Christmas in Living Color

our house this year is a color explosion.  the base of the front half of the house is especially neutral, just plain plain really, so all the crazy color has not only been a fun and bright change, but it's easy to do with such a neutral back drop.



besides color, my christmas criteria is kid friendly.  the boys mess with EVERYTHING, and although nothing ever has broken, i need to be okay if it does.  i just don't ever want the house to feel so precious we can't live in it, and friends can't bring their children over.

i know all too well the uncomfortable feeling of being in someone's home, and it's just stressful because it's so unlivable.  i AM teaching the boys how to respect a home and furnishings and things of value, but nothing has the eternal value that my boys do.  i value them more than any thing in my home, and never come down on them if something breaks.  what an opportunity to forgive them, and tell them how highly you value them and love them.



the mantel again.  ok, i really love it.



this tree again.  so it's just a walmart tree (you know, clearance after the season).
but these trees are super short.
but i don't want it to look short.
hence:



it's stacked up on about 4 layers of bricks.



then i ripped open a pillow and covered the bricks with "snow" batting.
i never really liked that pillow anyhow ;)





besides the mantel, i also made this wreath this year.  no tutorial (i mean why go to all that trouble with pinterest and all), but it's not something i found on pinterest.  i just kinda went nuts randomly hot gluing glass ornaments onto a straw wreath until it was out of control, crazy full.









i made this bench to be a window seat a while back.  now this i would be willing to do a tutorial on :)





wreaths on the bookcases.





command hooks baby.  i have them everywhere this year.



i got this tree all dolled up only to realize the lights didn't work.  dang.