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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Kathy Martin
Your home is beautiful! Thank you so much for the tour. Love the colors. The ornaments are gorgeous!
happyhappynester
Thanks so much for your lovely comment and visit, Kathy!
Lori King
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!!
happyhappynester
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!
Carol S.
Although it is white. you made it still look so warm. Love it. I subscribe…
happyhappynester
Carol,
That is so nice to know! Thanks for your sweet comment!
Joan McDonagh
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.
happyhappynester
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!
Diva Kreszl
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!!!
happyhappynester
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!
JILL NELSON
Beautiful trees! I prefer artificial trees myself because I want my tree up as long as possible without the mess of it drying out!
happyhappynester
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!
Suzanne Deveau
Beautiful memories of your Dad and christmas’s past. I’m a subscriber and love your blog! Merry Christmas!!
happyhappynester
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!
Christine
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.
happyhappynester
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!
Rita Lindsay
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?
happyhappynester
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!
LISA PARSONS
Beautiful home and decorations!
happyhappynester
Thanks so much, Lisa! Happy Holidays to you!
JoeyfromSC
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:)
happyhappynester
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!
Sheila Irwin
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
happyhappynester
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!
Joan
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
happyhappynester
Hi Joan,
Thanks, my sweet friend! Happy Holidays to you too!
MJ Santos
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!)
happyhappynester
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!
Oscar @OscarBravoHome
Timeless, inviting and clean. Your place looks magical. Thanks so much for putting all this together, Janine
Nancy K
I wish I could stop by to see your beautiful home. Very inviting! Wishing your family the merriest holidays. Glad that I subscribed.
Sandy Carlson
I love your decorating ideas! I can’t wait to try some of them. Beautiful!
Susana
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
Nicole
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
Kim Hazel
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!!
Laila
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
Alicia
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.
Delina
Your home is beautiful! I would say your dining room table is my favorite.
Nancy Loring
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.
Michelle
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!