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Wednesday, November 30, 2016

Color, Sparkle and a Bit of Whimsy


It took me 6 days to decorate the house for Christmas.


Much of today was spent taking photographs for the two Holiday Blog Tours am joining.


But, I don't want to share any of those photos until the parties


so I made a second tour of the house capturing portions of vignettes or rooms.


I noticed that I am drawn to sparkle and shine this year -


bright shiny ornaments


appear in at least one spot in every room.


I found a beautiful glass bulb and bead garland at a local shop that was a perfect gift for my sister


and I had to go back and buy one for myself.


In addition to sparkle,


you can see that red & white


are the dominant colors


 in the house right now.


This little display in the guest room


will easily segue into Valentines Day by simply swapping the Christmas postcard with a Valentine.


As I was shooting small details rather than the "big picture"


another thing I noticed


was the childlike nature


of Christmas at our house.


Color, sparkle and a bit of whimsy


definitely describe the decorations this year.


After a morning at the spa, Lulu thought she fit right in with the decorations.


She might even be mistaken for a stuffed bear.


Be sure to stop by next week for the Cozy at Christmas Blog Tour.

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Join me at Have a Daily Cup of Mrs. Olson for Share Your Cup

at

38 comments:

  1. DanielaDecember 1, 2016 at 12:41 AM

    My sweetest friend,
    thanks most sincerely for the lovely atmosphere you share today, enriched by your always so beautiful and exciting link-up party, to be hosted here is always such a treat to me!

    Hope you're having the best of weeks,
    I'm sending hugs and ever much love to you,
    enjoy your December with Joy

    Xx Dany

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  2. Castles Crowns and CottagesDecember 1, 2016 at 3:05 AM

    I will be there, with BELLS ON!

    I love your style this year Carol. And isn't it funny how every year, our decorating styles take on a twist? I am ALL for sparkle, especially at Christmas. But this year for me, I have settled into a MOTHER NATURE style. Bleached pine cones in my antique French basket. FUR throws and pillows strewn about the house. Dropped antlers in a rustic wooden bowl, and just two small platinum silver vintage trees adorned ONLY with twinkling lights. Ahhhhh.....the sheer beauty of it all. And all of our decorating ideas pulled together spell out: JOY.

    Have a super time as you count the days for your REAL Christmas journey to Carmel!

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  3. podsoDecember 1, 2016 at 3:16 AM

    Thanks for the invite, friend, it looks "inviting." You seem to have outdone yourself with your shiny and childlike whimsy, and yes, I love the red and white. Look forward to seeing more.

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  4. SusieDecember 1, 2016 at 5:24 AM

    Carol, I love the decorations you have put out. Yes, your dog looks like a cute stuff animal. Love the polka dot pan. Blessings, xoxo, Susie

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  5. ~Lavender Dreamer~December 1, 2016 at 5:29 AM

    You really do have such a wonderful style! I like lots of toys in my decorations too! Happy holidays!

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  6. Jessica@CapeofDreamsDecember 1, 2016 at 5:58 AM

    Lulu really adds the little "he ne she quoi" to your beautifully decorated home. I am hoping to start decorating for Christmas this weekend.

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  7. diane December 1, 2016 at 6:47 AM

    I have to say I am quite jealous of your flare for decorating.
    Wow. I would just wander through your home and ooh and aah at all of the lovelies sitting around in each room. Christmas brings out the child in us, doesn't it?
    Thanks for sharing.
    diane @ thoughts&shots

    ReplyDelete
  8. ConnieDecember 1, 2016 at 8:28 AM

    Hi Carol, I love how you stuck with the red, green and white . . . it's so charming and old fashioned, the way Christmas should bee :) That goose with the red bow and greenery bought back a memory. Back in the days of my employment, I worked as an activity director for a large assisted living. The place was decorated in a county antique style and they had these wooden white geese scattered around the building. At Christmas I would do the same thing . . . a red checked bow and a little greenery and they looked perfect. I wish that I would have been blogging back then, because I decorated seven trees each year. The one in the dining room was done using tea cups as ornaments and it was a favorite :) I'm looking forward to seeing your Christmas Home Tours :)

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  9. Linda @ A La CarteDecember 1, 2016 at 9:19 AM

    Even these tiny bits of your decorations make me smile. I can't wait to join the tours and visit your home and many others. I think I might finally get my tree up this weekend. maybe. we'll see. Hugs!

    ReplyDelete
  10. Kim December 1, 2016 at 10:01 AM

    I always love it when I see a post from you pop up in my feed, Carol. I just know I will be mesmerized by your lovely photos...and I was! Red and white for Christmas. Fabulous! :)

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  11. bobbieDecember 1, 2016 at 10:18 AM

    Love your little scenes... Cuddles to Lulu!!

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  12. camp and cottage livingDecember 1, 2016 at 11:11 AM

    I can't wait to see the whole house, Carol, your little peeks are so pretty!
    Is Lulu a labradoodle? She sure is cute.

    ReplyDelete
  13. Vicky HuntDecember 1, 2016 at 11:22 AM

    Lulu does look like a teddy bear! She is the cutest! Love the glimpses you shared...I know your home is going to be beautiful as always. That garland is so pretty! Looking forward to seeing everything. Have a wonderful rest of the week.

    ReplyDelete
  14. UnknownDecember 1, 2016 at 11:37 AM

    Delightful! My favorite is the red ball in the green metal container, and second is the mantel with green trim and color. Love that you've incorporated so much red ... I guess I will always be a "red at Christmas" girl. Thanks for sharing.
    Mary

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  15. Brenda PruittDecember 1, 2016 at 2:52 PM

    My favorite color combo is red and white! Lulu just makes it perfection.
    Brenda

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  16. Libby WilkieDecember 1, 2016 at 5:00 PM

    I always love sparkle! We have lots of huge magnolia trees around here and it's fun to spray paint some of the leaves sparkle gold and silver...mixed with the greens, and throw in some Nandina berries. But no, I haven't started decorating yet!

    ReplyDelete
  17. JeannaDecember 1, 2016 at 6:28 PM

    So many pretty and festive photos. Can't wait for the blog hop!

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  18. Tania PelletierDecember 1, 2016 at 6:40 PM

    It just looks beautiful!!

    Tania

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  19. karen@somewhatquirkyDecember 1, 2016 at 8:08 PM

    I can't wait to see the whole thing! Did you paint polkadots on your enamelware pan or does my nighttime phone vision fail me?

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  20. jackie @ travelnwriteDecember 1, 2016 at 8:58 PM

    As always inspirational décor. I can hardly wait to see more!

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  21. JunkchiccottageDecember 1, 2016 at 9:01 PM

    Hi Carol,
    I cannot wait to see your whole house tour. I know it is going to be fabulous. Little Lulu looks so cute with the Christmas decor on the couch. Big hugs to her.
    Hugs,
    Kris

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  22. Deb from frugal little bungalowDecember 2, 2016 at 4:34 AM

    Oh Lulu you DO fit right in and thank you for posing so nicely for us to see! :)

    ReplyDelete
  23. SusanDecember 2, 2016 at 7:50 AM

    Beautiful. It is a lovely feeling to have the Christmas decorations up, isn't it.

    ReplyDelete
  24. Ricki TreleavenDecember 2, 2016 at 8:20 AM

    LOVELY! I love all the red. Your cottage always makes me smile, Carol. I want to be you when I grow up!

    I look forward to the link parties and seeing the rest of your photos because I sure love the ones on this post!!!

    ReplyDelete
  25. MelanieDecember 2, 2016 at 8:33 AM

    It has taken me seemingly "forever" to decorate my house too, and I've only done the living room and kitchen, with just a few items on the shelf in the main bathroom. I keep rearranging things, lol. Your decor is always magazine worthy. An absolute delight!

    ReplyDelete
  26. Mary@mydogsmygardenandmaryDecember 2, 2016 at 11:13 AM

    That Lulu looks so cute on the couch, she could be an ornament LOL.

    Everything looks wonderful Carol and can hardly wait to see the home tours. Love all the sparkle all over. I am a sparkle person and bling gal.

    Have a great weekend even if it's a little chilly. Feels more like the holidays than when it's blazing hot.

    Mary

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  27. chateau chicDecember 2, 2016 at 2:41 PM

    Your cottage looks so festive, Carol! Loving all of your red and white together.
    Mary Alice

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  28. Have a Daily Cup of Mrs. OlsonDecember 2, 2016 at 8:04 PM

    Oh you little tease, leaving us wanting more. lol! I love the sparkle, red and white, and whimsy! Thanks for sharing with SYC.
    hugs,
    Jann

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  29. Vickie @ Ranger 911December 3, 2016 at 7:10 AM

    I love it all, Carol! Red & white and sparkle accented with childlike wonder....what's not to love? And your Lulu is absolutely precious. woof woof

    I can't wait for your home tour!

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  30. HWIT BLOGGDecember 3, 2016 at 10:21 AM

    So much inspiration for Christmas time! Lovely!
    Titti

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  31. Row homes and CobblestonesDecember 3, 2016 at 3:37 PM

    Oh Carol,
    Sparkle, shine, red and white is perfection to me! Add in the whimsy and it becomes magical... love all you have done for Christmas 2016.
    xoxo,
    Vera

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  32. At Rivercrest CottageDecember 4, 2016 at 4:55 PM

    Every thing looks beautiful. Looking forward to seeing your home in full decorations on the tours.

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  33. handmade by amaliaDecember 5, 2016 at 4:12 AM

    Well worth the time, Carol, your home looks lovely. Looking forward to seeing more.
    Amalia
    xo

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  34. Carole WestDecember 6, 2016 at 5:26 AM

    Very Pretty and I always enjoy vintage details. However they're placed they just seem to tell a story of their own. You have a beautiful home, thank you for sharing.

    Carole @ Garden Up Green

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  35. JeanieDecember 6, 2016 at 11:03 AM

    I am so completely enchanted by your wonderful use of vintage and of course a red and white kitchen at the holidays couldn't be more perfect! I truly feel as though I could walk in, settle and some jolly elf might be peeking around the corner! What a beautiful festive home -- I can see why it took you many days to prep but oh, it's so worth it!

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  36. AnnMarie aka Vintage Junkie aka NaNaDecember 6, 2016 at 4:54 PM

    You do red and white so well! I love all your stuffed cuties around too. Looking forward to the full tour!

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  37. Lincuden Cottage LifeDecember 7, 2016 at 3:32 PM

    So pretty! I love all of the beautiful details!

    ReplyDelete
  38. AnonymousDecember 8, 2016 at 6:45 AM

    Oh, my goodness, what can I say but that I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE, every room of your beautiful cottage. It is sooooo beautiful and full of wonderful Christmas ideas. Thank you for sharing you Wonderful home... You truly have the Christmas spirit!!!

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