CHRISTMAS PILLOWS CAN SET THE MOOD

Do you need a jumpstart for this Holiday season? Take a look at #4 on my steps to jumpstart your Holiday decorating.

Sometimes art can be in the form of a pillow and that is what I am going to show you today.

CHRISTMAS PILLOWS 

There is one pillow in particular that keeps coming to my mind. It is unusual and whimsical and the Holidays are a perfect time to use a bit of whimsy in your decor. 

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I know this pillow is not for everyone, but you have to admit he is FUN!!!

An entire Christmas room could be planned around him, and I just might do that in a upcoming post. Oh the fun I will have!!

The pillow that can set the mood for your room does not have to be a thematic pillow, it can be a fun festive color, or print like this over sized hounds tooth. 

However it is fun to have at least one themed pillow in your Christmas room.

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I LOVE this pillow, of course it is black and white typography which is a favorite of mine, and then add the pretty tree and we have Christmas on a pillow!! At $9.99 for this cover, I think it is a steal!

Etsy is a place I always check out for pillows of all styles and themes. I find they have a great selection and at all price points.

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I know that plaid is big for this years Christmas element, and the antlers are a staple in many homes so this little pillow is for you that love plaid and antlers!!

I also like to use words or Christmas sayings in my Holiday decor. This can be done with a pillow.....

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There are so many sources, and pillows to choose from. Just start looking and see what you are drawn too and you might just have your inspiration for this years Holiday decor.

If you need a little more inspiration go to my Pinterest board below and just click on it and it will take you to my board...

Christmas Pillows

CLICK HERE↑

Enjoy the Process of getting Inspired!

 

 

A SKINCARE POST: Sheet Mask and Eye Cream!

    

I wish I could promise you a miracle in a bottle, but to be honest we just have to keep trying products to see which one's our skin will respond to. As we age these product may need to change to address different issues.

Our goals in skincare should be maintenance, and prevention of further damage. Let's take care of what we have!! 

NOURISH AND NURTURE 

are the key words!!

At 66 years old I am trying to nourish and maintain my skin. Let's face it what damage is done is done, to my regret. Too many days sunbathing in the 60's!

Lately I have been using the Korean 10 step skincare program and loving it. I wrote about it in this post. HERE!  

I truly feel like I am doing the right thing for my skin and I am nourishing and nurturing it. I actually look forward to cleansing my skin, morning and night. It feels like such a treat to me.

I am still loving the May Coop raw sauce essence and I think I might be addicted to it!

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One of the steps in the 10 step program is to give yourself a sheet mask treatment once, or twice a week.

I am trying several different sheet mask, but so far I am loving one in particular, and have reordered it. At only $3.50 it is a pretty inexpensive facial in my book.

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Give yourself 20 minutes of relaxation while this mask goes to work. FYI, you might look a little scary with the mask on, but trust me it is doing a good job for you so it is worth it!!

I like to do my mask, and use my Crest white strips to bleach my teeth at the same time. Lay back and enjoy a little cat nap.

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Once you take the mask off your face, I like to rub it on my neck and decollete, hands and arms, there is plenty of this wonderfully soaked product to use elsewhere so why not go for it!?

EYE CREAM

There is another product I am very happy with and that is an under eye cream. 

For some reason I have been having sinus problems this last month, and my under eye area was puffy and very dark. 

I tend to be dark under my eye anyway, but add a sinus problem and I look like I have a shiner!!

I read about this natural caffeine based product that also has nutrients in it, and thought it was worth a try.

To be honest the results were pretty dramatic, I could tell immediately that it was working on me. 

It has been 3-4 weeks and it is still a thumbs up from me. 

I am very sensitive to any makeup, or creams around my eyes, and with this there is no tearing up, or itching. I highly recommend this product....

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(Anti-inflammatory, caffeine rich green tea and coffee de-puffs while increasing circulation to brighten dark circles. Concentrated with potent anti-aging vitamins, antioxidants, and nourishing rosehip oil to make eye area look more awake and more youthful. Truly, 100% Pure.  )

I will continue to try different products, and when I see results I will gladly share my discoveries with you. 

BTW: If you would like to purchase the sheet mask above or try others use this link to get 10% off....

https://share.peachandlily.com/x/On5N0D 

 

 

Kathysue's Christmas Decor Formula In 10 Easy Steps

   

via Martha Stewart

I know it is early, and we have not even celebrated Thanksgiving yet, but sometimes we need a little more time to make a plan.

So today I am going to help you out a little with a plan that just might help jump start your imagination and creativity!!

When it comes to decorating for Christmas I realized I have  somewhat of a formula. 

After years of decorating there is a method that has evolved.


Today I am going to share with you the easy formula that I use when decorating a home for Christmas.

There are 10 key elements you will always find in my Holiday décor........

Choose three key areas to highlight your holiday décor.

Look at the main focal points in the areas your guest will be seeing.  This is where you  need to concentrate  your Christmas decor. 

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If you have Christmas décor sprinkled heavily everywhere it begins to look cluttered, and messy, and to be honest it defeats the purpose of making your home festive, and welcoming. 

Try to highlight these three areas………

Porch

Dining Room

Family/Living room mantel

Make an introduction

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Remember your porch, and front door are the first introduction your guest will be greeted by. Make their first introduction a representation of what they are about to see, and experience in your home.

Choose a color scheme and have it flow from room to room.

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Looking at the color scheme above you would not need to use each, and every color in the three areas of your home you decide to decorate.

For instance, let’s say the above is on the family room mantle. Then in the dining area you could use a combination of three of the above colors, making one of them the dominant color and two others accents.

Maybe blue is the dominant with green and raspberry the accents.

Next your porch could be just the blue and green. Doing this will make the colors flow effortlessy from space to space.

Use a piece of art, or a pillow to set the theme, mood, or color scheme.

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Using pillows or a Holiday framed piece of art is such a fun and easy way to set the mood for your home. I have found Etsy and Furbish to be a wonderful resource for both pillows, and original artwork.

(unfortunately this pillow is no longer available from Furbish)

Declutter before you decorate.

This is a big one for me. I have seen so many homeowners plop down a figurine, or some greenery among their everyday décor, and before you know it, they have a cluttered looking room, and wonder why their home never pulls together during the Holidays. 

Since we are trying to add a Christmas spirit to our home sometimes our everyday elements will not work.

However, sometimes they will work, but you will have to be the judge of that. Personally I just find it easier to work with a clean slate instead of trying to fit it ALL in!!!

Use a word or Christmas saying somewhere in your room.

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I love typography, and have it displayed with letter P’s throughout my home on a daily basis, but at Christmas time I choose a phrase, or a word and use it in my décor whenever possible.

Try to find a spot in your home where it can be a focal point and set the mood, and/or theme for your Holiday décor.

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This is where you could use a piece of art or even a pillow with a Christmas saying or word on it. (dear lillie is a great online shop to find wonderful pillows and art pieces with wonderful sayings on them, HERE!)


Have a signature wrap that you use from year to year as your base.






Black and white awning stripe is my favorite paper, but you can pick what speaks to your own style. 

The other thing I do is choose one paper that is a stand-out that will help set the mood and wrap a few packages 3-5 and place in front. 

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Stand-out papers can often be expensive so using it strategically is a cost saver.

It is almost like choosing different fabrics for your pillows and co-coordinating them on your sofa or bed.

Use good quality ribbons.

I prefer a good quality double faced satin, velvet or grosgrain ribbon.

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It is so easy to tie a simple loop bow, and it always looks elegant, and appropriate. I like my bows to drape, or sag a bit, no stiff, or over done bows please!

Create a festive ambiance!

Have soft Christmas music playing in the background.

Candles and soft ambient lighting, even in the day time!!

Add a pleasant Christmas scent. Nothing over powering. So many of the candles people purchase can knock your socks off. 

Try to choose a scent that evokes Christmas memories not one that is too sweet, or even noticeable, just one that lingers in your guest memory of your home.

Keep the Memories going…


This is actually the most important, so I saved it for the last! 

Every year our boys, wives and Grandchildren get a special ornament in their stockings.

When the boys were first born each Grandmother chose a themed ornament to give them, and for every single year of their lives they have received a new ornament. (you can read about our tradition here.)

I can not tell you how important these ornaments have become to each family member.  To this day my boys still love their stockings the most, even more than a gift.

Remember: Choosing your color, art piece, word, or pillow  can be your jumping off/starting point for this years decorating.

So there you have it!! 

Kathysue’s Christmas Décor formula!!!

Hopefully this post will inspire you to come to terms with what is really important to you, and your family, and help you express it in your own personal way.

“Enjoy the Process!”