I made it!

If you've been wondering where I've been lately, I'm here to tell you we've been busy, busy, busy. First with a family wedding in Chicago over Thanksgiving weekend, a beautiful family filled weekend culminating and a wonderful wedding with the most stunning bride (she's my cousin, so I might be a little biased)! Followed by a week of ballet. Yes, ballet. Our oldest had a small role in the Charlotte Youth Ballet's production of the Nutcracker this year. To say it has dominated our lives for the last week would be an understatement. But, we're through to the other side, everyone survived, and it's finally time to focus on the upcoming Holidays!

With all the hustle and bustle of the last couple of weeks I am craving the luxury of a slower, calmer pace and longing for the simple pleasures of minimalist Christmas decorating.

Like this stunning staircase.

Or this simple wreath.

Or a natural tree.

There's just something so beautiful in it's simplicity.

Usually, I'm all "more is more", especially when it comes to holiday decorating. But, this year, I'm going to try to keep it simple. Appreciate and be in the moment instead of rushing through the never-ending checklist of holiday preparations. Of course, this is in direct contradiction to the site of me running through the mall this morning, fitting in JUST one more shop before pre-school pick-up. And I can only imagine the conflict I'll face when sorting through the mounds of acquired Christmas decor and all their associated memories...but a girls gotta ease into a change like this.