Christmas is over. In fact, it's New Year's Eve. I'm writing this so late because I've been sick as a dog. Sick since Christmas, for a week now, married to the couch almost lifeless. Almost. Almost all members of my family got sick with, I guess, cold and flu. But the brutal temps outside don't help to get better either. It's been a week since these brutal winter temps swept Chicagoland and in my area they have been holding at -18 Fahrenheit or more with the windchil. I'm stating to feel more energy in my body so I decided to finish this blog post that I had in mind and make it before the clock strikes midnight. Before the New Year 2018 is here. Long intro, but thought I'd explain :)

So we blinked and it's New Year's Eve already. Holidays come and go. Just like that. It's true that the preparation for the holidays is much longer than the actual holidays themselves. This whole time up until Christmas was spent getting into the spirit and then it all went by in a day and a half. Well, why not keep that holiday spirit around a bit longer?.. Prolong the holiday season - keep that beautiful decor past the New Year. I usually do, then take it down first week of January.

Let the wonder of the season stick around a bit longer, no? Some may have undecorated already and that's fine with me. I try to enjoy my Christmas decor a little past the New Year's. It still gives me joy to see a festively dressed hallway. 

P.S. I have installed this chrome-bracket deep walnut shelf myself, if you'd like to see the blog post called Stylish Entryway

Here's a DIY Holiday Wreath I just did not have the time before the holidays to share with you. If you don't feel like reading, the photos will be pretty self-explanatory. Enjoy!

Another thing I thought I'd show is this wreath. This was a boxwood-greenery wreath that's been specially preserved to keep its deep emerald green color. When I bought it I didn't know it was hand-crafted of real boxwood. It was luscious and pretty. 

Having it hung outside from late Spring till Fall I've noticed the leaves were turning yellow and the wreath was actually drying up. That was odd. Only then did I realize it had to be made of real foliage.

So since it's lost its original emerald hue, why not give it a new life and repurpose it? Why not let it shimmer, sparkle and shine? Why not turn it into a holiday wreath/winter wreath?

You can hang it without fuss. Choose a ribbon or a sash. 

The hanging is easier than you think - no hammer, no nails, no holes - no damage! This wreath is hanging on my Laundry Room door. So attach a sticky hook up side down on the other side of the door. About 3 inches lower than the door frame, to allow some room for the bow or a knot - whichever you want to make. Hang it on the hook, flip it over the door, smooth out the sash so it's flat and not twisted.

Sometimes it's better late than never, right? And I rarely get sick...so if I do and when I do it's mild and fast. This time it's a nightmare. This cold & flu has kept me away from my content plans and the projects I wanted to make and share. WAY sooner than on the last day of the year. I hope you're still enjoying your holiday-clad home! After all, times runs by so fast.

Happy New Year!

Renata