Countdown to Christmas: Our Entryway/Living Room

 

Wow I am so SO glad that this snow storm.....deemed "snowmageddon" by the media.......is past us now. It had snowed about sixteen inches total all day yesterday AND then we had very VERY strong winds last night to boot.  Scott's company made the decision Wednesday to close and cancel all of their shifts for Thursday.  They've NEVER closed for snow.  I too had a snow day from work.  I was too nervous to drive.  When the weatherman says "life threatening" weather conditions......my patootie is staying home I don't care what anybody says. 

The drifts are no joke today.  There are patches in our back yard that are bare where you can see the grass peeking through and then there are areas where the snow is litteraly up to my knees.  I took Jade out for a walk this morning and in one jump her whole body was in the snow.  Her eyes got real big and she thought it was the BEST thing ever.  I wish I had the camera.....it really was the cutest thing.

Also the cutest thing ever.......my little Eskimo who does things that I am so thankful for. 

#gladforhusbandswhosnowblow

 

 

Where was I?!?!  Oh ya.  Let me show ya'll how I decorated the entryway/living area in our home. 

 

The first thing you see when you walk through the front door of my house, is all of our friends and families Christmas cards we had received this year so far.  I think this is the ONLY time of year that I actually look forward to checking the mail. 

 

I used the book page wreath I made a little while ago to display all of the picture cards.  I just used clothespins that I spraypainted gold to hold them in place.  The same clothespins I used last year to dispay my holiday cards. Click HERE if you would like to see last years card display!

 

A sneek peak of this years Christmas card:



 

Do you remember what use to be on that skinny wall?!?! 

This wine rack I bought at Sears a long time ago. 

 

 

I actually bought it to use as a makeup station in my closet when I lived at my parents house.  Then when we moved into our home now, I just shoved it up against the wall and used it to display my holiday things. 

NOW, we actually use it for its intended purpose......a mini bar!

I moved it around the corner just to the left of that skinny wall and it works out just great when we entertain.  Before we would keep all of the liquor downstairs, but now we can bring up what we need for whatever occasion we are entertaining for and there is no fussing and most importantly NO running up and down stairs.  Stairs are not your friend when you've had more than two cocktails........just sayin!



I cut out the word "CHEERS" by just free handing the letters on a piece of cardboard, cutting them out, and then dusting them with lots and LOTS of gold glitter.  I now wish the garland was a different color.  Oh well, I try to work with what I already have!



Isn't this ugly Christmas sweater the cutest?!?!  Oh and no bar setup is complete without something to munch on......pretzels anyone?!?!

 

And according to my husband, his Christmas Story bobblehead collection must be displayed on his bar.  I wish he would just leave all the decorating up to me.  #livingwithaboy

 

Here's a little sneak peek of our Christmas tree (post coming up next!). 

Next to the front door we put up a shelf with cubbies.  I bought it at HomeGoods a while ago to hang up in a different spot.  I'm glad we decided to put it up here instead.......now I have a place to hang my jacket and Jades leash whereas before we draped em' over the banister or a chair......and how annoying ist that?!?!



 

Oh it also is the perfect place to hang our homemade stockings.  My mom sewed them together using thrift store shirts and sweaters.  Except for the middle one (the one with the fur), that one is Jades.  THAT one was made out of one of Scott's favorite sweaters that she chewed a BIG whole through.  I'm glad we could reuse it though.  Nothing goes to waste in our house!

 



 

I need a bench to put under the shelf ASAP.  It would be nice to sit while putting on boots instead of wobbling around like a fool.



 

We keep Jades treats up there to reward her whenever she's a good girl and goes potty outside!  Looking at this picture reminds me that I need to replenish her treat jar. 
I think the driftwood reindeer will find a permanent home up there for awhile even well after the holidays.  He's too cute to put away.  Great Marshalls find!

 

I added a few rustic touches to coordinate with the Country Christmas theme I was going for this year.  I love my little Polish santa collection.  I buy them at Door County, WI. from a little Christmas boutique called Pipkas.  Which reminds me, I have another one that I have to add in with the other two from our trip this summer.  

Next to my Santas, I added a deer rack that 2hotty found on my parents land a few years ago.  The last one stores a dapper white deer (a thrift store find), a candle and a glittered "D", our last name initial.   

 



 What's a stocking without some goodies to fill it with?!?!  

And how cool are those colored pencils?!?!  

I am gifting em' to some special little boys in my life. 



 

I'm so excited, Christmas is only four short days away.  Today is my last day of work before a four day weekend, I am almost finished with shopping and wrapping gifts, we have one more holiday partay to attend this Saturday with some great GREAT friends, and family will be here visiting before I know it!!  What a fun filled weekend I have ahead.  That is if the world doesn't end today!! What time is that suppose to happen anyway?!?!  HA! :-)  See you lovelies tomorrow with my tree and Christmas village post.........well maybe.  :-)

xoxo JoAnna