Decorating with Birch

Ever since using birch logs for Kelly's Rustic Fall Bridal Shower, I can't stop thinking of creative ways to use them.  The options are endless!

Use them as centerpieces like we did here:

Fill birch vases with baby's breath like we did - or anything else that you can think of!

Build a birch log table:

Buy faux birch candles from stores like Pottery Barn:

Use as table numbers:

Make your own candle holders:

Use logs as decor on a buffet table:

More inspiration from the Utah Bride Blog:

Have fun decorating with birch this Holiday season!

{Tutorial} DIY Spring Topiary

I LOVE Tatertots & Jello!

Check out this DIY Spring Topiary Jen just featured using Washi tape!

Adorable!  Anyone going to try it out?

{DIY} Paint Chip Easter Egg Garland

Can you guess what this adorable Easter Egg Garland is made of? 

PAINT CHIPS!

Head over to Modern Parents Messy Kids for the tutorial!

LOVE IT!

"Time...is on my side...yes, it is..."  What?!  Who made that nonsense up?  More often than not I feel like time is not on my side...like there's just not enough time in a day. 

As I mentioned in my previous post, my husband got his wisdom teeth pulled on Friday afternoon.  We thought this was perfect timing since we had a four-day weekend.   I had freed up my schedule to devote all my time to him and his recovery.  Poor guy had a fainting spell on Friday night which scared me half to death {he is perfectly fine, thank the Lord}.  Low and behold...on Saturday night I got hit HARD with the stomach flu. 

Perfect. 

This weekend has been one big reminder that things do not happen in accordance with my plan, that's for sure.

Enjoy this little irony on time...and these stylish clocks that are available out there!

{POTTERY BARN} 

{CRATE & BARREL}

{WEST ELM}

{ANTHROPOLOGIE}

Love that head board from Anthropologie! 

So long to the four-day-weekend that worked this household over!

{Sweet Inspiration} Beautiful Burlap

The french~farmhouse feel isn't usually my style, but I couldn't help swooning over these photos while browsing Apartment Therapy.  I was searching for good ideas for a new fireplace surround and this is where I ended  up.  That's what this website will do to me!

I typically like a more modern style, but I love a little Anthropology flair every so often.  That's exactly what some of these photos remind me of.  Enough talking...on to the beauty that is burlap!

{all images courtesy of Apartment Therapy}

Love that chalkboard sign and those old recycled bottles!

These, I love.

And these...my favorite!  The rhinestones add such an elegant antique touch, don't you think?

If you enjoy these photos, or if this is your decorating style, check out the blog Dreamy Whites.  You won't believe Maria's ability to decorate in the french farmhouse style! 

Hope you all are enjoying this lovely weekend!  It's 66 degrees and sunny in Orange County ~ gotta love it!

The Sweet Life Studio Gets a New Look!

It's a new year, and a new look for The Sweet Life Studio!  After a year of playing around online and figuring out trying to figure out this whole blog thing, I decided I wanted to revamp my little blog design.  I had customized the layout as much as I was able, but still felt like something was lacking.  I don't own a business, so I wasn't willing to spend an arm and a leg on a blog design {although I was quite tempted}.  After a little searching, I found who I think is the best out there!

I was able to find a perfect predesigned blog design that was just what I was looking for.  Chic and clean!  The owner of Penny Lane Designs was great to work with - she was easy to communicate with and so very prompt! I highly recommend using her services for any of your graphic design or blogging needs. 

Visit her site HERE!

I'm feeling a little inspired...hoping it gets my booty on this blog more often!  What do you think of the new look?

{Martha's} DIY Pin-Up Christmas Card Wreath

This is an oldie ~ but a goody!

Martha first published this DIY project in her 2002 issue of Martha Stewart Living.  I was feeling a little crafty,  but with the Holidays approaching I didn't have a whole lot of extra cash lying around to run out and buy a whole bunch of items for a project.  This was right up my alley.  Plus, I LOVE receiving Christmas cards, but I could never think of a clever {and lovely} way to display all of them. 

Here's what Martha says about the project:

Decorate a wall or an interior door by hanging a holiday-card wreath. Using *wood glue, affix miniature wooden clothespins to a large (about 14-inch-diameter) embroidery hoop. Alternate clothespins to point outward and inward, spaced 1 1/2 inches apart. Suspend from a ribbon, and clip your cards in place as you receive them.

*I used a hot glue gun and it worked like a charm!

Fun Fact:  This project is CHEAP!  I had the ribbon and hot glue lying around the house, so all I needed to buy were some small clothespins and an embroidery loop.  I bought everything at Michael's for under $3!

Here's my Pin-up Wreath!  I think it's so great ~ and I will be using it in years to come.  I love that all you need to do to "update" the style is to switch out the ribbon to match your decor or taste.

Looking for a last-minute {and inexpensive} gift for a loved one this Christmas?  Consider making this lovely Holiday wreath!

Christmas Time in the Klitzing Home!

Don't you just love decorating for the Holidays?  Christmas decorations are my favorite - whether your style is modern, traditional, or glitz & glamor, Christmas decorations have a natural way of making you feel warm and fuzzy inside!

Here are a few snapshots of our home.  My husband and I have been married for two and a half years now.  Time sure has flown!  I can remember the first Christmas we were married when both of our mothers handed down their old Christmas decor to us, and I took my first Christmas decor shopping trip and realized CHRISTMAS DECORATIONS ARE EXPENSIVE WHEN YOU ARE STARTING FROM SQUARE ONE!  Although there are times when I just wish I could go out and blow a thousand dollars on seasonal decor, it's been so fun to work with the hand-me-downs and the new items we've accumulated in the past few years.  

Our front door - the little tree to the left lights up, but other than that we have no Christmas lights outside.  We just can't bring ourselves to spend the money on lights each year.  Maybe when we have kids who can appreciate them!

A little bit of Christmas spirit in our home office. This little "Joy" tree is special to us because my husband's Nana passed it down to us for our first Christmas.

Christmas in the kitchen!  Our kitchen color scheme is light yellow and greens.  I love when Christmas rolls around so I can add a touch of red. 

The breakfast nook gets a touch of Christmas too...

This hutch is at least 100 years old, and has been passed down to us from my dad's grandmother.  It's a perfect piece to hold our Crate & Barrel Samoa Dinnerware and our Willow Tree Nativity.

Close up of the Nativity ~ our collection is almost complete!  And I love our new PB Noel sign thanks to my mother-in-law!

Dining Area with festive placemats and centerpiece

Neat little Party Lite Apothecary Holder with some festive ornaments inside = instant centerpiece!

I was looking all over Etsy for a holiday banner last year.  A little thought popped into my head...I could make that!  So I purchased some cardstock and used some ribbon I had lying around the house and voila!  I couldn't find a stenciled letter that I liked so I just drew the letters freehand.  This is this banner's second year up, and it still looks great!  I love it because it folds up so nicely for easy storage.

Our entryway with a touch of Christmas

I took some inspiration from Martha and created this DIY Christmas Pin-Up Wreath.  So easy and inexpensive.  I think this whole project cost me a whopping $5!  This is a must-make!

Ahh...my favorite.  I love walking in the door to this cozy sight every day!  This sofa {which I posted about here} was an early Christmas gift we got for ourselves.  Let's just say...we are having ZERO buyer's remorse.  I'm blogging from that chaise lounge over there by the fire place as we speak.  It's "my spot."

 

The tree!  Yep, it's real.

Some of my favorite ornaments...

Our precious little Angel Nieces, Madison & Ella.  Definitely the cutest things on our tree!

I am a sucker for all things that glitter ~ so Christmas is a perfect excuse for me to put out things that are super sparkly.  These Crate & Barrel glitter trees are my favorite!

I managed to squeeze in a bit of Christmas decor in our guest bath that typically has a very beachy feel.  Just added a touch of cinnamon pinecones, embroidered guest towels, a lantern, and a little Christmas pillow.

I wish it could be Christmas in our home all year long!