Home Stories A to Z

Creating beauty out of chaos and sharing my home decor stories

A2Z Christmas Home Tour

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.  If you follow me, this will all be a review.  If you don’t, well what’s up with that?  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.  But me NOT join a party?  It didn’t feel right.  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.  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.  On the front of the bag is this fabulous little bit of subway art, and on the side is this adorable snowman.  I thought it was just too cute not to display!
The Porch

The Reasons I do it All

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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Comments

  1. 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/

  5. Object of Maya*ffection says

    LOVE the Trader Joe's subway art! CLEVER and resourceful! The brick wall in your dining is gorgeous!

  11. 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!

  12. 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.

  13. 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.

  14. The Starr Family says

    Quite literally, everything looks just divine! Really your decorations are so warm and inviting, truly a comfortable feel for Christmas!

  16. 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.

  17. 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.

  18. 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

  19. 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!

  22. 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.

  23. 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!

  25. 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"! 🙂

  26. 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

  27. 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

  28. ThriftyAnnabella says

    Love your decor – your front porch is so inviting. I love the idea of putting jewelry on candles – so pretty 🙂

  30. 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

  32. 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

  33. Beansieleigh says

    Everything looks beautiful Beth, but I love your family Christmas photo the best! Happy Holidays to you all! ~tina

  40. 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!

  41. BabiesandBargains says

    beautiful! I love the trader joes subway art! I think I may have to make a trip there now

  42. Sailing Simply says

    Very pretty! You have a gorgeous home and such a wonderful style. I love your Holiday decor!

  45. 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!

  46. 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.

  47. 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!

  49. 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?

  50. Madigan at madiganmade says

    Everything is beautiful! What are the sparkly things wrapped around the candles on your mantle? Bracelets? Necklaces? They are lovely!

  52. Phillips Family says

    What a beautiful home! Love the Trader Joe's Subway Art…hopefully you carried home some peppermint JoeJoes in that bag 🙂

  53. 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!

  54. 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? 🙂

  55. Sherry @ No Minimalist Here says

    Everything is gorgeous! I love your tree and your dining room.
    Happy Holidays,
    Sherry

  58. The Beloved Wife says

    Your home is beautiful!!! Love all of your decorations, and I just followed your blog! :O)

  59. 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!

  60. 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. 🙂

  62. ourlifeinaclick.blogspot.com says

    It all looks beautiful! Love the faux shell garland. I need to check that out now! Enjoy the season!

  63. 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!!!

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