Merry Christmas!

Wishing each and every one of you a very Merry Christmas! Our son is 19-months old and starting to get the concept of Christmas, Santa and presents, which is making this year that much sweeter! And of course, today we celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ, our Lord and Savior. May your day be blessed and filled with peace, love and joy.  xoxo - Julie

Eclectic Living Room by Little Rock Interior Designers & Decorators Tobi Fairley Interior Design

Christmas Decor :: Inspiration for Your Home

The Christmas season is in full swing and I can't wait to get our decorations and tree up! Although, with a 19-month old little boy, decorating in our apartment is going to have to be a little different this year. He's still puts everything in his mouth and wants to break and destroy anything within reach, so I'm looking for some fresh ideas on decorations that can be hung or placed high up! Here are some of my favorites - hopefully you'll find some inspiration for your home here too. Have you decorated for Christmas yet? What's your ideas are you looking forward to trying out?

 We have a fake white tree, very similar to this one and I actually really love it! It's a great backdrop for changing up your ornament color scheme every year. 

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 So simple yet so stunning! I'd love to try this. 

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 Love this stunning wreath made of ornaments. This could be a fun and easy DIY project. 

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 We live on the second floor and have a huge window in the living room that faces out onto the street. How lovely would this be for people to spot while walking or driving by?! 

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 The wreath and mantle garland are simple and so pretty. Love the all-white stockings.

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 A branch hung with ornaments - a great alternative to a tree if you're limited on space!

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 A branch hung in front of a window, draped with star ornaments and pine needles. Such a sweet idea!

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On to the Next...

Happy Friday! I hope you all had a wonderful Thanksgiving. We had dinner at my in-laws and I ate way too much but it was sooo worth it! Now that Thanksgiving is behind us, are you ready to jump into the Christmas season madness? Any of you braving the crazy black Friday sales today? I love this time of year and look forward to everything that comes along with it :) Cheers to you and have a lovely weekend.

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Inspiration Snapshot :: Red & White Goodness

The holidays are upon us which has the wheels in my head turning on fun ways to decorate this year. I wish I could paint my apartment front door red like the one in this snapshot, but I don't think the landlord would be too happy about it. The simple white wreath looks lovely, finished with a chunky burlap ribbon. And I love the boots filled with little gifts - such a great styling idea. How will you decorate your front door or porch for Christmas?!

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Christmas Cards from Minted + Fabulous GIVEAWAY!

Whether you're ready or not, the holidays are right around the corner! Thanksgiving is in just a few weeks and Christmas is just 48 days away. To help you prepare for the exciting holiday season ahead, I've teamed up with the fabulous company Minted for an exciting giveaway. If you're not familiar with Minted, here's a little lowdown of the company and their mission: Minted is the world's premier marketplace for independent design. Our mission is to find exceptional artists and designers all over the world and bring their work to consumers who appreciate great design. They currently have minted designers that represent 43 countries! I love that they support and promote the work of a diverse community of independent designers.

I really enjoyed browsing through their huge selection of unique Christmas photo cards and invitations, which can be semi-customized to give you exactly what you want. I'm definitely going to be ordering our family Christmas card from Minted this year and you have the opportunity to do the same! They also have an amazing selection of announcements, stationary, party decor, art prints and more.

Details and such for the Giveaway:

1. Visit Minted right away and check out their site. Come back to belle maison and leave a comment about one of your favorite items and how you'd spend you $50 credit!

2. Extra entry for those who mention the giveaway on Facebook (@minted), Twitter (handle:@minted) and/or Pinterest! (#minted).

3. One lucky winner will be announced on Thursday, November 14th and will receive a $50 credit toward any purchase on Minted.com.

4. Please make sure I have a way of contacting you if you're the winner! If necessary, include a valid email address in the comment space or via email. GOOD LUCK!

Now start designing your Christmas card or holiday party invitations here!

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[ALL IMAGES HAVE BEEN SOURCED FROM MINTED]

Quote of the Week

"One of the most glorious messes in the world is the mess created in the living room on Christmas Day. Don't clean it up too quickly." 

- Andy Rooney

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Can you believe it's Christmas Eve?! We returned home on Saturday after 10 days in Maui and I'm trying to get back in the Christmas spirit! Although there were Christmas trees along the boardwalk and festive decorations at our hotel, it just wasn't quite the same as being home for the holidays. The weather was beautiful and I spent the entire time in a bikini or sundress. I finally have a nice tan but will probably lose it quickly :( Anyway, it was nice taking a break from blogging while away - something I've never really done in the 4 1/2 years since I stared belle maison. I usually schedule posts ahead of time but there just wasn't enough time to get it all done. Today I feel relaxed, refreshed and excited to spend time with family! It's Luke's first Christmas, which makes this year that much more special. What do you have planned in the next few days? Wishing you a wonderful, fabulous and blessed Christmas! Cheers - xoxo Julie

Holiday Gift Guide: {10} Fun & Unique Gift Ideas

By the time you read this, I'll be in Hawaii, hopefully lying on the beach sipping a Mai Tai! I'm writing this post just after midnight on Tuesday...with a flight to catch at 9am...and I still need to finish packing and getting my stuff together! I had so many ideas for gift guides and holiday posts to share with you while away, but have just been way too busy to sit down and actually create them. That being said, today's post is a blend of 10 fun items that caught my eye while scouring some of my favorite online shops. I'd love one of each! Enjoy and I'll be popping in over the next week to say "Aloha." I'm in desperate need of a BREAK from everything! :) xoxo - Julie

 {SHOP THESE ITEMS}
1. Roccoco Teapot

2. Ikat Throw - Pink 

3. Owl Salt & Pepper Shakers  

4. La Sardina Metal Edition Camera - Beluga 
5. Cobochon Eternity Band 
6. Feline Scarf
7. Palamino Necklace
8. Colored Pencils & Brass Holder Set 
9. Jamie Young Seaglass Small Hurricane Set
10. Rebecca Minkoff Sienna Tote

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Holiday Gift Guide: Giving to those in Need

To kick off this week's Christmas Gift Guides, I wanted to highlight some fantastic charities and organizations to give back to. Of course we all have family and friends to buy gifts for, but another really special way to give is by touching someone else's life, even if it's just in a small way. I'm constantly reminding myself of how I need to volunteer more of my time and just get involved in something - there are so many people and places that need help! Whether it's a small (or large) donation, a new doll for a little girl, your time in a soup kitchen or shelter...every little bit counts and helps make this world a little better. I heard this quote by Mother Teresa the other day and that really got me thinking about helping others, "If we have no peace, it is because we have forgotten that we belong to each other." It feels so good to give to others in need, doesn't it? Even if we ourselves don't have much, there's always something we can give. I've rounded up several great organizations for you check out; (and if you're ever curious about a certain organization, check with CharityNavigator.org to make sure they're legitimate). What ways do you enjoy giving back? And please feel free to share the name / info on any charity you enjoy working with :) xoxo

 

Angel Tree offers assistance to prison inmates and their children during Christmas. They give the children gifts on behalf of the parents along with a personal message.

Samaritan's Purse - There are numerous ways to get involved, including Blessing in a Box / Operation Christmas Child, Crisis and Disaster Response, Children's and Medical Ministries and more. Go here to view a list of all ways you can give.

Wounded Warrior Project - Their mission is to "Honor and Empower Wounded Warriors. An amazing organization that vows to take care of our injured soldiers and their families.

Salvation Army -  There are several ways to give through the Salvation Army, including giving online to your community, donating clothing, volunteering and more.

All Hands Volunteers - They are focused on being the most effective organization at providing committed volunteers the opportunity to give immediate and sustainable help to communities in need and to those suffering in the wake of natural disasters. Right now they are focusing heavily on the victims of Hurricane Sandy.

Best Friends Animal Society - Don't forget about our furry friends! I love animals so much (especially cats :) and enjoy donating to charities that take care of them. This organization has a "no kill" mission and is dedicated to placing abandoned and needy animals in good homes. One great way to help is by becoming a "Guardian Angel" - click here for more info.

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Stella & Dot Holiday Trunk Show + Giveaway!

Welcome to the Belle Maison and Stella & Dot Trunk Show! My client Clara is a Stella & Dot Stylist and we both thought it would be fun for me to host a "virtual" trunk show for my fabulous and stylish readers to shop amazing jewelry and gifts just in time for the holiday season.

If you're not familiar, Stella & Dot is an amazing jewelry company that's often spotted in major magazines like Lucky, Elle and Vogue, and is a favorite among celebrities. They have incredibly unique pieces that range from simple and elegant to bold and glamorous. And the best part is everything is affordable! In addition to jewelry, they now carry fun accessories such as scarves, iPhone cases and clutches. If you need to check some people off your Christmas shopping list, there are a ton of great items for moms, sisters, friends...and maybe something special for yourself :). The show will continue through December 29th!

These are just a few of my favorite things from Stella & Dot...I LOVE their stuff! Also, keep in mind that there's a brand new “Stella Dollars” loyalty program that you might want to take advantage of: for every $50 spent in December, you can earn a $25 certificate to use January 3-10. Pretty amazing, right? So grab a cup of coffee or glass of wine, get comfy and start shopping! 

Details on entering: Visit the trunk show by clicking here, and then come back and leave a comment on your favorite piece(s) from Stella & Dot! For a double entry, tweet about the trunk show and giveaway on Facebook or Twitter (or both), please include @ModernChicHome and @Stelladot in your tweet! Winner will be announced on Friday, December 14th. Good luck and have fun!

The Most Wonderful Time of the Year

I can hardly believe Christmas is here already! December just flies by, doesn't it? I'm taking the day off to get my hair cut (I'm long overdue!), run a few last minute gift errands and make the flower centerpieces for Christmas Eve tomorrow night at my in-laws house. My husband and I are spending Sunday at my parent's house and get to watch my young nieces and nephews open their presents - Christmas is always more fun with children, isn't it? Next year we'll have a little one of our own and I can't wait! I'm looking forward to taking some time off next week to relax...I've been on the go for weeks and just want to veg out for a few days, you know what I mean? What are your plans for the weekend? Are you traveling or staying home? Whatever you do, I wish you a very blessed holiday with family, friends and loved ones. Today's post is a round-up of some beautiful images that are fun, festive and full of the holiday spirit. Enjoy and Merry Christmas! xoxo - Julie

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All Wrapped Up in Style

As Christmas shopping comes to a close, it's time to get all of those gifts wrapped! Instead of going the traditional route with decorative wrapping paper slapped with a store bought bow and curled ribbon, why not try something new this year? I've rounded up several great wrapping ideas that are "outside the box" and fairly easy to do. Click on the link below each image for details on how to achieve the look. Are you almost done with your shopping? Good luck getting everything finished and ready to go by the end of the week!

{Fabric Gift Wrap via Martha Stewart}

{Eco-Friendly Paper Gift Wrap via Martha Stewart}

{Brown paper decorated with a silver pen (quick & easy!) via Lark Crafts}

{Stamped gift wrap via Martha Stewart}

{Brown Paper with Cake Decorating Ribbon via Bugs & Fishes}

 {Map Gift Wrap via Ramshackle Glam}

{Kraft Paper Gift Wrap (especially good for oddly shaped packages) via Martha Stewart}

{Kids' Artwork Gift Wrap via Martha Stewart}

{Tissue Paper Bottle Wrap via Martha Stewart}

{Brightly Striped Gift Wrap using artists tape or plastic lacing via Martha Stewart}

 {Handmade Tag with Newspaper Wrapping via Oh, Hello Friend}

 {Newspaper Wrapping with Twine Bow via Love 2 Upcycle}