From the Front Porch: Holiday Inspiration

Hello, sweet friends.

How has your week been?

I spent most of the week gathering supplies and decorating the house for the holidays.

To be perfectly honest, I’ve been planning a Biltmore inspired holiday ever since we watched the Hallmark movie at the cabin last Christmas.

For almost a year now, I’ve created boards on Pinterest, collected gorgeous velvet ribbons, greenery, garlands and even special ornaments.

Truthfully, I was so excited to pull everything together.

But the minute we put the green Christmas tree up in the living room something immediately felt “off.”

I tried to decorate the tree and “make do.”

But in the end, I just couldn’t let it go.

So, we took down the green tree and put up the flocked tree we’ve used for the last two years, and my heart instantly felt lighter.

While it was a lot of extra trouble the experience taught me so many things. 

One, to speak up when something feels off. We don’t always have to “make do.”

Two, what looks good in someone else’s home doesn’t necessarily mean it’s the right style for our home.

Three, it’s perfectly ok to change your mind.

And four, sometimes we can have the right vision at the wrong time or in the wrong season of life and learning how to pivot is vital to keeping our peace.

So, as we move forward even further into a busy month ahead, I encourage you to think about what you need most this holiday.

Do you need rest?… a reset?… a renewal? a full on, go all out kind of holiday celebration?

Once you have your answer, think about what you can do to give yourself that gift.

It just might be the merriest Christmas you’ve ever had.

A Few of Our Favorite Posts from Around the Web this Week…

Seasonal Inspiration and Home Tours:

• If you love a traditional Christmas, you’ll adore this Deck the Stalls Home Tour from MidwestLiving. It’s so pretty, I revisit it every year.
• This mantel from Haneen’s Haven is a beautiful mix of warm and earthy tones. Speaking of which, you can find her stunning holiday home tour here.  That horse print gallery wall and plaid wallpaper gets me every time. Also, don’t miss the magnolia tree skirts, Mom!
• I could get lost in Ella Claire’s classic Christmas décor in any season.
• I would have never thought to put these colors together but Lucy of Craftberry Bush makes tree decorating seem elegant and effortless. I love her moody Thanksgiving Tablescape too!
• 55 Farmhouse Christmas Décor Ideas for a Cozy Country Christmas via Southern Living.

Seasonal Project Ideas:

• Donna from An Organized Season made the prettiest charger plates for her Thanksgiving tablescape and now I want to make a set too!
• Every year we have the cutest little pinecones at the cabin and Kim from a Cottage in the Mitten has inspired me to bring them home with this gorgeous wreath.
• Have you seen the beautiful ornaments MaryJo from Masterpieces of My Life made yet? They’re perfection!

Health and Wellness Inspiration:

• The Best Teas for Colds (via Health)
• This Life Hack Transformed How I Deal With Everyday Stressors (via The Everygirl)
• How to Maintain Friendships (via Self)

Style and Travel Inspiration:

• 1 Base, 10 Outfits: How to Style Wide Leg Jeans and a Striped Tee  (love the One Base series from Leanne of Classy Yet Trendy so much)
• The 10 Best Facial Sculpting Tools to Tone and Firm Skin (via Elle)
• The Most Festive Christmas-Loving Hotels to Visit This Winter (via CN Traveler)

Simple Pleasures and Little Luxuries:

• Have you seen this gorgeous stocking from Anthropologie yet? It’s dreamy
• I can’t remember if I shared this cardigan from J Crew or not recently, but it looks so cozy I thought I’d share it again just in case.
• How cute is this skirt from Boden? Honestly, I love the whole outfit even the red boots!

If You’ve Missed Anything From the Blog or the Archives Lately, Here’s a Peek At What We’ve Been Up To…

Quick and Easy Glitter Ornaments

Vintage Inspired Ornaments

How to Refresh a Christmas Wreath

Champagne Wishes Holiday Home Tour

Shopping Notes…

**(Amazon affiliate links have been provided for your convenience. As an Amazon and Impact Media Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. Any sales made through such links will support us with a small commission at no extra cost to you. You can read our full disclosure policy here)

• Body Suit  (perfect to wear alone or under blazers)
• Place card Holders  (add a fun and festive touch to your tablescape)
• Heels  (available in multiple colors, a have a silver pair too)
• Button Down  (leopard print is everywhere this season)
• Polish  (a color you can wear from now until Valentine’s Day)
• Skirt  (this skirt comes in lots of other prints and has over 2K reviews)
• Caviar Server Set  (gifting this to someone special this year)
• Purse  (available in several colors, the brown is pretty too)
• Plate  (one of my aunts has this set and loves them)
• Earrings  (these classic earrings can be dressed up or down)
• Turtleneck  (available in multiple colors and prints)
• Caviar Spoons  (gifting these as well)
• Cable knit  (makes me want to snuggle up)
• Truffle Salt  (gifted last year and it was a big hit)
• Bangle (a budget friendly gift or stocking stuffer)
• Jeans  (soft with a little give, high rise and easy to wear)

As always, we appreciate you more than you could ever know, and we hope your weekend is peace-filled and relaxing.  We can’t wait to share even more with you next week!

Until next time, I’ll see you on Instagram, Facebook and Pinterest.



Many blessings,

CoCo