Decorating with Apothecary Jars

 I love changing the contents of my apothecary jars from season to season.  And, it make me really happy when I can use items found in our very own yard.

With just a few tree trimmings, some pine cones (that we spray painted gold) and some ornaments, we turned this jar into a festive masterpiece.

It's like Christmas in a jar!

Now, he sits happily merrily on a shelf in our living room.

Let's take a closer look . . .

And of course some extra sparkly things to add more of a festive touch.

How do you use any natural elements in your Christmas decor?

Beautiful Christmas Countdown

I am so excited to share this great project with you!

Wouldn't every child LOVE a Christmas Countdown like this one? Actually, wouldn't every adult love one as well?

Head on over to Queen B and Me for a tutorial on how to create this little beauty!



This project is so adorable, I'm sad that I didn't come up with the idea myself!

DIY Advent Calender?

Is anyone else swooning over this advent calender featured over at http://www.potterybarn.com/?

It would be so easy to recreate, but I just don't think it's going to happen this year.



Walking in a Winter Wonderland . . . Or Not.

Since we live in sunny California, a White Christmas is just a dream, but I wanted to create something that would give our home a White Christmas kind of feel. So, I secured a few manzanita branches in a plastic planter and used spray pant to make the branches white. After the paint dried, I gave the branches a quick coat of pearlescent paint.

Then, I placed the planter in a pretty, white tin and covered up the base with some fake snow. Pretty crystal ornaments and classic, silver ball ornaments completed the look.

This would be a great project for someone that doesn't have the room for a traditional Christmas tree.

I'm pretty sure that we'll be using this tree for Easter as well. Wouldn't it be beautiful with pretty Easter eggs hanging from it?

With our living room decorated in very traditional Christmas colors, we're changing things up in our dining room. This tree looks beautiful in a room filled with silvers and icy blues.

 Shimmery and beautiful!

What colors are you using in your Christmas decor?

Christmas Card Crafts

Year after year, we receive beautiful Christmas cards that we like to display throughout the holiday season.  But what should we do with the Christmas cards from the years past? The genius that is Martha Stewart has shared these ideas with us.

How do you display your Christmas cards? 

Stocking Stuffer Madness

Have you checked out Uncommon Goods yet? They have a ton of great stocking stuffers. I would be happy with any of these gifts. (*Ahem . . . Honey, are you reading this?)

Don't Water Down my Drinks!

Whiskey Stones: $19.50

Help Me Find My Suitcase!

Set of 6 Luggage Tags: $10

Wish Me Luck!

Bag of Luck: $12

Light Up My Life!

Bird Light: $17

Grow me a Garden!

Pocket Garden: $15

Let Me Have My Cake and Eat It Too!

High Heel Cake Server: $15

Entertain Me!

Temporary Hand Tattoos: $12

What do you hope to find in your stocking this year? 

It's Beginning to Look a Lot Like Christmas in Your Fireplace.

If you are one of the many people with a non functional fireplace, then this post is for you!  Heck, these ideas are so beautiful, you may want to use them, even if your fireplace does work.

Why not fill your fireplace with firewood? You won't be using it for a fire, but it sure does look cool.

Apartment Therapy

Why not make your fireplace glow with a ton of candles?

Colonial Candle

How about using a variety of Christmas decor to decorate your fireplace? It looks like a Christmas forest in there!

The Robin's Nest

This one is my favorites.  Today, Mary over at JPM Design featured this fireplace. Isn't it gorgeous? It has just enough shimmer and Christmas feel. This look could be easily duplicated by using a few old wine bottles as candle holders.

How do you decorate your fireplace for the holiday's? Do you enjoy a roaring fire? Or the flicker of candlelight?