Festive outdoor decor

Hola! How was your holiday weekend? Great I hope! Ours was lovely – got plenty of time in with the family, did some holiday decorating (still tons to do), saw a GREAT movie (Rise of the Guardians – amazing) and just enjoyed being home. (Thanks so much for your wonderful comments on last week’s post by the way. They meant a lot to me.)

I actually started the outdoor decor last weekend when it was nice and warm, but I finished it up on Saturday by getting more lights up and filling in the window boxes.

I do pretty much the same decor outside every year because I found something that works (and that I LOVE) years ago and I just keep going back. There’s a few tweaks year to year, but not much. 

Since I do the same thing every year, I’ve got it down to a science. It takes me very little time to get everything up and festive. And perhaps more importantly – it’s easy to take down! :)

The window boxes were filled with greenery from the grocery store – a bundle was $4. Instead of just sticking them in as they came (which wouldn’t fill up much), I cut them down into smaller pieces and stuck them in the soil:

There’s fir, white pine, boxwood (and one more, I can’t remember the name of it! The droopy stuff.) in each bundle. I grabbed some red sticks from the hardware store (later found them for even cheaper at a nursery!) and cut each one in two to make them go further.

I used to hang wreaths on our front windows, but a few years ago I started hanging them on our shutters instead. This is the part that takes longer than anything else but I love the look so it’s worth it! And it was super cheap too – I got the four wreaths years ago for I think $2 each at Joann’s, then the ribbon is just the cheapy red stuff you can get anywhere:

I had extra upholstery tacks from this project so I just used those to put them up this year. Sometimes it’s thumbtacks, sometimes it’s nails. Whatever is handy. ;)

I love how the red ribbon and green looks against the brown shutters! (Yes, they are a gray/brown, not blue. They always photograph blue.):

We have a teensy tiny front porch but I do it up BIG this time of year. I frame out the front part and the door with greenery, then just stick the lights in:

I used to wrap the lights around the greenery, but the first time a strand of lights went out I realized that was for the BIRDS. I just smoosh them in there now, using the greenery to hold the strands where I need support.

Putting up the stuff takes not time at all anymore – I reuse my big cup hooks every year and screw them into the same spots:

Then I just hook the greenery in and they stay put!

The porch makes the biggest impact and takes no time at all. I even keep the little swags of ornaments attached so I just put them up and I’m done:

A couple years ago I wound red ribbon through the greenery, which was beautiful -- but more time than I wanted to take on it this year.

The wreath is two put together – a flatter, white pine kind of wreath and a red one from Target clearance years ago on top. I have an idea in mind for a different kind of door decor, we’ll see if I can get it done this year.

Of course I love it best all lit up at night:

I plug everything into a outdoor timer so I don’t have to think about it again till the week after Christmas. That is, unless a strand goes out. Knock on wood…

I always plan on doing luminaries or lanterns down the steps, but I never seem to get to it. So much left to do, like our big honkin’ tree inside!

I love that the greenery and wreaths still make it look festive during the day and when the lights aren’t on:

And I love how the landscaping lights highlight our cool shutters. (I love our shutters!):

Of course I have to add some fun for the kiddo too – the red lights on the bushes are big round balls that look like Rudolph’s nose. :) (From Target two years ago I think?)

And we still have to get the big lawn inflatable out too…yes, we are one of those houses. But the Bub LOVES it, so as long as he’s into it, we’ll put it out every year.

It’s beginning to look a lot like Christmas, can you believe it’s that time already?? I’m starting to feel the mushy, gushiness I feel every year when we pull out the decor. I love it! I’m a traditional girl at heart, especially at Christmas, and the front of our house reflects that:

When do you put your decor out, if you do anything outside? Are you inflatable people like us? ;) Or do you put a wreath on the door and call it done?

Home decor giveaway!

**This giveaway is now closed. Winners have been contacted via email.

Well if you’re like me you’re still in a food coma and laying in bed a little extra longer this morning. But if you’re like some of my friends who go out at 1 a.m. (2 a.m.? 4 a.m.? I have no idea, I’m sleeping then) then you are just getting home and going to sleep now.

I much prefer the sleeping in and lounging bit, but either way I’m pretty positive you’ll love shopping from your computer no matter what. I promise you’ll find something you love at Decor Steals:

This is one of my very favorite deal-a-day sites! Unlike many of the others, this one is all decor, all the time and it’s all at an incredible price (up to 85 percent off of retail). My kind of place!! And today marks their third birthday – awww, so sweet!

Here’s a few of my favorites that you’ve seen lately or will see soon at DS!

It’s hard enough to find a pretty wood tray, but to find one that’s round and so ornate?:

Those would look SO cool hanging on a wall in the kitchen too!

I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again, one of the reasons I love this site is that you’ll find items you’re friends won’t have in their house. (OK, unless your BFF shops them too, like one of mine.) ;)

These angel wings are so unique!:

How beautiful would those be for Christmas?? Maybe spray painted even, or gold leafed? Gorgeous!!

And they never disappoint with items that look like they would have come from a certain “Barn”:

These look so similar to what I see in the catalogs! (For a fraction of the price of course.)

I have a thing with candelabras. I use one over our tub in the bathroom and also outside under our pergola and both are from Decor Steals! It is SO hard to find pretty ones. Stores don’t carry them and most online sources carry really basic versions.

I love this French-inspired candelabra from DS:

Isn’t that lovely?

I love what my friend Marian did with the beautiful mercury glass candleholders from Decor Steals:

Just stunning!!

And I am just giddy about their Black Friday deal – live preserved boxwood wreaths!:

I’m kind of obsessed with the idea of boxwood wreaths this year and was planning on using them in a spot anyway, but they can be SO expensive (usually at least $50 each). These are $29 each and I’m grabbing one!

The deals start at 10 a.m. EST each day, so grab them while you can! They usually have extended deals where you can catch items for a few extra days too.

This weekend Decor Steals is celebrating Black Friday by giving away $100 in credit to one of you, and three preserved boxwood wreaths to three more of you! YAY!! Let the holiday decorating begin!!

Here’s how to enter to win $100 in credit to Decor Steals or one of three boxwood wreaths:

1. Leave a comment here. What did you eat for Thanksgiving? OK, what didn’t you eat for Thanksgiving? ;)

2. Visit Decor Steals here and check out their pick steals tab. Which item do you want to see offered in the future? Come back here to let us know in a comment.

3. Visit their Facebook page and “like” it here OR follow them on Pinterest here. Let us know you did in another comment. (If you already do, just let us know!)

4. Subscribe to their email list here (you’ll get notices about the new deals) and if you do (or are already on the list), leave one more comment here.

* You can enter one, two, three or four times – it’s up to you! All options are not mandatory to win.

* Remember if you comment anonymously or you have a private blog, please include your email address in each entry, and spell it out with “at” and “dot” to avoid any spammy emails coming your way.

This giveaway is open to the contiguous US only. It will close this Monday,  November 26 at 9 a.m. EST.

I hope you have a lovely holiday weekend! I’m off to eat some pumpkin pie for breakfast.

Home

This will be our first Thanksgiving at home since 2009 – we’ve been in hotels the past couple of years since we were fortunate enough to attend the Macy’s Parade two years in a row (and watched the band march it!). It was an amazing experience, both years. 

We love to travel, that’s for sure, but the older I get, the more I just want to be HOME. Especially over the holidays. Especially Thanksgiving.

I have a different perspective on being home during this holiday, and I was reminded of it again the other day.

Almost 20 years (I’d love to lie right there and say 15 years) ago I was in my freshman year of college and Thanksgiving break was coming up. Everyone was ready to get the heck home. You remember that feeling? At first you’re so sad to be away from home, then you realize that newfound independence and love it, and then the holidays hit and you realize you just want some real food, your own bed and your Mom?

Well, we were all feeling it. But I for me it was mixed with dread. I actually called the housing offices to see if I could stay in the dorm over that break. My heart broke when they told me I had to leave. They probably wondered who was this crazy girl who wants to stay alone in the dorms over a holiday? But I had nowhere to go. Due to years and years of unfortunate stuff, we were homeless.

That Thanksgiving I sat in a rundown motel in a nearby town with my mother. We were lucky to even have the money to get that room. My friends would have taken me in of course, but it’s such an awkward thing on a holiday. (I did end up living with my best friend and her family that next summer – God bless them!!) My Dad and I weren’t talking much at the time, and I didn’t want my mother to be alone on Thanksgiving.

So we stayed in that motel room. We found a buffet-type place that was open and ate dinner there.

I always think about that motel, especially this time of year. I don’t remember much about that day, but I do remember the room with great detail.

Fast forward 17 years or so, and I started visiting the True Value in that town because of my partnership with them. I would always look for that motel…I thought I knew where the location was. I never saw it though and figured it had been torn down.

And then last year I took a different route to the store. And there it was.

I knew it as soon as I saw it.

I drive by it about once a month now. Sometimes I see it and can go by without thinking too much about it. Sometimes, like last week -- something clicks, my heart starts hurting, and the tears flow. :)

It was a sad, sad time in my life. I can say with certainty that not having a home is one of the worst feelings ever. I wouldn’t wish that on a soul.

We all know childhood experiences help to create the person we are today. And for that reason, I wouldn’t want one minute of mine to be any different. That Thanksgiving changed my perspective on home.

Yes, I was with my mother, and that was what was most important. But I wanted to be with her in our home. Any home.

So there’s a clue into why I’m so in love with our home, the idea of home, what drives me to make it a space just right for us. It’s what’s behind my desire to help you make yours (no matter what kind of home it is) a place that feels cozy and warm and a place you want to be.

I don’t tell you this for sympathy – I’m just working up the courage to hit publish. ;) I’ve just realized over the past couple of years that that day changed something in me, and I think that Thanksgiving may be why I’m even here today writing to you on TDC. :)

I hope you and yours have a lovely holiday, eat tons of food and are happy. I’m taking a few days off to focus on the family – Happy Thanksgiving!!

 

P.S. I hit publish. :)

Show Us Your Foyers and Mud Rooms!

Hey all! How was your weekend? It was lovely here and I got most of the outdoor decor up. Just a couple more strands of lights and we’re done! (And it’s supposed to be near 60 all week – crazy!) It’s SO nice to have it up before the cold hits!

Today we’re continuing with another space in our house tour that we’ve had going all year – this month was supposed to be just foyers, but I’m adding in mud rooms as well. We’ll finish up with laundry rooms next month. :)

We recently changed up our laundry/mud room by moving the washer and dryer to the new laundry in the basement, so we have a dedicated space for our mud room off the garage now. Let. me. tell. you. It is AWESOME. It still has no storage, the baseboards have been torn out (for a YEAR), the walls need paint badly, but it doesn't matter. We luuuuuurve it!!

It’s a long way off from looking cute again, but at this point I don’t care:

There’s MUCH to be said for just being able to walk through a space!! :)

Our entry way has cathedral ceilings and is just a tiled area open to the rest of the house. I found some old pics to show how the space has changed over the years – first, just after we moved in when I installed the wainscoting:

And then with a new rug, a little table and some art:

Notice the pink walls? Yeah, they were everywhere. SO GLAD to be rid of them!

I added a Craigslist dresser a couple years ago and not much has changed since:

One of the big projects I’d like to tackle next year is the tile:

It’s a gray tile that we picked out to go with those lovely pink walls so it comes across a little purple. We could have taken some of the tile out and extended the wood floors last fall, but I thought it would be best to keep the tile there for the winters. I didn’t want to stress about wet shoes/boots and snow on the wood floors. I’d love to do a creamy tile in a brick pattern perhaps?

I painted the inside of the door black last year (I showed you the how-to here):

I still plan on painting all of our interior doors darker – I love the look! That project is 349 on the long list. ;)

That dresser will get a paint job soon too – the black looks a little heavy for me now. I’m just waiting till I decide on the perfect color. It’s always a fun spot to decorate – right now it’s super simple with fall-inspired decor:

You can see more of how the foyer has changed over time here!

Now I can’t wait to see your entryways – foyers, hallways, mud rooms – whatever you make functional for your family!

If you’d like to be considered for an upcoming highlight post, please add a link or this button to your post:

<div align="center"><a href="http://simplehomeinteriordesign.com/" title="Show Us Your House" target="_blank"><img src="http://www.homestoriesatoz.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/03/image34.png" alt="Thrifty Decor Chick" style="border:none;" /></a></div>

Now go ahead and link it up!

The safety stuff

Hello all! Hope your week was great! We are supposed to have decent weather so the Christmas lights will be going up outside. WHOO! Can’t wait! Well, I guess I can since I’ll be doing most of it. Can’t wait for the result.

Today I want to talk about some of the necessary stuff when it comes to houses – the stuff that’s not pretty or exciting, but probably more important than anything else you’ll put inside.

I started thinking about writing this post because of a local tragedy that happened here in Indy last weekend. There was an explosion due to some kind of natural gas issue, and it destroyed five homes and significantly damaged 26 others (knocking many off their foundations). It happened in a neighborhood like so many of us live in. The saddest news of all was that two people were killed. It’s just horrible and the photos are unbelievable.

There’s a lot of investigation going on, but it did make me realize something – we’ve been missing an important alarm in our home for a while now. This was a good reminder to take care of it. While I was at it, I figured I’d share a few of the other safety precautions we take around the house.

Of course there are the smoke alarms – it’s so important to keep those up to date with fresh batteries! And I’ve considered changing out the one in our son’s room to the kind that uses your voice to wake them up. Some kids sleep so hard and I think that is a brilliant idea. Do any of you use that one? 

We always keep a fire extinguisher in the kitchen, close to the oven:

It’s just a little one, but it would be better than nothing. I always know we have it if we need it, but every six months or so I take a couple minutes to look at the instructions and read how to use it (again). It’s SO simple, but it’s not something I look at every day, so I forget how to operate it. I know in the heat of the moment I won’t want to take the time to read if it something is burning. Like dinner. It’s happened. Well…close. ;)

Also, extinguishers have an expiration date of sorts – they don’t last forever. Ours usually last a few years. You just look at the little gauge and it will tell you if it’s full or empty:

Once it says empty you’ll want to replace it. (I’ve heard giving it a little shake every few months helps them keep longer.)

And then there’s the stuff you can’t see – if you have a basement it’s recommended that you have a radon test done. The need for a test is higher in certain parts of the country, (Indiana has a higher concentration of radon in the ground) but no matter where you are, if you have a basement, I’d get one done.

You can find them at the store if you want to try it on your own:

I found this one at True Value and the test is only about $10. You do need to send the test off to be read and I’m pretty sure you pay extra for that. We’ve had our basement tested twice – once about four years ago when we really started using the (still unfinished) basement. I just bought a test from a hardware store and sent it off. If I remember right they emailed us the results. The levels were low enough we didn’t need to worry, but because we finished the basement this year and I knew we’d be down there more than ever, I had a professional company come in this last time.

They did a faster reading – it still took a couple days, but less than the test you send off. This time the reading was extremely low, which was a relief. But the levels can change, so we’ll have the test done once a year.

I’ve talked to some who say there’s not much to the radon gas issue – but I have done enough research to know we’d rather be safe than sorry.

And the one safety measure we take that I was reminded of recently is a carbon monoxide detector in the house:

Last winter I kept hearing a beeping upstairs somewhere, and I of course thought it was a smoke alarm battery, so I went all over the place one day with my BFF holding the bottom of a ladder as I climbed to terrifying heights to change out batteries. I would do one, climb down, (we have tall ceilings up there), still hear the beep. Try another one, climb down, still here the beep.

It was maddening. My friend FINALLY located the source – our carbon monoxide detector had expired. Of course my initial thought was PANIC – I thought the beeping  meant we had poisonous gasses running throughout our house, but I quickly realized it was telling us it wasn’t working any more. (It usually tells you what the “beeps” mean on the detector.)

So it’s been awhile since that one pooped out on us (they last anywhere from a few to seven years), and this week I was reminded it was time for another. I found battery operated versions at my True Value and got a few – one for each floor:

If you only have one in the home (or if you have a one level house), it is recommended you keep it in your bedroom. Our last one was a plug in type, but these are battery-operated so they will stay on during power outages.

What’s nice is you can place these anywhere in the room you want. I put one in the family room on the floor behind a table, one next to the bed upstairs and one in the basement.

It’s just a little thing but it already makes me feel so much better. There’s already so much to worry about, am I right?

These range from about $20 to up to $60. I got the mid-range version that was $30. (I don’t see a huge difference in the pricier versions.) And while I was at True Value I picked up two extra carbon monoxide detectors to give away to two of you this weekend as well. Hopefully they will help put your mind at ease too!

If you’d like to be entered to win one of them, just leave a comment here this weekend! I’ll pick a couple winners Monday and get them shipped off to you next week.

Have a lovely weekend…are you getting ready for turkey day??

 

I was one of the bloggers selected by True Value to work on the DIY Squad. I have been compensated for my time commitment to the program as well as my writing about my experience. I have also been compensated for the materials needed for my DIY project. However, my opinions are entirely my own and I have not been paid to publish positive comments.

42 sleeps

Well, I blame this post on you lovelies. Well, some of you. And my neighbors. I was going to hold off of any more talk of Christmas for now, but then one of you (Andrea!) had to go and tell me in the last post that you’ve already got all your decor up. And so many of my neighbors have taken advantage of the weather we had over the weekend and started putting up lights…so I will avoid resisting for a day and just go with it.

Don’t freak out people! This will be the last of the Christmas talk…for a while. A little while.

Every year I love to share some of my favorite Christmas advent calendar ideas! I do this early in the season so you have time to put one of your own together if you wish.

Of course there are the stand bys if you just want to buy one – Pottery Barn never disappoints because they ALWAYS have one that involves buckets:

(source)

There’s something about those buckets! I’ve heard you can find small ones at the dollar store in the wedding supplies if you want to try your own.

And I swear this one is in the PBK catalog every year, or a version of it. And every year I say I’m going to make one just like it:

(source)

I mean, it can’t be that hard, right? Green felt, some pockets. Not sure how I’d do the numbers. Maybe it is hard? Well, we’ll probably never find out because I doubt it’ll happen this year either. ;)

One I don’t ever have to worry about DIYing is the Lego advent calendar:

(source)

The Bub is Lego-obsessed, so for the past three years this is one we don’t miss. I actually had to hide it so he would QUIT ASKING to open up the doors. ;) Torture for a little man.

Of course, what I love most about blogland is seeing the creative versions you all come up with this time of year.

Lucy’s bright, fun version made me smile BIG: 

(source)

They look like buckets don’t they? Nope! Dixie cups! Brilliant!!

I loved the simple version Chris made, and instead of trinkets inside it’s activities you can do over the season:

(source)

This one from Women’s Day mag is similar, but just vertical instead:

That would be such a fun little project for the kids to help with! They would LOVE it.

I saw Melissa’s idea years ago and just the other day decided I’m going to do it this year:

(source)

She wraps up Christmas books for the nights leading up to Christmas. Doesn’t matter if they are old or new – the kids will LOVE opening them up! Can’t wait to do this one!

I was SO planning to do this cutie advent craft last year and just ran out of time – I have grand plans for this year!:

(source)

LOVE it! You add cotton balls to Santa’s beard throughout the month. What a cute idea to make and give to friends and family with kids.

Roeshel’s idea was so simple, I couldn’t believe I hadn’t seen it before!:

(source)

She just used an old soda crate (already had 24 spots) and stamped small boxes for inside. Uhhhh…why don’t I think of these things? I have a crate that would work perfectly for this!

Beckie came up with a DIY version of the Ballard pillow I highlighted last year:

(source)

It looks identical to the Ballard Designs one! Love it!

And I can’t get enough of the mitten advent idea, especially when it’s no sew:

(source)

Yep, Sarah had me at the “no” part. ;) This is so dang cute – and another one the kids would love helping with I bet!

Today’s post was perfect timing because the latest House of Fifty online magazine was published today:

I’m thrilled to be inside sharing one of our traditions – my handmade advent calendar we’ve used for years! You can see more of this beautiful issue here.

If you’ve made your own advent, please feel free to leave it in the comments! I’d love to see them!

Holiday Prep

Hello and happy Monday! First of all, a HUGE thank you to our Veterans and servicemen and women – we pray for you, thank you and are humbled by your service!!

I love a good DIY project as much as the next girl, (well, girls who love DIY projects), but sometimes it’s just getting the good old fashioned to do list done makes me the most happy.

There is nothing like the feeling of crossing something off a list, am I right? I have been known to write something that wasn’t there, just so I could scribble it out. Crazy maybe. Or brilliant? ;)

This time of year I always say I’m gong to be better prepared for the holidays, and every year I fail miserably. I mean, it’s not like the holidays suck or anything, but I always dream of an evening just relaxing in front of the lit up Christmas tree, sipping some hot cocoa, soaking it in. And it never happens.

So this year, I’m making an effort to get some stuff done and also declutter the house as much as possible before the holidays. I’ve gotten a ton done over the past week or so, starting with a quick run through of the house to see what needed to be donated. I ended up with one car full:

OK, a few of those things always live in my car because I’ve been meaning to return them for a while…but most of that stuff was donated or taken to the consignment shop.

Most of it was from the house, but some was from the garage. We figured out a way to better utilize the storage space in there, so it’s the cleanest and most decluttered I think it’s ever been:

And yes, that is clean for us. I haven’t been able to shut the doors on those cabinets for a YEAR. A year!! Whoo!! In the spring I’ll tackle the organization of the items inside them, (it ain’t pretty) but for now, we are able to walk into the house without tripping on stuff, which is awesome.

I drive by our neighbors houses with pristine, empty garages and wonder how it is possible. How do you live without 15 different lawn tools? ;) Someday I want to be those people. We’re getting there. (You should have seen the before.) At least we always park IN our garage – that’s something, right?

The weather was incredible this weekend, so yesterday we took care of some of the outside stuff that needed to be done before winter hits – mowing one last time, raking leaves, cleaning out the flower beds and window boxes, and I knocked a biggie off the to do list – I finally fixed our landscaping lights:

They’ve been broken since the spring and since then the plants have grown a ton so all the lights need to be moved. But I’m so glad to have those working before all the cold and snow hits! I looooove landscaping lights and they are so easy to install! Sometime I will do a tutorial – it really is simple.

Speaking of snow…we didn’t have time to get to the patio or deck yesterday, and of course today we get our first snow:

I forgot about those pumpkins. ;) We need to tackle that spot and get everything we can in the garage ASAP.

There are still two BIGGIES I want to take care of this week. First is the toys. OH, the toys. I always do a big purge before the holidays. My son’s birthday is in December as well so there’s an influx of new stuff that comes in.

The next is my beloved storage room in the basement. It’s kind of a disaster:

I adore this space, but I can barely walk in there right now. I finally made time to start on it the other night, walked in, and a MOUSE ran across one of the shelves. INCHES from my head people. Right next to my face. I’m just glad I survived.  

I can handle a power tool, but spiders, snakes and mice, no way. NO. WAY. So we caught him, released him outside and then guess who ran by my head last night when I went back in there to start on it again? Little dude. Same shelf. Same shriek from me.

Hubby thinks it may be the same one. All I know is I am sufficiently freaked and won’t be going back in there till the critter people come. It took everything in me to open the door to take this picture today. I thought I saw something moving about 25 times in ten seconds.

Seriously, I feel like if I looked hard enough at the picture I’d see him. Do you see him??? OK, don’t tell me. Really…do you see him?

*Shiver.*

Anyway, even with those projects still not done, I feel like I’ve accomplished a TON lately. Next, the actual planning for the holidays needs to start, and soon. Shopping lists, Christmas picture and cards, and of course the decorating!! (Which we don’t typically start till Thanksgiving weekend but I make no promises this year.)

So that’s what I’ve been up to all week! No great DIY to show lately, but it feels good to get the other stuff done.

How do you prep for the holidays? I loved Tracie’s ideas to do now (or soon), so you can really enjoy the holiday season. Do you meal plan? Clean the house top to bottom? Decrapify like I have? Do you write things down on your list just so you can mark them off like me? First one on my current list: Get rid of little mouse dude(s??).