Every year, just as the holidays roll around, I tell myself that this year, I'm going to take it slow.

I'm going to relax my way through the season. Enjoy every carol, every moment of twinkle and rather than get caught up in the hustle and bustle, focus on the peace of December days.

Whip up a glitter candle holder for the holidays, as a gift or for decoration. They make great wedding favors, shower centerpieces and home decor accents, too.

It's hard for me to say this without sounding like a cliche, but I cannot believe it's December already. Where did this year go?

I feel like I just put that tree away and yet this weekend, I found myself unpacking it again, in preparation for the upcoming holidays. To be honest, at first, I had a hard time whipping up that Christmas spirit.

Earlier this year, we updated our hall bathroom. It was long overdue, but I stalled and stalled, because I just couldn't let go of all that red.

I loved the paint. Balmoral Red by Ralph Lauren.

It was so dramatic and powerful, it made my heart stir every time I walked by or into the room.

It's hard to fight that kind of emotion. And attachment.

A few days ago, my husband and I popped into Ikea. We're lucky enough to have a store about a half an hour from our home and every now and then, when we're out that way, we wander inside.

It's been a long time since we've gone there in search of something specific. I love their furniture, and actually have a lot of it, we just don't need anything big anymore.

No room.

Refinishing your worn kitchen table is a great alternative to buying new, especially when you already love what you have. It also protects the wood and the process is easier than you think.

Several months ago, we remodeled our bathroom and it opened a huge can of decorating worms.

One thing certainly does lead to another and I've been moving around from one "another" to "another" since April. Here's my latest unintentional DIY.

And it all started in the kitchen.