Random thoughts on a chilly December morning:
1. I woke up to the devastating news from the tornado and its aftermath in Kentucky. We have so many friends from where we used to live that are waking up to damage fromt the storm overwhelming destructive path. Sending all the love and thoughts and prayers to everyone affected by this storm.
My heart is breaking.
2. Tonight is our town’s Christmas parade. We are going early for dinner with friends and then bundling up in 40 degree temperatures to watch Santa and his elves.
3. Another edition of “What I Bought Wednesday” is live on my YouTube Channel. Sharing the CUTEST gift idea for a hostess (or yourself). It’s a cake stand that does five different things.
You can see the entire episode here.
4. CONGRATULATIONS to the Baylor Bears.
Let’s go BIG 12 CHAMPIONS.
5. Are you watching Christmas movies? Have you seen “A Royal Christmas” yet? It was just on and it’s so sweet. I love anything with a castle and a small nation that no one has ever heard of with a Prince who needs a wife.
6. It was an amazing week on the blog. We talked about last-minute gift ideas for Christmas and how merry and bright the dining room is and cute family Christmas pajama ideas and 5 cookies you can make with slice and bake dough.
And now?
Grab a cup of something and join me.
I have tons of ideas and inspiration that I found this week for all of us.
LET’S GO.
The authenticity of this Christmas home tour takes my breath away.
Every detail is perfection.
This DIY Christmas village.
It’s so cute and she made everything in it.
You can see the entire village DIY here.
This beautiful Christmas dining room.
These chairs are amazing.
And this beautiful Christmas kitchen.
It’s what my kitchen wants to be when it grows up.
And in random news:
This beautiful Christmas home tour
5 tips to help you take beautiful holiday photos
These cheese-filled pull-apart rolls
These Christmas tree brownies (so cute)
How to talk to your kids about Santa
These make-ahead Christmas breakfast ideas
This blue and white Christmas entry way
Three things to do to overcome perfectionism
How to take make-up from day to night
This beautiful Scandanavian Christmas table
Five secrets to baking the perfect brownies
And this
Here’s the preview of the new West Side Story movie.
I’m so excited and nervous I’m not going to like it all at the same time. 🙂
One more for the road
And just in case you were looking for easy and simply DIY Christmas gift wrap ideas?
I have 21 of them here.
Happy Holidays to your sweet family! Love the DIY Christmas Village and the link to Craftoutlet! Will be trying this♥
I was shock when hearing about the horrible devastations from the Tornado. The first thing I need was call to make sure Leslie was ok. Thank goodness she was fine. My heart breaks for the people hit by this devastation. I did enjoy all of your home tour links.
Tammy, the first thing I did was message Leslie early this morning..I was so worried about her and her family.
Oh, Karianne! I am in upstate/central ny, think Syracuse and Utica areas- my small city (under 10,000) did the Christmas Holiday thing last weekend- gale force winds, snow, temps in the low thirties and below. Gives "bundling up" a whole new meaning, lol. One clever thing they did, was having local kid dance groups feature darling children INSIDE the store front windows all along Main Street, doing their Nutcracker, etc performances all snug and warm. Absolutely brilliant idea. A nearby small town had their tree lighting and festivities come to a halt when the fire department had to be called to a fire at a local business. Quick change of plans, it is now rescheduled so Santa can light the tree, lol. I love living in this area- so many think "upstate NY" means the Hudson Valley- a lovely place- but we have so much more to offer.
I am so sorry, my local weather issues are nothing compared with the horrible tornadoes, so awful. I was in the Army (many moons ago) and stationed in the South, fell in love with the people and places. Just saw the news about the loss of lives, destruction. My prayers and love, positive thoughts are going there.
KariAnne, Thank you so much for sharing my village. Yes, I'm so sad for all the loss and devastation. What a horrible thing to happen.
I can recommend a Christmas movie. Hard love. Netflix. Comedy.
I'm loving the European influences for Christmas this year. Simple but lovely.
Such a horrible devastation. It's about three hours south of us. It's so heartbreaking. Praying for all there and in all the other states. ~ I love, love, love that wreath at the top. It's sooo cute! Love all these. I'm sure your house sings Christmas! 😍
Kari Anne: My prayers for all the people affected by the tornadoes. Your weekly wrap up is always wonderful and full of great ideas and recipes. Thanks for sharing with us. I too love the Christmas movies. Have not had much time to watch, but have them all downloaded to watch when I have time :).
Kari Anne, so sorry for the devastation, my prayers are with everyone. Every image in this list is so inspirational, thank you sharing. That kitchen is a dream kitchen, the modem lines, but vintage touch is exactly what I love! Incredible!
We have been praying for all that have been effected by this horrible weather! So much inspiration in this post and helpful ideas! I despise wrapping presents! So many talented bloggers make it look easy! I’ll leave it to my husband! He does a great job! Thanks for sharing ! Happy Sunday!
God bless Kentucky. I thought of you.
Such sadness in that part of the country this weekend. My heart hurts for them as well. Thank you for sharing our easy beaded ornaments, Karianne! I really appreciate it😊 Merry Christmas!
I hope everyone in your Kentucky family is safe and well. God bless.
I was very sad to hear about the devastation caused by the tornado in Kentucky! What an awful thing to happen. As always, I loved the links you shared this week. There is always so much to inspire and uplift a crafty girl's heart right here on this page!