How Early is Too Early to Bring Out the Christmas Tree?

Looped Wood Trees

Confession: I put up my Christmas tree this weekend. I just get so excited about the holidays and love playing elf. I may or may not have also started making Christmas care packages for some of my favorite people. The challenge will be to hold off mailing them until at least after Thanksgiving!

What is your secret to making the holidays fun and joyful every year instead of a chore to be survived?

Bedroom Before & After: Reinventing a Furnished Apartment

Bedroom Before...
Before...
And After, all moved in! The furniture in this condo (which has led a double life as a vacation rental here in Hawaii) is quite tasteful, if a little dull. I'm always amazed at the power of textiles to transform a room and this duvet cover really punched it up. Now it feels tropical, fearless and fun. (The "For Like Ever" poster was a gift from our friends the Taylors on our wedding day. I only recently found the right frame for it!)

Mix & Match throw pillows never hurt anyone either. I embroidered this Taj Mahal design on a ready made cushion cover from Ikea and the birds were an odd piece of textile that caught my eye at a thrift store for $1. I just sewed the sides shut and turned it into a pillow cover.

I once read that all the best hotel rooms are neutral so that the inhabitants can bring their own color and life into the space. All I really wanted to do here was add some personality and flare. Nothing like displaying your jewelery to do exactly that. Plus I find I'm much more likely to use it all if I can see it all every morning when I'm getting dressed.

The "See it All Rule" is a good one to follow when displaying shoes...

And scarves too.
It's all just so pretty- who would want to hide it away in a box?

I have more posts to come on our other living spaces that I can't wait to share with you. It feels so good to be feathering my nest again. What special objects add personality and flare to your home?