After all this time? Always

This year for Halloween, I wanted to create a Hogwarts ambience rather than a literal Harry Potter theme. The “ber” months are my time to thrive-September, October, November, & December. While Christmas is my favorite holiday, fall will always be my favorite time of year, so there’s no surprise I found a way to combine the two. Realistically, I just found another excuse to put my tree up early.

Harry Potter Halloween Tree

My goal was to combine both pretty & spooky this year. We always do a Harry Potter Halloween theme at Halloween, so I actually had most of this decor to begin with. I tied some twine on potion bottles & skeleton keys, hung wands, & tucked in feathers throughout. One of my favorite details might be the colored ribbons. I ordered 4 velvet ribbons in the colors of the 4 houses and tied those onto glass ornament bulbs that mimic bubbles. Lastly, I added some spooky crows and skeleton heads to add a bit more of a halloween vibe. And of course topped it off with owls & letters from Hogwarts.

Ribbon Sources

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Halloween Tree Sources

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Floating Candles

floating candles

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Floating candles are a Hogwarts staple. I’ve done these time and time again because the ambience they create is truly magical. All you need is battery operated taper candles & some clear thread. Bonus, these come with a remote for easy on & off or a timer setting!

Hogwarts Letters

I found a small business owner who makes amazing garland chains of actual addressed Hogwarts letters & even lets you personalize your own! I also DIY’d some of my own to stack throughout my tree. Learning how to wax seal envelopes was so fun and I will only be sealing letters that way from now on. So extra & so fun!

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Apothecary Jars

You can really have fun with these & fill them with anything! I chose a skeleton hand, wands, and mini skulls to add a spooky touch! Stuffing them with a string of twinkle lights added that extra magical touch I was looking for.

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Mischief Managed

Living Room Sources

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My Christmas tree is from Balsam Hill – Frosted Alpine Balsam Fir

I’d love to see all of the Harry Potter Halloween y’all come up with so don’t forget to tag me in your own Harry Potter Halloween creations!

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I just couldn’t wait to decorate my new faux mantel I installed over the summer for Christmas! Everything is linked here if you missed how I created my DIY Faux Fireplace. I wanted a cascading garland holiday mantel look this year, and I am in love with how it turned out! The cost of garland can quickly add up, but I’m going to show you how I created this full & beautiful cascading garland look using only 2 strands of garland and some beautiful Christmas sprays.

Where to Start

First determine how you want your garland to fall. Do you want it to fall to the left, to the right, or even from the middle out. I wanted a sweeping look that fell to the floor so I used my first piece to sweep across the top and start the cascading look on the left side of my mantel.

Secure this section with your command hooks, and I always use more than I think i need. The last thing you want is for this display to come down once you’ve finished decorating. I use 2 bigger hooks at each end & multiple smaller hooks where i can fit them in for extra support. Once that is nice & secure start on your second piece. Add it in a little above your first piece to give a fuller effect around the edge of your mantel.

Now that your two main garland strands are in place, just start fluffing it to your desired thickness. Now if needed, add in some sprays that resemble the type of garland you’re using & fill in any blank spots to give it an even more full look. Sprays are much cheaper than doubling up on garland & give more control on how you want your garland to lay. Next up, lights! I love this micro LED wire lights, they are beyond easy to use, come with a remote control, and have a beautiful fairy light glow.

Finally, add your decorative sprays to not only fill it in more, but give it that special Christmas touch. I added pinecone sprays & gold glitter sprays here by simply weaving them into the garland and wrapping a wire stem around the base to secure it.

Make It Your Own

Now is that you have your neutral base done & secure, you can simply leave it neutral or continue adding your own Christmas touches. I love to enjoy the neutrals for a while before I start embellishing, but I always need a pop of red at Christmas, so this year I’m keeping this room adorned in mixed metals with a pop of red. Ribbon bows are also one of my favorite, & cost effective, ways to add in a classic Christmas touch. I added berry sprays, ribbons, pinecones, poinsettias, & glitter ball ornaments to dress up the mantel this year!

Ways To Save

Garland

Pre-lit garlands are becoming more affordable, but did you know you can save even more by buying unlit garland & adding your own lights? I especially love how these wire micro LED’s look & they are so easy to use! I’ll link the exact ones I use & swear by! When looking for garland deals, Michaels, Joann’s, & Hobby Lobby regularly have 40% or more off of their holiday decor so be sure to buy it on sale or get a coupon online that you can use in the store. I’ll link some of my favorite affordable options, both pre-lit & unlit!

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Sprays

Fill in sparse areas with sprays to give your garland a fuller look. Not only are sprays super affordable, they also give you the freedom to use different colors every year! I use this neutral garland as my starting point and build out from there! This year its gold’s and browns, last year it was reds, and years prior I’ve done whites, rose golds, and greens! I love switching up little pieces like that to give my staple pieces new life each year! [show_shopthepost_widget id=”4620931″]

LED String Lights

Add your own lights! These wire LED string lights are so easy to work with! Just bend and weave them in and out of your garland tucking them in where needed! Not only do they cast the prettiest glow but they also come with a remote for different brightness levels! I use these in my Christmas trees too!

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Mantel Decor

I added in a mixture of taper & pillar candles for even more glow because you can never have too many twinkle lights! By adding a gorgeous gilded mirror behind it all, I can reflect that cozy glow even more! Happy decorating and have fun adding your own special Christmas touches! Be sure to tag me so I can see all of the Christmas gorgeousness you create!

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Sources

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Don’t Have a Fireplace?

See How I Created My DIY Faux Fireplace Here!

The post Cascading Garland Christmas Mantel appeared first on Dogs & Design.

The inspiration behind this room came from our collections of both bourbon & vinyl. It’s a place where we can escape to decompress with the sounds of Sinatra, or just truly unwind from the day with a glass of our favorite bourbon.

Our Record Player

I came across this record player after I discovered that the cheap one I was using was doing more harm than good. As a novice listener I didn’t want to break the bank, but still get something that would produce amazing sound quality without damaging my records. The most important thing I learned in my research is you want your records to spin on a plate that is at least as big as your record. With the players that only offer support in the middle, your record can warp causing skipping or even worse, scratching. Another important thing I was looking for something with modern technology such as bluetooth capabilities. When paired with my Marshall speaker, the sound quality in this room is amazing!

From Day

Whether it’s starting my day with my morning coffee…

To Night

Or ending my day with a glass of bourbon… this room is my sanctuary.

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The post The Bourbon & Record Room appeared first on Dogs & Design.

The Wardrobe

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The Entryway

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The Dining Room

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The Living Room

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Don’t Forget to check out my favorite fall cookie recipes… trust me, You don’t want to miss these!

The post Fall Decorating appeared first on Dogs & Design.

Run for the roses

When I think of derby day, I think of red roses, copper mules, and of course BOURBON. So of course I had to style my bar in ALL of the above, & derby day is all about style! What better way to celebrate than entertaining at home with a festive bar full of your favorite cocktails?

Put your signature drink on display

Putting your signature drink on display makes it so much easier for your guests to confidently make their own drink. I like to use a serving tray or large cutting board to corral everything making it super accessible!

Stylish & Functional

I absolutely love mixing and matching metals, textures, & barware. It gives your bar a no-fuss & approachable feeling. Having all of your tools out & at the ready makes making cocktails a breeze. Especially on days like derby day that usually involve some muddling and various other techniques & tools!

Art & Florals

Adding art not only increases visual interest but also creates a beautiful conversation piece. My bourbon old fashioned oil painting, painted by my talented Aunt, remains a staple on my bar at all times. An affordable and easy way to keep it fresh throughout the seasons is with simple greenery & florals.

The Maker’s Mark Cocktail I’m Celebrating With This Derby Day

Kentucky Buck by Maker’s Mark

Happy Derby Day!

The post Derby Day Bar Styling & My Favorite Maker’s Mark Cocktail Recipe! appeared first on Dogs & Design.

Florals

“Florals? For Spring? Groundbreaking.” -Miranda Priestly

One of my favorite ways to bring in Spring is through florals! Just grab any sort of vessel, or in this case a dough bowl, & fill it with some of your favorite colored flowers & greenery! Instant mood lift! I have a bin full of faux florals I use throughout different times of the year and mixing and matching them gives them new life season after season!

Ruggable Rugs

I wanted both of my dining spaces to feel cohesive so I swapped out my Ruggable Rugs for a new style. Having interchangeable rugs is amazing because I change my mind a lot! Having WASHABLE rugs is a game changer because I have 5 dogs! So here are my 2 new Ruggable Rugs I chose for the dining areas. Same style-different sizes!

Formal Dining Sources

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Kitchen Dining Sources

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Dress stewart tartan rug from ruggable

During the hustle & bustle of the holidays, having a washable rug is a gift in itself! Even (if not especially) if your only guests this year are 5 little puppers! I’ve been replacing all of my rugs with Ruggable rugs for a while now. They are a total game changer & a must have for pet parents in my opinion! The fact that they make holiday rugs is just an added bonus!! I have a little shih tzu “marker” who occasionally has to remind everyone who is in charge around here with a little lift of a leg (insert eye roll). Between dirty paws, accidental spills, and everyday messes, being able to toss this bad boy in the wash helps me sleep at night.

You can use my code: ASHLEYNICOLE10 to make your Ruggable holiday dreams come to life too!!

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definitely my new coffee spot

Dining Room sources

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You can Shop all of my home here!

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Pumpkin season is here!

FALL is my absolute favorite time of year for baking! The warm spices, pumpkin-flavored everything, & all of the delicious harvest fruits to choose from, YUM! I wanted to share my 2 favorite fall staples in this house-Pumpkin Crinkle Cookies & my personal favorite, Pumpkin Butterscotch Cookies. I hope you guys enjoy these recipes as much as we do!

Pumpkin Crinkle Cookies

Just like the classic Christmas Crinkle Cookies, these will tide you over until it’s time to bake the Christmas version. Full of rich pumpkin flavor, but not too sweet, these hit just the right spot.

Print

Pumpkin Crinkle Cookies

A burst of soft & airy pumpkin flavor without being overly sweet!

Course Dessert

Keyword autumn, cookies, crinkle, fall, fall baking, pumpkin, pumpkin cookies

Prep Time 20 minutes minutes

Cook Time 14 minutes minutes

Total Time 34 minutes minutes

Servings 30 Cookies

Ingredients

• 2 & 1/4 Cups All Purpose Flour
• 1 Teaspoon Baking Powder
• 1/4 Teaspoon Baking Soda
• 3/4 Teaspoon Salt
• 1 & 1/2 Teaspoon Pumpkin Pie Spice
• 1/2 Teaspoon Cinnamon
• 1 Cup Light Brown Sugar
• 1/2 Cup Granulated Sugar
• 3 Eggs Room temperature
• 1/2 Cup Pumpkin Puree Not pie filling
• 1 Teaspoon Vanilla Extract
• 4 Tablespoons Unsalted Butter
• 1/2 Cup Granulated Sugar For rolling
• 1/2 Cup Powdered Sugar For rolling

Instructions

• Preheat oven to 325° & line 2 baking sheets with parchment paper. Set aside.
• Melt the 4 tablespoons of butter & set aside to cool.
• Whisk together flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, pumpkin pie spice, and cinnamon. Set aside.
• With your mixer, whisk together brown sugar, 1/2 cup granulated sugar, eggs, pumpkin puree, and vanilla until smooth. Add cooled butter & whisk until combined. Fold in your dry ingredients with a spatula until completely mixed in. Rest the dough for 10 minutes.
• Add 1/2 cup of granulated sugar & 1/2 cup of powdered sugar to 2 separate bowls for rolling your cookies
• Using a cookie scoop, or roughly 1 tablespoon of dough, drop dough into your granulated sugar bowl and push it around to cover it with the granulated sugar. Once covered in granulated sugar roll it around in your hands to form a ball. The dough will feel light and airy as you roll it around and won't form a stiff ball.
• Drop dough ball into powdered sugar and roll around to coat.
• Set dough balls onto your prepared cookie sheets about 2 inches apart.
• Bake for 14 minutes until cracks have formed.
• Remove cookies from the oven and allow to cool on the baking sheet for 10 minutes before transferring to a wire rack.

Pumpkin Butterscotch Cookies

My personal favorite cookie! Also known as my UGLY cookies, the combination of these flavors more than makes up for the presentation. Easily my most requested cookie to bring to any gathering & bonus, it’s the easiest cookie to make!

Print

Pumpkin Butterscotch Cookies

Also known as my ugly cookies, these more than make up for their lack of presentation with their delicious combination of flavors!

Course Dessert

Keyword autumn, butterscotch, fall, fall baking, pumpkin, pumpkin cookies

Prep Time 15 minutes minutes

Cook Time 16 minutes minutes

Total Time 31 minutes minutes

Servings 30 Cookies

Ingredients

• 2 Cups All Purpose Four
• 1 & 1/2 Teaspoon Baking Powder
• 1 Teaspoon Baking Soda
• 1/2 Teaspoon Salt
• 1 Teaspoon Cinnamon
• 2 Eggs
• 1 Cup Granulated Sugar
• 1/2 Cup Canola Oil
• 1 Cup Pumpkin Puree Not pie filling
• 1 Teaspoon Vanilla Extract
• 1 Cup Butterscotch Chips
• 1/4 Cup Powdered Sugar For dusting cookies

Instructions

• Preheat oven to 325° & line 2 baking sheets with parchment paper.
• Whisk together dry ingredients. Flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, & cinnamon. Set aside.
• Beat eggs & sugar for about 1 minute or until lightened in color.
• Mix in oil, pumpkin, & vanilla.
• Use a spatula to fold in butterscotch chips.
• Use a cookie scoop, or tablespoon, & place a scoop of dough onto the prepared baking sheets. Space cookies about 2 inches apart.
• Bake for 16 minutes.
• Remove from oven and let cool for 5 minutes before transferring to wire rack.
• Once cooled dust with powdered sugar & enjoy!

Happy Baking Season

Be sure to let me know which ones are YOUR favorite! Enjoy!!

The post Pumpkin Crinkle & Pumpkin Butterscotch Cookies appeared first on Dogs & Design.

Since it’s already in the 70’s here in AZ, I thought no better time for a Spring facelift. In the dining room that is. My formal dining room is located in the center of my home and is my favorite room to style. Although it isn’t used for glamorous dinner parties on the regular, I walk by or through here several times a day. So naturally, this is the first place I’m going to add some fun spring touches. Also, I’m over winter. Because let’s be real, once Christmas is over bring on Spring please!

As you may remember I had my gorgeous Totem Pole Cactus in here previously…

However, I kept getting these little fruit flies ALL over my house! After some investigating, I found out they were coming from the cactus soil. I literally feel like I’m just not meant to be a plant mom. So I hauled those bad boys out to the courtyard where they are loving their new home in the AZ sun. Now I can still enjoy them with my morning coffee out in the courtyard.. fruit fly free.

Now since I was lacking greenery in here, I moved in the one and only plant I’ve ever successfully kept alive- Archibald, my thriving majesty palm, & hes loving his new home! Everyone names their plants that they’ve managed to keep alive, right?

Just look how cute he looks in here! Plus now I won’t forget to water him! Seriously such a great plant for those of us lacking a green thumb. The other little guy is a Homegoods find and is obviously faux as I have a hard enough time keeping 1 alive.

Now just throw in one of my fave candles Sand + Fog Pineapple Coconut, pop some faux flowers on the bar cart, stock it with some of my fave Rosé… and it’s basically sunny and 75.

Just a few small changes and I’m loving the new view! Especially my favorite blush velvet curtains. I’ll link all sources at the bottom of the post!!

Hope you guys enjoyed my Spring dining room refresh & I was able to bring a little sunshine into your homes wherever you are!!

Sources

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What better way to kick off the holiday season than with a little bar cart hop!? I’ve teamed up with some of my favorite bloggers to bring you a little holiday inspo! One of my favorite places to get inspiration is from these talented bloggers & I can’t even tell you how many fun decorating ideas and decor hacks I’ve learned from them! I’ll list everyone at the end so you can hop around and gather some of your own holiday inspo!

Pretty in Pink with a Pop of Plaid

This year I’m bringing back all of my blush, rose gold, & copper Christmas decor & I’m starting with my bar cart. By now you guys know I LOVE my bar cart & pretty much always have one ready for any occasion. I love being able to decorate it with the seasons & come up with fun drinks to serve! Plus I get to actually use all of my pretty barware I’m addicted to buying! Whenever I’m choosing a theme for the holidays or season I always start small with either a tray or in this case a bar cart and go from there. Consider it my visual mood board! Then I can kind of play with some of the items I have and see how they work together on a smaller scale without dragging the whole decor closet (garage) out! So this year you’ll see a lot of my previous decor and all I’ve added in are my dark green ornaments and some plaid green ribbon!

And you know how I love an excuse to use my pretty barware, well this decanter is my absolute favorite!! It’s from The Crystal Wonderland, which is where I get most of my gorgeous crystal you see in my home!   The shop is a family owned business and they have the most beautiful collections I’ve ever seen.

Isn’t she a beaut!?!? OBSESSED!

Signature Drinks

One way I love to keep entertaining simple during the holidays is to come up with a few signature drinks & then always keep those ingredients on hand to put together an entertaining evening or party on the fly! This year I’ve chosen, an Old Fashioned, Rosé, & Spiked Egg Nog! The little Old Fashioned mixer you see on my cart is a steal from Target and makes 16 cocktails! All you need is whiskey and ice! I told you my recipes would be simple! Hosting during the holidays can get hectic so having some things already pre-planned makes life SO much easier! Here is the super easy Old Fashioned recipe & it’s also printed on the side of the bottle from Target!

Old Fashioned

Rosé is always a go-to for any holiday in my opinion & as for the spiked eggnog, well all you need is eggnog with a splash of whipped vodka! It is DELISH!! I stored both of those on the bottom tier along with any bar utensils you may need, wine glasses, & the cutest little ice bucket!

Cheers Friends!!

Thanks for stopping by and as I mentioned at the beginning of this post here is the list of all my fabulous blogger babes that made this merry little bar cart hop happen! SO much inspo and I’m so ready for this holiday season!! It’s the most wonderful time of the year!

Setting For Four | Porch Daydreamer | House Full Of Summer

Chandeliers & Champagne | Ashley Nicole Interiors | 11 Magnolia Lane

Shop My Bar Cart

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