Meet Me by the Mistletoe for Our Holiday Staircase Look!

Well, I wasn't totally finished with my Christmas bonanza or extravaganza or whatever I called it because I realized that our staircase banister and mistletoe decor is totally worth a look too!  I know "staircase decor" isn't all that typical (or necessary) for the holidays, but the little staircase was one of the things I fell in love with most when we chose our home and I love decorating it this time of the year.  It still makes my heart melt a little when I walk through the door, just like it did when we got the house :)

Here's peek at the staircase from our entryway...

Did you catch that fun little touch of mistletoe?  It's a fun, cute unexpected surprise right?!  I had never thought to add any kind of decor above our entryway but it's just so simple and cute- I'm loving it! 

I keep catching Alex under there just hoping I'll happen to walk by so he can get a smooch, hehe!  Mistletoe really rocks :)

When it came to the staircase garland, I used fresh spruce roping, juniper berry bundles, green+gold ribbon and metallic ornaments (same elements used on our mantel and in the dining room).

What do you think of the staircase garland or our little touch of mistletoe? 
Will you be adding some surprise mistletoe in your home too?

I highly recommend the mistletoe... Tis' quite fun if you know what I mean :)  If you need another staircase decor idea click the link to see the Merry Message Along Our Staircase we created during the 2010 Christmas season.


Well, with the staircase covered I guess that rounds out all the holiday decor for this season.  In case you missed any of the other Christmas decor posts, be sure to check out all the ways we decked our halls!  Here are links to our 2013 Christmas Tree, the Fireplace Mantel, and the Dining Room.

Our Green Holiday Dining Room Look and Some Entertaining!

Okay, I know I didn't get my Holiday Dining Room post up yesterday as intended but I have a good excuse- Instead of writing about the Dining Room, I was using it with some of my favorite fabulous ladies!  Yes, we took in all the pretty holiday decor but we mainly soaked up some hot toddies, red wine, and a crap load selection of fine cheeses :) Can you blame me?

Wine, cheese, and chatting it up was too fun to pass up!

So despite falling a little short on my own "Christmas Extravaganza" week, I'll still wrap things up here in the Dining Room.  Let's have a look!

I added fresh greenery above the windows, on the sideboard, and in the table centerpiece.  I have to mention that the best deal I got when it came to the fresh stuff was that boxwood wreath above our sideboard- only $9.99 at Trader Joes, isn't that crazy!?!  Such a deal!  I added in ornaments to all the of the greenery to give it that special holiday feel!

Just like our mantel, I again used juniper berry and long spruce needle bundles with a wee bit of cedar and had two thin birch logs against the back of the sideboard.

I again used juniper berry and long spruce needle bundles with a wee bit of cedar and had two thin birch logs against the back of the sideboard.

For the centerpiece, I placed the spruce needles on the base of the candelabra then layered on the juniper berry and finished off the look with a few ornaments.  I feel like the layered fresh look adds a beautiful touch for our holiday table and it was pretty simple!

The final holiday touch that rounded out the room were the cedar stems I hung above each window.  I used ornament hooks to hang the stems and then hung ornaments from each stem.  Totally simple and really dressed up the look of our windows, right?!

I think that might be my favorite part of the decor this year?  Well that and the fresh, full $9.99 Boxwood wreath :) such a deal!

What do you think of our Dining Room Decor
Are you digging the cedar stems above the windows too?
Do you have a favorite Christmas decor piece this year?  I want to know what it is!

Thank you everyone that posted comments for my mantel post!  I kinda felt like a jerk for writing it then I almost went back to remove it, but it really cheered me up when I read the comments that came through so I let it be :)  I still kind of feel like a jerk but I guess it reminded me that the best kind of writing, whether from me or anyone else, is done with honesty and authenticity.  So even if I am a jerk at least I am the honest kind I guess?  Again, thank you for the kindness and reminder of why I love writing this little blog :)

Click these links if you missed our Holiday Mantel or our 2013 Christmas Tree

Time to Cozy Up for a Look at Our Holiday Mantel

Our fun little week-long holiday decor extravaganza (if you can call it that?) continues!!!  We've covered the tree, now it's time for a cozy look at our fireplace mantel!

I kept with the same Gold+Green look to match up with our Christmas tree.  BUT- this is the first time I used all fresh greenery for the mantel decor!  It was a bit more challenging, but so fun and rewarding when I got to the final look, I'm feeling so proud of it!

I ended up using long Spruce Pine needles and cut Juniper Berry bundles, then arranged them with ribbon and ornaments to complete the layered look on the fireplace mantel...

Simple and sweet post I guess?!  Love that on a super snowy night here in Minneapolis!

What do you think of the mantel decor?  Or the tree?

Are you getting hit with a crap-ton of snow too?!?! 

Anyone?  Bueller.... Bueller?!?!  Guess I'm feeling like no one is out there anymore :(  Heck, Alex even said that when he gutted the bathroom tub and he isn't even the HBIC- ahem 'Head Blogger In Charge' (blame that acronym on Bravo's Housewives).

I know I haven't been as great at following up with the blog lately, but I hope someone out there is still reading and seeing this stuff?  I still love writing it all, but it's kinda bummy feeling like you are talking to yourself.  Okay, I'm done emoting now, I'd still love to hear from you though :) 

Green and Gold to Go With the Stars & Snow! It's Our 2013 Christmas Tree!

I woke up feeling pretty crummy today sadly but after sleeping/resting in bed until 1:30pm followed by a solid seven hour stretch laying on the couch (I'm pretty worried I made a permanent dent in it, ugh!), I'm still keeping my promise to share pics of our decorated tree today!

So, ho-ho-here it is!  Alex and I are happy and excited to share our 2013 Christmas tree with you :)

A little before and after action of course too!

As I mentioned yesterday, I was really digging the green and gold Christmas look so that is what I decided to go with this year.  We've always had red as a prominent color with our Christmas decor in previous years so it feels like a very fresh look this time around!

We also decided to use the larger clear C9 size string lights instead of the clear mini string lights we've used each year before.  Alex thought of this bright idea to add a vintage bulb look on the tree and I just love it!

What do you think of this year's tree? 

Liking it or are you missing the touch of red? 

I'd love to know what your tree looks like this year too!

I know you kind of got a little peek today, but I will be sharing a full look at our holiday mantel tomorrow too!  Hope to see you then!

PS- if you'd like to see our 2012, 2011, or 2010 Christmas trees, or heck even 2007, click the links! 

Hunt Down & Chop Down Time: It's Our Annual Griswold Style Tree Adventure! Plus a Look at My 2013 Christmas Style Inspiration!

(Once again) In the historic words spoken by Clark W. Griswold, "We're kicking off our fun old fashioned family Christmas by heading out into the country in the old front-wheel drive sleigh to embrace the frosty majesty of the winter landscape and select that most important of Christmas symbols."  

And yes, I know the whole Griswold concept/story is a bit old now, but it's still a hoot of a good time and makes me giggle every year :) so the tradition continues on!

Click the link to see our 2010 tree adventure, 2011, or 2012

Yes, once our quiet Thanksgiving for Two was over (which also included some yummy AND pretty drinks, I totally had to share these with you!)...

Rosemary Gin Fizz recipe here and Hot Gin Toddy Recipe here

... We knew it was time to start covering our house with Christmas and where else do you start but with the tree!  So, we hopped in the car the next day with Rusty Rocco and Audrey Sadie and headed up to the Rum River Tree Farm to hunt down and chop down our 2013 tree.

After much debate and wandering through rows and rows of trees, grumpy cheerful Alex plopped down to chop down the 2013 tree of our dreams :)

Hehe, he's going to be so mad I snuck in his "grumpy Alex" pic!  (At least it was dark out this time though, I had a really grumpy Alex during last year's tree adventure!)

Then, we stuffed that bad boy in our trunk (literally!), and got it all set up in the living room to decorate!  We paid just $32 for our self cut tree-such a steal if you ask me!   But man, I can't begin to tell you what mess of pine needles that ended up in our car and house, LOL!

Here's a look once we got it set up, it's just begging for decorations right?!

Here's a look at what I've been feeling inspired by for this year's look/theme.  I'm feeling the Greens and Golds for sure and I'm digging the look of cedar greenery or garland.

Images via Terrain, Good Housekeeping, Digs Digs, Chatelaine, Remains Simple, Finders Keepers Market Inc, A Country Farmhouse, Happy Mundane

I've been working hard on getting it finished up along with our mantel and dining room decor- I can't wait to show you what I came up with!!!  I'm planning to share the finished tree tomorrow, then the mantel Wednesday, and the Dining Room Thursday!  It'll be a week long Christmas celebration here! Wooooo!  I'm so pumped! Are you pumped?!  If you're not you better get yourself pumped real quick because a whole lotta Christmas is headed your way!!!  Yep, I'm feeling that good ol' Christmas Crazy feeling, I just LOOOOOVE Christmas like a crazy lady!

How about you?  
Are you busy setting up your Christmas decorations too?  
Was there a theme or color scheme that inspired your holiday decor this year?
Are you a Crazy Christmas type of lady too?!!

I'd love to know!  Hope to see you back tomorrow for our tree reveal!

Thanksgiving Table for Two

Happy Thanksgiving everyone!  It's just Alex and I at home tonight with our puppy kiddos, so it's a Thanksgiving Table for Two this year.  We've been very thankful to host Thanksgiving for the past four years with the company of my sister-in-law Amber, her hubby Ryan, and our nephew Henri, but with the arrival of our new nephew Benjamin they weren't able to make the trip to Minnesota this time (can't blame them- that drive along the armpit of Indiana followed by the desolation across I-90/94 in Wisconsin is DREADFUL enough without a toddler and newborn in tow!).  

With that, knowing we wouldn't have guests this time, my dad had planned to make a trip here but sadly had an awful cold/strep/mini flu going on, so he had to change his plane ticket and visit in April instead (which is better anyway considering Minnesota is beautiful in the Spring and we didn't want to get sick too!).  Dad, I wish you were here and hope you get better soon!

So, Alex and I are having a Sweetheart style Thanksgiving and despite the lack of company, we did things the way we enjoy and do it best.  So... I tablescaped like always while Alex cooked up a storm (oh my do I LOVE me some tablescaping!)...

The main decor elements I had were a gray tablecloth, large lantern, and fresh eucalyptus branches.  It was so easy!  I just layered on the eucalyptus outward from the lantern I placed at the center of the table.

Beyond that, the only little DIY added in were these mini rosemary place-setting wreaths.  I took long rosemary stems and tied the ends together (super easy-peasy!)...

It all ended up very cute and perfectly easy to make this Thanksgiving for Two feel like a special unordinary dinner for just-us-two!

Very simple but still felt special for just us two :)  And to make it all the more special, after pigging out, we're counting on a Super Nintendo Super Mario Marathon (yep, we've got the old school Super Nintendo system and I plan to kick Alex's buns).  

Happy Thanksgiving! Best of Luck to Black Friday Shoppers as well!  We like sleeping in and hitting specials slowly after a big breakfast, but I'm still curious- What are you after this Black Friday?  TV's? Toys, Tablets?  I'd love a new TV but can't say we need it... ugh!  Isn't that the trouble of Black Friday?  Do you really need it?  Do we need that new TV?!?!

Holiday Decor Galore! A Look at Bachman's 2013 Holiday Idea House

Since Alex was busy working on the bathroom tile most of the weekend, I decided to get out of the house and headed over to Bachman's to check out their 2013 Holiday Idea House.  You know what that means- It's time to get inspired with overload of Holiday decor ideas!  

Once again, here is the background information on the Idea House just in case:

Bachman's is a Floral and Gift Garden here in Minneapolis and their original founder/owner's 1920's home is now used for their seasonal Idea House.  Everything about each room is different for every Spring, Fall and Holiday Idea House, right down to the paint on the walls with details/ideas included in a brochure when entering the home. 

This year's "Cozy, Contemporary Nordic Celebration," theme is all about simplicity in design presented in a fabulous way.  Okay, are you ready?!  You better be, I've got a ton of holiday photos and ideas coming at'cha!  Ho-Ho-Ho, here we go!

Living Room:

Ideas: Fabric inside cabinets to appear as stacked wood, Salvaged wood mounted on wall as art and wreath/candleholders, Textured oak wallpaper used for accent wall, Wall hangers display seasonal cards as art accented with paint stripes, Lanterns act as plant holders, Tree decorated with hanging votive holders, Baby cradle holds presents, Mittens layered with stockings on the mantel, Floor lamp made of wood vase and crystal knobs, Little red barn used as a doghouse, Coasters repurposed as vase and candle bases, Tree ornament created using a basket, filling and a bird, Presents wrapped with paper placemats and decorative paper.   Paint color: Hirshfield's 1089 Delicate Honeysweet.

Kitchen:

Ideas: Vintage frame repurposed as tray, Vintage bedspring hung as pot rack, Dentist cabinet used as a kitchen organizer, Salvaged fan blade as holiday wall tree, Large vintage drawer used as wall organizer, Hanging heart vases, Lantern holds soap and lotion, Letter holder used for napkins.   Paint color: Hirshfield's 1096 The Ego Has Landed.

Dining Room:

Ideas: Radiator drip pan used as a fillable tray, Place-card holders act as vases, Rope and ornaments embellish napkin rings and table cloth, Salvaged wood mounted on walls as candleholders, Star lanterns turned into vases, Wood dough bowl case on buffet, Ornaments and garland hung on chandelier.  Paint color: Hirshfield's 0189 Delicate Honeysweet.

Main Floor Bathroom:

Ideas: Hearts part of decorative wall border, Mirror and wreath layered as wall art, Dishtowels hung as drapery and sink skirt, Metal tin used as towel hanger and organizer, Drawer acts as toilet paper holder.   Paint color: Hirshfield's 1096 The Ego Has Landed.

Sunroom:

Ideas: Salvaged bin reused as bar, Chick incubator repurposed as a side table, Candle holders used as an ornament, Lamb feeder utilized as wine bottle storage, Mug warmers decorate decanters, Wall vases act as fillable art, Dried hydrangeas sprayed red as floral decor.   Paint color: Hirshfield's Thilbault Martinique Cream.

Entryway & Stairwell:

Ideas: Metal basket cart used as a planter, Table runner hung as wall art with vintage spool as hook, Salvaged wood and decorative metal hung as wall art.   Paint color: Hirshfield's 0006 Little Dove and 0190 Village Crier.

Gardener's Room:

Ideas: Terra cotta pots and ribbon turned into bells hanging in window with greenery and lights and valance, Birdbath turned into holiday tablescape, Hanging bottle vases embellished with craft paper, decorative tape and stamps, Vintage window screen and grate hung as wall art, Roll of moss garland appears like a holiday wreath, Votive cups used as Paperwhite containers, Heart container filled with decorative potpourri around Paperwhite, Decorative wicker hanging balls used as Paperwhite holder with moss filler, Live plant wall art, Paper placemats hung as wallpaper, Chairs accented with deco mesh, Indoor container mixes Amaryllis and Tropicals plus bamboo and succulents, Wire basket filled with ferns, mesh ribbon liner, Apple Blossoms, and Amaryllis, DIY miniature garden created with Dept. 56 product and fairy garden accessories.   Paint color: Hirshfield's 0400 New Foliage.

Master Bedroom:

Ideas: Rustic wall snowflake accented by painted shadow, Birch branch used as ornament hanger, Headboard made from cedar shingles, Lamp made from copper pipe and an outdoor table/stool, Jewelry holder made from birch rounds and ornament holders, Tree accent with copper wire.   Paint color: Hirshfield's 0455 Favored One.

Girl's Bedroom:

Ideas: Large basket acts as nightstand, Porch posts used to make a canopy bed accented with lights, Bird cage turned into a miniature fairy garden, Galvanized wash basin acts as tree base holder, Framed fairy hanging as ornament, Ribbon, snowflakes, and decorated clothespins display cards, Vintage garden table and chairs used as coloring space, Vintage vanity shortened and used as play desk, Metal owls used as bookend.  Paint color: Hirshfield's 0686 Outerspace.

Upstairs Bathroom:

Ideas: Rustic wall snowflake accented by painted shadow, Birch baskets used as towel holder and soap holder, Ornament holder becomes toilet paper holder, Deer head vase holds toothbrushes, Decorative box used as makeup and brush holder, Copper wire used as curtain holder, Copper leaves accented with stems and berries as shower curtain embellishments, Wreath and light up ornament hung as window decor.  Paint color: Hirshfield's 0455 Favored One.

Tablescape Idea Room:

Happy New Year's Theme: Mirror used as serving tray, Scarf accented with ribbon as chair-back embellishment, Chalkboard table runner used as a wall treatment, Ornament in a glass votive for party favor, Bracelets used as decoration for candles, Candle bowl used for wine chiller, Mini chalkboard decals used for name markers on glasses.

Classic Holiday Theme Ideas: Serving tray used as a candle and potpourri holder, Deco mesh used for chair back accent with permanent greens, Boxes and lids used as graphic wall element, Gold placemats used as wall treatment, Candle holders used as water glasses, Red candle holder accented with holiday botanical and ribbon, Place settings "wrapped" like presents, Crystal Poinsettias used as place-card holders.

Winter Wedding Theme Ideas: Place-card holder filled with snow, Ribbon decorates chair, Upside-down bowls used as place setting risers, Branch and throw blanket hung as wall decor, Throw blanket used as table runner, Wreaths used in lighting.  Paint color: Hirshfield's 0189 Delicate Honeysweet.

Porch:

Ideas: Vintage metal cart utilized as winter boot and hat organizer, Screen door erected as chalkboard, Dishtowels hanging as drapery fastened with chalkboard clips, Candle-scape made of tin container moss, balls, candles, and paper luminaries, Lighting constructed with upside down metal baskets, Ornament made into trivets and coasters, Mini sled used as a serving tray.  Paint color: Hirshfield's 012 Bunny Cake (trim) & 211 Light Lichen (floor).

Outdoor Decor:

Ideas: Permanent greens, acorns and snowflakes woven around address sign, Velvet twigs mixed with spruce tops in containers, Green garland embellished with Magnolia, Eucalyptus, and lights.

That's a wrap!  What were YOUR favorite ideas?

I was digging the hot cocoa set up on the porch and loved all of the real greenery used as decor indoors.  I have to say, there's something nice about having live plants and greenery inside during the icky, LONG, freezing winter months here in Minnesota- it's kind of the only green I'll see until May (ugh, isn't that depressing? I can feel cabin fever coming on already)....

Regardless I've got that ants-in-my-pants feeling, I want a tree right now so I can get my ho-ho-holiday decorating on! Anyone else with me?

If you need more ideas click here to see their 2012 Holiday Idea House.

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PLEASE NOTE / DISCLAIMER: In case you missed the post intro, I just want to reiterate that this IS NOT OUR HOUSE and I am not employed or affiliated with Bachman's in any way (which means I did not decorate the rooms shown).  I enjoy visiting the Idea House and love sharing it as long as they allow people take photographs when they visit.