Holiday Home Tour

Now that Thanksgiving is over, we can set our sights on Christmas. Time to listen to that holiday playlist (I do my very best to leave my holiday playlist(s) alone until the day after Thanksgiving - any time before that and I'll be sick of it by Christmas Eve.), start thinking about gifts, and pull the holiday decor out of the attic. Each year I know I need a bit of inspiration before I dive into turning my home into a winter wonderland... and this year was no exception. But, instead of my usual internet scouring and magazine rifling, Mom and I decided to check out the Beaufort Holiday Tour of Homes in Habersham, South Carolina. We've always wanted to check out a holiday home tour, but keep missing them somehow. But, this time the start were aligned and we went. It was FABULOUS! The homes were stunning and the decor style in each house was different - offering many ideas for our own houses!

Now, I realize you are probably feeling a bit jealous at this point. Why weren't YOU invited to this holiday home tour? Well, count yourself lucky that you weren't there - it was very disorganized and confusing... and lots of wandering around aimlessly was required. So, we did it for you and I took photos of our favorite ideas to share with you! Enjoy!

The first house:

I'm in love... using old crates/boxes as planters
for Christmas greenery? Perfection...

Great entrance to one of the homes - very natural
and casual... yet, elegant. I love
the painted wood star attached to the balcony!

I was mildly obsessed with this entire house... not only the simple holiday decor,
but the furnishings and style as well.

I love the simplicity of adding a few pieces of greenery, a couple of giant pinecones,
and some votives. It really can change a space without cluttering it.

Again, simple and elegant. Love.

This candle was burning in a few of the homes and
it is quite possibly the best "Christmas Greenery" scented
candle I've EVER smelled in my life.
Too bad it's SO dang expensive.
But, here it is anyway: Aquiesse Monterey Pine Candle

Cool idea! :)

Onto the next home...

Why didn't I think of that?
Wrap a twig ball with ribbons to create a beautiful ribbon ball-like tassel!

Beautiful and modern arrangements at the door

Not sure where I could get a sleigh like that, but I want one...

Peacocks seem to be the new thing, but I think they can easily be too much.
This is just the right amount of peacock in my eyes.

I swear this looks like a table runner tied to a chair.
I love it.

A very Nell Hill display

This fireplace was outside on their screened porch.
If you're happy and you know it, clap your hands...
(CLAPPING)

Again... Clapping.

The grand finale...

This house's theme was A Coastal Christmas.
So beautiful and beachy!

I love the use of the pine cone garland! So simple and effective!

Not a bad place to relax on the porch...
(notice the detail on the pillow... precious!)

One of these were one each side of the door.
Stunning!
(P.S. that greenery was FAKE!)

Perfect mix of glitter and coastal

Inside the house... sigh.
Can you imagine a more calming Christmas?

Lovely colors!

I love this idea for mistletoe!
Just glue some greenery and faux mistletoe to the top of a giant
pine cone and add ribbon to hang it!
(I especially love the little shells dangling from it as well)

Hanging ornaments from a chandelier using hemp cord.
Rustic meets sophisticated.

Stunning wreath above the stove!
(and how about the color of those cabinets?!)

A simple display in the kitchen with baskets and lit glass blocks.

This would be a great display for a party!
Can't you picture some Christmas cookies cascading out of the basket?

Add a touch of Christmas to the screened porch
with a teensy tree and some shells

I love this idea for on top of an armoire or cabinet

Simple and, of course, gorgeous!

Loved how they used plain brown paper with very elegant ribbon to dress up the package!
And how cute is that little guy on the right?
Burlap... oh the possibilities!

Wow! If you're not inspired by now to go decorate your home, I'm not sure what will do the trick! :) So, get decorating! I know I am...

~ Mari

Spring Montage

It's time for a montage (I'm channelling the amazing song from Team American, World Police). It's spring. I took photos. That is all.

Knock-Out Roses in front yard

I just had to bring some inside!

Easter Table

Trapped!

Baker's Rack

Springtime Goodies

End montage.

~ Mari

Oh Pottery Barn...

... how I covet the beautiful things that you sell. For some reason my Pottery Barn catalog got lost in the mail. I'm not happy about it. But, luckily, the world wide web has helped me through my ordeal. Though it isn't the same as paging through the beauty that is a Pottery Barn catalog, their website has some great new goodies for Spring.

You know about my small obsession with birds, nests, and all things aviary.

Apparently Pottery Barn shares my feelings.

Pottery Barn's new thing is "found" items (aka "stuff that we found in estate sales or antique stores that we are now passing off as our own"). How awesome are these old pharmacy bottles?

Yeah. I love them.

Again - I love me some birdies.

I picture this on our coffee table.

Sigh. I love this stuff. Maybe one day I'll be able to afford it. :)

~ Mari

It's Magic Outside

As promised, here are our Christmas lights at night (the best time to see Christmas lights, in my opinion):

Baby tree

Come on in!

Happy holidays everyone! I hope everyone has a safe and happy holiday!

~ Mari

Christmas Card Curtains

I love receiving Christmas cards in the mail. Seeing pictures of friends and family and opening cards with glittering snowflakes on them really ups my christmas spirit. And since the cards are usually quite lovely, I like to display them. But, putting a pile of them in a bowl somewhere doesn't quite do the trick. So, I had an idea involving some red tulle ribbon, clothespins, and a little imagination!

You could create this same affect on a window and it would be adorable, but I have a huge iron mirror in the living room that was looking a little empty. So, I decided to give it some Christmas card curtains


All you have to do is tie some tulle to the top of a mirror or window and allow it to fall down the sides. I also tied a piece from the top two corners to really frame the mirror.

Next, take clothespins and simply clip the card directly onto the tulle.

How easy is that? And now I can look at them each day as I walk by! Plus, it creates a pretty awesome frame for the Christmas tree from a certain angle...

Enjoy!

~ Mari