I always love to keep things simple when decorating, and for Christmas that means adding in lots of greenery!  I love the classic red and green so adding in those little pops of red with ribbon and pillows helps to complete the look.  Welcome to my Christmas home!

Front Porch

I went with a real garland and wreath for the front door this year, and little trees planted pots on the front porch.

I added wreaths to all the front windows again this year.

Entryway

Living Room

View before getting our real tree.

We have enjoyed getting a real tree in here the past couple of years and this tree houses all the family ornaments we have collected through the years!

Getting new Christmas pj’s for the family is a fun yearly tradition!

Garage Entryway & Stairwell

I love wrapping the stairs with garland but after trying a real garland before, and it was such a mess, I have used a faux garland the past two years.

The wall chalkboard is a great way to display our Christmas cards.

Dining Room

I love all the trees and greenery I added in here this year!

I also had fun setting a up dining room tablescape this year.

Kitchen

The kitchen brings more greenery.  A simple tree on the island and wreaths on the chairs and above the stove, with lots of pops of red, help to complete the space!

More trees on the kitchen table!

I added a simple garland to the window instead of a wreath and it is a fun change.  It is just so hard to see with the lighting!

And a cocoa bar in the butler’s pantry is always a good choice!

Family Room

I went with a flocked garland, and trees by the mantel this year!

Guest Room and Bath

It’s fun giving the guest room and bath a little Christmas cheer.  These fun sheets I picked up at Target a few years ago!

Loft

I always keep this tree really simple and we enjoy having the train around this tree.

Playroom

I kept the playroom very similar to last year and I think it is such a fun space for the kids!

Master Bedroom and office

This is the first year of really decorating the master bedroom and attached office and I love the cheeriness it brings to the space!

Backyard

We had a little get together with a few neighbors and it was fun bringing some of the Christmas decor outdoors!

I hope you all enjoyed my Christmas home tour!  Let me know if you have any questions about anything!

A beautiful map to go above the couch in my office is just what this space needed!

This post is sponsored my Grafomap, where I received a free product in exchange for a review.  All thoughts and opinions are my own.

I was so excited when Grafomap reached out to me because I thought a map would be the perfect thing to hang in this empty space!  You can choose any place that is special to you, or has meaning, to create your map.  The background and titles are all customizable and you have a few sizes and styles to choose from.

I chose a map that showed right where I live and I used a fun house marker to mark the spot.  I am loving the look of my new updated office space!

With the holidays just around the corner I know you can definitely grab one of these for someone on your list, or even for yourself!  I have a discount code for you too to make it even better!  Just use code JENNGMAP for 10% off your order.  I would love for you to head over to Grafomap and check them out!!

A fun Halloween tree all decked out in orange, black, and white, and a few bats, are the perfect choice for our Halloween themed playroom!

I only decorate for Halloween in a few rooms, and it is always done with more “cute” Halloween, and I thought the playroom would be perfect for a fun Halloween tree for the kids!

This was so fun to decorate so I thought I would share with you all the details.  I did purchase the tree this year, but most the rest of the decor was just from the Dollar Tree, so very inexpensive.  And once you have the tree, you can reuse it again and again!  The only two main things on the tree, not from the Dollar Tree, is the Happy Halloween sign at the top, and the black and white ribbon.

I made the little yarn balls and those are so easy to make. I followed a tutorial from the Instagram account Haverstraw Hill.  She has it saved in her highlights.

The bats I made last year and I used the template from Devanie at Home.  The Halloween banner is from the Target Dollar spot this year.

I think the orange and black look so fun with the green chalkboard!

So far my kids are loving this!!  Do you have any fun places that you decorate for Halloween??

***I’m so excited to have had my Halloween Tree featured in an article on The Spruce!!

Affiliate links (Amazon) are included for some of the items below for your convenience.  If you click on a link and make a purchase, I’ll receive a small commission at no extra cost to you. See my disclosure here.

Black tree

Happy Halloween sign- Amazon but is showing unavailable

Black and white ribbon- Hobby Lobby

White crate- Hobby Lobby

Most everything else on the tree is from the Dollar Tree.  Let me know if you have any other questions!

Halloween Themed Playroom

a fireman’s wife

Fall is here!  I love all things fall and I look forward to this time every year.  Decorating my home for the fall season is always so fun and I’m excited to welcome you into my home!

FALL HOME TOUR

I will start you off with my front porch and then take you inside!

This year I went with white mums and then a couple simple pumpkins and a magnolia wreath to add a little pop of color.

I just adore this welcome mat that I found and it is the perfect addition to my fall front porch!

Entryway

I kept my entryway table super simple this year and love the pop of color in the fall stems.

Living Room

Right across from the entryway table is the living room and I carried the same colors in here too.

The stems on the piano are from JoAnn and the ones on the cabinet are from Hobby Lobby.  Those are my favorite fall stems this year and I have them in a few places around the house!

Garage Entryway

I just added a tote with my favorite fall stems and a pillow to help prop it up.  Then a simple boxwood wreath adds the perfect farm charm!

Dining Room

Right across from the garage entryway is the dining room.  I absolutely love this large black tray I found.  I will be so fun to style for all the coming holidays!

I love the pops of rust-orange and gold in here.  The pumpkins were from the Target dollar spot this year.

This fall wreath on the chalkboard was a favorite find as it coordinates so well with my favorite fall stems!

Kitchen

Right at the beginning of September we were starting school and I added these bright red apples to my galvanized chicken feeder.  Simple fall stems from JoAnn were added to my galvanized bucket. Then a few weeks later I added in pumpkins to bring out the fun orange color of fall!

These amber hand and dish soap bottles helped to complete the look and they are perfect to add in any soap of your choice.  I went with Young Living’s Thieves soap that smells heavenly like fall and Christmas; and even better because it is free of all harmful perfumes or chemicals!

I found this fun vintage farmhouse scale and it looks perfect with this boxwood wreath I found from the Target dollar spot, a year ago, and a white pumpkin.

Family Room

Right next to the kitchen nook is the family room and I had fun not only bringing in fall, but a few subtle halloween touches with these adorable copper pumpkins.  Neutral pillows help to complete the look!

I recently found this new coffee table and I loved how well it coordinated with my entertainment center.

I also added this cute Fall Market sign and this beautiful neutral fall wreath.  Next to the mantel I placed my blanket ladder and they are perfect for bringing warmth and coziness to a space.

Loft

I kept this side of the loft very simple with adding a fall wreath to my upstairs blanket ladder and a few buffalo check pillows.

Master Bedroom

This past summer I was able to give my master bedroom a little refresh with some new bedding and curtains, so I had fun adding some fall in here too.  A thankful pillow, ticking stripe, and fall stems add the perfect touch!

I hope you enjoyed my fall home tour!  I will link some of the items below and let me know if you have any questions about anything else!

Affiliate links (Amazon & Etsy) are included for some of the items below for your convenience.  If you click on a link and make a purchase, I’ll receive a small commission at no extra cost to you. See my disclosure here.

shop this post….

Hey There Pumpkin doormat

Buffalo check mat

Front door wreath

Fall pillow

Living room rug

Large black farmhouse tray

Dining room table runner

Chalkboard wreath

Galvanized chicken feeder

Amber soap bottles

Vintage scale

Fall Market sign

Fall wreath

Copper pumpkins

White coffee table

Pom pom pillow covers

White ruffle pillow cover

Ticking stripe pillow cover -family room

Fall pillow cover -family room

Curtain rods

Curtain clips

Curtains

Blanket ladder- family room

Blanket ladder- loft

Loft wreath

Ticking stripe pillow cover- master bedroom

Thankful pillow

White ruffle pillow cover- master bedroom

FALL HOME TOUR

a fireman’s wife

A new sign, cafe curtains, and an updated faucet is just what the space needed!

I worked on several little projects around the house this summer and updating this area was high on my list.  Before I always felt like this area was lacking something and just needed a little more to spruce it up!  Here is a before shot.

I love lots of natural light so I did not want to add blinds or shutters to this window to loose my light.  I figured cafe curtains would be the perfect choice since they are mostly for the decor aspect and I don’t really need to use them.  Of course they can still be closed if needed.  I decided to make them myself so they would not have any extra added bulk.  I ordered white bleached muslin fabric from Amazon along with the curtain rod and curtain clips.  Cafe curtains can be expensive so I was able to save a lot just doing it myself.  I used the no-sew iron on hemming tape from Ikea for the sides, and I hand stitched the top and bottom so they would fold together better when the curtains are pushed to the sides.  Of course if you have a sewing machine that would work even better!

When we built our house we just took a very basic faucet from the builder because they were charging so much for the upgrade.  We knew that we would soon want to replace it with something else.  This faucet was found on Amazon for a very affordable price and we have loved it so far!

Then to fill in the space above the sink I knew a sign would be perfect!  I love the farmhouse charm of this Farm Fresh sign and it think it added the perfect touch!

I hope you enjoyed my little kitchen sink update!

Affiliate links (Amazon & Etsy) are included for some of the items below for your convenience.  If you click on a link and make a purchase, I’ll receive a small commission at no extra cost to you. See my disclosure here.

Muslin fabric – Similar as mine showed unavailable

Curtain rod

Curtain clips

Faucet

Farm Fresh sign

Happy July!  With 4th of July just around the corner I thought I would share my simple 4th of July tablescape in case you need any last minute ideas.  As always I love to keep decor simple and all these items were stuff I already had on hand.  But the star of the show….just these little target dollar spot flags!

I’m sure most of you already have these little flags on hand but if not I have still seen them recently in the Target dollar spot or Amazon.  Then I say shop your house for some neutral pieces to put with it.  I started with these water hyacinth placemats, I love the summer vibe they give off.  Then I added my usual white buffet plates that are a staple in all my place settings no matter the holiday or season.  I chose simple white napkins and jute string for my napkin holder.

Then I just added the flags to each place setting.

I also wanted to give it a try with some blue gingham napkins as they are also such a darling option for summer!

I ended up keeping it white this time around to show off the flag better.

Mason Jar glasses were added to keep with the simple farmhouse look.  I always love keeping little paper straws on hand and I thought the blue with polka dots would be the perfect touch!

The rest of the stuff on the table, (table runner, galvanized tray and bucket, flowers with big flags) were already there for the past month.

I hope this inspires you to shop your house and create a beautiful patriotic tablescape with items you already have.  If you are just starting out and looking for ideas I found purchasing simple neutral pieces, white, tan, galvanized etc. that can go with any holiday and season is a great place to start!  Then I just bring in the accent color for the time of year.   I find that so much easier than trying to get tableware to match every holiday.

Wishing you all a wonderful 4th!

Affiliate links (Amazon) are included for some of the items below for your convenience.  If you click on a link and make a purchase, I’ll receive a small commission at no extra cost to you. See my disclosure here.

shop this look….

water hyacinth placemats – similar because the other is saying out of stock

white buffet plates-  mine were from World Market but I don’t see them online anymore.  Similar

white napkins- years ago at target

Blue gingham napkins

jute string- Hobbly Lobby

galvanized flower bucket- you can find similar ones at Hobby Lobby or Michaels

paper straws

Mason Jar glasses

galvanized tray

mini flags – mine were from the Target Dollar Spot

table runner

flowers

SIMPLE 4TH OF JULY TABLESCAPE

a fireman’s wife

XOXO

Jen

It’s that time of year again, summer is almost here and the house is all decked out in red, white, and blue!  Join me for some fun simple summer decor ideas and inspiration!

PATRIOTIC SUMMER HOME TOUR….A FIREMAN’S WIFE

Every year as Memorial Day approaches I look forward to getting out all my patriotic summer decor.  I just love the look of red, white, and blue in the summer and I enjoy leaving it out until the end of July!

A few little flags and patriotic pillows welcome you in the entryway.  I’m so glad my white flowers are still hanging in there that I planted in early spring because they compliment the flags so well!

Entryway

I like to keep most of my decor simple.  Lots of flags in vases or pitchers with flowers, and festive pillows are my jam!

Living room

Garage entryway and stairwell

Dining room

Kitchen and butlers pantry

Family room

Guest room

These pillow covers were such a great find from Amazon!  They come in a four pack for super cheep.  You get the solid red and ticking stripe that you see below, and also a buffalo check and a small check.  I was able to use them at Christmas time too.  It’s always great when you can reuse decor for different holidays. The flag pillow was a Target dollar spot find I think last year.

Loft

Thank you so much for joining me on my patriotic summer home tour!  I hope you all enjoyed!!  I will link a few of the sources for you but let me know if you have any other questions about anything!

Affiliate links (Amazon) are included for some of the items below for your convenience.  If you click on a link and make a purchase, I’ll receive a small commission at no extra cost to you. See my disclosure here.

Stars and stripes pillows

Buffalo check flower pot

Navy buffalo check outdoor rug

Red, ticking, and check pillow covers

Flags- both sizes I find in the Target dollar spot every year

XOXO

JEN

Most of my inside decor is all about simplicity so I like to extend that to my front porch as well.  So that means a navy buffalo check rug, pillows, greenery, white and yellow flowers, and a galvanized bucket were the perfect fit!  I love how this rug was a larger size than most I found to actually show more of the plaid around the edge.  

I love everything buffalo check so adding in these navy buffalo check/plaid pillows, they are actually reversible, are perfect to carry me through the summer even when the red, white, and blue come out.  I would love to find navy buffalo check chair pads but no luck so far.  I may have to make them if I start to feel ambitious!

I’m thankful my white flowers are still hanging on in the current heat that I planted in early spring.  The white is a perfect transition to my navy, white, and yellow decor.

I love fern wreaths but I usually don’t like the price that comes with them.  I was thankful to find this one for very reasonable and even though it is not a full as some of them, it was worth it for the price!

As we get closer to Memorial Day I can add in a few little flags, and the big flag out front and we will be ready for all the patriotic holidays!

Affiliate links (Amazon & Etsy) are included for some of the items below for your convenience.  If you click on a link and make a purchase, I’ll receive a small commission at no extra cost to you. See my disclosure here.

SHOP THIS SIMPLE EARLY SUMMER PORCH

Buffalo check outdoor rug

Hello welcome mat

Fern wreath

Welcome sign

Buffalo check/plaid pillows

Galvanized bucket-Hobby Lobby

SIMPLE EARLY SUMMER PORCH!

I have mentioned in a previous post that I no longer burn candles in the house, and actually haven’t outside either in years.  I found good quality essential oils to be a much safer alternative and they are actually good for you and help support your immune system. This is the first spring that we have had our backyard done in our new home, and as the weather where I live has already started to get warm during the day, that also means it is bringing more bugs out when we are trying to eat dinner outside and enjoy the patio in the evening.  I knew I didn’t want to buy citronella candles from the store, they are often full of toxic junk, so I had the idea to make my own soy candles using Young Living Citronella oil.  This is a very simple DIY and you can have them done in time for your Mother’s Day BBQ this weekend!

Affiliate links (Amazon) are included for some of the items below for your convenience.  If you click on a link and make a purchase, I’ll receive a small commission at no extra cost to you. See my disclosure here.

what you need…..

16 ounce Mason Jars (I love these adorable blue ones)

Soy wax

Candle wicks

A good quality Citronella oil (I only use Young Living)

Double boiler pot

Stick for stirring in oil- I just used a wooden chop stick I had on hand

Masking tape

Candle wick trimmer (optional)

I was able to make 4 (16oz) Mason jar candles from this 2 pound bag of wax and my double boiler pot was already half full of wax that I had to re-melt left over from a homeschool activity.  I would guess to make 4 candles you would need 3 pounds of wax or just make less candles.

I used 8 inch candle wicks to make sure they were plenty long enough and they came with a sticky to make it really easy to attach the wick to the bottom of the jar.  After sticking on the wicks I wrapped the top of the wick around a pencil to hold it in place.  

Next boil a sauce pan on medium heat.  Fill up the double boiler to the top with wax, it will sink way down as it melts.  

Then put the double boiler in the sauce pan to melt the wax.

As the wax started to melt I added more wax until the melted amount was about 1 1/2 to 2 inches from the top.  When melted remove the double boiler from the heat and add in about 100 drops of Citronella essential oil and stir.  This amount of wax and oil made 2 mason jar candles.

Carefully pour into 2 of the prepared Mason jars.  Repeat the process of melting more wax and adding more oil until you made the desired amount of candles.  The rest of my wax made 2 more candles.  I also added masking tape to the top to secure the wick better to the pencil.  Then let them dry.  I gave them 24 hours to be safe.

When they are dry cut the wick to about 1/2 inch.

These have burned great just like a regular candle and have helped keep the bugs more manageable!

Due to the quarantine we are having a backyard get together with my mom and sister’s family this Sunday late afternoon/evening for Mother’s Day.  I’m so glad we will be able to use all the candles I made to help with the bugs!

DIY MASON JAR CANDLES

a more natural way to keep the bugs away!!

I think the first year we did this my husband was working and I wanted something fun to do with the girls.  I thought of the idea for a fun tea party.  My mom joined us and we also wore Valentine’s pj’s.  The tradition has just kind of stuck through the years, whether my husband is home or not,…but we are not always in pj’s.

Lots of whites with a few pops of pink complete the space!

The three heart plates that are in the middle of the table I have had for years, but the cute little hearts at every place setting were a fun find this year!

What are your favorite Valentine’s Day traditions??

XOXO

JEN

Affiliate links (Amazon) are included for some of the items below for your convenience.  If you click on a link and make a purchase, I’ll receive a small commission at no extra cost to you. See my disclosure here.

shop this look…..

White plates

small heart plates

table runner

white pitcher

VALENTINE’S DAY TABLE

for our yearly fondue party!