Southern Holiday Life Christmas Issue

The new Christmas issue of Southern Holiday Life is out and I'm sharing a fun tutorial in this edition: Wood Slice Ornaments.

Back in the fall, after a lot storms, we had some pretty large oak tree limbs down in our back yard. Instead of chopping it up for firewood, I had my husband cut it into about one to one and a half inch slices. At the time, I wasn't exactly sure about what I'd do with all of those pretty wood slices, but I knew that a Christmas project was the direction I was headed in. I decided to make some ornaments and was able to share how for SHL. 

Here's a little sneak peek at my tree with those wood slice ornaments on it. I think this may be my favorite tree I've ever done. I made lots and lots of wood slice ornaments for it and they just pop! I love that they are personalized for our family and that you can personalize yours, too. (By the way, next week is Home Tour Week and I'll be sharing my holiday home along with a few others every day! I'm so excited and can't wait for you to see!)

Head on over and read the tutorial on how to make your own wood slice ornaments and all of the other wonderful articles in this issue HERE. 

Christmas Style Study: Plaids and Cozy Winter Essentials

Today is the last day of Christmas Style Study week. I've really enjoyed looking at the different styles and color combos this week. They are all so pretty and have something different to offer. But, I have to admit, today's style study may be my favorite (this year anyway). I've been very drawn to plaids and buffalo check. It's just so warm and cozy to me! So without further ado, here are some of my favorite plaid inspiration photos. 

|| Romancing the Home ||

|| Centsational Girl ||

|| Craftberry Bush ||

|| Pottery Barn ||

|| On Sutton Place ||

|| Major Hoff Takes a Wife ||

This year, you'll see a lot of plaids in my Christmas decorating. I just couldn't help myself. It was kind of like those Pier 1 commercials where the lady walks in and something starts to speak to her (literally) and she has to take it home. That's what has happened to me this year with buffalo check and plaids. I can't wait to finish up all of my decorating to show you. But, how are you decorating this year? Keeping it traditional or trying something new this year?

If you missed any of the other days this week, be sure to go take a look:
*Silver and Gold
*Classic Reds and Greens
*Merry and Bright
*Winter Whites and Neutrals

Christmas Style Study: Winter Whites and Neutrals

Welcome to Day Four of our Christmas Style Study week! Man, this week has really flown by. I've loved looking at all of the different styles so far, and honestly, it's really hard for me to say which is my favorite. I can find something I love about each style or color combo. I tend to change this up each year and that makes it fun to play with different styles. (I cannot wait to show you how I'm decorating for Christmas this year. Like last year, I'll be doing a full week of Christmas home tours in December. I'm so excited!) Okay, let's move on to today's style.

Winter Whites and Neutrals
There is something so soothing about a white or neutral palette. I just love a flocked Christmas tree, pretty winter whites, or natural elements like pine cones. 

Winter Whites and Neutrals:

Soothing, calm, elegant

Let's take a look! 

|| Home Bunch ||

|| This Silly Girl's Life ||

|| Craftberry Bush ||

|| Ella Claire ||

|| Craftberry Bush ||

|| Craftberry Bush ||

|| Thistlewood Farms ||

Oh man, all of these photos are so dreamy and beautiful! What style is your favorite so far this week?

Christmas Style Study: Merry and Bright

Hi, friends. Have you been following along this week during our Christmas Style Study? On Day One, we took a glimpse at elegant silver and gold. And on Day Two, reds and greens took center stage. Today we're looking at all things merry and bright. That's right. Bold color combos that are playful and fun! 

Merry and Bright

Style breakdown:

Fun, playful, whimsical 

Whether you use colored lights or bright colors on your tree, this style is sure to bring a smile to your face.

|| Love This Pic ||

|| HGTV ||

|| Southern Hospitality ||

|| In My Own Style ||

|| Better Homes and Gardens ||

So, what do you think? Would you step outside of the traditional Christmas colors and go bold? 

Christmas Style Study: Classic Reds and Greens

Welcome back to day two of Christmas Style Study week. Yesterday, we took a look at elegant silver and gold. So pretty. But today we're perusing some gorgeous red and green inspiration. 

Classic Red and Green
Red and green is to Christmas as tiny marshmallows are to hot chocolate. You just can't have one without the other. When I think of Christmas, red and green comes to mind automatically. It's classic and traditional, but can also be used to create whimsy and interest. I also love that you can decorate with reds and greens naturally....meaning there are a lot of things in nature that automatically lend to that color combo. (Fresh greenery, Christmas trees, leaves, holly berries, mistletoe, pomegranates, etc..)

Red and Green style breakdown:

Classic, traditional, natural elements

|| Southern Living ||

|| Bake at 350 ||

|| Better Homes and Gardens ||

|| Love the Day ||

|| Worthing Court ||

|| Kara's Party Ideas ||

|| Pippa James Interiors ||

|| The Wow Style ||

|| Unskinny Boppy ||

|| Craftberry Bush ||

|| On Sutton Place ||

Doesn't that just make you want to back Christmas cookies and go caroling? No? Okay, well maybe that's just me, but I just love these gorgeous reds and greens! Don't forget to come back tomorrow for another style study! Thanks for stopping by! 

Christmas Style Study: Silver and Gold

It's that time of year again. If you haven't already started putting out your Christmas decor, you may be at least thinking about it. I've started my holiday decorating service, and in talking to some clients and friends about what themes and colors to use when decorating, I thought I'd take this week to do a style study series for those who are having a hard time deciding how to decorate. 

Throughout this week, we'll take a look at classic red and green, neutrals, plaids and tartans, whimsical/bright colors, and today, silver and golds. Hopefully, this will help you nail down a specific color combo or direction when planning for holiday decorating. 

Silver and Gold
I can't help but to think of the song by Burl Ives:

Silver and Gold

Silver and Gold

Everyone wishes for Silver and Gold

How do you measure its worth?

Just by the pleasure it gives here on Earth

Silver and Gold

Silver and Gold means so much more when I see

Silver and Gold decorations on every Christmas tree

Silver and Gold

Silver and Gold

Everyone wishes for Silver and Gold

Silver and Gold

Silver and Gold means so much more when I see

Silver and Gold decorations on every Christmas tree

Songwriters

JOHNNY MARKS

Published by

Lyrics © ST. NICHOLAS MUSIC INC.

Silver and gold is such a classic combo and is so elegant. I love that it goes well with almost any color you may already have in your home. If you're having a hard time deciding on a color combo, and are afraid to go too bold, this is a great option for you.

Silver and Gold Style breakdown: 
Classic, elegant, pairs well with a variety of colors, glamorous.   

Take a look at these gorgeous examples.

|| U Create ||

|| House.ru ||

|| Boxwood Clippings ||

|| Centsational Girl ||

|| The DIY Playbook ||

|| Cuckoo For Design ||

Last year's DIY Ornament Wreath

Last year's dining room tree.

Thanks for stopping by today. I hope you'll come back for the other style studies this week! 

DIY Thanksgiving Wheat Bundle

Okay, I'm not gonna lie. My brain has totally already switched over to Christmas decorating mode. But don't worry...I haven't actually decorated for Christmas yet, but I may or may not have already (1) Listened to Christmas music, (2) Watched sappy Christmas movies on the Hallmark Channel, (3) Wrapped some Christmas presents, (4) Put Christmas pillows on my couch. 

Well, yeah, okay. Maybe I'm getting a little carried away a little too early, but I just can't help myself. I blame in on Instagram (all of the bloggers I follow are posting Christmas decor pics like it's December first), and I blame it on Starbucks Peppermint Mocha lattes, and I blame it on the Hallmark Channel. 

I won't actually be hosting Thanksgiving at my house this year, so I feel a sort of freedom to slowly begin to bring Christmas in at my own pace, letting my creative juices flow! I do usually decorate a little early so that I can share projects and inspiration here on the blog for all my bloggy friends out there. But, I won't be posting Christmas projects quite yet. But Christmas (winter) is coming and be prepared for those posts very soon. For now, though, here's a simple tutorial on how to make your own wheat bundle. These would be so gorgeous on a Thanksgiving table. 

DIY Wheat Bundle

What you'll need:
~Wheat 
~Twine or floral wire
~Decorative ribbon
~Scissors

Start by gathering your wheat, then twist in the center to spread it out. You want to end up with a flat base so that it can stand on its own. If needed, trim to make level.

Next, once you get the desired shape, secure with wire or twine. Then, embellish with ribbon. And that's it! You have a beautiful centerpiece for your Thanksgiving table!

Thanks so much for stopping by! I hope you'll come back! Check the Cultivate Create Facebook page later today....I'll be announcing the winner of our Favorite Things Blogiversary giveaway winner!