Last Minute Valentine's Day Decorations

You don’t want to be that house on the block that never decorates for holidays (and you probably also don’t want to be the “over the top” house, either). Valentine’s Day is just days away – so here are some quick DIY decorations sure to add some dazzle to your home.

Garland. Grab some doilies (the bigger the better) from the craft box, ribbon and a red Sharpie. Fold the doilies in half and use double sided tape to adhere them to a long ribbon. If you’re feeling particularly fancy, grab some red craft paper and a paper punch to cut out small hearts, or simply draw red hearts on the doilies. Bam – simple, cute and quick!

Cupcakes. Cupcakes are not only delicious, but they’re also decorative. Whip up your favorite flavor (we recommend red velvet or strawberry, to keep with the Valentine’s theme of course), and stick in little labels like “be mine,” “love” and “Valentine.” It’s a new take on the candy heart treat we’ve all enjoyed for years. When you’re done, display them on a tiered stand or carrier.

Wall art. This one might require a trip to the craft store, but if you keep extra cardboard and fun paper handy, that’s all you’ll need. Pick festive words like “Love”, “Sweet” or “Heart” and cut those letters out of the cardboard. Grab your favorite decorative paper and apply to the letters. Hang them on the walls, put them in window sills, or place them on shelves.

Mason jars. Most of us have these handy around the house already, so grab your favorite Valentine’s candies, like the conversation hearts, M&Ms, peeps, etc. and fill the jars to the brim. Gather your jars and set them on top of a mirror or decorative platter and you have one yummy centerpiece.

Candles. Spice up your candlesticks and glass candle jars for Valentine’s Day. Wrap jars in red or pink yarn for a simple color pop, or affix cut out hearts.

Simple and fun! Which decorations will you try?

Hosting the Holidays

The holidays are crazy, there’s no doubt. Especially if your house hosts the family for a big meal. There’s so much to prepare, from decorations to place settings to the meal itself, if we don’t lose our marbles at least once it’s not been a success.

To cut through the clutter this season, we’ve assembled our favorite list of ideas and festive recipes that will be sure to get your mind buzzing before the big day.

Photo Cred: flickr.com

Table Settings

1.     Dip (or spray) pinecones in silver or gold paint and tie a nametag to each. Fold a napkin and place the napkin on top of the plate and the pinecone will just rest on top! Easy and elegant.

2.     Grab some extra cinnamon sticks from the store, cut to a size you desire, and tie a festive ribbon around the sticks to harness a nametag. The cinnamon will add a festive fragrance to the dinner table, and your guest will leave with a small parting gift!

3.     Extra ornaments lying around after decorating the tree? Place a couple on each plate! Keep it monochromatic for a classic look, or spice things up with colorful bulbs.

Centerpieces

1.     If you cut your own tree this year, snag a few branches from the back of the tree and lay them down along the center of the table. Add some candles and ornaments for a little extra color. If you don’t have a real tree, a faux garland will do!

2.     Pick up a big silver or glass bowl from the Christmas Tree Store or dollar store and load it up with your favorite ornaments. Pile them high for drama, or mix in pinecones and tiny wrapped presents to keep it fun.

3.     Tall styrofoam cones can be painted any color, so pick your favorite and decorate them and place them along the table. Varying sizes will bring a different look to the table. Stick with silver, gold and white for a classic look, or opt for green, red, blue, or even purple for a warmer look.

Perfect Cocktails

1.     No table is complete without a delicious holiday drink to share. Prep pumpkin pie martinis for the adults and have them ready to toast for dinner. Mix pumpkin spice liqueur, butterscotch schnapps, Kahlua, and half-and-half. Crumble graham crackers and tip the rims before you fill!

2.     Mix up your normal glass of champagne by trying this yummy spiced pear sangria. You can make it the night before so it’s a quick pour and serve when dinner is ready.

3.     After dinner drinks are always appropriate. Make the kids some hot chocolate, and for the adults: add some raspberry liqueur and crème de cacao and top the glass with fresh whipped cream. Yum.

Winter Wonderland Design Ideas

We may not particularly like the cold temperatures, shoveling snow, and bundling up (okay, so maybe “hate” is a better word) – but you have to admit, wintertime can be so beautiful. If you’re a fan of cozying up from November to April, here are some design ideas for your home to make the most of the season.

DIY Sweater Pillows. They may sound silly, but in the right room, they’re perfect. Check out these chic, preppy pillows from HGTV. All you need are unused sweaters or flannel shirts, an old pillow, and a needle and thread. Super easy.

Metallic Paint. Metallic is one of this year’s most popular color schemes, and happens to replicate ice quite well. Some are even taking it to the extreme with metallic accent walls. If that’s a little too bold for your taste, we’d recommend picking up metallic silver curtains, perhaps metallic lampshades or even metallic wall decorations. The hints silver will remind you of the season while still remaining appropriate for all seasons.

Fluffy Stuff. Who doesn’t love a fluffy accent pillow or cozy throw blanket? Choose colors like light grey, white, and light blue to bring the colors of winter inside. We wouldn’t blame you if you felt obligated to sit by the fire with some hot chocolate.

Crystal. Need we say more? Grab some faux crystal candle sticks or shelf accents and watch them reflect the sunlight, just like those beautiful icicles do. Pair them with white, silver, or blue candles and you’re good to go.

Distressed Furniture. If you’re a fan of thrift stores and antique stores, this will be a fun project for you. Grab a coffee table, side table, or even a smaller dresser and turn it into a distressed piece that will bring your entire winter-inspired room together. Keep it light blue or off white, and it will remind you of that first beautiful dusting of snow.