December 27, 2016

Christmas Around the Cottage


I ran out of time to share these photos before Christmas got here so I thought I'd share them now before it all disappears!


This year I made a conscious decision to go a little lighter with the decorations in the hopes that I wouldn't get tired of them. I really think it worked.


The entire time I was decorating I did have to keep repeating to myself "You don't have to use every thing, every year!" Yes, I likely sounded crazy, but it worked!


I found this year that some of the smallest touches, made me the happiest.


I really feel like the house and I have come to an agreement about how it wants to be decorated.


I'm loving the colors and the vintage feel going on and just can't imagine the house decked out any other way.


Around here, aprons get changed out for the season. That might signify that I have too many but I'm thinking it must mean something else.


 One day I started to do a deer inventory around the house. I quit when the number began to get embarrassingly high. On a positive note, I didn't buy any new ones this year. Did I? That might be a lie.


I'm still enjoying the festive touches around here and not feeling any rush to take it all down. I might take the ornaments off the tree in a few days so I can just enjoy the twinkling tree on it's own which is always so cozy to me.


 For now I'm happy to live amongst the merriment embrace these last days before I feel an overwhelming need to clean and organize all the things!


I'll be back tomorrow, well tomorrowish to share the craftier side of our holiday as there was just too much to put in one post. Then we'll move on to a couple of things I want to share about the New Year. I'm thinking my New Year's resolution should be to put less photos in a post! Something tells me that resolution won't fare much better than the ones that came before it!


Hoping your Christmas was full of loveliness and special moments.

24 comments:

  1. Lovely! I have so much stuff that when I do put decorations out, they kinda get lost and then never put away, which means that I definitely need to sort, organize and purge. My boys say I have way too many things on the walls. I am certainly no minimalist. I think we all like pretty pictures, so no need to limit yourself. :)

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  2. How many times have I said I love your house? Probably as many times as you've got deer to count! I did the same thing this year, put out way less. However, I have two closets that are in a real mess, and I'm having an Urge To Purge series starting the first of January in which readers will choose a spot and start decluttering. I will be so happy to walk in a closet and not fear something will fall on my head!
    Brenda

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  3. Love it! Love your cottage and your Christmas decorations. I'm getting inspired with your blog.
    Luisa

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  4. It all looks wonderful and just the right amount for a cozy, vintage Christmas. I have started having a thing for deer too - they're just so irresistible!

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  5. Thanks for showing us how you decorated for Christmas - I've always loved your decor. I think a lot of us did minimal decor this year. I've already taken down everything except for the little tree on top of the buffet! Please don't cut back on your photos. I think you need a new New Year's resolution!

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  6. Looking so beautifully festive! I too missed a pre-Christmas blog due to a poorly Christmas - maybe tomorrow. Before it really is too late. I do like to wish people well with their new year wishes and thoughts, but I would rather you continued with your glorious abundance of photographs... (If you receive this comment twice, sorry, something not behaving. Feel free to delete!)

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  7. After reading this post I felt much better about my own decorating this holiday season. We moved to a new house just three months ago and I found that not much from the old house looks happy here in this newer modern home. So I used what I could, meaning less, and in utter frustration and tearful sadness I packed away the treasures that have no home here at home. So sad, right? Well, now it feels a little more okay. Thanks! And happy holidays.

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  8. I did the same thing for the same reason - scaled back so it wouldn't feel so overwhelming and cluttered. Oh, how I fretted over it, but gosh, I'm glad I did. Your home looks so merry and bright! Thanks for sharing. :)

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  9. I also had the mantra "'You don't have to use every thing, every year!'". The problem is that if you don't use something each year, your husband asks how much of your decorations are new when you do put them out! I think changing my color scheme in the dining room each year helps keep it fresh. Some things have to go out such as my tinsel tree and Shiny Brites. Your house looks so cozy and inviting, thanks for sharing!

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  10. I am probably not alone when I say.....No....don't put less photos in your posts!!....love your photos!

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  11. Absolutely beautiful as I knew it would be!

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  12. Hi, Jen!

    I'm so sorry I've been remiss...thank goodness I can pick up my phone once in awhile and see people on Instagram! So...I got caught up on your last three posts. Your Christmas decor is so sweet. You aren't kidding about the deer but I ate them up because they are so vintage~like. Your studio looks magical, too. What a cute and cozy place to create.

    I hear you when you tell yourself that you don't have to "put everything out!" My Christmas bins were labeled by room and I simply chose what I wanted to use to have a little winter tree theme in the living room. I used mostly natural things in the kitchen...pine and fruit and whatever I felt like. I think I'll take it down slowly, too. So much will be ideal for the winter months.

    Loved seeing pictures of your girls on the tree hunt!! Daughters are wonderful!

    Happy New Year!

    Jane xx

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  13. You had a white Christmas!! I am envious. Your home is so charming and at Christmas magical!

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  14. Your nest is "It's A Wonderful Life" perfect! Just so peaceful & lovely. I really hope you will let us into your New Year's Day, my favorite day of the holiday season.

    And btw, just like there can never be too many reindeer at Christmas, there can never be too many pictures posted on the Cottage Nest :)!

    Happiest of holidays to you, Jen! This little cyber cozy corner is such a gift to your readers. Thank you!

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  15. Love, love all your photos! thanks

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  16. Your home looks lovely! And please do not and I repeat, do not cut back on your photos. I think we all love to see pics of your home. And especially at the holidays. Your decor is so different than mine that it gives me a fresh look on things. Thanks! And Happy New Year! Kit

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  17. My nest got less this Christmas. I dreaded the "taking down" from the minute I finished decorating. Your decor is cozy and inviting,very well done. Have I missed a post on your kitchen remodel? It looks great,would like to see more. Thank you

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  18. Your home looks beautiful decorated for Christmas. I did not feel the need to overdecorate this year either. I used several pieces that were displayed in both my grandparents homes this year and I loved the vintage feel.

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  19. Love this all girl friend! You give me lots to think about (not using all decorations). I have a garland problem. Your apron collection is dreamy. So am just curious, do you have the same rotation with your mugs? Xxxooo

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  20. Oh, everything is so beautiful Jen! I love seeing the sweet touches of Christmas that make your home so magical.

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  21. I love the old-fashioned Christmas decorations you've placed around your house, Jen, and the photo of your decorated porch with the snow falling is so sweet! Love the turquoise and red! Our family just left this morning, so I'm going to leave my decorations up a bit longer to help me get over our empty nest. The day they leave is always the hardest. We've got a huge snowstorm moving in, so twinkling lights and hot tea are in order. Happy New Year!

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  22. Jen, I love your sweet cottage and that porch! It's so charming and inviting.

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