Christmas Mantel

I've realized that if I don't get with it, Christmas will be here and I haven't had a chance to share all that I've been doing. Actually Christmas decorating has been low key this year. I've been snowed in, the weather just keeps dumping ice and snow on us, and we live in a subdivision where nothing is done to the streets. My hubbs has to brave them each day, but I'll just be here at home...complaining.

(I never thought I'd say that I miss the mall, and all the wacky Holiday traffic...)

Not much has changed on the mantel since right after Thanksgiving. I did get the Holly cut and arranged in some of my ironstone pitchers. I had had 5 of them lined up, but when the Holly went in, it was too much. I've tried adding greenery and several other little accents to the mantel, but each time I've taken it down. It just felt like too much "stuff". So, this is my version of "understated".

I had been wanting white lanterns for several years and just couldn't find the right ones. Originally, I had wanted to put them on the front porch, but after my pumpkins were stolen at Halloween, I decided against it. And they are wooden, so it wouldn't work for them to be in the weather. These came from Pottery Barn, and even though I knew how tall they were, their size surprised me when they arrived. So the hearth was the only place they "fit".

I wanted to find big fat candles to put inside,

 but wah wah wah, I'm snowed in!!

They got a little fancy schmancy damask ribbon and I ended up putting some paperwhites inside. I ordered 80 bulbs this year: a little ambitious, so there are paperwhites all over the place. I'll share some other containers full this week.

Sort of plain, but then I'm not feeling like "over the top" this year.

I have two HUGE Holly bushes out back who most of the year my husband fusses about. Thank goodness they redeem themselves this time of the year, otherwise they would be gone.

Just a teensy pop of red in this room, this year.

All the plaid is in the Dining Room and Sunporch.

(now, that's where I went crazy!)

Here's the mantel from last year,

a bit more festive...

I wanted to join in on Pamela's Mantel Party

and I'll be partying around the town this week.

Amaze Me Monday at Dwellings

Mod Mix Monday at Mod Vintage Life

Inspire Me Tuesday at A Stroll Thru Life

The Scoop at Cedar Hill Farm

Wow Us Wednesday at Savvy Southern Style

Hope you're having a wonderful weekend, 

Guess it's time to get out of my pajamas...

xoxo,

Today's Sponsor 

Eleanor Brown Boutique

More Inspiration and the "Pin a Pillow" Give-Away

There were so many great links on last week's 

Be Inspired

that I thought I'd share a few extra. 

If you haven't joined in this week,

  the party's still open!

Holiday Home Tour 

from Amanda at Dixie Delights

(one of the prettiest this season!)

Susan's Blinged Out Bathroom

from Must Love Junk

Window on the Mantel

from Vickie at Ranger 911

Silhouette Nativity

from Doreen at Hymns and Verses

there's a tutorial too!

Christmas Living Room Mantel

from Mary Alice at Chateau Chic

Hey guys, tonight is the end of the 

"Pin Your Favorite Christmas Pillow" Give Away

come on over and enter!!!

xoxo,

Be Inspired #168

Hi there,

 all you wonderfully talented Bloggy Buds

and Welcome to Be Inspired!

OK, my head is exploding from all the great Christmas ideas and inspiration! You all never fail to come up with the most amazing decor, projects, and displays for the Holidays. I could feature each one of you!  (Be watching for Friday Night, as I share a few more features, I just couldn't get everyone in this post.) So here are just a few...I seem to be fixated on wreaths today. Take a peek at the fun from last week!

Meg from Oliver and Rust shared her fabulous
Christmas House Tour where she uses her
  signature "Green" as an accent throughout her spaces.

and Meg also created this wonderful

Ornament Wreath using a variety of ornaments.

I've wanted to try one of these for the longest time,

now I think I could tackle it!

Bella's Rose Cottage, what can I say?
A confection of pinks, whites, and the most wonderful
shade of dusty lavender.

Another variation from Bella on the Ornament wreath
in pinks and cream, on this wonderful vintage window and Christmas Mantel

Shanna from Restoration Redoux
gave us her version in silver,
with the good advice of shopping for ornaments at Dollar Tree.

OK, we all know I'm nuts for plaid at Christmas
so I love the Cocoa Station from Pam at House of Hawthornes

Another obsession is all things Boxwood,
so check out the easy Square Boxwood Wreath Tutorial

Leslie from Paper Daisy Designs

The Book Spine Christmas Tree
from Julia at Vintage With Laces
is evidence that this girl knows how to use anything vintage
and turn it into a work of art!

Another beautiful wreath in white perfection is the 

Tissue Paper Wreath from Jacqueline at Cabin and Cottage.

 Sherry from the Charm of Home

shared her Sugar and Spice Buffet with a Jam Cake recipe.

And if you're needing a dose of Elf on the Shelf,

then check out Penny's wonderful Pink Kitchen playground.

THANK YOU, Gals!!

And have you entered the Give Away yet?

super easy and you get to choose your own pillow as the winner!

The Give Away closes Friday Night, so

CLICK HERE

Party Guidelines,

 but then you all know this stuff, already!

Please remember to turn off word verification. I tried leaving comments that didn't go through. I'm sure others have tried also.

Please have an individual link back to Common Ground within your post. I'd love to feature you. This is just part of the Party Etiquette.

Please no direct links to Etsy or Advertising.

Link up to three of your current posts.

Take a minute to visit a few of the other links.

Please be a follower of Common Ground.

so let's link up some more Holiday fun!

Love you all, thanks so much for coming over to party each week, 

and thank you for all the wonderful comments on my

  Christmas Home Tour 2013

Today's Sponsor

Shabby Cottage Chic

Christmas Home Tour 2013

Welcome to my Home Tour 2013!

I have a lot of things to share this Christmas Season, but today I wanted to share Highlights for a Home Tour. I've been adding to the basics since right after Thanksgiving, and as time has progressed, I'm having a few more vignettes and details to show. But for now, I'll hit the high points of my main level rooms, that have been decorated in a little more "easy" and natural theme this year.(you can click on the photo, and then click again for a bigger image)

The Entry

I started inside this year, because outside we have about 9 inches of snow. I love snow, but it's nice to wait until after all the decorating's been done.

I've wanted the Christmas decor to be more simple this year; the older I get the more I want something that's easier to live with. I have tons of boxes and tubs of Christmas decor, but this year I've had to choose bits and pieces to make small groupings instead of dragging it all out, to then turn around and put all away in three weeks.

I love seasonal changes, and for me "Winter" is full of evergreens,

 paperwhites, and splashes of plaid.

Heading in to the Living Room

Kitchen

Hall Sideboard

The Sunporch

Hope you've enjoyed the Mini Home Tour.

I'll be sharing more this week,

as we get down to some vignettes and vintage pieces,

that are just for fun!

Joining these great Holiday Parties:

Inspire Me Tuesday at A Stroll Thru Life

Christmas Home Tour at Coastal Charm

Wow Us Wednesday at Savvy Southern Style

The Inspiration Exchange at City Farmhouse

Creating Christmas at Must Love Junk

It's a Party at DIY by Design

Cottage Christmas Party at Fishtail Cottage

Treasure Hunt at From My Front Porch to Yours

Open House Party at No Minimalist Here

Creating Christmas at Mrs. Olson's

Feathered Nest Friday at French Country Cottage

Shabby Art Boutique

Inspiration Gallery at Craftberry Bush

Come As You Are Christmas Linky at Common Ground

sending hugs,