December 31, 2013

My Winter Mantle



I have been wanting to share my winter mantle, but got caught up with all of the Christmas duties and festivities and haven't had a chance to share.  This is my first fireplace, and I have had such fun coming up with how to dress it up with each season.


I wanted drama to go with my simple, white brick fireplace so I looked for my silver and a splash of gold décor items to decorate my mantle.  My branches I had for my fall décor made a wonderful place to hang silver ornaments.  It was my husband's idea to use them again for my winter décor.  Nice idea!

My five year old added the pine cones from the back yard.  It has been a family affair!  The sugared garland and clear beaded sprays with the branches, were the only new items I added to this mantle.  All other items I have had for a couple of years, and never put them together.  It is fun to use what you have in new ways!



 The silver bowl, was my husband's grandmothers.  I debated cleaning it, but liked the oxidized look.  It gave a nice backdrop to my nativity scene.



I hope you enjoyed, and I would love to hear your comments! 
Happy New Year!  I hope you stop by again soon in 2014!
Kari



Linking Up:

Tatertots & Jello






December 15, 2013

Stocking Stuffer Giveaway! Polar Express Believe Bells

Stocking Stuffer Giveaway!


Win four of my Polar Express Bells for 
last minute stocking stuffers!


Perfect for filling those stockings.  They look just like the bell Santa gives as the first gift of Christmas in the Polar Express!

The tags read:
"Believe Bells   
The bell rings for those who truly believe."


Just 2 simple steps to win!

1.  Favorite your favorite item listed in my Etsy shop.  

2.  Follow me on this blog

CONGRATS TO KELLY ROLLINS!!!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

***These will arrive by Christmas!***






December 4, 2013

5 Outdoorsy Gift Ideas for Dad - Guest Post


5 Outdoorsy Gift Ideas for Dad

Gifts your dad will love to use outside.
by Alex Kelley at Rosetta.com

 

It's giving season, and the toughest gifts are those for the men in my family.  I usually put my husband in charge.  Here are some great ideas from Rosetta.com.  Enjoy!  Do you have any additional gift ideas for the men in your life? - Kari

 
 

Dads can be notoriously difficult to shop for. Many require only a few simple pleasures to be content, which they probably already own. So how do you choose a gift you know he’ll use? If your dad enjoys being outside, whether to garden, camp or do woodwork, here are a few suggestions for outdoorsy gifts to get your shopping started this holiday season.

 

1.       Camping equipment – If the dad in your family likes to escape to the wilderness now and then – whether in a tent, RV or cabin – find outdoorsy gifts he can use while communing with nature. Even if he’s a camping pro, there are probably a few useful items he doesn’t own yet. Hint about things like camping stoves, high-power flashlights, cast iron cooking equipment or even a simple flint and steel kit. Camping is a gear-heavy hobby, which makes it a great place to start brainstorming gift ideas for dad.

 

2.      Lawn and garden equipment – Whether he’s into gardening, landscaping, or just wants to make chores easier, yard tools can be a great gift idea for dad. If he turns over the soil in the vegetable garden by hand every year, maybe he’d like a garden tiller to help the job go faster. Or perhaps a weed eater is just the ticket to trim the edges of the yard and cut in close around trees and walkways for a manicured lawn he’ll be proud of.

 

3.      Tools – While the dad in your family may already own “must-have” tools, like a power drill, circular saw and a trusty hammer, there may be a more specialized tool that he hasn’t yet gotten around to picking up. For woodworking, consider a lathe, planer or nice set of chisels. If he likes working on cars, look into a new set of wrenches or pneumatic tools. Whatever makes his job easier or lets him improve his hobbies will be the perfect gift idea for dad.

 

4.      Fishing and hunting equipment – If your dad comes home from weekend trips with a few trout or a deer, find out what kind of gear he’d like to have for his next excursion. The right outdoorsy gift might be a new fly-fishing reel, proper tools to prepare the meat he brings home or a sturdy pair of boots for tromping through the woods.

 

5.      Travel – What do you get the man who truly has everything? How about a camping trip in the Adirondack Mountains, a fly-fishing trip in Montana or road trip to the nearest National Park? Pick your dad’s favorite outdoor destination, or one he’s always wanted to visit, and plan a trip together. It’ll be much more memorable than another tie or pack of socks.

 

Keep in mind that very few of the items listed above last forever. So even if your dad seems to have everything he needs, maybe an upgrade of his current equipment or replacement parts to make his tools run more smoothly is in order. Carefully poke around the garage to see what may be missing or outdated, or ask what he wishes he could replace. Sure, his old push mower will usually start after about 15 tugs on the pull cord, but maybe it’s time to upgrade to a new zero-turn riding mower. Always remember to give gift receipts in case he has a preferred brand of tool, fishing rod or mower. And if something’s a little out of your price range, talk to your siblings to see if you can pitch in and get it for him together.


Guest Poster: Alex Kelly is a content specialist with a knack for providing practical home and garden advice. Kelly received an M.A. in Communication from The University of Dayton and has five years of experience in writing.

November 28, 2013

Happy Thanksgiving!


Wishing you and your family a wonderful Thanksgiving!  This is my favorite holiday of the year!  It is a perfect time to get together with family, but without the added pressure of buying gifts.  Truly just a time to gather and be thankful for our loved ones!

How do you celebrate!

Happy Thanksgiving!

Kari

August 30, 2013

My Summer (and first) Mantle - Beach Inspired


My Summer and (first) Mantle


 
I have been absent for some time...we moved, went on vacation, and both my girls are now in school and we are all getting settled.  We moved from our first home built in 2000 to one built in 1957.  I love the character of our "new" home.  I can't wait to share it with you!
 
I am so excited to have my first fireplace!  Here in Phoenix, they are more for show than function.  I would drool with all the fabulous mantle styling I would see on link parties and Pinterest.  I am so excited to share my first MANTLE - My Summer Mantle, with you!
 
My mantle is beach inspired.  A wish to get away from the ever present heat.

We took the girls to the beach this summer.  It was my youngest daughter's first trip to the ocean, and my oldest was a baby so it was a first time again for her.  While there, I picked up another faux coral.  If you saw my Succulent and Shell centerpiece, it was my backdrop.
 
My shell picture used to be in my living room of my old house, and the mirror in our bedroom. 
The blue vase was my great grandmother's.

If you saw my bathroom in my old house, you would recognize my white coral.  And my favorite books make another debut.  First bought for my Grandma's 80th birthday party (for $2.00) I have found they go with any theme!  Here they are at my Easter Décor.


We went to Hunnington Beach and Newport Beach, California this summer.  I collected the drift wood in the jar.  The barnacle was purchased at my favorite store in Laguna Beach.  The gold "coined" plate was used in my St. Patrick's Day Decor Entryway
 

Now time to get ready for Fall!
 
 What do you think about the fireplace color?  it was painted white when we moved in.  I can't decide if it should be a color or not.  My husband likes it white.  It is neutral, but is it too plain?
 
I would love to hear your thoughts!




Linking Up:


 


Chic on a Shoestring Decorating

 

 
 

Tickled Pink at 504 Main

July 10, 2013

The Very Hungry Caterpillar, the cutest birthday theme!

Happy Summer!  I was pinning on Pinterest and got distracted with the cutest party ideas for "The Very Hungry Caterpillar" party theme!

I love this gender neutral theme and would be great for a kid's birthday party or a baby shower.

I just love the bright colors, and the story always brings a smile to my face with all of the beautiful illustrations!



hungry caterpillar party 2
Love this tablescape from Project Nursery
 
 
 
 Cute and easy details Catch My Party - Curtis' 1st B'day
 
 
The Very Hungry Caterpillar Party Food Diy 
 Food!!  from Cotton Bottom Mama
 
 
Bright and Fun Favors - Catch My Party - Brooklyn's Party
 
 
What's your favorite?
 
 
 

May 4, 2013

The Style of the Kentucky Derby - HATS!

Today is the Kentucky Derby, and with it are a lot of fun traditions.
 
 
When I was about 14, I went with my family to Churchill Downs where they run the Kentucky Derby.  It wasn't the day of the big race, but we still got to take in the experience of horse racing, mint juleps (I had the non-alcoholic version) and the HATS!
 
I love hats, but sadly this day and age people don't wear hats everyday.  I wish there were more reasons to wear hats.  Today I celebrate the amazing hats and style of the derby!

 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 



Which hat is your favorite?

To get in the spirit, here is the original Mint Julep recipe from the Kentucky Derby Website!


The Early Times Mint Julep Recipe

  • 2 cups sugar
  • 2 cups water
  • Sprigs of fresh mint
  • Crushed ice
  • Early Times Kentucky Whisky
  • Silver Julep Cups
Make a simple syrup by boiling sugar and water together for five minutes. Cool and place in a covered container with six or eight sprigs of fresh mint, then refrigerate overnight. Make one julep at a time by filling a julep cup with crushed ice, adding one tablespoon mint syrup and two ounces of Early Times Kentucky Whisky. Stir rapidly with a spoon to frost the outside of the cup. Garnish with a sprig of fresh mint.

ENJOY!

March 30, 2013

Happy Easter! My Spring Entry Table

Happy Easter!


Wishing you and your family a wonderful Easter.  It is such a fun time of year with the kids.  My girls love looking for easter eggs around the yard.  When I was a kid we would hide real eggs around the yard.  But, now with plastic eggs it is way more exciting to see what is inside the eggs once you find them. Grandma likes to hide change and candy.  Chocolate doesn't do too well in our warm Arizona climate!

I have dressed up my entry table for Easter, and kept it simple and vintage this year.  I reused some of the elements from my St. Patrick's Day decor.  I also made a wreath that I am really excited about.





 Love these vintage style burlap eggs I found from Hobby Lobby.  And the cute chick I found in the dollar spot for two at Target.

My mother-in-law got me this darling vintage bunny bowl a couple of years ago for Easter.  I love it!  My books make a debut again.  They stay on the table and I just move them around to fit the rest of my decor.  They are perfect and well worth the $2.00 I paid for them at a yard sale!


This jug was on sale from Michael's that I bought months ago, and the plate from Tuesday Morning on clearance. 



I added a spring wreath on my burlap board I bought 50% off at Hobby Lobby!  I think the colors tie everything in and are perfect for Spring!


 I wrapped a Styrofoam wreath I got for .25 and I already used it for my daughter's Safari Party.  I wrapped it with crossgrain ribbon in a rich Tiffany Blue.   


I added a coral pink crossgrain ribbon as a warm accent and two peach puff flowers.  I love the cool and warm together.  I added a vintage inspired ribbon to hang with keys to tie the look together.  This took me only 10 minutes, and I didn't have a plan before I put this together.  I was going to tie knots of cut ribbon, but I decided that was too fussy.  I will do a full tutorial soon, some come back to see!

I would love to hear your thoughts!  Feel free to share links back to your Easter decor, recipes, etc!

Thanks for Hopping by!  Happy Easter!


March 23, 2013

Happy Spring - My St. Patrick's Day Decor

Happy Spring!  So, I am a little late but wanted to share with you my St. Patrick's Day decor.  Since I don't have a fireplace mantle, and my dining room table is my "design studio" I have been using my entry table to display holiday decor.

I have never decorated for St. Patrick's Day before, but I found a cute "Lucky" shamrock and had to show it off.

 
The rest of the items, I repurposed from items I
bought for various events.
 
 


 
The moss stones were left over from my St. Patrick's Day project from last year.  Placed on a cream and gold plate.


This white wooden crate, I bought for my grandmother's 80th Birthday party.  It still has the fabric strips from her party.  The berries are from my fall decor.  The little pig was from my mother-in-law for Christmas.  (It's my favorite animal.)


I bought these awesome vintage books also for my Grandma's party, for $2.00 total at a yard sale.

This fabulous little burlap tackboard was 50% at Hobby Lobby recently.  I think it is a perfect backdrop to my Lucky shamrock.


Here's me in my new green sweater from Banana Republic.  It was on sale and an additional 40% off that!  Perfect for St. Patty's day.

What's your favorite detail?  Feel free to share your link for your St. Patrick's Day decor!


Here's my St. Patrick's Day decor- 3-minute door hanging from last year.