THE CHRISTMAS LIVING ROOM

I'm still making tiny adjustments here and there, but I think the living room is done. At some point my husband asked me what I could possibly have left to do. But, I mean, sometimes it takes a while to get it to my liking. Anyway, I thought I would close out this year on the blog with a quick living room tour and share some last minute easy decorating ideas, so come on in . . .

 

Add ribbon, tie a bow - instant Christmas.

Fill a pretty bowl with ornaments, as many as you can find!

Place some greenery of any shape or size throughout your bookshelves or on your table tops. 

Invest in pillow covers and throw blankets that you can reuse every year. Then, mix and match them with what you already have. This pillow cover is perfect for seasonal decorating. Most of my throw blankets around my room are from Home Goods. They always have a terrific selection. 

And now just a few random shots.

My kids did not like me changing out their old stockings, but I love these new ones.

And that's a Christmas living room wrap. 

My wish for you and your family this season is for you to experience Joy and Peace like never before. Here is an older post that I shared several years ago, but it will ring true always. 

Thank you for your encouragement and support of the Woodbank Lane blog. I'll see you again in January. 

Kathryn

HOLIDAY WREATHS FOR DRESSING UP YOUR DOORS

Now that we are moving on to all things Christmas, and decking the halls, I've rounded up some pretty wreaths. These are all from Amazon, and should make it to you in plenty of time to greet your holiday guests. All the links to shop are under the wreaths. I'm guessing that it won't be long until stock begins to run low, so if you see one you like, order soon!

ONE  //  TWO  //  THREE  //  FOUR

(affiliate links)

FIVE  //  SIX  //  SEVEN  //  EIGHT

(affiliate links)

Coming next week, an idea for a festive front porch.

RED, WHITE, AND BLUE ROUND UP

Happy Fourth of July week!

I'll be taking the rest of the week off from the blog, but I've rounded up some past posts that might interest you and could be helpful with your Independence Day celebrations. Just click on the blue links for some ideas you might want to try. I'll be back next week!

A recipe every one of your guests will love.

You'll probably have time for extra coffee this weekend. Create a coffee station. 

Remember when the dining room was red?
Some ideas for setting a 4th of July colored table.

And speaking of the dining room... An easy idea for your table.

Some other ideas for decorating.

A grilling idea.

A beautiful room with reds, whites, and blues.

Last one... An easy "summer casserole" with blue berries.

Hope you have a great holiday!

Kathryn

15 GIFT IDEAS FOR FATHER'S DAY

Now it's dad's turn--time to think about the fathers out there. Father's Day is June 21st, and will be here before you know it. Maybe this gift guide will help you get rid of the guess work.

Here are 15 ideas for Dad that I've rounded up from all over the place. Surely there is something here he will like. Let's see...

1. For the dad with a beard, a maintenance kit that includes a storage bag.

2. A military-style work watch. I really like the handsome look of it, and it has good reviews.

3. For the coffee-drinking dad, a handled Yeti coffee mug.

4. I wouldn't mind having this digital measuring tape myself.

5. This catch all, leather tray is great for keeping clutter off the kitchen counters. My husband was recently gifted one of these, and he is actually using it.

6. Portable car vacuum. I want one of these as well.

7. How about a water-proof blue tooth speaker? If he's washing his car (or yours!), it won't matter if it gets wet.

8. And speaking of music, wireless earbuds are a thought.

9. For the cook in the house, a tool set for the grill.

10. A t-shirt that says it all.

11. For the dad who uses a lot of technology, blue light blocking glasses.

12. Back and neck massager, with heat.

13. If your dad is traveling this summer or travels with his work, this is a good-looking travel bag.

14. Did you watch the space launch? A space read is timely.

15.  And finally, how about a putting green for the golfers.



Hopefully this helped you figure out an idea or two for dad.

Kathryn

15 GIFT IDEAS FOR MOTHER'S DAY

It's almost Mom's big day, and although we may not be able to gather like we normally would, there's still time to order a sweet gift for our moms if you've procrastinated like me. Here are few items from Amazon that moms everywhere will like, including this one!

1. These are the cutest gloves for working in the yard or potting plants and flowers.

2. I've been looking for picture frames and love the rope border on this one. It comes in three sizes.

3. A light weight throw for any room in the house would be great. It comes in five colors. It's 100 percent cotton and will be perfect for cool spring and summer evenings inside or on the porch.

4. Beautiful. A decorating and design book by Mark D. Sikes. It's one of my favorites.

5. Something blue and white. Every house should have a touch of it. This set of three comes in several different patterns.

6. This flower is perfect in any room. I love orchids in all vignettes. Order two and she can use them on a pair of nightstands or the mantel.

7. A pretty journal for jotting down the important things or all the crazy things 2020 has brought us.

8. A garden stool is the perfect side table, both inside and outside.

9. This 6-pack of pillow covers comes in 11 colors.

10. Decorative storage baskets: baskets are everywhere in my house. They hold everything from magazines to scarves.

11. A handsome tray with polished metal handles for organizing or decorating. Navy and gold is such a good combination.

12. One of my favorite purchases last month was this Hello welcome mat.

13. We are all cooking more, and we all love Joanna. Here's her latest cookbook.

14. I thought this faux fern would be perfect for any table top or on a book shelf.

15. These decorative bowls will be good for summer entertaining when we are all back together.

WBL receives a small commission from purchases made through links in this post. 

I hope you see something that Mom will like. 

Have a good weekend!

Kathryn

IF I HAD STAIRS... CHRISTMAS DECORATING IDEAS

I've always thought I would love a home with stairs. These pictures reminded me of that.  There's so much you can do to dress up a staircase for the holidays. If you are lucky enough to have stairs in your house, here are some beautiful ways to decorate for the holidays. Some are simple and some are elaborate, but they all have Christmas beauty in common. 

A swag with natural elements at the end of the staircase works perfectly and can be just enough stair decor. (Take a tour of this lovely Chicago home here.)

Traditional Home

MY LAST-MINUTE CENTER PIECE

I'm guessing that most of you, like me, are getting your final thoughts together for Thanksgiving. I have my to-do list scribbled down and I still need to make a trip to the grocery store. After that the only thing left is the cooking. Yay! We aren't actully eating at our house this year; we'll be at my parents' house. I did want to use these pumpkins one more time before they were done for, so I set a quick table. Here's how it turned out.

FALL AND THANKSGIVING TABLE INSPIRATION

Okay, friends. The countdown is on.

Less than two weeks to get your thoughts together on your Thanksgiving tables. Need a few ideas? I found some pretty ones. I've rounded us up a little of everything under the November sun. Look for neutrals, greenery, plaid, colors, and blue and white. I know you'll see something that promises to jump-start your holiday planning. 

Eleven Gables

IDEAS FOR DAD (UNDER $100)

When I'm out of school for the summer, I'm not too good at keeping up with dates or the days. For example, I mailed my father-in-law his gift this week because I thought Father's Day was this Sunday! At least it will be on time. :-) That means you still have time to shop for the fathers in your lives, so I put together a few ideas for you.

Dad Shirt

Echo Dot 2

Television Trays

Star Wars

Laptop Stand

Hawaiian Print Shirt

Jones New York Tie

Toiletry Bag (Image:Teals Prairie Etsy Shop)

The run down:

1 - This cute shirt is from Walmart. They have others you may like as well. ($21.90)

2 - The ECHO DOT 2 is the mini version of the ECHO. ($49.99)

3 - I love these trays. They're from Walmart, but they are a Hayneedle product. ($66.06)

4 - What dad doesn't love Star Wars? ($24.99)

5 - This Best Buy gift idea is perfect for the dad who uses a laptop. ($49.99)

6 - It is summer! I love my guy in red. This one is from Nordstrom. ($59.50)

7 - So you want to go traditional? Head over to Steinmart. ($16.99)

8 - This is from the Etsy shop Teals Prairie. They have really unique engraved gifts. ($49.99)

Hopefully, you've picked up an idea or two.

Kathryn