Wednesday, December 14, 2011

Christmas Time is Near!

Hello dear friends! How is everyone doing? With Christmas fast approaching, I have enjoyed all of the lovely inspiration that has filled blog land recently! The amazing talent that I see never ceases to amaze me! Well I know it's been a short while since I've posted last, so I thought I'd share with you what I have been up to for the last week or so. :)


Last Friday, my husband & I had a "date night," which is rare since he often has to work late/many hours, and when we're both finally free, we are always doing something with our kiddos {I'm sure most of you can relate}! So, imagine my delight when he tells me that we have babysitting for the evening, and that we have a couple of hours to ourselves {yippee}! :)


We went to the "Americana at Brand" here in Southern California and had some dinner & drinks, and then enjoyed the festive decor all around! Of course I couldn't resist perusing through the shops there. And the Anthropologie at that location was no exception. :)


So many tempting goodies to buy every time I set foot into that store...but I was a good little gal and didn't get anything for myself {I'll just wait for "Santa" to cross off my wish list}. :)


This past weekend we also managed to get our tree up & decorated, finally! I know I'm really behind again this year. Every year I keep telling myself that I'm going to do my decor and crafts on time, but that usually gets thrown out the door because of some time management issues! And it's even more so this year with all the ongoing fixer upper projects. So I do envy you gals out there that seem to have it all together for the holidays! :)


The kids opted for a beautiful noble fir. And I let my boys pick out the "theme colors" for this year's tree, and they chose red, silver & white. Luckily that worked out since we were working with a limited amount of decor because we left most of our ornaments at my parents' house in Central Cali.


So we kept it simple this year with a few boxes of ornaments that I picked up at the "IKEA holiday tent" one week before "Black Friday" {thank goodness because all the ornaments there were pretty much sold out by the 1st week of December}! Both of my boys decorated this tree all by themselves, and I think they did a terrific job! :) The decor was simple & sweet with:




and



pretty silver boxes tied up in shiny string. :)



The rest of the tree was adorned with shatter-resistant ornaments of Christmas past that we thankfully found in the back of my in-laws garage. And of course let's not forget the red, felt star which tops the tree for a simple, yet festive treat. :)



Oh but wait! We have to wait until it gets dark to enjoy the warm glow of twinkle lights which really adds some sparkle to the tree... :)


.glitter balls & vintage inspired hearts.






Well there you have it: a decorated tree that made its way onto an uncluttered corner {rare} of our home! :) I am proud of my boys for decorating this tree the way they did. :) Oh & another exciting milestone this past weekend was that my youngest performed in his first Christmas program at his preschool, and my eldest attended his first sports banquet of the year, at his new school. :) I feel so happy & blessed that despite the often "fixer-upper chaos" & the move to a new school/area, they are making great friends and enjoying the holiday season. :) Until next time, have a bright & beautiful week!


XO's,
Jessie



P.S. I would like to also thank everyone once again for their sweet comments on my last post regarding my holiday mantel. We don't have much this year due to the recent move, & the unforeseen repairs to our home; so these days we really do have to work with what we already have. So I thank you for your kind words on my simple mantel. :)




Sharing with: The House in the Roses, My Romantic Home, Homemaker on a Dime, How Sweet the Sound, Home Sweet Home, Freckled Laundry, Faded Charm, Very Merry Vintage Style, Free Pretty Things For You, Primp, Wednesday Show Off

35 comments:

jessica said...

Looks wonderful!! I didn't/haven't got to my huge list either for decorating for the holidays!! Oh well! There's always next year!! :)

Wishing you and your family a Merry Christmas!!

~*Jessica

Anonymous said...

You have a beautiful Christmas tree.
You are welcome to my little show off.

Regards from Sweden
Elna

Anonymous said...

Hi, I'm your newest follower. Love your tree, especially the paper hearts - your boys did a wonderful job! ... :0)

rusty hinge said...

Love your tree! Don't worry, we just got our tree up too! I totally understand how time can get away from you especially during this time of year!
Have a very Merry Christmas!
Maria ~Rusty Hinge

Sherry said...

I do love your tree, you did a beautiful job on decorating it!

Anonymous said...

Your tree looks lovely. Your boys did a brilliant job.

Anonymous said...

Hi my sweet friend,
Your tree looks absolutely gorgeous!! Your boys did an amazing job!
My hubby and I had a date night last Friday too thanks to my mom who was visiting. We haven't been out alone in years and it was so wonderful. It was so funny because we were both so nervous like when we first started dating. :)
I'm so happy that your boys are adjusting to their new schools! I know how hard that can be.
Wishing you a beautiful day.
Sincerely,
Melinda

Fresh Vanilla For C said...

Good Morning~ It all looks fantastic. Your boys did such a great job!!!! Hope you have a great day. I never thought to go to Ikea for ornaments...next year:)))

xo~Cheryl

Sandi~A Cottage Muse said...

Looks fantastic! Love all the hearts! So happy to hear the boys are doing well...Merry Christmas to all!

Karena said...

Jessie this is one of the most beautiful trees I have seen this year. maybe it is the simple elegance and limited color palette!!
Gorgeous!!

Please come & Enter my 12 Days of Holiday Giveaways!! The latest is Art & more from Fifi Flowers!!

xoxo
Karena

Art by Karena

Tricia said...

Your tree looks wonderful, Jessie. It's so full and thick. Your boys did a good job with those theme colors. I haven't gotten a whole lot done decorating wise either, but I kind of don't care :)

Amy @ Five Kinds of Happy said...

Cute tree! I know what you mean about everyone seeming to have it all together for Christmas! It's kinda last-minute around here too. :)

Town and Country Gals said...

Jessie,
your tree is lovely, the boys did a great job! I love a little sparkle and yours is perfect! We all do what we can do and then we need to just enjoy it and not worry about the rest!
Merry Christmas
Rebecca

Roser og Patina said...

Hi Jessie. So good to hear that you and your husband had time together, just the two of you:) Sounds like a nice evening:) I am so impressed with how your boys have decorated the Christmas tree! It is so beautiful! Wish you and your family a great weekend. Hugs Ellen.

Rozmeen said...

Wonderful tree!! I have everything white but red is the christmas colour...so beautiful..

xoxo Rozmeen

Susan EvelynAndRose said...

Your tree looks wonderful Jessie! I love the color combination - smart boys!
Working with what you have for decor is the easiest and most stress-free way of decorating, I think. I really didn't purchase much this year for our home.
Glad to hear you enjoyed an evening out with your husband. Maybe I'll give a little hint to mine...
- Susan

Linda M. said...

Your tree is gorgeous. Decorated with love...Merry Christmas. Linda

Paulette said...

Your tree looks amazing!♥

A Cozy Cottage in the City said...

Thank you dear friends & visitors for stopping by and leaving such sweet comments - they all make my day! :) Hugs & Happy Holidays to you all!


XOXO's,
Jessie

Olde Tyme Marketplace said...

What a pretty tree! I just found your blog this morning! YIPPEE! Going back to read some more!
Merry Christmas!
Beth

Anonymous said...

Simply beautiful, Jessie! Your boys certainly take after their talented mum. Enjoy your tree and hopefully find some time to relax now that it's up:) God bless x

Seawashed said...

Hi! Thank you so much for your visits to my blog. I am a now a follower. I love your red, white, and silver Ikea tree! It is darling. Ikea just makes me love red during the holidays and maybe next year I will add some pops of red indoors! Merry Christmas.

Tami @ Creative girl Vintage said...

Jessie..your tree is gorgeous..your boys did a wonderful job!
Have a wonderful Christmas.
Happy Pink Saturday..xo Tami

J.Rylie.C said...

Very pretty!

Beside the Christmas Tree, happy holidays!

Chubskulit Rose said...

What a delight to see these lovely decors.!

Pink at my page, please come and see. Have a wonderful holiday from my family to yours!

ShabbyESP said...

Your tree is beautiful
I love how your boys picked the colors for your tree.
Enjoy your holidays
Suzann ~xoxo~

Special 'K' said...

Wow! I love your decorations, especially the fabric hearts. Thanks for sharing. I will follow on my way out so as I would love to visit again. I hope you will find the time to come visit my place and do the same. Wishing you a very Merry Christmas and I look forward to engaging and supporting your blog in the New Year. Cheers SpecialK XoXo

Ellen said...

It's all so very festive. Heres wishing many more date nights.
Merry Christmas
Ellen

My Beautiful World said...

Another beautiful post my friend so love visiting you.Sending you special wishes for a very Merry Christmas and look forward to keeping in touch in 2012.

Always Wendy

awal.ny said...

I think your tree looks just perfect. My kids usually stop putting on ornaments after they do the ones they like the best. I love the little fabric hearts. I am glad you had a date night with your husband, we had a date night on Thursday and I think we should have them more often, lots of laughs. Thank you for your wonderful comments. I wish you and your family a Merry Christmas.

Rachel Berault said...

My darling Jessie, I absolutely loved your Christmas tree! Your decoration is so lovely! And thanks for your kindness. You have a so lovely heart, dear! Lots of kisses, Rachel :D

Rachel said...

Just to say. dear, I'm Rachel Berault, who commented above. I usually do not comment with this name but I forgot changing :))))) Kisses

A Cozy Cottage in the City said...

Thank you all once again for your kind & thoughtful comments - I greatly appreciate your visits to my page! :)


Cheers,
Jessie

Unknown said...

Congrats to your children's 'first' events. I know you had to be both proud & enjoy ...

Your tree is just lovely.
Merry Christmas
TTFN ~
Marydon

The Charm of Home said...

Your tree is lovely! Have a very Merry Christmas! Thank you for joining me at Home Sweet Home!
Sherry

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