Winter Decorations After Christmas

We still have a lot of winter left but the house always looks a little bleak once then Christmas decor is put away.

I can't just jump into spring. What do you do? 

I love winter decor. It's tranquil after all the circus of color during fall and Christmas. 

Here are some areas that I've styled for the season. 

Most of my winter decor is neutral Christmas decor and most of it was found on after Christmas clearance. 

I've tried pulling it out at Christmas but it typically it doesn't get used until the Santas, elves, reindeer and plaid is all put away. This year some of that was switched out even before Christmas day. 

It was too much clutter for me this year. 

I love the black and white images of my mother pulling my siblings on the sleigh. It is delightful. I miss my mother so much. 

I keep a stash of sweater pillows and throws for colder months. I love them with my ticking stripe pillows. Ticking is a staple in our decor. 

The book is a diary of Edith Holden. Her illustrations are just the best. 

I found this copy on eBay. 

I made one of those sweater wreaths last winter. 

The black and white ceramic snowman was a thrifted find. I think he is just the cutest. I love that he has no red on him so he's perfect for after Christmas decorating. He was only $1.99.

Paperwhites play a large role in our decor this month. Mine are faux. 

I've forced real ones but I really don't like the way they smell. Plus, they have a tendency to flop over.  

Red transferware and plaid was traded for blue. 

The blue plaid is fun and a little unexpected. Blue is a wonderful accent color in January. 

Birds with glittery nests dot a few surfaces. 

Here are some rare nighttime photos with candlelight. 

Finally, my prized German snowbabies. These were $11.00 off of eBay ages ago. I searches for months before I found them. They were cake decorations. 

That's about it for now. 

I hope you are well. 

Katie 

Best Winter Decor Ideas/Santa's Got To Go

Hello, Darlings!
How are you?
I hope you had a good Christmas. We did.

The packages are all opened. The wrapping paper has been taken out to the trash. The gift bags and ribbon are all packed up for the attic. I can't stand the sight of a cookie tin once Santa has had his cookies and milk. The red, stockings, reindeer, sleds, Santa and even pine boughs need to be packed up as soon as the day is done.
Wednesday morning I started removing all the holiday accoutrements and dumped them in a tote.
I have specific winter decor items so I pulled those out.

Snowmen replaced Santa figurines. The scarf on this one from the Green Flea in NYC was orange, green and yellow. Nope. He got a new blue and white plaid scarf.
It was easy to repaint.

Icy branches were substituted for evergreen boughs.

An icy nest is about the cutest thing ever.

 
The snowball pick came from the Raz Import Warehouse Sale last June.

The sparkly wreath came from them as well.

Deer sheds, birch and pine cones replaced cedar.

My white cottages were left out. This vignette got some antique German snowbabies.

A white church is a reminder of the importance of worship. It wasn't on display this Christmas so I wanted it out now. Who knows it may stay out all year and remind me to be in prayer.

I wasn't ready to put my cute trucks away so they all got pine cones and icy branches.

A darling snowy print in a chippy frame was added to the kitchen. 

Warm white mittens and a scarf hang with a blue jacket.

I thought I could live with the trees for a few days after removing all the obvious Christmas motifs but sadly I couldn't.
Two of the trees came down. The other one is still up but it's undecorated until it goes in the attic.
The alpine tree in the entryway stays up all during January.
I'm about to head up to the Christmas store to see what's on sale.
I really want some cool lights that I saw this fall but I was too cheap to pay retail.
 I'll let you know if I find them.
I'm trying my chair in a new spot.

So far I like it.

I love the tree but I love how open it all feels without it.
I've got some plans for the new year. It's been five years since I painted everything that couldn't run away. Some of our pieces need repainting. I'll write up a blog post to share the things that are on my list for the new year.
Have a wonderful weekend.
We still have one more Christmas celebration and we have New Year's Eve plans for the first time is ages.
Whoo hoo.
I'll be back.
Katie 

The Polar Vortex

Happy New Year! 

How's the Polar vortex treating you? 

We have some cold, cold weather here in Texas.  

I've done a few Polar inspired vignettes in keeping with the weather. 

Tip of the day - after Christmas clearance sales are a great way to find a few things to sparkle up the space for winter. 

I love, love these Polar bears. 

The votive holder was only $2.00. It was deeply discounted because some plastic gems had fallen off. I just popped off the rest! I bought three of these because they are so perfect for winter tablescapes. 

The momma Polar bear was from the same store. Baby was from Pier 1 during last year's sales. 

The sparkly branches help transition from Christmas to winter decor. 

They were on sale too. 

My penguins were also from Pier 1 last year. 

The icy ribbon like birch bark is too fun. I hot glued it to a battery operated pillar candle. 

 I couldn't bear to put my stained glass window away so a cute bear makes a pilgrimage toward the warm light. I'm getting a chuckle out of this one. 

This bear came from Judith @ Botanic Bleu. It's a cutie. 

I glammed up a wood cut out ornament to match.  

My favorite little winter chickadees rest on the kitchen table with an icy nest. 

We were supposed to have a family lunch but the weather put the kibosh on that. 

Instead Bill and I have had a delicious brunch. 

Chili and black eyed peas are on the menu for this evening. 

I've already finished reading an amazing book by Karianne Wood of Thistlewood Farms. 

I've enjoyed hunkering down this weekend.  

Please come back tomorrow and link up a post or two at my new link party.  

I can't wait to keep in touch. 

I hope your New Year is off to a good start. 

Katie 

Here is where I party:

Worthing Court

Savvy Southern Style

Essence of Home 

Ms. Toody Goo Shoes

5 Ways To Keep The Twinkle Of Christmas Going

One of my favorite things about the Christmas decor is the twinkle lights that come with having trees and garlands. 

The world needs more twinkle, in my humble opinion.

After the thrill is gone and Christmas is put away, the house looks a little sad.
You can add some winter decor as I have done in this post but I've got five ways to keep the twinkle going into the month of January.

#1. Battery Operated Candles

#2. Faux Fireplace

Ours in the sunroom adds such a cozy glow.

#3. Strings Of White Lights

There are plenty of white novelty lights that don't necessarily scream Christmas.

#4. Votive Candles

#5. Undecorated Trees

The tree out in the green house is still glowing each night.

I will be back to share more about our little green house.
I just love it. It is the cutest thing.
Keep that twinkle going.
Katie