Aliya
Hi! my name is Aliya and I'm so glad you stopped by today! Truly you have no idea how much it means to me. I live in Ohio with my husband and 3 little girls. I believe that once we start opening our doors, that hearts will start to open around us as well. You can head over to the About Aliya page to get my whole story.
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How to Decorate a Stunning Family Christmas Tree
Of all the Christmas decorations in our home, the family Christmas tree is the one that means the most to me. Ornaments from life before we were a family all the way to today. I’m washed over by nostalgia every year I decorate this tree. It’s a Christmas tree full of stories. Every Christmas we have had multiple Christmas trees in our home. These trees have always looked a little different each year. But there is one tree that remains at its core the same every year. Our family Christmas tree. I used to struggle with the family Christmas tree. It always felt like a mismatch of ornaments. It felt…
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Beautiful DIY Christmas Wreath on a Budget
I’ve been seeing some gorgeous Christmas wreaths this year. But as I was looking at them, I decided a DIYed Christmas wreath was more budget-friendly and beautiful with real evergreen stems. I’ve told you before, but we are a debt-free family, which means the budget lets us know what we can and cannot buy. This is why we often decide to exert a little extra time and energy and do projects ourselves. This is exactly what happened when I decided to DIY a Christmas wreath for over the piano. I could easily go buy the most gorgeous wreath. Or I could go on a wagon ride with my daughters, husband,…
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Simple Farmhouse Kitchen Christmas Decor
Kitchen Christmas decor is so much fun for me! I love adding little touches here and there to create a magical space to do all the things! I’m honored you stopped by to see our kitchen Christmas decor. Of all the rooms in our home, the kitchen is the workhorse. I’m sure is true of your home too. That being the case, each year I want the kitchen Christmas décor to create a magical ambiance that invites me to enjoy my time spent there. As opposed to dreading the dishes that have piled up since breakfast. (When there is snow outside, the dishes have to take a back seat so memories can…
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Simple & Natural Christmas Decor: Bloggers Best Holiday Home Tour 2020
I’m so excited for you to see our entryway, living room, and dining room all dressed up for Christmas! This year I decided to go for a natural Christmas with pops of red, and I love how it turned out. Before we walk through my home all dressed in red and natural Christmas elements I want to take a moment to honor a couple of wonderful ladies. Kelly with The Tattered Pew and Mansa with This is Simplicite. They have worked so hard to create this blog hop. I’m so grateful for both of them. If you are hopping over from Stacey’s beautiful Rustic Farmhouse Christmas Inspired Home Tour thanks…
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The 5 Best Children’s Books That Our Children Love
I want to share some of the best children’s books to help give you ideas for Christmas gifts this year. By reading we can expand our knowledge, go on adventures, and experience things we otherwise may never experience, so why not gift it? In our family, books are a big deal. My husband and I usually use the audible version of books, since we are in the cars driving around so much. But our girls are more into flipping the pages and see all the pretty pictures. When we moved back home 3 years ago, I started taking my oldest to the local library’s Storytime every week. This became a…
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A Simple Cozy & Classic Christmas
Our finished basement all dressed for Christmas is my favorite way to see it. This year I decided to do a cozy & classic Christmas in this space, and so far I’m loving it more than any other way I’ve decorated it. It’s not necessary to decorate the basement, but it’s one of my favorite places to decorate for Christmas. I feel like I can experiment and I’m never rushed to finish the décor down there. I can take my time and try new things. Can I do this upstairs? I certainly can, and I do. But there is just something so forgiving and peaceful about this living space in…
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Cozy Up to the Fire: Family-Friendly Coffee/Hot Cocoa Bar
The holiday season is upon us, and that means so is the hustle and bustle. To help my family slow down I decided to create a family-friendly coffee/hot cocoa bar. Disclosure: There are some affiliate links below, but these are products I recommend. I won’t put anything on this page that I haven’t verified and/or personally used. I’m so excited to share our coffee/hot cocoa bar with you today! If you’re here from KariAnne with Thistlewood Farms I’m glad you decided to drop by and drink a cup of coffee or hot cocoa with me. If this is your first time visiting I want you to know I’m honored you’re…
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How to Create A Natural Christmas Evergreen Swag
This year for my Christmas décor I decided to stick with what I love and that is bringing the outdoors in. For Christmas, that means evergreen everything!! So, I used faux and real evergreens to create evergreen swags, wreaths, and arrangements all over the house. I love decorating my house with all the things from outside. In the Fall I did it for my Fall Home Tour, and I did it all Spring and Summer long. When I shared my dining room makeover, for the late Summer table setting, and my raw-wood bookcase makeover just to name a few. I simply can’t get enough of creation and I want it…
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The Best Chocolate Chip Cookies
There is nothing more warm and cozy than fresh-baked chocolate chip cookies right out of the oven on a cold winter day. The way the oven warms the house, and the smell lingers long after the cookies are finished baking is beyond words. I want to give warm and cozy away for Christmas, so I decided homemade chocolate chip cookie dough was the way to do it. Back when I was working as a nurse, I walked into the breakroom for lunch and discovered a stack of papers sitting on a table. They were copies of a chocolate chip cookie recipe. I grabbed one and I am sure glad I…
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How to DIY a Table Centerpiece in 10 Minutes
A couple weeks ago, I shared a table setting with this beautiful and easy DIY table centerpiece. I wanted to share the steps on how to make it with you in case you still didn’t know how you were going to decorate your table for Thanksgiving this year. When I tell you that this DIY table centerpiece took me 10 minutes, I’m not exaggerating in the slightest. It is truly that simple. But, even though it is simple and quick to make, I think it helps create the perfect foundation for a cozy and inviting table setting for Thanksgiving this year. Lets get started! DIY Table Centerpiece Supplies Drill¾’’ Paddle…
