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.
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Amie Freling
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!
happyhappynester
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!
Jodie Kammerer
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
happyhappynester
Thanks, Jodie!!! You’re the best and I’m so lucky to have you as a friend!
Gloribell Lebron
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 😉
happyhappynester
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!
Sandra
Stunning home Janine! I love your dinning table.
happyhappynester
Sandra,
Thanks so much! Have fun decorating your home!
Kathleen
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
happyhappynester
Hi Kathleen,
Ah thanks! I’m a little crazy over vintage ornaments, I can never have enough!
Ida
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.
happyhappynester
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!
Summer
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!!!!
happyhappynester
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!
JoEllen Campbell
what is your paint color and where did you get that awesome CALIFORNIA sign?
happyhappynester
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!
Lizzie
Your home is always beautiful and refreshing to look at. Very easy on the eyes and very meticulously designed. And the tree…fabulous!
happyhappynester
Ah, so nice to see you over on the blog! You are the sweetest to comment!
Coco in the Kitchen
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
happyhappynester
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!
Coco in the Kitchen
PS- If I win, I’m donating the tree to the children’s ward at a hospital!
happyhappynester
Ah, love that! You have the best heart!
Sam @ Raggedy Bits
I love that you have dedicated this gorgeous post to your dad!! So precious! Love your beautiful home to bits!!
happyhappynester
Thank you so much, Sam! I couldn’t do this without you!
Kathy *lovefabdecor
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 ????
happyhappynester
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!
Christina Belcher
Just beautiful Janine! I love that you’ve dedicated this to your father. So sweet~
happyhappynester
Thanks, Christina. It is a very cool thing and I think I’ll make it an annual event. Thanks for your sweet comment!
happyhappynester
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!
Juliette Carlson
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.
happyhappynester
Juliette,
I’m so happy you found me as well! Thanks so much for your sweet comment and have a great December!
Kristin McCullough
White trees large and small!!!! Loved the tour.
happyhappynester
I’m so happy to hear you loved the tour! Thank you and enjoy this holiday season!
Teri
Lovely home! Thanks for the giveaway.
happyhappynester
Teri,
Thanks for your visit and your lovely comment!
Mary McElroy
Just stunning. That china is gorgeous.
happyhappynester
Thanks! Yes, I’m in love with the China, they sparkle since the design is silver! Love it!!!
Patti
Simply beautiful! Love your dining room decor. Absolutely stunning!
happyhappynester
Ah, thank you so much, Patti! Happy Holidays!
Deb
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!
happyhappynester
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!