All Things Holiday

Yep, it is happening. 

Thanksgiving is creeping up and Christmas is a mere six weeks away. Which is actually a legit amount of time, but my goal this year was to have the holiday cheer up and running earlier so that we can enjoy it more. Because let's get real, there is money being spent on all this madness so we better get as much out of it as we can. 

Let me remind you though that I am a less is more when it comes to decorations for holidays. 

Any holiday. 

Garland, wreath, candles, stockings, and maybe a fun bowl here or there. That is it. Just enough to make it special, but not enough to be a pain in the ass. 

Well, and the tree of course, but that doesn't count. 

I also love maybe one new fun serving dish or tabletop piece to spice the dinner table up. 

And last, but certainly cutest, the holiday pajamas for the kids.

In all honestly, I love a good Home Depot wreath that I add a nice bow to for the front door. But inside, I like to get one more nice one for the mantle or above a door. And there are some great alterna tree options this year.

1. Obsessed with this gilded olive branch wreath / 2. I love the retro feel of this pretty tree topper / 3. These are an investment, but would be perfect in an entry / 4. A real mini tree that comes to your door  in a pretty basket. Perfect for little ones / 5. Fresh Swags are so great above doors / 6. LOVE this magnolia wreath / 7. And the heather in this wreath make sit more femme / 8. This wreath hanger would be killer for over a dining table. Just add your favorite wreath with pretty ribbon / 9. Simple boxwood wreaths never tire / 10. These lighted twig wreaths just need some ribbon (under $20) / 11. This tree skirt has tiny black stitching

We have a few mantles at our house and they are my favorite to dress up a bit. These are all fun options

1. Faux lighted boxwood lights you could easily incorporate into a garland or wrap anything with. / 2. A sweet bunting sign  / 3. Raw wood trees to nestle in some garland / 4. Easily done light wall with these lights / 5. Faux lighted garland you can reuse every year / 6. I am sucker for a bow and I love these taper holders / 7. One or two of these on a table or mantle would be a showstopper /  8. Love this branch stocking holder  / 9. I live by these little battery powered string lights. 

For the table, just a little mix of modern and kitsch 

1. This pretty tiered marble tray would be great for cookies or apps / 2. Love this winterberry tablecloth. Or this / 3. This santa cookie jar reminds me of childhood in the best way. And these mugs / 4. Melamine Spode plates for the kids. They also have bowls. These are cute too/ 5. This sweet star bowl would be great for serving or even on its own / 6. This dish is genius! olives/nuts/cherries/edamme/candy in the top, pits/shells/stems/wrappers go in the slot. / 7. A simple white antler serving platter

Whether you match all the kids or not, there are some cute options for all 

Less expensive Hanna-esque stripes / Pretty Forest for bigs and littles / Soft Gingham / Plaid / Fair Isle for bigs and littles 

 And lastly, some matching stockings for the entire crew this year might nice

1. Magnolia plaid greatness and this / 2. Love a fuzzy / 3. Classic fair isle that comes in many colors / 4. Needlepoint at a great price / 5. Simple velvet for under $20 / 6. Preppy plaid / Fun stripe knit / 8. Burlap and quilted 

xo

Erin 

Modern Rustic Table Setting

Though I am not hosting a Thanksgiving myself this year, I could not help but to put together my dream table. I am feeling a modern rustic vibe. Black, white, wood, marble, and copper. Simple, yet unexpected. Maybe this will give you some good inspiration for your table this year. 

 Buffalo Check Runner / White Ceramic Vase / Marble Serving Bowl (obsessed) / Chalkboard Place Cards / Angled Stemware / Back Collins Glasses / Copper Flatware / Black Stitched Napkins (also obsessed) / Wooden Chargers / White Bistro Plates / 

xo

Erin 

Minted. More than Cards

We are all doing it. 

Scrolling through the printing sites we love, agonizing over each design, hating the sticker shock, but loving the result. Yes, it is Christmas card design time. 

I have used a few different sites over the years (tiny prints, cocodot, pinhole), but this year I went with Minted. Their design options are beautiful and fun, and they had a clean multi photo design that I think will be great for this year. 

Much to my surprise though as I was searching the site, I found that Minted also sells prints. Gorgeous ones that can be printed in many sizes (including large scale). And to top it off, you can have them framed. I obsess over prints and knowing that a site I trust has some options gets me pumped. 

Check out some of these beauties...

Gorgeous, right? And the pricing is not scary, in fact it is great. 

The other bonus on the site is fabric. I wish that I knew how to sew, but luckily I know someone who could make some great pillows or table linens out of some of these lovelies. The selection for options for little people's rooms is adorable too. 

Love a good find on a site I already love. 

xo

Erin 

The Four in One: Turkish Fouta

Turkish Foutas or towels are so pretty, right? They can be used as a throw on a sofa, laid out on the grass for a picnic, snuggled all over your little one as a towel, or placed on a table for your next dinner party. Love that it has so many uses! I have been eyeing them for the family for trips to the pool and for Mary to hang out on warm sunny days in the grass. They are a bit of an investment for a towel, but when you can also use them on your table and bed, it feels like you get a lot of the purchase. Here are the options I am eyeing. 

1.  Pretty Blue with white stripes by Design Darling $29

2. Love the orange geometric pattern from Hayneedle $98

3. This is oversized and comes in a few colors. Serena & Lily $48

4. Love this simple blue and white. Pretty on a table. Nine Space $56

5. This hooded towel is adorable. Serena & Lily $38

6. Lavender would be so pretty for the summer. Selfridges $91

7. Miss Mary loves a coral pink. Birchbox $46

xo

Erin 

Dining In

I have been kind of obsessed with getting a new kitchen table and chairs for the last month. It is something we really do not need, but since I feel like I live in our kitchen/family room I want a change. 

 This is our current set up....

The table is really nice and so are the chairs, it is just annoying how the floors and the furniture are the same exact color. 

I have LOVED the Riveria chairs from Serena & Lily for awhile, so I know I want those as replacements. Has anyone ordered them before? 

For the table I want something affordable that can will  get destroyed by my children over the next few years. But that has some style and goes with the style of our home. West Elm delivers with this Parson's style table but in a rustic patina hued wood. 

Table: West Elm, Chairs: Serena & Lily

What do you think? Do you like the combination of modern lines with rustic and bistro style? I am loving it, Matt thinks the chairs are weird (rattan? really?), but I have always wanted them. 

Would love to get by Christmas maybe.....

xo

Erin