Let it snow, let it snow, let it snow! Wishing you a very Merry Christmas, although, if you’re like us, the weather is far to warm to wish you a white one!
Before the family all gets together for Christmas lunch, we’ll take a long Christmas walk — or, in this year’s case, the smallest of us will be biking!
Squeezing in the last bit of merriment, good cheer and, yes, over-indulgence, before the Breville Juice & Blend’s main purpose goes from frozen cocktails to New Year’s resolutions of smoothies and green juice. We have to say that with a Breville, we love our morning smoothies. We feel like pros when we are able to make the perfect smoothie every time, and they are delicious!
But, until then, wishing you lots of treats and sweets and happy memories! Merry Christmas, friends!
NEW YEAR’S EVE FASHIONS
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FAVORITES FOR YOUR HOME
Great news, Kindle readers!Slightly South of Simple is now available on Kindle Unlimited. If you haven’t started my Peachtree Bluff Series, now is the perfect time 🍑 And, oh my goodness, thank you to all who have downloaded! Slightly South is
The Huffington Post said of Slightly South:“Writers come and writers go, but Kristy Woodson Harvey is here to stay. The warmth, wit, and wisdom of this novel pave her way into the exclusive sisterhood of southern writers.” I’d love it if you checked it out!
FOR MORE INSPIRATION VISIT OUR INSTAGRAMAND PINTERESTAND OUR TOP TEN POSTS OF 2017 HEREAND TOP TEN POSTS OF 2018HERE.
While we love adding modern aspects into our decor, when it comes to the holidays, we’re all about traditions. Christmas in particular is, to us, about family, about everyone gathered around the same tree. And, while it seems contradictory, maybe that’s the reason that we’ve scarcely had a Christmas with only our family around the table…
Family is the people whose stocking you want to be right beside yours, hung by the chimney with care, on Christmas morning when you wake up, bright-eyed, to see what Santa brought.
Christmas morning is magical, of course, but, for us, Christmas Eve has always held a special place. Our Rocky Road candy is waiting beside the fireplace for the big man’s arrival. (Our Santa doesn’t do gluten… Plus, he has to get sick of cookies at some point.) And we turn the logs off, of course. Can you imagine if Santa slid down the chimney into that? Little Will has always been a stickler about this.
The night starts with all the family around the set-to-perfection dinner table. We use it all: the linen tablecloths, napkins, fine china, silver, silver service, crystal…
It’s a grand occasion, after all. Why wouldn’t we celebrate it in the finest fashion? Mom always cooks the same dinner: company chicken, brown rice, marinated asparagus, biscuits… Even the slightest deviation in the menu is cause for serious alarm. (And I grew up thinking that you can only eat company chicken, brown rice and marinated asparagus on Christmas Eve.)
For dessert, there are cookies, of course. But Mom and I always cook meringues, as well. At least twice. Because, well, we never can remember if it’s a metal bowl you’re supposed to use or a glass one. (Even now, I have no idea.) And one of us feels sure. And we’re always wrong. Then they don’t stiffen properly. And we have used all the egg whites and we have to go back to the stuffed-to-the-gills grocery store. Then we mash Heath Bar with a hammer and fold it into whipped cream for a delicious topping. I, myself don’t much care for meringues. Neither does Mom. But, like I said, changes to the menu–even parts that no one even seems to like that much–are met with major consternation.
But the BEST part of the dessert. The best, best, best part is the party poppers! The spark, the noise, the faint scent of gunpowder… It’s an event not to be missed, the right compromise for those who are more partial to Fourth of July.
Some years hold musical instruments that we all must learn to play, some have games or tiny treats. But the constant is the crowns. And, if you’re going to sit around our family Christmas Eve dinner table, you wear the crown. No exceptions. Kind of like the meringues.
Dinner holds this kind of magical expectation, that tense balance between wanting to savor every moment and wanting it to be over. Because, after dinner…
Everyone gets to pick one present to open! One well-chosen, hand-picked gift from underneath the tree. But only one. It is meant to whet your appetite, tide you over until the morning when the real unwrapping begins.
And everyone gets Christmas jammies, of course. Because everyone must look his or her most dashing to greet the treats that Santa left.
We tuck in our beds way too late. Far, far too late. So late that when the little feet pitter pat down the hall wanting to see what Santa brought, we might, for a moment, regret how late we talked and laughed into the night. But then, there is coffee and Moravian Sugar Cake. And, of course, more time with family.
The pecan pie will be delicious. Grandmommy’s homemade caramel cake too. But, if you ask us, those special moments, those memories that we will cherish forever, are the sweetest part of all.
What are your favorite holiday traditions? We’d love to know!
Great news, Kindle readers!Slightly South of Simple is now available on Kindle Unlimited. If you haven’t started my Peachtree Bluff Series, now is the perfect time 🍑 And, oh my goodness, thank you to all who have downloaded! Slightly South is
The Huffington Post said of Slightly South:“Writers come and writers go, but Kristy Woodson Harvey is here to stay. The warmth, wit, and wisdom of this novel pave her way into the exclusive sisterhood of southern writers.” I’d love it if you checked it out!
FOR MORE INSPIRATION VISIT OUR INSTAGRAMAND PINTERESTAND OUR TOP TEN POSTS OF 2017 HEREAND TOP TEN POSTS OF 2018HERE.
If we had to narrow down one of the things we get asked most frequently on Design Chic, it must be this: How do I incorporate my antiques–the treasures, the relics of my family history and my past–while creating a modern looking home?
The crystal and silver is all in its place–in a butler’s pantry whose color is very now. That’s that perfect blend that Pickart makes look so easy.
Painting the backs of cabinets is one of our favorite things. And an unexpected color–like this lovely lavender–takes it to the next level.
With the holidays here, we have the guest room on our minds. Isn’t this one perfectly appointed?
This light and bright bathroom combines the best of the best of the classics and the brand new for a totally unique look.
Who needs ceilings when you can have skylights? This mudroom is surely one of the favorite spots in the house! As for us, we don’t think we could pick a favorite Alison Pickart space. Each one is more beautiful than the next!
Thank you so much for making Design Chic a part of your day. We love spending the holidays with you!
Want a copy a THE SOUTHERN SIDE OF PARADISE under your tree for someone you love, before the May 7, 2019 release date? Just preorder now, and I’ll send a cute wrapped card like the above, signed on the back, so they know their new book is coming! Email the address to me at kristywoodsonharvey @ gmail . com and I’ll get your card in the mail!
Now that we have finished hauling the rest of the Christmas decorations out of storage it is finally feeling like the most wonderful time of the year! Decorating for Christmas is one of our favorite things to do. If you need a little help getting started–or simply can’t get enough holiday decor–take a peek at this gorgeous Buckhead home from Atlanta Homes & Lifestyles photographed by the fabulous Emily Followill Photography.
Whether you’re finished with your decorations or just getting started, we hope that whatever the rest of this holiday week holds, it fills you with joy. Thanks for making Design Chic a part of your celebration!
THE PEACHTREE BLUFF SERIES
Today, we want to help make your holiday shopping a little bit easier with a $100 Visa gift card–and celebrate The Southern Side of Paradise’s cover. (Details on Rafflecopter.) Winner will be announced December 13!
It’s beginning to look–and sound–a lot like Christmas around here! (And on this fab house tour!)
The Christmas tunes are blaring 24-7, the mantels are swathed in greenery and the tree, as of last night, is decorated!
Whether you’re all decorated or can’t quite get in the spirit yet, this gorgeous Christmas house is sure to have you feeling merry and bright!
We’re still in our rental condo post-Hurricane Florence, and, while our Christmas tree is far from Charlie Brown, this one is giving us major tree envy! There’s nothing like a big, full tree!
Do you tend to go more thematic with your ornaments or is it a hodge podge? I used to be a stickler for only metallics–until my little one started bringing home his first homemade treats. Now it’s a colorful explosion and I really think it’s cuter!
We have about a million different sets of stockings. Cutesy, homemade ones (from Etsy, you guys. You know we can’t DIY…), fun, whimsical ones, sedate coastal ones. Every mantel should have its own stockings, right? All we know is that we’re loving these!
Setting the holiday table is just the most fun, isn’t it? This fruit centerpiece is so chic yet so simple!
With so many tabletop options, it’s almost impossible to choose just one!
Sneaking a little holiday cheer in around your normal accessories can be a challenge. But these homeowners nailed it!
There’s no better way to make a first impression than with a wreath and jingle bells on the door! They set the stage for the charming holiday wonderland that waits right beyond the door.
Speaking of holiday wonderlands… We’re in NYC all week long and will be posting plenty of Christmas cheer from there over on Instagram if you want to join us on our trip! Thanks for stopping by and happy holiday decorating!
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The mantels are decorated and the pilot lights are lit in preparation for Christmas Eve fires. (No wood-burning fireplaces here, sadly enough.)
We have decorated our trees and oohed and aahed over each ornament–and the memories that go with it. From the Christopher Radko wedding gifts to the Simon Pearce balls that mark the passing of each year to the handmade treasures from each year of school, every ornament has a special meaning.
And the crystal is washed and the silver is polished in preparation for days of celebration.
The presents are mostly wrapped and underneath the tree. From scooters and laser tag to iPhone 8s and iPads, Carolina blue cashmere to our favorites of all, sparkly things in small, small boxes, they are ready and waiting for Santa’s arrival!
We think we’ll take a note from Suzanne Kasler and keep the flowers simple this year. There is nothing more beautiful–or more Christmas-y–than fresh greenery and bright berries.
The best part of the holidays comes after the presents have been opened and the turkey has been eaten, after the carols have been sung and the PJs are on, when everyone sits around the fire sipping cocktails or hot chocolate to reflect on another year well spent.
To remember where each has come from and plan for what will be better in the year ahead.
It is these small, simple things, the wreaths on the front doors, the silver sugar dishes full of candy canes, that set the stage for a magical holiday season with family and friends, that is full of good cheer and maybe, if you’re really lucky, even a little rest.
As Suzanne Kasler beautifully portrays, with a few snips from the great outdoors, the stage is set for a memorable holiday season. Are you ready for the holidays?
Thanks so much for making Design Chic a part of your day. We always love seeing you here!
Last week we had the pleasure of spending a fun-filled long weekend in the place that we think gets as close to Christmas magic as you can without going to the North Pole: NYC! I had the most amazing day of meetings with the team at Gallery Books (Simon & Schuster), about all that is THE SECRET TO SOUTHERN CHARM, the sequel to SLIGHTLY SOUTH OF SIMPLE and the second book in Peachtree Bluff series–and filmed fun videos that I can’t wait to share with you! To celebrate the upcoming launch (April 3, 2018!) and get you in the holiday spirit, we’re giving away a $100 Amazon gift card for your holiday essentials. Enter below!
