After Christmas Clearance

One of the nicest things about the

after Christmas clearance sale items...is that they make the best January decorations!

Reminiscing The Past With The Present

When we were first married my husband and I always had a real tree for Christmas. The tree selection process would take nearly the entire day as we would visit several lots trying to find the biggest and cheapest tree (almost always under $10). There were a couple of years that we were lucky enough to find a tree with a double trunk which meant that it would fill up the entire six foot window of our first home. When our children were young we took them to a wooded lot to select and cut down the Christmas tree.
As the years progressed and the prices of Christmas trees increased we began to celebrate the holiday with artificial trees.This year I tried to put up the old artificial tree in the family room. . .several times in fact, yet every time it just looked too pitiful to trim. My frustration mounted as the sad, unadorned tree leaned against the wall day after day.
Last Saturday, just a week before Christmas, we shopped at a freight damage store. That morning before we left I thought, "Wouldn't it be nice if the store was selling real trees for a big discount." True enough, an announcement was made that Christmas trees were being cleared out for $10. I was smiling from ear to ear as I ran through the store to find the exit where the trees were, my husband trailing behind trying his best to keep up with his giddy wife.Once home the real tree was placed in an old bucket filled with water hidden inside a garden urn. Not only was the tree a bargain so were the decorations---most were purchased at dollar stores over the past few years.

It's our bargain tree that looks like a million!

Quite the Sight

It must have been quite the sight to see
the middle-aged woman
rolling a very heavy, snow covered stump through the empty lot,
across the street, and up onto her porch. And even stranger
that she was wearing her husband's gloves and boots
and dressed in her son's trench coat (an old Halloween prop).Yes, it must have been quite the sight.
But it was worth it! Am I the only one
that does crazy things
for the sake of good design?

Almost Free Florals and a Winner

I always love having a fresh and free bouquet in my living room. In the spring and summer I bring branches or flowers in from my yard and even though it's winter I've found a way to bring in nature without spending a lot of money. One trick is to ask the employees of tree lots or big box stores if you can have the cuttings from the Christmas trees. They're usually happy to give them away for free. I just plop a bunch into a tarnished silver urn and add a few faux glittered branches for a little more interest and then I stand back and enjoy the beauty and the fresh evergreen aroma.And who says that you have to keep that traditional poinsettia in it's foil covered container? I clipped the flowers and added more evergreens, and curly branches to make this eye catching Christmas bouquet.The only thing that can beat the beauty of two fresh bouquets is the low, low price!Congratulations to Cheryl, comment #38. Random organizer picked her to be the winner of the beautiful Mod Lattice Pillow from FabulousButFrugal.com

Mantle Glam

I'm afraid that wedding decorations (for the one we've been hired) have taken precedence over Christmas decorations so far this year. But I have managed to glam up the family room mantle a bit.Am I the only one that thinks that shiny silver against a backdrop of deep red is such a stunning sight to see? Don't forget to add your name to the Fabulous But Frugal Giveaway.
Giveaway closes Saturday the 18th at midnight(MST)

Giveaway Oh Giveaway

***Giveaway is closed***
Who doesn't love a giveaway especially at this time of year?!?
I'm sure you'll want a beautiful handmade pillow from
Fabulous But Frugal.

They are giving away one of these
pretty mustard yellow mod lattice pillows to
one lucky Joys Of Home reader.

All you need to do is visit their site and look over the lovely selection of pillows and other handmade items. Come back here and leave a comment on your favorite. If you want more chances to win just tweet, facebook, or blog about this giveaway then leave an additional comment for each.

If you're not feeling lucky but still love these gorgeous pillows FabulousButFrugal.com is running a special for the next two weeks. When you buy three pillow covers you get the fourth one free.They have a great selection to choose from.

FabulousButFrugal.com was recently featured in Garden Design magazine online, and in a photo spread of a customer's house in Malaysia in Adore magazine.

Along with the items featured, they can also make custom items to match your decor such as drapes, place mats, table runners, cloth napkins and more.

The giveaway will be open until Saturday at midnight (MST)
The winner will be announced next Monday.
Best of Luck to all of you!
Giveaway closes on December 18th at midnight(MST)

Sweet and Simple

It's an idea that's been around for years. Take a candle holder (glass, porcelain, or metal---it doesn't really matter). Use a strong, clear glue (I use E6000)

to adhere it to a pretty plate.Let it dry for a few hours
and you have a sweet and simple gift.

The only way to improve it is to top it with a cloche. . . and perhaps something delightfully delicious to eat!