Now that Halloween is over I switch into holiday mode. I simply love the holidays. I love the festivities and the spirit of happiness that the holidays bring. As we gather family and friends near and dear to us and hunker down in front of the fire place with glasses of warmed mulled wine, or mulled cider for the children, we take moments here and there to slow down... the air outside is crisp and energizing. Inside, we gather together for warmth and company. Once again we open our homes and hearts to those who mean the world to us. We prepare our homes, kitchens and bellies for the delicious treats the cooler weather brings us... Stove tops simmer with the aroma of apple pie, pumpkin breads, turkeys...  fireplaces crackle and the sounds of laughter can be heard round the house.

We start to think about our homes again as we prepare to entertain. We strive to make them inviting, comfortable, adding warm holiday touches here and there. This is the time of year I start to adorn my home, perhaps because I spend more time inside... perhaps because I bring friends and family inside... perhaps simply because I enjoy it so... perhaps because the children enjoy it so.

I'm always looking for new and fresh ideas that make a statement but are simple to create. I don't have much spare time these days for long-winded projects. I like to decorate my home in a way that is sophisticated, warm and simple. Below are some wonderful, unique and creative ideas that will not take up much of your time to get it holiday ready.


I simply love the idea of collecting several old cheese graters and grouping them together with some dried flowers or pine cones and turning them into lovely luminaries. How simple and yet how elegant!