It's another holiday finished and committed to tender memory here at our house in Southern California!
I decorated much more simply here this yearandenjoyed it all so much more!
Without kids here at the houseI decided to keep all my decorations in their boxesand go with a simple luxe palettewhere floral and faunaplayed so lovely with neutral textures.
I kept our Christmas Eve dinner table simplebut splurged on snow globes for each guestas a place card and take home party favor.
I had so much fun picking a special globe for each guest.For mineit was a houseto signify my love of hearth, home and family.
When it came to Christmas Eveanother splurge was an abundance of white flowers!I love our traditional dinnerwhere fabulous food, drink and decor are in true abundancefor the celebration!
My paper whites that I planted at differing week intervals have worked out perfectlywith some in full bloom for Christmaswhile others will be fresh for New Year's Eve and beyond!
I kept our tree simple and naturalwith just lights this yearand have been ever so happy with my choice!
To echo the simplicity of my decormy wrapping was kept in a neutral palette as well.But luxed out with big full bows adorned with another natural elementpinecones of all different sizes!
My fantastic bows were made with some of the leftover high quality feltthat I made my tablecloth from at Thanksgiving.
I've used felt for bows beforebut the upgrade in feltproduced bows that were even fuller and held there shape perfectly!
I draped my couches with and abundance or faux fur throwswhich worked out perfectly for our unusually chilly Southern California temperatureshere this year!
My guest rooms were also garnished with simple holiday cheer!The red stars found their way into both guest rooms!
My paper whites out front are coming along strong …
While my arrangement in the courtyard was in full bloom just in time for Christmas morning!
This single bloom which was ahead of the blooming packbrought me so much joy everydaywatching it unfold.
When a rain storm proved too much for remaining uprightI brought her insidein an attempt to revive her for some indoor love.
I simply tied the bloom to a skewerand found a sweet bud vase nestled in the shelves at home.
Adding a simple cedar branchyieldedone of my most favorite holiday arrangements!
It was a perfect addition to my bed tray upstairs.
For me this simple bloomcaptured the simplicity and elegancethat I was seeking this Christmas holiday.
My garden cherubs are always crowned and bejeweledbut for the holidaythey got a little holly garnishing as well!
My huge ceramic bowl edged in a drapey succulentspent the holiday with more paper whitesthat are making their way beautifully!
Another of my favorite outdoor centerpiecesis made up ofa chicken feeder full of more bulbsalignedwith a driftwood planter filled with succulents .
I love the juxtaposition of the two.This was another wonderful arrangement that came into beingwhen I shopped at home for planting vessels!
I achieved my goal of having everything in placebefore the arrival of my children and family for the holidays!
I wanted everything doneso I could just soak up time with them all.
The moon this year couldn't have been any more magnificentwith it's fullness only happening like this every 38 years on Christmas.
It was such a poetic reminder of the magic of the moments.
As beautiful as the decor wasit was truly the little special moments that unfoldedin the midst of the celebrationthat I have committed into my heart.
I am old enough and wise enough by nowto knowthe pretties of the season are niceand one of the ways I like to love on my family
but they are a mere backdropto the loving connecting momentsthat become our family cultureand shared historiesfor years to come.
For me the highlight of the seasonwas the five of us reunited this yearafter a three year estrangement.My heart is full of how the five of us were able to navigatethese uncharted waterswith grace, respect and love.
The holidays can be so many different emotionsfor everyone.I have learned to handle with carefor we can all be fragile at times.
I have also learned to let go of any aspirations of holiday perfectionsand replace them withquiet gratitude of time together.Ever so grateful for the magic moments sharedand committed to heart.
I make a point now of replaying the seer magic momentsandlet all the less than bits drift away from memory.For I have learned full wellwe get more of what we think of most.
I choose to savor and enjoythe simple loving moments these days.
Jeff and I now have added new traditions to our Christmas weekendas our children have lives of their own.
One of my favoritesis going down to the beach after Christmasjust the two of us.
To savor our holidays well doneand appreciate this stage of life.
I will be the first to admitgetting to the appreciation part of children growing up and onhas been a tough one for me.
But I am committed to being Gratefulfor the right here right now.
And heya quiet house again is pretty nice …especially knowing just like Frostythey will be back again next year.
As always my friends
I wish you love and joyas you style your life