I decided to try something different on the tree this year. I went coastal! We live in Southwestern Florida and I really wanted to add elements of the beach and greenery we have here. I added boats and shells and even faux fern stems that are growing so beautifully this time of year. I’ll give you a tour, plus my favorite dining room set up.


I got a new 7.5′ Aspen fir tree this year because I wanted a more shaggy, realistic green tree to go with the shells. (My husband has forbidden me to buy ONE more tree.)
I really love it, but I’m disappointed because it was $285 when I bought it and they’ve risen the price. I will say, it does seem like a more expensive tree than that though. The trunk is made to look like real wood and the tips of the the stems are plastic and more realistic-looking than most I’ve seen.

The kids and I had fun painting the craft shells and boats. I went bold neon! Of course you could tone it down and use whatever color palette fits your home.


No Christmas presents under the tree for these shots because my kids will peek. I don’t put them under the tree until Christmas morning! And they don’t even have name tags! Each kid has their own paper and I don’t tell them which on is there until the whole fam is here to open, haha!


I found all of these myself! Wait, maybe except that top spotted one. I think someone gave that to me.

I truly like that this tree pays homage to our surroundings and that my other plants blend in perfectly with it. I used to try to hide all my live plants because they didn’t fit well with the tree!











I decided to put my bottle brush collection under the TV this year, now that it’s mounted and covered with art. The sparkly ones are from Target and the rest are from Walmart.



And now on to the dining room! I have the worst time photographing this backlit room, but here we go. It’s more light and airy than the pictures show, but the show must go on.


All these trees and garland and wreaths are from Walmart. Can’t beat the prices.




I always get asked about these little houses. I found them several years ago in the Target Dollar Spot, but I’ve also seen them at Hobby Lobby. You can even order them online there.




I’m wishing you a very Merry Christmas, full of the love and peace that comes from our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ!


Love all of it … but on a non related note ( because I’m in the midst of a renovation) what is your flooring ….
Thanks, Gail! I’m not sure what the tile is because it was here when we moved in. It’s a neutral beige but comes off as white.