Our front room was sure fun to decorate this year with my new toy….our electric fireplace. Yes, it is totally a toy to me. I have loved decorating it. And as soon as we hung the mantel I was ready to hang our Christmas stockings even though it was October! We were still able to fit our Christmas Tree in our front room, right next to our fireplace. I have to say it is just the coziest room. Already thinking it will make me sad taking down the Christmas decor because I love the hygee feeling in this room. I am joining Ella Claire Inspired and 15 bloggers to share our Christmas Trees and ... Read More
5 Ways to Create a Cozy Kitchen at Christmas
First Christmas decor post of the year! Yippee! Since moving into this house, it has become a tradition for me to add garland around our kitchen sink before I put up any other Christmas decor. I didn't have a window in our sink in last home so putting lights and garland around it to spot light it just seemed fitting. I remember one reader shared that she wanted a window in her apartment kitchen and didn't have one, so rather than being sad about it she decided to create a "window" with some lights and garland like I did. And you know what, it instantly made her happy and made her kitchen cozy. ... Read More
35 Ideas to Display Christmas Cards and our Cards this Year
I actually had several readers ask where I put our Christmas Cards we receive in the mail. Or for any ideas I had on displaying Christmas Cards. As I was hanging up our cards, I thought, this might be too late to share. But then I remembered that I left our Christmas Cards up until the end of January last year. I just couldn't part with all the cute faces. So let's embrace the way we display our Christmas Cards. I asked all of my readers to share pictures of how they display their Christmas Cards and I got over 50 photos! So let's take a look at them, but first I want to show you our Christmas ... Read More
Spreading JOY in your Neighborhood- Unique way to give Neighbor Gifts
Driving around our area and neighborhood it makes my heart swell to see the efforts everyone puts into the exterior of their homes. It really just brings me so much joy. I recently read a short little true story that confirmed to me WHY we decorate and put effort into our homes especially during the Holidays and Christmas Season. And we came up with a way to spread some joy in our neighborhood with some unique Neighbor Gifts! This is the story in my words... There was a couple who had different opinions on how to decorate their home at Christmas time, especially what color of ... Read More
Christmas Ideas in a Small Space- Holiday Housewalk- Main Floor
I am very excited to take you on a complete tour of our main level in our small Cape and share all my Christmas ideas in one post. All the twinkle lights for Christmas and how the main floor all flows together in a small space. It is perfect timing to take you on this tour with Jennifer Rizzo and her amazing Holiday Housewalk. This is THE biggest home tour for Christmas Decor on the internet, I am overjoyed to join it! It reminds me of a progressive dinner where you walk to neighbors homes and start with appetizers and end at desserts. But really the reason you go is to is your neighbors homes ... Read More
Christmas Gift Guide- For HER under $20
Since it is the gift giving season I thought my Friday Favorites could be gift guides! Because let's face it these are obviously my favorite things- stuff I would buy for myself. I will also include a few of may favorite things from the week too! Today's Gift Guide is all about HER or YOU! I found things that were under $20! If you want to spend more than that do a little package of things in a basket. These are all really great gifts for a friend, teacher or a hostess gift. Be on the ball and order them now to have on hand and ready to give. Christmas Gift Guide for the Kitchen ... Read More
Christmas Entertaining Ideas and Casual Table Setting
I am excited to share some Holiday Entertaining Ideas with you! You are in luck because today for our Seasons of Home Holiday Series (hosted by Ella Claire Inspired) there are 15 other bloggers with some amazing ideas for Tablescapes, Holiday Table Settings and Entertaining! I almost backed out of joining the group for all of those reasons- #1- We have a smaller scale home #2- Our kitchen is about 10x13 #3- There is NO dining room to be scene or heard of in this 1100 square foot tiny cape But I thought REALLY Brooke! I don't think EVERYONE as the ideal home to entertain in ... Read More
Healthy Almond Butter Brownies and Nut Bars
I have been making these brownies for years. I just took them to book club and my friends asked if the recipe was on my blog, so thought I should actually share these since I make them so often. Everyone loves them, and the fact that they are healthier than your typical brownie. On THIS post I shared why I eat Paleo. I should say used to eat strict Paleo. Now I eat maybe 90% Paleo- I eat oatmeal and am not as strict while I have been nursing. But when I was strict and whenever I would make a dessert everyone would ask me "Are these PALEO??" before they ate it. My mom...sorry to say it Mom but ... Read More
Easy DIY Glass Cake Pedestals Gift Idea
This is one of my favorite DIY projects that I did a few years ago for a friends shower. I needed a little favor for 30 people and wanted it to be part of the decor. I came up with these simple glass cake pedestals that we put a little cupcake on each. They were such a hit I wanted to share them as a great easy DIY gift idea that will only cost you a few dollars. Best thing is they are useful all year long! I found little glass cups without handles and glass plates that would be a good match in scale. Both were at a second hand store for less than a dollar each. These are items that I ... Read More
Our Family Christmas Cards 2016
I think Christmas cards can cause a big stress for families- because most of the time they require a darling family picture. I almost went there and jumped on the stressed out Christmas card train. But I didn't let myself. I stopped and thought "how can I make this the easiest and fun for my family?" And it totally worked! I partnered with Tiny Prints to share what I did this year- I originally was going to drive around and find the "perfect" setting for our pictures to be taken at. I was envisioning a big white barn that was slightly modern. Rather than waste half my day trespassing on ... Read More