Florida

We headed to the beach for a long weekend and snuck in a quick photo shoot. This is the second year in a row I’ve managed to capture a beach pic so I think this will be our new summer tradition. Just for reference, here is last year’s at Isle of Palms, South Carolina.

I can’t believe how much everyone has grown! My big kids seem to have gotten especially teenager-y over the course of the year.

The boys ran off pretty fast but I caught the girls quickly enough that they posed for a sisters’ pic and I’m so happy that I did. My sister is my best friend in the whole world and I can’t imagine what life would be like without her. I love it so much that my girls have each other.

The twins wanted to also do a dressed-up twilight shoot. They are just the most fun to photograph, too. I never have to do more than ask and they are ready to go!

Cal snuck out there on the beach to make his sisters laugh, which is always appreciated.

Sweets from The Chocolate Moose

I think everyone needs a little sweetness in their life right now, don’t you?

Heart

Happy Valentine’s Day to those that celebrate! Here’s hoping there’s a bit of magic and sweetness out there for you.

February

It snowed in South Carolina! It was only a dusting but it was so beautiful while it lasted.

My New Endeavor: A Peak Into Iris Reads

So I read. A lot. My kids also read a lot. And that’s only increased since the twins are now able to do full chapter books and I work part-time at a library. And given how much time I’ve been spending on Bookstagram, I found that I wanted to actually participate and start a positive, kid-friendly bookstagram account. Thus began Iris Reads.

I’m already having so much fun, too! If you are at all interested in books, from fiction to nonfiction, from middle grade reading to young adult reading, please follow me on Instagram at iris_reads. I’m hoping to do a monthly recap journal entry, too, with my favorite reads for the month along with some standout reads that my kids want to share. January’s recap will be forthcoming this week and I’ve already knocked out two books for February, too!

The Season of Process: A Cozy Winter Mantle

Sometimes the process is easy. You have a vision in your head and you execute it and everything works out for the best. Most of the time for me, I have no idea what I want until it all comes together.

What I knew I wanted: something cozy and neutral that would work with the existing palette of our living room. I knew I wanted to incorporate this vintage plate with a winter scene. I knew that I wanted brass candlesticks and wooden candlesticks. I knew that my large white mirror would work well to build on. Other than that? I had no idea where this was going.

The best advice I can give as a creative is to keep bringing things together until it clicks. I found this yarn at a craft store and it looked like the perfect readymade tree garland. The organ music came from a small shop in Taylors, South Carolina. It didn’t end up in the final iteration of the mantle because I used it elsewhere (stay tuned!) but it helped to invoke the feel I was going for…vintage and classic but decidedly more organic than traditional.

The cedar wreath was the best I could find and came from Joanna Gaines’ Hearth & Hand line at Target. I secured the plate in the middle by using floral wire attached to a plate hanger. The large pinecones were at our grocery store and all the ribbon is vintage (I collect it!)

This birch garland is all the rage on Instagram but I couldn’t leave well enough alone and had to make it a bit more original. I painted it with this pearlescent paint in a white opal color way, to add a bit of sparkle.

Ultimately, I could not have done this without inspiration. The Ballard Designs catalog had a simple cedar wreath hanging in the center of a mirror on a wide ribbon which I recreated. And I watched endless Instagram stories in an attempt to perfectly hang my garland on the mantle without damaging it (command hooks and floral wire! Who knew?!)

But it was really Kristen of Ella Claire Blog that I truly owe so much to—especially her mixing of faux garland and fresh eucalyptus on her family room mantle that I couldn’t wait to recreate. The eucalyptus adds so much depth and was only $6 from Trader Joe’s—inexpensive enough that I don’t mind switching it out every few weeks until after Christmas. It smells lovely and looks so full and lush and I cannot recommend this method enough.

I couldn’t really decide on one stocking to represent the Parker Five so instead I chose several! The boys gravitated towards the large knit ones and Rhiannon, my animal lover, immediately claimed the faux fur stocking on the end. Aria, who is such a design-guru already, loved the diamond pattern on her stocking and Isla, possibly the most easiest going big sister ever, was fine with her choice. I found the initial ornaments at Walmart of all places and they match perfectly.

My trick to hanging the pinecones? Plant hangers screwed into the end and some vintage ribbon. That’s it!

The texture and richness of so many layers together really activates the cozy vibe for me. I love the effect of the asymmetry of the candlesticks and the garland. I love how there are only three colors but because they are in such diverse fabrics and mediums, it all feels cohesive. And I love the sparkly, battery-powered fairy lights—a fabulous Amazon find!

I don’t know about you, but sparkly wood next to a navy velvet ribbon speaks to my design soul.

I’m almost ready to show more areas in our home as I finish up our Christmas decorating but I was so happy to finish this mantle that I now get to enjoy by the light of Hallmark Channel movies.