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.

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!

The Screaming Room | Halloween Haunted Movie Theater

It's that time again!  With just a few weeks to Halloween, it was time to decorate for Halloween. This year we went with a haunted movie theater concept. I present: The Screaming Room @ Windsor Terror Cinemas

I was so fortunate to team up once again with my friends at Lowe's this year. They had some great budget friendly elements to add to the display as well as the raw materials I needed to build the components.  Thanks to them for making it possible to create another fun display!






We went in a slightly different direction this time incorporating some easy to use technology to amp up the creep factor which has given it a whole new dimension.

A few months ago we found 6 rickety chairs and a bookshelf left out in the trash.  I knew it would make the perfect movie seats and box office once they were painted black.  I used plywood for the movie screen and large movie poster backing, and some naturally weathered boards for the other signage.  The LED blinking skull (the same one I used in my dead dinner party dining room set up) made for the perfect accent on a handprinted marquee.

Want to recreate this in your front yard?  Here is the materials I used:

• 6 foot Skeletons
• Black Leaf Wreaths
• Short Circuit Lanterns
• Mums
• Battery Powered LED Purple Lights
• LED Skull Light
• Plywood
• White Flat Paint 
• Bag of Bones
• Faceless Ghoul
• Wood Boards
• Movie Projector Prop

It's a fun little set up during the day.  Nothing too scary and a sweet Halloween scene to stumble upon as you walk past our home.  But at night is when it gets a lot more fun.  Once the sun goes down, the winds start howling and the shows begin.




We used a large sheet of plywood and painted it white to create a movie screen.  Then we used a digital movie projector and some creepy video downloads, created a spooky matinee for our all our skeleton audience members.  It really adds a whole new element to our display that is a fun surprise for everyone. To see it in action, head over to my instastories where I'll be sharing a few clips all week long.



Disclosure: This post was sponsored by Lowes but all opinions expressed are my own.

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

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?

Eternal Rest Haunted Hotel Halloween Front Entrance from Lowes

With October underway, it was time to get the Halloween decor out and about. This year we went with a Haunted Hotel Halloween Theme - the Eternal Rest Motel. Something just a bit spooky without being too scary for the kids. As in years past, the decor is a mix of DIY, print design and ready-made items mixed in.

Disclosure: This post was sponsored by Lowes but all opinions expressed are my own.

This year I got extra lucky and was able to partner with the fabulous team at Lowes Home Improvement for both the DIY and the ready-made elements to make this Haunted Hotel Halloween a success.

How to Make Your Own Haunted Hotel Halloween Theme for Your Yard

This year's DIY elements included two hand-painted signs, the concierge desk, the door hangers and the key rack. A skeleton check-in attendant and concierge are the perfect compliment to our weary traveling couple that was a new addition this year.  Their costumes are super fun (I know I'll use them again for other themes which is super important to me since I'm all about the reusability) and they even have a motion sensor and crack Halloween related jokes.  I know the kids will love this one.


This 'No Vacancy' sign was a stroke of major luck.  I had already decided the theme when I saw this piece and it finishes the hotel sign perfectly!  It creates an eerie green glow at night and the "no" blinks on an off occasionally adding to the ghostly air.

There are some fun little details that you have to look closely to appreciate. It all comes together nicely and makes a festive way to kick off the most fun holiday season.

You can recreate this Haunted Hotel Halloween using these products from Lowes:

Skeleton Couple
No Vacancy Sign
Skeletons
Skeleton 'Rest Your Bones' Banner
Craft Pumpkins
Grim Reaper Tombstone
RIP Tombstone
Vampire Bust
Hanging Bats
1x4 Boards (used to make key rack and concierge desk) Antiquing wax (used to age the boards)
Black Spray Paint Cup hooks (for key rack)

Like my Haunted Hotel Halloween décor?  Check out prior years' themes, invitations, projects and parties here.