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Cozy Cottage Christmas Table


Christmas time is here!

Something I've learned about myself over the last couple of years is that I love that simple, resourceful, and natural decor style.

It somehow "takes me back" to simpler times... and that provides a calm that's felt deep down.

I long for the simplest, sweetest joys in my life!

And somehow, when my home is full of unique, homemade, and useful things, I feel some of that.



It may be corny, but I'll take it! When my husband brought home the oranges, it started. It's the first year I've dried them, and I think I'll do it every year now. What a beautiful, easy, affordable way to bring the Christmas season into your home.

I think I'm going to make a garland with them, too.

To dry the oranges, simply cut them into thin - but sturdy- slices. Place them on a parchment lined baking sheet and bake on 200F for 4 hours or so. You'll really need to flip them every 45 minutes or so. Perfect to do on a lazy day around the house... adds a nice smell, too!

Best thing about these things -- you can store them for at least a year... we'll see if we make two!



How do you decorate for Christmas? What brings your heart some of that Holly Jolly-ness?

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Spring Decor




I love cottage-core. Everything about it. With it, comes cozy and full spaces. Warm atmospheres. Comforting smells. Do it just right and it's amazing. But it's still a lot of stuff sometimes. 

I also get anxiety thinking about having too many items setting out. I personally don't want clutter in my home. It messes with my peace!

 


I love this simple look here, though. I may add a little bit more as the season progresses, but it already makes me smile.

Especially Mr. Bunny. He sparks some kinda joy that I can't explain. Saw him in an antique shop... fawned over him... set him down "because I don't need him," but my husband told me to get him. 

He said, "Anything that makes you smile like that is worth getting."

Could he be any sweeter?






One of my favorite things about the cottage look is that you can achieve it in many ways, honestly. It's all about what you love and what you use.  





The best thing for me? That resourceful decorating. It's especially nice if you don't have enough storage space for all the things you like! 

Obviously, I don't need several charcuterie and cheese boards, but I love them.




I also have a hard time passing up a cookbook possessing a certain look... 

And how stinking presh are tiny cream pitchers?

So, instead of giving that joy up, I showcase my little loves.

It's perfect for cottagecore decor, too! Beautify items you use. 




Sometimes, I think I'm the corniest of all the cornies out there because of the warm and fuzzies I experience in the "ordinary."

But then I realize, I just love simplicity. Peace. Calm. Cozy. Safety. 

Home.

I wish I felt "at home" more often, in more places, with more people, but in the meantime, I'll enjoy my love, my pup, and my cozy cottage. 

These beautiful white linen sheets and duvet cover make me smile every morning. Weird source of joy? Maybe. 

But, in a world of chaos and question, I'll load up on the beautiful simplicities every day if it brings a little solace to my heart. 

Plus- umm... white can be bleached! And it literally goes with every single thing. #frugality


Make your home your haven. What does that mean for you? Don't overthink it. Don't worry about "keeping up with the trends." It's your safe place. Your oasis. Pick what you want and put it wherever you please!



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Meal Prep 101



Meal prepping 101 for a busy human:

Learn to cook in bulk so you can make multiple meals with many of the same ingredients.

I do not like eating the same meal 4 times a week. I can't do it. Food is way too yummy to limit oneself that much. 

So, I'll boil and shred some chicken, cook up some lean beef, chop up some veggies, shred some lettuce, boil some eggs, and so on.

With these foods, I can make chicken salad, Caesar salad, a burrito bowl, tortilla soup, broccoli salad, BBQ chicken, etc. 

I guess then, in essence, I don't "meal prep." I prep for meals. 

This has been the key for me and my busy life. It still takes some effort, sure. I have to set some time aside to dedicate to it, yes. But its much more convenient and "exciting" than prepping green beans and chicken every day, at least for my family. 

Everyone has to do what works for them!

Maybe this will spark something for you. 


 

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Before & After : Kitchen Table





What do you do when you've had a beautiful, sturdy table for 12 years... but you want a more natural look? And you're just ready for a change?

Sand!

Quality tables are so expensive. This one cost us $1400 back in 2010. There's no telling how much it would be today.

I did not want to fork out that money, but I wanted a new look.

Aaron did not like the idea of getting rid of such a reliable table, but I wanted a new look. 

HAHA

Thanks to my husband, who's taught me a thing or two about some power tools, this beauty exists!




I'm so pleased with it!

It took us several hours of sanding, and a few coats of protectant, but it was beyond worth it. 

It wasn't difficult. 
It didn't break the bank!




Check out that before and after! 

I'm so in love. 




I really do enjoy "shopping" my house in the hopes of relocating what I can to bring new appreciation to something now overlooked or tired. Frugality, baby!

There's nothing some paint, or lack thereof, won't fix.

I'm already thinking of our next project. 

 




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Before and After : Open Shelves



Thank the good Lord for a husband that makes my dreams reality!

As much as I loved this home when we bought it a couple years ago, I had updates in mind from the very beginning. 

I couldn't wait to tackle the kitchen!






In our first home, we added open shelving to the kitchen, and it opened up the space so much. I wanted that again. This house, though much more spacious, has some quirky layout. (Which, if I must confess, is what I prefer.) I still didn't know if that open shelf concept would give the same effect here.

So, for the first nearly 2 years of our move, we just settled on painting the cabinets white. 




That definitely brightened up the room and brought a little life to the space, but I still couldn't let go of the open shelving. 

When you're in love with cottage core vibes, you just need some! 

I'm so grateful for my husband. He listens to my vision and helps me see it through.




I absolutely adore this corner of my home now. There's so much sunlight, counter space, storage, room, character... all the best things. 

It doesn't take a ton of money to make your home dreamy and warm. Just a little time, creativity, (there's so much inspiration available at our fingertips these days!), and the determination to make it happen.




My home is my happy place... and the more I do to make really mine... the happier it makes me.




I mean, isn't she lovely?


 

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Before and After : Fireplace

 



We've made so many changes since moving into this house, but I'm pretty obsessed with this fireplace makeover... and we only used tile and paint.

I get it; some people may have preferred to keep it all white... and we did for close to two years.




but there was no "WOW!" factor at all... and I need those in my life.

So, my loving husband, always willing to humor my crazy whims, tiled it (a while ago),




and then bought me some paint and I went to town on this thing. 






I love the finished result! Bold... beautiful. Very "warm English cottage" to me. 

I think it's officially called a "transitional style???" I don't know. Either way, I smile when I look at it. 

There's currently a cord hanging that I need to tack down, hence the side angle shot of that first "after" shot. But, hey. That's a project for another day. 

Check out how different this thing looks now!

Drastic difference... definitely for the better!









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