A Little Christmas on the Porch...at "The Roost"

As I have mentioned in my last few posts, I'm keeping things a little simple this year. As I've only been in this cottage a year, I'm still trying to figure out exactly how I want to decorate. I thought y'all might like to see some of my decorations on the porch.

Here's the front view of the cottage. We always get the stop signs and fire hydrants in front of our homes...
My garlands and wreaths are all adorned with red and white gingham ribbon...I told y'all I am obsessed with gingham right now!

You can see some of my roses are still blooming....

Note to self: That front door wreath doesn't pop enough!


My darling little Mary Engelbreit flag...

My little Santa tree...oh Lord, I see a cord--I hate those things!

A little feather tree with santa ornaments...

Snowman theme tablescape on the porch...

Frosty the snowman--and more gingham. I found the cute plates at Hobby Lobby. The mugs are the same pattern and I found them at Belk's.

I just can't stop with the gingham! I have no idea where these snowflake napkin rings came from!

I added a festive touch for sipping the hot chocolate...little snowman straws! I found those at The Dollar Store last year.

The snowman placecard holders came from Beall's...

Get your party favors y'all! I found these cute little snowman candy holders at Michael's Crafts and stuffed them with Dove Peppermint Bark chocolates...

I hope you enjoyed your visit to my front porch here at "The Roost!" I'll be back later with some photos of my Christmas decorations around my kitchen area. Thank you so much for stopping by!

Christmas Tree...Paris-Style!

I'm dashing out the door for date night with "husband!" Here's What I'm Wearing...A grass green cable knit sweater--Gloria Cotton, by Lilly. The skirt is a cute pink corduroy with green palm tree motif; ivory tights and gold leather Revas. My ponytail is adorned with a pink grosgrain ribbon bow; my earrings are monogrammed pendants and my watch is the Oyster Perpetual, by Rolex. Of course, I wearing my Cartier roll ring wedding band and my fragrance of choice tonight is Lilly Wink! My pocketbook is a canvas tote by Ralph Lauren.

Love, love the gold leather Revas...

This tree is in my den...another work in progress! It's decorated with Paris-themed ornaments. I love all the ornaments, but I believe next year I'm going to try to find a black tree or maybe just use a white tree. If you saw this tree in person, it's real cute, but the ornaments don't really stand out on a green tree:-(

I'm becoming a gingham-holic!

The Eiffel Tower ornaments...

Several years ago I bought tons of these handmade French-y ornaments on Ebay.

Paris fleur de lis ornaments...

Fleur de lis and Eiffel Towers...

Santa in France...

Harlequin ornaments and black toile ribbon...

Black toile and black and white gingham fabric around the base of the tree...

A black gift bag prissed up with black toile tissue paper, an Eiffel Tower gift tag {designed by my talented friend Teresa Jane} and of course, a black and white gingham bow!

Solid black wrap and a cute harlequin ribbon bow...

Solid black wrap and a black toile ribbon bow...

Another gift bag in black toile, with solid black tissue paper and a black and white gingham bow...

I'll be back soon with more Christmas decoration photos from "The Roost."

A Little Bit of Christmas in My Bedroom

Decorating for Christmas this year has been a fun challenge for me. We moved into this cottage-style house just before Christmas last year. My home in Mississippi was decorated in a more elegant style {at least, I thought it was elegant!} think, Ethan Allen--Maison meets Ballard Designs. Now, I really want a more casual, cottage-y, cozy French Country look. So, it's a work in progress as I find the look I feel comfortable with.

I simply must have a tree in my bedroom. Since I use a lot of hydrangeas and cabbage roses in this room, I decided to deck this tree and a wreath with those faux flowers, add some elegant ornaments and moire ribbon, and wrap the gifts under the tree to coordinate with the tree and the room. The bedroom tree...

Faux hydrangeas and elegant ornaments...

Gifts wrapped to coordinate with the tree...

A coordinating wreath...
A little Christmas bling on a lamp...

Thank you for visiting with me today. I think tomorrow I will post my French-style tree!

A Little Radko Christmas

The Christopher Radko Company has been designing and producing fine European glass ornaments and decorative tabletop items for more than 23 years. Here's a peek at my Radko feather tree and ornaments...on the breakfast bar.

The cute base of the Radko tree...

Radko Frosty...

My breakfast bar is set with Radko...

Set for a Southern-style breakfast...scrambled eggs, cheese grits, bacon, and piping hot coffee!


Thank you for stopping by today. I think I have something Christmas-y planned for everyday between today and Christmas.

The Guest Bedroom is Ready for Holiday Guest!

My guest bedroom is clean and ready for holiday guests. Several years ago, I purchased this 80+ year old bed from two elderly spinsters in Ripley, Tennessee. The comforter and pillow shams are the Charlotte Floral pattern, by Ralph Lauren. This room is a work in progress and I'll show the cute custom window treatments later.

I have a little Christmas cheer in the corner, my Teatime Tree...

Pearl garland and some teabags...

Petite green toile teapot...

Petite green toile teacups and saucers...
If you are entertaining houseguests during the Christmas season, you will want to read this great book "A Warm Welcome," by Amy Elliott.

This is a wonderful book about learning to be a gracious hostess to friends and family. Inside, you will learn:

~how to prepare your house for guests
~fun activities to entertain family and friends
~ideas for thoughtful and welcoming gifts
~welcoming menus


I like to give my guests a little "gift," something to remember their visit....one of my favorites is the book "The Gentle Art of Hospitality, by Alda Ellis. This book contains wonderful advice, whether you are having a few friends over for tea or throwing an elaborate party. Wrap it up with a pretty satin ribbbon and voila...great gift for your guest!

Thank you so much for visiting with me today!