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Oh Christmas Tree...

We recently moved into our new home and I can't wait to decorate for the holidays! I love my artificial tree for the formal living room, but I think this year instead of using my daughter's mini artificial tree, we will buy a real tree for the playroom. I love the smell of a real tree and the potpourri and spray replicas they have out there just can't replace the real thing. I remember the smell of Christmas trees when I was a little girl and it just felt and smelled like Christmas; my daughter is 4 and has never had a real tree. We are definitely due.

 Courtesy of Bhg.com

Village Themed Tree Courtesy of MarthaStewart.comd

I have fallen in love with this idea. I think I just might have to put my Cricut to use and create a village themed tree for my home.

Photo Courtesy MarthaStewart.com

 

Something for everyone!!! A rose tree is perfect for the shabby chic home and lovers.

 

Photo Courtesy MarthaStewart.com

Spending Christmas by the seaside? Perfect tree to go with any nautical or seaside theme.

Christmas Inspiration from Pottery Barn

 

Gorgeous traditional holiday decor.

 Shop this look.

 Gold and silver toned decor accentuate the lovely entryway of this home.

Shop this look. 

 

Simplistic gold & silver toned tree accents make for a subtle impact.

Shop this look. 

 

Shop this look at PotteryBarn.com or gather the family for a day of Christmas ornament crafts. Great ideas that can easily be created in the comfort of your own home.

DIY Project: From Closet to Office in no time!

Not enough space for an office in your home? Or are you currently using an empty bedroom for an office space. Check out this amazing idea to transform the closet into an office space. I love the idea that I can close the doors on my work load for the day!

Courtesy of CountryLiving.com

Click Here for Instructions

Fall Weddings

Image Courtesy of RitzyBee.typepad.com

 

Image: SmokyMountaingWedding.blogspot.com

 

Image: Dallasweddingplanner.com 

 Image: Wedding-ideas-guide.com

 

Southern Living's Mini Pumpkin Cake Recipe

Unbelievably cute Mini Pumpkin Cakes. Adorable way to make an impression this Thanksgiving. 

Photo Courtesy of SouthernLiving.com

Yield: Makes 8 pumpkins

Ingredients

• 3/4  cup  butter, softened
• 1  (8-oz.) package cream cheese, softened
• 2  cups  sugar
• 2  large eggs
• 1 1/2  cups  canned pumpkin
• 1/2  teaspoon  vanilla extract
• 3  cups  all-purpose flour
• 1  teaspoon  pumpkin pie spice
• 1/2  teaspoon  baking powder
• 1/2  teaspoon  baking soda
• 1/2  teaspoon  salt
• Caramel-Rum Glaze*
• or Vanilla Glaze
• Caramel Stems, Leaves, and Vines (optional, instructions below)

Preparation

1. Preheat oven to 350°. Beat butter and cream cheese at medium speed with an electric mixer until creamy. Gradually add sugar, beating until light and fluffy. Add eggs, 1 at a time, beating just until blended after each addition. Stir in pumpkin and vanilla.
2. Combine flour and next 4 ingredients; gradually add to butter mixture, beating at low speed just until blended. Spoon batter into 2 lightly greased pumpkin-shaped muffin pans, filling three-fourths full.
3. Bake at 350° for 24 to 26 minutes or until a wooden pick inserted in center comes out clean. Cool in pans on wire racks 5 minutes. Remove from pans to wire racks, and cool completely (about 30 minutes).
4. Cut rounded tops off muffins to make them flat. Invert top muffins onto bottom muffins, forming pumpkins. Drizzle Caramel-Rum Glaze over pumpkins. Decorate with Caramel Stems, Leaves, and Vines, if desired.
*Vanilla Glaze may be substituted.
CARAMEL STEM: Press 1 caramel between fingers, lengthening to 1 1/2 to 2 inches to form a stem. Curl stem gently.
CARAMEL LEAVES: Roll caramels into 2-inch squares on a flat surface, using a rolling pin. Cut into leaves, using a paring knife. Gently press tips of leaves to flatten, if desired. Score leaves, using a paring knife. Pinch bottoms of leaves together.
CARAMEL VINES: Cut 1 caramel into 3 equal pieces. Squeeze each piece gently to flatten, and roll between hands or on a flat surface into a long thin rope. Twist ends to curl.

Italian Cream Cake Recipe

I came across this recipe as a I was scanning a magazine while standing in line at the grocery store. I cannot wait to test this recipe out on my new KitchenAid Mixer.

Ingredients for cake
1 cup buttermilk
1 teaspoon baking soda
2 cups white sugar
1/2 cup butter
1/2 cup vegetable oil
1/2 cup shortening
4 egg yolks
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
4 egg whites
2 cups all-purpose flour
1 to 2 cups flaked coconut (depending on taste)
1 to 2 cups chopped pecans (depending on taste)

Frosting Recipe
1 (8 ounce) package cream cheese, softened
1/2 cup margarine, softened
4 cups confectioners' sugar
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 cup chopped pecans

1.Preheat oven to 325 degrees F. Grease three 9 inch, round cake pans. Combine soda and buttermilk.
2.Cream sugar, 1/2 cup butter, 1/2 cup oil and shortening. Add egg yolks one at a time, beating well after each addition. Mix buttermilk mixture alternately with flour into creamed mixture. Stir in 1 teaspoon vanilla.
3.Beat egg whites until stiff peaks form. Fold 1/3 of the whites into the batter, then quickly fold in remaining whites. Stir in 1 cup pecans and coconut.
4.Pour batter into prepared pans. Bake for 25 to 30 minutes,

5.Make the Cream Cheese Frosting:
Beat together cream cheese, 1/2 cup butter or margarine, 1 teaspoon vanilla, and confectioners' sugar. Stir in 1 cup chopped pecans.

Thanksgiving Tablescapes

This year I will be spending Thanksgiving at a family member's home, but some of these tablescapes are absolutely delish! I may have to create a little spread just to test out a few of these ideas!

Photo Courtesy of Country Living

 

 I absolutely love this design. Wrapping pillar candles with scrapbook or printing paper, 

a simple table cloth, and festive napkins and dishes make for a simple 

way to create a beautifully designed table.

Photo Courtesy of CountryLiving.com

 

Personalized napkins serve as place settings. 

Also, a great favor for guests to take home with them.

Photo Courtesy of CountryLiving.com

Jewel toned colors spice up the rustic decor. Simply use a white ink gel pen to add guests name to a faux leaf and woila...you have an instant personalized place setting.

Photo Courtesy of CountryLiving.com

 

This by far is my favorite. The decor gives off a vintage, yet warm and bright feeling. The muted table runner provides a perfect backdrop for the warm accents.