Tuesday, December 27, 2016

Adding Back Light After Christmas




    cozy room with fireplace and warm colors:

I am like most people after the holidays I am tired from all the fun and activities so I like to take my time and rest up a bit before diving into dismantling Christmas!


 living area:
 via

During my resting time my mind also starts to think of things I would like to do, change, or just reorganize, and make a little better for my family. 

 Dining table:
If you are like me, once the Christmas decorations come down, my home feels like something is missing. So I thought about what can be done about that.

 .blue and white, bamboo shades, black lantern.

Christmas decor is full of life, light and texture so those are the three elements we need to add once we take down our decorations.


 beach house style

                           LIGHT                                


We can add light in many different ways. Of course the first thought is to add more lamps if you have them. 

Most rooms are light poor. Did you know there is a formula for how much light a room should have?

 
THE FORMULA


 First find your square footage (example 12ft X 16ft = 192sq.ft)

Then multiply your square footage by 1.5 .

(192 sq.ft. X 1.5 =288 watts) so that means your room will need 288 watts of lighting sources.

An average room should have approx. 4-5 lamps.
 
Interesting isn't it? How do you stand on the lighting issue? Do you have ENOUGH lighting sources  in your room?
 
 Powder Bath designed by Pulp Design Studios, featuring PULP Home Starburst Pull Starburst pull hardwar $75 from Pulp home in Feb.
 
The other thing you need to be aware of is that you have lighting at different levels.
 
Wall lighting
Over head lighting
Table lamps 
Floor lamps 
 
 
Pale Almond Benjamin Moore
 
Don't forget the dimmers for those lights. There is nothing prettier than a room all aglow with beautiful ambient lighting.
 
If you need ideas and sources be sure to check out my Pinterest board for lighting.....



CANDLES
 
South Shore Decorating Blog:
 
Candles are another way to add light, and there are so many ways to display them.
 
 ❤ Cozy:
I like a single candle on a side table, or I like to use them en masse for a bigger statement.....
 
 
 For the more formal/traditional home.


CANDLES::
 A more casual look for a beach home or farmhouse look.


candles:
 You can use just about anything to put a candle in. Be creative look around your home, and find something you can use that you already have.
 
 Warm and inviting, cozy:
Don't throw out those wine bottles, they make great taper holders down the center of your table....
 
 Candles:
 
HELPFUL TIP:

Before adding any new elements to your rooms make sure to start with a blank canvas. Remove all accessories first, and then and only then, start adding the larger elements first, and then layer the smaller elements as you go. Remember less is more in most cases, but I know some of you like a more is more look as well, so you just have to use your own judgement to what looks good to your eye.
 
I like to think of table tops, mantels etc as a stage and personally I feel there can only be one star on the stage and the rest are supporting elements.



 This is fabulous! The rustic cabinet and the HUGE clock, love it! Ive been eyeing the oversized clock for awhile...now to just find a spot hmmmmm - indoorlyfe.com:

Since we have a new home I have many places I would like to add more light, but as most, I will have to wait until the timing is right. I did get to add wall lighting in my Great room this year and it has added so much life to that room....

This was my Fall mantel. Notice the simple use of candles and baby boo pumpkins.

Same mantel decorated for Christmas.....

The candles have been moved to a new spot under the TV......

 I still need more lighting in that room so I will be dreaming along with you how we can accomplish that!
 
Have fun dreaming up a few new additions to your room for the winter months.

 
 

Tuesday, December 20, 2016

A Christmas Story About Not Remembering

   
A Story of Discovery!
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Wow!! Christmas time is such a fun and busy time of the year, isn’t it?!! 

I am just like all of you and stay very busy decorating, baking and wrapping. 



I truly love it all and  hum Fa-la-la and Deck the Halls as I am happily at work. Yes! I have to admit I am a hummer and a whistler♪♫♪ 



People that are close to me always use that as a sign of my happiness while I am creating, a barometer of sorts.



I truly love all of the preparations and decorating!! I can get pretty caught up in the whole process. After all my  saying is,"Enjoy the Process!!" Trust me I do enjoy it allot!!! 



Let me tell you what happened 6 years ago in the midst of all the preparation for Christmas............. 




……….I decided to decorate my living room for Christmas. I keep my living room  decorations  very simple and reflective of the true meaning of Christmas- the birth of Christ to come to earth to be our Saviour.

I always start out my decorating with putting Mary and Baby Jesus out. They truly set the tone for this room. 



Now where did I put Mary and the Baby Jesus? I always keep them in the house in a safe place so they won’t get broken, now where are they??? 



I looked and looked and then I began to kind of panic.  I could not find them anywhere.  I looked in my prop closet,  where they are usually kept. Still no luck.

I looked in that closet three different times and did not see them.  Suddenly!!!!

There they were!!


christmas 2010 030

In the shadows hidden behind all the Holiday splendor.

Notice the tag on the glitzy leaf ornament?! Snowball Splendor  Priced at $2.99!!

I almost cried with relief and then it hit me!

What price was my Lord and Savior willing to pay for me by being born on Christmas day?

She and baby Jesus were in the shadow of all the glitz and ornamentation of Christmas. How could I let this happen?! Not physically, but in my thoughts.

I have been so wrapped up, literally in the wrappings and trappings of Christmas, that I have not spent enough time being thankful to the One that made this all possible in the first place.

With that thought, I really did cry! Tears of remorse, tears asking for forgiveness.

After seeing this, for the first time this year........


closet and laundry 269



How could I forget this…………….


christmas 2010 033 

I learned a lesson that day I will never ever forget!

 As I have become a little older and wiser I have learned a few other lessons during the Christmas season. 

We don't have to tell others Jesus is the reason for the season, we need to show them his unconditional love, and they will be reminded. 

We don't have to declare I WILL say Merry Christmas we just need to say it with LOVE.

After all the greatest gift of LOVE was given to us when Christ our Savior was born. If we are not showing his love to others then we have missed the most important message Christ gave us.

So with this my dear readers I say Merry Christmas to you all!!

                                                            WITH LOVE,
 
 

Thursday, December 15, 2016

My Christmas List

 


This is a first for me!

I never make a Christmas list because my hubby and I don't give each other gifts at Christmas. I will admit he has surprised me a few times over the years, but it is not our norm to give each other gifts this time of year.

I am always so interested in what others might like for Christmas that I thought I would make a list myself this year, just for this blog post and my readers.


Love this bomber jacket for the holidays. A girl can always use a little sparkle. This is a dress up dress down piece and I think I would really enjoy wearing this piece.

Main Image - Nordstrom Lingerie Moonlight Pajamas:  

Chanel Vintage Gold Chain Round Crystal CC Earrings | Designer Vault 

 I would love to have at least one pair of Chanel earrings in my lifetime.




$69:
via

A little sparkle can go a long way, love the simplicity of this sweater.

Michael Kors Jewelry - Standing Michael Kors ring:
I love tortoise shell and I think this would be a fun piece to own.

Plaid blouse | MANGO
via

This is a blouse that you can wear for casual or for dressing up a little.

Basketweave pencil skirt 
 via

This skirt is a repeat want for several years.



Main Product Image


If I never own another piece of jewelry this is the piece I would get.

Sole Society - Cammila - Flats

I would take these in black or the navy, these keep haunting me because they keep popping up wherever I go on the internet. I really think they want to come home with me.



Via



Ritz Natural Aged Brass Four Light Pendant with Clear Glass:


via

This beauty would be perfect in our kitchen dinette.


As you can see I have high and low price points. This was fun to do and harder than I thought.

 As I was making this list I realized I truly do have more than I need and plenty of my wants. 

So with this little wish list I wish you all ......