NewlyWoodwards

an unconventional home

Settling for “better” over “perfect” | a mattress-on-the-floor manifesto

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For six months, Ryan and I have been sleeping on a mattress on the floor. I know. It’s shameful. At first, we convinced ourselves it was temporary. We didn’t bother bringing our old DIY wooden platform bed (built in 2009) upstairs and assembling it again because I wanted something different. We had big plans to build something epic. […]

Finding contentment at home

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Right now, our house has a cavernous echo. Like being inside an aircraft hangar. Only instead, it’s just that it’s been cleared of all Christmas lights and baubles. And I love it. Turning the calendar page to 2017 was like a nice, deep breath. A fresh start. Your home can benefit from a fresh start, too. Do you have home […]

A dinosaur Christmas tree

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I feel like many parents (myself included) feel a lot of pressure to create the perfect holiday magic for our kids. It’s all on us. It’s enough to make us crazy trying to do all the things, see all the Santas, hide all the elves, buy all the gifts, and craft all the glorious glittered perfection. […]

4 ways to display photos and holiday cards this year

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Do you need a simple way to display holiday cards and photos at Christmas? Try one of these simple ideas. Are you amazed by the sheer speed of the holiday season? Gifts to buy. Trees to decorate. Stockings to fill. Parties to host. I love it all. I do. But, it’s about more than all the STUFF […]

It takes a Christmas village

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When the holiday season hits, I get a little sentimental. Do you do this, too? I think about all the magical things I remember from holidays as a kid. Gifts under the tree on Christmas morning. Family dinners. Even the one year when we drove to Florida on Christmas Day. My brother and I watched movies on […]

Festive kitchen decor for the holidays

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Friends – don’t overlook the kitchen when you are decorating.

Because I know you spend time in the kitchen. I know your guests gather there, too. (Because, duh, food.)

Throw up some bows on the cabinets. Display your Christmas dishes. Hang an advent.