Easy Holiday Centerpieces

I am feeling extra festive and ready to decorate for the Holidays this year.  It may have something to do with the snow and cold weather that we've already had.  It's felt more like January than November for the last couple of weeks.  I also didn't decorate at all last year since we moved into the new house a few days before Christmas.  I'll be getting my Christmas tree next weekend and can't wait to pull out all of my ornaments and other decorations.

A few years ago, I posted this Holiday Centerpiece idea.  It is one of the most pinned posts from my blog.  I thought I'd put together an updated version (with much better photos!).  This idea is so simple to put together and inexpensive too.

Supplies:

- Clear glass vases of various sizes

- Berries or branches (I used Michigan Holly and American Holly; rose hips also would work and I also think pine branches would be beautiful)

- Floating candles

{ Michigan Holly }

{ American Holly }

American Holly will dry out quite quickly, so put branches in a vase of water if you are not using immediately. 

Arrange branches in vases.  No need to be too careful here - just push them in until you have a good amount in each vase.

Add water to each vase until branches are completely submerged.  Once you add the water, the colors of the berries and leaves become more vibrant and beautiful.  So pretty!

I was going to add the floating candles right away, but I think the vases looks so pretty even without the candles.  I took a few more pictures than I was planning on! 

Just think of all the places you could use these.  On a dining room table as traditional centerpieces, on a buffet table, a sofa table, a coffee table, and maybe even a single one in your powder room if you are having a party. 

 I finally added the candles...

Aren't they festive?  I just love how they look.

Have a wonderful week and a great Thanksgiving!

I'm sharing this post at these great parties:
- With Linda of Coastal Charm at the Show & Share Party
- With Lisa of Shine Your Light at the Best of the Nest Party
- With Judy of DIY by Design at the Fall into Fall Party

Minted Winner!

Thanks to everyone who stopped by to enter the Minted giveaway!  I used random.org to select a winner.  Comment #12 is the lucky winner.

 

 

Congrats to Lauren who blogs over at Wayfares & Worksheets.  Have fun shopping at Minted, Lauren!

 

Thanks to Minted for sponsoring this wonderful giveaway!

$200 Minted Credit Giveaway!

{ Merry Chalk Holiday } 

Can you believe Christmas is a little more than 6 weeks away?  I am a firm believer in waiting until after Thanksgiving { one holiday at a time, please! } to get out my Christmas decorations, but one thing I am starting on is my Christmas cards.  I absolutely love the Holiday Cards from Minted and am so excited to be able to offer you a $200 credit to Minted for your own Holiday Cards!

 

 { Berry Brush Holiday }

 

What I really like about Minted are the quality of the cards and the many options.  Each card has a different back option - insert one of more of your own photos or choose a patterned background that coordinates with the design of the card.  Several shapes as well as different weights of paper are also options you can select.  You can even change the wording on many cards - Holiday, Christmas, or New years are a few options.

 

 

Don't even get me started on the address wrapper - I love it!  Such a simple touch but I love how it ties together the design of your card.

 

{ Merry Branches } 

 

Another thing I appreciate about Minted is the hundreds of Non-Photo Holiday Cards they offer.  I LOVE receiving photos cards from friends and family at the holidays, but, since I don't have kids { and I'm pretty sure no one wants to receive a card with my portrait on it :) } I only look at the non-photo cards.  And there are many....pretty sure I spent over an hour pouring through all of them and debating which one to order. 

 

If you like to send out photo cards, Minted does offer beautiful photo cards as well as Holiday Booklettes.  How cool is that?  Check out the booklette designs HERE.  It would be really fun to receive one of these in the mail!

 

 

{ Pine Brush Holiday Booklette }

 

Below is a small selection of card designs that caught my eye.

 

 

 { Holly Berry Joy Card }

 

 

{ Festive Branches }

 

{ Cherish the Season } 

 

{ Pine and Berry Holiday } 

 

{ Boundless Joy }

 

 { Winter Pines Holiday }

 

{ Noel Noel Holiday }

 

{ Merry Letters }

 

{ Wonderful Time of the Year }

 

If you run out of time during the Holidays, don't worry, send out New Year's cards instead!

 

 { New Year Branches }

 

 

See what I mean about the beautiful options?  I had trouble narrowing down my choices for this post!  Now for the giveaway...

 

$200 Minted Credit Giveaway

To enter:  Head over to Minted and pick out your favorite Holiday Card design.  Come back here and leave me a comment about your favorite design.

 

For additional entries:  Include a link to this giveaway in a blog post, on Twitter, Facebook, or Instagram.  Leave a comment on this post for each thing you did.

 

I will pick a winner (at random) on Wednesday, November 19th. Good luck!

Lakehouse Home Tour: The Foyer

Our foyer and staircase is one of my favorite spots in our new home.  I just love how everything came together!  If you are interested in any of the finishes I used, I've listed all of the sources at the end of the post.

The photo above is taken at the landing between the main floor and the second floor.  The photo below is taken at the very top of the steps on the second floor.

 

The paint color in the upper foyer is Benjamin Moore; Sparrow AF-720.  I love the richness this dark color adds to the space and how it contrasts with the light woodwork.  Since foyers and hallways are just spaces where you are passing through, they can be a good place to experiment with a darker, dramatic color. 

The view of Lake Michigan from the landing isn't too shabby :) 

The wool carpet runner is really the star of the show - it's definitely my favorite part.

 

 

Another favorite - this fixture from Hudson Valley Lighting.  Several fixtures in our house are from Hudson Valley.  Their products are beautiful.

This is the view from the foyer and the stairs leading to the basement.

Our main floor is all hardwood, with the exception of the foyer, where I decided to use quartzite (natural stone) tile.  We also have this same stone on our screen porch.  I love it because it hides everything and holds up really well.  No need to worry about scratching it.  I really liked this particular colorway because it invokes the beachy / lakehouse feel I was going for.  It reminds me of sand and driftwood and the beach.

We have small stairway lights installed all along the stairwell.  I highly recommend this if you are building a new home!  They add a really nice glow at night when they are on and act as a great night light too.

 

 

 Sources:

- Wall color in upper foyer:  Benjamin Moore; Sparrow AF-720

- Woodwork / Trim color:  Benjamin Moore; OC-6 Feather Down

- Carpet Runner:  Couristan / The Baxter Collection; 6721/0005 Taupe/Ivory

- Wood Stain:  Matched to Minwax; color Jacoban.  Wood at landings is hickory.  Wood at stair treads, risers, and handrails is oak.

- Stone Floor in Entry:  Daltile; Quartzite; Golden Sun in the Versailles pattern.

- Light Fixture in Entry:  Hudson Valley; Humphrey #4824-AGB in polished nickel

- Light Fixture in Upper Foyer:  I don't have the manufacturer on this one, but we purchased it from The Lighting Corner.  They offer the fixture for sale on their website.

I'm sharing this post at these great parties:
- Inspire Me Tuesday hosted by A Stroll Thru Life