Front porch and a snow munchkin

A neighbor down the street sold me this awesome cottage style bench for $60 last summer....love.

Red star stuffed with greenery from Hobby Lobby.

Some large branches I shoved in a tin bucket and filled with some bush clippings I picked up on a walk one day. I just wanted something to hang lights on, and this was the perfect spot.



I usually use this garland indoors, but I really like it outside (again with lights).

Vintage sled found at an antique store for $25. The red broom was a white elephant gift several years ago...random to put it on the sled, I know, but it's the right color, so......

After knocking down the icilces. Now, I can walk out of my house without fearing for my life (or Kensie's)...those things were scary.

Now, for some utter cuteness:

I think playtime in the snow was a success...look at those red cheeks!

She took the BEST nap after this.

Stay warm friends!

Four things...

{1} Some seriously pretty (but deadly) icicles that need to be knocked down...

{2} I got myself an early Christmas present. Not something I would normally wear, but I love it! It was from a Premier Jewelery party, and I've had SO many compliments on this beauty.

{3} I FINALLY got my hair done. It's been 6 months. I had been looking for a new hair stylist that is close and affordable....harder than you think. But, thanks to FB--I found one and booked an appointment 4 days later! How much? $55 for all over highlights and cut/ style. I was so pleased, and only wish I could style it like this again...

{4} My Mom, sister Lauren, and I were able to enjoy a girls night in downtown GR that same night! It felt so good to dress up, have a fresh hairstyle, go to a fancy place for dinner and just enjoy some good girl talk. I love you beautiful ladies!

Stay tuned for front porch decorations and a little snow munchkin with some VERY red cheeks! We've been playing in the snow all morning...I think it's time to warm up with some hot chai tea.

Happy Thursday!

Snow, snow and more snow....

It sarted snowing yesterday. It literally has.not.stopped. There's over a foot already, and we're still expecting more.

(view from the kitchen window looking at our invisible driveway)

Love it. Hate it.

All at the same time.

But, honestly we shouldn't complain AT ALL. We didn't see a single snowflake until Decemeber 1st. And if you are from the midwest-->you know that's amazing in it of itself, right?

(backyard)

And after 9 Christmas's with snow, I can't imagine one WITHOUT it. It just makes me want to sit by the fireplace with hot cocoa and a blanket while gazing at the twinkling lights throughout the house. Ahhhhh....so warm.

That reminds me...here's the mantel I've been meaning to post. A quick shot of it anyway...

(You may notice there are 4 stockings already. My loving mom has made all of them thus far...and she didn't waste any time in making one for baby Mason on the way!)

Now, back to the snow...

After living in Michigan for almost 9 years now (wow has it really been that long?), I have a much better understanding of the four seasons as well as the four letter word S-N-O-W.

California has a TON of stereotypes. Some of which I still have to defend....I'm proud to be a native Californian and will always consider myself a "West Coast" girl. But, I also see the beauty of Michigan, and think it will be a wonderful place to raise our family--despite all the bad stereotypes the Midwest gets as well. I'm sure all my west coast friends are thinking "But, WHY do you still live out there?!?"

It's not that bad. Really.

I may complain occasionally about the weather, but people make a place a "home". And this is my home now. And I couldn't be happier. So bring on the snow!

Just don't ask me in February if I love it. There will probably be some curse words coming out of an 8 month pregnant witch. Just sayin...

Entryway and tree decorations!

Ready for some super easy ways to make Christmas come alive in your home??

First, go outside! I found these branches right in our back yard!

Once I was happy with the arrangement, I tied them first with a rubber band, then added some twine for a real natural look. I first thought of hanging it above my front door outside. But, I like how it looks in the entryway. It brings more of the outdoors...well, indoors!

You could put them in vases and decorate with ornaments, above doorways with lights in them, even above a mantel or shelf.

The "Season's Greetings" sign was found right in the grocery store (Meijer)!

I used command strips to adhere it to the window.

But, how do you know what to put on a table like that Shannon?


Next, pull out all your decorations you already have.
Put them in a pile on the floor.




Sort out what you have by colors.
I wanted to go with white in the entryway, and I LOVE how it turned out!




They don't ALL have to be Christmas items. Take that white clock for example (TJ Maxx), I usually have it on the mantel, but it looks great here with all the other snow white items.

The mirror was left by previous owners, and I ALMOST gave it to the thrift store. But after a good coat of crackle paint, and it fits the room perfectly. The white wreath was a Pottery Barn purchase (gift card)...probably the only other thing I actually own from that store.



See that white frame resting on the ground to the right? It's a work in progress, but I will share the tutorial soon! You will love it.

...on to the tree!

Buy wrapping paper that matches your house, and use it as part of your decorating.

These are REAL gifts that I was ready to wrap. But, don't let that stop you! You can wrap "fake presents" and fill baskets, bins and shelves with them to look festive.

A mixture of homemade and store bought ornaments gives you the best of both without looking too cheap or over the top.

The "button garland" I made here.

The "sheet music bird ornaments" I made here.

A simple tree topper made out of an ornament and leftover ribbon from last year.

And what's a house without mistletoe?

This is the first year I've ever put a "kissing ball" (from Target) in my house, but I'm sure Greg won't mind :)

You may be wondering, what about the "Christmas room"? Why isn't the tree by the fireplace in the Christmas room?? Maybe a story for next time...let's just say the tree was a bit big this year. Nothing a pair of scissors and one marital dispute couldn't handle...so, THIS is where the tree ended up this year. But, honestly I'm so happy how it looks in this room. It really came together. It's good to be flexible right? :)

Back for the holidays--with some decorating ideas!!

So, here's the thing.....

I miss blogging.

Has it really been over two months since my last post???

It's been a good break (as far as writing goes), and I've had much more time to catch up on my favorite blogs. I was also getting some "weirdo comments" that were starting to annoy me. With a few comment-setting moderation's...I think we've fixed that!

But seriously, I NEED the outlet. I am amazed at how much I need to {1} share boring "mom-stories" and other emotions that go along with being a wife and mother {2} have a creative outlet in both decorating and crafting, and {3} feel encouragement and support from the [few] comments left by faithful readers who remind me that "I am not alone".

So, with that...I'm back!

And what a great time to re-enter the blogging world than right during the holidays! So here is some Christmas cheer from our house to yours. I just LOVE decorating for Christmas! But I love to reuse, re-purpose, and recreate whenever possible.

Sweater covered jars filled with Christmas lights: this is one of my favorite decorating ideas I heard from an interior decorator who spoke in our area...she emphasized keeping it cheap, and this is a great bargain buster!

tin bucket with dried hydrangeas: $12 from a local "Not So Shabby" store--I keep them up year-round

Live, Laugh, Love sign: gift from a couple years ago, also left up year-round

Blue tinted mason jars of different sizes: acquired over time at thrift stores/ garage sales--I use these ALL over my house depending on the season.

knock-off sweater look: I simply used an old hat and scarf I never wear anymore. The jar on the far right is the hat slipped on from the bottom up. The other 3 jars are covered by one scarf--I just wrapped them around the jars and hid the connecting part with the sign. No cutting OR sewing!!

I love this built-in. It's the perfect place to showcase my favorite things.

And it is constantly changing!

white plates on the wall: TJ Maxx clearance

white distressed iron decoration (on top): Hobby Lobby

fabric skirt: I sewed with fabric used around the house in order to cover shelves below

electronics organizer: Pottery Barn (had a gift card--otherwise NEVER shop there...just borrow their ideas)

distressed sleigh (behind): Hobby Lobby from last year on sale

ceramic sleigh (front): Christmas gift a couple years ago

Both filled with random greenery and ornaments I already had

3 snowmen: one of the few things I spent too much money on this year (from a downtown boutique) but, aren't these snowmen adorable?? And the perfect color green if I might add.

glass bowl: hand-me-down from my mom

ornaments: bought the first year we were married

vintage books: thrift store for $2

restoration hardware lantern: thrift store $2

topiary: made a few months ago here

frame: hand-me-down from my mom (untouched from the basement!)

nativity set: received as gifts over the past few Christmas's

star ornament: keepsake from Slovenia

twine: have a HUGE spool from Hobby Lobby--used a bunch here to look like hay and add some texture

Stay tuned for more ideas coming soon...including the entryway, mantel, and front porch!

9-9-09

Today's post is in honor of my due date one year ago....the coveted 9-9-09. Although I was more than THRILLED when miss Kensie Michelle came three days earlier on 9-6-09. Still a cool sounding date....if you are into numbers at all. I know I am.

But, has it really been a year????? Really???

(the last of the chair pic series...12 months)

And here I sit, pregnant yet again at nearly 14 weeks already!

Soon to be a mom of 2. Crazy.

As far as pregnancy #2 goes....here's a quickie list:

1. Was hardly sick at ALL the first trimester, and extremely thankful for that!

2. Started showing much sooner than the first (most people say that's normal for round 2)

3. Crackers. Chips. Ice cream. Cookies. I want it ALL. Need I say more??

4. Slowly kissing my summer physique goodbye...

5. What happened to the "glowing-clear-skin-when-your-pregnant" look, cuz if I get one more pimple....so help me...

6. I can't stop wondering if I'm going to have a difficult baby this round, cuz Kensie was such an EASY baby.

7. I'm excited to actually be WARM this winter with my very own built-in heater. (Unlike the perpetual sweat I endured last time.)

----

And that's that! Sounds like my oldest child just woke up from her nap! Peace out!

A post from Kensie...

Since I'm turning 1 in a few weeks, Mama and Dada thought it was time for me to take on some more responsibility in life...

I guess this is their idea of it?

I'll have some time to practice, but looks like I'll be a big sister come March 12!

Boy, they sure have a lot to do by then....

Love,

Kensie