The reason I chose to have my house decorated for Christmas by November 1st??

Time. 

Time to enjoy the little things the Christmas season brings with it.

I didn't have time last year.

Or rather, I didn't plan and prioritize to ensure I had the time.

Perfect example: these little wood ornaments. 

I purchased these hand-crafted beauties at TJMaxx last year with the intention of repainting them and restringing them. The silver details and red ribbon (see below) weren't the woods + whites I was craving. 

I knew all I needed was a little time to sit down and paint over the silver details and restring them with a creamy white ribbon to make them exactly what our woods + whites tree needed.

I just didn't have the time.

So they sat in the bag, tags still on them, unpainted. 

I resented never having hung them...never having time.

With intentional planning and a little goal setting...they are officially painted...and hanging.

And I love them so much.

It's amazing how much a little paint, a little ribbon, and a little time makes!

I really LOVE how they turned out!

However, I especially love that I made the time this year.

It feels so good.

It feels so right.

I encourage you to find ways to find more time to enjoy the little things that bring you joy this holiday season my friends.

xoxo,

Jess

PS - Let's stay cozy + connected in-between posts...find me on Instagram for daily inspiration.

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KEEPING IT REAL

So I still have one left to paint - the one I left unpainted to be able to take these pics to show the before and after. But hey...guess what? I actually have time to do it! *wink*

INSPIRE | Hand out the Smiles

If you find yourself a little "bah humbuggish" this holiday season...quickly turn it around and march to a different drum by handing out more smiles!! (And turn on some happy holiday music too!) #trustme #iknow #thinkaboutit

A photo posted by Jessica Kirkland (@pnpflowers) on Dec 12, 2014 at 5:57am PST

original quote by Jessica Kirkland

This morning I attended a field trip with Ella to the same Santa's Christmas Tree Forest we go to every year to pick out our Christmas tree. We did a hayride, a bounce pillow, a petting farm and a picnic lunch while we were there and thank goodness the sun was out! The high today is only 63 and that is FREEZING for this Florida girl!!

I'm back in my warm studio for just a few minutes before racing off to pick up Ema from school.
I'm desperately trying to wrap up a new version of the Hot Cocoa Bar I shared with you a few years ago - been trying to find time to put it together for over 2 weeks now. My girls and I LOVE having it up and it's quickly become one of our favorite parts of our holiday/winter decor and season!!

Wish me luck in getting it finished because that means I'll have photographs to share as well as links to the printables to be able to create your own! *wink*

If you love the original quote I'm sharing today you can find more every day of the week over on my Instagram feed. I'd love for you to follow along!!

In the meantime...keep handing out the smiles this holiday season people! *wink*

KEEPiNG iT REAL
Still need to get the Christmas decor and tree ornaments out of the attic.