Deck the Mantles...

The first thing I decorated this year was the mantle.

It seems the easiest for me to do. A little greenery, a little pretty thing or two and Christmas is officially here.

This year's mantle is sorta similar to the one from last year, except with my new blue touches in the house, I decided to go more blue and red instead of green and red. Thus my green square wreath didn't make the cut (on the upstairs mantle at least).

In fact, this mantle went through a couple versions before I finally feel like I got it right.

Allow me to give you the run down...

The garland

This garland is like 15 years old.

Okay, maybe more like 10, but it is in BAD SHAPE. Regardless of the condition, I learned a few years ago to add stuff to the garland to "gussy it up." My favorite thing to add is this light green eucalyptus.

I love the contrast.

There is really no rhyme or reason. I buy a bush or a stem and cut the heck out of it and literally just stuff it in the blank spaces.

Then I add in my red toile ribbon (surely by now you would know (surely by now you would expect to see some toile from me!) Finally I shove in bits of red pepperberries I hacked off a large garland.

Here it is all plumped up and purty:

You can see how I tried to tie in some of the blue from my built in's and roman shades with the plate. But how is that transferware plate just floating on top of it?

Wish you knew? Okay, I'll show you:

Those are Command Strip picture hangers. Basically it is like velcro.

It holds really well. That plate is actually off my dining room wall where they have been hanging like that for a few months.

Along with the mantle, I have a big ol' hearth to accessorize too. Here are some close ups of that area:

Here is a parade of pictures for the upstairs mantle:

This is the view that greets me at the top of the stairs every morning.

It makes me smile. everyday.

Oh, don't go away please. Come downstairs with me. This part of the post won't be as long. Keep in mind I do the same tweaking with the garland here too.

A few lights, a few shoves with some greenery snippets, some glass beads, a little ribbon and there ya go. Fat, fabulous, expensive looking garland.

I did go with traditional red and green downstairs for two reasons. One, it matches and two, I love my polka dot ribbon. (toile and polka dot, my two weaknesses)

I spare you almost all of the wordy details and just show the pics:

Thanks for sticking through such a long post! I'm linking up with Layla and French Country Cottage, so if you REALLY want to be impressed by some decorating skills, come visit the party!

There are lots of Christmas parties coming up and I plan on posting quite a bit throughout this month, so keep checking back!

In case you didn't know, December is the "Month O' Decorating!"

Let the merriment begin!