Star of Wonder, Star of Light: A Christmastime Mantel

Do you remember my sparkly gold holiday mantel last year?

This...

To see more of my mantel last year, you can visit this post.

I still used the nativity but changed the style to something more fitting to my personality this year...Yay! :)

This year for my fireplace mantel holiday decor I knew I wanted something rustic, earthy, unique, somewhat simple, and raw. I didn't want anything traditional butI wanted the Nativity to take the focus in a new way.




My goal was to use supplies that I already had that could be re-used and re-invented and to use materials from nature.

The natural/recycled elements I used:
-sticks from my backyard
- wood
- a living tree that is potted and will be planted
- twine
- recycled paper stars
- old packaging paper

The Christmas Star is my theme for this decor. I found my inspiration from Pottery Barn. They sell a huge, twine wrapped star with candles in their latest catalog. The very SECOND I saw it I wanted to make one. So I did...the same night. Actually, Chris made one and I supervised. {wink} Poor guy, he always has to put up with my big ideas and I'm constantly in a rush to hurry and get it done because I'm too excited to wait. He did SUCH a great job...love, love that guy.

Here's how we did it:

-Dakotah gathered a supply of sticks from our backyard.
- I picked out the ones with the best character and Chris cut them all the same size.
- We lightly painted the sticks white.
- Using twine, Chris wrapped the ends.
- Chris worked on "my" project...and I watched.
- I impatiently waited
- Chris patiently finished

I used one of my chalkboard placemats that I made awhile ago for the banner. Using chalk ink, I wrote the message. I tied twine around the chalkboard so it could hang.


Chris is tall and can climb up walls (literally) so he hung the sign. We don't own a ladder by the way.


One of my favorite aspects of this decorated mantel are the aqua stars!! GreenPost is truly one of the most fascinating etsy stores I've found in awhile. They make everything using recycled materials. These stars are made from recycled paper, seeds, etc. LOVE them.


The stars are randomly hung.

My little tree is real and if I can keep it alive, it will be planted in our yard soon. I tied branches with twine. I found the origami music stars at Pottery Barn.


A closer look at these adorable origami stars overflowing the vase.

I rolled up old packaging paper and lined it across the mantel before placing the glitter garland over it.

Rustic simplicity...

The fireplace mantel competes with the Christmas tree for attention at Christmastime. I remember all those stories about Santa and magic and soot and magic and touching his nose and magic. I remember wishing I had a chimney for Santa and a mantel to "hang my stockings with care" when I was little. Now the mantel is the ideal little spot to go crazy with decorating.

I want to hear your mantel stories too.
How do you decorate it?
Do you decorate the same or different each year?

This post is linked to: No Minimalist Here Hooked on Houses, Centsational Girl, Somewhat Simple, DIY Showoff, Home for the Holidays, Deck the Halls, Southern Hospitality, DIY Showoff, The Lettered Cottage, Dare To, DIY Living, Seasonal Sundays, , Strut Your Stuff at Saturday Mornings, Making the World Cuter, Motivate Me Mondays, Market Yourself Mondays, It's So Very Creative, Tasty Tuesday, Tempt My Tummy, Tuesdays at the Table, Topsy Turvy Tuesday, Tuesdays Unwrapped, Toot Your Horn Tuesday, Get Your Craft On, We're Organized Wednesday, Outdoor Wednesday, Works for Me Wednesday, Show and Tell, Whatever Goes Wednesday, Tablescape Thursday, Spotlight Yourself, Show off Your Stuff, Strut Your Stuff, Friday Favorites*, Show and Share Day, Foodie Friday*, I'm Lovin It*, Funky Junk Interiors*, Fabulous Friday Finds*, Tickled Pink*, Be Different Act Normal, Weekend Wrap Up

Meal of the Moment: White Wine Sauce Pasta

What do you do with an almost empty bottle of mediocre wine if you're the type of person who cringes over things put to waste? It waited in my fridge for a few of days until I found a solution. You all know I go crazy over wasted things...can't stand it!

This is another MEAL OF THE MOMENT post where I give ideas on what to do with leftover food so it doesn't go to waste. (Click here for more Meal of the Moment posts) Today's idea is using leftover white wine.

Dinner paired with toasted baguettes and pellegrino water...
fall candles in mis-matched flea market jars
for an early autumn ambiance.

After staring with annoyance at it on the fridge shelf I decided to make a white wine sauce with it for an Italian pasta dinner. I simply made a basic white sauce using whipping cream. I embellished it with 1/2 cup to 3/4 cup white wine, garlic, onion salt, crushed pepper, and 1/2 cup Parmesan cheese. It smelled diVINE! I spooned it over angel hair pasta al dente and topped it with Italian herb crusted chicken.

So super simple and yum-o .

Change up your napkins
by using monogrammed tea towels
for a big, bold, and different
dinner table statement.

Presto, YO.

Now go break a sweat baby
because this is not low cal.

"Brown paper packages tied up with strings, these are a few of my FAVORITE things" 2010 Dreamlist

I am trapped by our materialistic, branded, society......pray for me. I'm making a dream list. I adore name brands. The primary reason I'm a fan of most name brands is because I believe in buying quality: purchasing well and purchasing once. However, in addition to brand names, I also love eclectic, different, and handmade. Odd mix, but that's me. For those of you who don't already know, I have 2 favorite loves: Ugg boots or Ugg anything and Ballard Designs. I'm married to them.

Lisa's Loves
(at the moment)

Bloomingdales tempted me with my number one,
must-have,can't-live-without, going-crazy-lusting-over-it item:
a new bag from my favorite, UGG Australia.
(dear husband, I hope you're reading...)

Speaking of my Ugg love,
these new Bailey Boots are just so cute with the lil button!

Housewives should feel spoiled while doing chores.
The Laundress of New York
offers sleek, clean design for a peaceful work atmosphere.

This calendar from etsy has my heart!

Speaking of etsy, I
{double love} so many things on etsy!
JanetHillStudio's work is adorable
and fits my emotions so perfectly.

Hello Beautiful...

Anthropologie Rosette Quilt

And also from Anthropologie, mod apron

Rosanna dishes are my ultimate favorite!
This Bon Bon collection is so clean and perfect.

Charming hooks
from the always loved, Ballard Designs.

Philosophy products (like Hope in a Jar)
are amazing and so adorably packaged.

I have been dreaming of linen sheets for awhile.
I gravitate toward the fine luxuries.
I'm pretty sure it's because I'm the only girl in a house full of boys.

Williams Sonoma Home Linen Sheets

Is anyone else LOVING Pandora Jewelry?
...telling stories and capturing life moments with charms and jewels.
Ahh, perfect mix for this girl.

This last love isn't on my dreamlist, because I already have and LOVE it:
Porteen Gear on etsy Handmade Leather and Canvas CAMERA BAG.
So gorgeous and I double love it!

I didn't want a boring, bulky, black camera bag
and I haul my camera everywhere so this gets a lot of TLC from me.

These are my favorites for 2010.
What are your loves of the moment?

These photos are not my own. Each photo source has been credited in the post.


This post is linked to: Dare To, DIY Living, Seasonal Sundays, , Strut Your Stuff at Saturday Mornings, Making the World Cuter, Motivate Me Mondays, Market Yourself Mondays, It's So Very Creative, Tasty Tuesday, Tempt My Tummy, Tuesdays at the Table, Topsy Turvy Tuesday, Tuesdays Unwrapped, Toot Your Horn Tuesday, Get Your Craft On, We're Organized Wednesday, Outdoor Wednesday, Works for Me Wednesday, Show and Tell, Whatever Goes Wednesday, Tablescape Thursday, Spotlight Yourself, Show off Your Stuff, Strut Your Stuff, Friday Favorites*, Show and Share Day, Foodie Friday*, I'm Lovin It*, Funky Junk Interiors*, Fabulous Friday Finds*, Tickled Pink*, Be Different Act Normal, Weekend Wrap Up

Our Rebellious Thanksgiving

This Thanksgiving was spent just with our little family of 5. I wanted to do something to change it up a bit. Our family started off the morning early with our first 5k race all together. It was 12 degrees outside! Ahhh...The 5k was called Turkey Trot Trod

Me and my boys with our Turkey Trot shirts
...it's all about the free T Shirts!

We have been training together and we all were anticipating race day. The night before we prepared with lots of snuggly clothes, some power drinks, and our running shoes ready to lace up in the morning!

I have struggled with my weight and health throughout the years and it has really been on my heart to help my boys avoid the painful problem all together. I don't want them to struggle like their Mama. At ages 6, 8, and 10, it was the ideal time to get involved with running. We LOVED the race and hope to make it a new tradition every Thanksgiving.

Our little team of 5

Me with my main squeeze...

Seeing my boys run has always made me feel PERFECT inside...ever since they were toddlers. It is a symbol of their health and happiness, so watching them run assures me that all is good in life. When I'm feeling stressed or anxious on bad days, the images of them running bring me peace. And of all things we desire in our little lives, the health and happiness of our children are paramount.

Titus is the cutest runner EVER!
He smiles the entire time he runs.
He had such a fun spirit as well, he ran and ran,
happy little boy.

Brothers, Skyler & Kotah, trying to outdo each other...

The experience was perfect for our little family,
in spite of the 12 degree weather.
We can't wait until next year.

I want to share what we found on our back door at home: my little 8 year old middle son's big HEART. He made special notes for each of us to find on Thanksgiving Morning. He peeked around the corner waiting for us to discover them. It's the little things...


To keep in theme for the day, I completely changed up the traditional Thanksgiving menu. I planned a healthy menu for the day. Chris prepared the meal with me. It was our 5 hour cooking date.

After hours in the kitchen,
we were ready to sit down and enjoy our healthy FEAST!

Plum Thanksgiving Table setting 2010

The best part about preparing healthy dishes is all the beautifully colored food to work with!

Turkey Cranberry Roulade with Apple Cider Gravy

Jewel Roasted Vegetables....SO pretty!

Whole Wheat Dinner Rolls
(these are made with egg beaters, plain yogurt, and honey)

These are fake mashed potatoes....
they're actually mashed cauliflower. {wink}

The dessert was healthily prepared using freshly grated ginger, whole wheat flour, and juicy pears: Ginger Pear Tart. It was delicious! We added a baby mini scoop of fat free ice cream.

We made Pomegranate Spritz family drinks with a lot of tang.
The pomegranate seeds were such a yummy treat! Mmmm

It was definitely an non-traditional Thanksgiving holiday but we loved every second of it. We had some special moments around the table and enjoyed the closeness of FAMILY.

We toasted to the ways
that we each inspire one another.

I hope you were all blessed
on your American Holiday of Bounty.

Recipes found in the Eat Clean cookbook and the Food Network website.

Fun stuff: The government makes me say that this is a sponsored post that I am being compensated for.

This post is linked to: DIY Fall Festival, Under the Table & Dreamin, Think Pink Sundays, Seasonal Sundays,  Met Monday, Making the World Cuter, Tuesday Tutorials and Tips, Tasty Tuesday, Tempt My Tummy, Tip Junkie, Get Your Craft On, DIY Design, Works for Me Wednesday, Blue Cricket Design, Transformation Thursday, House of H, Tablescape Thursday, Show off Your Stuff, Strut Your Stuff,   Show and Share Day, Foodie Friday, Frugal Friday, I'm Lovin It, Tickled Pink, Friday Flair, Design Dazzle, Be Different Act Normal, Funky Junk Interiors, Weekend Wrap Up  DIY by Design