Christmas Mail 2020: Snowflake Screwdriver

I won't bother boring you with the cliche '2020 was the worst' recap.  With 7 days to go, we got out healthy so fingers crossed we drag ourselves across the finish line and have a much more positive 2021 waiting for all of us. Without further ado, here is this year's Christmas mail.  I included this little snowflake screwdriver tool because I can't be the only one who can never find one when I need it. I hope all of you have found magic in the holiday season.  Happy New Year!

In case you missed them, here are our Christmas Mails from the past decade:

2019: Hot Cocoa 

2018: Air Fresheners

2017: Hand Warmers

2016: Lump of Coal (this one might be my fav)

2015: Bottle Opener

2014: Socks 

2013: Markers (I loved this one too but so many people were confused!)

2012: Cinnamon 

2011: Mints 

2010: Chapstick 

Living Room Glow Up

I know it's been quiet around here. It just felt so frivious to talk about decor when so much more important things were happening. But Christmas time is here so it was time to get decorating. I've been thinking of making a few changes to my living rooom for a while now so this was the perfect time to make it happen. Come on in!

 

Warning: this post is pretty much a present to myself - things Ive been wanting to do for years but always put it off.  Well now is the time people.  What are we waiting for?

New light fixture, who dis?  Yes I finally switched out the big chandy for something more sleek and updated. I'd been lusting over the outrageous expensive RH version for years when I finally found this very similar style from Mooielight and I was sold!  I did come with a bit more assembly then I expected but I'm thrilled with how it looks up. While its not an exact dupe it's very close for a LOT less money.  (I'll share more about it in another post.)

Another new change is this tv area.  I finally got the "Frame" tv and I'm absolutely enamored! I know its just a tv but ain't she pretty!  It hangs tight onto the wall so no unsightly mounts peeking out and will show artwork and photos when not in use.  

And finally I found this wooden mantel shelf that fit perfectly underneath from Decor Steals.  I originally ordered it thinking it would be great for holiday use but I think it adds some interest to the spot so I might leave it up all year round. Last but not least the Christmas bling! Most of it I've had a while but a couple of new additions. Like the little snowy tree I painted myself (follow my tik tok for the how to), the gingerbread sign, the frosted garlands, lighted snowflakes and twinkly curtain lights.  In honor of the Rockefeller Tree stowaway owl, I put some of these little owls in the decor this year too. Something only I would notice but no one is coming over anyway so why not?

Phew thats a lot to take in one post but suffice to say I'm really pleased with how its all came out.  Especially now that we are home ALLLLLLL THE TIME - I really needed to change it up.

If you are still reading - thank you!   I'd love to hear how you have been making the most of the season this crazy year in the comments.

Christmas Mail 2019 | Wake Me Up Before you Cocoa

Another year, time for another Christmas mailing!


This year we sent out 2 single serving tubes of yummy hot cocoa + marshmallow bits. Just add hot milk and enjoy.

This year I totally splurged on the postage but I will warn you postage rates have gone up a lot since the last time I did something bulky like this. We hand delivered a bunch to save some $ but then just bite the bullet on the rest.

As usual, I designed the card (thank you selfie stick for this year's family portrait) and put Luke to work in helping putting it all together.  It's a labor of love for sure. We hope our family and friends enjoy a warm cuppa on us.

Sources:
Test Tubes
Marshmallow Bits
Envelopes
Labels

Gingerbread House Decorating Party

I'll admit that I have done zero holiday decorating thus far (Bad Blogger Award™ 5 years straight, thank you very much!), but I do have some fun holiday inspiration to share from last year. We threw a Gingerbread Decorating Party for our daughter's 6th birthday and it was a total blast. An insane kid sugar fueled rave kinda blast, but a blast none the less.






We purchased gingerbread kits from Ikea ($4 each) and loads of extra candy.  I made the gingerbread houses the night before so they would be set up firmly by the times the kids arrived. I was fully prepared to hot glue them together if my royal icing didn't solidify but thankfully that wasn't necessary.





Because I'm extra, there were a few little DIY elements to amp up the style. First were the kid sized "OH SNAP" aprons which I whipped up a few days before the party.  Second was this fabulous cake made by my sister who clearly gets me.  And finally I found a Buddy the Elf costume for Oscar to wear while he ran around and terrorized the guests. I regret nothing!





It was a crazy party but it was a major hit with my kids so mission accomplished. Perfect for a December birthday girl. Now it's a year later so it's time to get started on this year's birthday bash.

Christmas Mail: Wishes for a TREEmendous Holiday

It's nearly Christmas and in our house that means the annual mad dash to put together our Christmas Mail.

Each year we send out a little something extra in our cards to brighten up snail mail. We've sent everything from dishtowels to soap to socks (click here to see the ghosts of Christmas Mail past). It's become a little bit of a creative game each year to come up with something new and it's always fun to hear about how well they are received.

This year we did little tree air fresheners with wishes for a "treemendous" Christmas and New Year.  Simple and sweet - we hope our friends and family enjoy them.

So if you aren't on my Christmas Mail list, let this be my holiday greeting to you:  Sending you the happiest of Christmas wishes and luck for the New Year!

Christmas Mail 2017

I'm happy to report that my Christmas cards all arrived before Christmas - that has to be at least 100 elf points right?   This year we went with something to help keep our friends and family a little warmer this winter season.  Hold your mouse over the image to see what little surprise was tucked inside the card.



The text reads:

To our family and friends, new and old
warm wishes from us, to have and to hold
This little gift will help you keep warm
Through bluster, snow dusters and winter storms.

Inside were a set of hot hands warmers!




Happy Holidays to everyone reading.  Thank you for always being so supportive and encouraging.  I really appreciate all your time, attention and kindness this year and always.  Wishing all your holiday dreams come true!

Christmas Stoop

Christmas is just one week away so without further ado, it's time to get decorating. This year's front door decor is done.




We went a little bit more wintery vs. Christmas this year. I painted the ski lift sign using an extra board I had. The arrow was from last year's wreaths. The vintage sled made its appearance again this year along with some cedar wrapped aspen logs. In place of traditional wreathes, I put up lighted mini ski arrangements on the door. There are actually a couple of other elements I wanted to add that didn't make it in time for these photos. Maybe I'll put them up before Christmas or maybe I'll save them for next year. I'm really taking this whole slow decorating thing to heart.






The day after we finished, the most perfect snowfall covered New York City. I can't express how much I love to coming home to a house with lights glowing on it.

Source List
Garlands + Wreath | Green Valley Christmas Tree
Ski Wreaths | Kirlands
Santa | Lowes

Easy Holiday Decor DIYs from Christmas Past

One of my favorite parts of Christmas decorating is unpacking some of little decor DIY's I've created over the years.  They are buried in the older pages of the blog but I love to reuse them year after year. Here are my top 9 that anyone can make with just the most basic tools and materials.

Standing Red Nosed Reindeer  |  Mountain Lodge Sign  | Noel Box

Naughty or Nice Tags   | Modern Painted Wreath  | Toy Workshop Window

Woodsy Advent Calendar  |  Santa Sack  | Stocking Box

What is your favorite item to uncover in your holiday decor boxes?

Slow Christmas Decorating

This year we are decking the halls much more slowly than year's past but I'm finally getting this Chrismas Living Room done. (I'm calling it the slow decorating movement!) Mostly because we have an active one-year old that likes to sneak away and pull down whatever off limits new decor item mommy has just put up. When we only had one child, this wasn't really an issue. With two it's a whole different kind of problem. But we are making merry in small doses. I plan on doing more as well but I like to pretend I live in the moment and will hold off on a Christmas bonanza until at least December 1. Deal?

Frosted Let it Snow Living Room Christmas Vignette

frosted alpine tree | carved wood tree stand | gold wood bead garland | let it snow banner | console table | brass mirror Until then I did want to share a few little corners of this Christmas living room that are popping up. Starting with this frosted alpine tree and carved wood stand from Balsam Hill. I'm in love with it's sweet simplicity. I'm planning on moving it to another room when we put the big tree up, for now, it's the perfect accent in this corner. The tree is super light and the base is super heavy - making it a perfect foil for toddler pull-down experiments. I found this ice skating painting at a yard sale a few weeks ago. I was so excited about that I didn't even bother to try to negotiate - I knew it would be just the thing for holiday decor this year.

Flameless Candles Add a lot to Christmas Living Room and Dining Room Decor

Another thing I'm absolutely obsessed with this holiday season (I shouldn't even say holiday because I've been using them in different configurations since they arrived early November) are these miracle flameless candles.  It's hard to tell in a still photo but check out the video I posted on my instagram a few weeks back.  They look like the real deal and are 100% idiot proof.  They cast a beautiful glow.

Miracle Flame LED candles | Greenery Branches | Frosted Pine Cones | Chalkboard | Magnetic Letters | Drapes | Deer Head Magnet | Dining Chairs Who is with me on the slow decorating? I'm not quite ready to rush through to Christmas just yet but I do love the holiday spirit.  This weekend we had a great family meal in our Christmas Living Room and Dining Room, visited Santa (complete with crying baby captured on film), got started on Christmas cards and starting gift shopping at some local Brooklyn makers.  A great start to the holiday for us.  How do you feel about slowing it down?

Christmas Mail 2016: LUMP OF (char)COAL

Mail call!  It's that time of year again - for the annual tradition of binge watching bad Christmas movies as I put our annual little treats together.  This year the gift was a lump / bar of charcoal soap.






If you are new to Brooklyn Limestone you might be wondering just what this is all about  Each year we send out a little gift in place of traditional cards.  Prior years have included an antler bottle opener,  elfish socks, "reMARKable" (get it?) markers, seasonings greetings, merry mints, mistletoe prep, tea towels and lots more. It's our fun little tradition and I hope our Christmas card list enjoy the little surprise every year.

Holly Jolly Dining Room aka Elf Toy Workshop

It's almost Christmas so time to get our house ready for the fun later this week.  This year I designed a elf workshop logo I used for my christmas mail that I loved so much I wanted to incorporate it into the decor.  I pulled out an old window I purchased for $5 years ago and a red sharpie and got to work. I love how it turned out!

I added some fresh greenery in the form of a wreath, a stretch of garland and succulents.  Finally a spray of mini lights finished the look. I'm ready for Christmas dinner! Now if only the food would prep itself.

Sources:

Dining Room Chairs

Dining Table

Wreath + Garland

Succulents

Small metal pails

Mini Lights

Red Sharpie

Am I the only one who has yet to do ANY wrapping? Nothing like the last minute, right?

Christmas Front Door Decor - Vintage Plus New Creates Festive Holiday Look

Christmas front door decor creates a festive holiday look and adds curb appeal to any home. Use a combination of vintage and new for a welcoming feel.

One of my favorite parts of this season is seeing how neighbors decorate their home. As far as I'm concerned, there can never be too many white twinkling lights., especially when you're talking about a Christmas front door. Am I right?

Christmas Front Door Resources:

Garlands + Wreaths by Green Valley Christmas Trees
Lighted Trees by Balsam Hill
Wooden Arrows by Michael's
Joy Sign by Target
Santa by Lowe's Home Improvement

This year I repurposed the wooden arrows I used in my Halloween decor to decorate the wreaths. The arrows add such a fun graphic element that bring the eye up from the sidewalk straight to the door that I love.  My favorite part is the vintage sled that a reader was so kind to find for me last year. I made a mini wreath with leftover garland and put a Target dollar spot sign and some 99 cent store bells to finish the look.

While I don't love it getting dark out at 4:30, I do love the bright glow I come home to every evening. My outdoor decorations are definitely the last to come down around here!

Today I'm sharing this year's Christmas front door as part of Just a Girl's #welcomehometour. I'm so happy to be in the company of such an amazing group of bloggers - I can't wait to see how they welcome Christmas through their front doors!  Pop over to Hi Sugarplum and 320 Sycamore to see their merry front doors today but the whole line up is inspiring.

More Christmas Front Door Decor

Monday
Just a Girl
A Thoughtful Place
Yellow Prairie Interiors
Haneen's Haven

Tuesday
Hi Sugarplum
320 Sycamore
Southern Hospitality

Wednesday
Sunny Side Up
Marie Flanigan Interiors
The House of Silver Lining
Bower Power

Thursday
Erin Spain
Honey We're Home
Beneath My Heart
Home Made By Carmona

Friday
Centsational Girl
Thrifty Decor Chick
Tatertots and Jello