DIY: floral love

The joy of flowers is one that I never get over. So as I continue to play with the bundles I bring home I'll keep sharing around here in hopes that you are inspired to keep fresh flowers around your place too. I seriously think it brightens every room and lifts every mood. ENJOY!

christmas about our house

Wowza! Only 3 days until Christmas!

 I am super happy to be guest posting over at Across the Pond today. My dear friend Megan is doing a series about "firsts" so if you want in on the hilarity of it all check it out. But first...our holiday home! And, if you are joining me from Across the Pond, WELCOME! I'm so glad that you're here. Make yourself comfy and stay awhile. 

I always think it is so fun to see houses around the holidays. Some people can't seem to help themselves and buy everything that lights up, glows, sparkles or says "Tis the Season" to put all around their lawns and their homes. Other decorate hardly at all. Some people have a new theme every year. Always challenging themselves to come up with something new, something different, something that could rival the windows down 5th Avenue. Others stick to the same year after year. This year I was so excited to decorate our new place. Actually having a mantle...yippee! I brought in the standard favorites and added some new things too. 

Welcome to Christmas around our house! Come on in...

Every year I play with the idea of having an all white and glittering Christmas but the truth of the matter is that I can never get away from the ornaments I've had since I was a kid, some passed down through the family. The vintage garlands, felted tree skirts, and nativities as old as me all mean too much to me. I love the look and feel of the nostalgic Christmas we have at our house. 

Trimmed tree...

[from our first Christmas together and a trip to Olvera Street]

[an ornament I gave to KC for our second Christmas]

[ornaments from when I was a baby]

The stockings are hung by the chimney with care...

[my DIY "JOY" sign]

My white and glittering table top...

[a mix of live trees, vintage trees, mercury glass and glittered ornaments]

[a classic wooden nutcracker, a German glittered star and a vintage bulb ornament]

[mercury glass, silver bulbs, and winter berry branches]

[peppermint treats abound]

Our halls are fully decked and we are loving it!

If you want to check out some gift ideas (for you last minute shoppers):
my wish list
(which will also link you up to all my other gift guides)

Happy shopping, happy gifting, happy holiday!

a girl can dream: [golden lining]

[layout for by way of ney]

When it comes to stuff for my home, I usually love things to be part of a whole (ex: all white or all grey) and then to have pieces that add a bit of color or a bit of flare to the whole. In my kitchen most of the plates, bowls, and mugs are plain white. It makes for gorgeous and organized cupboards. However, after a while it can be a tad bit boring. The perfect solution is to have one set of mugs, or one set of plates, with a color or pattern to add to the mix. The other thing that I love to incorporate is textured kitchen tools, like a canister of wooden spoons or enameled kitchenware. 

These two pieces are the perfect solution to a kitchen that needs a tad bit of spicing up. This fox inkblot mug is from CultureLabel. I love it for the graphic image in black and white and especially for the gold rim. The reason I was first drawn to this set of mugs (fox, rabbit, butterfly and horse) is because they were designed after the classic Psychology Rorschach inkblot tests, and I was a psych major. Then there is this hex opener for bottles from Iacoli & McAllister. I love the solid brass matte finish of it and the genius design. My husband also loves this opener so maybe I need it so when it gets left on the counter I won't mind. Ha ha. 

Also, don't forget that you have until Friday to enter the GIVEAWAY!

moving on...

Soooo, that list I wrote at the beginning of the summer is still in progress, cause it's still summer, until September 23rd to be precise! However, I said that finding a new place to call home probably should have been moved to number #1 and although it was always of our minds that we wanted to be in a new place, we weren't quite proactive about it until my man found a new job. We didn't want to commit to living somewhere only to find out that he'd have a longer commute than he'd have to. That said, since he was offered a job, that he was happy to accept, two weeks ago, went went in search, found a place we loved, applied, and were offered it. We are so excited to move and get settled there but I have to admit I am NOT good at this transition part. I want to move in and have it look and feel like home over night. I HATE the time of being in transition and want things to feel like home immediately. I'm going to have to learn to accept that things won't be that way. And, that'll be a good thing to learn, right???

Here some of my home inspiration from my pinterest.

Gorgeous light & white living room...

A great job in a little kitchen...

An office to look forward to working in...

A clean and cozy bathroom...

A garage that isn't dark and dirty...

Maybe if I keep all this images in my mind I'll be able to quickly get to where I want to. Maybe.