Preparing For The Holidays (and reducing holiday stress)

November 14, 2016

Can you believe that there are only 41 days until Christmas? This weekend the magnitude of my holiday to-do list set in and I began to panic about everything I need to get done. When that panic set in I knew I need to sit down and strategize my holiday season. With pen and paper in hand, I outlined a strategy to take the stress out of the holidays and put the joy back in.

I know many of you can relate so today I’m sharing my tips for a Stress-Free Holiday Season.

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PLAN YOUR HOLIDAY ACTIVITIES

Planning is key to getting things done this holiday and finding time to enjoy the season. The first thing to do is pull out your calendar and jot down all the activities you want and need to participate in. Plan time to enjoy holiday traditions with family and friends and block out time to just relax.

tip: pull out your favorite board games and put them in a basket where they are accessible and will encourage play time.

CREATE A DETAILED GIFT LIST

If you haven’t started your gift list yet , it’s time to sit down and create one. Spend time online looking for the perfect gift and do some price comparisons. Plan to shop on Small Business Saturday (Sat., Nov. 26th) to support your favorite local businesses. When planning your gift lists, gather store coupons so they will be handy when you head out to shop.

tip: many stores have already started offering Black Friday Deals so shopping early can reduce stress and save you some money.

And to make things even easier, I created a fun Gift List printable below for you to use.

Download Christmas Gift List

GET THE GUEST ROOM READY

Hosting guests during the holidays doesn’t have to be overwhelming if you plan ahead. Stock up on petite size toiletries and snack food for your guest to use and enjoy. Wash sheets and towels and placed them in a linen closet or accessible storage area. Create an essential list for your guest including phone numbers, house alarm code, wi-fi password and local points of interest.

tip: place a basket in your guest bedroom to hold extra blankets and pillows so guest don’t have to come asking for them.

STOCK UP ON NECESSARY COOKING SUPPLIES/FOOD ITEMS

Don’t take the chance that your grocery store will have everything you need days before Thanksgiving and Christmas. Plan your holiday menus and shop now for all the necessary supplies. Stock up on items like beverages, frozen food and spices so you have enough to last through the season.

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DECORATE YOUR OWN WAY

Decorating during the holidays can sometimes feel like a challenge–who can make their home the merriest. One way to take the stress out of the season is to decorate your way. Decorate as little or as much as you want and don’t feel bad if you don’t get it all done. This is the time of year when the focus should be on spending time with family and friends and remembering all that we have to be grateful for.

tip: if the idea of decorating a tree has you cringing, don’t do it. Hang a few garlands and wreaths, put out a few Christmas pillows and call it a day.

PLAY MUSIC

Music is proven to have a calming effect so during the busy holiday season turn on some tunes and enjoy the season through music. Create a holiday playlist in iTunes that includes your favorite Christmas songs and make it a point to enjoy at least 30 minutes of music each day.

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KEEP YOU HOME CLUTTER FREE AND ORGANIZED

It’s easy to let clutter and chaos take over during the holidays. Create storage areas of holiday wrapping paper, supplies and cards so you have a designated place to store things. And spend 10 minutes every day walking through the house so that task of doing major cleaning is more manageable.

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Preparing For The Holidays…RELAX & ENJOY

The most important tip I can share for reducing stress this holiday is to relax and enjoy the season.

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Favorites Of The Week (all from the One Room Challenge)

November 12, 2016

Hi friends. Sorry it’s been a bit quite here on the blog this week. I made several attempts to sit down and finish this weeks blog posts but things just kept getting in the way. I’m going to be back on schedule next week with an eclectic (don’t you just love that word) mix of posts. I’ll be sharing some holiday gift wrap inspiration and wrapping tips, my first holiday gift guide and a DIY project that has been on my to-do list to ages!

I’m closing out the week my usual ‘favorites’ post but this time it’s all about the One Room Challenge which is now in its 10th season. Have your had a chance to check out all the spaces that were transformed over the last 6 weeks? I haven’t made it through all the participating bloggers posts but what I’ve seen so far is WOW! Holy Moly, there are some truly amazing design ideas, before and after transformations and a whole lot of inspiration. Check out a few of my favorite spaces (so far)…

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First up is Burlap and Lace. Shannon did an amazing job adding style and detail to a long narrow room with lots of bookcases.

{all images via Burlap and Lace}

The before…

And the after…

a coat of black paint made those simple bookcase look like high-end custom-built shelves

the faux fireplace adds another focal point within the room

impeccable styling

You can see the full Burlap and Lace reveal here.

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Next is Kris from Driven By Decor. Kris was also working with a room that had lots of bookcases but instead of going dark and dramatic, she created soft and soothing space.

{all images via Driven By Decor}

The before…

And the after…

one of the prettiest gallery walls I seen in a while

pillow mixing at its best–bold pattern + texture + small print

this color palette is a breath of fresh air

You can see the full Driven By Decor reveal here.

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The next space I absolutely love was designed and transformed by Kristin from The Hunted Interior. She was also working with a long narrow space and added a wall of bookcases to create drama at the far end of the room.

{all images via The Hunted Interior}

The before…

progress..

And the after…

i love the bohemian vibe the comes from the pattern and texture mix

Notice that mix of materials? That’s a design detail all rooms need.

You can see the full Hunted Interior reveal here.

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I love every space that Nancy of Marcus Design creates and the bathroom transformation she completed is just stunning.

{all image via Marcus Design}

The before…

And the after…

Blue + white + gold=perfection.

drawer lines are such a simple detail that adds so much style

Classic details that will stand the test of time.

You can see the full Marcus Design reveal here.

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This is just the beginning of so many more beautiful spaces created by the featured designers participating in the One Room Challenge. You can see each and every one of the featured spaces here.

And then there are over 200 additional room transformations from the Guest Participants you’ll want to check out too. You can find all link to all those space here.

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Happy weekend and I’ll see you back here Monday!

The Nate Berkus Fall 2016 Collection

November 7, 2016

Every season, Nate Berkus develops his product line for Target and every season it gets better and better. His fall collection is filled with texture, chic design details and metallic elements. And I am truly astonished at the affordable price points.

As I looked through the collection on the website, it was hard to narrow down my top picks. I did and came away with a list of 12 items that will elevate the style of any home in a flash.

The Nate Berkus Collection For Target–Fall 2016

No. 1–There is so much to love about the Screen Door Nightstand, from the door detail to the brass handles. Its easy to envision it next to a bed but I could also see it used for storage in a home office or even in a bathroom.

No. 2–I’ve been looking for a small console table for a client and this Brass and Gold Console Table might be it. The size is perfect for a small hallway, next to the front door or in a guest bedroom. I can also envision this table with small stools nested underneath it.

No. 3–This Marble and Gold Console Table is a great option for a small wall space between windows or on a stair landing. I’d also consider using a pair flanking a bed with wall mounted sconces above them.

No. 4–If you’ve shopped for small side tables you know how hard they can be to find. The Brass and Hexagon End Table is ideal next to an upholstered chair or sofa to hold a cocktail.

No. 5–Rattan stools are a classic design piece and I love the two-tone detail on this Rattan Stool. I’d place a pair in front of a fireplace for additional seating or use them as side tables in a sunroom.

No. 6–The Equestrian Side Table might be my favorite piece in the entire collection. I love the idea of a pair used as a coffee table alternative or one or two under a console table in a foyer.

No. 7–This Braided Woven Storage Basket is just begging for a couple of throw blankets or a lush plant. Or you could use it in a kids play space to hold toys.

No. 8–I’m a sucker for pretty bowls and this Faceted Mini Bowl is perfect for snacks or used to hold jewelry and trinkets in a bedroom.

No. 9–You can’t beat the elegant style or the $19.99 price of this Gold Mirror vanity mirror.

No. 10–I’ve talked about my love for letter organizers here on the blog before. This Gold Hammered Letter Sorter is great because the scale will hold letters, file folders or magazines.

No. 11–The black and gold color combo plus the price of this Brass and Gold Coffee Table made it an obvious choice for my list. Just imagine this in a reading/lounge area flanked by four upholstered slipper chairs.

No. 12–Black and white is a hot design trend for bathrooms so this chic Graphic Bath Rug is right on target. I think it would look fabulous in this bathroom.

After I checked out the collection online, I visited my local store to check them out in person. Everything looks great and the furniture pieces are well-built for the price.

p.s. as I was writing this, I noticed that many of the items in the collection are on SALE. You’ll want to act fast if you see anything you like.

You can shop the entire Nate Berkus collection here.

Favorites Of The Week (things I’m loving, reading and shopping for)!

November 5, 2016

Happy Saturday friends. I’ve got a great round-up of my weekly favorites for you to today. I think you’re going to really love the products I’m highlighting–just in time to get your holiday shopping started. Enjoy and I’ll see you back her on Monday.

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FAVORITE POSTS

Why we go all in at the holidays!

via At Home

Choosing Creativity over Criticism

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FAVORITE PINS

I love this design space and everything in this design duo’s portfolio.

This pantry will put a smile on your face and make you want to bake something. You can see the full kitchen tour here.

This grey and white bedroom set-up I spotted from Pottery Barn is just stunning.

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FAVORITE PRODUCTS

It’s becoming harder and harder to find unique gifts for family and friends but with the help of Oprah and a few of my favorite stores, holiday shopping is going to be easy.

Oprah’s Favorite Things list is out and I’m loving this, this and this to name a few!

I think I need this candle just because of the gold jar.

These cute hobnail cocktail shakers are the perfect bar cart accessory for the holidays.

I’m loving Anthropologie’s new monogram mug. What at great holiday gift!

This little red bucket from Ikea is inspiring all kinds of holiday decorating ideas. It’s also available in black and its only $7.99.

Organizing Envy–Ideas to Inspire and Try

November 4, 2016

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I’ve been at my mom’s house that last few days helping her deal with the aftermath of a pipe bursting and ruining all of her floors. All of the furniture has been moved out and new flooring is being installed throughout the house. It’s a big mess but things are getting done and I’m grateful that she is ok and that the damage wasn’t any worse.

Starting tomorrow, the hubs and I will be working on getting everything back in place and doing a little organizing while we are at it. When something like this happens, it makes you look at everything in a new light and take stock of what really matters and what things you no long need or value. My mom is ready to let some things go.

With a big organizing task ahead of me, I thought I’d share some organizing inspiration with you today.

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A TJMaxx just opened in my moms hometown so while they finish up the flooring I’m off to do some shopping for baskets, bins and other goodies. I’ll be back tomorrow with a new Favorites of The Week post so stop by and check it out. And happy Thursday!

It’s The Little Things–Decorative Matches

November 2, 2016

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There’s a small bowl sitting next to a candle on my coffee table filled with decorative matchboxes. I’ve purchased a few of them, made a few myself and have lucked upon some really cools one at stores and restaurants. Decorative matchboxes are one of those design details that don’t make a big statement but add a fun element to your decor. Decorative matches are a fun and functional way to accessorize a tabletop vignette.

Here’s some design inspiration and a few of my favorite decorative matches you can shop.

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Inspired? Shop my favorite decorative matchboxes below…

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If you love the idea of monogram matchboxes, check out For Your Party or Etsy

1 // 2 // 3 // 4 // 5 // 6 // 7 // 8 //

Inspiration Notebook–November 2016

November 1, 2016

I took a different approach when I was creating the November insert for my Inspiration Notebook and decides to sum up the month with a bucket list.

November is a really busy time of year for me as I’m prepping to decorate client homes for the holidays and working to finish up design projects. Then you throw in managing my role as President of a non-profit board, blog projects and getting myself ready for the holidays. By creating a bucket list, I’m hoping it keeps me focused on making time to relax and enjoy life.

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My November Bucket List

Purge My Closet. I feel like I just transitioned my closet for summer. And despite having temps in the 80’s, I know it’s time to get my closet winter ready. While I’m organizing things, I also plan to purge pieces I don’t wear anymore and donate them. Right before the holidays, the need in charity stores rises so it’s a perfect time give to a good cause.
Visit Biltmore Estates. I’ve always wanted to visit Biltmore this time of year to see the holiday decor. A weekend drive will also give us the opportunity to enjoy the mountains and see the leaves in their full fall glory.
Plant Paperwhites. This is another thing I’ve always wanted to do at the holidays. I love the smell of paper whites and want to give forcing bulbs a try. I found this easy to follow guide that I’m sure I’ll be referencing a lot.
Bake Cookies–I’m in somewhat a nesting mood and have the urge to bake cookies. I’m going to start with classic chocolate chip cookies and may try something fancy as we get closer to Christmas.
Enjoy Hot Chocolate & Apple Cider. I’m not a coffee drinker so hot beverages during fall and winter are my thing. You can find my favorite spiked cider recipe here.
Make Handmade Christmas Cards. For years I made my Christmas cards by hand and really loved doing it. Last year I managed to make a handful but this year I’m determined to make all my holiday cards by hand. I’ll be sure to share the design once I have it nailed down.
Buy the Southern Living Christmas Book. I’m a sucker for the annual Southern Living Christmas Book and this years looks really good. Do any of you collect the SL books? (affiliate link)
Get My Christmas Shopping Done. Usually by November I have most of my Christmas shopping completed. Not this year! The only thing I have so far this year is a mental list of items to buy. In the next week or two I’m going to put pencil to paper and create a detailed list so I can start shopping.
Give An Unexpected Gift. I’ve got a fun gift basket idea that I’m working on this month. Once it’s all done I’m going to give the basket to someone who won’t expect it. I love a good surprise, especially during the holiday season.
Watch My Favorite Christmas Movie. I’m a bit addicted to Christmas movies and have watched a couple last weekend on the Hallmark channel. I can’t wait to pull out my favorite movie (The HomeComing) and snuggle up with some popcorn to watch on Thanksgiving night.
Buy Poinsettia At Home Depot. If you don’t know about the Black Friday Poinsettia sale at Home Depot on Black Friday, you can thank me later. If you already know about it, then I might see you in the check out lane. All day, the day after Thanksgiving, Home Depot sells their poinsettia for $.99 cents. It’s a great time to snag a few (or a lot) and even think about giving some as gifts.
Be Thankful. Probably the most important thing on my bucket list is to be thankful for everything I have in my life. Sometimes we get so busy living life that we forget to stop and remember all the good we have. I hope you’ll join me and take a moment out of each day to stop and give thanks.

Who else loves this time of year and what’s got you inspired in November?

ConfettiStyle Christmas Decor Theme–2016

October 31, 2016

Every year I develop a design plan for my Christmas decor and share it with you here on the blog. I create an inspiration board that gives a visual overview of the colors, patterns and tree decor that will make up my holiday decor. Today’s the day that I’m sharing my 2016 Christmas decor theme with you before the elves (me) get to work decorating.

I also wanted to let you know that I am again hosting the Merry & Bright Holiday Home Tour blog hop with Kellie from Design Asylum. This is the 2nd year for the blog tour and it’s exciting because we have even more fabulous bloggers participating and two great brand sponsors for 2016.

So, without further a-due, here’s a look at my Merry & Bright Holiday Home Design Plan for 2016…

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The inspiration for my theme started when I spotted this Poinsettia wrapping paper from Paper Mart. I fell in love with the design and bold but classic color combination.

Then I spotted Cassie’s Christmas tree on Pinterest which was decorated in all of the colors used in the wrapping paper design. From there my plan really came together.

My Christmas tree will bold and bright and will include a mix of classic colors and pops of pink and gold. And I’ll be throwing some black and white into the mix as well.

I’m planning to pair the poinsettia wrap with other patterns like stripes and dots and will be using a variety of ribbons to tie the colors together.

Another fun element I’ll be using are touches of boxwood. I’ll be hanging a boxwood wreath from Silk Plants Direct and I’m also planning to use boxwood elements in my gift wrap and in my holiday tablescape.

I’ve ordered some pretty tags and stickers from Zazzle and have my eyes on a couple of new Christmas pillows like this one and this one.

Christmas is definitely my favorite time of the year and I can’t wait to share my decor with you. I also have some great gift guides, entertaining posts and easy DIY projects planned.

Mark your calendars for the 2016 Merry & Bright Holiday Home Tour. Like last year, all of the participating bloggers will be sharing their holiday home tours over a 3 week period starting November 30th.