It’s beginning to look like Christmas! I love this time of year. My creativity is at its all time high during this season. I start planning my Christmas decorating at the end of October.  I know I’m that crazy lady.

About a year ago my family and I moved from North Dallas to Austin Tx. It was decided after a 4 month house search, we’d temporarily settle into an apartment until we decided just where to “park it” while the kids finished up school. As someone who LOVES to decorate, apartment life presents a challenge.  When your a homeowner not only is your amount of creativity space larger but there are endless possibilities for competing among your neighbors in THE GREAT CHRISTMAS LIGHT FIGHT.  This year it was decided I was not going to be confined  by my limited space, this crazy Christmas lady was going all out.  I may not be a candidate for the Christmas Light Fight TV show but I’m going to win 2 years in a row for the most decorated porch at my apartment.

Last year I took the challenge to win the best decorated porch and won first place, plus a $100.  This girl can’t back down from a decorating challenge, I’m determined to win again. Being from Texas and now South Texas, I’m longing for snow.  What better way to decorate but by giving others a feeling of being in the snowy mountains. Colorado is one of my favorite wintery destinations. My goal is to give Austinites, a  dream of the snow while they get into the Christmas mood.

As I ventured out into the woods, umm I mean stores stocked with beautiful and enticing Christmas decorations, my head was spinning with delight and enthusiasm to see my vision complete. My first thought was what can I do that would bring a look of snow.  Well of course snowflakes! I love how no snowflake is alike.  Just that little detail that God put in one of his designs, is unique and remarkable.

Ok, I’m revealing to you a big decorating secret of mine. When I go shopping the first place I run to is, ready..HOMEGOODS! Yes, Homegoods is my go to dispenser of stylish, contemporary, and inexpensive home accessories. When I walk into Homegoods it’s almost like all of the items are saying pick me, take me home, I’ll look really awesome in your space.  Yes I have a love affair with Homegoods, anyone who knows me will vouch.

On my porch, here are some of the items I found at my go to store. A beautiful wintery Christmas wreathe with some gold is a must to adorn a door. When I saw this grey sleigh and it’s Reindeer with a touch of red, I knew I had to add it to the overall scene. When I’m putting items together, I like to add shiny and rustic together, “rusticglam”.  Shiny silver and golds are really in right now but so is the rustic look. The metal gold tree and also the Wish you a Merry Christmas sign is another score at my store.

A winter scene isn’t complete without a sled and ice skates. As I mentioned earlier, my creative juices began in October. Finding ice skates was on my top priority list. On Ebay, I lucked out and won a pair for $12! Right now if you tried to find a pair, it would be like trying to find Noah’s Ark, rare and out of sight. My plan was to glitter them, but like some plans it just doesn’t happen. sigh 🙂  The best decorations are the free ones or the ones that you can borrow. My friend Shelly was so nice to let me borrow one of her sleds.  I just couldn’t bring myself to purchase one and then have to store it here in my limited storage space. The frosty swag hanging from the sled and the Days until Christmas sign is from, you guessed it, HOMEGOODS. I told you I can always find something from there.

One of my absolute favorites to this overall theme are the clear balls with snow and snowflakes hanging from the ceiling around the railing. What better way to add snow and snowflakes to a winter theme. The white lights and shimmery garland draped along the railing, ties it all together for a perfect look. Last a sign to the passerby what the overall theme is, helps sell the wow factor.

So as you venture out into your woods looking for the joys to your Christmas decorating, think about using a theme.  Themes can help bring unity to any project from a porch to a bedroom or to an entire house.   They’re a great way to keep you focused and directed so you can have a full vision for your overall decorating goal. Here’s to hoping it snows in your neck of the woods! Merry Christmas!