no sew scarf pillow

This is the easiest - quickest - non-permanent little pillow makeover.  You need zero diy skills.  Just grab a scarf and a pillow................wrap and pin..............and enjoy! 

Here's a pic-torial.   

Now grab some small safety pins.

The belt is totally optional.

Like I said - quick  - easy - and perfect for a little temporary holiday change. 

And no, that's not a real Burberry scarf.  It's a wannabe, which works well for things like this or for those times when I want to use it as a table runner.  That's my hub's belt - he has yet to notice.  ;) 

My other favorite little scarf pillow trick is even easier.  

I love changing up the pillows in my living room with the seasons and using these easy little scarf tricks makes it so simple and cost effective!  Do you use items from your wardrobe in your decorating?  Does the scarf section at Target always call your name too? 

a very merry mantle and a party

Hey friends!  It's party time!  

Today Michelle and I are kicking things off with a Merry Mantle party!  Woohoo!  Let's get it started......let's get it started in here!  I know  - it's like I'm so 2000 and late.  ;)  I'm like the girl who wears an ugly Christmas sweater to a regular Christmas party.

Yesterday I took you down memory lane and showed you how White Beauty has gotten festive over the years.  This Christmas she decided when it comes to antlers in decor......if you can't beat 'em......................join 'em.

Okay, seriously, this just might be my most favorite Christmas mantel yet!  It's fun and whimsical.......and every time I walk into our living room I just can't help but smile.  It's just plain silliness, but I love it.  

I used one of those antler headband thingies that are made for pets (found in the Target dollar spot) and hot glued on some branches I found in our yard.  You can't really tell from the photos but I also spray painted the branches gold  - so the branch-antlers are a little blingy too. 

The nose is a red twine ball I stuck on there with a command strip.  How on Earth did we ever live without command strips?!  (and no - I'm not being paid or perked to say that) I even used those tiny little clear command hooks to put the snowflake ornaments up  - and those amazing little suckers stuck on that brick like it was their job!  

Except for the pet antler headband thing I already had all of this stuff stored in my North Pole closet!  I beefed up the fake garland with some fresh magnolia leaves from our yard.  

The joy wreath is a diy project from a couple years ago.  It's the same wreath I layered over a chalkboard for our Christmas photo backdrop. 

What can I say really.......I'm just a red and green Christmas loving girl.......it's those traditional Christmas colors that get me every time! 

Okay  - now it's your turn.  I can't wait to see your mantel colors!  Oh, and we're not mantel nazis so if you don't have a mantle show us your vignettes - sideboards - your "fantels" if you will  - show 'em off!   I'll be featuring a few this Friday! 

ghosts of christmas mantels past

This is our 4th Christmas in this house!  We've never celebrated that many Christmases at a single address before!  

While I consider my official blog start date January 1, 2011, I did actually blog a few times in 2010.  In fact, one of the very first projects I ever posted on this little blog was our living room fireplace makeover.  

Considering how much has changed on the ol' blog front since 2010 I thought it would be fun to take a little jog down memory lane for the new friends around here.  

This is how our fireplace used to look. 

Before - 2010 

As much as I love me some natural brick, the brown brick in this room sort of sucked the light out the space, so way back in December of 2010 I went at it with a paint brush and gave it a wash in white.  (side note - White Beauty has been part of the family for quite some time - I kind of forgot how long she's been around here!) 

After - Christmas 2010 -

 

White Beauty got festive with a some evergreen garland. 

Try to overlook the hideous photography  - I know it's hard.  

Without a doubt that fireplace makeover is still probably one of my favorite updates we've made in this house.  The whitewashed look lets the character of the brick shine through and really brightens up the whole room.  

Christmas 2011 brought some accessory changes and new stockings - oh and White Beauty got a little sassy with her leopard print fedora and winter scarf. 

Last Christmas White Beauty borrowed my favorite striped scarf for an understated I'm-not-trying-that-hard kind of look.  

Stay tuned tomorrow to see what kind of shenanigans White Beauty is getting into this year.  Our Mantel Party is tomorrow, and I can't wait!  

One thing I've learned from the ghosts of Christmas mantels past is that White Beauty loves a red and green color combo..........and thank goodness my photography skills have improved a little - eek - those are some scary photo ghosts! 

Does your mantel have a "signature culuh" combo?  Or do you change it up every year?  Hope you plan to join the party tomorrow!  Oh and no worries if you don't have a mantel   - any vignette works - a shelf, a sideboard   - it's a party - just bring something festive!  ;)