11 days until Christmas

We've had the house decorated way before Thanksgiving this year so here is the rest of the decor. There are lights everywhere, and I mean it... all except the bathroom! It's cool at night when we have everything plugged in and there are fir tree candles all over. The lights are above the bed, in the window, on the porch, in the kitchen and around the front door inside.

This holiday season is turning out to be the busiest yet with lots of trips and holiday parties to attend. Gatlinburg, TN for 2.5 days, Christmas Eve with Ryan's parents (Daytona) then Christmas day with my parents (Tampa) then right back into work for over 2 weeks straight!

I'm trying to slow down on my days off but that doesn't seem to be happening either. I would like to leave you a quote from Christmas Vacation, "It's the holidays and we're all in misery."

There have always been white lights, so the colorful ones have been added for the season

The front door is so cute

I had to!!!

A real wreath makes the house smell so good

Christmas at the Ruddy's 2015

We decided to decorate for Christmas early this year. With our schedules it worked out better to decorate early November. This year I used some inspiration from the TV show Baby Daddy. There was a Christmas episode where every last thing was decorated, it looks like Christmas threw up in the apartment, I LOVED it!! We thought it would be fun to do that too. After a trip to the Dollar Store we were ready to go.

I had the fall decorations up since August so I was ready for a change. There are lights in every room and some sort of holiday decor on every wall. I know it's cheesy but it's fun!

Baby Daddy inspiration 

Tiny tree is placed on a side table

While decorating I found a crackling fireplace on Youtube

"Snow" covered pinecones, moose glass from Christmas Vacation and the leg lamp from A Christmas Story 

The tree!

Old and new kitchen accessories 

I wrapped a picture frame and hug it back on the wall, all it's missing is a big bow

The coffee table has a fancy table cloth

Crown & Ivy

While in North Carolina last month I discovered the cutest clothing brand at Belk, Crown & Ivy. They describe themselves as, "a variety of casual and southern styles with a modern twist." This collection is only found in Belk department stores so it's been tough getting these clothes. The closest Belk to be is about 40 minutes away, so I've made that trip a couple of times and have been very lucky to find great pieces!

Crown & Ivy reminds be of Lilly Pulitzer, and so does the price tag. Most items are priced $30 and above, if you know me I love a good deal. Every time I've gone to Belk they have an extra 30% off clearance and I've been lucky enough to find C&I for just a few dollars.

Below are some pictures of their fall/winter line. C&I is great for older ladies or young professionals. There are many versatile pieces that would be a great addition to any wardrobe. I can't wait until these items make it to the clearance rack; scarfs are $30!

Love the zipper on the shoulder

Dark pink and blue look great together

Cute and colorful scarfs

These dresses remind me of Lilly Pulitzer

I saved over $200 getting these items, they were all on sale

Simple price tag

Halloween decorations

Last weekend I helped my mom clean out her fall decorations and she gave me a box full! We now are ready for Halloween, minus the spider webs. I added some gold and red garland to the coffee table center piece, and put Halloween themed pumpkins up in the living room.

By adding the Halloween-y pumpkins it makes the place look more fun, after Halloween I'll just turn them around and we'll be set for Thanksgiving!

Outside we now have caution tape, a doormat and a spooky curtain. I told my mom that I was just going to rent these and return them next month :) We don't have a lot of space in our 602 square ft apartment to store holiday decorations.

Gold and red garland with fall themed candles and knickknacks 

Caution: do not enter

The curtain is the coolest part about the front door area

No mantle this year so I cleared the top of a bookshelf to display a lot of my fall decorations

Only 1 real pumpkin in the house this year.... so far, you can never have too many pumpkins

Fall bucket list

Every fall these kinds of bucket lists start popping up. This one was the cutest and most do-able one I could find. Minus the Hunter boots (I did try on a pair the other day - does that count?) I think the only other ones that aren't going to happen are, "drive to see fall foliage" and "go apple picking." Living in FL those things are just not feasible.