Christmas Tree Farm - 2016

All my life I've had a fake tree. I really know zero about having a real Christmas tree. 

But that changed this year! I'd seen one too many Christmas tree farm pics via IG to know that I was missing out. 

So we packed the boys up and headed about 20 minutes down the road to a perfect little farm off the highway. We got to ride two tractors, cut down our own mini tree, drink some hot cocoa, and visit with Santa Claus. I loved it [no big shocker there!], the big boys were fans as well, and the littlest was attached to my hip. All in all, I'd claim it as a success and I absolutely will be adding this to our holiday to-do list for the coming years. 

We ended our day with gingerbread house crafting with Elf playing in the background...can I just say that life right now has been so sweet?? Trying not to take a single second for granted. 

xo, 
Joi

DIY: 'Be Merry & Bright!' Canvas

I tried to wait til the Friday after Thanksgiving.

But, I failed.

When we moved this summer I threw away my beloved white Christmas tree because it was falling apart.  Part of the branches had broken, the middle section's lights went out, and the part of the tree that faced the window had yellowed from the sun.  Oh well.  What're you gonna do?

So, naturally, we had to get a new tree this year.  I figured we might as well put it up rather than haul it downstairs.  I made a deal with David to hold off on the ornaments until next Friday.  But I love the glow of a Christmas tree.  Best thing ever.

All that to say that I also DIYed a canvas print for above the mantel.

As soon as I saw this Rifle Paper Co. card I knew I wanted to try my hand at making a larger version for our home.

I bought a 24" x 24" canvas from JoAnn Fabrics for cheap and picked up some acrylic paints there as well.

I measured off 6 inch sections and then mixed my colors for all of the sections.   My lines aren't perfectly straight but I'm not too concerned about it.  This was a nap time project and perfection is overrated! Haha.

The next part took the longest time because I decided to freehand the letters.  I lightly drew the letters on with pencil and then filled them in with a custom gold paint.  To get this specific color I used a gold acrylic paint toned down with a white pearl paint and then added some glitter acrylic paint to it, too. 

I also decided to add the gold to the sides of the canvas because I think it looks more finished like that. 

Overall I'm pretty pleased with this DIY project.  It only took a couple of hours and around $25. I'll take it!

Now I'm really ready to keep decking the halls!

xoxo

Christmas Recap

Hey guys! Merry Christmas {a little late} and Happy New Year {a little early!}.

David and I had a busy but enjoyable Christmas and we hope you all did, too.  Making it to 6 Christmas celebrations isn't the easiest nowadays but I wouldn't change it for the world.

Theron did pretty much like I expected he would. He's always like an unpredictable roller-coaster ride.  You never quite know what to anticipate with this kiddo.  In his defense, the poor guy is cutting his 4 top middle teeth at the same time.  Ouch.

He's turning into quite the little busy body and if he's being held he wants to be moving.

Like David mentioned in his 8 month letter, this kid is ready to walk!

Theron Drake gives the best smiles to his daddy.  Which in turn give me the best smiles.  Lucky girl, I am.

I was so so SO excited to see my bestie from high school and was elated when Theron let her hold him...if even for just a little while. 

Watching this baby boy open presents was a blessing.  And no, we didn't buy him a blow-dryer.  Ha!

Call me a dork, but T and I rocked the twinsies look on Christmas day.  Yes, I'm that mom. I'm sure you're not surprised. 

Hope your holidays have been a blast!

xoxo

{Inspired} DIY Christmas Decor

The other day I was perusing my some of the blogrolls of my favorite blogs when I landed on Hi Sugarplum! Cassie's got great style and a seemingly stellar personality.

I've been in a little bit of a DIY dryspell but Ms. Cassie pulled me right out of it! Her post on DIY Tie Dye ornaments made my almost-6 month pregnant self head out to Michael's to pick up all of the necessary supplies.

It probably helped that her tree was decorated in pink and so is mine. : )

The only supplies you need are some glass ornaments and paint color of your choice. I stayed in the pink family to complement our already pink, silver, and white tree.

I scored the ornaments on sale at Michael's for $3 bucks I think. I can't recall the cost of all three paints but I do know I have enough left over to make possibly one or two more ornaments.

I'm sure there could be a method to the madness for this DIY project but I just squirted some paint into the ornament and rolled it around until the whole inside was covered.

Once they were all finished I hung them on the tree immediately. I'm definitely pleased with the way they turned out.

Scoutie Bear was less than impressed and was only concerned with waiting for her daddy to get back from the store. She's obsessed with that husband of mine.

Got any DIY decor? As always, I'd love to see it!

xoxo

Christmas Decorations

I love decorating for Christmas. I wasn't always the biggest fan of lugging what seemed like thousands of boxes up from my mom's basement when I was kid to decorate all day long, but now that I have my own home it's a little different. I do love the holidays and enjoy putting my own decorations up. Last year I finally ordered my dream white Christmas tree and changed to pink, silver, white, and gold goodies. It's perfectly girly and I appreciate Dave's tolerance. I've said it many times before, but he truly is the best there is.

For awhile now, David and I have made a little tradition of watching Elf while we decorate the tree. I adore that movie and can't watch the whole thing without crying like a baby. I just love Buddy the Elf!

I don't go quite as Christmas-crazy as my mom does but I can finally admit to loving to decorate!
: )

Here are a couple of shots from this year's get-up.

Have you decorated yet? I'd love to see it! Post a link and consider me a guest in your home.

xoxo

Video: Great Day St. Louis - DIY Entertaining

So yesterday I had another fun day at Great Day St. Louis. They invited me back to talk about simple ways to host a DIY holiday get together and of course, I obliged.

I threw together some ideas, took some pictures, and talked about what I could. I'm not an event planner nor designer, so I don't claim to have all the ins and outs of this sort of stuff. But, they keep asking me back and I keep having a blast! Guys, I could so get used to this. Anyone that knows me in real life, or heck-on the blog even, knows that this is quite possibly one of the biggest dreams of my life.

My other dream?

Meeting Britney Spears. And I'm not joking!

On a serious note though, I am forever grateful that the nice people at Great Day actually like me and want my availability for the next 6 months.

What?!?

I am pinching myself, friends. This is absolutely crazy talk and I can't believe it!

xoxo

Christmas Additions

I shared most of our home Christmas decor with all of you already, but I've changed just a couple things and added some, too.

Just thought I'd let you take a little peek.

And...can you believe that Christmas is almost here? I was just talking to David the other day about how when we were little it seemed to creep by and as adults it flies by. I never believed my mom when she said that it would happen that way. Of course, I was a naive child and the holidays do seem to come and go in the blink of any eye now. I do however, try to enjoy every single second.

After all, it's the most wonderful time of the year. : )

I changed out the ribbon on our first tinsel wreath. I found this cut out felt ribbon at Tuesday Morning and scooped it right up using my Nate Berkus Experience gift card. Hooray. : )

And, here's my latest creation that I made for yesterday's Great Day St. Louis segment.

Did you all catch the show? If not, here's a link + the video below. Enjoy, friends.

xoxo