Errr…well, this “tour” of mine should technically be called, “my kitchen and living room tour” because, as for the rest of the house…welp, let’s just say it’s being “lived in” at the moment and it’s not exactly what you’d call, “Pinterest-worthy.” But, hey – it’s a tour of some sort, right? AND – I’m blogging, which never happens anymore – soooo..win-win! Bahaha!
Let’s get on with it! Welcome to my Holiday Home Tour – 2016!
First up – this pretty little sled I painted at a pallet painting party I attended with some girlfriends of mine. It’s currently sitting outside on the front porch and I’m going to go ahead and toot my own horn here and say that I think it’s so stinkin’ cute!
Speaking of the front porch, here ya go.
Our front porch is long, short, and a bit awkward, but I still try to have a little fun with it throughout the seasons. Although, I must admit, as for cleanliness, this porch has seen better days. I took this picture yesterday at the last minute as I was leaving to pick up Henry from school. So please ignore the spiderwebs…and the dirt…and the bugs…and the mulch…and the red cling-ons that I just noticed! LOL! I’ll try to spruce up this space come spring, but as for now, it is what it is. 😉
Okay. Enough with the outside. This is Michigan, it’s freezing out here!
Let’s head inside…
As some of you may know, the first room you see when you walk through our front door is the kitchen. Come on in!
I’ve been melting some seasonal waxes in here and it’s been making the entire house smell glorious!
Look at his guy!
He’s the newest member to our holiday kitchen decor (I “won” him last year from my side of the family’s Christmas gift exchange) and I can’t wait to fill him up with some cookies, specifically my Dad’s famous oatmeal, chocolate chip, chocolate chunk, raisin and walnut Christmas cookies (or as my sister and I refer to them – breakfast cookies)!
To the right you’ll see some cabinets decked out in pretty velvety red ribbon while they eagerly await the arrival of Christmas cards.
Over at the sink you’ll find more garland, one of my favorite little boxwood wreaths, as well as a pretty red and white striped tea towel AND one of mine and Jon’s favorite Christmas signs. Our good friends bought us this sign a few years ago and we love it so much. I’ve even thought about leaving it up all year long.
Just before you leave the kitchen you’ll find this cute apron! This was my other gift from the family gift exchange last year and I intend on wearing it as much as possible in the coming weeks. Nothing says “Happy Holidays” like a fun holiday apron!
Sidenote: I just noticed a little package sitting on the top step. Do you see it? Eliza, my holiday decor assistant, wrapped it and she apparently left it there for all to see…well, except for me when I took this picture AND edited it without noticing it until now. LOL!
#lifewithkids
You guys, I’m loving this room this year! Our new entertainment center sure does have a lot to do with it, but to be honest, I’m absolutely loving all the pops of red!
When trying to come up with an idea of how I wanted this room to look for this holiday season, I knew I wanted a flocked tree or wreath. Well, the flocked tree may have to be an after Christmas sale purchase, so instead, I compromised and found this gorgeous flocked wreath at Big Lots!
This wreath gave me direction and inspiration for the rest of the room and I love, love, love it!
As for the mantel, welp, I wanted/needed a budget-friendly and easy decor idea to add color and contrast to the all-white fireplace. Then I had it! What’s cheaper and easier than wrapping paper?
Not only did I decorate, but I also managed to check some gift-wrapping off my gift-wrapping-to-do-list. Score!
Also, I just noticed, again, that Eliza’s little gift that she had wrapped has magically appeared inside the fireplace! Do you see it again? Oh my gosh, so funny!
#seriouslylifewithkids #givemeallthecoffee #orwine #wineisgoodtoo
So back to the tour…
I’m loving our stockings this year. Growing up, we never had stockings – I know, scandalous, right?
Our big thing was “The Elves” who would bring us pajamas on Christmas Eve. Jon and I have since carried on that tradition, but the stocking thing is still new to me even though I (otherwise known as Mrs. Claus) have been attempting the stocking tradition for the past five years or so. I have at least twelve stockings and let me tell you, I’m better at collecting these cute things than filling them. I have yet to learn the trade of stocking-filling.
Below, and within the fireplace, you’ll see an old wooden toolbox filled with our favorite Christmas stories! Thanks to Lindsay for this awesome idea!
Oh and check this out!
We bought the kids a train a couple years ago to go around our Christmas tree, unfortunately/fortunately we have less room for the train this year due to the new entertainment unit and our tree skirt kept getting in the way of the train. So, I had to come up with a solution that didn’t involve scratching the whole tree-skirt-thing.
Ribbon to the rescue!
You guys, I just bunched up the tree skirt and tied a pretty burlap bow around it. Bam! I was so proud of myself! Do any of you ever have one of those moments when you wish people would appear and they’d just start clapping for you? Well, this was that kind of moment… 😉
#patsselfonback
Here’s a never-before-seen view of this space for you to have a better idea of how this room is set up…
I still love this bookcase of ours and this year’s vignette has my heart.
This pretty magnolia wreath along with my small collection of white lanterns is so simple, but the garland and white lights add the perfect touch of Christmas magic.
*sigh*
I love this time of year.
There you have it. A Holiday (mostly kitchen and living room) Home Tour (with a touch of three-year-old awesome-ness thrown into the mix).
I hope you enjoyed your visit here at the Lake House! Happy Holidays, everyone!
I’m linking up withe amazing Lindsay over at Lindsay’s Sweet World and the awesome Andrea over at Momfessionals!
How did I miss this post!?!? Your home is GORGEOUS!! I love all the white and the pops of green and red, so so pretty! That is just crazy you didn't have stockings growing up! I'm sure your kids will love finding stuff in them, I usually do small stuff, play doh, books, small amount gift cards for froyo, or a small stuffed tsum tsum since my kids are obsessed with those!!
Everything looks so beautiful! I love your living room! XOXO
Your home looks fantastic! I love your decorations.
What beautiful decorations! Love all the greenery
OH Marie where do I begin?! I love it all so so much! The sled is just perfect!! I SO wish I had a reason to have a sled. Haha. I'm so glad that you did the home tour… I miss your blogging SO MUCH! Thank you for linking up with us!