Blog Tour
Hello there. Welcome to our Home for the Holidays Blog Tour.
Some of you are visiting from Meme Hill. Amie is so creative with all her decorating projects. She always surprises me with her fabulous choices of color and style. For those of you who just joined, I have teamed up with 14 bloggers for this holiday tour. We are super lucky to have King of Christmas as our sponsor this year. They are donating a super generous gift for one lucky winner. So, make sure to stay to the end of this post to find out our lovely surprise that we have in store for you.
Alright, let’s get this blog tour started.
I chuckle when I think about this holiday season.
Brace yourself, I assembled my new King of Christmas tree before Halloween. As some of you know, our neighbor’s who walk by our home always peer into our front window. I’m quite certain they were in shock to see my tree on display in October.
You could say I’m a little out of control.
Yup, our tree glows.
But you see, my obsessive compulsive personality is deeply rooted and dates back to my childhood.
A Note about the Nester
We have a funny contest around our home on the weekends. So, the person who stays in their pajamas the longest wins our silly competition. Well, I think I hold the most wins in our family. And yes, today I wore my pj’s for most of the time while I got this post published.
My favorite time of the year is Christmas, with all the decorations and festivities.
When I was a little girl, I begged my dad for a Christmas tree. I have funny memories of watching football games with my father so that during the commercial breaks, I would pester him for a tree. Yes, do you know of any five-year-old girl who knows everything there is to know about the game of football? To this day, I’m confident he loved to tease me.
You see, he always waited until the last moment to buy a tree.
Finally, the big day would come, and we drove over to our friend’s nursery. We would peruse all the rows of trees to find the perfect one for our family of seven. During the months of November and December, their nursery magically transformed into woods that smelled of the heavenly scent of pine. For a Southern California girl, the smell of a forest was a foreign and magical thing.
After receiving the tree from the nursery, I quickly decorated it from top to bottom.
Can you imagine a little girl randomly tossing the tinsel all over the tree and room? My mom was a very tolerant parent, and I guess she had to be since she had five children. Well, my decorating enthusiasm continued up the staircase, hallway, dining room and much more.
I suppose we never change.
December is bittersweet for me
As much as I love Christmas, I must admit that this month is a somewhat emotionally tough for me. Nine years ago, in 2007 my father passed away. I greatly miss my father and his funny sense of humor. We had a special father/daughter relationship that I will always cherish.
Today, I’m positive he would be proud of me and my blogging career. I thought it would be meaningful to dedicate this holiday tour to my father who taught me patience and love.
So, here is to all our loved ones who are still with us in memories and may their spirit continue in our hearts and stories.
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Our Living Room
Are you still with me? Do you want to get comfy and change into your pajamas like me?
Let’s continue my blog tour.
So, my holiday decor all started with the Pottery Barn Buffalo check pillow. The minute I spied it in the store, I knew it would work perfectly in our home. This gray check pattern set the stage for all my colors this holiday.
Since I loved the idea of a White Christmas theme, I immediately I thought of white pom poms. I quickly got to work creating this whimsical garland with pom poms and cut out leaves. Yes, I am Buddy the Elf. You can find me most evenings working on projects while watching television with my husband. Of course, he just shakes his head and rolls his eyes at me. I guess he thinks I’m special.
Our Family Room
This year, I decided to spruce up our family room. These cute gnomes (Tomte) are from Sweden. My dear friend, Elisabeth gave me these adorable gnomes a couple of years ago. According to the Scandinavian folk tale, I need to treat these Tomtes well, so they will in return be nice to me and keep evil spirits away from our home. Well, so far, so good.
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Our Dining Room
I love white poinsettias. You know, they are an easy and inexpensive way to add beautiful fresh flowers to any room. And luckily my son isn’t allergic to them. So, last year, I bought some cedar garlands, and I had to quickly put them out on our front porch. Oh my goodness, my poor son sneezed for days. If you missed this post you can view it here.
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I simply adore these beautiful Adelaide dinner plates from 222 Fifth. They are exactly my style, a natural theme with a vintage sparkle.
I bought this cute spoon on our recent trip to England. My only regret is that I only bought this one spoon. So, do you ever do this? Oh well, I guess I’ll just have to make a return visit to the lovely town of Bath, England! If you missed this fun post, you can find it here.
These stunning Pottery Barn napkin holders are so elegant with their smokey glass petals. They bend, change shape and make a unique and ornate napkin holders.
So, I recently made this Spiced Pumpkin Bread for Thanksgiving. This loaf tastes a lot like the Starbucks version. You can find my delicious recipe here.
I have never tried these traditional English Holiday Crackers. So this year, my family and I are going to have some fun, and pop these amusing Bon Bons. Aren’t they beautiful? I can’t wait to see what’s inside.
Our Kitchen
Well, you made it through my rather lengthy blog tour. But, make sure to continue on to my sweet friend, Laila at Laila Designs. And don’t forget to visit the other fabulous Home for the Holidays Blog Tours.
Here is the List of our Blog Tours
Just click on the names below to visit them
Happy Happy Nester (that’s me)
Designs by Laila
Lindsay Hill Interiors
Maison de Cinq
Crazy Chic Design
The Design Twins
Home and Fabulous
Styled with Lace
Too Chic for Words
She Leaves a Little Sparkle
I don’t know how she does it
Oscar Bravo Home
2 Ladies and a Chair
The Shabby Creek Cottage
Meme Hill
Our Holiday Giveaway!
We have a winner of the Christmas tree, it is Ann! Thanks for all of you who participated! I truly wish I could give everyone of you a free tree!
For our holiday tour, King of Chrismas is kindly giving away (includes shipping) one 7 foot flocked unlit tree to one lucky winner. So, here is how to enter the giveaway. Each comment (one per blog) qualifies as an entry. So, the more blogs you comment, the more entries for you. Also, if you subscribe to our blogs that give you two more entries. This giveaway is for US residents, and you must be 18 years old or older. This giveaway ends on December 11th at 8:00 pm Pacific Standard Time. The winner will be announced that week.
Cheers and good luck!
*This post contains affiliate links and ads and is sponsored by King of Christmas. All opinions in this blog post are 100% my opinion.
So beautiful Janine. Im so glad you took us into your dining room. I love your dinnerware! And your collections of ornaments are so beautiful. SO glad to be a part of this tour with you!
Hi Amie,
Thanks so much, your compliment means a ton to me! You’re so sweet, and so glad to have you in the tour as well!
This is amazing! I love the colors, the details! I love your dining table, plates, chocolate bar and spoons. Literally…I’m swooning over every single picture! Congrats! Everything is so beautiful! xoxo Jodie
Thanks, Jodie!!! You’re the best and I’m so lucky to have you as a friend!
Always love your classic approach to decor. Everything is so beautiful! Sorry about the sad part of Christmas, but I’m pretty sure he’s more than proud of you and your skills. Have a wonderful Christmas Jan and thanks for keeping up with our crazy group 😉
Thanks Gloribell! Yes, it felt so nice to dedicate this post and make it a happy time for me! So happy to have you in the tour, your home is gorgeous!
Stunning home Janine! I love your dinning table.
Sandra,
Thanks so much! Have fun decorating your home!
Janine, all your hard work paid off, because your home is absolutely glowing for the holidays! I am jealous of your beautiful ornaments! Thanks so much for all your hard work putting this together – love working with this talented group!
Xo
Kathleen
Hi Kathleen,
Ah thanks! I’m a little crazy over vintage ornaments, I can never have enough!
So happy to see your tour this year! Your tree is beautiful. I flocked mine this based on your video from last year. Love your Christmas story, a wonderful memory to always have of the both of you. Your dinning room is exquisite!! You’re a fabulous Blogger and decorator.
Hi Ida,
Wow, I’m so happy to hear that you watch my video! What a funny time that was, dusting flying everywhere and it was hot day in like Sept! Happy you entered for the tree giveaway. And thanks so much for following my blog!
All right… You had me laughing so hard in the beginning and then you had me crying. What a beautiful thing, to dedicate this post to your dad. If he is anywhere as funny as you are, I know I would love him!! Im sure he smiles on you and all the good you do and all the beauty you create!
Well, all that emotion and I’m hot mess right now. But hey, I’m with you in my pajamas still and I think I’ve lived in them all week long while blogging so here’s a hi 5✋???? to that lol!!!
I love your white, glowing tree so much! I love love your table scape and all of the touches around your home! I adore the idea of those snacks in the apothecary jars! That is brilliant and so cute.
And I know why your neighbors peek in your window… Your home is so fabulous they just want to see more! I don’t blame them! I would be like that nosy neighbor on Bewitched if I lived on your street ???? Loved this tour and love you!! Merry Christmas!!!!
Summer,
You are the sweetest! It sounds like we have had a crazy week and PJs are our life as well as ponytails! Yes, it is nice to make December a happy thing with the dedication of this post to my late father. I can just see his face if he saw all my decor, he would be so surprised and happy. Thanks so much for all your support and friendship!
what is your paint color and where did you get that awesome CALIFORNIA sign?
Hi JoEllen,
My paint color in my kitchen is Restoration Hardware’s Silver Sage. And my California sign is handmade by Kristy, at the Painted Nest. She has an Etsy shop which she opens only when her store is full of stock. We are planning a blog giveaway for probably January. She custom made my California sign and now she is thinking of making state signs!
Your home is always beautiful and refreshing to look at. Very easy on the eyes and very meticulously designed. And the tree…fabulous!
Ah, so nice to see you over on the blog! You are the sweetest to comment!
So warm, festive and elegant, Janine! I love, love your style.
Those Swedish gnomes are a hoot!
So sad about your Dad. My grandmother’s bday was Dec 25th. So Xmas Eve
was always a party in my family. She passed away 20 years ago and we miss
her almost every day, but it’s the warm memories that keep us happy.
xoxox
Hi Colette,
Yes, December is always filled with friends and family that are no longer with us! Now as an adult, I understand how the holidays can be a bit sad. It is so nice to dedicate this post to my father, it makes him come alive in my life! Love this!
PS- If I win, I’m donating the tree to the children’s ward at a hospital!
Ah, love that! You have the best heart!
I love that you have dedicated this gorgeous post to your dad!! So precious! Love your beautiful home to bits!!
Thank you so much, Sam! I couldn’t do this without you!
Absolutely beautiful my friend! This time of the year is bitter sweet for me too. It’s been 2 years that I lost my mom and as much as this is a special time of the year, I still struggle to enjoy myself. I hope you have a wonderful season ????
Hi Kathy!
Yes, I always kind of try and lose track of the days in the beginning of December since that is when he passed away. Dedicating this post to him seems to bring him back in a positive way. I think I’ll make this an annual thing! Sorry to hear that you lost your mom. My heart goes out to you, and a big “hug” to you!
Just beautiful Janine! I love that you’ve dedicated this to your father. So sweet~
Thanks, Christina. It is a very cool thing and I think I’ll make it an annual event. Thanks for your sweet comment!
Thanks so much for your sweet comment! Yes, I’m so happy that I dedicated this post to him and I think I will do this every year! Happy Holidays!
I am new to your blog. So happy I found you and I’m enjoying your posts. Thank you for sharing your beautiful home and ideas.
Juliette,
I’m so happy you found me as well! Thanks so much for your sweet comment and have a great December!
White trees large and small!!!! Loved the tour.
I’m so happy to hear you loved the tour! Thank you and enjoy this holiday season!
Lovely home! Thanks for the giveaway.
Teri,
Thanks for your visit and your lovely comment!
Just stunning. That china is gorgeous.
Thanks! Yes, I’m in love with the China, they sparkle since the design is silver! Love it!!!
Simply beautiful! Love your dining room decor. Absolutely stunning!
Ah, thank you so much, Patti! Happy Holidays!
Ok, can I just say SWOON ALERT! Your home is divine and I’m sure if I lived close I would want to peek inside too! Ack, I’m friendly I promise ☺. A precious dedication to your dad too. I relate to the loss. Both my mom and dad passed. They are missed and my heart sings with love for them both! Just know your memories are what help in keeping your dad close. I’m exactly like another reader that commented I’m a hot mess but in a good way. I was so touched by your memories of your dad.
I could chatter all day about how gorgeously decorated your home is for the holidays! I’ll reserve all the clatter and just say I’m truly inspired. Your love of home and family has already brightened my spirit. Oh and have fun with your poppers. Merry Christmas!
Hi Deb,
Oh my goodness, your comment just made my day! It is nice to dedicate this to my father and make this month a little easier to deal with. I’m so sorry about your parents passing, I’m sure they leave a lot of sweet memories behind. I hope this holiday season is a joyous one for you for your family!
Yes, I can’t wait to crack open my poppers. I hear they have a funny joke and a paper crown hat! I’ll have to follow this story up!
Your home is beautiful! Thank you so much for the tour. Love the colors. The ornaments are gorgeous!
Thanks so much for your lovely comment and visit, Kathy!
Your home looks beautiful!! I love your dining room table settings! So pretty! But your tree is a show-stopper! Gorgeous! I’d be peeking through your windows to get a glimpse, too!! As a subscriber, I love to see what you do next!!
Lori,
Thanks so much for hopping on over to the blog! I really appreciate my email subscribers! You are so sweet to mention my holiday decor. Your comment just fills my heart with happiness! Happy Holidays to you and good luck with the giveaway!
Although it is white. you made it still look so warm. Love it. I subscribe…
Carol,
That is so nice to know! Thanks for your sweet comment!
Good morning and Imwuld love that tree. I always had a flocked tree in CA of all places that we purchased from a nursery. As seniors, we can’t have fresh anymore due to allergies and this would be wonderful. So glad I am a subscriber. Have a wonderful Christmas.
Hi Joan,
Yes, it is so nice to have a beautiful alternative to the fresh. I hear you about the allergies, last year I was so sad that my son was a mess with his allergies. My balsam garland was so beautiful! Ok, I hope you have a wonderful Christmas as well and thanks soooo much for being a subscriber to my newsletter. I appreciate your thoughtfulness!
Thank you for sharing your beautiful home with your readers! I always dreamed of having a flocked tree, it looks dreamy! I am a follower of your blog and would love an opportunity to win this beautiful tree, thank you for the opportunity!!!
Hi Diva,
So,I have a flocked King of Christmas wreath and let me tell you, it is GORGEOUS! I’m kind of sad that I didn’t order the flocked. But, I do have my Craigslist one, so it was nice to get the all white one. Thanks so much for subscribing to my blog, I really appreciate your kindness!
Beautiful trees! I prefer artificial trees myself because I want my tree up as long as possible without the mess of it drying out!
Hi Jill,
Yes, I agree! I live in California and the tree would dry out in a couple of days! Good luck with the giveaway and Happy Holidays to you!
Beautiful memories of your Dad and christmas’s past. I’m a subscriber and love your blog! Merry Christmas!!
Hi Suzanne,
Ah, thanks! It is so nice to know you subscribe to my blog. Thanks so much and I appreciate your sweet comment! Happy Holidays!
Love the beautiful Christmas decorations. My home is also cream and white and I was able to get quite a few ideas from your lovely pictures. I love the “queen bee” spoon as well ! I am sure your father would be quite proud of your blog following and your wonderful taste in design.
Hi Christine,
Ah, we have the same love of cream and white! Hooray! I would love to see your decor too! Yes, my little spoon is the cutest and I truly wish I had bought a few more. Thanks for your sweet comments, you made my day a happier one! Happy Holidays to you!
This is certainly a wonderful time of the year & you have definitely captured that in your home…..since October! I say, hey, why not? Once I get my home decorated I kind of hate to put it all away since I put every little thing in it’s perfect place. I’m so glad I’m a subscriber. It gives me inspiration when the juices briefly stop flowing on my next decorating venture. I’m off now to decorate my church. I love doing it and do it all by myself. I don’t do it for the compliments. I do it because it needs to be done. I decorate my house so why not His?
Hi Rita,
I’m so happy to meet you! This is great to get to know my subscribers! You are too kind and your comments touch my heart! And yes, once all the decor is up, it transforms our homes into a cozy and inviting nest! Have fun decorating your church, what a nice thing! Happy Holidays to you and your family!
Beautiful home and decorations!
Thanks so much, Lisa! Happy Holidays to you!
Wow..your decor is stunning!! & that tree!!! Lol..love it all!! Loved your stories too. I’m sorry to hear about your Father. I can totally relate because I’ve lost almost my entire family including my Mom (age 44 of leukemia) & holidaya are especially tough for me. Thanks for the chance to win the amazing tree!
I am a current email subscriber as well:)
Hi Joey,
Oh, it is so nice to meet you! Oh my goodness, I’m so sorry that you lost your whole family. And yes, leukemia was such a tough disease in the past. Nowadays it is pretty treatable? Thanks so much for being a subscriber, I appreciate that you signed up. I sure wish I could give everyone a tree! Good luck and Happy Holidays to you and your family!
Janine,
You have outdone yourself this year! The whole house looks amazing! I’m loving your white tree and all the white and silver accents. Everything’s so sparkly and fresh!
The kitchen and table look beautiful, too. I love your table setting and white poinsettias!
Thanks again for inviting me to be with such a talented group – so honored and thrilled to be a part of this!
Sheila
xo
Hi Sheila,
I’m so happy we did the Holiday Tour together! You are such a great friend and I’m so happy to have connected with you over on Instagram. Thanks for you sweet comments about my holiday decor. I’m so happy my home is ready and I can now enjoy the month of December! Happy Holidays!
Janine this is so beautiful! I love hearing your special story about your Dad, what a special relationship. Your home looks like a gorgeous winter wonderland! Merry Christmas
Hi Joan,
Thanks, my sweet friend! Happy Holidays to you too!
You’ve inspired me to attempt a white christmas in southern california! I’m off to go shopping! I’ve been subscribed to your blog for a while now and admire your style….Beautiful! (PS. I’m also a knitter!)
MJ,
Oh my goodness, you just made my morning! It is so nice to meet my subscribers and hear what you are up to! So happy to have inspired you. Oh, and by the way, I now have about 8 skeins of Australian wool (bulky yarn) for an arm knitting project. I think I have to start the project soon! Good luck with your holiday decor. Happy Holidays!
Timeless, inviting and clean. Your place looks magical. Thanks so much for putting all this together, Janine
I wish I could stop by to see your beautiful home. Very inviting! Wishing your family the merriest holidays. Glad that I subscribed.
I love your decorating ideas! I can’t wait to try some of them. Beautiful!
Janine, your white Christmas is a magical Winter Wonderland and I adore your vintage ornaments! ???? Love your personal stories – your Father would be so proud of you.
Thank you so much for always including me on your blog tours. I feel so humbled to be learning from everyone, especially a pro like you.
Merry Christmas to you and your family!
XO
This is all so beautiful! I’m so sorry to hear about your father’s passing. I have similar difficulties every Christmas. The last Christmas I spent with my mom was in 2002 when she was suddenly admitted on Xmas Eve and quickly passed away in Jan from a short battle with cancer. Holidays are hard but I’m also reminded of how much I still have to be thankful for! I hope you can find the joy in the season no matter what!
xx @sweet_domicile
Janine, wow what a gorgeous tour! I adore all your white decor and that white tree is truly magnificent! Great choice!! Thank you so much for inviting us to be a part of this tour and all of your hard work putting it together!! Lacey and I are thrilled and honored to be part of this amazing group!!
Oh My Gosh! How adorable is everything?! Janine, I just love your attention to detail….truly exquisite! So much fun doing Christmas tours together, its always a pleasure working with you. Happy Holidays friend! xo
What a beautuful post dedicating this to your dad, Janine. I’m sure he’s smiling ear to ear to see his daughter decorating and making each room in your home so beautiful. I absolutely love that glow on your tree, I bet it’s amazing at night too. And in regards to staying in pj’s, yes, I can totally relate and who doesn’t work better in pj’s anyway? I love you girl and thank you for all this inspiration.
Your home is beautiful! I would say your dining room table is my favorite.
Do you think that you could come to New Hampshire and make my house look even half as good as your house looks. I need all the help I can get.
I love the silver and gold dining table, just the right amount of comfort and sparkle. I put my tree up before Thanksgiving this year too! The white tree is stunning! A show stopper!
What beautiful and enchanting Christmas decor! I lost my dad in November and my brother in December (years ago) so the holiday season is bittersweet for me as well. I love how you honored your father. Thank you.
Janine, your home looks absolutely stunning!! Thank you so much for organizing this tour! You did an amazing job on your decor!
I lost my dad so many, many years ago. My son never met him. So this post is special to me for many reasons. Thanks so much for the gentle reminder of of dearest and most special loved ones. Happy Holidays ~ Susie from The Chelsea Project
Love those plates!! and thanks for all the pretty photos 🙂
I’m sorry about your father. I can understand why Christmas would leave you feeling melancholy. I love your home-it’s very elegant.
Loved every bit of your Holiday Tour! I’d love to win the @kingofchristmas tree however I live in ???????? so I’m not eligible. ☹️
I really like the airy, inviting feeling of the white-on-white table setting with the little tree and white poinsettias. So cozy, yet light!
Your decor is beautiful.
I am over the top crazy for all things Christmas this year. This post pushed me over the edge! So beautiful and those checked pillows, oh my!
You have a beautiful cozy home and yes lets continue to remember our loved ones during the holidays by sharing their stories like you just did to us. Thank you I was so touched by your story.
Love all your decorations ????
Love all your decorations ????????
I’m absolutely loving the holiday blog tour! Your dining room is so elegant and inviting, but my favorite part of the tour is your gorgeous white tree! Thanks for sharing your beautifully decorated home!
I love the all white Christmas décor, each year I do a different color scheme, this year was gold, bronze, brown and red. I think next year I will do the all white.
Your home is simply beautiful. I also decorate in white, I love the peaceful feeling that white reflects.
I really enjoyed this Holiday Tour.
Beautiful home tour and I love your beautiful white trees! Merry Christmas!
Janine, as always you once again decorated so beautifully! I just love your style!
oh and I forgot to write that I loved, loved, loved that you dedicated this post to your dad!!!
Such a beautiful and festive home…I get such a feeling of peace when looking at your photos. LOVE your plates!!
Thank you so much, Laura!
Janine, your home is absolutely gorgeous! A true magical winter wonderland. You have exquisite taste. So classy and elegant. I am thinking of you over the holidays Janine. It’s a beautiful time of the year but can bittersweet. I lost my mom close to the holidays in 2006. I was very close to my mom like you were with your dad. Thank you for sharing your beautiful home with us! xo