a christmas eve house tour


i don't think i've ever spent so little time getting my house ready for christmas.
and yet i love the way everything looks.
our fake tree escaped the donation bin again and is decorated with my old christmas postcards and fresh magnolia leaves from the garden. 

santa dropped by and left me this ottoman.
thank you santa.
turns out he shops here.

if you've been reading my blog for awhile, you know how long i've been bemoaning my big leather ottoman.  i bought it back when i was clueless to the cruelty inflicted on animals to create fashionable goods for us.  i actually had no idea that cows were raised just for their hides. 
i thought they used the hides from cows slaughtered for food.
when i became a vegan and learned the truth it just made me sad as it sat in my living room.

it was snatched up on craigslist in a day.
i don't know if you can tell by the picture, but the new ottoman has casters!
  so english, so delightful.











 a view from the front door




total decorating time, 10 minutes flat.


as this season of high expectations comes to a peak tonight,
i hope you all have the best christmas you can.
some of us are missing loved ones, some are facing financial problems or health problems.  if you need it, you have my permission to be kind to yourself.
as with all holidays i will try to be on my best behavior and not kill anyone.
no one has a perfect life.
and as a very good friend always reminds me...nobody has it all.
it's just one day for goodness sakes and we will all live through it.
tonight i will go to midnight mass and express my deepest gratitude for all i have and all i don't have.



see you next year.

xo
janet

59 comments

  1. Your new ottoman is lovely! You totally hit the nail on the head with every word you write. Have a great Christmas and thanks for being there.
    xo

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  2. Your house it beautiful, as always. Love the simple decor and I spotted your new ottoman right away. Love those casters!
    Camille

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  3. The simplicity and elegance of your home continues to be a breath of fresh air. LOVE the new ottoman and also your kind words. Merry Christmas.

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  4. You house looks gorgeous! I love the simplicity. Thank you for the tour. Merry Christmas!

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  5. Hi Janet,
    I am your newest follower and I absolutely love your style!
    This post was so beautiful and thoughtful!
    I wish you a wonderful and joyous Christmas!
    Sincerely,
    Melinda

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  6. Dear Janet, Wishing you a very Happy Christmas in your lovely home.

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  7. Merry Christmas dear Janet.
    Love the new ottoman!

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  8. Janet,
    I too love your home, and style. The magnolia leaves with the vintage postcards is lovely. I collect old post cards and just finished a post for New Years with a one hundred year old card. Watch for it . . . my very favorite card find of all time . . .
    Be happy, merry and well . . .
    Love, Lynne

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  9. Janet,
    Your home is always so lovely. The new ottoman is gorgeous. You've got wonderful, elegant style!

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  10. Your home is lovely. And your words are lovely, too. I am glad you choose to keep a blog. I enjoy your work. Merry Christmas!

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  11. Your tree is so elegant and not over the top. Are the magnolias Grandiflora? and do they have a lovely scent? I'm trying to remember to chill out! I wish you a great day!

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  12. Merry Christmas dear Janet - your home is perfect in its elegant simplicity. You have totally great taste. I want a house just like yours. David got me a book called "Unclutter your life" which I cannot wait to do in 2012. That ottoman is lovely -I hope it was made by Americans and not by children like my gifts. xo Terri

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  13. This Christmas is a revelation to me, calm begins and ends in your head doesn't it? I'm so over perfectionism because I end up feeling martyred to it. All will be good as you say, we have so much to be grateful for. Have a wonderful Christmas in your most gorgeous home! Bxxx

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  14. Happy holidays Janet. Love the new ottoman!

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  15. What can I say, impeccable taste and just such a soothing sight. Merry Christmas from Australia x

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  16. Janet, what beautiful sentiments.
    I think your tree is my favourite out of all that I've seen, it's do unique.
    Merry Christmas.

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  17. Your santa is a real sweetheart! It really changes the whole look of the room...lovely as always.

    What you said about life and expectations is so true...another year closes and all we can do is try our hardest to make our lives as beautiful as we can let them be.

    You have been such a wonderful friend this past year...and a rock. Thank you so much. xo

    Merry Christmas to you both ~

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  18. Your santa is a real sweetheart! It really changes the whole look of the room...lovely as always.

    What you said about life and expectations is so true...another year closes and all we can do is try our hardest to make our lives as beautiful as we can let them be.

    You have been such a wonderful friend this past year...and a rock. Thank you so much. xo

    Merry Christmas to you both ~

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  19. Your ottoman looks very English, in fact I thought it was an antique.
    Your home is beautiful and your thoughts are calm and soothing.
    Have yourself a very Merry Christmas!

    Take care Janet.

    Hugs from the Hostess
    XO

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  20. Merry Christmas dear Janet!
    Your home looks perfect and peaceful with the light coming in and just the right amount of decorations. Your new ottoman look marvelous, doesn't it! I adore your wreaths....above your range and in front of your mirror...you may say it takes only ten minutes, but when you know what you're doing that's all it takes...and you have the touch!
    xo
    annie

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  21. Merry Christmas and wishes for good health and happiness to you and your family Janet!

    xx
    Slim

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  22. Happy Christmas Janet.

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  23. Hi Janet - your house is so lovely in its simplicity - I'm looking at the pictures and soaking up the calmness. Thanks for the beautiful words in your post today, and for reminding me to be grateful.

    Merry Christmas,
    Barbara

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  24. Merry Christmas! I knew nothing about leather and hides either--am vegetarian and thought that the hides were a byproduct of meat production...so I looked it up just now and according to PETA most leather does come from cows raised for meat or milk.

    Still, it does not sound as though they have a humane existence http://www.peta.org/issues/animals-used-for-clothing/leather-and-factory-farming.aspx

    Wonder if anyone makes tall flat riding boots out of roadkill or geriatric cows that died peacefully after a full and happy life?

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  25. Merry Christmas Janet! Your home looks so beautiful and warm. Just like you.
    xoTrina

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  26. I noticed your new ottoman before I read your post. It looks fabulous. A beautifully written post too Janet. Thank you.

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  27. just gorgeous!!!!
    wishing you a very Merry Christmas!!!!

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  28. Your house is beautifully simple and simply beautiful!
    Wishing you all the Blessings of Christmas and a great 2012.

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  29. Love the new ottoman! Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!

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  30. Merry Christmas o lovely one.

    I too have a tiny wreath on a gilded mirror and it does my heart good.

    As does knowing you.

    xo jane

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  31. Hi Janet,
    I've been lurking about your blog for ages now and am so glad you are keeping it going. My mother is American but left when I was two - I'm English - and I feel a connection to your words and pictures I find hard to explain.I think we would have alot in common if we met! Unfortunately I am technologically inept, and it is only because it's Christmas that I have the time to write to you!However, thank you for a super blog, for inspiring photos and beliefs, and for your cheerfulness. I hope your poorly friend is much better and that you and yours have a wonderful time this holiday.(We celebrate the solstice...makes more sense to us...onwards and upwards)With fondest wishes, Suzie xxx

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  32. Merry Christmas, Janet! Your comments are filled with so much wisdom, and you seem to really practice it in your life. Enjoy the holidays with your family! And, as usual, your home looks absolutely beautiful!

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  33. Janet, Merry Christmas, Joyful Winter Solstice and everything else.
    Your home is the most beautiful of all. If I were a guest in your home I would feel like an honored guest and would hope we could raid your closet and play dress up ;) and have tea in the garden.
    You have made a special place for yourself in this world.
    Enjoy the season and have a fantastic New Year.
    Sincerely,
    Miranda
    SF Bay Area

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  34. OMG, Janet - look at how fabulous that ottoman looks in your living room!?!?!? Thank you for the tour! Merry Christmas to you and yours!!

    xo,
    A

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  35. Oh gosh Janet, your house is ever so beautiful. No need for much decorating, the daily setup is so pretty. Merry Christmas - wishing you the absolute best for the holidays.

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  36. I think that's a very good thing to consider--Gratitude for all we have AND all we don't have. Equally important, isn't it?
    Onward, 2012.
    -Suzanne in Illinois.
    P.S. Your Christmas decorations were placed perfectly. I also love the new ottoman...AND it it's possible, I fall in love with your curtains and pillows MORE every time I see them! :-)
    You impress me and always inspire me. :-)

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  37. Janet, I never get tired of seeing your lovely home.Merry Christmas and Happy New Year.Hugs

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  38. Merry Christmas Janet! What a beautiful post - thank you.

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  39. Beautifully said and decorated. We're with our family, and that is the best gift!

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  40. What a lovely new ottoman and the house looks so beautiful and festive. Happy, happy holidays to you dear Janet. (and yes, very English your ottoman is too!) XX
    p.s. your fake tree looks amazingly real!

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  41. Hi Janet, love your home, it looks soo beautiful and all the white makes it look so tranquil. I hope you had a great Christmas

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  42. Your house looks lovely, I absolutely love what you did! I hope you had a wonderful holiday and I wish you all the best in the New Year!

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  43. Janet,

    Your home looks gorgeous and I love your new ottoman. We too have a leather ottoman purchased years ago and had no idea about the cows. :(

    I know a few individuals who have been dealt a bad hand the last year. Although we had a few bumps in the road, it's nothing compared to what they are going through.

    Hope you have a great New Year.

    Linda

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  44. Luxe, calme et volupte! Your home!

    The luxury of beauty is something to be grateful for and you share that with us every time you post.

    Thank you Janet--Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!

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  45. Gorgeous Janet. Simple and lovely. The new ottoman is perfect. Hope you had a wonderful Christmas.

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  46. SIMPLY beautiful-! LIke you I give thanks for all that I have and all that I do NOT have-! Craigslist? I've never sold anything on Craigslist but I have heard stories.
    It's referred to as "Crookslist". Do you let strangers come walking into your home ? I'm afraid to do that--in today's world-! If you list an item for sale at a certain price do you also list a price? Do people try and bargain with you?

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  47. Well put, dear Janet. I visited you in a belatedly and still it was fun. Thank you for the tour and the reminders. You didn't kill anyone, right?
    Linda in Virginia

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  48. All is calm, all is bright at your place. Thanks for the peaceful and simple glimpse!

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  49. Wow, so simple and elegant! Like a breath of fresh air. What a great space to come home to.
    Health and happiness to you in the new year.
    Patti

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  50. Your home is absolutely beautiful Janet! I stopped in to wish you a very Happy New Year! :)

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  51. What a beautiful home--absolute perfection! Thank you for sharing it with us. Happy New Year's to you and yours!

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  52. So happy to have found your blog! And happy new year to you!

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  53. Your home is beautiful, the new ottoman absolutely perfect. And now you can look at it and not feel sad.

    You are a very, very talented lady.

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  54. I LOVE your ottoman, but noticed your rug! I am searching for a new rug and would like to know what kind yours is. What is it made of? How has it held up? Would you reccommend it to others? Thanks so much! I love your home!

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  55. hi janice - i got the rug several yrs ago at pottery barn. i'm not sure if they still sell it. i believe it is a thickly woven jute. it is very durable and has held up well. i roll it up and put it away as soon as the warm weather returns. hopes this helps you.

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  56. I like your ottoman and your red lipstick and your light-hearted sensibility. Now I am going to follow your everywhere (only in the blogging sense). Thanks to Jane for helping me discover your blog.

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kindness is never out of style.

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