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Lifestyle, Holidays/Seasonal Michele Lifestyle, Holidays/Seasonal Michele

Apparently People Are Coming Over…

Somewhere between now and the New Year, there's a good chance somebody will visit your home. Maybe you're hosting Thanksgiving. Or the kids are coming for Christmas. Friends might stay for a weekend. Or maybe Bob and his entire family are descending upon your house for four days, and although you've known this since August, you will somehow find yourself at 11:47 p.m. the night before they arrive standing in the guest bathroom holding an empty soap dispenser and wondering how your life came to this.

So let’s look around the house NOW and take care of things BEFORE groceries, cooking, wrapping, decorating and all the regular holiday stuff demands all our time and attention. I'd really like you to enjoy Bob when he gets there. At least not resent him before he makes it through the front door.

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Crafting, Holidays/Seasonal, DIY Michele Crafting, Holidays/Seasonal, DIY Michele

Before You Carve That Pumpkin...

I have nothing against a good old-fashioned jack-o'-lantern. But the minute you cut into a pumpkin, the clock starts ticking. Suddenly that perfectly good pumpkin has a much shorter decorating life - and after all that scooping, carving and seed-covered-kitchen-counter business, it seems a little rude.

So a few years ago, I started playing with another idea: What if I decorated the pumpkins instead?

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The Pumpkin Is Up—Fall Can Start Now

At 8 a.m. this morning, I poured my coffee and headed out to the little seating area on our front porch. I was in the shade with visions of sitting there enjoying a peaceful September morning.

Nope. That lasted about three minutes. It was already hot. And humid. And generally unpleasant enough that I picked up my coffee and retreated back into the house. Even the dogs aren't getting their morning walk because apparently summer has decided it lives here now.

Humble brag: one of the BIG reasons we moved back to San Diego almost 20 years ago was to escape the heat and humidity of Midwest summers. You know, San Diego, land of endless sunny-and-70. I did my time. I left. I thought we had an understanding.

Apparently, this particular summer did not get the memo. But here's the thing. There's a pumpkin hanging on my front door, so clearly one of us thinks fall is coming.

I'm putting my money on the pumpkin.

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Add Festive Touches Without Creating Clutter

The holidays have a way of convincing us that every surface needs a ribbon, a reindeer, or a bowl of something sparkly. But festive doesn’t have to mean crowded. The goal is charm, not the North Pole after a clearance sale. With a few intentional swaps and edits, you can bring in holiday cheer without sacrificing your sanity, or your tabletops.

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Small Then, Small Now — Why We Chose a Little Tree This Year

“Oh! Is that your tree this year?” That’s the reaction we expect when people walk into our dining room this December. My reply: “Yep, that’s the whole tree.” Just one little tabletop evergreen. Simple, subtle and serene—perfect for this season of our lives.

Now before anyone reports us to the Holiday Patrol for not erecting a seven-foot spruce dripping in lights, let me explain. This wasn’t a shortcut. This wasn’t laziness. And it definitely wasn’t a lack of holiday spirit. It was a choice. A good one. A peaceful one. And, honestly, a full-circle moment I didn’t see coming.

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Low-Stress Holiday Decorating Tips

The holidays have a way of convincing us that every surface needs a ribbon, a reindeer, or a bowl of something sparkly. But festive doesn’t have to mean crowded. The goal is charm, not the North Pole after a clearance sale. With a few intentional swaps and edits, you can bring in holiday cheer without sacrificing your sanity, or your tabletops. Read on, to learn more.

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Home – A Working Definition (Thoughts and Tips for Special Moments)

When you hear the word home, I hope your reaction isn’t to focus on your to-do list—paint touch-ups, mystery piles, and the bathroom you keep intending to upgrade. Ideally, home evokes thoughts of favorite people, favorite meals, inside jokes, and the kind of everyday moments that turn into “remember when…” stories. Yes, some of us genuinely enjoy moving furniture and choosing paint colors (guilty 😊), but underneath it all, there’s a deeper reason we keep tinkering with our spaces. We’re trying to create a place where the people we love will someday look back and think, “Those were some of my favorite memories.” That, more than anything, is why home matters—especially as the holiday season starts to peek around the corner.

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How to Transition Summer Décor into Fall Effortlessly

When the weather cools, it’s tempting to pack up every seashell and lemon-patterned napkin in sight and redecorate from scratch. But fall decorating doesn’t have to mean starting over. With a few smart swaps, you can stretch your summer décor into a new season — no bonfire for your beachy pillows required.

Here are some simple, affordable ways to make the transition smooth and stylish.

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5 Easy Fall Touches to Make Your Home Feel Cozy

The days are shorter, the air is cooler, and suddenly iced tea feels gives way to pumpkin latte. Fall is when your home begins to regain its favor from the great outdoors. To seamlessly make the shift, you don’t need to overhaul your décor. A few well-placed touches can transform your rooms into spaces that invite cozy relaxing with a mug of hot cider.

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Holidays/Seasonal Michele Holidays/Seasonal Michele

How to Get Your Home Ready for Holiday Guests (Without Losing Your Mind)

Ah, the holiday season! The air is crisp, lights are twinkling, and your friends and family are about to visit (invade) your home. But don't panic! With a few easy steps, and some deep breathing, you can prepare for a less stressful, more enjoyable holiday season. One big helpful step is to get your home prepared to welcome the loved ones (invaders). The first bonus step is to pour yourself a glass of holiday cheer, read the five tips below, and create your plan.

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