Happy New Year's

A few inspiring images to get you in the mood for tonight's celebration!

Happy New Year's to all! x

Links to all images here.

Creative Christmas Decorating Ideas

I'm pretty traditional when it comes to my holiday decor...see?

I think a lot of that is from how I grew up.  My mom needlepointed our Christmas stockings so I have the one I grew up with and made one for my husband (it took me aaaages!).  While I can appreciate colored lights, I'm a purist on my tree and really only like white.  We got these cool LED lights this year that you can switch from white to colored which is a nice compromise for my husband who likes the colored lights.

I like greenery, candles, holly, pinecones, all the traditional holiday elements.  I love the decorations that my mom used in our house growing up and I still put them out.  I can't really imagine my Christmas decor changing too much in the future since the tradition of everything I have is so meaningful to me.

But that doesn't mean I don't appreciate more creative, think-outside-of-the-box Christmas decor.  Here are a few of some createful ideas I've come across lately. (And yes, if you know me, createful is a word).

Snow Day!

Today we were blessed with our first (and hopefully not last!) snow day of the season.  While the amount of snow turned out to be a BIG disappointment, it still looked beautiful.  In honor of the snow day and Christmas (which is fast approaching!), here are some of my favorite snowy and Christmas-y scenes.

(did you happen to spy who is in the driver's seat in this one?!)

While our snow isn't quite so beautiful or quite so deep, I'm sitting here nestled up on my coach in front of a beautiful Christmas tree with two cuddly pups and a cup of hot tea.  Not too shabby if you ask me.

Links to all images from here.

Tuesday Tip: How to Make your House Smell like the Holidays!

Simmering potpourri over the stove top is something that my mom used to do all the time and I love doing this around the holidays to make the house smell so cozy and holiday-esque.  You can mix up the recipe depending on what you have on hand.

What You'll Need:
1 orange, halved
1-2 lemons, halved
3-4 sprigs of fresh rosemary
3-4 fresh cinnamon sticks
1 Tbsp of cloves
3 cups of apple cider
fresh cranberries (these don't really add any scent but I like the pop of color they lend)
water

What You'll Do:
In a large pot, add the citrus.

Add the other dry ingredients.

Add the cider.  Fill up the rest of the pot with water.

Simmer over low heat and add water as it evaporates.  Just remember, this is a potpurri - I don't recommend drinking this!  Don't forget to turn the stove off if you leave the house!!  This is a great thing to do before you have guests over - they will all comment on how great your house smells!

#adornedabode #christmas #christmassmells

Gin and Ginger Cranberry Fizz

The other day I made a tasty little number with vodka, cranberry juice and ginger ale.

Now, I am out of vodka.

Not a tragedy as I have now discovered these little Gin, Ginger and Cran numbers are even better! Substitute gin for vodka and sip away!

What You'll Need: 
1 jigger gin
equal parts cranberry juice and ginger ale
fresh cranberries for garnish

What You'll Do:
Add ingredients to a glass over ice.

Mix gently with a spoon.  Garnish with fresh cranberries.  Enjoy the holidays.

A Girly Glam Living Room Mood Board

After admiring designer Liz Caan's work, I decided I definitely need a little more girly glam in my life!  I designed this mood board for a fun, feminine living room.  I'm not sure my husband would approve but I'd certainly enjoy this space!

Happy Sunday! xx