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    A Personalized Pet Traveling Kit

    I’m always surprised at the reaction of other travelers when we get out of the car (which is actually an SUV) with three dogs. While we certainly did not start out with three dogs (think yours, mine and ours) they’ve all become part of the family and I’m 100% sure our lives are richly blessed because they are in it. Here are a few things to consider if you’re traveling with pets (specifically dogs) this holiday season and how to make a personalized pet traveling kit for your favorite furry friend…

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    Holiday Simmer Pot Recipe & Hostess Gift Idea

    Simmer pots are a great alternative to candles if you have allergies or prefer a more natural approach to creating a signature scent for your home. I asked my mom to share her holiday simmer pot with us and while she didn’t really have a recipe per se (isn’t that like all Southern moms…a pinch of this, a dash of that or just a little shake) she shared her list of ingredients and I tried to recreate the rest. Holiday simmer pots are super easy to make and give away. Here’s a look at what you’ll need to create a holiday simmer pot and a hostess gift idea of your own…

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    Last Minute Thanksgiving Decorating Ideas

    The transition from Fall to Thanksgiving is always an interesting one, right? It seems like it should be rather seamless given pumpkins, leaves, acorns, branches, plaids and mums are all plentiful. If you start decorating in late September, you may be ready to pack “all things fall” away, you may be hosting Thanksgiving dinner, Friendsgiving or loved ones by the fire pit. Whatever stage you find yourself in at the beginning of this holiday season, here’s a bit of Thanksgiving inspiration for you especially if you’re working on all the last minute details…

  • Fall in Blue Ridge

    We arrived home late last night to celebrate Fall in Blue Ridge. We were visiting family for an early Thanksgiving. Normally, I have a full list of places I want to go and new adventures to experience. But this time, I decided to go with the flow and let things happen spontaneously. Here’s a peek into our trip and Fall in Blue Ridge…

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    Outdoor Fall Tablescape

    Have you guys ever heard of the crappy dinner party? You know the dinner parties you used to throw just for fun long before every detail had to be Instagram-able. It’s been a while since I’ve hosted a crappy dinner party but I’m considering the concept for our Friendsgiving. I’ll let you know what I decide. Until then, I thought I’d share an easy to create outdoor fall tablescape in case the thought of hosting a crappy dinner makes you cringe…

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    Fall Porch Tour

    As I mentioned yesterday, I spent a good portion of last week adding fall touches to the front porch. Mums have quickly become one of my seasonal “must haves” and this year I’ve used them throughout the house and on the porches too. Grab a cup of hot cider or a pumpkin spice latte and let me show you around… Welcome to our Fall Front Porch Tour!

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    Fall Decorating: The Breakfast Nook

    Once the rest of your spaces in your home are settled, fall decorating in the breakfast nook should be fairly easy. This is one of the reasons, sticking to a similar color palate and style is so important especially if you’re living in a home with an open floor plan. You may be thinking, “What’s the catch?” but let me assure you, there’s no catch. You can do this. Here are a few things to consider when decorating the breakfast nook for fall…

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    Fall Decorating in the The Dining Room

    Just off the entry is the dining room. It’s wide open, column flanked and provides plenty of room for friends and family. I’m realizing more and more I don’t have time to completely change items around from room to room just to decorate for the seasons. I’m thinking if you’re reading this series for busy girls, you probably don’t either. Here are a few things to keep in mind when you’re creating a festive look for fall in the dining room with a busy schedule….

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    Summer Inspired Dining Room

    A couple of weeks ago, my mom came over to help me refresh a few rooms around the house. So far, we’ve worked on one of the bedrooms the entry and the dining room. There haven’t been any major changes rather budget friendly, decorative changes that make a big impact in each space. This summer season, I wanted to highlight the simple sophistication of the magnolia tree and the sweet smelling flowers found on their flowing branches.