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Winter

winter, holiday, and christmas home decorating ideas, recipes, and crafts
a slice of life

the race vs. the pace of Christmas

I have loved Christmas for as long as I remember.  I have been blessed to have happy memories of Christmas with my family and it’s always been my favorite time of the year.  I love the food, the music, the baking, the decorating, the presents, the surprises, the anticipation, the traditions, the weather, the clothes…I just love it all.  When I was younger, I would try to hurry things along by insisting we put up the decorations as early as possible.  My parents would make me wait until after Thanksgiving and, I reluctantly would.  But early on Black Friday, I wasn’t thinking about shopping.  I was asking my dad to get the tree down from the attic so we could get started.  We’d put on an Amy Grant Christmas album and the Christmas season would officially begin for the Wagner household. Even as an adult, setting up the tree and

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November 29, 2023 56 Comments
Favorite Things

Black Friday Deals with Walmart

Disclosure | This post is sponsored by Walmart.  As always, all words and opinions expressed are honest and my own. Almost 15 years ago, I decided I would set out on Black Friday to see what all of the fuss was about.  I love getting a good deal, but I wasn’t excited about braving the parking lots and crowds.  I ended up waiting in a line wrapped around a store to buy a Playdough set for Marshall and my curiosity about the hoopla was satisfied.  But now, there is no need to wait in line or even wait until Black Friday to get amazing deals.  has thousands of Black Friday deals available today and you can shop them all without fighting for a parking spot, sitting in traffic, or waiting in lines. They are offering sales of everything from toys and electronics to clothes and housewares and more.  As you

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November 22, 2023 3 Comments
All Things Home

custom garland for a headboard (or mantel)

When I shared about our winter bed last week, I said I would share some more details about the garland draped over the headboard, so that’s what this post is about!  Before we get into the details of the garland, I want to address the practicality of having a garland draped over your headboard.  Our headboard is very high, probably about 5′ tall, so the garland is up and out of the way, even if we’re sitting up in bed to read.  The greenery used for this project is also artificial, so we’re not going to get any shedding.  If the garland was going to get tangled in my hair or drop needles all over us, it wouldn’t be a viable option.  But, as it is, it works and I really do love the way it looks.  If your headboard is shorter, you can always drape the garland on the

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November 20, 2023 8 Comments
All Things Home

dressing the bed for winter

Disclosure: This post is sponsored by Brooklinen.  As always, all words and opinions expressed are honest and my own. I don’t remember the last time I had sheets on my bed that weren’t white or cream.  It just became my go-to since it’s classic, timeless, and looks fresh and beautiful in all seasons.  But, as I was thinking about decorating our room for Christmas, I decided it might be a good time to try out some color. If you know me, you know I would’ve selected one of two colors.  Blue or green.  I picked blue.  More specifically, Brooklinen’s limited edition Indigo Washed Linen Core Sheet Set.  I really underestimated how much punch changing the color of the sheets could add to a room! If you’ve read my blog for a while, you may have read about Brooklinen here before.  I’ve worked with them as a blog sponsor and I’ve

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November 16, 2023 17 Comments
Holiday

drying whole limes for decoration

It all started when I was shopping on a couple of months ago, deciding which artificial garlands I wanted to purchase to add to my Christmas decor this year.  Since they often sell out of their most popular items before we even hit the Christmas-decorating season, I wanted to shop early and take my time making intentional purchases.  As I was perusing the site, I came across this wreath made with some of their products and I had to stop and admire it.  I loved the combination of textures, the blue berries of the juniper sprigs, and the use of pinecones, dried limes, and a simple velvet ribbon.  I would love to make something similar for my kitchen. As a side note, I found a lovely and inexpensive velvet ribbon that comes in a couple of widths and over 30 colors .  It’s under $10 for 25 yards. So, I

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November 8, 2023 20 Comments
Decorating

christmas decorations | new buys & old favorites

While I am excited about decorating for Christmas this year, I’m definitely not ready to start decorating.  I recognize that social media has joined retailers in the push to rush into the next season and there is understandably a lot of resistance to that.  We’re still enjoying fall leaves, making soup, and the early days of wearing sweaters and we’re not ready to set up the tree and go Christmas shopping.  So, I’m not sharing this post as a call to start decorating.  I decided to share this post now since I’m sure I’m not the only one who is thinking through Christmas decorating and what I might want to make and/or add this year.  You can view this post as a chance to do a bit of browsing, considering, and planning so when you’re ready to decorate, you’re ready! For the past three months, I have been purchasing a

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October 31, 2023 17 Comments
All Things Home

Christmas decorating favorites from the past

Well, I played hooky from writing on the blog yesterday.  I felt lazy, tired, and really ready for my own Christmas break to start (the boys are already on break from school.)  So, I took a slow morning to cuddle with the kitties and rewatch some of Portrait Artist of the Year.  I gave myself a little bit of space with an unstructured morning.  And, an interesting thing happened…  I started to get an energy to create.  I completed two paintings, flitted around the dining room hanging plates and antlers, did some pen and ink sketches, and even started an art class.  It was just what I needed.  So, I have decided to quit fighting the urge to start my Christmas break and I’m going to start it.  For my final blog post before Christmas and New Year’s, I thought I would share a few of my favorite Christmas decorating

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December 21, 2022 27 Comments
All Things Home

little studio tree

When I plunked the little artificial tree on a stool in my art studio, I figured it would just be there temporarily.  It was more about putting it in a semi-finished place and less about feeling like that was the best spot for it.  But, as I got distracted by other things, the little tree stayed on the stool in the studio.  That is where it was going to be this year and it felt right.  I decided to decorate it fittingly for an art studio tree. (As a side note, I bought this tree six Christmas seasons ago from and it’s not been available since, sadly!  It is such a great little tree that comes in the basket.) Last year, I made some clay ornaments stamped with graphics of antique paint tubes.  You can read about how I made those HERE.  They were so simple, but I just love

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December 15, 2022 13 Comments

I’m Marian, a painter, writer, and lover of all things creative. From art and antiques to home projects and everyday life, I share my journey in hopes of inspiring you to embrace your own creativity and make beauty in the spaces you live.

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