What A Difference A Year Makes

Holy cannoli, has it really been over a month since my last post?  This time last year I was on bedrest and had all the time in the world to blog.  Right now I'd give my right arm for someone to make me go to bed.  Not even sure what sleep is anymore - I'm in a constant fog.  My normal response delay time is 5 seconds.  I'm now at 10 and counting.  My brain isn't processing like it used to.

Baby bliss is crawling all over the place (he's 10 months already!) and I just brought home a corral play yard from Craig's List last night and all is right with the world again.

Insomnia does have it's perks - I'm fully decorated and ready to start baking Christmas cookies.

Wanna have a look see?  Keep in mind that while having a sweet little baby in the house makes the Holidays that much more joyful, it does come with its decorating limitations.  Having said that, I did the best I could.  I also tried desperately to make up for the fact that last year I couldn't decorate at all - Doctor's orders.

So without further ado, here is the Bliss House in all of its Holiday splendor!
Warning:  You may want to grab a comfy chair and some hot chocolate, there are a LOT of pictures!

We'll start in the Dining Room.

I took advantage of Cyber Monday deals and ordered a rug from Overstock.  It's already shipped!  Can you believe that?  I can only imagine how much better this room is going to look with a colorful rug.

The centerpiece was something I treated myself to from one of the vendors at my last show.  I bought it before the show even started.  I just fell in love with the base.

My buffet with all of my filled apothecary jars.  I tried to use natural elements as my theme for decorating this Holiday.  It's something you'll notice throughout the house.

Instead of going out and buying all new, I decided to use what I have and instead, bought a can of metallic copper spray paint and some glitter.  I got a lot of mileage outta that can!

You'd be surprised what you can find in your home if you really look.  It's worth it to take the time and be creative.  These pears were red and I sprayed them antique copper and added silver beads.

I got festive with the lamps too and added some ribbon, tassels and an ornament to each.

This Old World Santa I picked up at a church rummage sale three weeks ago for only $5!  He's really quite big.

I worked some magic on him and this is what he looks like now!

Neat huh?  I added some fruit to his basket.

Then Rich found this sleigh I forgot I even had when he was getting the outdoor decorations out of the attic.  I must have had it on my front porch last year.
I just wrapped some empty boxes and added some greenery from the woods behind my house.

Another look at Father Christmas:

Let's move into the Kitchen now.
I'll start by showing you the arrangements I made using greenery from my back yard.  I also used a lot of feathers that Amy has collected as well as pine cones.

This one is my favorite.  The mercury glass container was only $15 from Marshall's.  They have such an incredible selection of Holiday decor this year.  Amazing!

Love it!

The table just got a quick little switcheroo.  Not much.  Again, I used stuff I had laying around.

I always try to stick with the same color scheme throughout the room.  It doesn't have to be the same throughout the entire house, but I like to keep a nice flow from room to room.

More goodies from Marshall's.

This lantern was only $17 from Marshall's and I gave it the same spray treatment as the ornaments and poinsettias.

The candle is flameless and on a timer.  I purchased it at Michael's as well as the cheetah ribbon.  A girl's gotta have some animal print!

The hutch in my kitchen is always my favorite thing to decorate for Christmas.  There are so many options!  This year, I decided to go with more natural elements mixed in with old silver pieces, mercery glass and burlap.  Love how this turned out!

More greenery from the woods.

I pulled out the dishes I used to have displayed here.  I like the colors and how they blend in with the olive on the walls.

I wrapped the poinsettias in burlap and then added red ribbon to the bottom and tied mini mercury glass ornaments around them.  I got a set of twenty mini mercery ornaments at Marshall's for $6!

 I also added some to the grapevine wreath and the silver two tier serving piece, also from Marshall's.  I'm tellin' ya, I love that place.  It makes up for me not having a Hobby Lobby.

More pinecones.

Another peak at the hutch.

A little Holiday cheer on top of the fridge to hide the dust.

Time to move into the Family Room.  Now, this is Baby Bliss' favorite place to play, hence the lack of much going on in here.  I did manage to clear out his man cave for the photo shoot.

 I had a lot of fun creating this arrangement over the entertainment center.  I had to do it outside because it was really messy though.

I used a large grapevine wreath I got at a yardsale for $1, but you can get these super cheap at Michael's. Depending on the size of your arrangement, you simply pull it apart and wrap it around to get the desired affect.  I ended up having to cut mine in several places and used wire to attach it.

Again, I love the natural element and texture mixed with the more elegant pieces.

I also used lots of pheasant feathers in the middle.

Some larger ornaments fill a container and add some sparkle.

I had to keep all of the decorating high and out of reach of little hands.

I blinged out my pillars with some more cheetah ribbon and a crystal accent I purchase in Michael's jewelry making section.  I plan to keep this out all year.

Some moss balls mixed in with ornaments of varying sizes and textures.

The mantle was downsized this year too.  I'm still happy with it though.

More spray painted decor.

Got these glass mosaic trees at Kirklands a few years ago.  They manage to find a new home every year.

That's it for the Family Room.

I've saved the best for last!  My favorite room in the house is where I went a little crazy this year.  Welcome to the Living Room.

The kids are putting up the family tree in the basement where we open our presents.  This is my very own tree and I decorate it differently every year.

Well, I hope you enjoyed your tour of the Bliss House.  May you have a blessed Christmas Season!
xoxo,
Kim