Christmas Home Tour Part I

I wear my heart on my sleeve.  Maybe it’s the hair color, I don’t know.  Hormones?  I let my sensitivity get me down this past week. Blogging has brought me many blessings, but sometimes it gets the best of me.  It’s a ton of work, and the preparation and hours of creativity can really take their toll if you let them.  Not only physically, but mentally.  Don’t get me wrong.  I love what I do.

On that note…have you noticed the “Christmas Tours” in blog land?  They are stunningly gorgeous.  I mean, I’ve seen things this year I’ve never even imagined as a decorator.  The talent out there is endless, mind blowing to tell you the truth.  That’s where the doubt set in.

I began to feel insecure, sad, left out, while visiting and viewing all of the group home tours.  I began to ask myself, “What am I doing wrong to never have been invited to join a blog group tour?”

Silly, I know.

The answer today is clearer.  I’m doing nothing wrong.  I’m human.  We can’t always be the master of our insecurities.  I got over that nasty hump, dusted myself off, and now continue on my journey doing what I love to do.  Decorate.

Here’s my “Christmas Home Tour Part I”.  Brought to you, by just me, the redhead, Julie.

You didn’t think I could let the holidays go by with out filling my “DIY Candelabra Planter” did you?  At first I though maybe bulbs with pine.  Then I thought candy canes.  Then the Poinsettia came to me.  I found 3 small Poinsettia plants at the grocery store.  They were 3 for $10.  These are real folks.  Poinsettias are one of my favorite plants.  Just remember to make sure the animals don’t eat them.  Sylvia has no interest in this plant.  She just wants to be in the photo, as usual…

If you haven’t seen how I transformed this stereo console, you can view that here: “Black Stereo Console Makeover“.  This thing makes it easy to decorate it.  I admit, that this is a bit “busy” for even me this year, but it’s still very pretty for our Christmas party coming up tomorrow night.  This is our foyer, and the place where I take everyone’s coat and throw them on our bed in there.  Watch out Sylvia!

I filled the glass bowl with silver and white ornaments to tone it down a bit.  On the inside I have a bowl full of brighter ornaments.  The pine tree clippings my husband went out to steal get in the cold.  The pine cones I had and are also the real deal.

If you would like to learn more about the platters, here’s my “Thrift Store Silver Platter Wall” tutorial.

And lastly, the lantern.  I filled it with epsom salt from the dollar store, and some little balls I found at Michael’s.  There’s a tiny tiny spider in there camping out.  If you see him, tell him he’s got until Christmas.  The Santa is from Target quite a few years ago.  The chain just happen to make it over to Santa’s bell.

Here it is at night time… 

Next Friday, I will show you the rest of the house.  In the mean time, you can view our foyer a couple years back here: “Pottery Barn Knock Off Lanterns“.

Thanks for letting me be open & honest.  I promise I am feeling much better, now.  Time to celebrate Christmas.  XO