Sunday, December 22, 2019

{ Traditional Christmas Basement }

First HAPPY MONDAY! Hope your weekend before Christmas was festive,  cozy & productive!! Ours was all of the above. One space I've taken forever to photograph & show is our lower level { basement} all cozied up for Christmas!! It's our main hangout & gathering spot in the winter, especially hosting for Christmas Eve each year!! We've been lucky enough to have a lower level that is super warm & inviting as much as the main level. I went completely different in terms of decor & used every bold, traditional & nostalgic theme for a• Traditional Family Christmas Basement•!
••Come see more below. ..

 

I went all traditional colors, added a focal point which is the red rug layered on the brown sisal one! The bold cranberry red set the tone for the space!! 

 
Lots of plaids, greens & chunky candles in baskets.  I should have put cabin as a description,  because that's the ultimate look "Traditional Cabin Christmas Basement ". I added these antlers & pops of moose goods.. for a touch of rustic.

 

The greens, vintage colored bulbs, plaids, tabaggon, beads & rackets again add that traditional cozy Christmas charm!!




 
To add that feel + appeal of nostalgia I talked about above I added in some green chippy furniture for that nostalgic look & feel! I love this lower  level living but I'll be honest it's not the easiest to photograph ...but today was beautiful, relaxing & what the perfect time. Photographed• Showered• Edited • Snuggle • Movies...our Sunday night here!

 

Lots of vintage items, furniture & treasures fill this basement.  It's not perfect,  the trees leaning,  lights randomly strung & I need to work on wrapping...but it's ultra comfy!!

 

I love being able to use some of my collections like the rackets, vintage bulbs & baskets down here!! Lots of texture, bold festive colors & antiques!




Hope you loved this cozy space. Sorry it took me so long to photograph..but it's a nice way to close out Christmas 2019. A look & color pallet I've never used down here..which I actually love. The colorful vintage bulbs bring some warmth along with the fireplace & cabin goods!

 MERRY CHRISTMAS EVE & MERRY C H R I S T M A S!

As always THANK YOU for stopping in on my little growing blog. I know everyone says something like this, but I honestly appreciate each of you for sharing my posts, commenting etc....I'm not the biggest or most popular blogger, but I am humble, real & practical ,and  hopefully helpful or inspiring in someway :). 
***You can find me here for updates & more ,or SUBSCRIBE on the right side of my blog for FREE & direct updates right to your mail...

Monday, December 16, 2019

{ Our 2019 Christmas Card }

Every year for the past 8 years or so I've sent out Christmas cards! It's an annual tradition that we do & I'm a stickler about it haha. It's  fun for us to get ready  for the theme that year & have nice cozy winter pictures taken or if I'm feeling really ambitious,  I'll shoot them! This year was super relaxed & I decided to set up & photograph them!! We decorated our little candy apple red wood barn, got winter ready & took pictures!! It was the funniest shoot we've ever done to be honest haha. Laid back, cozy & the day ended with a dinner & shopping with our niece!!  I love doing these Christmas cards each year because it's a way to connect with our Florida family & relatives we don't see often & you guys my pals!!!! A tradition I hope never ends...Come take a peek at our 2019 card below..

 

I simply added some twinkly lights, flocked garland & mini bottle brush trees +traditional candy canes!
I went quite different than past years & did a more whimsical card theme, but we're more neutral this year instead of traditional! 



 Stewart & Swartz the "Wart" wouldn't cooperate,  so we decided to make it funny instead...^ ! Mr. Wibble the bunny couldn't be in the picture due to the cold,  but of course he's still on the card! It's funny I remember when it was just us & our bunny Charlotte...Now we have the two boys & Mr. Wibble! I'm sad not seeing Stinkers name on the card this year...It'll be 1 year December 22nd! RIP old girl♡.

 

**Side Note: Every year we use Vistaprint.com

 

Do you do Christmas cards each year? Who do you use & do you have a theme?


HAPPY Tuesday!
As always THANK YOU for stopping in on my little growing blog. I know everyone says something like this, but I honestly appreciate each of you for sharing my posts, commenting etc....I'm not the biggest or most popular blogger, but I am humble, real & practical ,and  hopefully helpful or inspiring in someway :). 
***You can find me here for updates & more ,or SUBSCRIBE on the right side of my blog for FREE & direct updates right to your mail...

Sunday, December 15, 2019

{ Christmas Hot Chocolate Station }

One thing I've never blogged around Christmas is a Hot Chocolate station..or if you're not from Michigan " Hot Cocoa Bar". I took a poll on Instagram asking which way you say..Either "hot chocolate " or " hot cocoa " & 75% said HOT CHOCOLATE  ha! I was kinda relieved actually as crazy as that sounds!! Anyways since I've never blogged one & they're so cozy around the holidays & all through winter I thought it was time!!  I also love having this little station because other than the occasional latte or cappuccino I HATE coffee!! Please, don't come for me on here...I honestly just don't care for the taste or how it makes me feel. So, you see a hot chocolate beverage station is needed next to Mark's Keurig haha! I put together the most thrifty & cute holiday hot chocolate station for under $20!!! Come see the breakdown & look below...

 

SOURCES:

.All glass canisters from -Dollar Tree
. Metal Caddy- I had
. Bottle  brush trees -Dollar Tree
. Spoons & Lanterns  -Dollar  Tree
. Vintage milk jug- was free
. Silver platter- Dollar Tree
. Wood log Santas -gift
. Silver bell garland -Dollar Tree
. Hot Chocolate sign- I made



 

ITEMS USED:

. Cinnamon powder
. Cocoa powder
. Marshmallows
. Hershey kisses
. Peppermint candy cane sticks
. Hazelnut chocolate wafer rolls

**{ all from Dollar Tree }

 

I chose a variety of mixed glass & silver canisters for that vintage look I love so much, plus they're easily accessible!! I was so surprised at the variety of glass goods at good old Dollar Tree. I simply washed & styled. I used a platter for a more vintage candy shop feel & to group them. 

 
I added the silver bell garland for a touch of whimsical holiday cheer & the Santa's I added at the VERY last minute!!





 

The caddy needed something vintage, cozy & fun so these gifted homemade Santa logs were perfect from my auntie!!


 

Everytime I walk by this little corner of our kitchen all I smell is a mix of vanilla,  chocolate & sweet goodness..yikes ha!

 
I hope you loved this practical, simple & affordable hot chocolate station..or cocoa station/ bar!! HOW DO YOU SAY IT??? I have to know now!! 


HAPPY Monday!
As always THANK YOU for stopping in on my little growing blog. I know everyone says something like this, but I honestly appreciate each of you for sharing my posts, commenting etc....I'm not the biggest or most popular blogger, but I am humble, real & practical ,and  hopefully helpful or inspiring in someway :). 
***You can find me here for updates & more ,or SUBSCRIBE on the right side of my blog for FREE & direct updates right to your mail...

Wednesday, December 11, 2019

{ Traditional Christmas Cabinet Decor }

Thursday already..seems like lately that is the going theme, which isn't great! I'm  sad this holiday season { my favorite} is going by so quickly this year!  One thing I am glad about is the amount of ideas & inspiration I've been able to put out for you { my pals} this season!! It's been so fun to play around & cozy up our little  cottage  for Christmas!! Last year I was sick nearly the whole season from emergency visits & everything in  between. Holidays have always been special to Mark & I & we carry tons of traditions ..I think one tradition I've been doing these last few years are decorating my FAVORITE  cottage cabinet for Christmas!! I can't wait for you to see this year's look...

 

This cabinet is always a chore to decorate because of its size alone..it's h u g e!! Thankfully I have a bunch of stuff to fill it with haha! Many vintage thrifty treasures... My sister actually  styled the middle shelf while we were working on another project a few weeks ago...I LOVE IT, so I kept what she did. 

 

I knew what kind of look I was going for right away, & thankfully I had most of the goods on hand! Warming, cabin cottage Christmas with tons of traditional patterns etc.. I've always been drawn to the traditional tan Burberry pattern & we had these blankets & a scarf lying around...you can probably guess the rest...!


Chunky traditional blanket patterns, white pillar candles,  textured baskets & vintage treasures...the perfect Christmas cabinet display!!



I brought in a ton of woods to match the tan Burberry pattern. Added to  that wood stain  with lots of flocked greenery & wreaths! It added that vintage cabin cottage look I love so much!!

Christmas Cabinet 2017 HERE


 

Lots of wood stains, creams, browns & vintage antique touches! It pulls that cabin look in with a hint of cottage glam.



•Rug: target.com


I was skeptical about keeping the garden sign I've the TV in fear it was too summery, but in fact it's not & adds a lot of holiday charm!!

• D you have any spaces you style with cabinets? What are your favorite items to use??? 


HAPPY Thursday!
As always THANK YOU for stopping in on my little growing blog. I know everyone says something like this, but I honestly appreciate each of you for sharing my posts, commenting etc....I'm not the biggest or most popular blogger, but I am humble, real & practical ,and  hopefully helpful or inspiring in someway :). 
***You can find me here for updates & more ,or SUBSCRIBE on the right side of my blog for FREE & direct updates right to your mail...



Monday, December 9, 2019

{ Chippy Vintage Cubby Table }

Happy Tuesday! So a few weeks ago Mark had a job & he came home with two of my favorite things!!... furniture pieces & a Christmas tree! Both my favorite & in very good condition..This table is the cutest little vintage gem. I don't think I've ever shared this on the blog,but I love cozy cubby furniture & white porcelain pieces! When Mark asked if I wanted this I instantly said YES!! Little did I know all the charm it had...cubby aesthetic, chippy cream paint, wood extenders & original porcelain knobs...MY FAV! Come see this little gem a bit closer below...

 

This is probably the most simple posts I've  ever done...couple comfy pillows,  white chunky candles , a textured basket...I just wanted the piece to really stand out!!

 

I love that it has extenders on both sides with the original wood pulls.. & not to mention the original white porcelain knobs!! The charm & sturdiness  of this cute table are endless!! The cubby drawers are clean & super nice size for storage etc..




 

I just washed it up with some Mrs Meyers spray & left it as is. I love the chippy creamy ran peach for now with Christmas!! Fits beautifully with the old fashioned browns going on in here..



 

I hope you loved this new piece!! I'm  so curious as to what some of you favorite pieces of furniture are to look for or collect? Let me know in the comments!

HAPPY Tuesday!
As always THANK YOU for stopping in on my little growing blog. I know everyone says something like this, but I honestly appreciate each of you for sharing my posts, commenting etc....I'm not the biggest or most popular blogger, but I am humble, real & practical ,and  hopefully helpful or inspiring in someway :). 
***You can find me here for updates & more ,or SUBSCRIBE on the right side of my blog for FREE & direct updates right to your mail...