summer / winter and a music request

We are hosting our annual staff Christmas party on Saturday night, and there will be people there with varying music tastes- SO, what songs do you suggest I add to my ipod ( my new favorite is Soul Sister by Train )? Thanks in advance...

my holiday flaw

I have to admit one thing I don't do well during the holidays is bake. I love the gift giving.. finding thoughtful + fun gifts, great wrapping, in fact I'm almost done. But not one sweet treat has come out of my oven. I'm thinking this fudge may be fool ( I mean Sarah ) proof..it sounds yummy :) Recipe here, if you're thinking so too!

hints of holiday at my house

Decking the halls at my house was done pretty subtle this year..You'll notice there is no tree in the pictures, I actually didn't want it on the main floor, I find ( I know, I'm TERRIBLE! )my house feels cluttered and messy and I want to take it down as soon as we are done opening gifts..( darn open concept houses ) SO, it's decorated, in the basement, where we have a little tv room and play room for the girls. They think it's beyond fabulous, so we are all good :)

I like having a hint of holiday through out the house, so here is Calleigh's room, with a framed JOY, a beaded wreath over her bed, and a little tree. The girls have been picking out an ornament each week in November as we are out shopping, they loved putting all the special ones here. You'll notice some one has a sweet tooth.. lollipops, cupcakes.. ;)

Laurens room is framed with a bay leaf wreath above her bed, and the sweetest little twig reindeer on her dresser.

This is the last time I am including paper whites in a post, I'm sure you're sick of seeing them! I have some at the front and back door, and my little tree on the kitchen counter. These natural holiday elements I am loving!

Little details inside and out-

and the front porch, cut boughs topped with a grapevine lit ball-

Little doses of holiday, thanks for looking around my home, I can't wait to see what you've done!

wishlist

Shannon at What's Up Whimsy was so sweet to include me in her 12 days of holidays.. today is day 4, and along with an item from my holiday wish list, there are some fabulous bloggers sharing theirs too! Thanks Shannon! x

hints of holiday

Monday already? That snuck up fast... after cleaning the house and decorating for christmas, I have no time for a post, but tomorrow, I'll share my hints of Christmas, till then, x.

adding holiday elements

cute little trees bought this past weekend while visiting my parents ( thanks Mom! )


+ my favorite Brian Gluckstein glass hurricane with a soy candle

+ my entry.. see ya DIY art, the holidays are moving in :)

I find myself pre planning my holiday look this year. It's going to be subtle. I have all my stuff organised in the basement, and am fitting together in my mind where it's going. I am doing everything I can to avoid the 'haul up 8 boxes that were randomly packed because I just had to get all the decorations put away because I was sick of looking at them, now it's time to decorate again and I should have thought this out because now I just have 8 boxes of stuff I have to put somewhere, but where?' You know what I mean?

Visit Rikshaw Design to see my holiday gifting ideas, and don't forget to enter the giveaway, today's the last day!

merry & bright

visit Rikshaw Design to see some of my 2010 Christmas gift picks!

and enter the pixelimpress giveaway to get your holiday giving gorgeous. go here

well that's perfect

Could there be a more fitting wallpaper for me? whew.. love that. Don't forget the giveaway!

image

a most wonderful holiday give-away! ( now closed**)

I am a believer in great packaging. ( and I adore paper products! ) AND I am thrilled to announce a wonderful holiday give-away with Pixelimpress!

Enter this giveaway for a chance to win a set of 10 folded holiday cards as well as 10 hang tags to add the perfect finishing touch to your wrapping!! There are 3 patterns to choose from:

noel poinsettia

peace love joy ( green ikat)

and winter wonderland

Leave a comment to enter, and let me know which gorgeous pattern you would pick ( it's hard, I know! )

Please be a follower of Flourish Design + Style.

For a second entry, blog about this giveaway! The giveaway is open to all countries!

Now if you don't win, you know you can always visit the oh so lovely Pamela at Pixelimpress for amazing products year round! Business cards, calling cards, note cards.. oh and the patterns available, you'll love them!

Pam also blogs here at Pixelimpress the blog.

Be sure to pop over and thank her for her generosity with this wonderful giveaway!

The giveaway is open until Tuesday November 23rd.. we want to make sure you receive your beautiful cards and tags in time to use them! So spread the word quick :)

The winner will be drawn at random on November 23rd and I'll announce the winner Wednesday the 24th.. make sure I know how to contact you! Good Luck!

Happy Holidays

As we all start to head home for the holidays- looking forward to days off, drinks by the fire, time spent with friends and family-

I wish for you my friends + visitors a holiday that is joyous! Filled with traditions new and old, laughter and fun filled days of skating and skiing and snow fights. I hope you find under the tree just what you were wishing Santa would bring.

xo Sarah

Chanel ski's in style

holiday home

Welcome to the home of my lovely friend Jen. We go back to the days of junior high. We both had moms who believed in our decorating talents. I had never seen a bedroom so full of noonie noos ( as my mother affectionately calls them )accessories, stuff. Good stuff. I believe back then her bedroom was dark green. Am I right Jen? Mine was a bright turquoise green. After those rooms we probably both found our love for neutrals. :)
Jen is a nurse, a mom of two sweet adorable children and a wife to her hardworking husband. She also has just that way of making everything look effortless. She's that good. She's crafty- I've seen her put Martha to shame. She has a way with paper like no one I've seen. Great style, great friend, great person. I love her dearly. She has shared her holiday decor with us. Here we go....

Jens home is beautiful. Did you notice the floors? Reclaimed wide plank wood floors. Stunning. Add to that an aesthetic that has a hint of a country, mixed with modern and add to that the natural elements like the floors and fireplace.

I love how the holiday decor blends seamlessly. I am so in agreement with this kind of decorating. It's flattering to the home, creates an environment but doesn't overwhelm. The wreath hung on the mirror, garland on the fireplace to the welcoming decor outside, it's all tied together and creates an environment that is spectacularly festive. An eggnog in front of the fire- anytime ;)

Thanks Jen for sharing your home.

xo

oh christmas tree

I wasn't inspired to decorate this year. Then I pulled out my boxes of decorations. :)

Surprise...bought 3 bags of decorations last year at work ( pottery barn ) on sale, after Christmas. Forgot all about them. It was a great surprise, and just what I needed to get going.

Our tree is a mix of blue + brown, glitter and glass, gold and natural twig ornaments.

Calleigh ( our 3, almost 4 year old ) had a blast hanging ornaments with me, while little Lauren (2) couldn't be bothered!

My holiday decor is kept pretty simple, but spaced throughout the house in key places to make an impact. It's a wintry and holiday mix to our home.

Now I'm happy to sit back and enjoy it.

Did you decorate this weekend? xo

great gifts under $100 [coach]

3 darling gifts under $100.

pst. santa. remember how I need new gloves? ;)

coach

holiday inspiration found

A huge thank you to Cassandra at Coco+ Kelley! I just found my inspiration. Gorgeous isn't it? See the rest of the lovely post here.

* sigh of relief

christmas boxes

I cannot get inspired to start my holiday decorating! Last year was fun because it was the first time I decorated my new house! This year - I'm feeling that when I start to bring the christmas decorations out, it's just going to get cluttered and messy. Scrooge..I know. I need an idea, some inspiration, a starting off point. This year the girls really understand christmas, so it has to be fun for them too. Any ideas to get me started?

( maybe I just need to bring up the boxes and see where it takes me!! )

fun images from real simple magazine