WEEKEND HOLIDAY DECORATING & SNEAK PEEK!

Although I didn't run out shopping Black Friday morning, I did want to go out to collect fresh greens to mix into my holiday trim. Along with driving around my area, pulling over to clip fresh branches to mix into my faux, I did pop into Home Depot, to see if - by chance - they had any of their 15 ft. cedar garland left (it was only $5!!) Home Depot was out of stock (no surprise, but had to try!) but I did manage to collect a ton of fresh cut branches from their Christmas tree area -- LOVE the way fresh cut spruce smells!! Since it's on the same road, I drove down to Lowe's to get the cedar garland (still good at only $8.98) and took a chance asking if they would price-match the Home Depot Black Friday price --Guess what?? THEY DID!!

So instead of only getting one (like I did from Lowe's last year) I bought TWO!

No - it wasn't the life threatening Black Friday ordeal at Walmart for a $98 TV... but it sure made me happy, and a little more of a devoted Lowe's customer.

 

Truckette all loaded with fresh cut greens from the area...

(That's FREE decor!)

After I came home - gathering greens on Black Friday -- I unloaded the fresh greens into buckets and containers in the back yard, cleaned the truck, and dismantled Fall from the stoop... 

Saturday was packing up the Fall decor, pulling out which Christmas decor to use, check lights, paint a mirror & some letters gold, plus put up & fluff trees, wreaths and garland. Since I already had done a Christmas cleaning and rearranging last weekend, it made it real easy to place the holiday trim in the living room, bedroom, stairway, and kitchen... 

 

Sunday was all about cutting and placing the fresh greens -- mixing it into the faux trim for an organic look, plus make a few simple arrangements. Mixing fresh greens into faux is a great way to not only give an organic look to your decor, but it also helps to stretch your decorating dollars. Here's a sneak peek at my holiday home decorating from this weekend...

 

Cutting one 15ft cedar garland into smaller branches makes the look go further for your dollar...

 

The kitchen / dining area transformed into a mini flower-like-shop!

 

Holiday Container Tip:

 I really LOVE the look of fresh greens inside of mercury glass containers -- BUT the water removes its finish: To still use & save finish: Nest a glass of water - Help stabilize the glass reusing a candle cover in the bottom of your mercury glass container (sometimes glass bottoms inside are concave and can cause the glass to shift - works for candles too!).

 

Hickory Chips from Lowe's is a great winter filler in vintage silver bowls...

 

Mixing Old & New...

Old branch (from FL!)  with some new furry stockings that reminded me of Sephora...

 

Loved these furry stockings I picked up at HomeGoods - I'm making an arrangement with them for over the bed...

 

Earlier this year, I spotted the plaid bedding that started my plaid craze last year -- Potttery Barn plaid euro shams - on clearance for only $15 and works great with other pieces I have... 

 

Speaking of plaids (and holiday) - to keep me in a festive mood Sunday while making arrangements, I wore my red velvet plaid shirt I got at Savers thrift last year! 

(Both Martha & Maclamore would be proud!)

 

The kitchen island was the perfect spot for making arrangements, especially these two for the bookcase and...

 

a massive bedroom arrangement for the window... 

 

small side table arrangements in the living room... 

 

transforming thrift garland for the dining area...

 Stayed tuned for more holiday styling & tips!

Thanks for stopping by and taking a sneak peek...

 

Sharing post at the 

HomeGoods - Design Happy Blog - Holiday Link-Party!

Also linked post to:

 Christmas Extravaganza - Setting For Four

Note: This post is sponsored by HomeGoods and the Happy By Design project. All thoughts and opinions are of my own.