I couldn’t resist joining Nester’s party so at her request here is the Motherlode post of my Christmas mayhem this year! Since it’s really about the pics, I’m going to just shut up and let you enjoy. Â If you follow me, this will all be a review. Â If you don’t, well what’s up with that? Â I so hope you will!The Last Minute Mantel
I wasn’t going to decorate our mantel this year because we are in the process of painting this entire level and these decorations would need to come down in a week. Â But me NOT join a party? Â It didn’t feel right. Â So I gave myself an hour and a half to decorate, take pics, and post! It was a fun challenge.
The Ballard’s Inspired Tree
I kept all my red for my front porch and went all au naturel for my tree. Â I LOVE the way it turned out!
And if you missed my wax paper faux capiz shell garland tutorial can be found here and was also featured on Apartment Therapy!  Wahoo!
The Free Grocery Bag Subway Art Vignette
If you are lucky enough to have a Trader Joe’s near you, save the bags. Â On the front of the bag is this fabulous little bit of subway art, and on the side is this adorable snowman. Â I thought it was just too cute not to display!
The Porch
From the A2Z fam to yours, Merry Christmas and thanks so much for stopping by!
For more gorgeous home tours, be sure to visit The Nester and The Shabby Chic Cottage!
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Brambleberry Cottage says
Wow! You accomplished all that gorgeous decorating in an hour and a half…really? I'm impressed. It all looks fabulous. I would love to have you link this to my party: http://thebrambleberrycottage.blogspot.com/2010/12/diamond-in-rough.html
Please be sure to come by and enter my fantastic year-end giveaway. Click the picture in my sidebar for details.
By the way, I just joined you as a follower.
Blessings and a very Merry Christmas!
Liz @ the Brambleberry Cottage
http://thebrambleberrycottage.blogspot.com/
Carolee says
love the mercury glass and your brick wall. beautiful!
Carmen says
I absolulty adore your Family Christmas Picture. THat sand man is precious!
My House of L says
Beautiful!
Object of Maya*ffection says
LOVE the Trader Joe's subway art! CLEVER and resourceful! The brick wall in your dining is gorgeous!
Shannon says
Gorgeous home and decorating! Thank you for sharing 🙂
Merry Christmas!
Marina Capano says
Hi! what a fantastic deco! I love it!
merry xmas!
xoxo
Lily says
Beautifully decorated. Love all of it.
Liz@Violet Posy says
Your home is just stunning, I love the porch! Happy Christmas!
Stacey says
Beautiful! I especially like the mantel with the glitzy candles and glamorous stockings. Did you make the stockings yourself? If so, I'd love for you to stop by my Christmas Stocking Linky Party this weekend and link up.
http://boyohboyohboycrafts.blogspot.com
Jane @ Jane's Junk and Treasures says
Every time I visit you, your brick wall, I love it so much!!
We don't have Trader Joes in Colorado – CAN YOU IMAGINE!
I know, feel sorry for me!
I love the bag idea!
Renee says
I have to laugh, I had the same idea for the use of my Trader Joe's bag. I even used the the other parts for my kids to color.
Your home is beautiful.
the7daggetts says
Wow!! So many pretty things! I love it all!! Your tree is so beautiful, and I adore those candles in the Mercury glass holders. Just lovely.
Hope you are having a wonderful Christmas season!
Beth.
The Starr Family says
Quite literally, everything looks just divine! Really your decorations are so warm and inviting, truly a comfortable feel for Christmas!
Vintagesouthernlife says
Your home looks so pretty. You did a great job with your challenge!
Annette
Kathy says
It was nice seeing your Christmas decorations all in one post -Just lovely -your tree is to die for and what a nice surprise at the end of your post ! I bet the boys loved sending the cards out to friends and family.
Pam says
Everything looks so beautiful and cheery from the porch to the tree….great! But I have to say that I LOVE the snowman in the sand.
Linda@Coastal Charm says
Love your last minute mantel and also your "COOL" looking porch. I’m having a Christmas Open House on the 16th…you love to have you join in!
Blessings,
Linda
Nancy says
Beth, your home is so much like you. Tradition with a kick and you have a beautiful way of making it all work. Have a beautiful season and thank you for bringing to us such awesome ideas, photos, posts that lead us to other adventures, and the moments of family time you share. Merry Christmas!
victorian parlor II says
Your home is lovely!
Blessings,
Kim
Kim says
Very nice. Your tree is so pretty. I love the idea of the baubles on your candles – so smart!
Josefa Lunares says
traducción del español al inglés
Hi I am a Spanish girl that I discovered your blog and I love it! You have a beautiful home full of precious details, I can not quite understand what you explain in the text, I suggest you put the google translator on the right bar and so be able to put my language and understand all your explanations. It is a pleasure to see the decoration of a house outside of my country. Tb invite you to my blog which is in fashion and decoration. A greeting.
Kelly G. says
Your home is amazing… and an hour and half to decorate??? really wonderful job…i LOVE the mantle; the front of your home is so wonderful, I LOVE the red everywhere!
Jessica says
I love EVERYTHING!!! So beautiful
Crystal @ Ordinary Days says
Everything looks so pretty!! I love how you always think out of the box. Your family photo is gorgeous and I LOVE your "snowman"! 🙂
Ammie says
I am so very very very addicted to your site. ADDICTED. You are soooooo talented and soooo inspiring. Can you come decorate my house? PLEASE????
Ammie @ Domesticallyobsessed.com
fairfieldhousenj.com says
Beth,
You are as brilliant as your Christmas decor! I look at each photo and think WOW! not thinking it could get any better and still you amaze me with the next.
Thank you for your sweet comments regarding Buster. I wish you and your family all the blessings of Christmas and a happy, healthy 2011!
Your Friend,
Deborah
ThriftyAnnabella says
Love your decor – your front porch is so inviting. I love the idea of putting jewelry on candles – so pretty 🙂
Kayleen says
Love your home and decorations, thanks for sharing with us!
Summer says
I love your mantel and the pretty bling decorations on your candles! Everything is just so pretty and what a fun idea about the Trader Joe's bags! We don't have a Trader Joe's in WV LOL
Summer
barbarah says
I love the front! So pretty and welcoming! And the mantle is pretty, too.
Sue says
How pretty is all looks. I love the brick wall in your dining room. Sure wish we had a Trader Joe's – that's a great idea.
Merry Christmas
Beansieleigh says
Everything looks beautiful Beth, but I love your family Christmas photo the best! Happy Holidays to you all! ~tina
Courtney says
Your house looks fabulous. I love the outside decorations!
Jennifer Rizzo says
Beth everything looks gorgeous!~
The DG Family says
Great decor! And I love the brick wall exposure, gives your home character 😉
Miss G says
adorable beach "snowman"! Kelly
Kathy @ Creative Home Expressions says
It looks really pretty, Beth! I love that it's festive but not too much.
Imperfect says
What a beautiful front porch! And I really like your natural Christmas tree. Lovely.
Handbags*N*Pigtails says
All I have to say is: it looks like you're putting your neighbors TO SHAME!!! Everything looks amazing as always:) Merry Christmas, bloggy friend!
BabiesandBargains says
beautiful! I love the trader joes subway art! I think I may have to make a trip there now
Sailing Simply says
Very pretty! You have a gorgeous home and such a wonderful style. I love your Holiday decor!
Jensamom23 says
It's all gorgeous, Beth!
Southern Fried Gal says
It is all so lovely! Congratulations on the feature, too! Merry Christmas!
Carrie says
I'm not sure where to start! First of all, your tree is beautiful. But forget the Christmas decor – I am in love with that brick wall in your house!! 🙂 However, my heart melted at the snowman of sand. LOVE! Merry Christmas!
Paula says
Your home looks beautiful! I love how you used your Trader Joe subway art as a decoration. Sadly, there's no TJ's around here.
Cortney says
I love your home- it is beautiful! I am in love with that garland on your tree, I'm going to look at the tutorial now!
Jeri ~ says
Love your decorating – everything is beautiful!
Richella says
It's all beautiful, Beth. I especially like your front porch! Makes me want to come by. . . maybe I could get the driver to stop the one-horse open sleigh so I could drop off some gaily wrapped packages. What do you think?
Madigan at madiganmade says
Everything is beautiful! What are the sparkly things wrapped around the candles on your mantle? Bracelets? Necklaces? They are lovely!
Paige @ The Wandering Cottage says
Beautiful! I love the exposed brick in your home!
Phillips Family says
What a beautiful home! Love the Trader Joe's Subway Art…hopefully you carried home some peppermint JoeJoes in that bag 🙂
Marianne@Songbird says
I love these wrap up posts. I have seen it all, but all come together it really feels like I am visiting in your house.
Have a wonderful week, my friend!
Gina says
Your tree is so elegant! It must have taken hours to do! Did the kids help or was this a "mommy only" project? 🙂
Sherry @ No Minimalist Here says
Everything is gorgeous! I love your tree and your dining room.
Happy Holidays,
Sherry
Lisa @ Pulsipher Page says
Looks great!
Funky Junk Interiors says
Outstanding! Your home and your passion absolutely shines in your reveal. Wonderfully done!
I always gasp when I get to the outside of your home. That warm red is incredible!
Donna
http://funkyjunkinteriors.blogspot.com/
The Beloved Wife says
Your home is beautiful!!! Love all of your decorations, and I just followed your blog! :O)
Jody says
I had sent my sister the link to your garland and here's the conversation that took place in our house earlier tonight:
"So, are you going to make me that wax paper garland?" – Bean
"I thought you'd like it." – me
"It reminds me of sand dollars." – Bean
"That's why she made it." – me
She had gotten some ribbon to make a bow for the top of her tree (we each have our own this year). She tried having some "tails" hang down but she wasn't happy with that. I knew as soon as I saw your garland she would love it. She doesn't think I'll get it done for this Christmas, but I'm going to try. All we need is some thread and a small circle punch b/c I only have a big one. Of course, I would have made it for myself but I just bought new beads this year. Hope you enjoyed my story!
Decorchick! says
So pretty Beth! I really wish we had a Trader Joe's here since everyone always talks about it. That subway art bag is awesome! Beautiful family too. 🙂
Jenny says
I love your style!
I never did make it out to take a picture of the lights.
ourlifeinaclick.blogspot.com says
It all looks beautiful! Love the faux shell garland. I need to check that out now! Enjoy the season!
Melissa @ The Inspired Room says
So pretty! I love how your dining room looks like a restaurant I'd like to have dinner in :-)…it is all gorgeous and lovely!!!