Christmas decor

While I'm not by any means a photographer, I do know that flash is bad. Bad, bad and more bad. So to get photos of our Christmas scheme, I had to wait till I was home during the daylight. Is it sad that it took a week to make that happen? These are still a little gloomy because 1. I'm not a photographer (did I already mention that?) and 2. It's pretty gloomy in Oregon in the winter. Not a lot of sunlight happens around these parts in December.

But enough with the jabbering. Let me take you on a tour of our holiday-home-festiveness.


As I mentioned earlier, I wanted our decor this year to be red and simple.

I also leaned more towards natural elements, because I just like them! Above, holly and evergreen adorn the mantle with a touch of sparkly candles for fun. And, look the large green *M* actually fits in with the color-scheme! This is not something it can claim the rest of the year.


I also found pine cones in a batch of old potpourri. Now, they're a lovely festive shade of silver.




I added touches of red throughout the living room: pillows, ribbon and a few ornaments hanging from our curtain rods. And, look! The paper whites are doing their job nicely.


Our tree! White lights, silver topper and lots of red and silver ornaments tie it all into the room's scheme.


For the last few years, I've been promising myself that I would make a new tree skirt. Um yeah, this is a super intimidating project for some reason. The skirt here? On super sale at Williams-Sonoma last January. Love it.



We're not theme-tree people. My favorite part of Christmas is the traditions. So, we decorate the tree with our favorite ornaments from growing up, plus new ornaments that mean something to both of us. Top left, our first *married couple* ornament; top right, beautiful gold globe from my childhood; bottom right, hand-crocheted ornament from my mother's hometown Scandinavian festival; bottom left, of course a Starbucks ornament. The last one is two-fold: I bought it when I worked there, but now, as a couple, we're there more than either would like to admit.


In the kitchen, things are even more simple. A touch of holly and pine on the counter.


Touches of red near the stove.

Hope you enjoyed the tour as much as I enjoyed preparing it for you!

let the festivities begin!

I love love love the week leading up to Christmas. There are just so many fun family and friends activities. Last year at this time we were snowed in. All fun holiday activities were canceled and it was not.fun.at.all.

So this year I have been soaking in all my family and friend time and not taking anything for granted. This weekend was full of all the things that make this time of year special: parties, shopping, wrapping, lots and lots of laughing and Christmas music.

To start the weekend off right, I helped my mom throw my dad's annual employee Christmas party. While this might not sound like all that much fun, I actually love this because: 1. I get to help organize an event, 2. These people are f.u.n. 3. It's super early in the evening and we had a fun friend party after.

I thought I'd share with you some shots of the party scene. We had a lot of fun planning and making sure everything was beautiful and fabulous tasting.


I know this isn't new, but it's always so beautiful. Lemons, limes and cranberries. They not only make the water look beautiful, but it tastes so darn good.


The buffet table. Not sure why the forks are the focus, they aren't that exciting. But, instead of just having silverware loose to pick up, I like to keep it contained, so people can grab and go. In this instance, forks and knifes are contained in adorable tall snowman mugs.


My mom has the most adorable Christmas dishes. Each plate has a different line of the *Twas the Night Before Christmas*.


Cheese and cracker plate. I added these little craft paper signs to id all the different types of cheese. Super easy and added a ton of character to the plate.


Dessert = Christmas Cookies. Our annual cooking baking tradition is an upcoming post.


Um, yum. Frosted sugar cookies.


My mom is an amazing decorator. I've learned so much from her over the years. I loved this centerpiece she put together for the dining room table. Tulips + holly + swedish pillar candles = perfection in my mind.

inspired: christmas decor

Before I show off our lovely Christmas decorations, I thought I'd give you a sneak peek into my inspirations and motivations.

First, nothing says Christmas to me like red. To some this may seem a little closed-minded. I've seen so many beautiful Christmas scenes this year with a variety of color schemes: all white, blues, vintage pinks, tropical, etc. I can appreciate these choices and I even think they're lovely in other people's homes, but to me, my house isn't festive unless there is lots of red, with touches of green, white and silver thrown in for good measure.

Second, is to keep things simple. In case it isn't obvious in pictures, our house is t.i.n.y. Too much decor quickly overwhelms the space. So we try to create a balance between festive and calm.

Below are some of the images that have completely inspired me on my decorating quest this season.


Rustic and natural. Simply and quite lovely.


So pretty. All white and glowy: what an amazing way to add a festive glow to a room.


Drooling over this mantle arrangement.


I sort of love this idea. It's eye-catching and festive in a completely non-traditional way.


My idea of holiday serenity.


Yes, please. Love the colors. And, just the touch of sparkle.


I love this idea - picture it with red and white, or red and lime green felt. It would look great garnishing mantles, bookshelves, or even your tree.


And, oh these paper snowflakes make my heart sing! Maybe Chris and I can have activity time this weekend :).


**images via Martha, House Beautiful, Eddie Ross, Design Sponge & Bugs and Fishes**