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!

"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!

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!