Christmas

Submitted by RyTurner / The Design Confidentialht
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I shared Penn's 1 month photos with you here, and now we are back with his 2 month old photos for the month of December! Yay, this baby isn't as far behind as the last one! Perhaps I'm stepping up my game a bit? Probably not.. I chose this first picture as the all around 'winner' of the bunch once again because like in his first photo shoot it has all of the typical components you might look for in a newborn shoot: he's facing the camera, no blurry body parts and his props are perfectly poised (translation = his hat isn't weird or wonky). Again I am no photographer so these shots could all be 100 times better, but I do think my skills at getting him to cooperate improved a tad over his first month... or he was simply a tad older and wiser in his second month... who knows?

 

I love his body position in this photo with his little wise seeming chin to hand thing, it's quite Rodin... And those little crossed legs = to die for! But his hat wasn't following directions and looks just plain ridiculous so boo...

 

This one, once again the least perfect in composition because the poor creature looks a tad like he's on a runaway sleigh ride down a hill, is my absolutely fave! His little face and body are the absolutely mostest... adore! 

The 'best' of his monthly photos, side by side, so I can see how much older he looks for the second month... I hope he stays little forever, but since he won't at least I will have these lovely keepsakes to mark his growth!

Of course I couldn't end this post without the montage of my favorites, side by side as well. My little angel baby...

Submitted by RyTurner / The Design Confidential
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I told you guys it would take me well into the New Year to finish sharing my holiday decor, didn't I? Ya... true story. We are still on NBT here (newborn baby time) so expect EVERYTHING to take 3 times as long as it might for most normal folks! In fact, as I am writing this, I am actually mentally prepping to begin the final takedown, which I never ever enjoy. I don't know about you guys, but I adore how my home transforms for the holidays. There is something so very magical about those warm twinkly lights and most of the time I wish it wouldn't be weird to leave them up year round. I suppose that is why I might have created crafty projects this year, that have those particular twinkly lights (here and here). Perhaps I was actually thinking ahead to this moment in time when I start to mourn the loss of Christmas! Or.. perhaps it was just a happy coincidence (definitely), but either way it does make the occasion a tad less sad! Yipee...

Submitted by RyTurner / The Design Confidential
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Last year my family room acted as our Christmas headquarters (you can see that here), unlike this year for which my living room was definitely ground zero... Even though I didn't stage the occasion in the family room I still managed to get a few decorations up, thanks mostly to my partnership with The Home Depot and my seasonal crafty projects for them (see here and here)! 

You can see that aside from the 2 trees from 2011, not a whole lot changed for this year in this room's holiday decor. I'm still loving the blue, and perhaps next year I might even get one of these fabulous trees up again! Penn will be 1 by then, so perhaps I will have time (not likely...)!

Submitted by RyTurner / The Design Confidential
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Sooooo I didn't send out Holiday Cards this year 'in real life' so for all of you who were hoping to get one from us, a big I'm sorry in advance! A digital card of my gorgeous boys, a week late, will have to do...

By the way did I mention how hard it is to get a decent picture of a baby, while they are awake, and not laying flat? ya...hard... I finally had to settle on a solo shot with my hand in it, oh well. Baby Bird you did a marvelous job despite being a bit of a bobble head and having your mommy try and snag a picture of you before you toppled over 18 times in a row! Mommy loves you baby... you are such a good sport for this kind of torture Penn! High Fives...

Though honestly, it was my older boy Blake who was the toughest to nail down, as in squirming like his life depended on it. Every shot was a smear across the camera screen. What is it about 5 year old boys that means they can't hold still one bit? It was like I was speaking a foreign language to him, that his body couldn't handle... hold still, look at the camera, quit moving for 5 seconds... or not... even still I managed to get a couple of cute pictures, but just barely! I consider myself lucky (and grateful) for what I got! Life is certainly never dull with 2 boys! 

These pictures were snapped on Christmas Eve this year and I could just die a little for how cute Blake is with Penn. He absolutely adores him and calls him 'cutesy'. Everyone expected a bit of jealousy or some sort of negative reaction perhaps to having another star to share the spotlight with, but in all honesty it hasn't reared it's ugly head just yet (fingers crossed it stays that way). Having a new baby for Christmas this year, made this such a special holiday season for me... I hope you all had a wonderful holiday as well! Hugs from the Turner Fam!

Submitted by RyTurner / The Design Confidential
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Last year I didn't put up my standard big tree in the living room, because I simply didn't have time. I was frantic the entire month of November preparing for a live tv segment I was doing, for my local News 10 channel. Throw in the actual holidays themselves (Thanksgiving hosted at my house) and my monster mash boy Blake's birthday (also at my house) and you have one frazzled mommy blogger on crack. Ya true story...

The segment I did was on budget friendly holiday decor and I created 3 mini trees each decorated in a different color scheme. Once the segment aired I was so burned out on holiday decor that I quite literally brought the trees home and plopped them on my dining room table... all 3 of them... and I ended up loving the mini tree on the table set up so much I repeated it this year for no other reason than that I wouldn't have to rearrange furniture to fit the ginormous tree of yesteryear! yahoo...

This mini tree in shades of green is what we used for our main tree and where I put all of our family gifts. Of course I am neurotic about my decor so all of the gift wrap matches the tree... I even used a few unconventional items for wrapping this year including an old map and some fabulous printed wrapping paper I found here. It really brought the whole spread together nicely, which you can see in the images, and gave the gifts some fabulous visual interest. yay...

Stay tuned for more holiday decor from this year to come, and my holiday card to all of you (late of course)... what can I say... 

Being a brand new mommy of 2 boys has put my schedule so far behind that it will very likely take me until the end of the first week, of the new year, to finish sharing all of our Christmas adventures, but hopefully you don't hold it against me. #newbornbabymamadrama

Submitted by RyTurner / The Design Confidential
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Rustic Thankful Trees were a big craft hit this Fall season, and I for one love the idea... but alas, we live in a relatively newly developed suburban area surrounded by moo cows. That means there aren't any fabulous cut or fallen branches to be had...unless of course you want to behead your lovely backyard specimens (not likely). 

When I found the perfect solution and a most fabulous bit of inspiration at The Home Depot, I pretty much did a little happy dance... There is nothing more frustrating than wanting to create something, that you simply can't find the ingredients for. 

So for those of you who are in the same boat I am, or just want to take things up a notch and move your rustic trees to the next level... I give you my LED Rustic Holiday Tree, perfect for thankful thoughts, holiday wishes, and just general all around wondrousness (ya pretty sure that's a word, innit?).

Before I dive right in to how I made this beauty, I would like to share a bit about The Home Depot Fall Style Guide, since I'm an official member of their blogger network, and this project was brought to you by those kind and fabulously stylish folks.. yahoo

To check out fabulous fall (and now holiday) inspiration and generally amazing room decor ideas, visit the The Home Depot Fall Style Guide

  • The Home Depot Style Guides give you a dose of seasonal inspiration and know-how. Check out the best projects, trends and colors year round.
  • Download the latest Style Guide to enter your best Holiday Décor for the chance to win $1,000 GC to The Home Depot
  • Sarah Fishburne, The Home Depot’s Director of Trend and Design, highlights ways to incorporate seasonal trends into your home in The Home Depot Fall Style Guide.
  • Subscribe to the Style Guide and get updates each time a new edition is released. Plus, you'll get exclusive Home Depot savings, offers, how-to project ideas and much more.
  • Make the fall season your own with The Home Depot Style Guide app. Find the latest home improvement projects, design ideas, décor trends, budget-friendly updates and more. Easily browse, share and shop this magazine so you can start enjoying your space faster.
  • Wreaths aren’t just for Christmas anymore. They’re finding their way from the front door to practically every room of the house. And when you’re creating a wreath to celebrate the season or a special occasion, you’re only limited by your imagination. Find wreath ideas in The Home Depot Fall Style Guideto welcome the harvest season.
  • Create your home’s oasis with the latest trends in kitchen and bathroom décor by using muted, natural hues that sing to warm, cozy spaces, or metal finishes that make your home sparkle. You don’t have to leave summer behind when blending in fall’s best colors.
  • The Home Depot Fall Style Guide shows how optical illusions can make any room seem just the right size while adding a festive touch to your décor inside, and preparing the space outside.

​But first let me share a bit of my project with you before you go skipping away...

...And now back to our previously scheduled programming and a bit about how I made this fab specimen! It was oh so easy!

I began this project with 4 items: an urn, a package of yard decorations, assorted zip ties (see my wreath project for details on those), and a bag of small gravel. I could have used sand as well but I have a sandbox loving monster mash kiddo so that was a no go...can you imagine the mess, eek!  

I mean...do you see this face? It has trouble written all over it. 

I added a bit of gravel to the urn, just enough to give my 'tree' a leg to stand on and allow it to stand up a bit.

To create my 'tree' I simply bundled all three yard picks together in varying heights and zip ties them in 3 spots. Easy peasy...

I separated out the cord that links the picks together from the cord that plugs in and simply wrapped the cord that links around the bundled tree picks to keep things under wrap.

Then I stuck my bundle into the gravel and filled it the rest of the way up, making sure to keep the cord that plugs in, running out the back of the urn.

That's it folks... super easy and extra all quick like... don't you adore a fast craft? I do!

Disclosure Language:

The Home Depot partnered with bloggers such as me for their Fall Style Guide Blog Network. As part of this program, I received compensation for my time. They did not tell me what to purchase or what to say about any product mentioned in these posts. The Home Depot believes that consumers and bloggers are free to form their own opinions and share them in their own words. The Home Depot’s policies align with WOMMA Ethics Code, FTC guidelines and social media engagement recommendations.

Submitted by RyTurner / The Design Confidential
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I'm super duper excited to share this project with you guys! It's been a while since I have been able to craft and decorate for the holidays, given the recent arrival of baby bird. It feels good to be back I tell you... 

As a network blogger for the Home Depot Fall Style Guide, I was asked to create a wreath, and it just so happens wreaths are to be a long lost love of mine (see here). For this project I had something very particuar in mind... Since we won't be putting up outside lights this year, I though a bit of inside lighting would go along way to bring the holiday spirit to the house of TDC. This project was so easy to complete and brought just the right amount of wintry warmth to my home that I think I need a few more now...

To check out other wreath projects, visit the The Home Depot Fall Style Guide

  • The Home Depot Style Guides give you a dose of seasonal inspiration and know-how. Check out the best projects, trends and colors year round.
  • Sarah Fishburne, The Home Depot’s Director of Trend and Design, highlights ways to incorporate seasonal trends into your home in The Home Depot Fall Style Guide.
  • Subscribe to the Style Guide and get updates each time a new edition is released. Plus, you'll get exclusive Home Depot savings, offers, how-to project ideas and much more.
  • Make the fall season your own with The Home Depot Style Guide app. Find the latest home improvement projects, design ideas, décor trends, budget-friendly updates and more. Easily browse, share and shop this magazine so you can start enjoying your space faster.
  • Wreaths aren’t just for Christmas anymore. They’re finding their way from the front door to practically every room of the house. And when you’re creating a wreath to celebrate the season or a special occasion, you’re only limited by your imagination. Find wreath ideas in The Home Depot Fall Style Guideto welcome the harvest season.
  • Create your home’s oasis with the latest trends in kitchen and bathroom décor by using muted, natural hues that sing to warm, cozy spaces, or metal finishes that make your home sparkle. You don’t have to leave summer behind when blending in fall’s best colors.
  • The Home Depot Fall Style Guide shows how optical illusions can make any room seem just the right size while adding a festive touch to your décor inside, and preparing the space outside.

​But first let me share a bit of mine with you before you go skipping away...

I purchased two packages of lit decorative tree picks (there are 3 to a package) in a style I liked, as you see above, and a package of assorted zip ties in browns and greens. 

All three picks per package are connected with electrical wire so they are really a long string of picks rather than individual picks. To arrange them in a circular shape I wrapped the cord around the stems to 'hide' it a tad and keep it out of the way.

Since I needed to wrap the cord anyhow, I figured I might as well use it to help me secure the picks to eachother slightly so it would be easier to secure them later.

I placed each new pick under the pick before it and lined up the top portion of the stem on the previous pick (where the branches end) with the bottom portion of the stem on the next pick (where the branches start) so you wouldn't have any 'blank' spots.

Then I fluffed the branches to hide my cord and connections.

Once I had all three picks from one package wrapped up together it looked like the top image above. Then I simply needed to add in the three picks from the next package! When I opened the second package I worked in the opposite direction so my cords were near eachother when this project was finished. I began by placing the first pick of the second package on the first pick of the first package and worked in the opposite direction until I was finished wrapping the cord.

Then I used the short zip ties in green to secure my picks all the way around and then I was ready to hang her up and enjoy.

Disclosure:

The Home Depot partnered with bloggers such as me for their Fall Style Guide Blog Network. As part of this program, I received compensation for my time. They did not tell me what to purchase or what to say about any product mentioned in these posts. The Home Depot believes that consumers and bloggers are free to form their own opinions and share them in their own words. The Home Depot’s policies align with WOMMA Ethics Code, FTC guidelines and social media engagement recommendations.

Submitted by RyTurner / The Design Confidential
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Last year, around this time, our friend Melissa from Zucchini & Co. created some of the most beautiful holiday printables for us (here and here)! This year I am sharing with all of you, the entire 'Up On The Rooftop' collection! Quite frankly many of the pieces in this printable collection can be used year round and don't necessarily have a 'holiday' like feel! Of course the wintry styling and hints of reindeer abound suggest the holidays are perfect as well! yahoo... From thank you cards and shopping lists to cupcake toppers and gift tags, we have a little something for all of your holiday needs!

DOWNLOAD HERE

DOWNLOAD HERE

DOWNLOAD HERE

DOWNLOAD HERE

DOWNLOAD HERE

DOWNLOAD HERE

Submitted by RyTurner / The Design Confidential
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This is really the first year that my little man is old enough and aware enough to participate and enjoy some of the magic the holidays have to offer! I for one plan to take advantage of it and celebrate to the fullest! These 16 modern advent calendars are first on my list of crafts to contemplate as we head right into the last few days of fall decor, at least in my house...

Sources

1 / 2 / 3 / 4 / 5 / 6 / 7 / 8 9 / 10 / 11 / 12 / 13 / 14 / 15 / 16

Submitted by RyTurner / The Design Confidential
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I am loving this holiday decor in pale yellow, it's so chic and so sweet. I'm prety sure I may head in this color direction next season! It's simply divine...

Sources

1 / 2 / 3 / 4 / 5

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