Ideas for Easy Holiday Decorating

First of all, I want to thank everyone who voted for a name for my etsy shop. I can't tell you how much it helped me. If you haven't done so, click HERE to vote. I would greatly appreciate all the input I can get!

Can you believe that Thanksgiving is merely a week away? Wow. I get so excited around this time of year, because it means Christmas is just around the corner! The holidays make me so elated. Since this is our first Christmas together in our home, I plan on decorating every single room. There's just something magical about decking the halls.

The pumpkin door hanger has been taken down and replaced with this latest creation.

(You might see something similar to this on my etsy shop soon!)

It's made from sheet music, ribbon and a cloth flower that I made. It was beyond easy to put together.

This is the current centerpiece, but it will probably change.

I like it much better lit.

Decorating for Christmas doesn't have to be expensive or time-consuming. Here's a few ideas for making your home magical for the holidays: 

1. Put out a little greenery. Just a bit will make a big difference.

2. Hang stockings or wreaths on your bed frame

3. Make a wreath out of anything you have on hand...even old pictures!

4. Play with words. I love the idea of using Scrabble letters to evoke a holiday spirit. The possibilities are endless!

5. Display ornaments in a bowl for an easy centerpiece.

6. Frame a wreath.

7. Grab some branches from outside and arrange them on a mantle or bookshelf

8. Make a Christmas tree from pine cones. If you live in an apartment, this might be a better option that trying to accommodate a huge fir tree in your living room!

I can't wait to use some of these ideas in my own home for Christmas!

Happy decorating!

To Etsy or not to Etsy...that is the question

I love old things.

Tell me that something is really old or vintage, and you will suddenly gain my full attention. Antique stores are some of my frequent and favorite haunts. I also love to make things look old.

I love to make things.

Somehow I can't help but be drawn to anything crafty or homemade. I find myself thinking of new creations I could make almost daily.

Since this is the case with me, I thought I should put my hands and artsy mind to good use during the holidays. However, my house simply cannot hold all the treasures I want to create. Dilemma anyone?

(Enter Etsy.com)

What if I was to open an Etsy shop and sell my creations? They have handmade and vintage things in spades. However, that seems like a big endeavor. Should I go for it? I really can't decide. First things first, I'd have to come up with a really awesome name. I want one that can be used for more than just an etsy shop (in case I decide to make an even bigger leap one day).

Here are my Etsy shop name ideas. Let me know what you guys think! I really need some input in this decision. I want something clever, catchy, and possibly a play on words or a spin off on my name.
The ones playing on "heirloom" are my favorite one thus far, but I'll take any ideas! (Notice: Some of the ones listed aren't so great. I'm just throwing around ideas.)

1. Blair Debonair (Debonair means sophisticated charm)
2. The Little Debonair
3. Debonair Designs
4. Le Bloom
5. Blair & Square
6. The Heir & Loom
7. Blair & Loom
8. BlairLoom
9. Blair & Blue
10. Blue Baroque
11. Rhapsody in Black
12. The Nook & Cranny (the place you look for things!)
13. The Plaid Peony

Or something simple and straightforward:

   14.   JenChristine Designs
   15.   Blair Design Company

 Please vote for your  favorite! I'd greatly appreciate your imput!

On a shoe-string...

Decorating your home can be difficult as a poor newly-wed, especially when your budget for such things amounts to a whopping total of zip, zilch, zero, nada…You get the picture. I’m also not one that keeps things the same way for long. I love to change things up. Sometimes I will move things just for the sake of moving them. (My husband finds this habit weird, but he loves me anyway.)

Unfortunately, this tendency can become quite expensive. And that my friends, is absolutely unacceptable for me. I simply can’t spend money for the sake of change when my husband needs food on his plate at night. Thus, I am challenging myself to spend as little money as possible on Christmas décor and all the other little things I like to change up.

Here are the results of my self-challenge thus far:

Pine cones, ribbon, and the book page canvases cost a total of a couple dollars. Everything else is leftover from my wedding decorations.

This is one of my first Christmas ornament projects. It didn't cost me a penny! I love making anything out of vintage book pages!

I found this little treasure going through our spare bedroom. Sometimes I will look at an object I've had forever and suddenly think "this would look great there" and it does!

This was also a moneyless project. The other day I went into our back yard, picked up a few sticks, put them in this vase and filled it will a bag of beans that I had in my pantry for ages. And voila! I have a new centerpiece!

I have my little book-page birds hanging from it for now.

These decorative towels were $1.50 at Target. Score! I am starting to add Christmas pieces little by little!

Stay tuned for more folks! I have plenty more ideas up my sleeve! Ha! My poor hubs never knows what he might see when he comes home. (I like to keep him on his toes.)

Carolina Weekend

I love weddings! This was the first one I've attended since we were married, and I think my affection for them has grown. It is incredible to see how God brings two different people together. I just can't help but to wear a huge smile and turn all gushy inside. How old am I again? Oh well.

After I got off work on Friday, we started our trek up to NC. My hubs was so sweet to drive us the whole way. (Side note: I love taking trips with my hubs! I've always been packed into a van with 5 other siblings my whole life for road trips. I must say that I like the change!) He drove all through the night while I played on my new smartphone and slept. He is so wonderful. When we arrived at the hotel at 4:00 AM we were more than ready to hit the sack for a the next few hours.

I got up fairly early the next morning to visit with my family. I hadn't seen most of them since my wedding, including my brother! It was a sweet time. Then we all headed back to the rooms to don our wedding attire. Doesn't my man look so handsome in his suit?

My lovely sister

My talented cousin Lydia played the violin.

I love my rents!

We played on our new phones as we waited. Shame on us! 

And...here comes the bride! I love the look in Brad's eyes!

They are just too adorable.

Have I ever mentioned that I love NC? Well, I do indeed! They actually have SEASONS there! I tried to convince my hubs that we should go to seminary at Wake Forrest, as apposed to Texas (which seems a world away). It may or may not have worked. We'll see!

Here's a sneak peak of the fam's Christmas card. Shhh!

Just being goofy.

This would be our Christmas card pic...if we were doing one that is...

Look at my pretty sister!

And my handsome not-so-little-anymore brother!

Napoleon, I mean my Dad is such a kidder!

This was actually our first real dance. We've swayed back and forth during certain romantic moments, but never danced. Jonathan was singing "Can't Help Falling in Love with You" the whole time. I liked it.

Cake cutting. Jen's face cracks me up. We like that she's the newest addition to the family, that is as long as she doesn't treat us like that cake.

Some of the cousins went outside for pictures.

Somehow I ended up jumping off the rock. (It's probably because I'm still a kid at heart.) Anyway, my hubs caught me just in time.

My husband is so fine! He is the epitome of manhood, and I am one lucky lady.

The 3 stooges...I mean sisters. I think Chell and I are looking more and more alike as we get older. It probably doesn't help that we have the same hair cut and all. I had it first though.

Our traditional girl cousin picture....minus Rachel and Anna.

The rest of the weekend was spent soaking up as much family time as we could. We are so spread out, that having all of us in one place it a very rare occurrence. All in all it was a great weekend. It was well worth the 10 hours there and back...although my lower back would say otherwise.

Yes, I'm a Harry Potter Fan

So, I'd be lying if I said I wasn't excited about the new Harry Potter movie that comes out next Friday! Eek! The impatience builds everyday!

I started to get into it when I was out of a job in January. One night I was complaining to Jonathan (then my fiance) that I was bored and had read everything in the world. (FYI: I was being sarcastic and exaggerating just a bit.) Then he handed me the first Harry Potter book. I finished it a day later. I then proceeded to read the rest and catch myself up on all the movies. It was nice to get lost in a good story when I needed a break from all the wedding planning craziness.

When the books first came out I was sceptical. I know Christian critics have given them a lot of flack. Now that I've read them, they seem to be in the same category as the Lord of the Rings trillogy. I think they will become classics as well.

So without further ado, here is the trailer for the first installment of the last book!

Excuse me Mozart, I need your music. Thanks!

Ok, so I don't have any gold...besides my wedding rings that is. Absolutely none. Lots of my stuff glitters, but is it gold? That would be a big fat NO! My jewelry collection is proof that not all that glitters is gold. However, that doesn't bother me one bit. Why do I speak of glitter you ask? Well because I am adding LOTS MORE to our home soon. And no, it won't be jewelry.

(Cue intro music: dun, dun, du dun...) It's going to be all over our Christmas decor!

I must admit that I'm fairly obsessed with all things sheet music and glitter these days, especially in the crafting realm of things. I am determined to make at least one new craft from now until Christmas.

Here is my inspiration:

A version of this is most definitely going to find its way onto our Christmas tree!

I love this tree! Look at the sparkly letters!

I'll be making some mini sheet music wreaths.

I love these decorative balls. I'd add some glitter though.

Isn't this the cutest shabby chic dresser you've ever seen?

I also might try to dress up some old lampshades to switch out now and then.

Thank you Mustard Seed Creations for the fabulous ideas!

I also found this. No it's not sheet music or glittery, but I am infatuated nonetheless. I need a globe to cut in half. Like now!

I plan on using a lot of sheet music in the near future. If anyone has some to donate, I can get it off your hands and put it to good use! Let the Christmas crafting begin!