Inspiration: Calm Farmhouse Christmas

It's one of our family traditions to begin decorating our home for Christmas in the days after Thanksgiving - as a teacher and a salesman, the long weekend is the last breath of fresh air we'll get before winter break! This year, as I started to collect inspiration, I had way too many ideas for "themes" - everything from White Christmas style ski lodge to Wes Anderson influenced vintage. Somewhere in between these extremes, I kept coming back to soft, calming images of farmhouse entryways and trees decked in burlap and gold. When I put them together, I was in love. 

Last year, I chose world peace as the theme for our Christmas decor, and I'm back to neutrals again this year. Along with a festive touch of weathered Stewart tartan (Target calls it "Sour Cream Plaid,") rustic burlap and aged gold are inspiring me to make my home a comforting haven during this Christmas. This afternoon, as Mr. Q digs our favorite decorations collected over the past five years out of storage, I'm listening to one of my favorite hymns and looking forward to the opportunity to find calm in a busy season.

As the deer panteth for the water

So my soul longs after You

You alone are my heart's desire

And I long to worship You

You alone are my strength, my shield

To You alone may my spirit yield

You alone are my heart's desire

And I long to worship You

I want You more than gold or silver

Only You can satisfy

You alone are the real joy-giver

And the apple of my eye

You're my Friend and You are my Brother

Even though You are a King

I love You more than any other

So much more than anything

- by Martin J. Nystrom

Do you and your family have any special traditions to get ready for the holidays? When do you put up your Christmas tree - are you a Black Friday decorator like me, or do you wait until December?

sunday simplicity: where you feel like yourself.

The Wood Grain Cottage

"Home isn't necessarily where you sleep 

at night. It's where you feel like yourself. 

Where you're most comfortable. Where 

you don't have to pretend, where you 

can just be you.” - Elizabeth Eulberg

Fall Trend: Windowpane Plaids

Every year, September is full of magazine articles and blog posts hailing the newest must-haves for fall. The one trend that I'm absolutely obsessed with in a get-in-my-closet-now way this September is windowpane plaid. Traditional plaid has been making a triumphant return as part of the 90's nostalgia trend, but depending on styling, this graphic black-and-white take on the traditional pattern can make me feel like anyone from a cool uptown girl to an astronaut wife.

Disclaimer: Modcloth links contain an affiliate code. Thanks for supporting the blog!

1. Modcloth 3/4 sleeve blouse 2. Old Navy pocket tee 3. J. Crew wool-linen scarf 4. Old Navy faux leather backpack purse 5. Vince silk trousers (Similar from Express) 6. Great Plains dropped-waist dress from House of Fraser UK (Similar from ASOS)

What's your favorite fall trend?

Linking Up With:

Style Sessions at Style Elixir

Manic Monday at More Pieces of Me and The Daily Express

Let It Shine at Still Being Molly

Mix it Mondays with Fizz and Frosting

Passion 4 Fashion at Rachel the Hat

sunday simplicity: a piece of home...

Happy Wedd | Rebecca Hollis Photography via Ruffled

“Christmas… is not an external event at all, but a piece of 

one’s home that one carries in one’s heart.” – Freya Stark

sunday simplicity.

Todd Pellowe Weddings

“Our hearts grow tender with childhood memories 
and love of kindred, and we are better throughout the year for having, in spirit, become a child again 
at Christmas time.”  - Laura Ingalls Wilder

DIY Cardinal Christmas Wreath

Every winter, one of my favorite projects is decorating our Christmas tree and a wreath to match.  Mr. Q and I decorate on the day after Thanksgiving so we can enjoy our decorations for a long time, and I like to have a theme to work around.  This year I picked my Christmas decorating theme in July - yes, I have become one of those people.  On our vacation in Williamsburg, I decided that our Christmas theme should be Virginia: lots of Colonial-inspired plaid and gingham, gold and pewter decorations inspired by the two ornaments I bought on our trip (sneak peeks here and here), and our beautiful state bird, the cardinal.  I hope that my cardinal Christmas wreath puts a smile on your face today!

I've been using the same wreath form for years - you can see last year's wreath here.  I took everything out but the red poinsettias and pewter berries (which are stuck directly into the wreath using their picks), wrapped my plaid ribbon around the form and clipped on the cute feather cardinals I found at JoAnn Fabrics.  It was a super easy, quick craft that makes a big impact on our front door!

I got a little holiday decorating envy when one of our neighbors added a lit garland around her door.  Mr. Q got his Clark Griswold on with a dollar-store garland, a strand of lights, and some of the new Command hooks, and now I'm as happy as can be!

Linking Up:

Catch As Catch Can at My Repurposed Life

Categorically Crafting at Someday Crafts

Flaunt It Friday at Chic on a Shoestring

The Party Bunch at Whipperberry

Saturday Sparks at Pieced Pastimes

Share It at The Winthrop Chronicles

Nesting Place

inspiration: cozy layered looks for grooms, groomsmen, and fall wedding guests

Is it just me, or do a growing majority of the grooms and groomsmen on our favorite wedding websites look like they're getting ready to audition for a Mumford and Sons cover band?  I'm not complaining - I love these stylish and festive fall looks for men.  More and more grooms are breaking away from the traditional tuxedo, and autumn's cooler temperatures mean plenty of ways to experiment with layers of gingham, tartan, tweed, and corduroy.

Carrie Patterson via Grey Likes Weddings | Ashley D. via Green Wedding Shoes

Both of these dapper gents are rocking plaid dress shirts with their suits.  I'm a sucker for a three-piece-suit, personally, and a bow tie gets me every time.

Tim Coulson via Green Wedding Shoes

This group of groomsmen is rocking a pretty delightful mix of plaid, chambray, and tweed with both bowties and neckties.  Ladies, how do we feel about facial hair on the wedding day?  I kind of like it for a rustic wedding.

Jeff Loves Jessica via Green Wedding Shoes | S6 Photography via Love My Dress

Not only are these gentlemen looking dapper in tweed, they are both sporting some seriously beautiful boutonnieres.

Ryan Ray via Project Wedding

In this party, the groom sports a stylish take on the three-piece-suit, swapping out suit pants for corduroys, and his groomsmen are wearing dress shirts, suspenders, and sweaters in an array of fall colors.  I am pretty sure I love everything about it.

Paula O'Hara via Ruffled | Gene Pease of Geneoh Photography via Ruffled

Serious gray jacket action going on over here, with some gorgeous natural boutonnieres.

Julie Harmsen Photography via Love and Lavender

This guy is rocking a plaid dress shirt, a tweed jacket, and a velvet bowtie.

Let him be an inspiration to us all.

Jeff Hall Photo via Southern Weddings | Corina V. Photography via Style Me Pretty

I love the dashes of color and pattern paired with tweed, and these amazingly artistic fall boutonnieres.  I can hear "Wagon Wheel" in my head when I look at these guys.

Crisanta of Infiniti Foto Frosted Petticoat

Velvet bow tie.  Velvet.  Bow tie.  I bet this guy has elbow patches, too.

Hazelnut Photography via Style Me Pretty | Wedding Party

You know a man is well-dressed when you can call him ruggedly handsome without even looking at his face.

Okay, readers, time to weigh in - how do you feel about the mix and match trend for grooms and groomsmen?  Guys, would you sport this style as a wedding guest?  And let's not forget the facial hair question.

home envy: colonial interiors

Last month, when we got back from our vacation in Williamsburg, I shared some of my favorite features of Colonial homes' exteriors.  Today, I've rounded up a few features I noticed inside Williamsburg's homes, government buildings, and shops that look just as beautiful in modern home interiors.

Robert Webb via Homes of the Rich | Elizabeth Roberts Design via Remodelista

I was so impressed by the beautiful black and white marble flooring in the entry of the Governor's Palace in Williamsburg.  Classic black and white patterns look great in stately homes as well as in smaller doses in urban spaces.  

Cote De Texas | Kathleen Walsh Interiors, LLC via Houzz

House Beautiful via Attic Mag

Butler's pantry from Southern Living

Another Governor's Palace feature I loved was the butler's pantry just off the entry.  The open shelves inside held an assortment of antique bottles and pitchers.  I love open shelving in modern kitchens, and though it's a touch often associated with farmhouse decor, it's just as appropriate in a Colonial home.

 

via Liz Marie Blog | Tobi Fairley

Columbia Cabinet Works | Sara Gilbane via Attic Mag

Throughout the Governor's Palace, Delft tile and pottery were integrated into the decor. These classic Dutch earthenware designs are charming, and Delft pottery is still manufactured today.

Margot Austin via Decor Happy | Country Living

Windsor chairs were introduced in America in the 1720's, and the classic style is easy to find.

Chinoiserie reading nook by Simplified Bee | Annsley Interiors via Decor Pad

A style known as "Chinese Chippendale" became popular in America in the late 18th century, and I fell in love with two emerald-green chairs I spotted upstairs in the Governor's Palace. I love the idea of painting this style in a bright neon color for a fun, modern look in an office or on a patio.

Gild and Grace

The Governor's Palace also boasted some beautiful wall paneling.  This is an interior feature that looks very luxe but can be DIYed as well to match any decor.

Todhunter Earle Design via Boxwood Cottage

Let's talk plaid... done with too heavy a hand, a solid-color plaid or checked fabric can look like a bad 80's flashback.  Done in small doses on a few coordinating pieces, the design is so cozy and welcoming.

David Mitchell via Alicia B. Designs

Talk of the House

Yvonne McFadden LLC via Houzz

No Colonial home tour is complete without a master canopy bed.  Like plaid furniture, canopies can sometimes cause '80's deja vu, but today's versions are much less frilly princess and much more modern escape.

Wick Design via The D Pages

Benjamin Moore

Cynthia Palampore duvet cover from Pottery Barn

Finally, palampore prints are a simple and easy way to bring some Colonial style into your home.  In the 1700s these designs were exported from India and were very expensive.  The most popular designs represent plants and flowers.  Today, palampore patterns are a staple at some of my favorite home goods stores, from Pottery Barn to Pier1, on everything from throw pillows to shower curtains.

Do you have any Colonial or historical touches in your home?  What is your favorite decorating style?

Thanks to Wikipedia for helping me learn about Colonial designs!

trend watch: cabin style

One of the most popular styles this fall is a blend of Americana... tribal prints, flannel, coziness and utility are all welcome when you're going for what I call "cabin style."  Can I dress like this all winter?  Are there work versions of these trends?

1. Pendleton scarf from ModCloth  2. La Posh Style hoodie  3. watch

4. J. Crew cable knit cashmere sweater  5. messenger bag  6. Muk Luks boots at Target

7. Topshop boyfriend jeans  8. Old Navy buffalo plaid blanket

Keep reading to discover the formula for relaxed, I-just-came-back-from-my-log-cabin style...