One. Elf on the Shelf Madness
I don’t see how all you mamas out there are taking on the elf AND advent gifts at the same time… mom fail for me this year, as I am boycotting and and doing the minimum as I can barely remember to move our elf every morning before the girls get up. Roxie is our dandy little elf and she’s pretty relaxed so I’ll bookmark all your original ideas and overly creative elf shenanigans for next year when I hopefully have a bit more time/energy/desire. I sound like the Grinch..
Two. Christmas Packaging
Every year, I come up with a theme AKA color scheme for our packages…this is a habit that stems from a mom who is notorious for delivering the world’s most decorative presents… yes, she is famous and hers always win. Last week, the girls and I stocked up on our gift wrapping supplies at our favorite red store marketplace/heaven/every mom’s favorite place and I think our gifts are going to look fun, festive, and a little homespun.
Three. Cyber Monday Finds
I’m sure I’m not the only one who stocked up on some amazing Cyber Monday finds this week…the postman has been delivering our goodies the past few days and I am so excited with my new treasures, perfect for holiday parties and events coming up!
Three. Obsessed with Agate
Anybody out there jumped on the agate bandwagon too? I’m obsessed with all of it and I can’t help myself…the color, the fun play on pattern, and I think some of these might be gifted over the holidays this year just because it’s fun and original and a bit different. And the price point is perfect for so many people on my list.
Four. Santa’s Milk and Cookies
Looking for the perfect plate for Jolly Old Saint Nick for Christmas Eve?? We just got this one from
Rosie Posie Designs and I absolutely love it! I waited to find one we could personalize and I love that you can personalize her items with specific colors, patterns, prints, text, and images…come back by next week because we’ll be hosting a fun giveaway where you can win one, too!
Five. Blogger Meet-up and High Tea for Parade of Homes
On Wednesday, I had the opportunity to join in a fun local blogging event with the ladies of
Forest Home Media for the
King’s Chapel Parade of Homes. Packed with a ton of holiday decorative ideas, DIY blogger trees, and the most gorgeous new homes completed by local builders and interior designers’ work, it was a fun day spent with some amazing women who do incredible things…here are some photo recaps from just a few (or 20) of my favorite details and spaces:
Recognize that lantern?? Same as the new one in my office!
Built-in playroom??? AMAZING
By far my favorite media room ever…complete with an opening garage door to access the covered porch
Four DIY bloggers (
The Decorologist,
Rain on a Tin Roof,
Thistlewood Farms, and
Chaotically Creative) worked on decorating these fantastic firs, all based on some amazing Make-A-Wish Foundation wishes for some incredible young ones… the themes included “Supermodel”, “Greece”, “Circus”, and “The Grammys” and I think they hit it out of the park with their creations. For local friends, you can tour the King’s Chapel Parade of Homes December 6-21 from 10AM-8PM and you can bid on these remarkable trees to call one your own! Tickets are available
online and at the gate for $12 each (ages 12 and under are free). A perfect way to support a wonderful organization and tour four spectacular homes as well.
That’s it for this week’s Friday Five my dears… off to the grocery store, running errands, having a girls’ holiday movie night, hitting up the hubby’s work Christmas party, shopping for our angels, and then headed to cheer on the Titans this Sunday–JAM PACKED FULL OF FUN!
You know the drill…link up below, and have a happy, safe, festive, and fun weekend.
SO much loveliness + inspiration from that Parade of Homes…gorgeous!!! And so fun! xx
love the Parade of Homes, so gorgeous. I am failing sad to say at the Elf and our Advent Calendar this year. We do books for our advent calendar and we're going on missing 2 out of the 5 days so far. FAIL
I LOVE your idea for a theme for gift wrapping! I am also obsessed with it and picked up a bunch of stuff from Target! It definitely is heaven haha! My bow making skills need some serious help, however.
I love your gift wrapping theme! So pretty! I usually do the same but was feeling a little lazy this year. Yours will look great!
http://www.madeintheshadeblog.com
i cant wait to start doing elf on the shlef once our little girl is born/old enough to notice đ xo jillian – cornflake dreams
Those rooms!!!!!!!!! It looks like you jumped into a magazine!
I want to move into all of those homes!!! We bought Elf on the Shelf, but I haven't even opened the box yet! Knowing about Santa "watching" has been enough for Cam and with everything else going on in our lives, I am just wiped at the end of the day to even think about it!
good golly those houses are UNREAL. i can just imagine myself in a perfect dress, red lipstick, laughing with some champs in each room haha! Happy friday dear! xDabay
WOW! gorgeous!
That bangle is gorgeous! And the house pics!
Wow, that home tour!! I'm in love with so much of it… the huge garland in the archway, the herringbone pattern back splash, the reclaimed wood panel ceiling. I could go on and on! Have a great weekend!
I can make you feel better — we don't have an elf and nor do I want one. I'm just going to pretend it's not a thing. Ha!!
And a blogger meet up and parade of homes tour? That sounds like a fabulous event….I would fave flown in! đ đ
Hugs to you sweet friend!
Those homes are gorgeous!
Those homes are all so beautiful! I'm ready to move in.
And we do elves and advent, but we keep it low maintenance by opening one Christmas book to read each night before bed, and that's all. And our elves only get mischievous occasionally, but mostly they just parade through the house. đ Simple can still be Special!
I think that's my next blog post title… =)
I'm all about having a "wrapping theme" as well! I love it when everything matches and is Christmas-y!
Those homes are stunning!! So much inspiration!!
I just adore those christmas decorations. I love the idea of using magnolia leaves in the garland.
I love that a couple of those trees are done in pink because I switched my colors to pink and gold this year! I love it! And don't feel bad, I don't do Elf on the Shelf either – my kids also never ask!
-Morgan
California To Carolina
The Gym Bunny
Oh, no, you are NOT the Grinch because you are not doing the Elf. My daughter and DIL are not either. They both work and said it is just too much to do every day and it almost becomes a competition to see who can be the most original and they do not have time for that. I'm thinking he/she may be a bit overrated anyway. :o))
What gorgeous pictures and I saw lot of ideas I want to remember when I get moved into our new house.
Sounds like a fun weekend, Enjoy!!!
Happy weekend! Have you seen the agate coasters at….yup… Tj maxx….. I was so surprised? Oh what a great price point! Hope yours has some too!
You are so not the grinch!! Appreciate the honesty and reality because this season is so crazy and guess what? Your girls are still going to love and enjoy every minute of it without those things- and even more with a less stressed mom!!
And those houses. Swoon! My mom,sister and I used to go all the time to model homes growing up- so fun to see all the ideas!!!