I love Memorial Day Weekend.  It's the official kick off to summer fun.  But more importantly it's a day to remember what was lost to enjoy our freedom.

We usually start our day at the cemetery, bringing flowers to our daughter, Aria's grave.  (Her story here.)  I LOVE the cemetery she is buried at.  Before her, we would drive by this hilly cemetery and I always commented on how beautiful it was.  Now it's even more beautiful to me because a part of my heart is there, between the fourth and fifth tree.

I like to add a little bit of seasonal decor to my home, to help my family feel festive.  Sometimes I go all out, like on Halloween and Christmas.  But for occasions like Memorial Day, I just like to add subtle touches.  I'll get out my red cake stand, I'll display a few flags, I have a few fun patriotic pieces, but nothing too over bearing.

This year, I designed this "Land of the free because of the brave" printable to add to our gallery wall.
Adding something as simple as a printable to your decor can help you embrace the season.

I know you want this framed for your home too, so I created a free 8x10 that you can download for yourself.  You're Welcome!

A few years ago, my husband and I decided to have a Valentine's Day gift challenge.  (que game show music.)  I LOVE games and my hubby likes to make me happy.  So the rules of our game were simple, we had to make each other a Valentine's Day gift and/or spend only $5.

Game On!

I thought and I thought, and I was having a hard time coming up with something that he would like. Everything I found was too cutesy or over our budget, so I was stumped.  (Ha!)

Then one day I saw on the side of the road a beautiful fallen tree.  I had an idea!

This project was so super easy.  You will need 1 log stump and a caring chisel set.

First make sure one end of the log is flat and even, so that it will stand even on your table.  Then draw a heart and your initials on the log with a ball point pen.  I kind of put some pressure on the drawing, so that it was indented into the wood a bit.  Then I took my chisel and went to work.  It took a little bit of strength and time, but I LOVE how it turned out.  This is one of our my favorite decor pieces in my home.

And the Valentine Gift Challenge?  My hubby loved it!

I realized this year that I don't have a lot of Valentine's Day decor.  I love to decorate for the fall months, Halloween is my favorite, and then Christmas always takes up so much energy.  By the time February comes around I find myself craving a clean and simple house.

I was looking at Pinterest one night, and realized that I could still decorate for Valentines Day and keep a clean and simple home.  So I pulled together some supplies and came up with this really easy sign.  I have it in my entryway and I LOVE it.  It makes me happy every time I see it.

How to:  Love sign
Supplies:  1 piece of foam board, 4 pieces of scrapbook paper,
scissors and glue
This project is really easy, but adds a dramatic look to your room.  I traced each letter from my computer screen in the font
that I wanted.  I then cut each letter out of the scrapbook paper then glued it onto the foam board.  Then you have a beautiful piece of art work for your Valentines decor.
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Every year, I take down Christmas and my home looks so un-inspiring and blah!  I miss the twinkle, the glow, the excitement!  The days are cold and dark, and it's so easy to get the winter blues.

This year, try to keep on top of those blues with a few easy DIY's to keep yourself, motivated, creative and inspired!

One of my favorite ways to decorate for winter is with big blankets and cozy pillows!  It invites warmth and cuddling!  Two of my favorite things.

This Chunky Blanket looks perfect!  It's a 45 minute arm knitted blanket!  What the What!??  Have you tried one of these!?  I think I need to this winter!


Blanket How To

And while you are de-cluttering and cleaning out your home and closets, save some of those winter sweaters to make some pillows.  I have done this before and I love them.


Sweater Pillow


One of the easiest and most effective ways to decorate for winter is with candles.  I love the glow of candles at night, after dinner, when we are all gathered in the living room, reading, watching T.V. or talking.  It just feels like family to me!







































Jar Candle

Another simple way to decorate for winter is to re-use some of your less "Christmas-ish" Christmas decorations.  I made these beautiful winter trees a few years ago, and I keep these out on my buffet long after I put my Christmas decorations away.


Cone Trees

Looking for something to do with the kids!?  I love these snowflakes made out of popsicle sticks.  Hang them on a bare wall and you have instant winter decor!


Snowflakes


We hope you liked these tips for winter decorating.  If you are still looking for some inspiration on freshening up your home for the the new year, check out our Instagram giveaway of a flower delivery.  Hurry!  Ends Monday January 11th.