Holiday Mantel Inspiration

When the Christmas season rolls around, there are a few key areas of your house where you can really make a design statement - the entry table, Christmas tree, and of course, the fireplace mantel.  Depending on what look you'd like to achieve, the design possibilities are endless. Here are some mantels that caught my eye.  Which style did you go for this year?

Rustic Mantel.  The burlap stockings and wooden sign really make this cozy holiday rustic look.  I also love the initials on the stockings.  

Whimsical Mantel.  Tell me this mantel doesn't make you smile?  It's just so fun and full of joy, you just can't help but think that this is a fun household!  Click on the link to see the home tour of these bloggers.  Every room is different and equally beautiful.

Blue Mantel.  Around the holidays, light blue makes us think of snowflakes, snow, (Queen Elsa anyone?) and is a common color used in decorating this time of year.  This mantel adds just enough blue with the ball ornaments on the garland, and the blue bow on the wreath adds just the right touch to pull the look together.

Modern Mantel.  White and gold take center stage in this design with lovely art pieces and ornaments.  Dark velvet stockings complete the look.

Stylish Mantel.  Gift boxes wrapped in gold and silver paper with modern patterns make for a stylish mantel vignette.  

Playful Mantel.  In a fun twist, wrapped gift boxes go playful in this cheerful and colorful design.   

Red and Green Mantel.  No two colors represent Christmas better than red and green.  Check out the link to find out how to make these beautiful carnation wreaths.

Tis the season to let your festive mantels shine!

xo,

Carly

Mom Musings - Being a Girl Mom

As soon as Shaylin was born, the first thing I noticed about her was that she had a dimple in the exact same place that I have one.  Instantly, I knew she was mine.  Then I heard her siren of a scream and I also instantly knew I was in trouble.  :)

Shay has inherited a lot of traits that make her my mini-me (maternal, emotional, stubborn, etc.) but now that she's almost 4, I'm noticing that she's picking up a lot of my behaviors as well.  Lately, her thing is "decorating", because mommy decorates ALL the time.  Regular everyday decorations, party decorations, holiday decorations....we do it all in this house.  Oh and don't even get me started on her excitement for Christmas decorations!

Here's some of Shay's recent decorating in our living room, using her stuffed animals and toys.  She was so proud!  "Mommy, do you want to decorate with me?"  How could I resist that question?  I love that she has picked this up from me because hopefully it is something that she will want to do with me through the years.  

Being a girl mom is at times challenging.  There's just something about that mother-daughter relationship that we all know exists, but is hard to explain.  Shay and I butt heads a lot because she knows exactly how to push my buttons, and during those terrible twos there were days where just I sat and cried out of frustration.  But with great clashing there is also great love.  The mother-daughter relationship requires a lot of patience, which is something I work on every single day.  Moments like this make it all worth it.

I tell her at least a million times a day that she is beautiful and that I love her.  The world can be a tough place for a female and I know as much as I want to, I can't protect her from everything.  But I hope to raise her to be a confident and strong woman so she can go out there, take care of herself, and be awesome!  

I'll never forget when Shay was born, one of my good friends told me "you'll always be her first call in life", and I hope that will always be true.  

She drives me bonkers every day, but I do love my mini-me!  I can't resist this chocolate chip cookie covered face. 

 Stay tuned for my post on being a boy mom, which is a completely different and amazing experience that I love equally as much!

xo,

Carly

Favorite Holiday Movies

Happy first day of December everyone!  I had already started Christmas decorating before Thanksgiving, but there's just something about the calendar changing to December that really gets me excited for Christmas.  Today I found myself DVRing holiday movies left and right, as they seemed to be playing all day.  Seeing all of these movies pop up reminded me just how much I love a good holiday movie.  After all, one of my favorite things to do around the holidays is curl up on the couch with a warm blanket, hot chocolate, popcorn, Christmas tree lights twinkling in the background, and a holiday movie playing on the TV.  I even like having holiday movies on in the background as I'm just doing chores around the house!  Here are a few of my faves.  What are some of yours?

Love Actually.  I was late to the game with this movie and in fact, my hubby saw this before I ever did.  It features a fantastic cast, and is definitely an annual favorite!

Four Christmases.  This one happened to be on TV tonight and yes I did watch it!  Vince Vaughn is entertaining here, and Reese Witherspoon lovely as always.

Home Alone.  An oldie but goodie.  I feel like I watched this movie A LOT growing up and it was funny every single time.  Still amazed at how a little kid could pull off so many tricks!

The Holiday.  If you love holiday movies and if you love romantic chick flicks then this is the movie for you!   

Elf.  This is the perfect Christmas movie for both adults and kids and features great performances by Will Ferrell and Zooey Deschanel.  If you have not yet seen this movie, I insist you watch it and it's guaranteed to put a smile on your face.  

"The best way to spread Christmas cheer is singing loud for all to hear" - Buddy the Elf

Happy viewing!

xo,

Carly