Thriifty Decor Chick

Right Now

Right now I’m in knee-deep in holiday STUFF. Every year I swear I’m going to have everything perfectly planned and decorated and non-stressed by now and every year about this time I laugh manically at myself. It just doesn’t happen. :) And I’m OK with that. Right now the basement looks like a Christmas bomb went off. Every year I say I’m going to keep it organized as I go: <a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-ATPwlKvKWKM/Tuu4al3nPKI/AAAAAAAARLI/5q8jQ0hgdvo/s1600-h/IMG_9497%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" height="480" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-wTrcE7gI45c/Tuu4a7zUZUI/AAAAAAAARLQ/k8jDcnBsTh8/IMG_9497_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="" width="320" /></a> And you know…then the crazy person laughing ensues. I blame Halloween. You can see from the five foot wide spider legs sticking out in the back that once I don’t get that all away it turns into “Awwww, I’ll just do it all in January.” Right now I’m wondering WHY FOR ALL THAT IS GOOD it is I can’t keep the kitchen island cleaned off: <a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-lgSo1d23Z-Q/Tuu4bGsU8lI/AAAAAAAARLY/NIg9bnGcVpI/s1600-h/IMG_9490%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" height="480" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-lj463MfLRnY/Tuu4bb9MGhI/AAAAAAAARLg/3UrdVBLqjNA/IMG_9490_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="" width="320" /></a> I read once online that someone thought I staged these photos. It made me laugh. It made my husband fall out of his chair. He wishes. Right now I’m trying to get creative with our Happy Elf (named by the Bub) every day, but I’m failing miserably. Last night it looks like he had some fun though: <a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-cIzrnacIqzI/Tuu4bjzvnPI/AAAAAAAARLo/4ww6bXGsBq0/s1600-h/Happy%252520Elf%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img alt="Happy Elf" border="0" height="480" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-Mssy6kP5oTM/Tuu4bhGL9JI/AAAAAAAARLw/s7-8UZJGiY8/Happy%252520Elf_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="Happy Elf" width="320" /></a> And all I can think of is this: <a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-v25DOzj45XQ/Tuu4cZ_EG9I/AAAAAAAARL4/RMu20Ml42yU/s1600-h/image%25255B16%25255D.png"><img alt="image" border="0" height="275" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-mn6b_VD_izY/Tuu4c0pHU9I/AAAAAAAARMA/Ka8wZ96m2FI/image_thumb%25255B8%25255D.png?imgmax=800" style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="image" width="400" /></a> Love that movie. Did you know it’s coming out in 3D next year? SO. THERE. Right now I’m struggling because I was up till 2:30 a.m. reading this: <a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-VgXibH20htg/Tuu4dVNkfwI/AAAAAAAARMI/cm_rrNG8Fl8/s1600-h/image%25255B18%25255D.png"><img alt="image" border="0" height="456" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-LxzwiLMDo8s/Tuu4d8-mGII/AAAAAAAARMQ/x_E79fH-cXY/image_thumb%25255B10%25255D.png?imgmax=800" style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="image" width="300" /></a> It’s good. Obviously, so good I can’t GO TO BED. This is why I don’t read books as much anymore, which I hate. The only time I have is late at night and then I get completely sucked in. Right now I’m getting ready for a Christmas party with the girls tonight. I’m making <a href="http://thriftydecorchick.blogspot.com/2011/12/thank-you-pinterest.html">these</a> (ohhhh yeah) and I sent out the call on <a href="http://twitter.com/#!/Thriftydecor">Twitter</a> yesterday for a festive, bubbly drink idea. Becky’s suggestion was the easiest (I already had one of the ingredients) so I went with that: <a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-WTOknXGg9L0/Tuu4eOiR2MI/AAAAAAAARMY/Ka-WH6lMd_E/s1600-h/image%25255B15%25255D.png"><img alt="image" border="0" height="168" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-wLoSt4k7aK0/Tuu4eUFTosI/AAAAAAAARMg/OY61pWYOjeY/image_thumb%25255B7%25255D.png?imgmax=800" style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="image" width="300" /></a> It’s a Poinsettia Cocktail and it’s cranberry juice, triple sec and champagne. It’s yummy! I just mixed everything together till it tasted right. I may know this because I may have sampled it last night. ;) I had about 25 things on my list today and I’m feeling pretty awesome because I got four done. Like every year, it will all get done. All the presents will get wrapped, all the food will be yummy, and if I don’t get it all done, I’m totally OK with that. All that matters is we’re happy and healthy and together. Nothing else. Are you sampling any festive drinks, reading any good books, watching any great movies or just trying to get your house under control right now? I’d love to hear! Have a GREAT weekend!!

Right Now

Right now I’m in knee-deep in holiday STUFF. Every year I swear I’m going to have everything perfectly planned and decorated and non-stresse...

1:30 PM

A Christmas Tree Party!

<a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-jK5xdKpLTeA/Tuko3GraDPI/AAAAAAAARFU/41Qw_TWsxWI/s1600-h/image2.png"><img alt="christmas tree party" border="0" height="240" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-26Khc48dWcE/Tuko3aezI2I/AAAAAAAARFc/X8u1Zf839n8/image_thumb.png?imgmax=800" style="border-right-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto" title="christmas tree party" width="190" /></a> Well, the time is here! It’s time to share all the magic – there is very little more magical than a tree lit up at Christmas, don’t you agree? There’s something mesmerizing about the glow from a Christmas tree. It calms me, makes me pause and give thanks, and makes me feel all gooey inside. :) I’m sharing the three trees we have up at our house with you today. Starting with the Bub’s FUN tree. You know…the one with the colored lights. ;) Of course, it has all the fun stuff on it, like tinsel and garland and fat Santas. We also hang the Hallmark ornaments the Bub picks out every year on this tree: <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSPXqNXmxqkKHvHvOTHlBPeMu5Uv2FfejVDI4wQhJDlWnWDpIRYdc4Ewxy14k1tlPn4duETPBE8MARfN-smbCoOEHGq70M7pvPtKu7YNdznUCHIRIO8jPvDnyRHXaZ1AOEkUGJyGJ0gxCB/s1600-h/IMG_94554.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" height="435" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAEqy5SfVdUIKG4YqQfThVJVkYs6dLAzYCdNJhbjknSiSYuQdkM3Z4nTpXiAFjn1r6bB8u2PMnHm17GU6UjzXbucYrbCVdCaJMIZQH4kTOfDpBEYH6d0IcgO2S4VD_zXfte72KZ-Yxf7ZB/?imgmax=800" style="border-right-width: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px" title="" width="290" /></a> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbSn6gGXX7GYrQRRO1i8v_LsLRush3T7c692IdAyCD7VdawrD9drXz5AZGj7JQfV89QZPvjriBW4l_6XQAMiXXh9f-xf0tcMjLmxdyPzpthqpa1CFzP6VRU1Yy7jqh9QpnuBGvT2awjbd7/s1600-h/IMG_94403.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" height="435" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUocio51_rzbFZ6llAvYIUAFaAZo6QVThL6Z3M4ma_GzF6JwG67-x-7NP9FqVweQXdwjdfe4nuHItkiQlpe6CsJekGfy8eGimtNTWa_OHAz1NUfyvh8MZObEWuQFScLgFpnRrirmPI6TF0/?imgmax=800" style="border-right-width: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px" title="" width="290" /></a> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiViTc4Nqqjd5l8D2s1xSXHkGErZzP-QThjD4j37QzvroKrrx_MJF2M4fpDECPdq-Uduxm949Hh8gHUiR6Q_OCfyDaZvIXnj0V6K_f5xWYU5MAS14s0Wftf14yhFP_PT1woK0Bsbu3_gGPu/s1600-h/IMG_94463.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" height="435" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZGYjEHnAC-Dpo7vicnonZhwB-gYvNbsovSka-NYpfwYaa7SJMCjVE6v5HCddbEDwY4xowoP_yMoxe_4gKz27_V2cA74LzJ5FShDkIzkK6EEaanZh4EOtGJlE0u8PDqpFrTeHgiJOtVdc_/?imgmax=800" style="border-right-width: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px" title="" width="290" /></a> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqzUrzfnhiJc7QMOXp7q4uLu38M2UE7qe-rWLGOmyQaC4KHOcSpjGSX3zTqvFN0sM_6Cbx9aynevCpKRadZexnUgV3EzklqK7Wj5PeLdb-tghm6X1KfHIjNbhIrfzwPIvBSCCx2E5JQLjO/s1600-h/IMG_94513.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" height="435" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgq8LrYzU3EjHgcFbaPCBHd6MGPBYBwWV77xKoxBgnVzIK04r79W-avUS5Y9g8XAmXTTzmYt2FwaVV7Wy4RARBKUnaKQ35KhodKNQqSdzkPJcKr-uzebEhd_aCQrmsUECuZ70f9qoo4emOp/?imgmax=800" style="border-right-width: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px" title="" width="290" /></a> Anyone else notice the train theme in most of these? The boy is obsessed. ;) The Bub and I stalk Hallmark starting early October to check out the new ornaments every year. Yes, we are the ones who love seeing Christmas out that early. Sue us. I still can’t embrace the white LED Christmas lights, but I LOVE the big fat colored lights: <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiG4kh_Gi2wsGbzdrJsgAEAPqJjFC9RtcNzjayY4MqvoNhAAZIXvvd-jhHdGP5GbWwM-mAD8kKXm9npttNmtiBIWHwX67nVcmLVzJYlmLmGahGqAXRQHzpSJskkh7Junz2VSMYw9Dfq7mcb/s1600-h/IMG_94573.jpg"><img alt="kid tree" border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8GKz1OaKkeeoeo-4dLLM2R_A-Gxe579TsTrW3u3epWRkLdMegxxsv94P-98LcyA0JnnKapRHs13uXyV7FnrAl3YgWbd81Xec7p4-MfVyoFd8KXqmDyzWhTCUHZpWi4aUrlzb7Xk5cvB5O/?imgmax=800" style="border-right-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto" title="kid tree" width="296" /></a> I told my hubby next year I’m doing all the exterior lights in color – they are just too fun and the Bub will only be this age for so long. We used to have a family room tree every year, but because of some changes I’ve made to that space, we haven't had room for one in a while. I missed having all those pretty ornaments up, so last year I picked up a skinny tree at Lowe’s for a killer deal – only $12! I LOVE love love the ornaments on this tree – they’re mostly silver and white and glass. Lots of shimmer! They are just gorgeous: <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaUYPdXM9fGF8Tq4WVjdnzSjQoALk-3rIIBUgzP3XTUQrqWI76VzpNiLNcXySZz5kx5KZvlZj1xaIjvPD2pkh4qEAIbs29qPV9IcqzVUzJTxRSl_20kFSVDChXzveeYWsmOihjTbfRcGgb/s1600-h/IMG_94343.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" height="285" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEif2LFmBxvjEpF7QEP2kVt08AOgi46Uj5HwGMrg9cl_GXCPAgEuhAu7fHUirtsFVjLckWb3Fw2n8divBNSPrjjwaCU61952Ek-DdYu2hyea1P178abC_0ads4h1ZhontzwEW5P-FVFotktD/?imgmax=800" style="border-right-width: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px" title="" width="190" /></a> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDnm7YR0vnqXOqdAWnx28E8fcfOs2TF4Oa0AuguC6jbbiY2syXM7BRdnUDvhzOoD_ZBn_XS0GDU9kKZrlGgKsXFcuDiS-hT1Uad-1ym7lqrPlzaG6-h1USQ5mnCCeNMxgEjoEMnkygmyTF/s1600-h/IMG_94243.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" height="285" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8DegbB-Mk_CcK48SD5UtIZ7jTEuvrRATMhPxR_CUDDCoyOQ5dKe1A5Exea9ra6ItKLiKyUWJRcajsrFoy9r0uiVWJH4xfz7LpKwK06Akxi5k2yYxGKp8bXeQFC_hRGsXtMXhX6L9NGBDy/?imgmax=800" style="border-right-width: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px" title="" width="190" /></a> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgufqSf5IIPrASgLeisGnZAIczhgIYR6a4Kb-Hg_eKWOdq_CBqZTgEtnAuEKodpfNQHILumQyuiSOWK45UH3tWyfGfpGg-jW02O6V-jHVZv1_NK-7V7rY_Ekv-Fm4nWS66hSrvQ165UuX7r/s1600-h/IMG_94273.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" height="285" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNpDohhIe48Zk5udqfJYAhPCrwDYnslEVdWwWPsWgtq4B8ULXNQ2JJS5q2gweIaxafMA5USZzALwNTH3oDx0LLDj9C0I-aLkkSkU8HGSUqVRypTgpodUXxZuGuk2W0xhtdFZhmq9Xtx8Vu/?imgmax=800" style="border-right-width: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px" title="" width="190" /></a> The beautiful baby boy pictures sure don’t hurt either. :) My boy has a December birthday and was and continues to be the BEST Christmas gift I’ve ever received. Because I knew I’d put this tree in my office, I picked up some blue and green ornaments at Walmart on clearance last year. They go perfectly in the new office! (Which I will show you first thing in January…it’s OH so close!): <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiD0T2_CajQqGbYRJTJKzq4T5l96xgi58m8kHpNDtPC119GY1eCYSRzdi2CNHGX33iCg_cE-dUyQ9imu94gLeEhMX1_cbKz8B9zYrc7OOmUeda2MqS50Cca7RAplzjK0LnFGlYVocCEJe48/s1600-h/IMG_94374.jpg"><img alt="white blue green silver tree" border="0" height="675" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7OJeA4V4mas5H7MmSPAtD96kv7OQdSbgot3nJXd83GU_lvRLeShxmL2564QjFtEXrSRu8N8zU4e06NepeBclxDe5-oVbrfNJ47DCFYPrvWtHkD07JNZitbKtbjImCElCrOdUJ3_tdphVG/?imgmax=800" style="border-right-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto" title="white blue green silver tree" width="350" /></a> I adore this skinny tree – it looks SO real. Finally, we come to the Big Mama. ;) I think every year of my life I’ve had a real tree at Christmas – we were just a real tree family growing up and I continued that tradition. But <a href="http://thriftydecorchick.blogspot.com/2011/10/our-new-house.html">new hardwood floors</a> kind of changed that. ;) I wasn’t set on it till the guys pulled up the carpet in the front room before the install. There was a HUGE water ring on the plywood, and I stood there for about five minutes trying to figure out what in the heck it was from. It finally hit me – the Christmas tree. Seven holidays in this house, plus cats who wouldn’t leave the water alone, plus a tree that wouldn’t stand up one year equaled lots of water seepage. Although I’m finding the floors hold up great to spills, we just couldn’t chance a real tree. Soooo…after much research over the past few months, we ended up with a BEAST from Lowe’s. I wanted a ten foot tree, like we got in a live tree. Hubby wanted to go MONSTER size. So we went with the 12-footer from Lowes. It was SO easy to put together. The lights are already on it (and don’t go out if one dies) so that saved me hours of work. But the extra couple of feet meant more ornaments, and next year I think we’ll need a new (taller) ladder to safely decorate the whole thing. ;) This one is mostly decked out in red and gold, with a few of our most meaningful ornaments mixed in: <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikwP-9XMOmKnmRkVWH6ZKzowtWpQhwL-5pCgsdsWG6Lez1Pa8gSR2mADjPA2K97CykqN-wQNY5E1kyxHWIEIfzWtT1jQEmhh9GfBxntJhpfD4F_Ywk3hhTLjfzMLa3WsyDx5tw2gC6zNTW/s1600-h/IMG_93953.jpg"><img alt="IMG_9395" border="0" height="435" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHsiXZtlp_HbzEGQVCO5OG9hBv_RMzMs1ezmGZmWjJkC2ptBfYPS13x6TavFW8ZlzfV0xU3-NUuZXVCcQlLKNwIpk4WTiKbEhQS_GB0FB_fPJdKVJe7jvLZp5wJyitrZknuwRkwZfg01Du/?imgmax=800" style="border-right-width: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px" title="IMG_9395" width="290" /></a> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdfC4nw2gKgHx9FnaAopFDCiVasvfL3zq4IELYQYswg-_Y9EsIr3c3QIla-u0I-wCgrqgNorPkv24wwO3m681975kxm8lx0IgSIzVMmU0G5HcShBP1CapI0QgmYC9dakMFE4CreF7pQwqJ/s1600-h/IMG_93843.jpg"><img alt="IMG_9384" border="0" height="435" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhh6TrXakb_q-60vcWhyphenhyphenyQ7wpvjSz_RKwFme8IDC7BV8eepMccVLS6FM-bzWekt8i2nDd4xTiKSJKEtethKI-STEaUC5qq_L_iaU-fpuj572VHSwKWk5VpJtbNOJ_-66AyO4MBZGh5sUUTY/?imgmax=800" style="border-right-width: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px" title="IMG_9384" width="290" /></a> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAdZrRjFdXBmHcPMtB7YZpWxwe7lYJWLFQZYFtUlwpk_QQLugDI5Sn1WED5q_EwZGtqK5rob4uoeLSro9NBoMz6xnL6IE3cmvybo57SUQ52C-fN6Bykz2LjLIBt5XjLv-tSswCreMACZrG/s1600-h/IMG_93853.jpg"><img alt="IMG_9385" border="0" height="435" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7Pe059igu_ooKb8oda4s-1K9NijJJgBXnKlBBYmkEp6jpyPbZXj3YUtZS7BAYG99Za0VUrZqPI_OLfoMjLnPmx6d_7eULnWKbv0LdDABMRrIxYgsShMjA0Y67M2piwqrJN30-2nYrkE8i/?imgmax=800" style="border-right-width: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px" title="IMG_9385" width="290" /></a> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKot6VQDZTCSunZmeNp8wVKNFVOG5FLBZf2zXNt4mLijFDDwVdzX38E15WRfnchGV8QLDYLbBMPYpzhi14kU_F0yPCpx3UiGiXLV_U8Qz5EIzB5F4ksWiWAKjKsJSjg8N1Uz0MgNgpIjNS/s1600-h/IMG_93873.jpg"><img alt="IMG_9387" border="0" height="435" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9Ds5dauDZHlFSJ29jKlkpHBxrzyXKM3FaTh2LR_mzl9gbBioZ13XTcHQs5GVrckFWjgOU-amSoEm3ovzbV-5s9SEMAPBhl1K7qMRbcoKLLguZlhcFS97H0fa4im-SgQB_AMVi0EnM_qSe/?imgmax=800" style="border-right-width: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px" title="IMG_9387" width="290" /></a> About half of the ornaments are from Walmart – I love their selection! There’s a bunch more from Big Lots and the rest we’ve had for years. It seems our tree has gotten bigger every year, so every year after the holidays I get more. (I like our tree dripping with ornaments.) But this is the tallest it gets people. No. more. Like always, I use a few yards of faux silk as my tree skirt. I just throw it under there and fluff: <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYiMYx3cLcsWX2Sqpjj52eGnrY75cvJH0C6_eMXs_UQaCyEKy38Rd0YFoVgZRNXwTvF2CXJMxXgy1nvbYdpLtVEf2NWlUeZgGk86rebhtlsNNG4cGIgKO3_r4XIkdkgzabBa_DVh1nbLNS/s1600-h/IMG_9412%25255B1%25255D.jpg"><img alt="DIY tree skirt" border="0" height="326" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTlzFXE7HgX0bv7pEaPgrmRhNa3aG9YDWrj_1Z0jRNSPNJNeqaRiPzHBlE3fNJU1BK5CaUxHuRFtRcdCo2bmwtWYz8u-FO48beZ2Zxr9-K1cyotjCEIGdu3u0qlF_Np-HuoTNXAwSUZNqu/?imgmax=800" style="border-right-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto" title="DIY tree skirt" width="450" /></a> It always works great and with a coupon the fabric was WAY cheaper than a real skirt! Here she is in all her glory – it’s not easy getting a picture of all of her. ;) <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6rfauIESAAmFUUvSoppABmh85wreIi1RwuoaSuoiSIVOlaaIlo5XjpX71eyYR87xBW0bUMWd6cej-7fwDFzgPIhVf76T5uDb25aMSUklaZOMotGBIoqCOx3H5g7SbG5wDgZqa41U9he0A/s1600-h/IMG_94084.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" height="632" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXA0olnu1dBzk0y1RBUCTNELM_k8nPpNX2pCTZ9SnOxNP0xAjbGu30sJh38PibGOnoTEL181prc4r5b8Qh-LI8eEn3zURW_XDs2RlOkhBWQsMOX1I0Mda7mKVKjHjly5_yE6rjES1SYRI2/?imgmax=800" style="border-right-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto" title="" width="400" /></a> I miss a real tree so much (I found something to help with that I hope to show you soon!), but I gotta say, this is SO much less stress!! A tall real tree is SO heavy and was always hard to get just right in the stand, so I was always worried about it falling. (Since the tree debacle a few years ago I started tying it to wall.) And not having to water (and not worrying about the animals getting in the water) is the GREATEST!! Of course…I couldn’t have a Christmas tree post without some night shots. My favorite. :) So here you go… <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQYISEfhRBFfzx7WAV-Z4OOzdbfQlLZq7cdFqtpWpbd0n1ilco-nUaxxbb2yeoghNYHv-8gCafl-GWUO4W9OVvKhBIIqrHt5Ki3_2xY_OT4ilpDloWPlDi74-2NRRrM6MDi784JAgCoQG5/s1600-h/officenight%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" height="661" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNS-IRVurgxwC6zTYDfYzwGvIA-xfxkRJTFGUXh7COTOaEAPKKTzYigupi4Goed-Sa5K0SqkGeYDZerHeoelgNtN6RMSqbm3yFmRMsjsOBc1Ua2k991Kw0p17FpXP9LQtJzFr1LAwDSuns/?imgmax=800" style="border-right-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto" title="" width="350" /></a> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgOPng8ty3wfHEuB4Ag2YMk_wUS8sYcBkuPq-tSBfgjpqNDP5dJcVlmM8GGeUzl8Ai6QPJHbirNEdaPf2SxcMcowHarhjKAUVStcF7QWLIISmCrFYQeJq1fgvcAlIUsNJHb1M0c9X5XNoU/s1600-h/IMG_9484%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img alt="IMG_9484" border="0" height="642" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2i1zZs-ShWr6LEye4YlmKIj0Hyp7zVQuSgBYAltV8oKniV6V2yLXg3gVXBHoYgCqEhGk7894MKiPeH2NS0yE4YjQ2V_7umKThMy6NbT6Y-gNw2AYL9UVkxY9itIvkTFW53CvHeiH-MuoD/?imgmax=800" style="border-right-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto" title="IMG_9484" width="373" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhW4VI7aHkGKS_VZ2mqXkYVXA5QSZGO5xHJEQoKn-dF2ijqRqlCWJ0iydSh0XceMG5kzxC_bgPXfS3oAVDHtizj0heAnrLbMzny2LHmvPxz2Shw4lyqFe-qabDCaMWUDEjEkV75g89KQ65s/s1600-h/IMG_9487%25255B7%25255D.jpg"><img alt="red and gold christmas tree" border="0" height="768" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2ezguhmrwVTfazXkkgCfwEKhdYcOOeEZMkzhUd-OchuqyWqEFps8B792Ax9fFxmieIQ5XNw9aoeSkwQbHN50cd614PzUARXId3h2kWJDW_eTnqNFos6F6yCkaCOghaNo8TTIeImwwp6b5/?imgmax=800" style="border-right-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto" title="red and gold christmas tree" width="512" /></a> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyNjteFRe0V4l1kV0KHFbPMg9_JdzpRcFxXmpOU37qkyJSdR8eul97FJ8lutyyGNoaP5M3e1f1Oej3BauFzGXpLz0OWvwnmez6bFvFKRl9n5FRvMzqYlWB6geUgPPUdN3uDhdIv2T4hMvN/s1600-h/IMG_9482%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" height="675" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6yV7h2SNssh23Ow_kWpPa2BqkZvthZ4eFE5CrLRKt7gQk2OYuX54ONTjgsKMwNXuVN5YP23S60OCvXNdBMCUBpm9KLgsWZo23nEVTXAwp_wm0yT2amLuokbCQWQSMcEhdTwslmTjpqxMb/?imgmax=800" style="border-right-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto" title="" width="450" /></a> See? Magic. ;) I LOVE CHRISTMAS!!! Now let’s see yours! :) I’d appreciate it if you could link back to TDC in your post and use this pretty button as well: <a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-jK5xdKpLTeA/Tuko3GraDPI/AAAAAAAARFU/41Qw_TWsxWI/s1600-h/image2.png"><img alt="image" border="0" height="240" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-26Khc48dWcE/Tuko3aezI2I/AAAAAAAARFc/X8u1Zf839n8/image_thumb.png?imgmax=800" style="border-right-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto" title="image" width="190" /></a> Have fun! <script type="text/javascript" src="http://www.inlinkz.com/cs.php?id=109447"></script>

A Christmas Tree Party!

Well, the time is here! It’s time to share all the magic – there is very little more magical than a tree lit up at Christmas, don’t you a...

2:53 PM

Easy apple dumplings

OK peeps…I had a whole other post planned for this evening. But then fate stepped in, in the form of our old buddy Pinterest. <a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/--1kr8udDao8/TugkXlurkwI/AAAAAAAAREE/EJs9J6ocAIk/s1600-h/image%25255B3%25255D.png"><img alt="pinterest quote" border="0" height="400" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-oAiDAwTok8g/TugkYCLK0uI/AAAAAAAAREM/LSPBid7c6Mo/image_thumb%25255B1%25255D.png?imgmax=800" style="border-right-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto" title="pinterest quote" width="400" /></a> A few days ago I pinned a simple little recipe for easy apple dumplings from <a href="http://oneshetwoshe.com/2010/09/apple-dumplings.html?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%253A+OrSoSheSays+%2528Or+so+she+says...%2529&utm_content=Google+Reader" target="_blank">One She Two She</a>. Tonight I made them. And my life has been changed forever. OK, I may be going a little overboard here. But for the love of all that is good -- how can something so simple and easy taste so good? SO. GOOD. It takes about five minutes to prepare, 30 to cook. Bake? Cook. Whatever. I’ll share the recipe as I found it first, and then let you know how I changed it up. You’ll need: 2 Granny Smith apples 1 tsp vanilla cinnamon 2 packages crescent rolls 1 1/2 cups sugar (see below for more on this) 2 sticks butter (just do it) 12 ounces Mountain Dew To start, peel and slice your apple(s). I have one like this that makes the slicing super easy: <a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-0_qPzenmJWM/TugkYfrpfWI/AAAAAAAAREU/T8wzfQo2qXE/s1600-h/image%25255B10%25255D.png"><img alt="image" border="0" height="186" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-MWDf5YvARDA/TugkY81K-jI/AAAAAAAAREc/7iXoT2jUOLY/image_thumb%25255B4%25255D.png?imgmax=800" style="border-right-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto" title="image" width="300" /></a> I halved this recipe, so I used exactly half of everything. (Duh.) One apple, one stick butter, 6 oz of the Dew, 3/4 cup sugar, on package of crescent rolls and a dash of vanilla. Just wrap your apple slices with the crescent rolls and place them in a baking dish: <a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-EwMMShBNCIU/TugkZLWAFdI/AAAAAAAAREk/un6QoCc2tfk/s1600-h/IMG_9378%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" height="432" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-FHh5JL1mDFg/TugkZarVCOI/AAAAAAAAREs/lJwK8SBp-dc/IMG_9378_thumb%25255B6%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="border-right-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto" title="" width="330" /></a> Again, nighttime pics so they stink. :) Then you mix up the sugar, (melted) butter and vanilla in a separate bowl. This part is where I think I made these even more spectacular, on accident. ;) I went to get my sugar and realized we only had a bit left – about half of the 3/4 that I needed. I figured brown sugar might work, so I actually used half brown sugar/half sugar to make up the 3/4 cup. I think that made these extra AMAZING. ;) Anyway, you mix all that up and then pour that mixture all over the “dumplings,” then take the Mountain Dew and pour that over everything too: <a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-aTuA3lFrM7E/TugkZ8G3M3I/AAAAAAAARE0/WeMztJkdH2M/s1600-h/IMG_9380%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img alt="apple dumplings mountain dew" border="0" height="438" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-0gJuG4ppmto/TugkaFGHsoI/AAAAAAAARE8/PH4JvGsASuk/IMG_9380_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="border-right-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto" title="apple dumplings mountain dew" width="330" /></a> It will look kinda grody, but oh JUST YOU WAIT. Sprinkle some cinnamon over the top and put them in a 350 degree oven for 30 to 40 minutes. I took ours out at 36 minutes in. I doubted them when I first saw them – they looked like they would be total mush all the way through. But I persevered people. I pushed on. And I added some ice cream: <a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-EhmnL4vu5xs/TugkaSoU17I/AAAAAAAARFE/2CCBl6MAT48/s1600-h/IMG_9382%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img alt="easy apple dumplings" border="0" height="600" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-dGdX9tKF3C0/TugkahQbQDI/AAAAAAAARFM/oZwtgM5LYAA/IMG_9382_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="border-right-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto" title="easy apple dumplings" width="400" /></a> They were SO GOOD. I cannot express how good. Like, how did I make something so good, GOOD. The bottom is mushy, the apple is tender, the top is crispy and flaky and scrumptious! Yes. That good. I’m sorry, do I need to say it again? Go get some apples and brown sugar and make them immediately. You can thank me by making some more and sending them to me. Cause ours may be (almost) gone already. :) Have I mentioned how much I love Pinterest? Have you tried these easy apple dumplings yet? Any other easy peasy recipes I can’t live one more day without?

Easy apple dumplings

OK peeps…I had a whole other post planned for this evening. But then fate stepped in, in the form of our old buddy Pinterest. A few days...

8:22 PM

Christmas Craftastic!

Well HEY! Hope you had a great weekend! I determined I was totally joking about being done with the Christmas decorating. :) I put up another tree and have at least one more spot I want to deck out. I think this is the latest I’ve been working on decor in a long time, but I’m having fun with it so I’m not worrying about it. I’ve used VERY little of what I’ve used in the past. It’s been fun to change things up a bit! Today I worked on a couple crafts I’ve been itchin’ to do for a while now. Kate’s Holiday Home <a href="http://www.centsationalgirl.com/2011/12/diy-ornaments-holiday-craft-link-party/">craft party</a> is the perfect reason to get them DONE! OK, the first craft I was alllllll excited about – I was able to visit a spectacular Anthropology store over Thanksgiving (I still plan to tell you about that trip. It just may be Easter by the time I get to it.) and my girlfriend and I saw these and fell in love with them: <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSsw_B-B982sbaVCVvQ6l8DontCZWY_y3ffFO031gDu_CWm38XqRzUHc9GS3SgkA_U2olH2o7m62FrPvikVvC6DExRmuDAsJggbN1O3pwsN1a4OYnoLFGq5o07jNYK3Aet9g7my5scGAQ/s1600-h/IMG_8371%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img alt="anthropologie tree jars" border="0" height="267" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-OHVZ6t0Q06eQLosNwbC9YLydyiMZitVEBZoQUKV0h7xbxm5oXz1cU7wSpf1ND5B4ZL6FqjBrYP-QFGS-VK3sllWgCDdl-kVNj5FF2_Ry4ETT1ARFl2z9dDfE-VuXzyAFPxTCxAn4LF8/?imgmax=800" style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="anthropologie tree jars" width="400" /></a> Their prices on the other hand, were INSANE. I think the big ones were $25 or maybe $30-something? So of course, I think, OH, I could SO do those myself! The day after we got home, I went out and got the supplies to make them. And the next day I started seeing them pop up ALL. OVER. blogland. They are that easy. And cute. :) I wanted to do them anyway, and I changed them up just a tad, so bear with me if you’ve seen this eleventy billion times. I started with cheapy little trees from Michael’s: <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTr_AFZ-4xP2NZdgmisEmq952wKzWxq-zjBtNlIQoJlUG-Nj8A9mwyCbIZzIhmoWqe-EqxD8PITpXXLEl1pKT-52RdxKg1gwYbEHQ_dG_7bXWROxdx0aWYNKzHsvIlpCKmZwVKUjbOeVU/s1600-h/IMG_9253%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgX5y7wWktETS56FiED_ZtG__hqy08zph_uoNZsMY0P_ChcH5Dsr2TIOudcuiPeATZjtgLPNM0NNked86C-CnXFm3-Yl7-iWfB-uOUlYnRajNeEhb_Klq6GJFQGzEbsI2a03u1CDli_k1c/?imgmax=800" style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="" width="320" /></a> You get a package of various sizes for $1.99. They were already “snow” covered, but I wanted them to glisten with CHRISTMAS. I used my Aleene’s clear glue and just brushed it on the sides: <a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-BOJK8sPy2gU/TubPJNdEQUI/AAAAAAAARD8/hhPiNVTmcaU/s1600-h/image%25255B10%25255D.png"><img alt="aleenes clear glue" border="0" height="221" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-jIpOX85IF4o/TubPJZFbR6I/AAAAAAAAREA/CgKAnMTQtdo/image_thumb%25255B9%25255D.png?imgmax=800" style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px" title="aleenes clear glue" width="125" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_lAp3NI_M0xHUM2x9a1pT-TE0TjDZnP2471_I8ysllz4WLqQdR_H2zcIJwhyphenhyphenII-MDx2d9nuOGK-j2-T7HAm_zrdBJm9fE9LAIig0hY1ATKmSK1ixywUxEep9EuqOLQGsFeMJp14D9Ig0/s1600-h/IMG_9254%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj47tPsqyeDUtMOiYNWwCVVJ5b9gsjZV7-4AO4hyphenhyphenqYZwynb-9_j14NlUHOdTvqBeJFmmW41DrC-hc87O66edesugdopDiuQDg9-bYwjr3yIU2b36yh-u30wxHRAmu113nOI3B1WBj-CXU8/?imgmax=800" style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px" title="" width="320" /></a> Excuse the leftover pirate party plates. ;) I used three different types of glitter to pretty them up – a silver, white, and one that is teeny tiny little glittery balls. It is beautiful! I just dipped each tree with glue into the good stuff: <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheBWesmVdhhHHI-JflPBwEdWlgBOEJQ0hddu4_fGrW8mSLY68_6e0IyJZAtj70Ge-he1JaXGM_8FDart1rCmoQg6FPJzax-qp32LarW5Tz-76q5f6rgReVZDJbDQbgljCnEEoDUFgfxiI/s1600-h/IMG_9259%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" height="247" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibgy-oKYLA1oHaVXFgtX4XRg1SidlAwy2mQpy5NL3T3dMuoltjfCN6m-E8ON0eKEx9TFdl9rdMuf56_A14jIuENxyJgFJDLi5iEEKtqhItaTu9QUuAnnoCheXtwCj0RtKqMXgAW6-NlGI/?imgmax=800" style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="" width="400" /></a> And let them dry. That’s it! I have bajillions of Ball jars but ZERO lids for said jars. I was going to rig up something so they could sit upside down like the Anthro version, but then thought – WHY? – and just filled each jar with my faux snow and then the little trees. I got some little pinecones and jingle bells from Hob Lob for half off and dropped a few in each jar as well: <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjckMurXioCG3kCOkU6674SL6tXRqfaiFxvG0R-qF_oLuuIoRp26H2NWpec0sHO3KLa755B72E6sjauFZhTGQ-kCdhlQDMXB93hCSAf55gDraVc4P84iykIQo-xkluJ5fwvF9cISrA87QY/s1600-h/IMG_9256%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" height="267" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMKYwaPrf-0otvMd75Z_H5LjGBGBvymS-eKTYyMlW61lBCjhJQYzgwaRarPjch41qSCIpcL8XWscepBKJI8e_t_9Nj7y9CL1bi6ksgobBJ1d0m514L8bRr88n938iZDmCf1NkIkyVOw0M/?imgmax=800" style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="" width="400" /></a> The end result isn’t the exact Anthro version, but just as cute. (I think.): <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjozKFU9yCGFOr60Hdg47scMmJrKsujCv4FTrpef-rUJVlVHJ9Ix4V6ufLCoIO-Or7PBaEro7MS6IcMDtLe9MaHUGs18MnJZVCa08p-A0r3_I29tx6YSTukYK6UWd7KbsVGiTNVi25s-o/s1600-h/IMG_9260%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgU2iz0GBFlCReQ1TSVQQCYXD-OZWw2HSO7s7KQz01wnSNSX1mrNDoMXkGq4cg_Cw0oPpXoiwOR_IGJk1PiI4SK8ghmKDLDXp0UzKEn6qa-l3PkOdmn4OF03jAJdEFeq3ri4SaX1VtVAHI/?imgmax=800" style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="" width="450" /></a> I mean…really? I already had everything but the trees and the little fillers, so each jar was about a buck for me. But even if you started from scratch, you’d be able to do each one for less than $5. Really Anthro? Reheheheally? The pics don’t show how much the little trees glitter, but they are so pretty!: <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3pYibfE9FG0uof9hgcojMPZB_sEUDuxcWq77mYxNUShFT_ErD0DdG-U68TV8ZB-NQWU8lIEtgrAjzETQDjkGbHmBK30ttwPgS1UArU4oxoAJQosC-lcJNQUAX3fd0-6t7jknE4SnXl-U/s1600-h/IMG_9262%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img alt="mason jars christmas" border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOjRfmjeHaFEjpPCzv47PvCin-wQWkd0efjyHLcEgUCADi5syREindaaYaV_0vkNDDM9SE-idfaVtMjQ7CKDZpQ7Ofeo5qPfi7ySYRfp3Gpod48k2P3O70kJZeqP7k3PQps1ACiKFsKAA/?imgmax=800" style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="mason jars christmas" width="320" /></a> If you want the fine snow look like they have, just use Epsom Salts. I have some but it was up in the bathroom and this was SO EASY, I was that lazy and didn’t want to go get it. :) I found a little sled at a barn sale years ago, and I just laid it on the living room coffee table and placed all these goodies on it: <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5eaTVSigG1EajTOa3IUDiEDRuLKZYk1k9s_7rnpFqvc4D6Qh8jQ3mzQtXRXg5TLvSeZW4PMXe8CKi_l9m4-qZ_Qs24qFXKjyZ_DAAGeyHKrdXKQMpW_2zl5Jc0TGmMSr8Zy688TTLwZc/s1600-h/IMG_9294%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" height="267" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgl2ET5GZRD66Ur6lPy-go54nqzwEviHcBV7ZyTz6u4YH3YWCrW_jjd_KSlAJDxvb9kresfJfU4B-Ahyphenhyphen_07YuYWmXlS7HjWTznEY5BJMDXoB7POkTAwVAID-JNMjZMoRr7erLyE4KjrdVo/?imgmax=800" style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="" width="400" /></a> The trees are a little bluish green for my taste – I would rather have a true green. But when I got them in place, I realized they work perfectly with the blues in the living room: <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIIgKohXU2tbCLdBMsWXA15Yn3qJXQlZSaOsFNZPj_n446ylUHXv02IQhr08R5nSDknpPFK3jBbfABmY9UaadEB_IKYeNyqS-47QJjQ5GyXoWr8XbxR4O5leLm7GlT3ssqxu7rY720dIM/s1600-h/IMG_9292%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img alt="anthropologie christmas jars" border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPV91UG0iFykJqlSEXiN9wkKVDMw4Uts4WJ9fabSQMA8d8l6EAercDV7j-iCRyIEBccAOnW3YRWz2Hw0d0JIQCNwWlHgiDY2BODUQChUyRT27rsX6csfReST-Mbm-tTJZbkZSjGVBAhkM/?imgmax=800" style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="anthropologie christmas jars" width="320" /></a> So pretty and so easy! And CHEAP! Ohhhhh so cheap. The next crafty project is one I had going in my noggin for months – and I couldn’t believe how easily it all came together. I started with the glass pieces I had on the dining room centerpiece <a href="http://thriftydecorchick.blogspot.com/2011/12/metallic-christmas-table.html">till just recently</a>: <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjK8786ZMi74WnlCvFKVhyphenhyphenxeKhE2p-cMNkwAqUcdfsfHRcAKgQPG-EvbiFEpfRxsE5Ga8IiaDlxn7vGySfdQjqwtpvrzOsbz8tMloKUtN_I9YasaAdlEewHmK6-_q6AVZBNfLI3kTghELo/s1600-h/IMG_9240%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxp8J6ZmSrnKGhH4QDzJjqYRQdF1TpKTN-Vj_tM901_aHa5te8CkNTRO9BUBcr0ELNnOsqW6DG0kifS1gbVnQJssLUuSPqWU-TZmgoBVWtcLUFTG7MksgKZ2hSlWFSvJxwps2FKkM3vAc/?imgmax=800" style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="" width="320" /></a> I got most of mine from Goodwill, but you can find them for cheap at Hobby Lobby as well. A few weeks ago Michael’s had all their Martha Stewarts paper punch thingies on sale, so I picked up a couple for this project. The first was one that punches out a line of the design out of the paper: <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsqBmc6Axaj_cEvqC3x0s76ZXS2C39wX7tUOaKc54EQ3c8NQwstHvOG3HDkIyWON27ic5rQutZZ6Y4o-XfJF88ryuAMItcLunubN7d_pzmYiH4UxH4rmx1vxLFPzmICDtuWBSK5T5Ib-M/s1600-h/IMG_9241%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img alt="martha stewart paper punches" border="0" height="267" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUPFql5kRMsiYm8sYDBYBRwolj2dsYMjHXaKvnBpxl3NiztlRu82nIl5WmzbYnx9m-Eb_W4upg8WeIZBYECDMd30KSOg5ybFUSLNeIyHbkXyIflwVPVuyVffwAoYVQPiH3jc9CHpExBRM/?imgmax=800" style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="martha stewart paper punches" width="400" /></a> I found this paper at Hobby Lobby – it’s in their “special” paper area – the $1.99 a sheet stuff. (I got it half off.) This one is a grey linen-like paper that looks JUST like fabric. It’s kind of shimmery and so pretty!: <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEii5krPLP_xOGi8AbJxvPjoGs92J8umEKBS1pqm882Yz8NZyHWPbGJ7EdcFD-4UV3LVJnE0wKQix7R9MoVDOZUph5X5Gnqus98Nfy3UGw1Ek1Jm0M_Ytvvp66GJxdDlYXgmg1DQpa1EV_Q/s1600-h/IMG_9249%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmGRPneIcYtHr64Pvm8diLGRQCK7zf5lZG9s7jGpUyus7FMu7K7e5KBfq9el7iyQuQ-GvYlnmbaoA3m-po-pRkjpizCDhub4wg61_5MJi6nz0YG5Hqwa9_Cxgw8pQzm_KY7EiPn1-xUkM/?imgmax=800" style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="" width="320" /></a> I just used spray adhesive on the back, then wrapped it around the glass candleholder. For my next version, I used the big snowflake cut out on my sparkly white paper (also half off): <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNxupek-idBcuoAl6KLZoG1Zy9x2rrAcq8Ge1I98DWS-opnW_0nYanVokOl4hFADuyX0Bhf9ztupsQa7KjHY2HSGqoIiad6wDdfnmGCjLxM5OHhHtpzgBwCS1MLEui6S-ZojYQZaISb3g/s1600-h/IMG_9247%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img alt="snowflake paper punch" border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMl7ZppMAoN4RyXQS4qVhPhUAUSeWvtzYj8uY2Crj6wFQX3wa_dGvfIqShSGpR1YMxhqtjeyneulsC4xSYk4ko8A5C4f7tqRA-lQrw0SgesIoBbVC1dG5_Df8HEr1vr9Y4xrK7tMpSo4c/?imgmax=800" style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="snowflake paper punch" width="320" /></a> I used a strip of the paper and then the punches on some other glass pieces: <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEju6jUYV0xgkdy0k4_BcZHaceawD3mL714tmpAIVyJ5gbojQjNvwKsjabVzbE7pMlXihtVO8qyaIvk5-Wzpg6YY8-3rq0FTbV1D90aP1ygUfZ7FuwYwz8e0ZoyLG5hEHSWtdjugNZIT7NQ/s1600-h/IMG_9246%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2ZFx8N9nfAr4gB8t0G7sCclXvTekCl-Ac4gWoCV6rzgUYXvtv2IqgSy8VYC4fQoyK9aSFUxhOYZn5tN4X9aucauaJVFE1L_cHvYsS79zQ-6k9BUiD9WxkbjB2KhJhe9LTKtto4TzCKRA/?imgmax=800" style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="" width="320" /></a> Again, I just sprayed the back of the paper with spray adhesive. If I want it to stay on there it will, but if I want to reuse these I can just take it off and wash off the adhesive. For the final version, I used this beautiful scrapbook paper I found in the fancy papers as well: <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggO2hr0po66omnZrJFKNveW74pnYIgwgi0wRx5_zhrRkyXFJhTXQfmDnZFapaczwHhmcpFXDa5O1-3J921onf-peeqfgkRMqDT7LszXhzsDXV4uVnIzs8hyCdHmjOwsbaOE-cTRJZ_fMc/s1600-h/IMG_9242%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" height="267" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPU2lnvCXblsIZtFz-oRrXMSW714PKR0XKN9hlQSzjHSI6i4f5-KPO9pjPg_7elirhd5FXDE0uuKa0TANYr5h6sXt43KVPNWKgWFUxM_QqzJFaPXSTsQ7azHlak2MH6UuXTGAm7YS2ri8/?imgmax=800" style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="" width="400" /></a> Again, half off. :) I got each sheet for a buck and only used two sheets. For this one I just simply wrapped a few candleholders with the paper. It’s SO pretty on it’s own! At first I was going to line them up along the stairs: <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlPXhX01GZtd6ijINJHjW-_EbuuKawlQrghrhjtZyYP8jeEmGfqLoFxT8x6FTmJOEcAPfkUrgDer_c3ouRIll-BQp3TZT901MX_gZYc474QWf-vRSXRyDyyEc7M_4hjOZ87GvnH5JKkDU/s1600-h/IMG_9301%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" height="285" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4UyeYxTsTIc_1YLyPC94xyuk-yeXojfluXJxnEan2Ly5JeRQiraT0y4ZuiE4UtuObFrXQnlx1IUipeKyGJf1LUyQh8kHapqX19w0OIKmeE6X006Z4jhXzZYCFYaVA3Ylc7hyl7XbYEoQ/?imgmax=800" style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px" title="" width="190" /></a><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-LETUN-ZuFjY/TubPQfTsa9I/AAAAAAAARBI/q9ivxPfKfh8/s1600-h/IMG_9303%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" height="285" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-LPfmvw-VcDk/TubPQqvdoAI/AAAAAAAARBQ/3OEiTWCn-mI/IMG_9303_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px" title="" width="190" /></a><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-Q32IbIwQfkM/TubPQwRWoFI/AAAAAAAARBY/OtbtQRR3cWI/s1600-h/IMG_9305%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" height="285" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-dHuo6ehOh0w/TubPRK4EM3I/AAAAAAAARBg/a-S5XMnRY28/IMG_9305_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px" title="" width="190" /></a> But then I realized how beautiful they’d look all together! So they ended up on the foyer table: <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhziMADSM3I2PB6Itn4zHFcshVWfBrBQdIgojY9tJt1CDftlztRuiYwAdLY2VetHDrp1xl_Q6j7q0n5cpfOb7AzyA0x1dC2OhlQ4RvM_0IV5gxlTjJujs8vdEqKWSQ-N_y_XVtrKQOxFyE/s1600-h/IMG_9308%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" height="267" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGaVXh1puzs6m8_g3Z_eneGe0CgifwEVNcPmWSB7fBR3TjgkNk5fSePCjMq87YnS6EPbPO3H_oR6_IFnrIpDJu_Hea-pjcTOQ006IGKv8bBH4CLdmjWRCe_npykaAevA_nhoI8vXSySF4/?imgmax=800" style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="" width="400" /></a> I added a couple mercury votive holders I had from Pottery Barn (I think they were $3 each?) and finished off the little candlescape. Of course, it looks ahhhhmazing all lit up: <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwKJaKExTUvlNwDFQ7SUGq8CYIC0-S624grAX6P4_x4pAcThnOp_uK_IHIRLnntl_5m74fecLgkCvyVaysMmNlP8DpmW-GxtazNha_oFhTmfdhL7t96pRviupwo0PnV0D526fdw2Mt62A/s1600-h/IMG_9311%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" height="287" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinzz69yeKTMRl0bKmFhXaQGqEpAqboSCa6xzx16YYi1_mndvDApFO6qWzGLxJdF2WBrnmfA1zeht6H0_SfYYJqdcyEZCGaJEt8HuFYGo3Dugc3k11byzqNsZKFNJQjtO0Slk9DNRlAve4/?imgmax=800" style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="" width="430" /></a> Isn’t that beautiful? One of them is a real candle I wrapped, but for the others I’ll use my little LED candles. I can’t get over how pretty they are – and it’s just PAPER!! <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhG54ErujCK1M36tdjYjX7hFbPPoTzZujI9uqpS3xYOt_YYWk4u_xboBwF7hc7bUImGT8UKlBICG51xW49308YZqEFkWff00Ig-4G2ni2hidL9FBbHiLTA3luAKJARieaHdDZtHnbHWPlo/s1600-h/IMG_9329%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img alt="IMG_9329" border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLNrZMuKc15cZkn9e8cYEY4Z3vHZ5gZc5p4HwzHAG4J4axe-kxX15oSghYQpFJgfoSoDTFfzzzPYumVYK8Pr4EqstqL4HkubT8rgSp3RIgy0sfNncPXgbHH4s922khAQRgR4zjHxBVXwc/?imgmax=800" style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="IMG_9329" width="450" /></a> The entry table is very low key – just some greenery from the back yard in an urn, some decorative trees and now the candles:<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijxLumfGYfIJN0BEY_F14qVa9cB2uvtGZXBHjGNnVPtlFoibVoy2MRtFZIZprkCAz0J-qKJvbPYUmeh48D74fGk69_SOtDVk3iNeefHePfu5129BDm7KMeNGN1BlMCJiQi15AR6rfv4q4/s1600-h/IMG_9322%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img alt="candleholders covered with scrapbook paper" border="0" height="768" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpqlnggVOu5BsvV-bID5BONsI3HIh7M1O7EBzjnpt5VVWxOyd4SBL_7HD2Cwojs43rJPpvEqGtD7UAgSX0yqZ4mAYkqr7vivBM52iMqn_enrfHjQC1BjoUYIzc5rBFHtHGZvKR3vX1FPQ/?imgmax=800" style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="candleholders covered with scrapbook paper" width="512" /></a> And I figure all of them can stay out through the winter months. LOVE them!! This project cost me about $6 in paper and I think the paper punches were about $15 total on sale. Considering I’ll easily be able to use most of these throughout the year (not the snowflakes of course), I’m thinking that’s money well spent! Check out Goodwill for these glass pieces – I found most of mine for a dollar or two a couple years ago! I’m thinking about adding some of the faux snow to the top of the buffet for some fun, but I’m afraid “fun” will become “MESS” real quick. ;) I may try it out to see what happens. <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNnvNCnYHy6yANxtrEziYp-8MD49z5GQfp-nOnYXwwXdvwhoQ6JD_w-2mdBaTRSjfRZM6FK5pE-ort9CwaA7Xm3uKWO1rrK3E4j6mMzg-wV7AcDBaZm1DBb8ee3Qn9kgCnPg8lOcaNiD0/s1600-h/IMG_9345%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img alt="white and silver christmas vignette" border="0" height="768" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1oehumO4093S2AcqewuTETUQN-xBEGqqX7Ucle0t9zVmP4s3nNY83QABQJ634KC6uYWUFKynky5NBYH0PEz5afJqgGnu-RSICFCiszs9gzDIIfHJs5GIcDAvnf8Rce9x2K-7ltOM6J8U/?imgmax=800" style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="white and silver christmas vignette" width="512" /></a> So there. you. go. – my latest Christmas crafty goodness! I tell you what…when it goes well, crafting is so cathartic and relaxing. I enjoyed it so much, I have a few more projects I’m hoping to get to before the end of the season! I can’t wait to check out what you’ve all got up your sleeves at the party! And don’t forget our Holiday Home link ups will finish up this Wednesday with my annual Christmas Tree Party!: <a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-cgkrARjRwhI/TubPUrpIxWI/AAAAAAAARC8/CPBu2PUqcgo/s1600-h/image%25255B9%25255D.png"><img alt="christmas tree party" border="0" height="278" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-7slTVhtS-Uk/TubPVJyyDNI/AAAAAAAARDI/9akgp4nSstU/image_thumb%25255B8%25255D.png?imgmax=800" style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="christmas tree party" width="220" /></a> I can’t wait to see your gorgeous trees! Have you been getting crafty lately? Were they successes or fails? I never know till I start if it's going to work or not!

Christmas Craftastic!

Well HEY! Hope you had a great weekend! I determined I was totally joking about being done with the Christmas decorating. :) I put up anoth...

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A Christmas Tree Party!

Easy apple dumplings

Christmas Craftastic!

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