Friday Favorites + Last Minute Christmas Decor

There is nothing more beautiful than a house adorned with fresh pine garland, tied up in bows, filled with the invigorating scents of winter, and a twinkling gilded tree. I love when my house is decked for this special holiday, and although it takes me about three days to put everything together, I wouldn’t trade the feeling of sitting on the couch watching a holiday movie, and seeing the pretty christmas tree perfectly lit, or walking down the stairs and getting slight whiffs of fresh pine. It simply puts a smile on my face, filling me with feelings I only get this time of year. It simply makes me the happiest. I may be a bit behind this season, but I still wanted to share a few snippets of my home during Christmas. Hopefully it can inspire you if you’re still needing some last-minute holiday decor for next week, or to just make you smile.
White candles, grouped with pine cones and frosted berries. Transformed my wreath into a white and dusty gilded creation.Nutcrackers and reindeers.  ‘Twas the Night Before Christmas is my favorite holiday story, and I finally displayed my limited edition book with a pretty glittered holiday card. A gold and white nature inspired tree.  Garland hanging over the doorway makes the perfect place to display thoughtful holiday cards. This year I choose to create small nooks throughout the house, with touches of winter and holiday decor, with glittered silk dusty miller and white berries. Cinnamon sticks wrapped in pretty ribbon.  Simply put together this centerpiece with layered family heirloom linens, gold candlesticks in varying heights and styles, and a white square vase filled with gold ornaments, and branches from this fall centerpiece. Every year I buy fresh pine garland, and this year I choose to create half wreaths on either side of the table. To use this table-scape as inspiration for your Christmas dinner, simply run the pine garland along the center of the table, instead of curving onto guests’ table setting.  Every year for as long as I could remember, my parents and I would head into New York City on December 23rd. We’d visit the iconic Rockefeller Christmas Tree, and see the amazing department store window displays, feeling the magic that is Christmas in New York City. My parents, were a bit under the weather this year, so the boyfriend, the sport that he is, accompanied me, as I embraced my childhood holiday giddiness. Our night ended with an amazing meal of Lobster Mac N’ Cheese at Todd English’s Food Hall. As much as I may not enjoy the hustle and bustle of the city, there is something just uniquely magical about this city during the holidays.

With this being the last weekend before Christmas, I imagine most people are getting their last gifts bought and stocking up on delicious ingredients for their holiday meals. It can be easy to get overwhelmed and lose sight of the true meaning of Christmas, but don’t let the beauty of the holiday slip away these last few days.