Well, I did nothing to remedy my bare door yesterday. Instead I got my blog reading caught up (yes, all 588 posts) and spent the remainder of the day on the couch reading a book from start to finish (I’m not going to tell you the title; it’s too shameful. I’ll just say chick-lit and I get along very well). Let me tell you, it was not from lack of inspiration. Check out these adorable wreaths I found in the blogosphere:

Love the jingle-bells (AND that bow)!

Wreath Chandelier

If you’re an overachiever you can hang three in a row

I can’t get enough of this sweet paper bow wreath

Let Christmas-week begin!

Well, loves, it’s almost noon and I’m just getting around to deciding what to do with my day. What I NEED to do is something about my front door. It is currently bare. Yes, BARE, for the whole neighborhood to see. It’s not that I don’t have holiday spirit. I have just focused my efforts on the interior. I tried to re-create this last weekend:

(Note: I saved this on my computer without the source. I saw it in a blog, that I know. However, my blog-reader currently contains 588 unread posts. Yes, you saw that right. I’ve searched and searched but can’t find the original post. If this is your front door, PLEASE send me the link and I will credit you.)

Many thanks to my good friend, Jamie, for sending me the link. The fabulous front door belongs to Becca. Stop by, say “hi”, and get inspired!

But it looked TERRIBLE. My ornaments aren’t nearly that cute, I don’t have an empty frame on hand, and the bow I tried to make looks like an uber-tacky floral shop cast-off. And now that Christmas is less than a week away I think I may have missed the boat this year.

What’s on your door for the holidays?

Bah-Humbug,

We are wrapped up in the giant snow storm that is lovingly embracing the Midwest. I got off work early yesterday and surely won’t have to drive in today, so I finally have time to play with some new Christmas decorations!

Last week, K spotted some pretty silver ball garland from Target (like this). She knew it would be just the ticket to fulfill my desire for a sparkly Christmas. On Saturday, she helped me hot glue it into a wreath. Yes, it’s true. I can’t hot glue on my own.

I couldn’t wait to find a place for it – and right away I knew it was destined for my confounded mantel. Here it is before – with the wildly out of place tulip painting trying to blend with the Christmas decor:

I bought some pretty silver wrapping paper and covered up the painting, then did a little rearranging. What do you think?

I am happy with it, for now. I tend to rearrange a lot – so we’ll see what this looks like in a few days

Oh, and bonus! K made the left-over piece of garland into a pretty door hanger for me. What would I do without her?

Have you been busy with any fun holiday projects? Christina made some sweet ornament wreaths if you want more inspiration. And, bonus! Check out all these sweetly decorated houses linked to this post over at Hooked on Houses. Fun!

Well, I am going to go read a book and watch the snow drift across what used to be my garden. And spend some time with this guy:

He seems thrilled.

Sipping cocoa,

We’re still under the weather. BUT, because I love you, I put together this post in my drugged-up state. I hope it makes sense

Check out this lovely monogram wreath featured at Design*Sponge.

We know how I feel about wreaths, monograms, AND the letter K! Maybe I will make one when I can pick myself up off the couch….

Love,

K. had decided to surprise me by updating my summery door decor for this gorgeous fall stand-in. I love berries. A. and I had them everywhere at our winter wedding. And I love orange. Isn’t it perfect?

The change to a more fall/winter appropriate color couldn’t have come at a better time. It SNOWED yesterday morning.

While Murray enjoys the frosted grass, it spells mainly bleak things for me (and the slumbering garden). So…here’s to splashes of color, before everything turns white!

Thanks, K. You rock.

Happy Sunday!

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Act 1: Decor Inspiration

What can I say? I can’t get enough of fall decor! Fall is my most favorite season – crisp, cool air that requires blankets, and sweaters, and sweatpants (oh, sweatpants. Is there anything better?), beautiful foliage, cider, I could go on and on. But don’t worry, I won’t.

However, there is one aspect of fall that never fails to make me feel inadequate: the time honored tradition of carving pumpkins. The inside is gross and obviously I’m not good at it. Let’s recall last year’s attempt one more time:

That’s why I was thrilled to stumble upon these no-carve pumpkin decorating projects during my never-ending quest for decor inspiration!

Ribbon pumpkins from Good Housekeeping:

Boo!

Modge podge leaves

Sequined pumpkins (unsure of source)

Painted pumpkins

Turn them into a wreath

However, some people love the glow of candles in carved pumpkins. I guess I can’t blame you, but please,  keep it understated like J’s fall decor:

(Just kidding, this isn’t really her house……)

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Act 2: True Life – K’s Fall Decor

And now, because I know you are on the edge of your seats, I will take you on a tour of my fall decor. You’re welcome.

Here is G’s piano, all decked out for autumn:

My mother gave me this lovely wreath.

And I added ribbon to this pumpkin. I know, I’m super crafty.

The dish on the dining room table is one of my favorite things.

My mother made cute pillows to dress up my church pew. She shares my love for throw pillows

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Act 3: A DIY Project

The following project was inspired by necessity. The lovely wreath pictured above was meant to grace my front door. Unfortunately, it was a little too wide for the storm door to close. So I headed to Michael’s and created this:

using beaded garland, burlap ribbon, orange grosgrain ribbon leftover from a package from a beloved local boutique, and my favorite Christmas ornament. I didn’t take any progress shots as I was too busy corralling the beads. Bend the garland into a circle, lay each circle on top of the others, and wrap the beaded wire around all layers to hold it together. Wrap the burlap ribbon and hot glue to the back. Voila!

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There you have it, the longest post ever! Based on your enthusiastic applause, there may be an encore

Love,

You know what they say about first impressions when meeting someone new, but have you ever considered the first impression given by your house? I’m not talking about landscaping, because my dislike of weeds would probably take a series of posts. Let’s just start with the front door – does yours need a quick update? Mine did! Thank goodness I have K. to tell me how to fix these problems.

We started with a simple white hanging planter, a bunch of pretty purple silk flowers, and some different types of ribbon from Michael’s.

Step 1: Remove the strange seashell. My house is many things, but nautically themed it is not.

Step 2: Using a hot glue gun, attache a length of ribbon around the top and bottom (or the middle, if you’re feeling crazy), making sure to bring the ends together in the back for a smooth, uninterrupted appearance on the front.

Step 3: Tie a big beautiful bow over the first layer of ribbon. We went with purple polka dots, just because.

Step 4: After all the hot glue has dried, fill the planter with flowers, making sure they rest in a balanced, pretty fashion. Then, hang your beautiful new creation on the front door with a hook, and please your neighbors and yourself.

Now all you need is a doormat as classy as K’s and you are set.

What’s hanging on your front door? Post a comment and a link and let us know!

Love,