Have yourself a pretty little Christmas!
Heather is having a holiday gathering for us to show our pretties. I had a "What do you LOVE about your Holiday Home?" party last year and am so sorry that there is no time for me to squeeze that in this year. So, I am so glad that Heather is doing this, I love parties, and any party Heather throws, has to be an extra pretty one!
Since time is short with shows I've had, and trips I'm taking and a two year old that I am running after, my decor is about as "edited" as I've ever seen here at my cottage.
Sugarwings has her own little pink tree in the living room, right at her level, so she can foof and refoof it all she wants to. I've kept my hands OFF of her tree, trying to teach her that I won't mess with her stuff if she won't mess with mine. She has been in complete charge of her tree, but does still tend to want to get into my things when she thinks no one will notice.
So, this year, there is no big tree in the living room. A few small, white trees are set out, and kept pretty simple too.
Using what I have and adding some embellishments really appeals to me. For the top of this armoire, I plopped some white trees into urns, and draped them simply with ropes of beads (the beads don't show up as well in the photos, sorry). Then I set out a wintry branch, with a single white ball next to it.
Fast and easy!
Another little tree with beads and no ornaments sits by the sofa. If tiny little fingers decide to explore this one, there is nothing breakable to worry about.
But I was missing the pretty lights that would have gone onto a big tree, so I filled an urn with white lights and topped it with clear, plastic balls. Its not the same, but does have a nice glow.
All of the rest of my pretties went up high, like on this cabinet in the kitchen.
The vintage tree is a music box that plays Jingle Bells. Sugarwings likes for me to wind it up while we visit the reindeer. The deer represent Pop Pop, Grammy and Sugarwings. Hmm, I should add some rhinestone jewelry to the Grammy deer. Or at least a millinery bloom.
Now, I do love snowmen, and Santas, and angels, of course. But my favorite at the holidays is the deer. Oh, and the elves! Santa's little friends and helpers!
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And I am big on using my regular decor and just spiffing it up with a few little additions.
Like filling my kitchen window with pink roses and sweet pixies.
Yes, there were dirty dishes in the sink in the last picture I showed. But look at how pretty they are! Beth got dishes she didn't want in a box at an auction and passed them along to me. Of course, I wanted them!
There are many more pixie pals lurking in the boxes under my stairway. Lots of well loved ornaments and beautiful things, that I just didn't unpack this year. I do miss all the elaborate displays, but on the other hand, I am really enjoying my "Pretty Little Christmas". Heather's title for her party really touched on my feelings for my house this year.
Normally, I am all about being Over the Top. (yes, with capitals)
But this year, my compromise with the fairy grand baby with the the time constraints has made me happy.
There is a little something in every room. Just enough to make me smile and know that Christmas is just around the corner. Not enough to have taken up much time or to have been any trouble at all.
2008's decking of the halls probably took less time to finish the whole house than I usually spend on one tree.
Well, that right there is enough to make me smile!! Is there ever enough time? I might make this year's streamlined Christmas a new tradition!
Remember I was saying how lucky I was to meet so many wonderful friends through blogging? One of them sent this dainty fairy pin to me. Later, she'll go on a jacket, but for now, she perches in the dining room centerpiece. Thanks, Hannah!
And thanks, Heather, for hosting this get together. I look forward to having time to follow the links and visit all the homes participating.
Also, thanks to all of you for your overwhelming shopping spree for my Christmas special on Etsy! The shop is half gone, but there are still some goodies left. Please check for details in the previous post if you'd like a chance to win a present from me, while you are visiting my Etsy store during my "thanks to my readers" sale-a-thon!
Please remember to ASK FOR AN INVOICE FROM ME.
Everything is very pretty, Karla. I love those white trees. So soft and sweet.
Lorrie
Oh, this is so beautiful! Certainly not downsizing in my opinion! It is all so very lovely, especially the dirty dishes ; ) !!
I love your decorations, even the dirty dishes are beautiful.
well, i about had a heart attack, i thought i had missed the party…but i think you are a day early…whew!!! i don’t know how i am going to do my party post anyway…DH was supposed to set up the tree and string the lights while i was sleeping today…and then i was going to do the ornaments with anyone who wanted to help…woke up…no tree…he “forgot”…hmmmmm…i think i will just have to do pics of my ornies…i am so not good at tree pics anyway…i love your pretty little Christmas Karla…your little collection of deer are especially sweet!!!
Karla,
Everything looks wonderful! I have not put out quite as much as usual either. I need to spend my time with other projects.
Merry Christmas,
Lorilee
You DO have a pretty little Christmas going on over there. Everything’s beautiful.
I think it all looks wonderful! I love the deer most of all….and the pink ornaments…and the white trees……! Do I see a double stacked table? I LOVE that! I like to tuck Christmas all over the house too! Little things that have meaning, just to you……
And I have one of those little plastic deer with pink ears….it has the original Woolworths sticker on the bottom!
Your Christmas house is so pretty! Is that Twink with her rounded baby belly???? Rachaelxo
i adore everything so very much but my favorites are those cute little shelves in your kitchen in front of the sink.
Karla, I love “your pretty little Christmas ” too. Everything looks wonderful and festive. The key is to enjoy whatever decorating you get done. I love to sit down and look around and see what I did get finished( and not finished). I haven’t gotten as much done this year as I usually do but there is always next year. Have a wonderful evening.
Jean in Virginia
Karla,
Looks divine to me! The little deer and pixies are the cutest. I’m pretty far behind this year with shows too. You smple, yet beautiful decor is inspiring.
Hi Karla! Thanks for playing along with the party. I LOVE your pretty little Christmas you have going in in your cottage. The white trees are so simple yet they make such a nice display. I didn’t do as much this year too… it was just one of those years that stuff just didn’t get done and STILL isn’t done. Cookies to bake, shopping to do… the list is neverending. have a great day and thanks again for posting such a beautiful holiday post. xoxo Heather
p.s.- SOOOO excited to hear about Twinkle!!! eeek! Puppies are just the perfect Christmas gift.
Pretty little Christmas indeed!
Lorna
May be streamlined, but none the less beautiful!! I also adore the fairy doll you made in the last post! I collect those dolls, and my granmother recently showed me several she owns that came out of cracker jack boxes as the surprise. Now why don’t we have anything that neat in those boxes anymore?
Have a wonderful Christmas!
xoxo, Tiffany
I think your vignettes are so pretty! The displays with the roses are my favorites. Even your dirty dishes in the sink look pretty!
Befor I even read the text I loved that you took the picture in your kitchen with dishes in the sink! I think that is one of the coolest things about you (in that only knowing someone over the internet way). I always feal you keep it real, I know that some people have no clutter or mess in their homes, I just choose to believe they have no imagination. Sorry to all you cleany’s. But enough about me. Your home is so lovely and the simple elegance is inspirering, thank you for always being so open with this outsider. Have a blessed Christmas. Judi S.
I love that little tree you have at the top of the post! It is so pretty!!! I just want to sit by it and drink hot cider!
Everything is gorgeous! Even steamlined – you have a lot of beautiful displays.
Karla
Your pretty little Christmas is a gorgeous little Christmas, and I’d say not so “little.” The little elfs are awfully cute. Should that be elves?
Charlotte
Your pictures could be on a Christmas card……….just beautiful. I love the way you put all the white together, it comes out like a black and white picture from years ago. Have a wonderful WHITE Christmass
What a beautifully decorated Christmas home…
Merry Christmas,
Louise
What a lovely home, Karla. I hope your holidays are magical!
~Lolly in Northern Virginia
Hi Karla!!
Everything is gorgeous.
I love your decorations!!
Hugs
So beautiful!!!!
Karla, all very beautifully decorated! I missed his party, I still remember the organized last year.
Even with less than you usually use, everything is just so pretty!
I think I only used five of the 25 boxes of Christmas decorations we have this year!
I’m with you–just enough decorating in each room to make you smile-me too!
You did a lovely job–so serene and restful looking–Hope your Christmas is just that!!
Blessings!
Myrna
Karla, everything is lovely. There is magic in your home and in your heart.
This is the first time I’ve seen your blog-I so love all of your pretties and creativity-I’ll be back!
Karla did you notice that your link from Heather leads us to the Christmas party last year, I missed that because my uncle died that week and I was very sad and I thought it wasn’t appropriate either to my aunt to have a cheery Christmas post on my blog. I thought it was nice though to see what I missed back then.
I love your home in Christmas style, especially the deer and the white trees. Thanks for sharing!
Your pretty little Christmas is pretty fabulous! Funny, how a little angel can change how one decorates (or how high!) But it’s all lovely, Karla. Merry hoho!
Wow Karla! How gorgeous! Your house looks like and enchanted fairy cottage! So beautiful!
xoxo
Dollybelle
so pretty as always Karla! I collect those China pixies/elves and deer/elk/antlered critters as well, very fun!
Everything is gorgeous Karla!!
Love all the white , very wintery 🙂
have a wonderful Holiday!!
Iissedthepost(oh no!)about the craft day. Peanut butter and glitter (hey, what kind of texture does the edible gliter have on the tongue?)and prolific over the head craft flinger(I am SO smiling on this one). Hopefuly we did it right when we placed the order. Joy joys.
I just love the whimsical trees and decorations. It feels so good to look at all the pictures. Thanks for sharing.
I love the simplicity of the white trees and the lights in the urn. Your home should be in a magazine!
Happy Holidays,
LuLu~*
Everything of yours is just beautiful Karla, I need you over at my house!! xoxo Andrea
Pretty things everywhere! I especially like how you add a touch of Christmas in every sinlge room!
Merry Christmas!!
I just adore all your decorations. They are lovely.
I will have a giveaway on my Friday post.
EEEK! Im loving your little pixie elves!!! Sooo cute and sweet! Everything is just beautiful, festive, and lovely Miss Karla!! Wouldnt expect anything less! 🙂 XOXO,Jenn
Love your pretty little Christmas, especially your dirty dishes… so beautiful!
Karla,
Your cottage is gorgeous! I totally understand about scaling back with a little one. My tiny grandson ran to the tree first thing, grabbed an ornament, said, “Ball”, snatched it and gave it toss before I could blink! Luckily is was a paper mache one. I did without any of my vintage glass ones this year even up high as he has learned to drag his new friend, chair, with him to give him a boost whenever it strikes his fancy! But my are they not the very best kind of fun? Have a wonderful Christmas!
Merry Christmas Karla! Your Christmas decorations are so beautiful. The chandelier in your dining room is TDF!!
Hugs!
Nancy
Your home is just so beautiful and special. My buddy Miss B. and I have been admiring your home on both your blog and one of Heather’s postings. Love it!
Beautiful Karla!!! I especially love your grouping in all white!
WOW!!!! Your home is simply beautiful….even if it’s not your “usual over the top” look….I LOVE it!!! I will check out the links to the other homes, too. Thanks for sharing your pretties with us!
Happy Holidays!!
Michele R.(CA)
luvkittysmeowmail@gmail.com
http://michele-butterflywhispers.blogspot.com