It seems appropriate to share progress on my front yard landscaping while it’s currently covered under a couple of inches of snow, right? Have no fear, though, I took pictures at the start and end of the project. It’s just taken me a bit longer than anticipated to share them here.
As many of you know, I purchased my current home last June. One of the projects on my list of home improvements was work on the yard. There are two acres of land, and it seems to have been neglected for several years, so I’m excited to give it some attention.
The first area I wanted to tackle was this grove of trees in front of my house.
While the grouping of trees provided privacy and shade, the planting bed was a bit out of control.
The trees that were planted there were not the prettiest, plus they were being taken over with vines. So much so that several of the trees were dead. I also use the term “planted” loosely. My guess is that these trees were volunteers, so the spacing of them was not ideal. In addition to all of that, there were lots of random trees, bushes, and weeds popping up in the ground cover below the trees. As you can imagine, everything needed to go for a fresh start.
I hired a local tree trimming service to cut down the trees and remove the stumps since this was work I wasn’t equipped to tackle.
In the span of an afternoon, everything was cleared. I even had them cut down a couple other dead and oddly placed trees on this end of the property.
I would have had a few more trees removed, but in my borough, there is a limit as to how many trees you can cut down at once. Also, removal of any tree with a diameter larger than 6 inches must have borough approval. It’s a bit annoying, but I appreciate that this is necessary to maintain the lush and forest-like feel of the area.
With tree removal complete, I worked with a local landscaper to develop a plan to take this empty and awkward planting bed from blah to beautiful.
And yes, I realize things don’t look that great now. I think this is one of those “It gets worse before it gets better” situations.
I did a bit of research and found a great company that I was excited about using to help me tackle the whole yard. I thought if I could have them do a portion each year along with a few projects on my own, Bayberry House would soon be looking more manicured and loved.
After talking about my goals for the property, picking plants, and deciding on a layout for the new bed, a date was set for installation.
And since this is just the “before” post, I think I’ll end it here.
I’ll pop back in and give you a look at the finished project in the coming days. Stay tuned! Until then, I hope you enjoyed this look at my front yard landscaping project in the middle of winter!
It seems appropriate to share progress on my front yard landscaping while it’s currently covered under a couple of inches of snow, right? Have no fear, though, I took pictures at the start and end of the project. It’s just taken me a bit longer than anticipated to share them here. As many of you […]
It always amazes me how quickly the holidays go by. One minute I’m shopping, wrapping, baking, and wondering how I’ll get it all done, and the next minute it’s over, and life goes back to “normal.”
I usually need a little break after the holidays. As you know, it’s a busy season in general, but it’s an especially busy time for the blog. This year I had every intention of just chugging right along from Christmas into 2019, but that didn’t happen. Instead, I opted for some downtime and a computer/internet break, and it’s been great!
If you’ve been following along for a while, you know that 2018 was another memorable year on the homefront. I’d call it a year of transition. So when I recently saw this on social media, it resonated with me:
At the start of 2018, I was living in an apartment in Pittsburgh while still maintaining my home of 10 years in St Marys. During this time I was also house hunting in Pittsburgh. By June I had sold my previous home, moved out of it and my apartment, packed up what was in two storage units, and finally settled into my current home, Bayberry House.
I had hoped to make a lot more progress in my new place during the second half of 2018, but things are taking more time, energy, and money than I planned. My accomplishments to date: improved the landscaping near my house (details on that soon), got a new roof, furnished my first-floor living spaces, painted my living room and entryway, had my floors refinished, and completed lots of smaller projects. I’m hoping that 2019 brings more exciting improvements to Bayberry House.
Speaking of plans, I’m still formulating my goals for 2019. I do have a few ideas tumbling around in my head, but I just haven’t put pen to paper to sort them all out yet. Soon. Maybe this week will be the time to write them down. I’m giving myself grace about this.
What else is happening?
Christmas Continues:
My Christmas decor is staying up until mid-February. I received a last-minute call from a magazine that wants to shoot my holiday decor for an upcoming issue. Although I was looking forward to putting things away, I couldn’t be more excited and honored to be featured in the magazine. I’ll share more when I can, but be sure to follow along on Instagram in early February when I show a bit of the behind-the-scenes from the shoot.
Kitchen Remodel:
When I first moved into my home, I wanted to dive right into remodeling the kitchen. I figured the project would have started in the fall and be nearing completion right about now, but apparently, life had other plans. As much as I wanted to get the remodel done ASAP, the delay seems to be working out for the best. I will update you once things are closer to being finalized. My hope is that work will start in late February or early March.
Other House Projects:
There are lots. In addition to the kitchen and all the changes it will bring on the first floor, I’d like to make strides upstairs. This is likely to entail painting everything, creating a more useful office, making over the bathroom, organizing/decluttering, and much more!
Once spring hits, I’m hoping to get back outside and make more progress in the yard, I’ll be doing lots of general maintenance, and maybe I’ll put in a garden.
Inspired by Charm Happenings:
I don’t have any major changes planned for the blog. While I’m always looking to grow and better myself, I’m mostly content with what I’m able to offer and share as a one-man show. However, given that there are lots of home projects on the horizon and no kitchen for a few months, I expect there will be more decorating/renovating posts than in previous years.
I’m also trying to wrap my head around creating additional videos for you. Videos can be very time intensive to produce, so I want to make sure the content is valuable or entertaining. If there are specific things you’d like to see, please let me know.
Beyond videos, if you have other suggestions, ideas, or thoughts on what you’d like to see on IBC and how you’d like to see it, please let me know in the comments below. I’m all ears!
I intend to put together an official recap of 2018, so stay tuned for that soon. It will be a fun way to look back at some of your favorite posts from last year.
Here’s to a fabulous 2019! (My year to be a butterfly)
Happy 2019!! It always amazes me how quickly the holidays go by. One minute I’m shopping, wrapping, baking, and wondering how I’ll get it all done, and the next minute it’s over, and life goes back to “normal.” I usually need a little break after the holidays. As you know, it’s a busy season in […]
Happy Holidays, friends! It’s hard to believe that Christmas has come and gone and we’re just days away from 2019.
I usually take time off time of year, but I couldn’t resist popping in to share the new furniture in my family room. It arrived right before Christmas, and I couldn’t be more pleased with how it looks and functions.
Here’s what the room had looked like.
The furniture consisted of pieces from various rooms in my former apartment. And while I was comfortable with this interim setup, I wasn’t crazy about it.
The colors made the room feel dark. The leather couch was also a tad too large for the space, and since buying it, I’ve discovered I prefer upholstery for comfort and coziness. Finally, as much as I love my buffalo check chair, I realized I needed more seating.
Back in the fall, I shared my design plan for the room. (You can see it here in case you missed it.) It’s now come to life! Let me show you around…
Isn’t it gorgeous!? Needless to say, I’m IN LOVE.
I worked with my friends at Raymour & Flanigan Furniture to bring this space together. I love their selection and found everything I needed to make this space work better for me. I’m also a big Raymour & Flanigan fan as they have a style and budget for everyone.
As I shared in my design plan, I decided to get two sofas for this space. (I chose the Ravity Sofa in Hailey Linen.) Although two sofas might sound like a lot, it’s the best way to take advantage of the room shape and create as much seating as possible.
When I was selecting these couches, I paid close attention to their height, width, and length so they wouldn’t overwhelm the space. I also went with a light color. As you can see, even though two couches take up more space than a couch and a chair, the room feels lighter and brighter.
I also love that the cushions are reversible so I can flip them when the inevitable stain happens.
For the coffee table, I wanted something different so I chose this Darrow Ottoman. (Unfortunately, it is currently sold out on the Raymour & Flanigan site, but I will link to it should it again become available. You can see their complete selection of ottomans here.)
I like the masculine look of leather, so this ottoman kept that it in this room. Another plus: it can double as seating or function as a table.
In fact, the weekend before Christmas I was able to test out all of this new furniture when my family came to visit. All of us fit comfortably on the sofas, and the ottoman worked perfectly for laying out a spread of veggies and dip, Christmas cookies, cheese and crackers, and these tasty roll-ups.
It was kind of magical to see everything functioning just as I had hoped.
However, most of the time I simply use the ottoman as a handy place to put up my feet when I’m sitting on the sofa watching TV or flipping through my collection of magazines.
On the opposite side of the room, I replaced the TV stand with this beauty.
Previously, I was using a mid-century modern console table, but that style just didn’t fit in this house. This more rustic-looking cabinet is perfect. (Unfortunately, the piece is currently sold out on the Raymour & Flanigan site, but I will link to it should it again become available. You can see more of their buffets here.)
I opted to use a dining buffet instead of a traditional TV console because I love the look of this piece. I also needed a place to store my magazines, books, and electronics. This cabinet works well for hiding the mess.
My intention is to mount the TV on the wall, and I recently had an electrician rework the cables to allow me to do that. I’ll be hanging it up after the first of the year.
Speaking of my electrician, when he was here doing that, he put in two electric boxes so I could install a sconce on each side of the TV. The sconces add much-needed light, and their design makes this room feel more up-to-date.
With a nod to my beloved buffalo check chair, I added this new rug. Its size and design work perfectly. I’ll be sharing details on the rug, sconces, etc. in another post. Stay tuned!
Needless to say, I am greatly enjoying this space. I loved it before, and now I never want to leave it. With the fire going, it’s so cozy, and it feels so much more like me.
To find out more about Raymour & Flanigan Furniture and to check out all their furnishings, please visit their website. They offer free shipping, next-day mattress delivery, and delivery in 3 days or less, 7 days a week for in-stock items. Plus everything comes fully assembled. You have to love that!
A big shout-out to them for sponsoring this post and for helping me bring my vision for my family room to life.
Now that the holidays are almost over, I’m starting to plan how to style this space with new pillows, art, and accessories for the winter, and spring. I can hardly wait to show you how it comes together.
I hope you enjoyed a look at my new space. Are you loving it as much as I am?
Happy Holidays, friends! It’s hard to believe that Christmas has come and gone and we’re just days away from 2019. I usually take time off time of year, but I couldn’t resist popping in to share the new furniture in my family room. It arrived right before Christmas, and I couldn’t be more pleased with […]
This Peppermint White Russian is a delicious, seasonal take on the classic cocktail recipe. Garnished with a candy cane, it’s likely to become a holiday party staple.
Since it’s the weekend before Christmas, I thought I’d celebrate with another seasonal cocktail recipe. Today we’re making a Peppermint White Russian.
I must admit that up until recently I wasn’t a big fan of peppermint. As a kid, I didn’t care for it at all. Over the past couple of years, however, I’ve come to love the cool, minty, sweet flavor. It’s been fun adding it to things like cocktails, desserts, and even hot cocoa.
The recipe for a White Russian is straightforward. The classic version is made with 2 parts vodka, 1 part Kaluha (coffee liqueur), and 1 part half and half.
And if you like White Russians (I do too!), then you’re in luck because I have several tasty varieties including:
It is especially wonderful when I am able to create different and unique flavorful variations of the traditional White Russian.
I’m sure you’re getting thirsty. Let me walk you through the recipe!
How to make a Peppermint White Russian:
To make my Peppermint White Russian, all I did was substitute Peppermint Twist Vodka for the vodka and Peppermint Kaluha for the regular Kaluha. Simple.
This was the perfect amount of peppermint, but you could use a vanilla vodka if you just wanted a hint of peppermint flavor from the Kaluha.
I also dressed up the glass with a crushed peppermint rim. Dip the rim in white chocolate syrup (This is the syrup I like.) and then into crushed peppermints. (You can use peppermint candies, peppermint sticks, or candy canes.)
For a holiday touch, I mixed a little white chocolate syrup with red food coloring and drizzled that into the glass before pouring in the cocktail. Although the red fades fairly quickly, I thought it looked festive and fun when the drink was served.
Once the glass is prepared, simply add ice and your cocktail. Finish it off with a candy cane.
Now it’s time to serve and sip this pretty and pepperminty cocktail. Cheers!!
This Peppermint White Russian is a delicious, seasonal take on the classic cocktail recipe. Garnished with a candy cane, it’s likely to become a holiday party staple.
Begin by preparing your glass. Dip the rim into the white chocolate syrup and then into the crushed peppermints.
Optional: Mix a little red food dye with the white chocolate syrup. With a spoon, drizzle the mixture on the interior of the glass.
In a cocktail shaker, combine the Peppermint Vodka, Peppermint Kaluha, and half and half. Stir to combine.
Add ice to the glass; then pour in your cocktail.
Garnish with a candy cane.
Made it? Share it!Tag @inspiredbycharm on Instagram and use the tag #myIBC so we can see what you’re cooking in the kitchen!
This Peppermint White Russian is a delicious, seasonal take on the classic cocktail recipe. Garnished with a candy cane, it’s likely to become a holiday party staple. Since it’s the weekend before Christmas, I thought I’d celebrate with another seasonal cocktail recipe. Today we’re making a Peppermint White Russian. I must admit that up until […]
In a few short days, it will be Christmas. As I get ready to put a big bow on all of my holiday preparations (Before I do, please know a few more seasonal posts will be coming your way.), I thought it’d be fun to do something different and show you around Bayberry House at night.
My Seasons of Home Blogger friends and I have gotten together for one final collaboration in 2018. All 20+ of us decided to snap photos of our homes at night to capture the magic and lights of the season. This tour is unlike any other, so I encourage you to check out each of the bloggers I’ve linked up at the end of this post.
Depending on your experience with photography, you might not know that lighting is everything, and sunlight is best. This is why most bloggers photograph their homes during the day. Not only is it much easier, but the photos look crisp, bright, and well-lit. However, with all the glowing lights of the holidays, there’s incredible beauty in the evenings as well, and we thought you’d like to see it.
Taking these pictures was certainly a challenge for me as I’m not accustomed to working without natural light. Nonetheless, I hope you enjoy the results. Practice makes perfect, right?
Thanks to a fresh coat of paint, a new sofa, and lots of Christmas cheer, this room turned out just the way I wanted.
While not much has changed in this room since my most recent tour, I did bring in this little collection of vintage deer I found at a local shop. The deer I had came from my grandparents, and I couldn’t resist adding more.
All of my trees always have a touch of quirky. I love these gold sequined unicorns.
How great is it that you can see both Christmas trees from this angle? Do you think Santa will leave presents under both? More trees equal more presents, right?
I also hung my marshmallow wreath. I can’t believe this has lasted 4+ years!
You’ll also notice that the sofa is missing from this room. My new furniture is scheduled to FINALLY arrive today! I couldn’t be more pleased. My plan is to give you a look around the space next week. Stay tuned!
Also, you might be wondering where my DIY ornament wreath ended up. Here’s a sneak peek. You’ll see more of it next week.
I’ve been using this fireplace nonstop. It’s been one of my greatest pleasures at Bayberry House. In fact, I may need to get more wood to make it through the winter.
To complete this evening tour, let’s take a quick look outside!
And that’s a wrap. What did you think? It’s totally different at night, isn’t it?
Thank you so much for joining me and my fellow bloggers on this unique night-time tour of our homes. Be sure to check out everyone else below.
In a few short days, it will be Christmas. As I get ready to put a big bow on all of my holiday preparations (Before I do, please know a few more seasonal posts will be coming your way.), I thought it’d be fun to do something different and show you around Bayberry House at […]
These Printable Christmas Bottle Hang Tags are an easy way to wrap up a bottle of wine or liquor for a Christmas gift. With clever and festive sayings on each tag, the tags are as fun as the gifts.
I know time is fast running out, my friends. Christmas will be here in 6 days. If you’re like me, you may still have a few more gifts to buy and wrapping to do. That’s why I’m coming at you today with these Printable Christmas Bottle Hang Tags.
For me, the presentation is as important as the present, and these cute tags are guaranteed to dress up that gift of wine or liquor for someone on your list. To make matters even better, all you need is a printer and cardstock.
I decided to create these tags after seeing several of these sayings during my holiday shopping adventures. Instead of paying $5-10 for a single tag, I thought it’d be more economical and personal to create my own. Plus, I could share the printable with all of you!
There are four tags in total, and each features a different design and holiday phrase.
The printable has been designed to be double-sided. Print page one first; then print page two on the back of page one.
However, you are welcome to simply print the first page if you only want the front of the label. Or you might print just the back if you are in need of festive to-and-from gift tags. The choice is yours. (I love having lots of alternatives, don’t you?)
As always, I recommend printing them on cardstock so your tags are sturdy. You can use a paper cutter like this one to ensure straight, clean edges.
You can download these Christmas Bottle Hang Tags here:
You can also access the download in the IBC Printable Library, which can be found HERE.
If you’re new to Inspired by Charm, you can get instant access to this library by SUBSCRIBING HERE. Once you’ve subscribed, you will instantly receive an email that contains a link to this download.
Already on the IBC Mailing list? You can find the password to access the library at the bottom of the latest email from Inspired by Charm.
And if you use any of my free printables, of course, I would love to see what you do! Please share your photos on Instagram and tag @inspiredbycharm.
It was my pleasure to make these Printable Christmas Bottle Hang Tags, and I hope you enjoy using them for your holiday gifting.
Merry Christmas!
These Printable Christmas Bottle Hang Tags are an easy way to wrap up a bottle of wine or liquor for a Christmas gift. With clever and festive sayings on each tag, the tags are as fun as the gifts. I know time is fast running out, my friends. Christmas will be here in 6 days. […]
These Tortilla Roll-Ups are the perfect Christmas appetizer recipe. Stacked into a tree shape and served with salsa, they are an easy-to-make, crowd-pleasing snack.
Whether I’m the host or guest, roll-ups are one of my favorite appetizers. They are so simple to put together, and they are always packed with flavor. These Tortilla Roll-ups with Salsa are no exception.
While this recipe can be made any time of the year, I decided to dress up my roll-ups for the holidays! With clever stacking and a few “ornaments,” I made a roll-up Christmas tree! It’s fun to do, and the festive presentation will make this appetizer even more appealing to your holiday guests. Let me show you how quickly the roll-ups come together, plus my ideas for serving them.
Start by preparing your filling. I shared my favorite combination in the recipe below, but you can get creative with the ingredients and use what you like or have on hand. For best results, make sure the cream cheese is nicely softened so it’s easy to mix things in.
Once your filling is ready, spread it out on four flour tortillas. I used green ones since I would be stacking my roll-ups to look like a Christmas tree. However, you can use the color and type of flour tortillas you prefer.
Then, roll up the tortillas and pop them into the refrigerator so the cream cheese will stiffen. This will make slicing them easier.
Once the tortillas are firm, use a serrated knife to slice the roll-ups.
To serve, I stacked mine in the shape of a tree. To do this, get a round plate and add a layer of the sliced roll-ups. Continue stacking the roll-ups, making each layer smaller and smaller.
To decorate the tree, tuck in a few cherry tomatoes and finish the top with a star cut out of yellow pepper. (Like I did for my Christmas Tree Cheeseball!)
While the roll-ups are delicious on their own, I recommend serving them with your favorite salsa. This will make the flavors pop.
And voila! The perfect Christmas appetizer is ready to serve your guests. I think everyone is going to love these Tortilla Roll-ups with Salsa.
These Tortilla Roll-Ups are the perfect Christmas appetizer recipe. Stacked into a tree shape and served with salsa, they are an easy-to-make, crowd-pleasing snack.
1jar(4 ounces) green chilis, drained and patted dry
1can(2.25 ounces) sliced black olives, drained and roughly chopped
2green onions - chopped
1/4cupchopped yellow pepper - plus a piece cut into a star shape
3/4cupfinely shredded sharp cheddar cheese
412-inch green flour tortillas
10-12cherry tomatoes
Salsa for serving
Instructions
In a large bowl, mix together the softened cream cheese and the ranch dressing mix until evenly combined.
Then add the pimentos, green chilis, black olives, green onions, yellow pepper, and cheddar cheese. Stir gently until they evenly distributed in the cream cheese.
Divide the cream cheese mixture on the four tortillas. Then, using a spatula, spread the mixture on each tortilla in an even layer. Keep the mixture a 1/2 inch from the edge.
Roll up the tortillas. Set them on a plate and cover it with plastic wrap. Chill in the refrigerator for about 2 hours or until firm. Then using a serrated knife, cut the tortillas into 1/2-inch slices.
Stack in layers to form a "tree." Garnish with cherry tomato "ornaments" and a yellow pepper "star." Serve with salsa.
Made it? Share it!Tag @inspiredbycharm on Instagram and use the tag #myIBC so we can see what you're cooking in the kitchen!
These Tortilla Roll-Ups are the perfect Christmas appetizer recipe. Stacked into a tree shape and served with salsa, they are an easy-to-make, crowd-pleasing snack. Whether I’m the host or guest, roll-ups are one of my favorite appetizers. They are so simple to put together, and they are always packed with flavor. These Tortilla Roll-ups with […]
Bar carts have become a trendy decor item in recent years. That’s why I’m excited to show you several creative Christmas bar cart ideas today. Let’s get to it!
I don’t know about you, but I love a gorgeous yet highly functional bar cart. As you may have seen in my Christmas Home Tour, I actually have two carts in my home this year. Overkill? Maybe! Tons of fun and an easy way to entertain? Yes and yes!
After styling a number of Christmas bar carts over the years, I thought I’d share several ideas on how to use your bar cart for holiday beverages and beyond. Yes, a bar cart can double as a dessert cart, hot cocoa bar, and so much more! Let me show you.
Christmas Cocktail Bar Cart
Storing drink ingredients and serving cocktails are two traditional uses of a bar cart. For the holidays, I like to include these go-to liqueurs: vodka, rum, tequila, and bourbon. A seasonal favorite like Kaluha and something peppermint are also nice to have on the cart.
Besides the basics, I like to have things ready for a specialty cocktail. (You can grab all of my favorite Christmas Cocktail recipes here.)
Of course, a bar cart is a perfect place to keep your bar accessories, such as a cocktail shaker, jigger, and bitters.
Since it’s the holidays, a few seasonal decorations complete the look. You can use decor items that match your style. I always go for things with a little bling or sparkle.
You can see a couple carts I’ve styled this year and in the past.
Holiday Bar Cabinet
Now, just because you don’t have a bar cart doesn’t mean you need to go out and buy one. You can create the functionality of a cart in a variety of ways. For example, if space is tight, install a few wall shelves. Or take an existing piece of furniture and use it in a new way.
Last year when I was living in an apartment, I used a cabinet instead of a traditional cart so I could store extra glassware, cake stands, and serveware.
When the “cart” is not in use, the top of the cabinet can provide space for decorations. However, when the cabinet is functioning as a cart, the top can give you extra serving space. Here I was serving wine, so that became the star of the show.
This is how the cabinet looked when I wasn’t entertaining:
I had so much fun using something unexpected for my bar cart.
Dessert Bar Cart
I also used this same cabinet to create a dessert bar last Christmas. This is another example of taking something ordinary and making it extraordinary.
I cleared out the alcohol and glassware and replaced it with a cake, caramel popcorn, candy, cookies, plates, and napkins.
The only challenge about this is that you will need a place to store your alcohol and glassware while the cart is functioning as a dessert cart. You might tuck everything in a closet or set up another bar cart somewhere else. Finding a spot for the regular bar cart items is worth the trouble because a dessert cart is a super fun and creative way to serve up your holiday sweets.
Even filling up a cart with all of your Christmas cookies and a small coffee/tea station would be festive.
Hot Coca Beverage Cart
Speaking of warm beverages, why not put together a hot cocoa bar?
I actually did this twice this year. A couple weeks ago I shared my recipe for Homemade Hot Cocoa Mix. I used the top of a cabinet to create a mini-hot coca bar complete with the Homemade Hot Cocoa Mix, marshmallows, mugs, and spoons. It was just enough to create a warm and special moment for me and my guests.
If you want to go all out, you can take over an entire bar cart and make a full station with snacks as I did here.
Again, I started with the essentials like hot cocoa mix, marshmallows, mugs, and spoons. Then I added lots of small snacks and treats.
I even included things you could add to your hot cocoa to jazz it up. For example, you might drop in a chocolate truffle or chocolate kiss to make your cocoa extra chocolatey. Or give your cocoa a peppermint twist by topping it with crumbled peppermint bark or a candy cane.
I made this cute video for a brand this year. If you’re interested in see how this bar cart came together in video form, you can watch that here:
VIDEO: How to Style a Hot Cocoa Bar Cart
If you want to make things more adult-friendly, you might offer bottles of complementary liquor, such as vanilla vodka, bourbon, or peppermint schnapps.
Bloody Mary Bar Cart
And finally, why not create a Bloody Mary Bar Cart? I set mine up for New Year’s Day, but as you can imagine, this kind of cart would be great beyond the holiday season.
Simply provide vodka, Bloody Mary mix, and a few accoutrements or get more elaborate, if you like.
Here, I went wild with lots of goodies that folks might add to their Bloody Mary: hot sauce, olives, pickles, onions, and so on. I also offered peanuts and pistachios to snack on, too. (I like to put everything in its own container to fill up the cart and make things look a bit more luxe.)
Coffee Bar Cart
Technically this Coffee Bar Cart isn’t styled for the holidays, but I wanted to included it in this list. Imagine it filled with Christmas cookies and holiday treats. It’s a really easy and simple way to entertain when you just want to serve something light rather than a full meal.
I actually created a full blog post on this Coffee Bar Cart. You can read that here for all the fun details. I think it turned out so cute. With a few personal touches it’s a really special way to entertain!
And there you have it, my friends. Five ways to take your Christmas Bar Cart to the next level. As you might guess, the possibilities are endless. You can create something special around any particular drink or celebration. Not hosting any parties? Set up your bar cart as a holiday wrapping station that you can wheel from room to room.
Whatever you do, get creative and have fun with it. Happy Hosting!
Bar carts have become a trendy decor item in recent years. That’s why I’m excited to show you several creative Christmas bar cart ideas today. Let’s get to it! I don’t know about you, but I love a gorgeous yet highly functional bar cart. As you may have seen in my Christmas Home Tour, I […]
I love making drinks, cooking meals, and baking treats for friends and family and then passing along the recipes to them and the wonderful readers of my blog. This time of year, one way I like to personally share my recipes is by writing them on IBC Christmas recipe cards.
In fact, I have offered an annual collection of free recipe card printables on Inspired by Charm for the past few years. A couple of the series include bonus Christmas recipe cards.
This is the Christmas recipe card I designed for last year’s series. I first showcased it with the recipe for my Great Aunt Maggie’s Cream Horn Cookies. You can find that recipe here. If you haven’t tasted Cream Horn Cookies (also called Lady Locks), I hope you’ll give them a try. They are yummy and enjoyable to make.
Now, just in case you need a place to write down that recipe (or any others you come across this holiday season on IBC or elsewhere), all you need to do is print out this Christmas recipe card.
I recommend using cardstock because it’s sturdier, but regular paper will also work.
I love this fun and festive design. Don’t you?
My favorite details are the adorable cat and dog on the front and the red car piled with packages on the back.
You can also access the download in the IBC Printable Library, which can be found HERE.
If you’re new to Inspired by Charm, you can get immediate access to this library by SUBSCRIBING HERE. Once you’ve subscribed, you will instantly receive an email that contains a link to this download.
Already on the IBC Mailing list? You can find the password to access the library at the bottom of the latest email from Inspired by Charm.
And if you use any of my printables, I would so enjoy seeing what you do! Be sure to share your photos on Instagram and tag @inspiredbycharm.
Holiday Gift Idea: A pack of seasonal recipe cards would be a perfect stocking stuffer for any cooks on your holiday gift list. Grab them all in the IBC Printable library!
‘Tis the season to be sharing!
I love making drinks, cooking meals, and baking treats for friends and family and then passing along the recipes to them and the wonderful readers of my blog. This time of year, one way I like to personally share my recipes is by writing them on IBC Christmas recipe cards. In fact, I have offered […]
With two unique and festive designs, these DIY Christmas Cookies Bags are a great way to gift your holiday baking in style.
You’re in for a treat today, and it’s in the shape of these DIY Christmas Cookie Bags! And best of all, you can make the bags in just a few simple steps.
A couple of weeks ago when I was out shopping, I spotted some sweet cotton cookie bags. They were a bit pricey so I immediately thought about how I might DIY them.
Here’s what I came up with.
Aren’t they adorable? I’m kind of obsessed.
I took the hard work out of the process by having two fun graphics created. One is a bit more classic. It was inspired by the design I saw on the bags in the shop: “Homemade Cookies. Santa Approved.”
The second is something I dreamed up. It’s a line from my favorite Christmas movie, Elf: “I’m sorry I ruined your lives and crammed 11 cookies into the VCR.”
Whether you prefer classic or Buddy, either one of these would be a great design option.
I purchased these transfer sheets from Amazon. The instructions I’m going to provide are based on these particular sheets. (I assume the process is similar for other brands. To be on the safe side, be sure to read and follow the instructions that come with your sheets.)
I also located the cotton bags on Amazon. They are available elsewhere online and in craft stores in a wide range of shapes, sizes, and prices. I thought these were well suited to this project.
Once you have those two items, you’ll need the graphics files. You can download them here. (Please see the note at the end of this post to learn more about the IBC Printable Library*.)
The download is two pages. The first page has the red graphic I designed and the second page has the green one. You can print one of them or both.
The transfer paper I bought is compatible with inkjet printers. Before printing, adjust your settings to the highest quality. You’ll also want to select the option that allows you to print the “mirrored version” or to “flip horizontally.” Since you’ll be ironing these transfers with the printed side down, you want the image of the graphic mirrored so it will read correctly when the paper backing is removed.
Here’s what they should look like after printing.
Cut out each graphic as neatly as possible, leaving a narrow white border around the graphic.
Next, set your iron on medium-high heat (polyester setting). Make sure the steam setting is turned off and that the water reservoir has been completely emptied.
Quickly iron the bag to remove any wrinkles. Then place the graphic on the bag so that the printed side of the graphic faces down. I positioned the graphic a bit closer to the bottom of the bag rather than in the center of it.
Using the iron, apply heat to the transfer for about 45 seconds. Press down fairly hard and be sure to move the iron around to avoid scorching the bag.
Let each bag sit for about 2 minutes or until cool before peeling off the paper backing.
And with that, your DIY Christmas Cookie Bags are complete and ready to be filled with delicious treats!
This size bag will hold 4-6 cookies, depending on their size. Just the right amount for a sweet gift.
I recommend placing the cookies in a small plastic food storage bag before putting them in your fancy new custom bag. This will keep the cookies fresher longer and prevent any staining of the fabric bag.
These Christmas Cookie Bags could also serve as a cute and creative way to present a gift card. You might even fill bags with candies or mini bottles of liquor. How you use them is totally up to you.
Bonus Idea: If you don’t want to mess around with the iron-on transfer, just print the graphic on cardstock. Then, cut the graphic out, punch a hole in the top of it, and tie it to a bag for a quick and easy gift tag!
No matter how you make or gift them, I hope you enjoy these delightful little bags as much as I do.
Christmas Cookie Bags graphic Download.
You can also access the download in the IBC Printable Library, which can be found HERE.
If you’re new to Inspired by Charm, you can get immediate access to this library by SUBSCRIBING HERE. Once you’ve subscribed, you will instantly receive an email that contains a link to this download.
Already on the IBC Mailing list? You can find the password to access the library at the bottom of the latest email from Inspired by Charm.
And if you use any of my printables, I would so enjoy seeing what you do! Be sure to share your photos on Instagram and tag @inspiredbycharm.
With two unique and festive designs, these DIY Christmas Cookies Bags are a great way to gift your holiday baking in style. You’re in for a treat today, and it’s in the shape of these DIY Christmas Cookie Bags! And best of all, you can make the bags in just a few simple steps. A […]
These printable recipe cards for Christmas are an easy way to jot down new holiday favorites or share classic recipes with friends and family.
Yes, my friends, I’m back with another set of free printable recipe cards. This time, they’re for Christmas!
As you may know, I’ve been creating printable recipe cards for a few years now. I think I might take a break after this year, but I’m super excited to share my latest creation with you. (I’ll also have one more card to wrap up this year’s collection so stay tuned for that.)
I’m crazy about the design on these printable recipe cards because they feature a couple of vintage cars complete with a tree tied to the roof. Such a timeless holiday motif that lots of us recognize and love.
There is likewise plenty of space on the card to jot down all of your ingredients with room on the back for those longer recipes.
As always, I recommend printing them on cardstock for a sturdy recipe card. You can use a paper cutter like this one to ensure straight, clean edges.
If for some reason you want a bunch of these cards, you could also get a local printer (or an office supply store like Staples) to print a bunch for you.
Details on how to download these cards can be found below.
Download my latest Printable Recipe Cards for Christmas here.
You can also access the download in the IBC Printable Library, which can be found HERE.
If you’re new to Inspired by Charm, you can get instant access to this library by SUBSCRIBING HERE. Once you’ve subscribed, you will instantly receive an email that contains a link to this download.
Already on the IBC Mailing list? You can find the password to access the library at the bottom of the latest email from Inspired by Charm.
And if you use any of my printables, I would so enjoy seeing what you do! Be sure to share your photos on Instagram and tag @inspiredbycharm.
I hope you love these printable recipe cards as much as I do and have a chance to use them throughout the holiday season.
Happy Sharing!
These printable recipe cards for Christmas are an easy way to jot down new holiday favorites or share classic recipes with friends and family. Yes, my friends, I’m back with another set of free printable recipe cards. This time, they’re for Christmas! As you may know, I’ve been creating printable recipe cards for a few […]
With creamy mascarpone and fresh tart cranberries, this Mascarpone Cranberry French Toast recipe will quickly become your new favorite breakfast for the holiday and winter season.
Yes friends, we’re serving up some holiday inspired breakfast today on Inspired by Charm. I made this Mascarpone Cranberry French Toast recipe as part of a brand collaboration I shared on social media.
And while I created a video (below) detailing the recipe step-by-step, many of you were asking for it in blog form, so here it is!
I thought this would be a unique, seasonal, and somewhat fancy breakfast idea for the holidays. And not to pat myself on the back, but goodness this is a delicious recipe!
How to Make Mascarpone Cranberry French Toast:
This recipe is really simple to put together. It only takes about 10-15 minutes to put together. How perfect is that for assembling in the morning.
You’re going to start by whisking together a quick custard base in a bowl. You can use milk or half & half if you want something a bit more decadent.
For the bread, I used this French Brioche I found at Walmart. It comes pre-sliced and it works beautifully for this recipe. I mentioned needed a loaf below, but you could probably squeeze in a few extra slices from a second loaf if you’d like.
Dip the bread into the egg mixture and then lay it all out into a baking pan. The size of this particular bread fits perfectly into a 9×13 pan in two rows. Then pour the remaining egg mixture into the pan.
(If you wanted, you could stop at this point and leave this sit in the refrigerator overnight if you want even less work in the morning.)
With the bread in the pan, sprinkle the top with fresh cranberries and dollops of mascarpone. The mascarpone will melt so the placement of the dollops isn’t super important, just make sure it’s somewhat even.
Also, if for some reason you don’t like mascarpone, you could easily substitute cream cheese or even goat cheese.
To cut the tang of the cheese, drizzle everything with some honey.
With that, this Mascarpone Cranberry French Toast is ready to be baked. I baked it for a bit covered and then for a bit uncovered so the top can get a little golden brown.
When it comes out of the oven, add some orange zest to the top and it’s ready to be served!
I like mine with pure maple syrup, but you can use more honey or even just a dusting of powdered sugar would be delish.
Speaking of maple syrup, I always have to give a shout out to my friend Laura over at Finding Home Farms.
Her maple syrup is the bomb.com. In fact, it’s the only syrup I’ll buy. She’s built an incredible business over the past few years and I’m always thrilled to support a friend. You can check her (and her syrup) out here.
And that’s it, this Mascarpone Cranberry French Toast recipe is complete!
Looking for more delicious breakfast ideas? Try these:
This would be delicious for breakfast over the holidays and beyond. It’s the perfect way to entertain and warm up overnight guests (or your family) on a chilly morning.
With creamy mascarpone and fresh tart cranberries, this Mascarpone Cranberry French Toast recipe will quickly become your new favorite breakfast for the holiday and winter season.
fresh orange zest and pure maple syrup for serving
Instructions
Begin by preheating your oven to 375 degree F. Spray a 9x13 baking pan with baking spray. Set aside.
In a large bowl whisk together the eggs, milk, brown sugar, vanilla extract, cinnamon, and kosher salt.
Dunk each piece of bread into the egg mixture for a few seconds and then set into the baking dish. Continue with all of the bread overlapping as needed in the pan. Pour the remaining egg mixture onto the bread.
Sprinkle the top with cranberries and dollops of mascarpone. Drizzle with honey.
Cover with aluminum foil and bake for 30 minutes. Remove the aluminum foil and bake for another 20-30 minutes.
Serve warm with freshly grated orange zest and pure maple syrup and / or additional honey.
Video
Made it? Share it!Tag @inspiredbycharm on Instagram and use the tag #myIBC so we can see what you're cooking in the kitchen!
With creamy mascarpone and fresh tart cranberries, this Mascarpone Cranberry French Toast recipe will quickly become your new favorite breakfast for the holiday and winter season. Yes friends, we’re serving up some holiday inspired breakfast today on Inspired by Charm. I made this Mascarpone Cranberry French Toast recipe as part of a brand collaboration I […]
These Christmas Sprinkle Cookie Cups are an easy and delicious Christmas cookie recipe that is certain to add color and fun to your holiday cookie tray.
When it comes to Christmas cookies, all I really need are these cream wafer cookies. For years, they have been (and will probably always be) my absolute favorite. However, that doesn’t stop me from experimenting with a few new cookie recipes every year. (You can find all of my Christmas cookie recipes here.) This year, I’m trying these Christmas Sprinkle Cookie Cups!
I am thrilled to again be teaming up with some of my blogger friends for this holiday cookie recipe party. We like to call ourselves the #ChristmasCookieSquad. This is our third year coming together to bake up dozens of creative and classic Christmas cookies.
If you’re looking for new and different Christmas cookie recipe Ideas, you’ll want to check out all of these talented gals. You can find their tasty recipes here:
As I mentioned, I’m making Christmas Sprinkle Cookie Cups. I first spotted them in an issue of BHG. They looked so festive and fun – I had to give them a try.
I don’t know about you, but when it comes to Christmas cookie baking, I’m usually doing it about a week before the big event. And after an extremely busy time with the blog (Christmas is my craziest season on IBC.) and the stresses that come with holiday preparation, the last thing I want to deal with is complicated cookie recipes.
That’s why I’m always on the hunt for simple recipes that look beautiful and taste great. I promise you these Christmas Sprinkle Cookie Cups are just that.
How Do You Make Christmas Sprinkle Cookie Cups?
The dough is easy to make and comes together in minutes. It also requires zero time in the refrigerator so you can keep the momentum going.
Another reason I love this dough is that it contains sprinkles. It’s almost like Christmas funfetti. I stuck with classic red and green, but you could do any combination you like.
These cookies also bake in mini muffin tins which makes preparing them a breeze. Once the cookies are baked, pipe on some frosting and top everything with more colorful sprinkles.
And just like that, you have several dozen of these Christmas Sprinkle Cookie Cups ready to add color and more deliciousness to your holiday cookie platters.
Delectably doable!
Want more Christmas Cookie recipes? You’ll love these:
Happy Holiday Baking, my friends. And don’t forget to check out all of the #ChristmasCookieSquad recipes above.
Oh, and if you’re looking for some festive Christmas recipe cards, the new designs are here! You can use these free printable recipe cards to easily jot down your favorite recipes from this holiday season. Print them here.
These Christmas Sprinkle Cookie Cups are an easy and delicious Christmas cookie recipe that is certain to add color and fun to your holiday cookie tray.
Begin by preheating your oven to 350 degrees F. Spray mini muffin pans with baking spray and set aside.
In a bowl, add the butter and beat with a mixer for about 1 minute. Then add the powder sugar, baking powder, and salt. Beat until creamy (2-3 minutes), scraping the sides of the bowl as necessary.
Next, beat in the egg and vanilla. Then beat in the flour until just combined.
Divide the dough into two portions. Stir green sprinkles into one half and mix red sprinkles into the other half.
Shape the dough into 1-inch balls. Then, press the balls into the prepared mini muffin pan. Press each dough ball with your thumb.
Bake for 8-10 minutes or until the edges are light brown. Remove from the oven and press the centers with the rounded side of a measuring teaspoon. Cool in pan for 5 minutes. Then remove to finish cooling on a wire rack.
In the meantime, prepare the frosting by beating together the softened butter, powdered sugar, vanilla, and salt. Add as much milk as needed to create a smooth frosting.
Use a piping bag with a large star tip to frost the cooled cookies. Top with additional sprinkles. Pack and store in an air-tight container.
Made it? Share it!Tag @inspiredbycharm on Instagram and use the tag #myIBC so we can see what you're cooking in the kitchen!
These Christmas Sprinkle Cookie Cups are an easy and delicious Christmas cookie recipe that is certain to add color and fun to your holiday cookie tray. When it comes to Christmas cookies, all I really need are these cream wafer cookies. For years, they have been (and will probably always be) my absolute favorite. However, […]
Following my Christmas Home Tour last week, someone somewhere made a connection between my latest Christmas tree and the Emerald City. That comment set my holiday heart all a flutter. And even though you’ve already seen my emerald-inspired Christmas tree, I couldn’t resist giving it a post of its own.
I have been overjoyed to share this tree with you, so I hope you don’t mind looking at a few more photos of it. As I mentioned on the Christmas Home Tour, I recorded several short videos on my phone as I decorated the tree. I’ll be putting together a large post of my entire Christmas tree process in the very near future. (Hopefully, I’ll have it ready as early as next week.) However, in the meantime, I thought you might enjoy a closer look at this tree.
As you may recall, the inspiration for the tree came from my new velvet green chairs. I must confess that at first, I was a tad hesitant about doing another gold and green tree. (I used those colors for my Adele-inspired tree a few years ago.) Yet, the more I thought about it, I was sure this one would look very different.
I adore the reference that a wonderful reader/follower made to the “Emerald City.” The Wizard of Oz has been a favorite of mine ever since I played the scarecrow in a grade-school play. I didn’t make the connection myself, but as soon as I read those spot-on words, I fell in love with the notion.
Although I’ll be doing a deep dive into my whole process in a later post, I should tell you that when decorating a tree I like to find my ribbon first. Since Amazon is my go-to source these days, I searched for “emerald ribbon” and was so excited when I stumbled upon this one. As far as I could tell from the online photo, the color matched my chairs exactly.
I decided to use my flocked tree as the base for this tree because the white background would make the green really pop. (I got this tree from Lowe’s a couple years ago. It’s made by GE. Unfortunately, Lowe’s no longer carries it.)
I did pick up a few new ornaments. I was so lucky to find these emerald green balls at HomeGoods. I also purchased matching ornaments in gold. For more interest, texture, and sparkle, I bought large mercury glass ornaments in gold and silver.
In my search for ornaments, one of the places I went to was Michaels. I love Michaels because they offer ornaments in several shapes and a wide assortment of colors. On sale (which they usually are), a box of their ornaments runs about $5. What an easy and inexpensive way to add a lot of color to your tree!
Besides the ball ornaments, I added a few of these gold and mirrored stars I found at a local greenhouse. I think the stars are interesting and that they bring something special to this tree.
If you look closely, you might notice quirky things on my tree. Even on a more formal-looking tree, I like a touch of whimsy. I’ve included sequined unicorns and lions, wagoneers topped with trees (to echo my red tree), gold cats, plus a couple fuzzy white skiing Santas.
My personal preference is to have mostly glass ornaments with the exception of ones (like the sequined ornaments or felt Santas) that are intentionally made from other materials. I think glass ornaments look richer. And because they are a bit heavier, they tend to hang nicely. It’s a subtle difference, but I appreciate it.
I did dress up the bottom with a new tree skirt. This one is white faux fur. It has a subtle diamond pattern with tiny pearls at the intersections of the lines. I thought it partnered well with the pearls in the beaded garland. I found the tree skirt at HomeGoods.
All in all, I’m super pleased with how this tree came together. I think the emerald green is special because it’s something different. While I’ve decorated a lot of trees (You can see most of them here.), this is definitely near the top of my list of favorites.
I hope you’ve enjoyed this closer look at my Christmas Tree Fit for the Emerald City and found some inspiration for trimming your own tree.
Following my Christmas Home Tour last week, someone somewhere made a connection between my latest Christmas tree and the Emerald City. That comment set my holiday heart all a flutter. And even though you’ve already seen my emerald-inspired Christmas tree, I couldn’t resist giving it a post of its own. I have been overjoyed to […]
These Mini Skillet Cookie Cakes make a delicious dessert recipe that combines the flavors of a cookie with the texture of a cake.
Yes, friends, today we are serving up another tasty treat just in time for the holidays: Mini Skillet Cookie Cakes!
Mini Skillet Cookie Cakes:
I’m teaming up again with my Tastes of the Season blogger friends for our final post of 2018. In this round, each of us is sharing a delicious holiday sweet! You can see all the yummy desserts at the end of this post.
When I was planning what to make, I thought I’d do a classic flavor combination with a twist. I also remembered that I had recently picked up these festive mini cast iron skillets that were just begging to be used. (I found mine at TJ Maxx but also saw them at HomeGoods. There were a variety of holiday shapes.)
Since I had a couple of bags of holiday M&Ms on hand, I thought a classic M&M and chocolate chip cookie would suit these skillets perfectly. Topped with a scoop of vanilla ice cream and a drizzle of hot fudge, this is bound to be a winning holiday dessert.
How do you make Mini Skillet Cookie Cakes?
The dough for these mini skillet cookie cakes is simple to put together. It’s similar to mixing up chocolate chip cookie dough. If you can make those, I’m confident you can handle these.
I decided to use a mix of milk chocolate chips and mini holiday M&Ms. However, you can use whatever you like: peanut butter chips, dark chocolate chips, peanut M&Ms,… Get creative or use your favorites.
I filled my mini skillets fairly high, maybe too high. I recommend around 3/4 full for the best results.
As I mentioned above, these festive mini skillets are available from TJ Maxx and HomeGoods. Following a quick online search, I learned that you can also find mini square and round skillets on Amazon.
After removing the baked Mini Skillet Cookie Cakes from the oven, I topped them with a sprinkling of extra M&Ms and chocolate chips. This is optional, but I think it’s an appealing finishing touch.
Serve the cookie cakes warm with a big scoop of your favorite ice cream and a drizzle of hot fudge. They taste a lot like a chocolate chip cookie sundae, and who wouldn’t love that?
Begin by preheating your oven to 350 degrees. Lightly spray the inside of each mini skillet with baking spray and set aside.
Place the butter, brown sugar, and sugar in a bowl. Beat to combine. Add the eggs and vanilla extract and beat again until smooth.
Then add the flour, baking soda, and salt. Mix until just combined. Stir in the chocolate chips and M&Ms, reserving a few to press into the top of each cookie cake after baking.
Bake at 325 degrees Fahrenheit for about 30 minutes or until the edges are golden. (The center will still be slightly underbaked. The cookie cakes will continue to bake once they are removed from the oven.) Press the reserved chocolate chips and M&Ms into the top of each cookie cake.
Made it? Share it!Tag @inspiredbycharm on Instagram and use the tag #myIBC so we can see what you're cooking in the kitchen!
Want more sweet holiday inspiration? Be sure to visit my blogger friends below. Happy Holiday Baking!
Allow the cookie cakes to cool slightly before serving. Serve warm, topped with ice cream and hot fudge.
These Mini Skillet Cookie Cakes make a delicious dessert recipe that combines the flavors of a cookie with the texture of a cake. Yes, friends, today we are serving up another tasty treat just in time for the holidays: Mini Skillet Cookie Cakes! Mini Skillet Cookie Cakes: I’m teaming up again with my Tastes of […]
This Non-Alcoholic Sangria, flavored with cinnamon, oranges, and cranberries, is a delicious mocktail recipe that everyone can enjoy during holiday parties.
Over the years I’ve shared many Christmas cocktail recipes. The other day someone asked for a few non-alcoholic mocktail recipes. I thought that was a wonderful idea, and I’m happy to deliver. That’s why I decided to create and share this beautiful and delicious Non-Alcoholic Sangria.
Most of you probably know that I love a good sangria recipe. So that’s where I got the inspiration for this holiday mocktail.
Of course, you’re probably wondering how can you make sangria without the alcohol since the base of sangria is wine? Well, I have a few tricks to share that make this mocktail super delicious and doable!
Oh, and if you like these Christmas tree stirrers, I have a full DIY tutorial here on IBC so you can make some for you own holiday entertaining endeavors.
First, you’ll need sparkling grape juice. I opted for red grape juice because I’m serving this mocktail for the holiday and wanted a rich red color. This will cover the grape-aspect of the wine and add a little fizziness.
The second main ingredient is brewed tea. One of the key elements in red wine is the tannin. In short, it’s responsible for the woodsy, sometimes bitter flavor and dryness of red wine. Brewed tea can create a similar effect, which is why we’re adding it to this non-alcoholic sangria.
Pretty interesting, right?
So for this mocktail sangria recipe, I started with the sparkling red grape juice and the brewed tea. I used Bigelow’s Constant Comment. Its notes of orange and sweet spices work great for this particular recipe.
Next, I added cranberry juice for seasonal flavor and a touch of sweetness. Finally, it wouldn’t be sangria without some fruit. I tossed in sliced oranges, fresh cranberries, and cinnamon sticks. Pomegranate seeds or cubed green apples would likewise be beautiful and delicious!
And with that, this Non-Alcoholic Sangria is ready for serving!
(Since someone will probably ask, the cute pine tree drink stirrers came from Target a few years back. However, CraftyLumberjacks have a great DIY version which you can find here.)
Looking for traditional sangria? Try these recipes:
This Non-Alcoholic Sangria, flavored with cinnamon, oranges, and cranberries, is a delicious mocktail recipe that everyone can enjoy during holiday parties.
Start with a pitcher of ice. Pour in the cranberry juice, brewed black tea, and sparkling red grape juice and mix to combine.
Add orange slices, fresh cranberries, and cinnamon sticks for a little holiday spice. Stir again for a final mix.
Serve this Holiday Sangria Mocktail in glasses filled with ice. Garnish each with a slice of orange, more cranberries, and a cinnamon stick.
Made it? Share it!Tag @inspiredbycharm on Instagram and use the tag #myIBC so we can see what you're cooking in the kitchen!
This Non-Alcoholic Sangria, flavored with cinnamon, oranges, and cranberries, is a delicious mocktail recipe that everyone can enjoy during holiday parties. Over the years I’ve shared many Christmas cocktail recipes. The other day someone asked for a few non-alcoholic mocktail recipes. I thought that was a wonderful idea, and I’m happy to deliver. That’s why […]
Christmas has definitely made its appearance at Bayberry House. Welcome to my Holiday Home Tour!
Folks who have been following IBC for a while know that this is one of my favorite posts each year. While I’ve been gabbing about Christmas for a month now, this post kicks off the season in my home. As always, it is my pleasure to show you around.
In case I’m your first stop on the Holiday Housewalk and you want to see all the homes, you can click here to start at the beginning. Each blogger will link to another blogger so you can easily continue on the Housewalk!
Whether you’re new to Inspired by Charm or a long-time reader, I am delighted you’re here! I bought this home, which I’ve named Bayberry House, back in May so this is my first Christmas here. I still have lots of remodeling and updates to do in the kitchen, bedrooms, office, and other spaces, so those places aren’t included on this tour. But don’t worry, that hasn’t stopped me from decking out the rest of my halls!
I will also have many more decorating and entertaining ideas to share as the holiday season progresses, so be sure to join the IBC Mailing List if you’re not already on it. I send out an email every Saturday morning with all the posts from the week. I don’t want you to miss a thing.
Now that the introduction is complete, let’s get into the Holiday Housewalk. I think I’ll start in my entryway.
This space recently received a paint job. The deep blue walls certainly make the holiday decor pop, don’t you think?
I have a few themes going on in my holiday decor this year. The most notable may be the touches of Christmas past. Throughout my spaces, you’ll see nods to nostalgia and family.
The banister is wrapped in a faux pine garland with a Christmas ball garland and a felt ball garland woven in. I also brought in this little table that I found at a local thrift store. It’s the perfect spot to drop my keys and mail when coming in the door. I even added a real Christmas tree (well, the top of a one) to this glass jar.
There’s another small table in my entryway where I’ve placed glass trees, a set of plastic deer from my grandparents (they are my favorite Christmas accessory), and a holiday print with my favorite quote from the movie Elf.
With a huge fireplace and a TV, this is where I spend time when I’m home in the evenings. I shared a separate post with all the details of this space decorated for Christmas. You can see that here.
I ordered new furniture for this room, but the delivery is running a little late. That means I’ll probably be showing you around this space again in a couple weeks. Stay tuned!
Across the hall from the family room is my living room.
I have been bursting with excitement to share this space. In fact, I’ve been teasing you with my “green tree” on Instagram for weeks and weeks. Here she is in all her splendor!
I couldn’t be more pleased with the way this tree turned out. It may be one of my new favorites.
The inspiration for this tree came from these velvet emerald green chairs I ordered in the fall. I also thought that a green tree would be a fitting complement to my red one.
I put together a separate post to tell you more about this green tree. You can find that here. I even filmed a few quick videos to walk you through my process of decorating a tree, so stay tuned for that. I’ll be sharing it soon.
Once the theme was set for the tree, I used it as inspiration for the rest of the room. While I never want my home to feel “don’t-sit-on-the-furniture fancy,” this space is definitely on the formal side. With that in mind, I added touches of gold, white, and wood.
There is likewise a bit of navy blue since I used my existing rug and ottoman.
Over on the fireplace, I arranged another faux pine garland and strung a delicate gold garland on it. The large mirror is another thrift-store find. So are the beautiful brass candlesticks.
I tucked a random assortment of stockings into the garland. I was especially excited to use my DIY wood stockings again. (Yes, I made those! You can find the tutorial here.)
You’ll notice there’s a bar cart in this room as well. (There’s one in my family room, too.) I didn’t intend to have a bar cart in here, but I got this one for a project and ended up liking it so much that I decided to make it work. (Speaking of bar carts and cocktails, I have a full list of holiday cocktail recipes here.)
On the opposite side of the room, I finally got my new-to-me cabinet filled and styled. It’s a mix of things cozy and Christmas.
No, your eyes did not deceive you. That’s a different sofa! Although it’s the same color as my previous one, it’s much bigger, sexier, and more comfortable. I’m loving it.
I’ve also added art to the walls, including the piece that used to be in my dining room, a vintage photo of my grandparents, and this new canvas print from Lindsay Letters. Isn’t it gorgeous!?
Speaking of art and Lindsay Letters, let’s move to the next room to check out the new art in my dining room.
I love me a paint-by-number print (in keeping with my vintage-inspired Christmas theme), so when I saw this piece, I knew I had to have it for this space. I’m crazy about it!
(I’m also excited to tell you that Lindsay has graciously offered IBC readers a discount code to TheArtBar.co (her shop)! You can use the code “inspiredbychmarm” to save 15%! I’ve been buying from her for years and have never been disappointed.)
With the art in place, I decorated the rest of the room to match. It’s a touch of modern and a splash of vintage all rolled into one. My holiday heart is happy!
I used this vintage pie safe (I had been a bar cabinet in my former apartment.) to set up a hot cocoa station.
I was so excited to find this vintage plaid thermos. It truly brought this little vignette to life. Speaking of cocoa, you can grab the recipe for my hot cocoa mix here. It’s yummy, and it makes a great gift!
Along the dining table, I laid down a fresh pine garland and tucked in white trees and candles.
Over on the sideboard, I added modern glass trees, vintage jars with peppermint sticks, and a bottle of the bubbly set in a vintage ironstone tea leaf bowl.
For a final quirky touch, I hung this neon “merry” sign on the front of the sideboard. It’s sold out now, so I’m so glad I snagged it early. It’s such an unexpected piece.
And with that, I would say Bayberry House is merry, bright, and ready for Christmas. Don’t you agree?
I’m still putting the finishing touches on the exterior of Bayberry House, but I’ll be certain to share pictures of that as soon as the decorating is complete. Hopefully, by next Christmas, I’ll have a new kitchen and will have made more progress in my bedrooms so I can do a whole house Holiday Home Tour.
Thank you so much for joining me on this Holiday Housewalk. It is a joy to share my home. I hope you enjoy this post as much as I’ve enjoyed creating it!
If you’re continuing along, Sarah from The Yellow Cape Cod is next. You will love her festive holiday home.
Merry Christmas to each of you!
Christmas has definitely made its appearance at Bayberry House. Welcome to my Holiday Home Tour! Folks who have been following IBC for a while know that this is one of my favorite posts each year. While I’ve been gabbing about Christmas for a month now, this post kicks off the season in my home. As […]
I love cheeseballs. In fact, I love them so much that I’ve made a cheeseball recipe for every season.
Cheese is one of those foods I enjoy eating year-round. As seasons change, I like to make cheeseballs that highlight flavors and shapes we associate with different times of the year. In this round-up post, you’ll find cheeseballs to delight the palate and the eye. There truly is A Cheeseball Recipe For Every Season.
Click on the cheeseball name or photo of the cheeseball for the full recipe.
Cheeseball Recipes for Fall:
Fall “Apple” Cheeseballs
These easy-to-make cheeseball recipes will wow partygoers with complex flavors, rich colorings, and authentic apple stem and leaves.
Spider Cheeseballs
Get your spook on with these cute spider-shaped cheese treats. Before adding pretzel legs, simply roll each mini-cheeseball in black sesame seeds.
Sun-Dried Tomato Cheeseball (Pumpkin Shaped)
In this recipe, the basic cheeseball gets a mouthwatering and eye-popping makeover with dried tomatoes, seasonings, and breadcrumbs. It’s then shaped like a pumpkin, complete with a stem.
Everything Bagel Cheeseball (Pumpkin Shaped)
This is another cheeseball shaped like a pumpkin that will grab the attention of your guests. Rolled in “Everything But the Bagel Seasoning,” it’s a fan favorite.
These easy-to-make cheeseball recipes will wow partygoers with complex flavors, rich colorings, and authentic apple stem and leaves.
Cheeseball Recipes for Winter:
Cranberry Bacon Walnut Cheeseball
A cheeseball that is beautiful and delicious! – Who could ask for more? You are likely to have many of the ingredients on hand and can easily put this one together on a cold wintry day.
Christmas Tree Cheeseball
I love decorating Christmas trees, so I reveled in adding sliced almonds, cherry tomato halves, and chopped parsley to this tree-shaped cheese creation. It’s even topped with a star cut from yellow pepper.
Cheeseball Recipes for Spring or Summer:
Mini Cheeseballs/Cheeseball Truffles
These Blue Cheese, Bacon, and Pistachio Cheese Truffles and Cheddar, Bacon and Ranch Cheese Truffles will look gorgeous in your party spread. The latter cheese truffles are rolled in bacon bits or finely chopped pecans for even more visual variety.
Each truffle contains enough cheese for three crackers. However, if you’re a fellow cheese lover, it’s a truffle per cracker!
Buffalo Cheeseball
This spicy cheeseball is a breeze to make for a spring or summer event. The crunch of celery or crackers nicely complements the heat and full-on cheddar flavor.
Sun-Dried Tomato Cheeseball
I love this recipe in the summer, too. Shaped like a regular cheeseball (not a pumpkin with a stem! as described above) and served with crisp veggies and crudités, it’s sure to impress the people at your next pool or patio party.
Everything Bagel Cheeseball
This cheeseball is fabulous for fall (as I shared above), but if you make it in a classic log or ball shape, it’s a perfect prelude to traditional summer cook-out fare.
Birthday Cake Cheese Ball
If you’re looking for a fun, unique, and delicious way to celebrate, this Birthday Cake Cheese Ball is the perfect sweet treat. Colorful and full of birthday cake flavor, this dessert cheese ball is a crowd pleaser!
More Cheeseball-Inspired Recipes:
Bonus Recipes:
I know these aren’t technically cheeseballs. They’re a block of cheese dressed up in a delicious way. You can assemble them in minutes, and your guests will rave for days.
Happy Crafting with cheese! I hope you will add at least one of my cheeseball recipes to your repertoire. Enjoy getting creative with cheese!
I love cheeseballs. In fact, I love them so much that I’ve made a cheeseball recipe for every season. Cheese is one of those foods I enjoy eating year-round. As seasons change, I like to make cheeseballs that highlight flavors and shapes we associate with different times of the year. In this round-up post, you’ll […]
Learn How to make a Christmas wreath. Dress up your home for the holidays with a touch of nostalgia. I’m so thrilled to be sharing this DIY Vintage Christmas Ornament Wreath with you today.
As I’ve mentioned a few times here on the blog, I have a mild obsession with glass Christmas ornaments. I’ve been collecting them for years. If I remember correctly, it all started with my rainbow Christmas tree. So of course, when I saw a few vintage Christmas ornament wreaths pop up online recently (shout out to The Makerista for posting one in her Instagram stories thrift store adventures), I knew I had to make one as well.
Here’s what I came up with:
Isn’t she lovely? I do realize that this colorful and kitschy look isn’t for everyone, but it certainly makes my holiday heart sing. That’s why today, I’m going to teach you how to make a Christmas wreath!
DIY Vintage Christmas Ornament Wreath:
Surprisingly enough, crafting a vintage Christmas ornament wreath is fairly straightforward. However, I do have a few tips to offer that will make the process even easier.
Let’s get started, shall we?
How to Make a Christmas Wreath with Ornaments:
1. You’re going to need ornaments. I decided to use all glass and mostly vintage ones. I pulled lots of ornaments from my collection and purchased some at local thrift stores and from Etsy and eBay.
A couple things to note here: Vintage ornaments appear to be in big demand these days, so sourcing them online can be expensive. I recommend hitting up local second-hand stores for the best deals. Also, if you’re hunting for any vintage Christmas items, plan ahead and shop online from May to August. The demand (and price) isn’t likely to be as high.
In addition to their being vintage and glass, I wanted most of the ornaments to be round. I also decided to go with a mix of colors for an eclectic look. Your vision will probably be different. You can follow the same procedure using shatterproof ornaments or a selection of ornaments in a specific color palette. Make the wreath uniquely your own.
There are about 150 ornaments on my wreath. To get a full look, you will need ornaments in various sizes.
2. You’ll need a wreath. I chose this tinsel one because that felt vintage to me, but a green wreath with faux pine-like needles would work well, too. Having a wreath made from the right material is important because you’ll be hot gluing the ornaments to it. Hot glue does not hold glass on glass. A wreath like this one will give your ornaments something to adhere to.
3. Once you have your supplies, begin by cutting off 10-15% of the pine needles; set them to the side. Then, using a glue gun, start attaching the ornaments, one by one, to the wreath.
4. For the majority of the ornaments, I put the hot glue near the tops (hangers) because I didn’t want those to show. With the hot glue on the ornament, gently press it on the wreath. Ensure that the hot glue on the ornament is coming in contact with the tinsel/pine needles This will provide the hold you need.
5. I started by gluing ornaments in a small section and then worked out from there. Attach the larger ornaments first and then fill in with smaller ones. Save your special ornaments and glue them on when most of the other ornaments are in place.
6. Once you start covering the wreath, it will be harder to find areas where you can attach the ornaments to the tinsel/pine needles. This is when you’ll use the pine needles that you cut off at the beginning. As needed, tuck them between the ornaments and use hot glue to secure.
7. I also found it helpful to flip the wreath over and add hot glue in various places on the back of the wreath to ensure everything was well secured. However, as you work, be conscious of where you are adding the hot glue so that it’s not visible on the front of your wreath.
8. Once the wreath is covered, double check to make sure everything is well glued. (If you are using glass ornaments, be aware that you will probably break a few along the way. It’s almost inevitable.) If there are any areas where things aren’t securely attached, add hot glue to a piece of your reserved tinsel/pine needles and place it between the two ornaments. This will create a stronger bond.
9. Finally, look the wreath over carefully and trim off any hot glue strands or tinsel/pine needles that might be sticking out. Then, attach a piece of floral wire to the back of the wreath. Put the wire around the metal frame of the wreath for a firm hold.
10. Sit back and admire your handiwork!
That, my friends, is the step-by-step process I followed to make a Christmas wreath out of ornaments.
The whole project took about 2 hours, and overall, things went swimmingly. The only exceptions were a few ornament casualties and one nasty hot glue burn.
Like this wreath? See more of my DIY wreaths here:
I’m not sure where the wreath will end up hanging this Christmas season, but I’m having fun trying it out in different spots around my home.
I hope you find this tutorial helpful and enjoy making your own wreath. Happy crafting!
Learn How to make a Christmas wreath. Dress up your home for the holidays with a touch of nostalgia. I’m so thrilled to be sharing this DIY Vintage Christmas Ornament Wreath with you today. As I’ve mentioned a few times here on the blog, I have a mild obsession with glass Christmas ornaments. I’ve been […]
I’m so excited to share my latest Christmas tree with you! My Nostalgia-Inspired Christmas Tree is a nod to holiday memories, designs, and ornaments of the past.
If you’ve been following IBC for a while, you might be aware that decorating Christmas trees is one of my most favorite things to do. Even though it does take work, time, and money, coming up with a new concept (or two) every year and bringing it to life brings me immense joy.
Today is an especially fun day because not only am I sharing one of my Christmas trees, but I’m back with my Seasons of Home blogger friends. There are 16 of us who are showing you our Christmas trees or offering a look into our living rooms decked out for the holidays. This group is always inspiring, so you’ll definitely want to check out the links. I’ll include all of them at the end of this post.
Last week I took you on a mini-tour of my family room. I dressed up my mantel and added a little holiday flair to my bar cart. I also gave you a glimpse of my Christmas tree which I promised I’d be sharing soon. Well, today’s the day!
As the title of this post suggests, I wanted to do a tree inspired by the Christmases of yesterday. And while I know everyone’s holiday memories vary, I chose elements that felt nostalgic to me. This is what I came up with.
Nostalgia-Inspired Christmas Tree Decorations:
The whole process started when I found a bunch of these glass Santas at HomeGoods. I told myself, “One year I should do a whole tree of glass Santas.” Then I thought, “Why not this year?” So into my cart, the lot went.
In bringing this vision to life, I realized I was going to need a different tree. To get the look I was after and showcase these ornaments, I ended up purchasing a faux Noble Fir tree from Terrain. (Apparently, a lot of you bought it too as it’s currently sold out.) I love this tree because it’s not as full as a traditional tree, so there’s a lot of space between the branches for ornaments.
Since most of the Santa ornaments are red, I was inspired to wrap the tree in this holiday hue. I own a lot of round glass ornaments in various colors, so I went through them and pulled out most of the red ones. From large to small, they went on the tree.
I also picked up a few new ornaments that have a nostalgic/vintage feel: red Wagoneers with a tree on top, this cross-stitched red truck, and a couple dozen pipe cleaner candy canes.
And because I like adding ribbons to my tree, I thought this plaid flannel-like ribbon had the perfect classic feel. Because of the openness of the tree (and because this ribbon wasn’t wired), I just draped it between the branches rather than using my usual method.
However, if you struggle with adding ribbon to your Christmas tree, I recommend checking out this post. In it, I walk you through my usual process step-by-step. There’s even a video.
To finish off the tree, I needed two more things. First, more lights! As much as I love the small LED lights on this tree, they just weren’t bright enough in my space.
When I saw these battery-powered LED candles from Balsam Hill, I knew they would be ideal! Not only would they give more light, but the glowing candles would enhance the nostalgic feel I was going for.
(And in case you’re wondering, I’m crazy about them! You can switch to colored lights and adjust the brightness of the lights to the level you like best. I used two sets of twenty on this tree.)
Second, I needed a beaded garland. I was ecstatic when I found this gold beaded garland complete with these vintage looking glass Santas at a local Christmas shop.
To finish off the tree, I dug out my vintage metal star tree topper. I found this guy several years ago. In fact, if your memory is really good, you might remember it from my (somewhat famous) rainbow Christmas tree.
And with that, my tree is complete and my family room is now officially ready for Christmas!
Ain’t she a ‘beaut? I’m so pleased with the look. It’s exactly what I was envisioning.
Putting this tree together was bunches of fun, and I’m just loving how well it complements this room. Paired with that big brick fireplace, this is honestly where I want to be every night: fire roaring, lights on, and hot cocoa in hand.
Want to check out more of my Christmas Trees? Start here:
Now, be sure to check out all of my talented blogger friends below. I’m confident you’re going to love seeing their trees and homes decked out for the holidays.
I’m so excited to share my latest Christmas tree with you! My Nostalgia-Inspired Christmas Tree is a nod to holiday memories, designs, and ornaments of the past. If you’ve been following IBC for a while, you might be aware that decorating Christmas trees is one of my most favorite things to do. Even though it […]
These Cranberry Bacon-Wrapped Water Chestnuts are an essentail Christmas appetizer recipe!
Like a lot of folks, I have a hard time resisting anything made with bacon. Among my bacony favorites are these Cranberry Bacon-Wrapped Water Chestnuts.
My family often enjoys bacon-wrapped water chestnuts during winter holiday parties, but this tasty appetizer is equally delicious at warm-weather gatherings. And of course, I’ve given the standard recipe an IBC twist. Check out my Cranberry Bacon-Wrapped Water Chestnuts!
If this appetizer is new to you, you’re in for a treat. If you’ve tasted the usual version, I think you’re going to love my take on it.
How to Make Bacon-Wrapped Water Chestnuts:
For this recipe, I didn’t cut the water chestnuts in half. With regular bacon, I wouldn’t recommend this. However, I used thick-cut bacon, so a single water chestnut is the perfect size.
To make one, you simply wrap a half slice of bacon around a water chestnut and hold it in place with a toothpick.
Once the bacon-wrapped water chestnuts are cooked, remove them from the oven, drain the grease, and top them with a cranberry-infused sweet chili sauce. Then, pop them back in the oven to finish cooking.
I love the burst of tartness and extra bit of crunchy texture that the cranberries give this classic dish.
You can print the recipe below so you don’t miss a step.
The bacon truly is the star of this dish. Although water chestnuts don’t have much flavor by themselves, they soak up the delicious flavors of the bacon and cranberry chili sauce. Plus, they add an enjoyable crunch to these bite-sized treats. Yummy!
Have fun making and eating these Cranberry Bacon-Wrapped Water Chestnuts!
Wrap each water chestnut with a half strip of bacon. Insert a toothpick through the center with the seam-side down. Place in a baking dish. Continue wrapping all the water chestnuts, creating a single layer in your baking dish.
Bake in a preheated oven for 30 minutes or until the bacon is cooked. Drain off the grease. Be careful when doing this because the pan and grease will be extremely hot.
In a medium bowl, whisk together the mayonnaise, brown sugar, chili sauce, and cranberries. (For the cranberries, I like a mix of whole cranberries and cranberries that I’ve sliced in half.)
Pour the sauce over the bacon-wrapped water chestnuts. Return to the oven and bake for another 30 minutes. Serve warm.
Video
Made it? Share it!Tag @inspiredbycharm on Instagram and use the tag #myIBC so we can see what you're cooking in the kitchen!
These Cranberry Bacon-Wrapped Water Chestnuts are an essentail Christmas appetizer recipe! Like a lot of folks, I have a hard time resisting anything made with bacon. Among my bacony favorites are these Cranberry Bacon-Wrapped Water Chestnuts. My family often enjoys bacon-wrapped water chestnuts during winter holiday parties, but this tasty appetizer is equally delicious at […]
You know I enjoy creating tablescapes. Today I’m showing you my latest festive Christmas table decor. I hope it inspires you to make something magical in your own home.
And if you’re looking for even more Christmas table decor, scroll down to the end of this post where I’ve linked the holiday tables of my Seasons of Home blogger friends. I know you’ll find inspiration to suit your style and budget. These are talented bloggers, and it’s truly an honor to be working with them.
OK, back to my Christmas table decor and a bit of its backstory. I actually fashioned this table setting in October. As you probably know, I’m a HomeGoods blogger. HomeGoods asked me if I’d be interested in taking pictures of some of their 2018 holiday merchandise. After asking me about my style preferences, they sent me an assortment of their new products.
I’m usually pretty picky about my decor, so I was a tad nervous about what I might receive. However, because I’m also always up for a challenge, I was excited to see what I could do with the decorations that were chosen for me.
Festive Christmas Table Decor Ideas:
This Christmas table decor is what I came up with. Isn’t it fun and festive?
This post contains affiliate links.
In the package from HomeGoods, I found the two large deer, a couple boxes of ornaments, galvanized metal houses, and the grouping of trees. The rest of the items on the table are my own.
I took inspiration from the colors in the ornaments to pull the rest of the table together. Icy blues, grays, whites, and metallics make for a beautiful winter look.
This tablescape doesn’t scream traditional Christmas, but it captures the spirit of the season. (Speaking of traditional Christmas, if that’s what you’re after, check out my family room holiday decor which I posted about yesterday.)
To add a little glow to the table, I used these modern candle holders filled with silver glittered candles. I placed them on top of this adorable faux fur table runner and scattered ornaments around.
I kept the place settings simple with patterned dinner plates and plain white salad plates. The napkins are gray with a hint of silver sparkle. I wrapped the snowflake cookie cutters with pom-pom ribbon.
To finish things off, I brought in greenery. Do you recognize this plant?
It’s bayberry! Given that I call my home Bayberry House, I thought I should have a few bayberry bushes in my landscape. These cuttings add a unique element to my table and coordinate with the bayberry I tucked in white pitchers on my sideboard.
What do you think of my festive Christmas table decor?
You know I enjoy creating tablescapes. Today I’m showing you my latest festive Christmas table decor. I hope it inspires you to make something magical in your own home. And if you’re looking for even more Christmas table decor, scroll down to the end of this post where I’ve linked the holiday tables of my […]
Yep. The decorating has begun at Bayberry House. Today I’m sharing a peek into my family room to show off my red and rustic Christmas mantel decor!
I missed not having a mantel to decorate last Christmas. Although I thoroughly enjoyed dressing up my apartment for the holidays, I am thrilled to have two mantels to style this season. So much so that I got started on them this past weekend.
This post is extra special because I’m joining my friends at Balsam Hill for their Holiday Housewalk. I have been a huge fan of Balsam Hill for a while now. Last year it was thrilling to partner with them for their 12 Bloggers of Christmas series. Being asked back for their Holiday Housewalk is an equally exciting honor. They even sent me a couple goodies to help style my home for the holidays. I’ll be sure to link everything throughout the post.
This post contains affiliate links.
For the Christmas mantel decor in my family room, I decided to go traditional with red. Even though the Christmas tree in this room isn’t quite finished (You’re still getting a sneak peek of it.), it was the inspiration for this color palette. As many of you know, I’ve decorated a lot of Christmas trees over the years, but this is the first time I’ve done one all in red. I thought it would be beautiful in my family room.
To get my decorating started, I used Balsam Hill’s Fraser Fir Foliage across the entire mantel. I chose the pre-lit garland because I love a little sparkle. The lighting in this garland is battery operated and has a timer. It’s so nice not to worry about hiding a cord or remembering to turn the lights on or off.
For a pop of color, I tucked these Nordic Frost Ornaments into the garland. I fell in love with the patterns and designs. Each ornament is attached to the pine using a short length of floral wire.
I also incorporated an adorable gold bead garland with vintage-looking glass Santas. I had purchased it for my tree but decided to add gold to my Christmas mantel decor by weaving it through the branches.
You may have noticed that I moved my mirror above the mantel. It had been hanging over my bar cart. I’ll show you later what I swapped it out with.
With the mantel all decked out, a fireplace this big definitely needs stockings. As soon as I saw these Nordic Knit Stockings, I knew they would look perfect. I love the faux fur banding and the pattern.
I added other festive (and functional) decor to this space, including a beautiful Nicole Miller Snow Globe, a stack of books, and a new brass log holder. Everything is looking very festive, don’t you think?
My bar cart also received a seasonal makeover. As I mentioned, I moved the mirror that was hanging above it. I replaced the mirror with this gorgeous Wild Berry Forest Wreath. I love the different greens and berries in it. It has battery operated lights, too.
While I was decorating, I also switched some of my liquors to offer a more seasonal-inspired variety. Bottlebrush trees, another snow globe, and my favorite nutcracker joined the party as well.
If you like this Christmas mantel decor, you’ll love these too:
And with that, my family room is definitely starting to look merrier.
Thank you so much to Balsam Hill for having me on their Holiday Housewalk. It’s been a joy!
Also, thanks to all of you for your encouragement and excitement about my Christmas decor. The number of messages I receive on social media and here on the blog is overwhelming and much appreciated. The holiday season is my favorite time to decorate, and I’m glad you enjoy it as much as I do.
Yep. The decorating has begun at Bayberry House. Today I’m sharing a peek into my family room to show off my red and rustic Christmas mantel decor! I missed not having a mantel to decorate last Christmas. Although I thoroughly enjoyed dressing up my apartment for the holidays, I am thrilled to have two mantels […]
The holiday season is here. To help kick it off, I thought I’d share four easy ways to brighten up your Friendsgiving. These simple yet beautiful ideas are sure to add a little sparkle to your celebration with friends.
For the past three years, I’ve been sharing ways to help you and your crew have a Friendsgiving to remember. One year we made Apple Pie Moonshine, and last year I created a craft-inspired table. I’m thrilled to be back to add a few more inspired ideas to your repertoire.
This post has been sponsored by PHILIPS HUE. I received product and compensation, but all opinions are my own.
This year I’ve teamed up with my friends at Philips Hue to bring a little light and color to your Friendsgiving celebration. In case you haven’t heard of Philips Hue, it’s a smart lighting system that you control and personalize through the Hue app on your smartphone or tablet, or even your voice if you have Alexa, the Google Assistant, or Siri.
Whether you desire to create the perfect traditional lighting for a dinner party or want to bring in fun and excitement with color, with Hue, you can do it all. Choose from over 16 million colors or every shade of white light to match your mood, support your routines, or in this case…celebrate Friendsgiving!
I set up a fun, functional, and colorful Friendsgiving table to walk you through some bright and creative Friendsgiving ideas. I hope they inspire you to create a little magic with lighting and table decore during your own holiday gatherings. Let’s get to it.
Keep It Fun
I think the overarching idea behind Friendsgiving is to keep things fun and light. There’s no need to dust off the fancy china or polish any silverware (unless that’s your thing). Here, I used my everyday white plates and dressed them up with cotton napkins and gold flatware.
For Friendsgiving (and most entertaining events), I recommend mixing high and low. For example, cover the table with a tablecloth but top it with a kraft paper runner. Serve the main course on standard plates and then use paper ones for dessert. At the end of the day, it’s all about enjoying time with friends.
For the rest of my decor, I stayed within the color scheme of orange and brown kraft paper. And, since it’s fall, I used leaves as my theme. Even though the goal is casual, having some sort of theme or direction definitely helps when planning your table.
Use What You Have
Speaking of leaves, as I was planning this tablescape I was feeling a tad discouraged because I couldn’t find exactly the right flowers to dress up my table. Then, while I was doing my dinner dishes the evening before the shoot, I looked out the window and saw just what I needed – leaves! Nature was putting on a color show right there in my backyard, and until that moment, I hadn’t noticed.
You don’t need to go out and buy all new things to set a table. Look to what you have (or what’s in your own backyard) to create something special, simple, and colorful.
Change the Light
Here’s where the fun comes in! I used the Philips Hue White and Color Ambiance starter kit to add a bit of lighting magic to my table. (Plus, it’s a really cool treat for your friends when the lights start changing colors.)
You can use the Hue app (available for iOS and Android) to create the perfect Friendsgiving scene. You can quickly set the scene with white or colored lights or even use one of the pre-set lighting options. For example, “Relax” will create a warm, cozy white light which is perfect for entertaining!
I’m more of a traditionalist when it comes to colored lights, so I found a cool white light to be best. However, if color is your game, you can go from purple to orange with the swipe of your finger.
So cool, right?
Lighting is a quick and easy way to completely transform your space and give your decor a refresh. (As you can see!)
Be Thankful
At the end of the day, it’s less about how you decorate and more about how you make people feel. Create opportunities to let your friends know you’re grateful to have them in your life.
Here I set out paper leaves and a pen so dinner guests could jot down what they are most thankful for. The kraft paper runner also provides opportunities for folks to write a message, play a game, or just doodle something funny.
My overall goal was to keep the atmosphere light, colorful, and happy to allow everyone to feel welcome and cozy! Welcoming banners, colorful paper decorations, and turkey salt and pepper shakers helped to bring the look together.
And that’s it, my friends. You now have four more ways to brighten up your Friendsgiving!
No matter how your celebrate Friendsgiving (or even if you use these ideas for Thanksgiving), I hope my tips and tricks help you create a fun and memorable holiday with the ones you love.
The holiday season is here. To help kick it off, I thought I’d share four easy ways to brighten up your Friendsgiving. These simple yet beautiful ideas are sure to add a little sparkle to your celebration with friends. For the past three years, I’ve been sharing ways to help you and your crew have […]
