Eleanor and August had a lot of fun decorating the tree this year. The front part at least, up to about four feet high. They kept saying “I could do this all day!” and in fact, they did. Over multiple days.
I stepped in when they were done and added ornaments to the rest of the tree, and I spaced theirs out a bit. Brandon’s mom gave us some of the ornaments she had collected over the years from when he was a kid, so those have been added to our tree now too.
I also picked up an ornament representing each of us and painted the hair to better match ours. 2014: the year we became a family of five! (!)
I didn’t go too crazy with the decorations this year because it wasn’t easy with a baby always on my hip. There are little touches here and there throughout the house though, like on this little table in the dining room.
I also swapped out the tassel on our secretary for a soft bunny ornament decked out in red and green. It’s cute, but mostly I did it because I figured the kids would like it.
You’ve already seen the fireplace, but now our stockings have been hung from the mantel. Those gold initials were from Restoration Hardware, but it looks like they stopped carrying them this year, so I’ll have to find a ‘C’ from elsewhere that matches.
There are a lot of exciting projects and opportunities coming up for me in the next couple of months. It’s hard to juggle everything with Calvin being so little, and with Eleanor and August too, but I can’t complain. I’m planning projects for the house, responding to press inquiries that I hope will turn into something more, scheduling campaigns, and even contemplating a part-time job offer that has come along for something that I’d love to do.
Sometimes you just have to jump in and say yes.
I continue to be grateful for this blog, and I’m glad to be able to share my life, my finds, and my home with you. I’m going to take off a little time between now and the new year to spend time with Brandon, the kids, friends, and family, but I’m looking forward to meeting you back here in January. Happy holidays, everyone!
cathyv
December 22, 2014 at 5:11 pmMerry Christmas!
Glenda
December 22, 2014 at 5:25 pmMerry Christmas and a very Happy New Year 2015!!!
Love this and so very true “Sometimes you just have to jump in and say yes”
Nitya
December 22, 2014 at 6:21 pmNicole,
Happy Holidays and Good luck with all your adventures in the New Year!
Stephanie
December 22, 2014 at 7:24 pmYou’re house is looking so beautiful! I’m really loving that it isn’t all white! :) Happy Holidays!
Alexis
December 22, 2014 at 7:56 pmmerry christmas! what a lovely blog! :)
Ellen
December 22, 2014 at 7:59 pmIf Eleanor’s name was Olivia, your initials would spell BACON! Happy holidays and warm wishes!
fran heupel
December 22, 2014 at 8:47 pmWishing you and your beautiful family a very Merry Christmas and a happy new year
Michele C
December 22, 2014 at 8:57 pmMerry Christmas! If you have a friend in the South, I think Hobby Lobby has your gold letters. — Michele
Lisa
December 23, 2014 at 5:59 amOh, that second picture — E and A in front of the lit tree — it’s just enchanting! Merry merry Christmas to all of you! :)
Heidi
December 23, 2014 at 6:04 amHappy holidays ! Thank you Nicole for your great blog and “Joyeux Noël” to all of you :)
RebeccaNYC
December 23, 2014 at 6:27 amMerry Christmas! Thank you for your generosity over the years, sharing your home and growing family with us! It has meant a lot to me. Wishing you every good thing in the coming year.
kristina
December 23, 2014 at 9:07 am1. Where did you get those faceted christmas balls?
2. Man I wish they made those family ornaments but for brown people with brown people hair; I guess I could glue some on…but that would have made a fantastic gift for my brother and his wife, who are expecting their second girl.
Tara Jane
December 23, 2014 at 9:33 amMerry Christmas. Hope yours is Bright and “Lovely”. We have the same letter ornaments and with a new addition to our family, I put out an ebay search for an “O”. They pop up all the time.
Patrice
December 23, 2014 at 10:32 amHappy Holidays to you snd your beautiful family. I hope you have a relaxing break (well as relaxing as possible with three children).
Mandy
December 23, 2014 at 11:24 amJust had to stop by to wish you a very happy holidays. I’ve been a reader of your blog for years now, and I think this might be my first comment? You’re such an inspiration, and I love being able to see a glimpse of your life through this blog. Thank you for all for the hard work you put into what you do, and for sharing with all of us strangers across the world. <3
Marcee ... ILLINOIS
December 23, 2014 at 1:56 pmOhwow. Everything looks amazingly gorgeous, but comfy too. Very holidayish for sure! I haven’t checked in for awhile, so love white chairs Nicole. They are perfect. Kinda calms down all the glitz and glam! Black iron secretary is magnificent. Whoa. One of the best pieces of furniture I’ve seen in awhile. Christmas is almost here ….. best holiday with your lovely family!
Lara
December 24, 2014 at 12:15 pmI love how your house is coming together! So beautiful and lovely! Happy Holidays!!
Amanda
December 24, 2014 at 3:19 pmHappy Holidays! Enjoy your time with your family.
YJ
December 24, 2014 at 8:37 pm‘Sometimes you just have to jump in and say yes.’
Wow, this statement resonated with me alot. When you iust got to do it, you just got to do it.
Great opportunities do not come by often, so I say, take it and make the most out of it!
Cynthia
December 25, 2014 at 2:34 pmMerry Christmas, Nicole! You deserve every good fortune that comes your way. Your creativity, aesthetic, writing, and photography are always exquisite. Enjoy your lovely family and all the best in 2015!
Jennifer
December 27, 2014 at 6:57 pmLooking at your beautiful mantel and stockings, I realized that our kids have the same initials in the same order, except my E is a boy and my A is a girl. So a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year from my E, A, & C to yours. Love, health, and happiness to you all in 2015. =)
Hannah S
December 29, 2014 at 8:40 amThese are gorgeous photos of the kids, the tree and your home.
I hope your holidays are going great. Loving your blog and cant wait to read more next year :)
Victoria Ross
December 30, 2014 at 3:05 pmYour house is absolutely beautiful! Love the personalized characters on the tree too:) Hope you have a fantastic holiday!
Cheers,
Victoria
Tiina G
January 2, 2015 at 10:07 amLove the atmosphere in your home, and love to follow your family’s stories. Looking forward to the inspiring post in the new year. Happy 2015 and greetings from Finland!
Celeste
January 2, 2015 at 3:00 pmLove that you let your kids decorate alongside you. The Christmas tree shouldn’t be off limits! Some of my favorite Christmastime memories come from decorating (and playing with) the tree.
Also, on a content note: I would love a list of good online sources for planters! I love the one in the pic, and you seem to generally have interesting ones. I’ve had marginal luck at thrift stores, but sometimes I need a specific size and I am forced to settle for something new that is just OK.
Charity D'Amato
January 2, 2015 at 10:34 pmHappy 2015 Nicole! Will you be attending @AltSummit this January? Would love to see you there.
Our Home, Featured in HGTV Magazine’s Christmas Issue | Making it Lovely
December 17, 2015 at 4:52 pm[…] fireplace looked mostly like it did when I decorated it last year. Same vintage painting of Venice with my sparkly HAPPY HOLIDAYS banner and vintage deer. Those are […]