holidays. simplified. Archives - Page 2 of 7

This Year’s (Very Red) Christmas Tree

Nov282018

This year’s Christmas tree strategy is simple: red, red and more red. We put up one family tree downstairs; it’s a Martha Stewart one from Home Depot that we’ve had for several years. The kids start by putting on any and every ornament they’ve ever made–paper, pipe cleaners, glitter, marshmallows, it doesn’t matter! (This is also the time each year I realize that I still owe the twins a baby ornament of their own. . . )

When they’re finished, I go behind them and hang the “decorative” ornaments. Sticking to one, heavily layered, color scheme pulls it all together.

To create a similar look: use shades of all one color for effect, vary the sizes (mine are a mix of 2.75″ and 4″), and place them both on the tips and tucked into branches for a really layered look. I finished with this inexpensive throw blanket as a tree skirt that works great if your tree is tucked in a corner like ours.

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Our Festive Entryway with Walmart Finds

Nov192018

This post is sponsored by Walmart.

I’m adding a few new pieces to our entryway Christmas decorations this year and have found several things from a source you might overlook. Walmart has really stepped up their style game for home decor at great price points and free shipping on any order over $35. (Woohoo!) They’ve even set up shop-by- style categories to make updating your home easier.

For our traditional entry, I added another nutcracker to my collection and am using several of these small faux boxwood wreaths tied with festive ribbon. They’re the perfect size for layering over mirrors. I’m also a fan of these inexpensive throws–especially in lime green for the holidays. I ordered an extra to use in place of a tree skirt this year.

I draped the banister in a simple faux boxwood garland and found the prettiest hurricane candle holder (with a faux marble base) for our entry table. (The price is right, so I wanted to use several of them going down the bottom few stairs, but hello! Kids!)

Need more attainable holiday inspiration? Here are a few more of my favorite Walmart finds. . .

Preserving Family Photos with KODAK Digitizing Box

Nov152018

This post is sponsored by the KODAK Digitizing Box.

We’re probably all guilty of not printing enough photos in this day and age. But, what about all of those old family photos that actually are printed and are most likely stored away in boxes, sitting in unbeknownst corners of our attics? What a treasure they are–if we only take the time to go through them.

KODAK Digitizing Box Preserving Family Photos

My grandmother passed away 16 years ago (which completely blows my mind) and only within the last couple of months have my dad and aunt gone through the stacks of her photos and family documents. That’s how fast time flies, isn’t it??

Sorting through family treasures and organizing them is one thing, but preserving–and being able to share them with family–is another. Whether you decide to digitize your own photos or buy a box as a gift for someone else, the KODAK Digitizing Box couldn’t be easier. You find and gather the photos (or videos or cassettes or slides, etc.) and they do the rest of the work.

Kodak Digitizing Box labels

What you get: KODAK sends you a big box, printed labels, detailed instructions and a shipping label.

What you do: My dad took the time to sort photos by each sibling’s family, but you don’t have to be quite so organized. . . Once you group your items, just label the items with the preprinted bar codes, put everything in the box and affix the included shipping label.

We also sent in these old slides. They’ll digitize VHS, cassettes, and even reels.
KODAK Digitizing Box

KODAK already has a great reputation for high quality that also spills over into the digitization of everything you want to preserve. I think my main concern, especially when it came to my grandparents’ original photos, was making sure that everything was returned and well taken care of during the process. I’m happy to report that KODAK kept me informed every step of the way, letting me know when they received the box and sending me email updates during the process. (All of your originals are returned!)

What you receive: All of our photos were delivered on a jump drive, CD and via a Google Drive link for easy sharing. Easy to wrap up and share with the whole family for Christmas. That’s a gift that’s hard to beat.

Great news! Kodak Digitizing Box has extended their offer for my readers and is now offering 30% off (as of 12/10/18). Makes a great holiday gift! Take 30% off your first order with promo code EMILY.

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