The Family Tree - 2013

I know my adoration for my mom tree has probably sent some mixed signals.  For the record, I actually really like our family tree every year.  It's full of beautiful ornaments and is the home to our beloved annual family ornaments (you can read more on how this tradition started more than 10 years ago with Hubbs and me here).

 

Last year, I used Chevron ribbon around the tree:

 

Chevron was an obsession for me last year... I purchased chevron duct tape and used it to put a stripe on the front of gifts as a faux ribbon:

 

 

 

I've been using kraft paper for my gift wrap for years... Here's my favorite gift presentation from 2010:

 

 

I used the photo of Munch with Santa as gift tags for family that year... Big hit :)  I can't talk about my tree without talking about the gifts. I've always wrapped my gifts to coordinate with my tree.  I snap a pic every year and I prefer for my presents to look awesome.  I've purchased a variety of kraft paper and rustic inspired wrapping paper this year and I'll share that later...

 

BACK TO THE TREE!

 

This year, I wanted to purchase my dream tree (with the snow branches and pine cones... she's pretty and costs a pretty penny too... end of season sale, Tabitha.  End of season sale...) but, rather than splurge, I continued with the rustic-meets-pretty design on the same ol' family tree (she's 10 years old now).  I did, however, take the design one step further. I used burlap... I thought it would require a lot of money but I incorporated things we already had - our family ornaments, some gold ornaments (from Ikea), our tan and white tree skirt - and $25 in new materials.  I purchased burlap to wrap around the tree and went to the Dollar Tree for new ornaments.  They have a great selection!  I got large glitter reindeer, Christmas trees, crosses, icicles, bulbs and more!

 

 

Munch made the ornament (top left) last year.

 

Our family ornament collection looks great amidst the glow of lights and gold glitter.

 

I wanted our tree to look awesome with or without lights so I added white glitter snowflakes in a few different sizes (sold in packs of 3 and 5 at the Dollar Tree).  I need to finish the mantle (we're mounting the television so I can hang our stockings, the wreath and fluff the garland.  That will happen this weekend but for now (and since November 18th), I love it.

 

O and I looked all over until I found the perfect star (at Pier1):

 

 

I've never claimed to have a rustic style because I don't want to abandon my inner glam goddess or my Island girl... shoot, in the new place, I'm very casual traditional in a lot of my choices. I have, however, found that over the past 6 years, I've transitioned from contemporary design to more comfortempo-rustic chic.  OMG!  THAT'S MY HOME DECOR STYLE.

 

COMFORTEMPO-RUSTIC CHIC

 

Yep.  That sums it up.  It also sums up my approach to the tree - if I like it, I used it.  Anyhoo, I love this tree because I feel like it truly represents who we are.  The memories in each of our annual family ornaments, the traditional but glamorous gold accents, the simple burlap and even its location (in our FAMILY room)... we love everything about it!  I've walked into the family room and caught both Hubbs and Munch staring at the tree on separate occasions... no television, no lights... just them. and. Christmas. 

 

A tree that's beautiful, sentimental and captures the essence of the season?

 

 

MISSION ACCOMPLISHED!

 

Third Blogiversary!

Source

Can you believe it? 

On December 15th, we completed our third year of blogging! 

I am so thankful to have wonderful e-friends and frequent visitors to our beloved little island.  I appreciate the comments and encouragement just as much as the unspoken accountability you guys bring into my life.  You have become an integral piece in my family's life puzzle and you have made my crazy roller coaster life seem normal.  You've cried with me, laughed at me, celebrated life milestones and holidays along the way... You have become this girl's e-family.  One who probably knows more about our everyday life than some friends... NOT because I am holding information but because I know you can appreciate little things that never come up in "normal" conversation, lol.

See, this is my second blog.  The first was an online repository for my fiction pieces, poetry and chronicles of my hilarious life at the time (12 years ago).  12 years? OMG! I was "blogging" before it was even called blogging!

I learned from my mistakes and wanted to do something totally different when I steered my little ship towards the island.  I thought long and hard about the perfect name and I never looked back!  Now, I can't quit my job to blog for the income it generates (yet - LOL) and I can't say I care much about my blog's readership numbers (though, it is one of the awesome perks). I can, however, offer some quick tips for those who are interested in having a high quality life as a blogger.

1. Blog about what you love.  What do you spend hours researching online? What are you passionate about?  What are you good at?  What is your hobby?  If you LIKE it, you can write about it. 

2.  Get personal.  Your readers want to know you.  Sure, people will visit your blog for innovative ideas and current events (or to just be nosey) but you will build a residual readership when you offer them a piece of you... Don't be afraid to show your personality.  Find your voice and use it to tell YOUR story.

3.  Don't get too technical.  Here's the biggest challenge with blogging.  Writing in such a way that you don't sound robotic or boring so people are INTERESTED enough to continue reading.  Don't get stuck on proper English; make your blog feel like a conversation. 

4. Proofread.  There's a difference between conversational English and grammatical errors.  Write your posts. Read your posts.  Read them again.  Then publish them.  Your blog should have your voice but you don't want to sound dumb.

5.  Enjoy it.  Blogs are not easy.  You can quickly lose motivation to write.  When your blog becomes work, stop.  Regroup and find the fun.  Then get back to it!  Someone somewhere will be waiting.

There are other tips like have a great site design and post quality photos but I'll share more specifics at a later time.  Right now, it's time to celebrate!!!

Islanders, Fabulous Island would not be the same without you! 

Wanna see where it all started? Check out the Inaugural Post here!

WW: Elf on the Shelf Fun

Wordless Wednesdays

 

Who knew elves poo m&ms?

 

We got Rudolphed!

 

She has a lasso in her hand to catch the other reindeer!

 

She left a note that she couldn't sit on the mantle bc she had class.  We were so excited to see she enjoyed ski class!

 

She stole my tree topper and left a note for Munch and Jada (her new BFF)of where to find it.

 

Wrapped the toilet while Munch slept.

 

 

Unique Garland Display

It's no surprise, when it comes to my home décor, I can become so wrapped up in the details and making a decision that I miss the opportunity to get much done.  Well, I'm happy to report I've discovered a decision-making process I like.  It starts with the purpose for the room.  In the case of my holiday staircase décor, thinking of its function made me quickly realize my dreams of having garland would not happen.  What dreams you ask?  Something subtle:

 

 

It's not too much, right? HAHAHAHA!

 

OK. Maybe not that dramatic but... you know, something similar.

 

We don't have a spiraling staircase but we do have a lot of stairs.  As I planned how the staircase would look, all of the reasons NOT to have anything on the banister flooded my mind.

 

- My kid is clumsy(me too).  I could see her slipping, reaching for the banister to catch her and pulling my garland down instead.

 

- Early morning races to catch the school bus might cause an issue (especially if my design comes out as perfectly as it did in my mind).  I mean, what if we return home to find my gorgeous garland all over the floor?!

 

- Plush garland is expensive.  I priced out my dream garland and, for more than 20 feet, I'm looking at more than $300.  Don't go get your glasses, my chubby fingers didn't make a mistake.  $300.

 

$300?!

 

For the man to complain about it on each of his trips up and down the stairs?

 

For the kid to mess it up?

 

For me to fluff and re-fluff everyday?

 

Nope.  Not for our high-traffic staircase.

 

I needed to find an alternative.  If only I could put it on the bottom.  No one would ever mess it up there... It would be so easy to maintain... THAT was it!

 

I searched Google and I knew this idea would work when I saw these images:

 

 

 

Sure, I already had a few smaller garlands but I needed more if I expected to cover the full length of our staircase.  My first stop? The Village Thrift Store.  I rarely pay retail for anything any more, lol.

 

They have a Christmas aisle all year long and I love it. I mean, it's one of my favorite aisles in the store any time of the year.  Sure enough, I was able to purchase 3 strands of garland for $7.00 total!!  I rushed home to fluff and arrange the garland.  I pulled my chocolate and silver bulbs from the box of unused Christmas décor and went to crazy town decorating.  I still have a few finishing touches I'll add as Christmas nears but, for now, I'm happy with it :)

 

 

 

 

There are mini silver present boxes and stars and bulbs galore! The pictures really don't do it justice and that could be because I haven't used my fancy-pants camera in months (the flash had batteries melt inside and now I need another $700+ flash).

 

I know you've probably noticed my quality of images has gone down but I also know you, my beloved Islanders, don't judge me.

 

I'll make it work :)

 

To re-cap, I took a traditional approach in our entry way, a whimsical design for my mom tree, the dining room is all glam and the family room is rustic glam.

 

I'm having fun finding new homes for all of our Christmas décor.  You're probably wondering why I'm determined to get our décor up...  Well, we're hosting Christmas breakfast at our house - OMG. 

 

I've got to finish decorating because there is just so much going on! I've got to tell about the Christmas décor so we can talk about my plans for the event!  I'll share our plan to tackle all of our projects soon enough!

 

Stay tuned!