A Natural Southern Christmas~

Sorry for the lack of posts!  One, I was snowed under sorting through uniforms for 118 volleyball players and Two, my card reader died on my desktop.  But, I got an early Christmas present...a new card reader just for muah!  So, without further ado...here are some more pictures of our Christmas decor.  My mission....use what you have and add some natural elements.  I plan to add fresh greens to the mantel, but am waiting to do so as they dry out so quickly with the heat on!!

The Mantel...I used a lot of what I had.  We purchased the ivory quilted stockings (turned for name's sake) and the stocking holders from Pottery Barn last year.  Each is monogramed with the name of each family member in a different color represented in the decor of the room (green, red, blue, brown).  The burlap ribbon was a splurge this year from Pottery Barn.  I love the texture it adds and it is quite substantial.  The topiaries are new, a PB Outlet purchase.  The lanterns stay year round and get updated according to the holiday.  I added a touch of the burlap ribbon to the candle sconces as well.  The green apples I had.  They pull the apple green color from the wrapping paper I used for the tray that sits on our coffee table (pics to come). I will be adding some fresh greens as the holiday draws closer.

A little vignette in the library.  I took a "cheapo" silver tray I purchased from Target ($4) added a little moss, the jars are "repurposed pickle" jars tied with jute twine with an ornament I found at Wal-mart attached.  Add a little faux snow, a votive and a twig Christmas tree found at Target and you have a very natural little scene!

We added some chunky candle holders to the table in the library along with a bowl full of pinecones. The white-tipped ones were rolled in white paint last year for a snow covered look. Add a $1 ornament from Wal-mart and your done!

More "snow covered " pinecones on the entry table.

This glass domed pedestal gets changed with the seasons.  Summer, a cute little bird's nest with robins eggs.  Fall, a miniature white pumpkin.  And Christmas/Winter, faux snow, moss and a pinecone.

This hurricane also gets changed out with the seasons.  The current look, faux snow, miniature pinecones my daughter collected in NC years ago, and a red burlap bow.

The Christmas Village that sits atop the piano in the library.  The white lit trees in the backround came from Ikea (an early Christmas present from a girlfirend).

We will be picking out the "big" tree this weekend when our oldest daugher comes home (she is finishing college finals this week).  Proud Mama Moment...she will graduate an ENTIRE YEAR early!!!!

Still tweaking a few things and adding here and there.  Have soooo much shopping to get done!  But, this weekend will be spent putting together a care package for our oldest daughter's dear friend and his family.  Will's mother has cancer, inoperable, and will be entering her 3rd round of chemo soon.  Will has already lost several family members to cancer.  Will is like the son we never had...the kind of young man you would be proud to call your own.  He recently sent us the sweetest note, thanking us and she for our support and friendship.  It literally brought tears to our eyes.  It was an an opener for sure...THIS IS WHAT THE SEASON IS TRULY ABOUT!  So, from the depth of my heart...Thanks Will!  We love you!!