I hope your week is off to a great start. We had some snow again yesterday, and a few districts even called off school. We had school though which is fine by me because I’m feeling the end of the semester crunch!
Today, I’m sharing a little “holiday home” tour, and while my decor doesn’t look too different than what I shared last year or the year before that, I did purchase a couple new things, and I’ve actually simplified what I put out a bit.
Most of my main areas look the same like the entry way, Christmas village, and mantel….
This year, I changed up the trunk a bit in the living room. I wanted neutral trees rather than the red, white and green ones I’ve had in the past. Trav suggested I get a wreath for the mirror, and I found the perfect one at Target as well as a couple of packs for festive ribbon.
My coffee table doesn’t change much, but I added ribbon to the tree that I’ve had for years.
It’s the perfect little touch. Also, y’all…
…how cute is this book of matches?!? I was shopping at a local boutique for gifts for family, and saw these and had to have them!
When I was at Michael’s, I bought this plaid candle. I usually have a white candle in there year round, but just thought the plaid was festive.
The office area doesn’t look too different, but usually I put the basket in the basement. This year, I decided to add a red blanket to it and keep the basket upstairs.
The tree is also in the office area, and the middle section seems dimmer than it should be. Ugh! This is our third year with this artificial tree.
(This pic is from last year, and it makes me happier than my current situation!)
One thing that does make me happy is the addition of a couple new ornaments.
Through the years, I’ve wished that I was better about getting ornaments when we travel. The past few years, I have done a better job picking up or ordering ornaments. This year, I got an Isle of Palms one when we went there for spring break. Even though we’d been there a few times in the past, I’d never picked up an ornament. I also got one when Trav and I went to the Lake Michigan area this summer.
I also continued the tradition of ordering ornament using our Christmas card photo as keepsakes for your tree. We were dressed up nice twice this summer for our niece and then our nephew’s wedding, so I had ornaments made to remember those occasions.
I mentioned last week that my Gma gave the kids a couple Nutcrackers from her collection.
They look perfect on the cabinet in the office which is where I keep the couple I’ve picked up through the years. I think you can tell which ones are OG’s and which ones are dupes!
My mom gave me this little tree…
My friends sent me this plant a few weeks ago, and the pop of red is the perfect holiday touch for the fireplace.
I have one of the Christmas tree taper candles in the hall with a few trees and Nativity scene.
The other taper candle is in the kitchen next to the skinny tree. This tree is usually in our bedroom, but I decided to keep it out in the kitchen for now.
My Gma gave my brother and I each a Nutcracker cookie jar, and it looks perfect in this little corner of my kitchen. Also, I used to put a holiday sign on this stand, but this year, I pulled out an old cookbook and added a ribbon.
Also in the kitchen, I wasn’t planning on it, but the little tray was decked in all my favorite red cleaning supplies.
Well, besides the Santa matches, I also bought this cute tea towel at the boutique. I just couldn’t say no (and both of those purchases were very affordable)
The sunroom is one of the areas I’ve simplified. Nobody goes out there in the winter, and if we leave the couch cushions down for long, Homer hops up there. So, I just added a few touches to the tray.
Overall, outside looks the same. I’ve had the door hanger for years as well as the pillow covers.
I did get this doormat at Target and the plaid rug is from one of my trips to Hobby Lobby.
Some years, we put out Christmas lights, but we haven’t done much the past couple of years. We used to have trees that lit up, but we haven’t had them in a while. This year, I ordered a set of two, and mine are sold out, but there’s a cute snowy set. I got the ribbon at Michael’s, and I love the pink and red.
They look really pretty at night, but it’s certainly not the same as when we put lights on our porch.
So, that’s a little tour of our home. It’s been nice having some downtime in the evening to relax and enjoy the cozy space.
TGIF!! I had a great week back to school, but not having students on Monday threw me off all week. I never knew what day is was, but I sure do know that today is Friday.
As always, I’m linking up with Andrea and Erika for this week’s Friday Favorites.
This week, my post is all about my favorite fall decorations.
I don’t think I shared a fall decor post last year because most everything was the same as when I shared my 2023 fall home tour.
Just like with that post, much hasn’t changed, but I did move a few things around this year and made a couple of small purchases.
I typically spruce up my front porch mid to late September, but I just didn’t have time to do so before fall break. Trav got the mums right before we left, and then once we got back from the beach, I purchased pumpkins and cornstalks.
I got “fantasy” pumpkins at Trader Joe’s, and then purchased a couple more at Kroger.
These pumpkin pillow covers were such a pleasant surprise when they arrived. I mean, I ordered them so I wasn’t surprised to receive them…I just mean that I was really pleased with the quality and cuteness!
I usually have different fall pillows here, but I loved these so much that I wanted them to be in a central location. I’d forgotten that I had this blanket, and it’s a nice pop of color between the neutral chairs and pillows.
My living room coffee table tray stays the same year to year.
Fall me thanked summer me when I went to my candle shelf in the hall closet and remembered that I’d purchased an Antique Candle Co “apple butter” candle on sale a few months ago.
I made a couple of small purchases a Michael’s a few weeks ago including this gold metal pumpkin bucket.
I also purchased two of these pumpkin vases because I wanted a little height on the mantel.
This pumpkin votive was the last Michael’s purchase that I made. It’s a nice festive touch on our wine rack in the kitchen.
I have two of these “morning pumpkin” pillows, but they typically go where the new ones go. Anyway, I used one on the chair in the kitchen.
Last weekend, I did make it to Hobby Lobby and found four of the embossed pumpkin plates that I had my eye on. I only see the salad plates online, but this plate is more medium sized…so bigger than a salad plate, but smaller than a dinner plate.
I wanted some new place mats, and these that I found on Amazon are so cute.
These mini pumpkin cocoettes are a few find and so cute.
I don’t do much in the basement, but I decided to use a couple of pillows that I typically put in the sun room down there.
When I was at Hobby Lobby, I picked up two of these fall LED candles to put on the basement bookshelves. I love the glow of them when we’re watching TV in the basement.
In our bedroom, I have one of my favorite raffia pumpkins that I got a Michael’s years ago. Its twin is on the living room coffee table.
One last Hobby Lobby purchase…this cute mug! I couldn’t resist.
I have a few more decorations here and there, but I really only put out a few of my favorite things this year.
Weekly Recap:
I had a few posts last week…and yesterday’s post (Fall break trip recap part 2) went out late yesterday. Ooops!
Target is the real MVP of all the things, and lately, with some purchases, I’ve thought to myself “oh, I should share this!”…so I’m doing that today with a Target Tuesday round up.
Hadley has actually driven me to Target twice since getting her permit…I guess I’m already teaching her my ways! haha
Here are some recent finds that I’m loving:
So, I shared the bathroom update with these pretty white towels that I picked up at TJ Maxx…
…but I knew when I bought them that white probably wouldn’t be practical for everyday towels because, well, my kids still don’t seem to understand not to wipe their toothpaste mouths off with the HAND towel?!
Anyway, Memorial Day weekend, I was absolutely influenced by Landyn when she shared her cheetah pattern bath towels, and I saw that the Threshold brand also had the cheetah hand towel, and I purchased two.
I’m still keeping the white hand towels in the rotation, but I’m loving this neutral with the wallpaper.
…and I did what any rational person would do and I purchased two bath towels as well. We’ve had the same bath towels for quite some time, so I got rid of two and replaced them with these. They are just perfect.
When I purchased the towels, they were on sale, but they are absolutely reasonably priced and great quality.
I’ve already shared this tray, but it’s still one of my favorite parts of our updated bathroom. Online, it comes in three colors, and my receipt says I purchased the white one.
…but it most certainly looks cream to me. I love it…but I don’t think I would call it white.
On the same Target trip, I also picked up this little tray not knowing which tray would work best. I had every intention of returning it, but then I thought it looked so cute on the night stand next to our guest bed. Our guest bed situation is one that “bothers” me in that we don’t have a guest bedroom…just a bed in the basement.
So, I took this opportunity to keep it and put it on the bedside table.
On a second Target trip, I added this room spray and…
….this sweet little scallop trinket dish to the tray. I figured it would be good for jewelry or keys.
Y’all, I have this cute little corner in the kitchen where I usually keep a plant. The problem is that we don’t get a lot of sunlight in that spot, so time and time again, a plant doesn’t survive.
So, I decided to add that to my Target list, and of course Target has everything so, look what I found…this cute little fiddle leaf plant. I think this is just what we need in this spot. But, y’all, twice I’ve almost gone over to water it! I’m used to trying to keep a plant alive over in that little corner! haha
A few months ago, Travis got rid of my plastic cutting boards…he has his reasons, but I was so annoyed. I asked him if he was trying to cut our marriage short! I was truly so mad. Anyway, I saw this cutting board and bought it to replace one of the two that he got rid of on his purging spree.
…and was just what we needed to spruce up our front porch.
These wide leg sailor jeans come in so many cute colors. I have them in beige and blue. They are high rise, so I sized up one. When I bought them, they were on sale, but full price for $28 is worth every penny.
I’ve already worn both pairs a few times, and love them.
I wore the blue pair to a graduation party (with this sweater) on Sunday and the senior graduate complimented me on my outfit…enough said!
Ok, I’m not a fan of wearing shorts…I’m a leggings girl all the way. That being said, `Regan (@thebloomingnest) shared these flutter athletic shorts, and I decided to give them a try. I always size up in athletic shorts (just my preference!), and that’s what I did with these. I now have them in navy and black, and I really like them. Again, I got them on sale, but they come in quite a few colors with a $20 price tag. The “All in Motion” brand has been a good one for me.
I was in need of a couple new sports bras and have similar ones from All in Motion in the past. These are comfy and supportive!
Like I mentioned before, Hadley was with me on a couple of these Target trips. She usually has a list, but really all she needed was some more dry shampoo. We always get the Batiste brand, but I hadn’t seen the “brunette” dry shampoo. I guess it doesn’t spray white when you apply it to your hair. What will they think of next?
Have you done Target returns from your car?! This new feature is life changing as well!
So, those are some of my Target finds and faves! What would we do without Target?…especially Target pickup and exchanges! What a time to be alive!
Another week down and another weekend on the horizon. I’m ready for it.
As always, I’m linking up with Andrea and Erika for this week’s Friday Favorites.
Here are some favorites from the week:
Last Saturday, I was in Louisville with Hadley for her volleyball tournament, but Travis and Hayden were in Lexington for Hayden’s track meet. He’s kind of hit a “plateau,” not making much progress with this times despite his training, and I know he’s been frustrated.
I shared last week, that he had a PR in the mile and he did the same on Saturday in the 3200m. I can’t tell you how much it seems a weight was lifted off his shoulders having run two really good races and making progress toward his goals. I know not every race will be that way, but he was due, and I was happy when Trav sent this pic and told us Hayden’s time.
I stayed home on Sunday, but a friend sent me a couple of pics and a video of Hadley serving. Thank goodness for the live stream, so I could watch her two games on Sunday.
Y’all, I was influenced by Athena (@lifeandlightstyled)…
How cute is this little rug? I’ve had a black and white checkered one for a few years and I was just thinking how I need to replace it.
Honestly, I still don’t understand Walmart shipping, but I ordered the rug Friday afternoon, and it was on my porch by Friday evening! While I was at it, I ordered the brown striped one too for the fall and winter months.
My Target also had the “hello” door mat that Athena shared, so I placed a pick up order, and my porch refresh was cute as a button by Saturday!
An up close look…
I love a moment for scallops!
…speaking of scallops…When we were at my brother’s house for Easter, I saw this cute little lamp. My sister-in-law had a couple of them, and I thought they were so cute. I’ve always wanted one for our front hall table as there’s no outlet for a traditional lamp. I’d saved a few to an Amazon list, but just never ordered one. This one is from Walmart, and it’s sold out…but she had a third one that she hadn’t really used, and gave it to me! I love it so much.
I tried to find it to link it in case it comes back in stock, but I can’t find it on the website…which is a bummer because I’d love another one.
BTW – she also has this blue and white one that I’ve seen shared as well, and it’s so cute too…and in stock!
Circling back to the front porch, we moved two of the chairs that were in the sun room to the front porch to replace the ones we’ve had for over fifteen years. The lovely weather, the lilac bush, and the swivel chairs have been a great way to spend evenings recently.
We’re making progress on our hall bathroom update. Truly, it’s basically back together, but there’s a few little things to complete.
Trav has been helping our neighbor who has been doing our bathroom update. Well, Hadley was tasked with painting the baseboards…and she understood the assignment. haha
You know I’ll share a whole before and after, but the wallpaper went up this week, the vanity was installed, as were the sconces. The biggest highlight is that we now have a working toilet! It’s the little things over the pretty things at this point!
The mirror is the “chef’s kiss” to this wall.
Remember last week when I shared that Trav and I have been watching Race for the Crown with the races leading up to last year’s Derby?
Well, we sat down to watch episode 4, and in that episode, they were at the Derby draw where the post positions for the races are announced. Trav said, “Remember, I went to that last year? Maybe I’m in this episode.” Well, yep –there he is!
He’s going to be so difficult to live with now…haha!
On Wednesday night, Trav went to a Derby week dinner with work, and he came home with some food and some flowers. He made a big deal about “bringing me home flowers…” even though I’m pretty sure they were just the table center pieces.
I put them in this cute vase that I have, and they smell so great.
Favorite Mom Meme:
I feel so seen!
Bonus Fave: Flashback Friday:
Today is Oaks and tomorrow is Derby. I don’t think I’ll never not share this pic of the kids in kindergarten. At school, they’d made their own Derby hats.
This pic of Hadley playing dress up with my (borrowed) accessories is so cute too.
Unfortunately, this year I’m not going to the Oaks like I have the past few years. I love that tradition, but with the iffy weather and just a lot going on at school, I opted out this week. Maybe it will work out to go next year.
There’s truly nothing like Louisville and Churchill Downs the first week in May!
This is one of my favorite posts to share as I love seeing how others decorate their homes for the holidays, so it’s a fun post to write.
Just like with my fall decorations, I didn’t buy but a few new things to decorate for Christmas.
Two weekends ago, I took about an hour to put up all of my festive fun.
So, my house pretty much looks the same as last year, but I’ve added a couple of things here and there.
In the morning, I tend to turn on the colored Christmas tree lights. This mug is still one of my faves and very “on brand” for me.
Then at night, I love the white lights on the tree! Last Sunday, we took a few minutes to put the ornaments on the living room tree.
{Side note: those “gifts” under the tree are Amazon boxes that I wrapped years ago, and they are a perfect holding spot until I get my act together and wrap actual gifts!)
This year, I did a good job picking up ornaments to capture trips we went on. I got this Washington, DC ornament as a nod to our trip on spring break.
I’ve decided for the next few years, I’m going to make a point to get both the kids an ornament as one of their birthday presents. They’ve received tons of ornaments through the years, but not any from us. This year, I got Hayden the Oregon ornament to remember our trip to the Olympic Trials this past summer.
I found this Dr. Pepper ornament on Etsy, and Hadley laughed when she opened it. She loves a Dr. Pepper!
Hadley’s tree has a lot of fun ornaments, and the tree looks so pretty in her room.
The tree in our bedroom has a few meaningful ornaments I’ve been given through the years. Including this Betty White ornament from my friend a few years ago.
Most of the other ornaments on this tree are the ones I ordered on Shutterfly last year.
Last year, I ordered ornaments that included pictures of the kids at Christmas time through the years. Most of them are front back with two different years, and some are front back with pictures for the same year. I just have so many great memories of the kids at Christmas with Santa or dressed in their green and red outfits.
Shutterfly always runs a good deal around the holidays, but their regular shipping is still expensive. So, the past two years, I’ve ordered the ornaments when I order my Christmas cards.
2019: This was the first year that we had Homer, and the kids really wanted him in the pictures. That was harder than I thought it would be. haha
2020: Apparently, they had the same request for 2020!
I didn’t realize it did, but this next ornament is another 2020 pic with Santa…and then…
2021 – We stumbled upon Santa at Union Station in KC when we were then for Thanksgiving. This was the first year I was pretty sure I didn’t have “believers” anymore, so I love the pic with Santa.
2022- I loved our 30A beach pic so the kids and family pic is on each side.
2023- The Christmas card pic last year was of the kids dressed up for the December cotillion. The other side was went we went to the “Magic Tree” in KC when we were there for Thanksgiving.
2024- I always love our front yard tree, and snapped this pic of the kids. Then, another family beach pic to capture our time in 30A again this year.
As for a few new decorations:
When I went to Kirkland’s a couple of weeks ago, I couldn’t resist these cute felt reindeer!
I also thought this festive ceramic house was cute. I love the jingle bells and ornaments.
On one of my many trips to Micheal’s, I got this bell to hang on the front door knob. It’s just a slight jingle, and nothing annoying. The one I’ve had for years was showing its wear and tear.
I thought I’d use this wreath elsewhere, but ended up tying it to the arches I have on front hall table.
Just a few touches here and there. I will enjoy all the sparkle and shine of the Christmas decorations, and then it always feels nice to have a fresh start with everything put away in the new year.
Today I’m sharing all about Hadley’s “room refresh.”
Once the kids turned 13, I had it on my mind that I wanted to update their rooms and some of their furniture. Last summer, I got serious about clicking around trying to find ideas for Hadley’s room since she cared way more about a room update than Hayden did. Well, like I do…I started to feel overwhelmed, so I hit pause on that project.
Around their birthday, Hadley mentioned her room again. So, I decided to reach out to my friend who has an interior design background. She said she’d love to help. So, one day when Hadley was at volleyball practice, my friend came over, measured Hadley’s room and we chatted about ideas.
We live in an older home with smaller bedrooms. I wanted to somehow give Hadley more storage while also eliminating a bigger piece of furniture. My friend knows Hadley pretty well, so I knew whatever she came up with Hadley would love. When she asked what color palette Hadley was thinking about, I only knew that Hadley likes blue.
The next day, she sent me these designs, and I immediately knew that Hadley would love it.
(This wasn’t the blue on the walls that she thought Hadley would want — it’s just what was in the rendering) I’d never thought about putting Hadley’s bed in front of the window…or thinking there’d be room for two night stands.
I’ve shared a few “peeks” in previous blog posts…
…and another when we did the wallpaper a couple of weeks ago.
…and Hadley really tidied up her closet during this process too.
Before:
Well, Hadley got to purging and Travis got to painting before I could take a true “before” photo, but I’d shared these pics in a previous post a few years ago, and her room still pretty much looked like this:
…and this…although we’d gotten rid of the bean bag a while ago. The cubed shelf is what I was trying to eliminate with the new refresh.
(Hadley’s furniture was my furniture from when I was a kid. We painted it white when it was time for the kids to have their own rooms when they were three.)
Ideally, I wanted a new bed for Hadley, at least one night stand, a vanity that could also be used for a desk, and then instead of a dresser and bookshelf, I wanted a combination of the two which would eliminate one big piece of furniture from her small space.
It was crazy to think about, but I also told my friend that whatever we chose/bought, I wanted Hadley to feel like she could take with her to her first apartment.
I was blown away by the design.
I like that my friend emailed me the design board with clickable links. So, if we didn’t purchase everything all at once, we’d have that email to go back to when we’d make purchases in the future.
Also, since I wasn’t 100% sure what Hadley would want, I initially only bought the bed and desk. The desk was out by the Christmas tree on Christmas morning, and then, I wrapped up the board for Hadley to open with the ideas.
She was surprised and excited.
Since were home over Christmas break, we used that time to get started. She purged her room filling bags with trash or donation piles. We moved everything out of her room, and she helped Travis paint.
Over break, we also put the bed together and after she made some decisions on what she wanted from the design board, we ordered the rug, vanity mirror, night stands, and bedding. The bedding on the design board was back ordered, so we found something similar at Target.
We’ve pieced the rest of her room together over the past six weeks or so.
Anyway, here’s the finished product…
After:
Ta da!
The wallpaper was the “chef’s kiss” to the room. I’m very grateful my friend Amy was able to help me with it a couple of weeks ago.
The nightstands are perfect and easy to put together.
The bigger drawers in the night stands are still empty…which makes me happy knowing we still have empty storage.
I love that Hadley kept her “girl boss” sign.
She’s had it for years!
The natural light in the room is so nice, and creates a calming vibe with the blues.
We bought the bed that has two storage drawers. In the IKEA picture, these drawers are side by side under the bed. I was pleasantly surprised that you can put the drawers wherever you’d like, so she has one on each side of her bed. Side by side didn’t work because of the nightstands.
On this wall, it was so blank I wasn’t sure what we would do. The design called for two bigger pieces of art, so I thought we might do that…and I’d let Hadley choose, but then we decided that she had a few things she didn’t want to part with.
She likes gold accents, so I went with that idea.
She updated the pics in the white collage frame that she’s had for years.
The quote above the collage is something my mom gave me when I graduated high school. It’s always hung somewhere, including in Hadley’s room the past few years, so we kept it.
Hadley loves macaroons, so I picked up this print at a yard sale, but then I put it in a frame I got at Target.
The gold pineapple we got at Hobby Lobby years ago when we updated her room when we first moved in our house.
Travis gave Hadley the dancing picture last Christmas, but it was in a white frame, so I spray painted it gold.
Then, I had one spot that just “needed something,” so I sent a puppy pic of Homer to Mixtiles for one last piece for the gallery.
I’m really glad we used what we had and incorporated meaningful pieces. And…I think we could still add to this wall if we want to through the years.
We bought the full length mirror a few weeks ago. I needed the mirror, so I could spatially figure out the gallery wall.
I’ve never purchased from Ruggable before, but this rug is washable. I already see a muddy Homer paw print, so we will probably have to wash it sooner rather than later. haha
This vanity has been perfect. It’s long but not wide. The one drawer is big enough where Hadley has a few school supplies on one side and then her skin care/make-up and earrings on the other side.
I bought the suggested desk chair from Ikea, but I didn’t realize Hadley preferred one with wheels. So, we looked at Home Goods a few times and never found what she wanted. We clicked around on Amazon, and she found this fuzzy/Sherpa fabric one….and it’s cute and functional.
The vanity mirror isn’t what was on the design board. I should have known that Hadley would want one that lights up. haha
She found this one on Amazon, and it is neat. It has three light modes and a USB charging port.
Not to sound dramatic, but this vanity has saved my sanity in the mornings. The kids share the world’s smallest bathroom, and they always seem to be in there at the same time in the morning. Because of this vanity, now all Hadley has to do in the bathroom is brush her teeth! Otherwise, she can get ready in her room.
Hadley is still loving her new makeup/skincare organizer. I like that it looks cute, and it’s a spot for her to hold her products.
Then, to keep it real –this corner still needs some TLC. The one piece from IKEA that we haven’t purchased yet is the cabinet that will replace the bookshelf and this dresser. So, we’ve left a few things sitting on top of the dresser until we know if we’ll need them once we do get the new cabinet.
We have plans to go to Cinci next month, and I hope to go to IKEA for a couple of returns and maybe to go ahead and get the cabinet for this corner.
We had leftover wallpaper, and my mom put it in the cabinet. We also took out the bottom shelf to make room for my Gma’s jewelry box that I’ve had for years.
*one more update*
I’d forgotten we bought these knobs to add a touch of color. We did have to buy different screw to make them work for this cabinet, but they were a cute finishing touch.
We did have to buy different screws to work for the drawers.
I just love walking past her room now. It’s such a bright spot in our home.
Sources:
In case you are interested, here’s where we purchased everything:
Paint Color: Benjamin Moore White Dove
Wallpaper: Wall pops: Blue Wisley (I purchased four rolls for this one wall. We have leftovers, but we did have to use more than I thought to find the correct spot to match it up along the way)
Rug: Ruggable: Verena Soft Bluerug (I got the 5×7 for her room)
Bedding: white quilt from Home Goods, Linen Chambray comforter set from Target
Night stands: Her pretty blue ones aren’t available, but there are a couple other color options. When I ordered her “ice blue” ones, it did say only two in stock…so I’m not sure future availability.
It’s the time of the year when I really love my time at home enjoying the twinkle of Christmas lights. It’s always quite a bit of effort to get everything in the right spot, but I’m always so happy when we have our holiday decor out.
While it doesn’t change too much year to year, today I’m sharing how we decorate for Christmas.
Come on in!
I changed up the console in the front hall a bit compared to last year. I just moved some holiday items to different spots, and then added in a couple of my cute new houses from Kirklands.
This year, I did print out old pics of the kids with Santa to change up the frames that are out year round. They are sweet memories.
This year, I changed up the trunk in the living room. Last year, I made note that I wanted to get a couple of pre-lit trees for the trunk and then add in a mix and match of trees that I’ve collected through the years. I love these trees from Walmart, and it was fun adding in various trees I had in my Christmas storage bin.
I love my morning view of the coffee table tree and scented candle.
On the fireplace, I put out my favorite Santa and some nutcrackers.
On the built in, I switched out the picture in the frame to include my favorite Santa pic of the kids.
I added snow globes and another LED house from the Kirklands set to a couple of shelves too.
Just like when I shared my fall decor, I have to be honest and say my couch will never really look like this, but I love when it does. The couch is usually covered in order to Homer proof it! haha
I’m still loving our new tree, and it’s even better now that it’s decorated with ornaments and a few presents.
Nothing new in the office area…but a few of my favorite decorations and the sweet pic of the kids under the tree for their first Christmas.
I love my view from the kitchen when I’m cooking…and I love the little pic of Hadley being Hadley…and Hayden being embarrassed of Hadley. My brother took their Christmas pic many years ago. I also picked up a snowy fern from Trader Joe’s.
On the kitchen island built in, I added the bell and candle. The Santa plate isn’t really a spoon rest, but that’s what I’m using it for currently. The Merry and Bright sign is of KC’s Plaza lights which I love. I’ve had the monogrammed hand towel for years.
I’m still loving how I decorated the mantle this year with new garland and “Merry Christmas” sign from Smallwoods.
I decided not to hang the stockings yet…and Hadley is beside herself 😆
I added a few things to the tray on the kitchen table; I decided not to use a table runner this year.
Hadley’s favorite part is the village…She put it out the Sunday after Thanksgiving.
It looks even better at night.
A few other festive touches in the dining area:
A couple of years ago, my mom gave me this Santa cross-stitch that she made.
Much like the living room couch, the sun room doesn’t often look this neat and tidy, but I love when it does!
It’s similar but different every year too. I always change what I put in the tray and what I add to the side tables. The pillow slip covers are an easy way to decorate.
At the end of the hall, I added a few things. I put out some of the cards that I received last year from my mom, Gma, and aunt. They always make the best cards. The LED trees are also from Kirklands and provide the perfect glow for the nativity scene.
In our bedroom, I have our pencil tree and reindeer crock. When the crock has a candle in it, the stars shine on the wall. I love it.
Some years, I wish I had more neutral decorations, and this year, I wanted to “do less,” but Hadley wouldn’t let me! haha
Well, last week, I shared my first “Five Things” post highlighting some things in my kitchen.
Today, I’m sharing another post…but I’m still in my kitchen.
The post last week included items in the cooking part of my kitchen, and today, I’m sharing the other half of the kitchen.
1. Hutch
This hutch was my dads grandma’s hutch. He doesn’t know the history, but he remembers it at her house when he was a kid. He said it’s at least 80 years old.
I’ve only had it a few years, and we actually rented a small U-haul trailer to bring it back after a visit. I just didn’t have anywhere to store glassware and other odds and ends, so I appreciate this gift.
I’ve thought about having it painted, but I don’t know.
This little nook in our kitchen would be perfect for a coffee bar/wine fridge, and that’s on our somewhat short list to do. I have another wall this hutch could go on if we end up doing that.
In the hutch, I have glasses, some Bourbon (fun fact: Travis loathes bourbon…won’t touch it…but it tends to be a common gift in the horse biz…lol), a few personal touches, and then I store place settings and seasoning things in the drawers.
Anyway, it’s a sentimental piece that we have in our kitchen.
2. Woven basket
My mom was cleaning out her garage (I think) and found this basket that she’d made years and years ago. I typically keep it on top of the hutch (see photo above), but I’ve used it to store dinner plates when we’ve had people over.
3. Window pane/shutters
We’ve lived in our house for nine years now, and when we first moved in, I wanted to hang a window pane for a farmhouse vibe. We found this window at Re-store I believe. Travis hung it for me, and I added the wreath.
There’s a story with the shutters. They aren’t actually shutters. The previous owners had taken down swinging doors that went from the hall to the living room. We found them in the garage, and Travis cut one in half for me. I painted it, and he hung it for me next to the window pane.
I will say that after living in this house for nine years, I kind of want to clean things up a bit…but I know that takes a vision and time (and probably money)…haha. I still like the farmhouse vibe, but I do want to update some things and maybe simplify some of our walls. We have a gallery wall on the other side of the kitchen that I’d like to simplify one day as well.
4. Wine rack
This wine rack was a gift from my Gma when Travis and I bought our first house. It’s from Pier One, and I still love it.
5. Wine bottle
How fun is this wine bottle? For Trav’s birthday, one of our friends gifted it to him. There’s a local artist (@holidayroaddesigns) who hosts painting parties and designs and paints bottles as gifts.
This bottle has his initials, UK and horse references.
So that wraps up a peek at the other side of our kitchen. I don’t know which area I will tackle next, but I’ll move on from the kitchen. haha
Well, I felt like I was a little late getting my porch together, but really, it was probably only about a week later than I have done it in previous years.
Every year, the porch looks similar but different. We always buy a couple of cornstalks, a few mums, and lots of pumpkins!
Here’s a peek at the porch:
I’ve had this cute garden flag for years. I love the mix of orange with black and white.
I went to my favorite spot to pick up a variety of pumpkins, but the goose neck gourds came from Trader Joe’s.
The “mum man” comes to my husband’s work, and he always has the best price on mums.
I’ve had these pillow covers for a couple of years, and the jack-o-lantern is from a friend.
On a whim, I recently bought a new black and white plaid rug at Aldi’s, and then I’ve had the door mat and door hanger for years.
I always love pulling up in front of my house this time of the year. ‘Tis the season!
Our temps have actually started to cool off a bit which has been so nice, and it got me in the mood to pull out our fall decorations. My plan was to decorate this past weekend, but I actually went ahead and did it the weekend before. It doesn’t take too long and I had an extra hour, so I went for it.
Not much changes through the years, but I always pick up a new thing or two…it’s hard for me to resist when I see a cute pumpkin.
Now, I’ve been able to enjoy my pretty mantle, candles and light up pumpkins for over a week.
When I told Hadley was I going to decorate, she said, “Yay!” I’m raising her right, y’all.
Come on in.
Entryway:
The only thing new in the entry way is I bought some pretty satin pumpkins at Hobby Lobby to put in the glass cloche.
The other decorations I’ve had for a few years.
Living room:
I keep it pretty simple on the trunk and add a few neutral touches including this pumpkin that I picked up last year.
Real talk: This pic is from last year.
As much as I would love for my couch to look neat and tidy with pretty pillows, it doesn’t look this way 90% of the time….and we keep it mostly covered because of Homer.
I still love my grapevine pumpkins…and you can’t go wrong with an Antique Candle Co candle.
I added these cute light up pumpkins from Hobby Lobby to the fire place. Shay shared hers recently, and I was influenced. The cute cat was one of my first ever decorations that I bought years ago, and I still think he’s cute!
I added a few pumpkins to our built in shelves in the living room.
This might sound silly, but when I put out this votive candle holder, I had a flashback to 2004.
I don’t put this out every year, but I found the perfect spot on our shelf. Anyway, I remember picking it up at Walgreens during the first fall at our first house. I know back then that I didn’t decorate to the extent I do now, but I do remember being excited to make our first house a home…even on a tight budget. A few seasonal touches made our house homey. We’ve come a long way, but I still want to have a cozy and inviting home.
Sorry for that trip down memory lane!
Office:
I always swap out the regular pic that’s in this frame for the one of the kids the first time we took them to the pumpkin patch. You know how much I love that tradition!
I still have my “morning pumpkin”pillows that one of my former students made for me.
Kitchen:
I added a few fall touches to the tray on our island. The squishy plaid pumpkin was a find at Hobby Lobby.
The buffet in the kitchen is one of my favorite areas to decorate.
A variety of pumpkins…
…seasonal plates and flowers help make it festive.
I still love the my plates from Target.
I filled up this cute bowl with the rest of the fabric pumpkins.
I shared this peek of the mantle recently…
…but here she is in all her glory. When I was at Michaels, I bought this four pack of candles, and they have a subtle fall touch with the gold leaves on them.
This is the second year that I added lights to the leaves…and I love the glow.
Sun room:
Like the living room couch, I’d love to say that our sunroom stays this tidy, but we usually flip the cushions up, so Homer isn’t tempted to get up there. Anyway, I sit out here the most from September to December, and it’s one of my favorite spots.
I will read, sip my coffee, and enjoy the scent of the pumpkin apple candle. There’s nothing better.
I swap out my regular wreath for this one:
Bedroom:
I have my other Michael’s pumpkin in our bedroom with a seasonal candle.
….and Hadley is still enjoying her neon “Boo” sign that I got her a few weeks ago.
I haven’t decorated my porch just yet, but I’m hoping to get to it this weekend.
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