A NATURAL & NEUTRAL HOLIDAY PORCH

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Its the Monday after Thanksgiving and hopefully your turkey and stuffing hangover is but a distant memory. Holiday decorating is in full swing in our household and now that we have a porch I’m excited to take the warm and welcoming spirit of the holidays outside. Our previous apartment’s outdoor decor maxed out at a little wreath on the door but now I have so much more room for activities! I’ve rounded up the items in my cart and included links below to create the perfect modern-meets-traditional vibe. If you’re quick you might even get in on some of those cyber-monday deals (I know I did!).

S H O P T H I S P O S T

WREATH | I love the look of this asymmetrical wreath from Target. Draped with these brass bells and a big buffalo check bow it’s the perfect updated and festive door adornment

MODERN CHAIRS | Again with Target - they can really do no wrong. I’m looking to upgrade from our inexpensive, lightweight tan adirondack chairs to something a little more substantial. The color and shape of these black, modern adirondacks is just so good, and I love the wide arms as a secure place for setting my cup of coffee (or glass of wine!)

WELCOME MAT | Unfortunately target doesn’t make this particular plaid mat anymore, this plaid natural fiber mat from wayfair fits the bill perfectly!

OUTDOOR RUG | Layering doormats is a simple way to add texture or color to your doorstep and helps a simple doormat feel even more welcoming. This black and white stripe outdoor rug is a best seller for a reason.

PAINT COLORS | This may be a long shot but if I get the chance (and a sunny weekend) I’m hoping to do some permanent updating to my porch as well. Currently we have a not-terrible-but-not-ideal brown colored porch paint and I think this grey deck paint, paired with Benjamin Moore’s Super White trim and Pratt and Lambert’s Pale Cadet Blue on the porch ceilings will freshen things up juuuust right. If youre looking for other great porch ceiling blues I did a round up here.

PRE LIT GARLAND | It seems like every Christmas there are even better and more beautifully realistic garlands on the market. To get the most bang for your buck save the spendy, realistic stuff for inside where you’ll be seeing it up close - your mantle, around your front door (McGee and Co and Ballard have great options).

PILLOWS | To keep things cozy and bring in a dash of color and pattern pillows are always a great choice. I love buffalo check during the holidays, it’s such a good fall and winter pattern that you could leave these pillows out from September to March and it would still be cute. And that lumbar from Pottery Barn is my favorite plaid of all time (why yes I do have the matching monogrammed mugs for my hot cocoa - and yes they DO make a great gift for everyone).

PLANTERS | Vintage stoneware makes the perfect pot for a mini tree. The one shown is from…of course….Target, but I plan on picking up a live 3-foot-tall tree from one of my local shops. Etsy has some beautiful options for similar stoneware crocks - search “Ten Gallon Vintage Stoneware Crock” - and make sure to check that the size works for the space you have. I love these little galvanized planters to add in another relaxed element - empty or with a few sprigs of greenery!

I hope this gives you some ideas and inspiration as you’re hauling out all your holiday decorations! I know I can’t wait to get everything up - these cold nights always feel warmer with the twinkle of mini-lights! If you think you need more than just inspiration for decorating this holiday season, don’t hesitate to reach out - I have a few spots open for some hands-on holiday decorating help!

ROUND UP: HEARTH AND HAND’S FIRST COLLECTION

UPDATE: This post was originally written at the launch of Hearth and Hand for Target. Many of the items are no longer available but head to my pinterest for more of my favorite items for the home!

I'll admit I was hesitant the check out Hearth and Hand - the new collection from Chip and Joanna Gaines' that launched at Target earlier this week. I don't really need anything and our tiny apartment is SO overcrowded as is, but then oops I was in Target making a return, I clearly blacked out, and woke up with 3 ceramic houses in my cart. We've all been there. So, why not share some of my favorite pieces from the collection so you can make the same wonderful mistakes I did? Now, I've heard some complaints about the monochromatic feel of the collection but isn't that so inline with Joanna's signature style? This collection is edited, simple, and just the essentials. The handmade, natural feel is completely on trend and no one but Joanna could have created a successful, budget friendly version of the California-cool minimalism that has taken instagram and pinterest by storm.

What I'm Loving:

I think the entire dinnerware collection is magical - I love the organic hand-moulded look of these pieces. The incorporation of black throughout the collection is refreshing; with the overabundance of bright white interiors these days a few moments of black help to anchor a space. The vases are all amazing, particularly the metal boxes that include a grate on the inside to help support the florals (which are now sold out, boo), making arranging a breeze. Now, I've seen the smoked glassware trend a few places this season and these pretty glass vases are spot on. These oversized glass vases would be gorgeous used as hurricanes with a big pillar candle (or a couple) inside on a front stoop or on your patio! (IRL NOTE : I tried to put candles inside the vases at Target today: the openings are too small! You would need skinnier-than-normal pillars - I still think it would be really pretty so if you DO try this let me know.) I wish I had wood floors because this tree skirt is fabulous (just not on my beige carpet, sigh, one day). I should have put those pot holders on my "I'm going to buy" list because the more I look at them the more I need them in my kitchen. Striped? Leather details? Yes and yes. Finally this log storage house is hands down my favorite piece in the collection. I wish I had more reasons to keep firewood around the house here in Southern Texas. 

What I'm Buying:

This sweet little black house budvase will live on my desk at work. Same with this handmade-look mug for pens and such (any excuse to buy a new mug). I may really need this tote. This sweet little brass bell door hanger was the very first thing I bought - it makes the prettiest sound (and I've hung a similar-to-this looking wreath from a past Threshold Christmas collection on it. And yes I already hung up my Christmas wreath. What?) Oh and those salt and pepper shakers somehow jumped into my cart too. They'd make a perfect little stocking stuffer or hostess gift.

I know I left out almost all the Christmas stuff. That part of the collection just didn't do it for me, but that may have been because I already have way too much Christmas decor. If I was starting from scratch I might be more inclined to buy some. The bags and wrapping are fun but in the end skewed too rustic for me. Overall the collection is very Pottery Barn-esque, but at a far better price point. Now it's your turn! What are your favorite pieces? What are you CRUSHED already sold out?

ANTHRO SALE

I was going to write about my office today. The office I don't have but I'm so close to having. It seems like such a spoiled thing, but it is HARD to not have a dedicated spot to sit and focus and work. The post (which you're totally still getting Monday btw) was going to be full of all the most beautiful office supplies I could find - which I am very close to buying like yesterday. But today there is a 25% off all sale at Anthropologie and I could pass up the opportunity to dig through all the great things, and find you the best great things. Anthro is one of my dream resources. They always have the most interesting things (and the most beautiful velvet furniture always) that you didn't even know your home needed. Granted, you'll also pay oh-so-much for them which is why a sale on a sale is appreciated. Lets get to it friends! 

First up are some big ticket items that, if you're in the market, I highly suggest. 

1 | Stonesands Quilt, 2 | Crossed Flokati Hammock, 3 | Hollyton Coffee Table, 4 | Rod + Weave Chair, 5 | Spiral Shade Pendant, 6 | Expedition Dresser, 7 | Fringed Dhurrie Dining Chair

These next items are all under $100 - which is pretty huge at Anthropologie. I would honestly be buying those pulls right now if I didn't already have gorgeous stone & gold pulls from Anthro past season. I actually think the pulls they sell may be one of my favorite things to buy - talk about instantly upgrading a thrifted or hand-me-down piece of furniture.

1 | Lidded Box, 2 | Petrified Wood Bookends, 3 | Cleaved Totem Drawer Pull, 4 | Gilded Bamboo Box Set, 5 | Inked Serving Dish

Of course rugs had to have their own category, and narrowing this down was serious work. I would definitely check out the entire sale because this is just a small fraction of the gorgeousness they have on sale. I have to say though, that first floral rug on there I need in my bedroom ASAP. Imagine stepping out onto that in the morning. there is no way you could have a bad day after that.

1 | Pangea Rug, 2 | Mengaso Rug, 3 | Silk Ikat Rug, 4 | Woven Arrowhead Rug, 5 | Melati Rug, 6 | Kusari Rug

So run! Go! Buy! And tell me what you get so I can live vicariously through you! It looks like even from when I made this roundup they have added new things to the sale section! Even better! Don't forget to check back in Monday for a status update on my office....if I'm lucky and I work really hard this weekend, it may even be ready to move into by Monday!