December 2015

A look back on 2015

December 29, 2015

It's definitely been a memorable year...one full of many professional and personal milestones. I thank each and every one of you for sitting down with Simply Sarah Style to catch up on inspiration and life happenings. So here's the list...the most popular posts of 2015:

#10

Our gender reveal party

#9

A Betsy Ross American flag-themed bridal shower

#8

A quick and easy yard sale makeover with Krylon

#7

How I stumbled upon $40 chairs at Ballard Designs

#6

The Wedding Series: Part III

Access more of the wedding series: Part I, Part II, Part IV, Part IV and Part VI.

#5

This "My Kentucky Tee" can be your Kentucky tee

#4

My 12 days of Christmas Home Tour

#3

Holiday gift giving with Hallmark Gold Crown

#2

One dresser: 3 different ways (Another Bargains & Buyouts score)

I'm excited to share that this Dwell Studio dresser will be making an appearance in Baby P.'s nursery!

("What I didn't show you in my last Bargains & Buyouts post" and "Another reason to love Bargains & Buyouts" were also popular.)

#1

Breakfast entertaining made easy with Yoplait Plenti

Thank you for your continued support of Simply Sarah Style. Here's to 2016!

Reflecting and remembering those most dear with the Just Simply L collection

December 24, 2015

It's the perfect time to reflect and remember those who have brought joy to our lives this year. As one gifty girl, I love to buy gifts for everyone special to me. But really, is that what's truly important? Perhaps it is as simple as a heartwarming card and joyful celebrations.

I was delighted when I discovered this handcrafted card collection from Just Simply L, a party and stationery studio. As a pretty paper junkie, I had a hard time picking my favorites from this collection. Not only does Lourdes, the designer, carry a holiday selection, she also has a variety of cards for every day occasions. I think I need one of each!

Here are some of my favorites:

For a special occasion

For someone special

For the newly wedded couple

The perfect thank you

Which do you love? Find this selection and more via the Just Simply L Etsy shop.

Merry Christmas, my friends!

This post was was sponsored by Just Simply L, but all opinions are my own.

It's your turn to join the party

December 16, 2015

What did you think of the 12 Days of Christmas Tour of Homes recap yesterday? Each home tour was full of so many ideas that it was hard to narrow it to a single takeaway per home.

Still haven't had an opportunity to take each tour? Enjoy the guide below!

(1) Evolution of Style (2) Dixie Delights (3) Provident Home Design (4) Simple Details

(5) The Pink Clutch (6) Life & Home at 2102 (7) Blesser Home (8) The Tale of an Ugly Home

(9) This is Our Bliss (10) This is Happiness (11) Life & Home at 2102 (12) Shine Your Light

(13) Suburban Bitches (14) Classic Casual Home (15) Primitive & Proper (16) Simply Sarah Style

(17) Driven by Decor (18) Our Storied Home (19) Suburban Bitches (20) Rough Luxe

Now it's your turn!

Join the 12 Days of Christmas Tour by linking up your holiday home tour below.

17 decorating lessons from the 12 Days of Christmas Tour of Homes

December 15, 2015

As I'm sure you've read, I'm participating in the 12 Days of Christmas Tour of Homes this year. It's been a delightful journey the last couple of weeks as I've taken a sneak peek inside one gorgeous home after the next. I have that "pin it" button on repeat as I have been gathering inspiration for next year's holiday home decor.

As the tour comes to a close, I wanted to share some of the most interesting takeaways...

1) Utilize ribbon and garland to connect a space, creating an cohesive, seamless look.

I love how Jenny from Evolution of Style pulled her space together visually with the simple incorporation of ribbon. What's even better is that she said the wreaths were just $10 at IKEA.

2) Make the most of monograms.

Amanda from Dixie Delights has a true southern style that speaks to me. The wooden monogram additions to her stockings are right up my alley! Plus, they're an easy way to personalize, while taking the hassle out of getting stockings embroidered.

3) Free tree clippings can go a long way.

Tamara from Provident Home Design asked the staff at Home Depot if she could have leftover tree clippings, and sure enough, they said, "Yes." She used these to craft garland for mantle. The best part? This piece of decor was free of charge!

I did the same things a couple of years ago at a local Christmas tree farm. I collected leftover sprigs on the ground and used them to top all of my gifts.

4) Christmas decor isn't just for the common areas.

Like Vel from Life & Home at 2102, many of my blogging friends are taking the Christmas decor well beyond the common spaces of their homes and adding a bit of holiday cheer to their bedrooms. I've seen countless trees nestling up along side beds.

I don't think a little girl's room could be more adorable. Vel did a lovely job blending red, pink and gold together, don't you think?

5) Ornaments (especially delicate, vintage ones) in a bowl create instant art.

Pam from Simple Details has an elegant eye for design. I love how a simple display of ornaments in a bowl can go a long way in making a statement. Notice how her pinks pair so nicely. Often that pop of color will do just the job in creating interest when using predominately neutral colors.

6) Christmas doesn't have to mean red and green.

Have you ever peered inside Paige's home? I can't get enough of her vibrant use of color. Pink is definitely her signature hue and it translates so nicely as a holiday palette.

7. Adding holiday cheer to your entryway can be achieved through a few special touches.

With the addition of wrapped packages, a stocking and winter accessories, Becky from This is Happiness was able to transform her mudroom and instantly greet visitors with a festive vibe.

8. Pay tribute to your favorite lyrics.

Christmas songs always bring a smile to my face. I think Lauren from Bless'er Home had the right idea of celebrating song lyrics.

If you haven't already stopped by her home tour, do so. Her story is heartwarming and a great reminder of what's most important.

9. Give your everyday items a holiday makeover.

I love how Mandi from A Tale of a Ugly House added a few small touches to transform everyday household items. Greenery, ornaments and pinecones go a long way in sprucing up your space.

10. Wrap coffee table books to create a festive stack for styling.

Rachel from This is Our Bliss is super savvy when it comes to styling her coffee table for the holidays. Take a cue from her playbook and use your current book collection to add holiday flair.

11. Group like items together for big impact.

Mary Ann's grouping of gold trees is gorgeous. The jeweled one on the left is handmade from a collection of vintage pieces. On Classic Casual Home, she talks you through her approach.

12. Put that cake stand to use.

Cassie from Primitive and Proper did just that with faux snowballs from a yard sale, and look how elegant it turned out!

13. Simple and elegant goes a long way.

After struggling to style our front porch without investing a lot of money, I took a cue from Lisa's curb appeal and went with a simple wreath and two evergreen planters. You'll have to head over to Shine Your Light to take a peek inside her home.

14. Get creative with your advent calendar.

Kris prepped an advent calendar with a twist. Head over to Driven by Decor to see how she fills each daily bucket with surprises for her girls.

15. Personalize with a single initial.

For the past year, we've had the three-inital wooden monogram from our wedding paired with a boxwood wreath residing on our door. Now I'm ready for a change. I love this wreath featured by the girls at Suburban Bitches. You can easily find a single gold initial at Hobby Lobby. This display is so elegant and timeless...a must-try!

16. Bring the indoors out.

No need to strictly limit outdoor decor to just lights. Weather permitting, invite your guests to cozy up on the porch for some holiday cheer. Amanda from Our Storied Home always captures magazine-worthy moments and this opportunity to gather on the porch is no exception.

17. Accessorizing can go to a whole new level.

Cindy from Rough Luxe styled that dress form in the most lovely seasonal wear. I absolutely adore her vision and hope to create a similar masterpiece one day.

There's still time to gather additional inspiration for your holiday gatherings. Get started by browsing the full tours below.

December 1

Evolution of Style | Dixie Delights

December 2

Provident Home Design | Life and Home 2102

December 3

Simple Details

December 4

Pink Clutch Blog | This is Happiness

December 7

Bless'er House | The Tale of an Ugly House

December 8

This is Our Bliss | Classic Casual Home

December 9

Primitive and Proper

December 10

Shine Your Light | Driven by Decor

December 11

Suburban Bitches | Our Storied Home

December 14

Simply Sarah Style | Rough Luxe

December 16

Come back tomorrow and link up your own holiday home tour.

Happy holidays, my friends!

My 12 Days of Christmas home tour

December 14, 2015

I hope you've been following along with the stunning holiday home tours I've been sharing on social media. My blogging friend, Jenny from Evolution of Style, did an amazing job curating a show-stopping group of design bloggers for this year's 12 Days of Christmas Tour of Homes. I feel very honored to be included in such an impressive bunch.

If you're a first time visitor coming from another blog on the tour, welcome! If you're regular Simply Sarah Style visitor, so happy you're back.

This is only our second year in this house. We're still adjusting and exploring when it comes to decor. Also, I find myself needing more and more to fill this space, which is larger than our condo.

We recently added a new sectional to the living room and it has been life-changing. It's so comfortable and easily fits multiple people.

This year, I stuck with a black, white and metallic theme. We started down this route last year, so I thought I would continue to build on it. The tree in our old home featured a woodland theme. We were able to repurpose some items like the poinsettias and metallic ornaments, but retired others.

Also, we switched up the tree and went with a slimmer model from Target. It literally goes up in minutes, which I love!

This year, I stumbled across these "Merry Christmas" gift tags at Target and thought they would make great additions to the tree. They definitely add a more glam and modern feel to the decor.

My favorite ornament is one we ordered last year. The detail on the small globe ornament is so impressive. It is a great reminder of our fist year in the house.

As far as wrapping goes, I scooped up several supplies from the Sugar Paper collection at Target. I'm sure I'm not alone as this wrapping collection was too cute to pass up.

I also incorporated several reindeer toppers, which you might remember from this post.

Most of my holiday shopping was done at local boutiques. I picked up several gifts on a recent trip to Lexington. I discovered so many goodies at Market 301. I also fell in love with selections at adele, which is a charming home decor and gift boutique.

When we added this new sectional, it presented an opportunity for a sofa table. I had this white one hanging out in an empty room upstairs, so it got a new home and was quickly put to use, displaying a collection of holiday items.

I absolutely love this "Cheers" pillow. I bring it out for Christmas and keep it up through New Year's. It seems so fitting for the season.

Several years ago, my mom gave me this Santa. He fits in perfectly with our neutral palette.

I recently picked up the tabletop star below at friend's house. It was in her giveaway pile. I knew I could give it a good forever home. (Thanks, Nancy!) It's also a piece that can stay out all year long.

This Santa was calling my name. Since he looks like a gnome, I knew I had to have him.

Moving on from the living room to a couple other holiday details...

Did anyone else have trouble find garland? The last two weeks, I've been on a wild goose hunt. It seems that all stores are sold out of faux options and every real option I looks dead. I eventually stumbled upon a decent option at a local grocery store.

In the sunroom, you'll find this cute reindeer just hanging out amid the trees. I picked him up at Fort Thomas Central, a local gift shop. I love that you can easily switch up his look by swamping in new antlers.

Venturing onto my favorite part...the sweets section! There is never a shortage of baked goods and sugar at our household.

Can we talk about the cuteness of this reindeer dish? He was a $6 Home Goods find. I couldn't pass him up!

And last, but not least, our bull got a makeover for the holidays. He came from my grandma's house and oversees the kitchen.

A special thanks for stopping by! Please enjoy the full tour of homes that kicked off with the Evolution of Style and Dixie Delights. (See the links below.)