The Decorating Chica: December 2013

Sunday, December 22, 2013

How much Christmas is Too Much Christmas?

Can you believe Christmas is only three days away? I am so excited to be off work and able to finish up shopping and wrapping this weekend. Ready to enjoy this coming week!

Added pinecones

Be Still....

Our traditional gingerbread house.
We're getting better every year!

My $3.00 chicken, spray painted.

Pine cones from the yard

Did I say I love ornaments?

But even with all that, I am aware that throughout the busy-ness of this season I have much to be thankful for.

More ornaments.

Top of the armoire

Fireplace Mantel

I am thankful that all my guys are home and healthy and doing well.

Snowmen

The birth of Jesus, why we celebrate!

Ornament tree

Thankful that even though my boys are older now, two of them young adults, they still love the traditions that we have had over the years.

My quaint angel changes with the seasons but is always looking out for us.

Read my other post, Christmas Tour Part 1 and Decorating with Ornaments.

From our house to yours, wishing you all a safe and happy Christmas!

Linking up to:

Christmas Home Tour at Kitchen Table Art

Weekend Link Party at Redoux Interiors

Tickled Pink Times Two at Meegan Makes
Thrifty Decor Chick's Christmas Tree Party
12 Days of Christmas Tour of Homes Linky Party

Friday, December 13, 2013

Christmas Home Tour 2013

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Joining all the amazing virtual home tours at:

Since a picture is worth a thousand words, here we go:

Garland and stars make a simple door topper.

Bringing the wall color into the tree
by using dried hydrangeas from my garden.

Sparkly twig ornaments.

I love wreaths, they add such a touch of elegance!

Buffet in kitchen

Simple pine cone wreath

A little glam with the rustic fence art.

Fireplace mantel

A little bit of natural.

Plates in dining room that change out with seasons.

Linking up to:

Show and Tell Fridays @ My Romantic Home

Frugal Friday @ The Shabby Nest

Flaunt It Friday @ Chic On A Shoestring

Friday Link Up Party @ Redoux

French Country Cottage

Thursday, December 12, 2013

A Touch of Christmas, decorating with ornaments

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The winter weather has finally hit and the snow and cold are ferociously attacking Michigan and it truly makes the Christmas holiday feel so much more special. And I have to say that it sure is inspiring to see all the gorgeous Christmas/holiday projects! I am not normally into the whole craft thing but I am certainly inspired to try. In fact, I just completed super easy homemade bath salt project here. This project was right up my alley!

Ornaments in normal everyday vases and
containers instantly say Christmas.

There are many different ways to use ornaments to decorate for the holidays. Not the traditional, hang on the tree type of decorating. But thinking outside the box and using ornaments all around the house. Here are a few simple tips on decorating with ornaments.

Using ribbon, hang ornaments on mirrors and pictures
to add simple holiday cheer.

Ornaments hung from a chandelier add sparkle especially
when the light is reflecting on them!

Ornaments reflect lots of light and
look great in glass containers!

Ornaments add sparkle to any container!

Hang an ornament on a mirror and light bounces
from the ornament and the mirror!

How do you decorate with ornaments?

Linking up this week to:
Treasure Hunt Thursday
fireflies and jellybeans: show off your stuff party
French Country Cottage Christmas Link Party

Tuesday, December 10, 2013

Candy Cane Bath Salts Made Easy

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I am known to take the easy way out whenever I can. I don't usually follow the rules and if I can find an easier way to reach the end goal, you better believe I'll take it! Such is my Homemade Candy Cane Bath Salts. I found many instructions that required several different steps and ingredients.

Instead of mixing Kosher salt, baking soda, epsom salts with peppermint oil and eucalyptus, I took the easy way out and bought Dr. Teal's Eucalyptus and Spearmint scented epsom salts.

I took half a bag and poured into a Ziploc bag then added drops of red food coloring until I was happy with the intensity of the tinted salts.

Then I poured the salts and layered the white and the tinted in Mason jars. Added ribbon, a candy cane, and some printed instructions. I don't actually think the instructions are necessary but it makes it look much more official!