffee and tea items, for whenever family or friends pop over.

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Happy Holidays!

~Shannon

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CHRISTMAS TIME!

Yesterday, I posted some gorgeous photos of Stephen Shubel’s home in the Loire Valley. This morning, I lit some candles and cleared away the usual clutter to take some quick snap shots of my own home. You can see Stephen’s influence — the tangerines, votives and cuttings — all such simple and great ideas for the holidays!

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For the past four years I’ve relinquished the tree decorating to my girls. In the first several years all the ornaments were located around the bottom of the tree, but I can see this year (with the help of a step stool) they’re  starting to spread out a bit more.
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unnamed-26Of course, stacks of chocolate chip and ginger snap cookies are always nice to have around
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I took this article out of Veranda many years ago (’05), and it has become my go-to for decorating ideas every holiday season. I just love the way designer Stephen Shubel decorated his home in the Loire Valley.

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Tomorrow — photos from around my own home (a little daring of me after this post).

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Holiday Inspiration

I just lit another fire and have been up since the crack of dawn. I have been sipping on coffee and perusing some amazing boards on Pinterest. It’s cold outside (for Southern California) and I don’t want to move, however, I must get on with my day. A meeting with a client, work emails and Christmas shopping is calling me. Before going I thought I would share some of my favorite Holiday pics from Pinterest.

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Tomorrow – garage sales in Pacific Palisades and a tour of a friends garden! Happy weekend!

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