Emily A. Clark: December 2009

Happy New Year

New Year's Eve always makes me feel a little sentimental about how fast time goes by, but also extremely grateful for God's blessings of the last year. Speaking of blessings, this sweet addition to our family in February is at the top of my list for 2009.

I make the same New Year's resolutions every year: to stand up straighter and to have more fun. I figure those are pretty attainable goals and can only make life better, right? I think this year I will also add to my list to work hard on growing my blog and design business.

I also resolve to enjoy life's simple, every day moments, and not get so wrapped up in things like this . . . .

So that I don't miss times like this. . . .

Here's to a fun-filled, blessed 2010!

A Great New Year's Giveaway

This is the first giveaway I've posted about on my blog but I think it's one worth mentioning. Stephanie at A Brooklyn Limestone is giving away some of her beautiful photographs. Her's is one of the first design blogs I ever read, and she is talented in so many areas.

This is one of my favorite photographs she's taken. I'm dreaming about this behind the desk in my office.

My To-Do List for 2010: Project #1

Although I'm still out of town for Christmas vacation, my mind is already racing with things I want to work on when I get back. Don't you love January? It always makes me want to work on making our house feel a little more like home. I also usually have big ideas on getting organized, but somehow those never quite pan out.

Anywho, one of my first projects when I get back is to paint this room a rich, caramel brown:

It's been on my to-do list for a while, but now I have a new ladder and no excuses. (And, I thought if I posted it on my blog, it would give me some motivation to you show the "after" pictures.) I don't have my paint swatches with me but I think I've narrowed it down to a color called "Mississippi Mud." Pretty name, huh?

Gray may be the new brown but I still have a deep affection for chocolate walls.

Southern Living

DecorPad

Canadian House and Home

Style North blog

Robyn Karp Interiors

House Itch blog

Elle Decor

My Holiday Movie Pick: The Blind Side

Christmas is one of the few times I get to sit down and watch a movie, and this year, we saw The Blind Side. This is one of the best movies I've seen in a long time. I loved Sandra Bullock's character. The movie is based on a true story and she is a firecracker (love her spunk!). To top it off, she also works as a designer. Although her house was a little overdone for my taste, I still loved seeing it. Has anybody else seen this? What did you think?

Home for the Holidays

Well, we made the 10-hour Christmas day trip to my parents' house with three kids and are spending the week in Kentucky. I know how much I love to see other people's houses so I thought I would share some pictures of the house where I grew up, all decorated for Christmas. Enjoy!

Go Tell it on the Mountain!

I've debated on whether or not I wanted to post this on my blog, but with a little encouragement from my friends, since it's Christmas, and because there are probably only 5 people reading my blog at this point, here goes. I've always aspired to be known as "the singing decorator" afterall :) Merry Christmas! Hope it's a great one.

From Our Family to Yours. . . .

But the angel said to them, "Do not be afraid, I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you, he is Christ the Lord." Luke 2:10-11

I hope all of my blog friends have a wonderful Christmas and that all of you know the Baby that we celebrate. I want you to know that a relationship with Jesus is far more important than pillows, paint colors, and the stuff I normally write about. If you want to know more about Jesus, ask me. I'd love to tell you :)

My After-Christmas List

Since it's only two days before Christmas, I am trying to be pro-active this year by making my day-after Christmas shopping list. Truth be told, I have very few Christmas decorations that I would actually break out of the big plastic bins in my garage and display. Soooo, I am vowing to do better this year. I am going to throw out what I know I'll never use and I'm going to stay focused while scouring the Christmas clearance aisles. This is what I'm looking for:

Stockings! Right now, we have a hodge-podge of sorry socks for our kids. These from Pottery Barn are classic and I would love something to have monogrammed.

These are a great deal from Target, already marked down to $6.48 on their web site. I think the green color is fun.

I've never actually "hung our stockings by the chimney with care" so I guess some stocking holders are in order. I don't like most of what's out there but I think these would be pretty, possibly sprayed another color. And, W-I-S-H would work nicely if that 4th baby comes along (Maybe someday, NOT now!)

Greenery & garland--the big, thick kind that looks real. I need lots more for my bannister, mantle, front door, etc.

Love these topiaries from Ballard Designs and they could be used year-round.

A fun tree for our play room. (Image from Coastal Living)

More silver-toned ornaments. I think these would be great mixed with the golds I already have. (Image from House and Home)

I thought these alphabet ornaments from Ballard Designs would be so fun in the kids' rooms or in a play room.

And, I'm going to buy any glass containers/cyclinders I find at great deals. You can never have enough! (Images from Better Homes & Gardens)

And, finally, I'm on the look out for cheap, pretty ribbon! I always vow my gifts are going to look more festive the next year, but they just never do. (Image from Wise Craft blog)

What's on your after-Christmas list?

I'm Dreaming of a White Christmas

Presents to wrap, laundry to do. . . Sorry for the short post. Love the simplicity of this room although an all white room in my house is only a "dream" for sure. . .

A "Mary McDonald" Christmas

I've blogged before about how cool I think Los Angeles designer Mary McDonald is, so I thought I would share some Christmas pics of her own home. The dining room is my favorite (which I originally spotted over at Haven and Home). The gray chairs with the gray walls are striking.

She really went all out with the peacock them in the rest of the house. Great, non-traditional Christmas color scheme.

Where exactly does one buy a peacock tree topper?

You can check out more pictures and the article at
Veranda magazine.

He Knows Me Well. . .

This past week, I hosted a Christmas get-together for some of my friends from church and if only for a brief moment, the house looked like this:

No toys or dirty socks on the floor, no smell of dirty diapers, candles burning, Christmas music playing. With three small kids, this is a moment in time that never lasts very long. I love having company but the preparation does make me slightly crazy.

So, right before my guests arrived, I come downstairs to find my husband here: