We are in the home stretch of October, and for parents with younger kids, I wish you a happy and safe Halloween. As for me and my crew, this will be the first year without family plans. Such is the life of an almost empty nester. Don’t feel bad for me though! I’ve got lots of fun holiday coverage that I think you'll like! Everything from helpful gift guides to home decorating to baking! Let's cue the holiday playlist and talk about a lovely book I recently received to review: French Country Cottage Christmas! Want to win a copy? Read until the end of this post for details.
Holiday Inspiration Found!
My thanks to Gibbs for the complimentary copy of the French Country Cottage Christmas. All opinions and love of decorating for Christmas are my own.
About French Country Cottage Christmas: Author: Courtney Allison/Published by: Gibbs Smith/Jacketless Hardcover/240 pages/250 photographs
Synopsis:
“Celebrate the season in cozy French Country Cottage style with luscious photography and a plethora of inspiration and ideas for trees in themes from baubles to flowers; décor indoors and outdoors; flowers, garlands, and wreaths; tables, dining, and entertaining; entryways, stairways, and every room of the house; outbuildings; pretty packages; and twinkle lights galore. Plus a little bit of Christmas magic from a Paris apartment with a balcony overlooking the Eiffel Tower, a snowy mountain cabin, and a vintage travel trailer at the lake.”
 |
| Courtesy: Gibbs Smith |
My Thoughts:
Are you ready to celebrate the most wonderful time of the year? Could you use a little inspiration to get you in the spirit? Yes? Then you’ll love this book as much as I did! I’ve flipped through this delightful book multiple times and I find another fun decorating idea or craft I want to do each time! This book is full of simple decorating, to more lush and glamorous looks and I love seeing how the author mixes them so well in her home and garden.
Some key parts of the book I found most helpful are:
A Month by month-by-month countdown with multiple tasks to stay on track starting in September. For instance, in October, (a slow gardening month,) Courtney suggested we plant Narcissus bulbs to force and pick up other seasonal bulbs like Amaryllis and Paperwhites to force after Thanksgiving.
Another helpful tip for October was to decide what charitable causes you will support this year and connect with local organizations. I think it is a great idea to choose now before the hustle and bustle of the season distract you, so there’s less chance you’ll overextend your volunteer hours or your wallet.
I loved some of the suggestions on how to make your holiday decor more personal too, like adding little Christmas Moments throughout your house. I like the look of the bottlebrush trees placed in a china cabinet and can't wait to add twinkle lights to a basket of ornaments to place in our hall.
 |
| Courtesy: Gibbs Smith |
The 25 Inspiring Trees chapter is a delight! I love reading about the author's ideal tree versus her husband's. Over the years, they’ve learned to weave their decorating styles into something magical. There are so many beautifully decorated trees to admire! Everything from simple small trees to romantic floral elegance to flocked splendor. You just may find yourself thinking you need another tree to decorate!
The festive feeling continues as we are drawn to fully cottage-core decorating from entryways to attics, and then to outdoor decor with loads of greenery and twinkle lights and then decorating their actual cottage!
 |
| Courtesy:Gibbs Smith |
The Takeaway:
I have enjoyed spending time with this book immensely, and plan to implement several key decorating ideas and I think you are going to love this book too. Throughout French Country Cottage Christmas, Courtney shares her expertise in decorating, setting the table, and adding handmade and natural touches throughout your home and outdoor spaces in a lovely, inviting way.
She shows us that we can make our homes festive, merry, and bright with just a little forethought and planning. I invite you to learn more about this book by visiting the publisher Gibbs Smith, and more about the author, stylist, and blogger Courtney Allison at her blog French Country Cottage.
Win It:
Thanks to today's sponsor, Gibbs Smith Publisher, one lucky reader will receive a hardbound copy of French Country Cottage Christmas just in time for the holidays! Open to U.S. residents of the 48 contiguous United States. Please read the full terms below before entering. I will check! Thank you.
Terms:
No purchase is necessary to enter using the Rafflecopter form below. My WAHM Plan is not responsible for prize fulfillment, the sponsor is. Winners will be notified by email used on the entry form and have 24 hours to respond or another winner will be chosen. This giveaway is not associated with nor endorsed by Facebook, Twitter, or any other social channel.
Good Luck!
As always, I hope you’ve found this book review helpful! For more book reviews, simply use this tab. Please be sure to subscribe to my blog so you’ll know when I share new posts. My goal is to share as many tips and ideas as I can to inspire you!
Please share in comments: Are you looking forward to the holidays this year?
Posts
Add your comment