Random Act of Kindness #15

It's Thursday friends, and you know what that means...RAK challenge!

RAK Challenge #15: Give someone a break!

Come on, sing it with me...Gimme a break, gimme a break...

This time of year can get so crazy! Take a minute to think of those around you who might need a little break. What does this look like, you ask?

Here are just a few suggestions.

*Offer to watch your friend's kids for a few hours so she can finish up some Christmas shopping.

*Let the anxious person in the parking lot actually take the space you were planning on parking in.

* Let a person jump in front of you in line at the grocery store.

*Smile at the Salvation Army Bell Ringer instead of feeling annoyed by the sound.

*Offer to read a few Christmas stories to your child's class so the teacher can finish up some grading.

I challenge you, friends, to take a second to think about the people in your life that you interact with on a daily basis. What can you do for them to make their day a little less stressful?

RAK challenges are so much fun...click here and here to find other ways you can spread some kindness!

Don't forget to leave a comment letting me know how you plan to give someone a break today. We can steal each other's ideas!

Christmas Dinnerware

Do you set a pretty table for Christmas dinner? If so, you probably already have dinnerware, but if not, you're in luck. Look what I found...

$35

$35

$35

Simply Silhouettes

Aren't these adorable? Wouldn't it be fun to secretly place these on the table and watch the faces of your guests as they realize it's their face on the place staring up at them? That's right, you can actually send the etsy shop owner your pictures and she makes silhouette plates out of them! 

Just in case you lean more towards a more traditional look, Target has some great options, and very affordable! Layer this plate and charger with a bright red napkin and you're set. Such a simple and pretty Christmas look.

 $19.99 (set of 4)

$8.74 (set of 12 chargers)
Target

Of course, Potterybarn knows how to do it right. The embossed reindeer is very festive without screaming theme.

$39.50 (set of 4 salad plates)
Potterybarn
 A tip to achieve this look, without breaking the bank, is to buy just the salad plates then use a solid white plate purchased from a less expensive store. TJMaxx and Marshalls are great places to look. 


If you're drawn to pops of color, this is a great option.

$24.99 (set of 4)
World Market

Shop quick, my friends, if you're interested in any of these. I was surprised at how many options were already sold out at many stores. Who knew Christmas dinnerware was such a hot commodity?!

If you need help making your Christmas table festive and fun, contact me. 

**It's not too late to order your Gift certificate for design services!**

Dear Santa...

If you were cursed blessed with the decorating bug, then you know that your house will never be completely decorated, right? I mean, before you even finish a project, isn't your mind already in another room creating a design plan?

Well, because of this illness, I've added this fabric to my Christmas list!

Braemore Georgeous Pearl Fabric

My breakfast area would love to be dressed with a few pretty panels made out of this. Here's the room without clothes.

The plan is to hang a decorative panel on each side of the doors, covering the wall space. I think this would really soften the space. I've been, slowly but surely, trying to phase out all of the wrought iron. This means there are even more plans for this room! Maybe a little rectangular wainscoting? I probably  need to give my sweet husband a little break before I propose the future plans!

Okay, it's your turn. Throw some of your fantastic ideas my way. I'd love to hear how your creative wheels are turning!

If you need help picking out fabric and creating a space you can't wait to come home to, contact me. 

**Gift certificates available for design services. Have you dropped the hint yet?** 

3rd Annual Blessings Brunch

Happy Monday, friends! I hope you checked lots off your to-do list this weekend as Christmas is coming upon us with warp-speed! Does anyone else feel like Christmas is coming faster this year than years past?

I had a great weekend! As I mentioned Friday, my daughter and I hosted our annual Blessings Brunch this weekend. Today I'm going to tell you a little more about this tradition because it's truly something that is very cherished in our family.

Each year, my daughter and I kick the boys out invite the women in our family over for brunch. We try to target the first weekend of December so we can pray over the month of madness together. I figure if we start the month out on the right foot and prayerfully approach what's to come, then we've got our priorities straight! It's so easy to get wrapped up in all that is expected of us that we forget to stop and think about Christ as the center of Christmas.

This year, I asked everyone to find a brand-new recipe to make and share at the brunch. This way we had a  understanding audience if it turned out bad! Luckily, it was all delicious and we all walked away with several new recipes to add to our stash. Want to know what we had?...breakfast cookies, maple-bacon biscuits, breakfast enchiladas, coffee cake, french toast casserole, fiesta salad, and cranberry-orange wassil. So yummy!

After stuffing ourselves, we head into the living room and gather around to focus on our blessings! We pull out the previous year's prayer list and read over it together. It's always amazing to see how God has worked in our lives. It's like having physical evidence of God's greatness as we reflect back on all the answered prayers! We share a blessing devotional and my daughter typically has some sort of "story" to share. This year she created a Christmas story focusing on forrest animals turned biblical characters. So cute!

 She narrates the story as she displays her illustrations.

Chipmunk Mary and Joseph, Hedgehog Shepherds, Bird Angels, Cat Wisemen- ha!

As we record this year's prayers, we have the chance to focus on praises, thanksgiving and of course, our needs. This time forces us to slow down and really get into each other's lives. I'm not going to lie, there are often tears involved. This year we wrapped things up by praying for the person sitting on our right. It was so sweet hearing daughters praying for moms, sisters praying for sisters, etc.

As we wrap things up, my daughter and I give each lady a "little something." This year we stole Pam's gift idea that she shared on her blog, Simple Details. Here's how ours turned out...

Stenciled dish towels, so easy and so cute!

Well, friends, that's the story of our Blessing's Brunch! I hope it's something you may be fortunate enough to experience firsthand. It'd also be fun to do with a close group of friends if you're family doesn't live close.

I'm sharing our Family Tradition at Elizabeth's Tradition Link Party. Hop on over there and find more fabulous ideas!

Simple little "how-to"

I love the look of mini Christmas trees on front porches. It's very festive and welcomes your guests with expectation of what's to come when they enter your house! I recently found a pair of trees at Garden Ridge but the original pots they came in were blah and boring. I debated not buying them because I was seeing dollar signs as I was thinking I'd have to buy new pots, in addition to the trees. Then, I had an ah-ha moment as I realized I could solve this problem with a little elbow grease and less than $3.00!

BEFORE

AFTER

What a difference a little burlap makes! 

Let's break it down with the specifics. I purchased 1 yard of burlap from Hobby Lobby. It was $3.99/yd but, of course, I had my usual 40% off coupon handy. 

 First, I cut the fabric in half. It only required a half yard per pot in my case.

Next, I pulled a rubberband over the pot.

 Now, use straight pins to "pleat" the burlap. I did this on the "short" sides of the fabric.

Pull the burlap through the rubberband.

 Use a little jute to wrap around the outside of your burlap, underneath the rim of the pot.

Cut the excess burlap off the edges, but leave enough to "tuck" into the pot so your rim is covered.

 The final product...

Much better, right?

Well, friends, I hope you all have a great weekend. My daughter and I have a little cooking and crafting to do. Each year we host a Blessing's Brunch for the women in our family and it's this Sunday! We typically try to get together the first weekend in December, but hectic schedules through us off a bit this year. This idea is to gather so we can pray over the month of craziness. We take a few moments to reflect on the past year of blessings and slow down enough to remember the true meaning of Christmas.

Are you looking to add a few special touches to your home? If so, contact me, I'd love to help you!

**Gift certificates available for design services. Order yours today!**

Linking this project to The Shabby Nest. Stop by to see all kinds of great projects.

Random Act of Kindness #14

You're in for a treat today friends! Not just one RAK, but one for each day of the month. Last week, my son came home with a "Random Act of Christmas Kindness" (RACK) calendar that his class made. His teacher printed out a calendar and asked the class to brainstorm one kind thing they could do each day for the rest of the month.

via

RAK Challenge #14: Compliments of Mrs. H's 2nd grade class

December 1st: Tell your parents why they are important to you

2nd: Ask your parents what THEY want for Christmas

3rd: Give a compliment to someone

4th: Do something nice for one of your siblings

5th: Do your homework without being told

6th: Help put ornaments on your Christmas tree

7th: Help someone in need

8th: Clean up the dinner table

9th: Make a present for a teacher

10th: Spend a day with a special person

11th: Help your mom bake cookies

12th: Report bullying to a teacher

13th: Make a present for a family member

14th: Be  nice to your classmates

15th: Make a treat for your classmates

16th: Help your mom make dinner

17th: Respect adults

18th: Send a present to a person in need

19th: Help clean the house

20th: Send a card to Santa

21st: Write a letter to a neighbor

22nd: Thank a police officer

23rd: Make a card for the mailman

24th: Leave a treat for Santa and his reindeer

25th: Say "Merry Christmas" to everyone you see

26th: Thank a firefighter

27th: Donate old toys to a charity

28th: Make a "New Year's" card for someone

29th: Help your family take down the Christmas decorations

30th: Donate warm clothes to people in need

31st: Watch a "New Year's Eve" show with your family

Didn't they do a great job?! I love that their teacher is teaching them great character, in addition to academics. High five, Mrs. H!

So, I challenge you friends, pick a few or do them all...it's never too late to start spreading kindness!

Are you new to RAK challenges? Look here and here so see what you've been missing.

Christmas pictures

Prepare yourselves, friends, there are loads of pictures in this post. Sit back, relax and take a stroll through my house. Christmas decorations are in place, all except the tree, that is!

Wish you were here to share a cup of coffee and some Christmas cookies. Have a happy day, friends!

If you'd like help bringing in a little Christmas magic into your own house, contact me, it's not too late. 

**Gift Certificates available for design services. Get yours today!**

Joining in the fun at Uncommon Slice of Suburbia, At the Picket Fence and a la Mode stop by and check it out. Also, having fun with Jennifer Rizzo!