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Most Curated is a monthly series in which one editor, team member or friend of Livingetc will share the top 15 items on their current wish list.
I don’t know if it’s the abundance of tinsel and velvet ribbons I’m seeing all over social media this holiday season, but I’ve never felt more in tune with decorative trends than I have this year. In a season built on tradition, things are bound to feel redundant: décor, food, and even gifts. But this year, I’m inspired by all the creativity I’m seeing, so I’m pushing myself to color outside the lines when it comes to home décor and gifting. What you’ll find below is a curation of items that sparked joy for me while I was online shopping this month. For a personalized gift, you have to shop the monogrammed frames below. For holiday meal prep, this Jenni Kayne x Staub collab is just perfection. And if you’ve got a dinner party invitation, I suggest showing up with the Flamingo Estate Garden box as a gift for the host. Keep scrolling to shop these cool finds and even more favorites below.
Free People Retro Stirrer
Laetitia Rouget Viens on se Casse Ceramic Serving Platter
Le Labo Candle Discovery Set
Leif Blue Windowpane Ceramic Dish
Bettina Ceramica Gigli Jug
Piglet in Bed Botanical Green Gingham Linen Tablecloth
Anthropologie Ramona Wine Glasses
Jenni Kayne x Staub Round Cocotte
Assouline Barbie Book
Free People Mini Oaxaca Candle
Anthropologie Woven Cozy Throw Blanket
Anthropologie Nelda Egg Crate
Anthropologie Scarlet Monogram Frame
Flamingo Estate The Garden Tour Set
Heather Taylor Home Stripe Velvet Bow Crackers
It wouldn’t be a 2023 holiday roundup without a velvet bow. These poppers are such a fun tradition for any dinner party.
Source: livingetc.com
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One of the great joys around Christmas is the opportunity to craft little festive objects. Paper ring chains, elegant 3-D paper snowflakes, salt dough ornaments, and more are easy, affordable, and don’t need a Christmas tree to be displayed, so be sure to craft plenty. Part of the downside of not having a Christmas tree is that it takes up a lot of visual space and acts as a visual centerpiece for the room. Without a tree, you want to create that same feeling of festive abundance, so when it comes to displaying these fun crafts, take on a “more is more” approach. Simply hang your crafts from any surface you can reach — windows, doors, walls, banisters, and even ceilings are fair game.
If you have an amazing bauble and ornament collection, you can still showcase them with or without a tree! Hang your ornaments from some sturdy ribbon, twine, or fishing line for a floating effect, and secure them to the ceiling or light fixtures. They will glisten just as beautifully from your dining room chandelier as they would from a spruce branch. Just be sure they are hung high enough that nobody will go walking into them, and hung securely enough that they won’t fall and shatter. To further fill out the space, hang tinsel, faux garland, ribbons, and anything else you might have normally put on a tree.
Source: housedigest.com
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Knowing what colors to choose for your home decor can be tricky. It’s not just about choosing a palette for one room, but ensuring there’s some level of cohesiveness between each of the rooms.
Having a sense of togetherness with your color trends throughout your home will help make your home appear more considered from a design perspective. However, this doesn’t mean you need to have the same colors in every room; it’s all about deciding on one broader palette that can then be interpreted differently to fit each of your rooms.
Jordan Samson who shared a video explaining these intriguing color rules.
‘Start with a defined color story for your entire home, but this doesn’t mean that you need to use the same three or four colors in every single room,’ explains Jordan. So, if you favor modern, minimalist decor, then your color palette would most likely begin with decorating with neutrals. Or, for a mid-century modern home, as Jordan uses as an example in his video, you would start with a palette of earthy colors, such as forest green and mustard yellow.
‘From there we can build out the color palettes for each room,’ says Jordan. ‘This could look like a living room with two of those colors dispersed with the drapery, lighting, and accent chairs, and then in the kitchen, maybe we introduce a different tone of green for the tile and sprinkle in some wood accents. And then in the bathroom, we’re introducing another color entirely with the blue tiles or even more simply with bath towels.’ the designer explains.
By following these ideas, you will ensure that the look is consistent throughout your home, yet there’s enough difference between your room color ideas so it doesn’t look bland.
Once you’ve decided on the main colors for your walls or tiles, Jordan adds that you can continue this color theory with smaller decor pieces too: ‘Think smaller scale with easier-to-change items like vases, artwork, throw pillows, and blankets, bedding. These are all really great ways to introduce and play around with different colors within your story.’
If you’re finding it difficult to know where to start with choosing colors for your home, this is a good place to begin. Once you decide on the overall palette, which should come naturally from your design style, you can’t go too wrong with experimenting with these hues throughout your home decor ideas.
Source: homesandgardens.com
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We’re now well and truly into fall, with festivities in full swing, which signifies perhaps our favorite part of this time of year: cozy home decor. While naturally, there are obvious changes to your home you’ll no doubt make each year to increase the warmth as we spend more evenings indoors, we’re taking inspiration from Nate Berkus’ very own fall decor ideas.
Taking to Instagram, the interior design master shared a video in which he talks through two changes he makes to ensure his home is ready for the colder months ahead, and as expected, they’re not only practical but of course endlessly stylish.
home decor ideas, which are incredibly easy to recreate yourself. Perhaps the best part – you can take these ideas and make them your own with your preferred decor style.
1. Swap fresh florals for fall-inspired foliage
Nate’s first fall decor rule is to swap summertime florals with more winter-appropriate foliage. ‘The flowers and the branches and the things that we have throughout our home turn to something a little bit richer… a little bit warmer. In the summertime, it’s usually whites and brights, and now they’re like leaves that are changing.’
‘I love bringing the outside in and this is the way to do it,’ he continues. There are endless fall foliage decorating ideas to embrace, from decorative garlands to a simple arrangement in a vase of dried seasonal plants. This time of year is perfect for bringing in rich, autumnal colors such as deep orange and red hues. For a more subtle look, opt for classic green foliage which will promote a classic style that looks festive for all of your Christmas foliage ideas.
2. Refresh bedding with a layered look
‘The second thing that we do, when fall comes, is that our beds get layered,’ explains Nate. ‘The kids get extra blankets; we get extra blankets. Maybe I’ll throw in a highly textured pillow… I just like the idea of home feeling warm, all the time. But especially when it’s fall.’
This decor idea is essential for this time of year. Not only does layering bedding add much-needed warmth for colder nights, but the visual effect it has can be endlessly stylish. You can incorporate whichever type of textiles you’re most drawn to, but for a cohesive look, try and establish one color palette and opt for different variations of one color family when layering bedding. You can then mix lots of different textures, such as boucle cushions, and a velvet throw, to create an eclectic look that looks endlessly cozy.
Below, we’ve rounded up some of our favorite winter-appropriate bedding items to help you create a similar fall bedding trend; they’re not only cozy but stylish too.
McGee & Co. Gabriella Block Print Quilt
Anthropologie Plush Crushed Velvet Quilted Shams, Set of 2
McGee & Co. Hadlee Boucle Throw
For the colder months that lie ahead, we have lots more winter decor ideas to give you some inspiration to ensure your home is as cozy as possible; from warming scents to decorating with color.
Source: homesandgardens.com
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One Instagram user shared a game-changer for seasonal decor: Instead of lugging out decorations for each season or holiday, just swap the photos in the frames around your house to match the time of year.
The scoop
Emma Shay’s Instagram page (@byemmashay) is dedicated to home decor, and her simple hack makes seasonal decorations possible for even tight budgets.
She suggests utilizing the picture frames around your house and changing out the photos in them to match the season or upcoming holidays.
You can make it even more convenient by storing the photos behind one another in the frames, so you don’t have to do any sorting or organizing when you change out the photos — simply take off the backing, choose the season-appropriate photo, and close it back up!
It’s also a very cost-effective hack — Shay mentions that you can get a 16×20-inch print at CVS for just $20, and there are plenty of wallet-friendly ways to find the photos, too. Shay finds a lot of her art for free in museum public domains, but you can also use your own photos, magazine clippings, or whatever speaks to you.
You can always go thrifting to find inexpensive art as well — you may even find a deal on high-value items.
“In a world where consumerism is rampant, I give you one of the least expensive, most space-saving ways to decorate seasonally,” Shay explains in her video.
How it’s helping
Decorating for each season can get expensive easily, but this hack is budget-friendly and allows you to personalize your decorations, so you can include photos of family, friends, and pets, too!
Plus, because of its cost-effective nature, it’s not a big deal if you decide to change things up every few years. “Even if my style changes, it’s not that expensive to make a high-impact change like this,” Shay explains.
If your style changes, the photos will be easy to dispose of, too. They’re easy to sell, give away, or recycle, because storing them in the frame will keep them in good condition — unlike bulky decorations that have to be moved in and out of storage every year.
Those bulkier decorations that are found at home stores can be irresistibly cute, but they take up extra room in the house and are difficult to recycle due to the blend of materials they’re often made of.
This isn’t to say that you can’t buy those fun decorations, but Shay’s hack will make your house look festive regardless of what else you decorate with — and her way is a lot cheaper.
What everyone’s saying
As it turns out, this is a popular hack among some of Shay’s followers — and they were happy to vouch for it in the comments.
“I’ve been doing this for years with family photos, mostly 5×7’s. It’s a super simple way to change things up, that’s for sure!” said one user, and another wrote, “Yes! My favorite budget friendly tip!”
Join our free newsletter for easy tips to save more, waste less, and help yourself while helping the planet.
Source: yahoo.com
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PALMER TWP., Pa. – A business catering to cat lovers is bidding farewell in Northampton County.
Flatcats, offering cat silhouette-adorned boxes, jewelry, magnets, ornaments and other gifts and home accents, is set to close on Jan. 30 at the Palmer Park Mall in Palmer Township.
Artist Shirley Shaffer and her husband, Gary Shaffer, have been operating the business at a kiosk near the center of the mall since 2021.
The Forks Township couple is pursuing new careers, with Shirley wanting to paint more country landscapes and Gary writing a series of books on his life experiences.
“We have new paths that we’re going down, but we’re thankful for all of our customers who have supported us over the years,” Gary said. “We’ll still be at the mall through Jan. 30. So, people can still come in and get some nice gifts for Christmas.”
Shirley is a mostly self-taught painter who was picked to study art at Pittsburgh’s Carnegie Institute of Technology as a teenager.
She’s found enjoyment in painting landscapes and other nature scenes over the years, and at the suggestion of a relative, she began painting cats on magnets and other items in 2016.
The feline-embellished pieces proved very popular at craft shows, and the Shaffers eventually expanded operations to include the kiosk and an online store, flatcatsgifts.com.
Shirley paints on a variety of surfaces, including wood, slate and stone, and each design is hand-painted without stencils.
Customers can shop a wide array of items, including banks, boxes, keychains, magnets, welcome signs, holiday décor, votive candle holders and wreaths.
“Our mission is to give our valued cat friends a unique piece of art to display in their homes or to give to a loved one that will bring them joy and bring a big smile to their faces every time they look at it,” a message on the business’ website reads.
Gary, who regularly mans the Flatcats kiosk, was inspired to write accounts of his youth earlier this year when he learned of serious health issues affecting Shirley.
To cope with the trying times, Gary let his own creative juices flow through writing.
“I’ve listened to so many songs by music artists, who write about their life experiences, and I knew it was time for me to do the same,” Gary said. “Since I can’t sing, I decided to just write.”
After visiting the website of his hometown, Somerset, in western Pennsylvania, Gary started to reminisce about his teenage years, specifically his very memorable senior year of high school.
“That’s when I got serious about girls,” Gary said. “It’s when I experienced my first love.”
His series of four books – two recently published and two more set to be published in the coming weeks – takes readers through the ups and downs of his senior year of high school.
The books, written under the pen name “GL Shaffer,” are available for purchase on Amazon. The cost is $5 per book or $.99 per ebook.
“I’ve found a lot of comfort through writing the books, and I hope others enjoy reading them as much as I’ve enjoyed writing them,” Gary said.
Flatcats is holding a closing sale, with 50% off all items priced $10 and up, through the end of January.
Hours are 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sundays and Wednesdays and 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Thursday through Saturday. The kiosk is closed on Mondays and Tuesdays.
Source: wfmz.com
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This week on “CBS Mornings,” lifestyle expert Elizabeth Werner discussed deals on items that might make your life easier — all at exclusive discounts. Discover this week’s exclusive deals below and visit CBSDeals.com or text “CBS” to 65000 to take advantage of them today.
Disclaimer: CBS earns commissions on purchases made through CBSDeals.com. Deals available for a limited time and while quantities last. Prices may change from the date of publication.
Vickerman Trees
These artificial Christmas trees are up to 43% off at CBS Deals. Choose from a variety of styles, including flocked trees and trees with LED lights.
Vickerman Trees, $339 (regularly $579)
Drop Stop Vehicle Seat Gap Filler
Drop Stop can help block the gap between your seat and center console in your vehicle. Each package comes with two Drop Stops: one for the driver side and one for the passenger side. Get it now for 40% off.
Drop Stop Vehicle Seat Gap Filler, $15 (regularly $25)
Tonies
Tonies is an audio system that can help introduce children to stories and music. When a child puts a Tonie figure on a Toniebox, it’s designed to play songs, stories and more. Get one now for 25% off.
Tonies, $22 and up (regularly $30 and up)
Sparkles Home
Sparkles Home offers a wide selection of sparkly home décor and accessories with a full range of coordinating pieces. Choose from napkin rings, placemats, tumblers, napkins and more on sale now at CBS Deals for up to 40% off.
Sparkles Home, $13 and up (regularly $19 and up)
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Source: cbsnews.com
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JACKSON, MI – Since it began six years ago, Jackson nonprofit SOAR Café and Farms has strived to heal and house women who experienced trafficking, incarceration, addiction or abuse.
SOAR, which stands for “She Overcomes And Rises,” will look to fulfill that mission in a new home, with plans to transform the former Anna’s Gifts & Décor building, 401 N. Mechanic St., into a cafe, CEO and Founder Michelle Cochran said.
“It’s going to be a mentoring cafe because we’re going to be coaching ladies through employment of the cafe, and helping them gain more freedom and get back to sustainability,” Cochran said.
SOAR has operated out of the former Woman’s City club building at 300 S. Brown St., to house some women in need of services since 2019. Moving into a new facility will allow SOAR to support these women in other ways, such as employment and mentorship.
Related: Historic Jackson house renovated for women who have survived abuse
Anna’s Gifts & Décor, which closed at the beginning of 2023, offered a small cafe in the front of the store called Anna’s Porch Café, which shut down in 2021.
The building was purchased by Cornerstone Properties of Mid-Michigan’s owner Mary Garcia, who is also a SOAR board member. Garcia purchased the building with the intent to lease the facility to the nonprofit, she said.
“SOAR is a passion project for me,” Garcia said. “I’ve seen the success of the program, and if I can make a small contribution to continue that and expand that beyond just the residential program, it was always Michelle and mine’s vision.”
Related: ‘Nobody responded.’ Unanswered job listing forces Anna’s Porch Café to close after 23 years
Residents of SOAR, or even women in the community living with similar circumstances, will be able improve their work skills, make connections with the community and build their resumes by operating the cafe.
Eventually, it is the hope of Cochran to see the women outgrow it and move into the workforce.
“They (can) work there as long as they need or want to,” Cochran said. “When they are done getting the skills and education they need there, they move on to bigger and greater things and more ladies come and take their place.”
Once open, SOAR would like to serve a farm-to-table style menu with breakfast and lunch options. They are also hoping to incorporate a few items from the former Anna’s Porch Café’s menu, she said.
SOAR will also offer closed off sections for groups and meetings, a grab-and-go section, some retail space and some membership cubicles in the 10,000 square foot facility, Cochran said.
Proceeds from the cafe will go toward continuing to run Soar’s programs and the cafe, Cochran said.
Some renovations need to take place before this dream comes true. The cafe portion of the building will be relocated to the center of the store, and the porch will be transformed into cubical spaces.
The nonprofit is fundraising to purchase furniture, equipment and appliances with a goal of $90,000. People can donate to this effort through the SOAR website.
Construction will likely start in January, with a targeted completion of May of 2024, Garcia said.
Cochran is looking forward to offering a cafe inside of this location again, as well as offering women the place to grow and learn skills, she said.
“We’re excited about serving the community and serving the women we serve,” she said.
More information and updates can be found on SOAR’s Facebook page.
Want more Jackson-area news? Bookmark the local Jackson news page or sign up for the free “3@3 Jackson” daily newsletter.
Source: mlive.com
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Every family has their own reasons for choosing the type of Christmas tree that graces their home each December, but for me, nothing equals the smell of a live tree. Once a live tree is in the home, the unmistakable smell of pine, spruce or fir envelopes the room and our olfactory senses trigger fond memories of family Christmases from years ago.
Christmas tree growers would tell you that there are other reasons to choose a live Christmas tree over an artificial one, including the fact that live trees are more environmentally friendly. Christmas trees are planted specifically for harvest and subsequent replanting and an acre of Christmas trees produces enough oxygen to support 18 people each day, according to Ohio State University Extension research. Each Christmas tree will remove up to one ton of carbon dioxide from the atmosphere during its lifetime. And live Christmas trees can be recycled through chipping or composting.
Choosing a live tree
You can be assured of getting a fresh tree if you cut your own tree from a local Christmas tree farm. While this is a cherished family tradition for many, the convenience of purchasing a pre-cut tree is more desirable for others.
To check a pre-cut tree for freshness, look for flexible needles that remain firmly attached when you tug on them. All needled evergreens shed their oldest needles each year, so there is no need for concern when brown needles fall from the interior of the tree when you knock the base of the tree on the ground. Just be sure that these brown needles are thoroughly shaken off the tree before taking it indoors. If the outermost green needles pull out easily, or if they appear a dull, lifeless green, the tree may be past its prime.
Maintaining freshness and aroma
Plan to place your live tree in a stand with a basin that holds at least a gallon of water. A cut tree will absorb a surprising amount of water, particularly during the first week it is placed indoors, so replenish water daily. Avoid whittling down the sides of the trunk of the tree to fit into a stand. The outer layers of wood are the most efficient in taking up water and should not be removed. If the tree is to be stored for more than a couple of days before it is set up indoors, its trunk should be placed in water and it should be stored in a cool, shaded, and protected area such as an unheated garage.
5 tips for maintaining healthy houseplants during winter months
If the tree has been cut within 12 hours of set up indoors, it will not be necessary to recut the trunk. If it has been longer than 12 hours since harvest, the trunk should be re-cut to improve water uptake. Cut a ¼-inch-thick slice from the base of the trunk and be sure to make the cut perpendicular to the stem axis. Don’t cut the trunk at an angle or into a v-shape, as this will make it difficult to hold the tree in the stand and reduce the amount of water the tree will uptake.
How to plant paperwhites for the holiday season
Just in case the ground freezes before you have a chance to plant your living tree outdoors in January, its best to dig the planting hole now where you wish to plant the tree. Be sure to dig the planting hole two or three times wider than the container or root ball of the tree you plan to purchase. The hole should be dug to the same depth as the as the container or root ball. Soil dug from the hole can be stored in the garage in a wheelbarrow or in large containers to avoid freezing.
Mike Hogan is Extension Educator for Agriculture and Natural Resources and associate professor with Ohio State University Extension. [email protected]
Source: dispatch.com
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(WLUK) — State officials want to make sure Wisconsinites deck the halls safely.
While holiday decorations make the season brighter, they also pose a fire risk if not used or maintained properly.
“The holidays are a great time to put up lights and greenery, as we get our homes ready to welcome family and friends,” said Wisconsin Emergency Management Administrator Greg Engle. “However, decorations can create serious fire hazards. By taking time to check electrical wires and being cautious with candles, everyone can help keep those around them safer this season.”
When it comes to your Christmas tree, real or artificial, ReadyWisconsin says you should never place it close to a heat source such as a fireplace or heat vent. The heat can dry out the tree, causing it to be more easily ignited by heat, flames or sparks.
If you have a real tree, it is also important to water your tree everyday.
You should also inspect holiday lights each year and replace string lights that have worn or broken cords or loose bulb connections. You should also put your lights in places they are manufactured to go. Some lights specify whether they are for indoor or outdoor use.
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As you hang your outdoor lights, ReadyWisconsin says never overload your electrical outlets and do not link more than three light strands unless the directions say it is safe to do so.
You should also check your decorations when they are in use. If they are warm to the touch, unplug them. Be sure to turn off lights on trees and other decorations when going to bed or leaving the house and unplug extension cords when they are not in use.
While candles offer a holiday ambiance, they too can spark destructive fires. Nearly half of the home decoration fires reported in the U.S. during the month of December are caused by candles, according to the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA).
You should never leave a burning candle unattended and make sure they are kept at least a foot away from things that can burn. You can also consider using battery-operated flameless candles.
Cooking during the holiday season can also bring fire concerns into your home, with Christmas Eve and Christmas Day among the top days of the year for cooking fires. If you’re preparing a holiday meal or treats, avoid distractions in the kitchen, keep cooking areas clear of decorations or other items that could catch fire, and have a fire extinguisher available nearby.
As always, check your home’s smoke alarms to ensure they are working properly and in case of a fire, have an escape plan ready.
Source: fox11online.com