A Thomas Family Christmas

The saying goes better Late Than Never, and even though this is not a concept that I try to subscribe to, that is exactly how it shook out this year.  This holiday season was a particularly busy one.  But, it turned out just fine.  We hosted Christmas this year, so the pressure was definitely on.  Not only to make the house look particularly festive, but also to come up with a menu that suited everyone’s specific nutritional/dietary needs.  And yes, as my eight year old would say, that is “a thing”.

I found this idea for Stair Decor on Pinterest.  I thought it would be the perfect back drop to the kid’s tree.  mentioned it to hubby and it became a Daddy daughter project.  He found the Cardboard Top Hats at Joann Fabric and Crafts and they painted it.  For more info on how we pulled off this project check out the details on Our Instagram Page Link Here.

I try to add little Hints of Christmas, in ever little corner.  But over the years I have found that introducing the Colors of Christmas to be just as important as Traditional Christmas Decor.  For example for this Centerpiece in the Kitchen, I used Green Moss Balls, and Mini Apples as Vase Fillers coupled with an old wreath made of Red Bells and a Countdown to Christmas Nutcracker to complete the look.

The same look has pretty much flanked our Fireplace for the last couple of years.  However, this year we added in two outdoor mini trees on either side of the fireplace for more sparkle, especially at night.  And, a Poinsettia on STEROIDS that I scored at Sams for just $14.99.  It decorated my area at work for the whole month of December, before it made its way home.  We kind of grew tired of the letters that we had on our stockings during the previous years, so hubby found these wood letters at Hobby Lobby and gave them a Merry makeover with some red paint and some twine that he attached with hot glue.

This is our Second Year Using Buffalo Check for the Tree and the Formal Dining Room Table Decor.  I grabbed these napkins on sale from Pier 1 and Hubby Created the Centerpiece all on his own.  He found the Merry Christmas Wooden Box at Hobby Lobby, then he found Garland and Candles at Michael’s and lastly he added some battery operated lights, found at Kroger.  Honestly this year’s Christmas Decor was brought to you in large part by my better half.  This was my first year back at work full time and trying to pull everything together, and if it was not for him, I fear I would not have been able to do it.  So Shout Out to My Darling Hubby for being just as into the details as I am.

There is nothing quite like Christmas to me.  The joy I feel being surrounded by my Family and Friends that have become Family, well its indescribable. And, though it takes some effort pulling it all together, I wouldn’t change a thing. I hope and pray that you all have a Happy Holiday Season.

Here are few more glimpses of  Our Thomas Family Christmas.

‘THE BEST OF ALL GIFTS AROUND ANY CHRISTMAS TREE: THE PRESENCE OF A HAPPY FAMILY ALL WRAPPED UP IN EACH OTHER.’ – BURTON HILLS

Grab Your Free Back to School Binder Covers

Free Back to School Binder Covers

In the South, most kids have started heading back to school.  Today was my girls very first day. Thankfully, we got a jump start on Back to School Shopping this year and we  were able to totally avoid being in the stores when they turned into a mad house.

As has been our tradition for the past couple of years, I made new Binder Covers for my girls for the 2018-2019 school year.  I get way too much joy out of personalizing their things.   And, if you are anything like me and love to add splashes of pizzazz here and there, feel free to grab this year’s freebies and make them your own.  If you do so and you are particularly proud of your creation.  Be sure to snap a pic and post it to Instagram, using the hashtag #spbbtsbinders.  I am excited to see what you all come up with.

This is our 3rd year sharing these Back to School Binder Covers, so if you didn’t find something that you like in this year’s bundle.  Be sure to check out the ones from 2017-2018 and or  the ones from 2016-2017.

Binder Cover Closeups

Grab Yours Today (L-R), by clicking A, B, or C.  to take you to the Binder Cover of your liking.  Once your document opens, Right Click and Save and then Personalize.

A.      B.    C.

Summer Fun + Free Summer Bucket List

Summer Fun

It’s that time of year.  The sun is blazing, ice pops and ice cream have made it on to the Approved Foods List.  Summer fun and recreation trump studies, the days almost seem to run on auto pilot, and go by way too fast.  This year we kicked off the summer with a Quick Family Vacation to the Keys.  We took full advantage of the Florida sun and beaches while catching up with friends and family.

Every year the girls and I make a big show of discussing all the things we want to do over the summer. and unfortunately we never seem to make it through most of  it. So this year we decided to print out a Physical Summer Bucket List, and we are having a blast crossing things off as we go.

What is on your list of Fun Things to do this summer, now that the kids are out of school?  Grab your Copy of Our Summer Bucket List Here.

Summer Bucket List

Getting Spring Ready

Getting Spring Ready - Home Decor Spring Trends

Growing up I always imagined myself living in an ultra modern all white space with splashes of color here and there.  There is something about Contemporary Decor that has always appealed to me.  I think it has a lot to do with my self diagnosed OCD.  Of course as my life took shape and kids became a part of my every day existence, stark white was not exactly in the cards.  I still find myself drawn to spaces like this when I book hotel rooms for kid free vacations or even when picking spots to just hang out with my girlfriends.  But, at home with my family I find that my home decor is a lot more traditional and conservative than I would have thought.

Since I have yet to get to a point, where I feel like I am done decorating my home.   I constantly find myself flipping through the pages of magazines or reading blogs that speak to my love for Home Decor, hence my long standing affair with Real Simple Magazine.  I can’t say that I take too much stock in what is trending when it comes to Home Decor, I am a more of a “like what I like” girl.  So, yes my rebellious side even makes it self known in the way that I decorate my home.

That being said this year’s Spring Trends have my eyes looking like that cartoon character whose eyes are always popping out of his head.  In a nutshell, I could easily be convinced to make some additions and deletions based on what I am seeing.   However, I am not sure that I would necessarily classify these as Trends, since all of what speaks to me has been around for decades.

Here is some of what is turning my head this year:

Palm Leaves are at the top of the list, meaning that they are something that I am seeing everywhere. I do love Palm Leaves, but I pretty much equate Spring and Easter with Palm Leaves, am I alone?  I think it’s the perfect way to launch any Table Setting for this time of the year. So yes, great Palm Leaves, but any type of greenery in any space appeals to me.  I won’t say that I have a green thumb like my Dad.  But, I love having plants around.  And, since I am still learning where plants are concerned, I surround myself with any plant that I am incapable of killing.  So for me and my house we have a lot of Snake Plants, Succulents and Aloe Vera because they thrive and make me and my home look good at the same time.

Ceramic Dinner Ware:  I really believe this trend started to get popular long before 2018 courtesy or our Dear Joanna Gaines.  When she sets a fresh table and or stages the kitchens in the homes on Fixer Upper, even contemporary minded folks like me.. go Goo Goo over Farm Decor.  Dare I say, I have convinced myself that Ceramics can be chic too.   At the very least they should hold a Premier Space in my Easter Table Decor.  Right??

Black and White: Lets start out with the fact that these are Basic Colors, and as such I don’t think I can call them a Trend.  They are classics like the Trench Coat is to Spring, wouldn’t you agree?   Depending on the Texture and General Set Up.  I think that these Colors can Easily Add a More Masculine Look to a Feminine Room, or Tone Down a Particularly Jazzy or Feminine One.  According to FreshHome.com every room needs a touch of black to ground the color scheme and give it depth.  Interested in what your favorite color says about you, Check out this Post.

CIrcles aka Polka Dots are another less classic but still timeless tradition.  It’s cliche, but I love seeing Circles and Polka Dots on anything from a Teen Girls Room to Dinner Ware and Other Kitchen Accessories.  There is something youthful and flirty about this particular look.  According to the Image Consultant Institute a love of polka dots is indicative of a lively and energetic personality, and of a person who lives to multitask.

So there you have it… What Spring Trends have you thinking about making some fun and fresh changes around your home?  Let us know in the comment section below, we’d love to hear all about it.

2017 Christmas Coloring Sheets

2017 Christmas Coloring Sheets

Less than a Week until Christmas, and this Mommy is exhausted.  But, I am still plugging away.  Meanwhile my baby girl who isn’t getting any homework this week, has a million things that she wants to show me, projects she wants to work on, oh and things she really needs to borrow my phone for.   So I thought I would whip up these Coloring Sheets to keep her busy.  It sounded like a good idea, but she made quick work at it.  I am sure that I am not the only one with little ones under foot.  So, I thought I would share these as this year’s Christmas Coloring Sheets.

Christmas Mouse       Chimney Santa        Baby Jesus        Christmas Candles

Today was officially my kids last day of school for the year, so while they were gone, I finally finished up Our Christmas Basket.  I actually intended to do away with this tradition, simply because Our New Christmas Stockings hold considerably more than last year.  But, since they asked about it, I had to pull them out.  I’ve seen so many versions of this tradition, basically every family seems to put their own spin on it.  And, I think that is just what makes it special.  I try to keep ours relatively simple.

  • Christmas PJ’s
  • Christmas Coloring/Activity Books
  • Classic Christmas Book
  • Candy or Fruit Snacks
  • Novelty Items such as Funky Pens, Folders, Notebooks, Erasers

Christmas Baskets

Our 2017 Holiday Playlist

Nothings sets the Mood, for a festive Holiday, like the appropriate music.  I am normally the person who can not wait until Thanksgiving  to put on Christmas Music.  But, this year after having to spend more than I wanted to on car repairs.  I simply was not feeling the Christmas spirit, or at least I should say it was delayed.  But, while sitting in my car Soul Holiday came on and that was all that it took to spring board me into the season.  Every year I try to pull together a list of some of my favorite Christmas songs and covers.  I get entirely too much joy from hearing different artist remake the classics.  Of course, only when it’s done right.

Looking for some tunes to share with your family this season.  Check Out Our 2017 Holiday Playlist.

  • Soul Holiday, Sounds of Blackness
  • Last Christmas, Braxton Family Christmas
  • I want a Hippopotamus for Christmas, Gayla Peevey
  • Christmas Everyday, Fred Hammond
  • Please Come Home for Christmas, Bon Jovi
  • Baby It’s Cold Outside, Brett Eldredge featuring Meghan Trainor
  • Please Come Home for Christmas Leslie Odom Jr.
  • Say All I Want for Christmas, Nick Jonas featuring Shania Twain
  • Deck The Halls, Pentatonix
  • Rudolph The Red Nose Reindeer, DMX
  • The Christmas Song, Nat King Cole
  • Cool Yule Louis Armstrong
  • It’s Beginning to Look A Lot Like Christmas, Michael Buble’
  • Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas, Frank Sinatra
  • The Christmas Song, Celine Dion
  • White Christmas, Bing Crosby
  • Winter Wonderland, Jason Mraz
  • Sleigh Ride, Tamar Braxton (listen to this first)
  • What Christmas Means to Me, Stevie Wonder
  • Every Year, Every Christmas, Luther Vandross

My kids and I share a love for Christmas music, so  I am always looking to add some more songs to my catalog.  What are some of your favorites?  I’d love to hear about it in the comments below.

Friday Favorites – Week 400 – How to Make Rustic Christmas Ornaments

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Our 2017 Fall Home Tour

Fall Home Tour 2017

It was my intention to have this year’s Fall Home Tour posted by the first day of Autumn, but life happened, and I had to settle on getting it done before the Time Change.  That being said, my home is finally all decorated for fall and Visitor Ready.  So come on in and look around.

Fall Home Tour 2017: Front Porch

Not to toot my own horn, but I think that I am finally getting the hang of re-using things we already have in a new way.  Believe it or not that makes decorating that much easier.  This year the list of things that I purchased were minimal.  For the front porch, I bought a new wreath on sale for 60% off at Joann’s and (2) unfinished wooden crates.

Fall Home Tour 2017 : Foyer

In the foyer, I simply changed out the Fall Printable, with one from Our Etsy Store, and added some leaf votive candle holders, fall flowers and a ceramic pumpkin.

Fall Home Tour 2017 : Formal Living Room

In the Formal Living Room, I purchased a few mini Pumpkin and Gourd Vase Fillers and threw them in with Pine Cones and Fall Leaves from previous year’s decor, and surrounded the basket with Salt and Pepper Acorn Shakers.

Fall Home Tour 2017 : Fall Tablescape

The only thing new in this year’s Tablescape were the Velvet Fabric Pumpkins I found at Joann’s for 40% off.

Fall Home Tour 2017 : Centerpiece on the Side Buffet

A fun centerpiece for the Side Buffet using a Fall Bouquet and some mini apple vase fillers.

Fall Home Tour 2017: Mantel Decor

Fall Home Tour 2017 : The Family Room

Our Family Room is where we spend most of our time together, I did the least in this room.  Just a few simple touches here and there, the Football Fall Wood Accent over the fireplace, the pumpkins in the Dough Bowl and the super plush Football Throw that I picked up at Hobby Lobby.

I hope you enjoyed this year’s Fall Home Tour.  How do you decorate for the season?  I’d love to hear all about it.  Feel free to share in the comment section below.

Friday Favorites – Week 391 – Healthy Pumpkin Cupcakes

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Friday Favorites – Week 390 – Succulent Pumpkin Centerpiece

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