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Archive - November, 2011

November 30, 2011

Punchy and Warm

*photo from Atlanta Home Magazine, Design by Lee and Kevin Kleinhelter

With a title like that, you’d think this would be a Christmas post again. I’ll try not to wear you out on Christmas in the first week of December, so let’s take a little break.

I was especially taken with this vignette when I saw it on Pink Wallpaper I’m not sure why, but it really drew me in.

You get an initial punch from the David Hicks wallpaper, and although attention grabbing, it wasn’t the only thing jumping out at me. I love a good combination of modern traditional with some warm natural elements, but there is also something clearly feminine going on too. It’s both warm, chic, and cool rolled into one. I can’t quite put my finger on what I love so much about this. Can you?

Anything jumping out at you lately?

Have an EXCEPTIONAL Wednesday!

p.s. just ONE comment about Christmas. House of Earnest is GIVING AWAY one set of themed Crate and Barrel Ornaments for a lucky reader! Click Here for more info on how to enter!

6 Comments

November 29, 2011

A Winner and a Giveaway!

in Home Decor with 57 Comments

If you guessed that I was going to choose the woodland theme, then you were right. There are a billion and a half things I love about this theme. It can be carried out cheaply, naturally, and still be a huge success.

I plan on making homemade wrapping paper and gift tags, foraging forest floors for little tidbits and embellishments, and utilizing a lot of things I have on hand. I am excited to start putting together the theme and will share everything with you guys too.

Here are a few more pictures of inspiration which inspired my choice!

*photos 1/2/3/4/5/6/7

And NOW for the exciting GIVEAWAY news! One lucky reader will have the chance to WIN one of my handpicked theme sets below. Each theme includes a set of 4 Ornaments and Garland from Crate and Barrel.

Here are the details: THIS GIVEAWAY IS CLOSED!

1. The prize is ONE of the themed ornament and garland sets above (Woodland, White, or Traditional).

2. Leave me a comment letting me know what YOUR holiday theme or strategy is this year AND which set you would want if you won.

3. For an extra entry you can TWEET me or leave a comment on the House of Earnest Facebook page with one goal you have for the remainder of the year!

4. Ships anywhere in the world!

5. Enter through Thursday, December 1st at midnight EST. Winner will be announced on Friday, December 2nd

*This giveaway is not paid for or endorsed by Crate and Barrel – it is just because you’re my readers and you make me happy

Have a LUCKY Tuesday!

OUR WINNER IS LAUREN FROM THE ARMY DOCTORS WIFE! Congrats, Lauren!

57 Comments

November 28, 2011

To Theme or Not to Theme?

in Home Decor, mood with 1 Comment

Thanksgiving is over (and it was wonderful!) and now I’m full swing into Christmas. I’m usually a huge ‘theme’ person for holidays. I think that creating a theme helps to wrangle in my mind and keeps different aspects of my decor consistent. I’ve been back and forth this year on a couple different themes.

The woodland theme is close to my heart. I live on a farm, and love all things natural. Warm wood tones and greenery are amplified by the occasional pop of red. When I think of a woodland theme, I have visions of mittened hands, of cold, red cheeks, and a cozy fire. All you need to add is a special someone to cozy up next to.

When most people think of ‘traditional’ they think boring, but when it comes around to Christmas, tradition is something so special. Heirlooms, family, and nostalgia are what this is about. Sitting over a long candlelit dinner with your closest and most dear while drinking wine and indulging in family recipes is what ‘makes’ it. It is wonderful to watch children and grandchildren grown up enjoying the same ornaments, dishes, songs, and traditions year after year.

How chic is a white theme? If you know anything about me, you know that I’m crazy over all white anything. It is classic and modern all wrapped into one. I absolutely love the idea of a feminine, light and romantic Christmas. This theme makes the hectic anxiety of the holiday seems miles alway, like the only thing on the agenda is to sit back and watch the snow fall.

Which brings me to the most important question – Do you have a holiday theme? How closely do you follow it? I would LOVE to hear your comments on this one!

P.s. extra points for guessing which theme I decided on.

Have a MERRY Monday!

Photo credits clockwise from top left:

Woodland 1/2/3/4/5/6

Traditional 1/2/3/4/5

White 1/2/3/4/5/6

1 Comment

November 25, 2011

Friday Favorites 11.25

in friday favorites with 3 Comments

We didn’t really do an advent calendar growing up, so this is something that is relatively new to me, and I’m so excited to make one this year. I think I’m going to go the traditional wrapped gift chain route, but here are several others that really caught my eye this year.

no. 1 Doesn’t Jordan from Oh Happy Day just come up with the best stuff? Here she has printed numbers onto transfer paper to be ironed onto little linen bags. Too cute. no. 2 An advent activities calendar is a wonderful way to stay in the holiday spirit each day leading up to Christmas. At ohdeedo they’ve written holiday-centric activities are inside each link of a paper chain. no. 3 craft paper bags are the perfect foundation for some festive stamps and numbers – from ellen hutson. no. 4 Perfect to give to an out-of-town parent, a postcard holder plays double duty as a photo-a-day calendar. photo from Martha Stewart. no. 5 Not only does this naturally festive calendar appeal to me from an esthetic standpoint, but who doesn’t love an ornament a day? This would be a fun ritual to do with children also! They would feel so special each night to place the designated ornament on the tree. photo from lovenordicdesign via the merion house book.

Do you plan on making an advent calendar? Do you buy kind with little chocolates inside? I would love to hear your tradition!

Have a HAPPY HAPPY Weekend!

3 Comments

November 24, 2011

Happy Thanksgiving 2011!

in mood with 1 Comment

*photo by designer and propstylist dietlind wolf (who’s work i adore!)

Does your family go around the table and talk about what they’re thankful for? What’s on your list?

Have a BLESSED day!

1 Comment

November 23, 2011

Behind the Scenes of Our Christmas Card

in weekend inspiration with 15 Comments

15 Comments

November 22, 2011

Get Ready!

in easy entertaining with 2 Comments

It’s that time of the year, and if you’re anything like me, you’ll have houseguests. I, myself, get some anxiety about staying in other people’s homes and worry about the possibility that I’ve forgotten something, won’t have access to something I need, or will be putting my hosts out to ask for something additional.

Calm any fears your guests may have by offering them anything they’d need for the length of time they’re staying. Think of your morning routine step by step to help get your gears going about things your friends may need. I also keep a small basket of other random necessities (cotton swabs, make up remover, tweezers, lotion, etc) under the sink with a small note on the cupboard saying something like, ’more travel goodies inside’ so they know to open up.

Don’t forget to include your house key so they can come and go as they please and some water so nobody has to navigate downstairs in the dark!

Have a WONDERFULLY PREPARED Tuesday!

2 Comments

November 21, 2011

Let's Put the 'Fest' in Festive

in easy entertaining with 10 Comments

I love a good sit-down dinner and Thanksgiving is the ultimate in loungy, relaxed, and festive dinners. Setting a good table not only makes my guests feel welcome and special, but it makes me really happy.

I like to layer different textures, colors, and finishes. I use gold, silver, brown, black – whatever I have on hand. It doesn’t matter if your China is gold-rimmed and your platters are silver, I think mixing it all together is totally do-able.

Amber glassware is one of my favorite things. It is so warm and rich in the fall and can pull double duty by being used in the summer with jewel tones for a sultry summery feast.

Layered under the amber wine glass is a piece of natural parchment paper and a folded tea towel from West Elm as a placement. I’ve placed pieces of white craft paper running across the table width-wise to create a connection with the person sitting opposite and add yet another layer of interest. A pop of chartreuse in the napkins contrast well with all of the brown tones, while staying within the quirky natural theme.

I cannot do a dinner without name cards. They make guests feel so special! Keep extras on hand so that if someone shows up with an unexpected guest, they won’t feel left out.

I wrote each persons name on simple manila tags from my local craft store and embellished them with some fall mums and an acorn (because I just had to use them somewhere!). Everyone gets their little flower to take home as a favor too!

Although I loved the all green themed place setting I posted about last week, I can’t bring myself to do anything that departs too much from the classic autumnal colors and materials. I just love fall so much, I want to soak up every last bit before the big push for Christmas.

How are you decorating your Thanksgiving table? Are you keeping it classic, or doing something new and fun?

Have a SPECTACULAR Monday (and short work week!!)

10 Comments

November 18, 2011

Friday Faves 11.18

in friday favorites with 3 Comments

You’ll see a lot of red here because I use thanksgiving as the ‘base layer’ for my Christmas decor strategy. I like to buy things which can easily be repurposed for the whole season! I layer in some red along with the leftover oranges of my Halloween decor, then once Turkey day is done, I swap out the pumpkins for evergreen swags, pinecones, and glitter to transform into Christmas! Make your decor work double duty!

no. 1 This tartan plaid wine cover from Williams Sonoma is sure to please a gracious thanksgiving hostess (she can re-use for Christmas!) 12.95 at Williams Sonoma. Or if you’re feeling particularly crafty, make your own! Take a cue from Brittany over at Brittany Makes and repurpose those plaid PJ pants that Aunt Selma got you last year (just wash first!). no. 2 Cranberry Clafoutis is an easy and crowd pleasing recipe. I served it to my guests this past week and there wasn’t a crumb left to be seen. Recipe from Martha Stewart, I divided mine into individual ramekins. no. 3 The Bliss Sofa is definitely on my covet list starts at $1099 from West Elm. Head over to Style by Emily Henderson or Design Love Fest to enter their West Elm Give-a-way for a chance to win their five West Elm faves! no. 4 Rose Hips will definitely add some flair to your Thanksgiving florals. Check your local florist for availability (Quick Tip: If they’re not available in your area, use Hypericum Berries as a substitute!) no.5 Double hit on the West Elm goods (I told you I was in love with their holiday catalog!). This wishbone platter is cute, cute and would make a great display piece during the holiday season. It’s no longer available online, but hit up your local store! no. 6 I cannot get enough of the LED candles. Use them with dried florals, wrapped in decorative paper, or under a bell dome for the perfectly lit (and safe!) holiday! These are $13.99 from Amazon.

I’ll be spending the weekend prepping some amazing holiday inspired posts for you guys and getting my thanksgiving table together. What about you? Are you hosting Thanksgiving? If not, what are you bringing? Or like Shannon over at Imperfectly Inspired, are you having a friends’ Thanksgiving? (Which sounds AWESOME!).

Have a BLESSED Friday and Weekend!

3 Comments

November 17, 2011

The Emerald Feast

in color, easy entertaining with 5 Comments

As you guys know, I spent last night entertaining some friends for dinner. We had a great time and most of the food turned out just as I expected. It was my first time making short ribs and although there are definitely things I’ll do different, everything was still wonderful!

This photo isn’t from my table last night, it really stuck out in my head as a beautiful Thanksgiving or Holiday table setting theme. I love how the monochromatic emerald color story both conveys the natural elements of Thanksgiving, and meshes really well with the color themes of Christmas but it has a quirky and woodsy quality that is unexpected.

Looking at the table I think each of the fun pieces are common and accessible, but put together look unique and fun.

Do you have any plans going yet for your holiday table? I’ll be back next Monday to share mine, but leave a comment to share your plans with me today!

Have an ENJOYABLE Thursday!

*photo from House&Home May 2007, photography by Nina Teixeira

5 Comments