Home Is Where the Hearth Is: White Christmas Holiday Decor

            I hope everyone had a wonderful Thanksgiving and enjoyed two slices of pie, I sure did!  As a new week starts and we inch closer to Christmas, I only have fireplaces on the brain.  I am currently working with a client to transform her existing family room fireplace and I am really excited about the materials we have picked out.  We want to make the hearth the heartbeat of the family room.  As I began brainstorming, I couldn’t help but think about my own holiday mantel décor.  I’m excited to freshen it up and I found some fantastic inspiration today—White Christmas  Fireplace décor.  Fresh, simple, and stunning, these images have me excited for the task at hand.  I hope you enjoy them!

Via Honeycomb Creative Company

Via Sharon Santoni

Via Simon Whitmore

Via Zoe Bishop

Via Julie Webber

            I would love to see your inspiration!  Feel free to post some of your favorite holiday fireplace and mantel inspiration. 

           

Have a great day,

Create Your Thanksgiving Table Setting!

            I’m sure everyone is gearing up for Thanksgiving and making final menu plans and getting excited for the extended family to come into town.  I have been thinking about my own Thanksgiving table setting, which I always like to think about in a methodical way.  Going through my checklist ensure a finished table that will be well thought out and really knock your guests’ socks off!  Here are a few guiding thoughts on making your own Thanksgiving table setting.

            Pick Out Your Table Covering

            Whether you plan on a tablecloth or placemats, build your setting around

            this base, which will help bring continuity to your table.  Whether you’re

            going traditional or contemporary, this will be your backbone!

            Cutlery, China, and Napkins

            Pick out your cutlery and china and think about how you would like to

            arrange them.   I love Emily Post etiquette guides and here is a quick go to

            for your cutlery and china arrangement. Whether you have an elaborate fold

            or fun napkin ring, don’t forget to make yours an addition!

            Glasses

            Select your glasses for display.  If you have more than one type of glass at

            your table, it’s always convenient to put the most used glass most accessible.

            Place Cards

            They really add extra pizzazz to your table and make a complete look!

            Consider Your Serving Style

            Whether you go for a buffet style setting on an adjacent table or layout the

            your serving dishes, consider where your dishes will go and that they are

            accessible to your guests!

I have been searching for inspiration to keep my own table fun and exciting for this Thanksgiving and I have to share some of my favorite table settings to get you inspired to! 

Via Country Living

Via Posh Home

Via Seasonal Love

Via Style Me Pretty

Via The Sweetest Occasion 

I’d love to see pictures from you Thanksgiving table!  Please share yours in our comments and we will feature them on our Thanksgiving post!

Have a great day,

Art and Architecture in El Salvador

El Salvador has a beautiful and unique aesthetic stemming from the fusion of indigenous styles with colonial influences.  Colors range from bright and vibrant to earth tones, which definitely express the diverse and beautiful colors of nature in the country.  The natural beauty of the country struck me and almost every view was absolutely beautiful!  It was so much fun to explore the country with my father.  Here are a few of my favorite shots of the sights:

I hope you enjoyed a small taste of El Salvador!  Can’t wait for my next trip.

Have a great day,

Habitat for Humanity Build in El Salvador

            I recently returned from a trip to El Salvador with my father with Habitat Humanity to assist in building a home for a lovely couple.  It was a truly rewarding experience to help make their dream for a new home a reality.  The couple we built a house for were absolutely delightful and we have became fast friends.  I have been so happy to email back and forth with them since my return!

My Father and I getting ready to leave for El Salvador

            It was a very interesting experience using different building materials more readily available in El Salvador.  And boy, did we work hard!  From hauling concrete to stamping down the flooring, I went home exhausted everyday from the job site.  There were a few local boys that came to see us everyday and gave us lots of laughs! I am so thrilled that I was able to be a part of the project and work with a really fun group of volunteers.  Here are a few pictures of our work in progress all the way to our finished project!

The whole team posing in front our finished house

The lovely couple who will be calling our work home!

            During my time in El Salvador I witnessed the resilience of the human spirit and was so impressed by the kindness and warmth my father and I received our entire trip.  We were truly welcomed wherever we went and had such a wonderful time getting to know our fellow volunteers and the locals!  

Have a great day,