To Live Simply

I plan to live Simply in 2009. Happy New Year Friends!

Declutter the closets

Okay so these aren't my closets and mine don't look like these either, but now is the time to start decluttering. Put away all those gifts you got for christmas and get rid of some of the stuff you don't need anymore. I found a great place for tips on getting organized click here if you want to learn more.

Safe Decoration Storage by Martha Stewart

Getting ready to take down those decorations? Did you save the boxes that your new christmas balls came in or have some of those boxes seen better days? Well don't worry because Martha came up with a great solution using cardboard and plastic cups and a hot glue gun. Find the proper storage container to suit your needs, next heat your glue gun and glue your plastic cups to the already cut cardboard and place this inside your container and fill with your ornaments. I was pretty impressed with this idea, I think I'll give it a try this year.

Merry Christmas Everyone!

Holiday Dining Rooms

Photos {Better Homes and Gardens}

Napkins Why you should care about them

Photos {Better Home and Gardens}
You should care about your napkins whether you are using real cloth ones or paper napkins. It is the first thing your guest sees when they sit down to your holiday table. So take some extra time today and think about sprucing up your napkins add candy canes...fresh greens...berries or even extra xmas balls. The ideas are endless and if you gather your stuff today it's one less thing you need to think of on Christmas Day. Go to Better Home and Gardens for some more napkin ideas!

Holiday Appetizers

Are you hosting a holiday party or dinner? Need some appetizer ideas? I'm always looking for cool but easy ideas for appetizers. I love something that isn't messy or too complicated. The trick is something you could prep in minutes the day before and refridgerate or pull out of the cupboard. I went to Country Living for these awesome ideas today!

Christmas Card Holder

I bet you are wondering what to do with all those christmas cards you are getting in the mail these days. Well Martha Stewart came up with a creative solution for us! A Christmas Card Tree. Wow she does think of everything doesn't she?

Easy Craft Ideas by Martha Stewart

Found some easy crafts you can do with the kids before christmas...we are definately going to decorate our ginger bread houses this weekend and make some crafts! My kids love to do crafts. Just click here if you want to learn more of Martha's Craft Projects.

Christmas Dinner Menus

Photos Better Home and Gardens
Are you having company for Christmas Dinner this year? Need some awesome ideas on what to serve, well you better head over to Better Homes and Gardens for some fabulous recipes! I was just there and got some delicious ideas,,,,,but remember to try out a recipe first because it's not always good to make a dish for the first time and serve it to your guests!

White House Christmas

I found these awesome pics in the New York Times of the White House, Washington D.C. I can't even imagine how beautifully decorated it could be, WOW!

Homemade Snowflakes

Are your kids having a snow day? or a cold day? Mine are home due to exteme temperatures up here in Canada. So I'm trying to find some cool crafts to do with them today. I found some tutorials on snowflake making over at Better Homes and Gardens just click here to check them all out!

Santa

Just had to post a pic about this jolly old fella, I still believe!

Warm up by the fire

Photos Courtesy Better Homes and Gardens
Just thought I would share some of these beautiful rooms I found this morning at Better Home and Gardens. I love how each mantel is beautifully decorated and adds such a warmth to each room.

A Wreath for the Mirror

I saw this neat idea to dress up my mirror from Martha Stewart. I purchased the wreath and added gold ribbon to hang it! Thanks for stopping by!

Outdoor Lights

Photo Better Home and Gardens

A few pics of my home

Just wanted to share a few pics of the finished bar/counters my husband finished this week. They are made of solid oak stained with a walnut finish and varnished with a clear coat to make them durable and shine. I put out my christmas china yesterday into my hutch. I love the bright colour it adds to my black hutch. Thanks for stopping by!

Can you live in white

{Photos courtesy House Beautiful}
I was having a conversation about white with a friend recently and how white is really white....and it left me wondering can I live in a white house? I am always drawn into photos of white rooms probably because white looks so clean and crisp. I love that white can brighten up a space, but could I have a white room? I decided that white is nice but looking around my house I can't see anything white except my porcelin or my mouldings/baseboards. I like neutral colours because you can introduce any colour that you want. The question is can you live in a white house?

Need Some Tree Inspiration

{Photos Courtesy Country Living Magazine}

I heard the other day that some people wait til a few days before Christmas to put up their trees? WHAT??? I have mine up usually by American Thanksgiving! I love trees...big trees...small trees....real trees....fake trees...outdoor trees! Thanks for stopping by!