Holiday Pinning

I've been searching Pinterest lately for new decorating ideas for the holidays. I've started to decorate and bought a few new things (photos to follow), but I also wanted fresh inspiration. Here are a few favorite Christmas inspirational photos I've pinned recently:

The mirror behind the wreath is such a statement piece for this room

I'm always looking for new holiday vase fillers (besides pine cones and ornaments)

These look so delicious and a fun activity for Ellie and I

I'm loving the bow wrapped around the vase. Definitely a centerpiece!

Mercury glass is very festive, especially when paired with red

Obsessed with this!

All photos via Pinterest

DIY Banner Inspiration

I recently pinned this Thanksgiving banner to use as inspiration for a Christmas one. It looks like a project easy enough to create and it would look perfect hung on our fireplace in our great room. Instead of "Thanksgiving" I'm thinking either "Merry" or another Christmas adjective.

via Minted

Reader DIY Craft Project

One of my good friends, Mindy, recently did a diy craft project I wanted to share. She had bought inexpensive frames, spray painted them white, and bought an assortment of ornaments. She hung her project in her dining room on a wall that joined the chalkboard frame (another diy project that I love). 

This is what she started with:

 And, the final result:

  I love her festive craft project! A great way to add color and sparkle to your walls without spending a lot of money. I love the "S" initial, too, for their last name. I also love the colors she chose. And, do you see the chalkboard frame next to it? I'm in love! Again, she spray painted the frame white and added chalkboard paint to the glass. She has inspired me to do this, too. A great addition to her dining room!

Additional inspiration:

BHG

Blue Cricket Designs (via Pinterest)

Anthropologie Sale

You may have gotten this in your inbox from Anthropologie:

This was what I needed to hit "checkout" on their website. I had a few things I wanted. I've been lusting over the fabric covered letters for a while now and decided on the "Z" (our last name initial). It was on sale for $7.95 with an additional 25%. I also ordered a replacement of my favorite "e" mug (my hubby accidentally dropped it) and these recipe bookmarks, which I thought were cute and would be a good addition to a holiday gift (I'm not sure of the lucky recipient yet).

Anthropologie

I am thankful for a whole lot of things.

• I'm thankful for my husband. It was the night after Thanksgiving 10 years ago that we met and have been married for 3 of those years. We've created some amazing memories together and have started a family with our beautiful daughter. I'm thankful that he works so much so that I can stay home with our daughter.
• I'm thankful for our daughter who gives us joy every day and who is just amazing. I never knew the amount of love I would have for her or that she gives me. Her hugs and kisses melt me every time.
• I'm thankful for my family and their love and support through everything. My family only lives a few minutes away and it is so special being able to see them often. I love our weekly family dinners with my brother and his family. His kids are everything to me and changed my world the day they were born. I'm thankful they are such sweet older cousins to Ellie.
• I'm thankful for my older friends who I am still able to keep in touch with no matter how far away they live (NY & Switzerland, just to name a few!) and my newer friends who I've met through play dates and they've become very good friends, which is always a bonus when you also have kids who can play together. 
• I'm thankful for this new baby that is growing inside of me. I'm excited for Ellie to have a new sibling who she can always have by her side. I'm thankful for our growing family.
• I'm also thankful for Ellie sleeping till 8:30 and giving me time to myself before our day gets started. I'm thankful for the home we live in and the ability to fill it with things we love. I'm thankful for the little things that can make me happy- fresh flowers, a good cup of coffee, exercising, laughter, and a million other little things. And, did I mention Ellie?! :)

I hope everyone has a Happy Thanksgiving!

Wreath For Less

I really wanted a red berry wreath this year for our front door. I was lusting over this one at Pier 1, but at $40 and no coupon it was a bit too much to spend. I contemplated buying it anyway, but then found one almost similar at Home Goods for only $20 and couldn't be happier!

Here is the higher priced one from Pier 1:

And, ours from Home Goods:

Chalkboard Labels

I'm lusting over these chalkboard labels. They would look cute in the kitchen and Ellie's playroom. I know they are all over the place, but I like this pack from Williams Sonoma, $10 for a set of 12. You can buy inexpensive jars from The Dollar Store or Target.

Williams Sonoma

Sofa Shopping

We've been looking for a new sofa to fill the empty space of our old one. I really wanted to wait until after Christmas so that we could put our Christmas tree in front of the windows. But, we wouldn't have any seating in this room. My husband doesn't want to wait that long since there is a television above the wood burning fireplace so we could enjoy both, which makes sense. We looked at Raymour and Flanigan, but I didn't find anything I loved. I really like the two cushion couches vs the three cushions (I think it looks nicer). I also looked on Macy's website, but it's a tough decision to buy online when you can't feel the comfort of the couch.

Today we went to Pier 1 since I love their furniture. We fell in love with the comfort of the Abbie sofa plus I love the style. However, I was leaning towards another light color couch and this one we would buy in chocolate brown. On the plus side it is so, so comfortable and only $600.

Here is the Abbie Sofa:

I want to try Home Goods, too (hit or miss) and possibly West Elm before making the decision. I'll keep you updated!

Craigslist Sale

We have had our front room sofa on Craigslist for a few months and it finally sold this morning. When I was contacted a few days ago and confirmed with the buyer yesterday both my husband and I both had seller's remorse. We had to remind ourselves that it was not the most comfortable couch to lay on (the buttons on the cushions hurt!). And, we sold it for only $50 less than what we paid for it three years ago. The buyer told us that this couch was the "Craigslist find of all finds." We were proud of our couch and hope her five sons enjoy the couch as much as we did (well, I hope they find it more comfortable than we did).

Here is the couch we sold:

Now with it gone I am looking forward to shopping for other options for this space. I am hoping to wait until after Christmas so that we can put our tree in front of this window for the holidays!

Halloween!

We have really enjoyed Fall this year with Ellie being old enough to be excited for all things Halloween. We had a lot of fun painting pumpkins. Ellie takes her art work very seriously! This Halloween she was a dog. She is obsessed with dogs (although, we don't have one). A perfect costume for her and she was the cutest dog I've ever seen! We went trick or treating on Halloween night to a few houses on our block. She was so excited getting candy (not sure if was the actual candy or just the fact that she was getting something to put in her bucket) and kept exclaiming, "Woah!" We are going out again on Saturday (re-scheduled in our township for this day) with her cousins. It will be another fun adventure!

 Our little doggie!

Halloween 2012