BellaGrey Designs: Christmas
Christmas

I get really excited this time of year to wrap all the gifts I purchased for my family and friends. I like to take the time to make each gift look special and pretty. 


My love for a beautifully wrapped gift started with my first job in high school. I worked for a high end department store in Denver, in their gift wrap center. I learned the very essence of gift wrapping, with embellishments, different textures and of course, how to make the edges of the gift crisp. 


As I’ve grown older, my fondness of gift wrapping has evolved. Black paper is one of my favorites as it is both, powerful and chic. The unexpected elements, such as vintage brooches, flowers, crystals, feathers and pearls, is what sets my gifts apart from any others. This year I went with a more glamorous Christmas theme, so I designed my gift wrapping accordingly. 



To create these beautifully wrapped gifts, I start with a few essentials. I choose my colors and purchase the wrapping paper {black, white with blush polka dots, a glitter blush and a black striped}; and ribbon - satin, velvet and striped in a variety of widths, textures and colors to match my theme; a selection of baubles, brooches, ornaments, flowers and any other decorations I can find to add to my gifts. 



 I always "shop" my house to see what I already have on hand before going shopping - this saves on time and money which is a BONUS in my book. I lay all of the elements out so I know what I have to work with. I shop all year for paper and ribbon {I may or may not have a slight obsession} so by the time Christmas comes, I usually have a variety to choose from. 



Once the gifts 
have been wrapped, you can mix and match ribbons and embellishments. This is the fun part, you can make it as fancy as you'd like or as simple, it's totally up to you, and what's even better? There is no right way or wrong way. I typically like a very simple bow so the decorative elements I choose, really stand out and sometimes a simple bow is all that is needed depending upon the paper you choose. 


Another option, if you are short on time, but still want a beautifully wrapped gift, is using the charming gift boxes in place of wrapping paper which still pairs well with your favorite ribbon and baubles. I used several black and blush pink stacking boxes, as well as white and gold ones under my tree, and I have to say I love the look of both the wrapped boxes as well as the colored gift boxes. 





I'm all about the presentation, it's nice to put the extra love and attention into something you are giving to a loved one or friend. A few years ago my mom gave me all of my grandmother's brooches, which I have used on a several of the gifts I given. 


I hope you have liked this post and will try embellishing your gifts in the future. 

Have a great Christmas season. 
  • Friday, December 09, 2022

DIY Glamorous Christmas Gifts


I get really excited this time of year to wrap all the gifts I purchased for my family and friends. I like to take the time to make each gift look special and pretty. 


My love for a beautifully wrapped gift started with my first job in high school. I worked for a high end department store in Denver, in their gift wrap center. I learned the very essence of gift wrapping, with embellishments, different textures and of course, how to make the edges of the gift crisp. 


As I’ve grown older, my fondness of gift wrapping has evolved. Black paper is one of my favorites as it is both, powerful and chic. The unexpected elements, such as vintage brooches, flowers, crystals, feathers and pearls, is what sets my gifts apart from any others. This year I went with a more glamorous Christmas theme, so I designed my gift wrapping accordingly. 



To create these beautifully wrapped gifts, I start with a few essentials. I choose my colors and purchase the wrapping paper {black, white with blush polka dots, a glitter blush and a black striped}; and ribbon - satin, velvet and striped in a variety of widths, textures and colors to match my theme; a selection of baubles, brooches, ornaments, flowers and any other decorations I can find to add to my gifts. 



 I always "shop" my house to see what I already have on hand before going shopping - this saves on time and money which is a BONUS in my book. I lay all of the elements out so I know what I have to work with. I shop all year for paper and ribbon {I may or may not have a slight obsession} so by the time Christmas comes, I usually have a variety to choose from. 



Once the gifts 
have been wrapped, you can mix and match ribbons and embellishments. This is the fun part, you can make it as fancy as you'd like or as simple, it's totally up to you, and what's even better? There is no right way or wrong way. I typically like a very simple bow so the decorative elements I choose, really stand out and sometimes a simple bow is all that is needed depending upon the paper you choose. 


Another option, if you are short on time, but still want a beautifully wrapped gift, is using the charming gift boxes in place of wrapping paper which still pairs well with your favorite ribbon and baubles. I used several black and blush pink stacking boxes, as well as white and gold ones under my tree, and I have to say I love the look of both the wrapped boxes as well as the colored gift boxes. 





I'm all about the presentation, it's nice to put the extra love and attention into something you are giving to a loved one or friend. A few years ago my mom gave me all of my grandmother's brooches, which I have used on a several of the gifts I given. 


I hope you have liked this post and will try embellishing your gifts in the future. 

Have a great Christmas season. 
Inspiration to set an elegant Christmas tablescape

Today I am sharing an elegant Christmas tablescape and a few tips for setting your holiday table in style. I have shared many Christmas tablescapes with you over the years, but my love for a white and silver tablescape is strong this year! It reminds me of the Colorado snow and how much I miss home! Although we rarely get snow here in Dallas, my table will be set for the occasion. 




When I was a kid, I was in awe of how my mom set a beautiful table for our family to gather around at Christmas time to enjoy all of our favorite foods. Now as I design my own, I want to stick with the tradition of gathering my family together around the dinner table because I think the table should be a reflection of the celebration! 

I like designing my table with both old and new pieces. For this table I started with a beautiful white tablecloth, which makes a good foundation and incorporated a lot of texture on top - runner, napkin rings and plate decor. Each place setting is a combination of a smooth antique silver charger and my go-to classic white dinner plate, while my grandmother's stemware adorn the table setting beautifully. I chose a shimmery silver runner and ran mini berry bushes along it to add color and movement to the table. Keeping the centerpieces low is key when setting a table, this way guests can see and converse with everyone. The mini berry bushes add a pop of color, but it's not overwhelming. 

As you know, I joined a few talented blogger friends to share 12 Days of Christmas Inspiration, so make sure you take a look at all their posts at the bottom of mine!

TIPS:
  • Bring the outdoors in - on every table I design, I always add in greenery or flowers or some type of outdoor element {faux or real}
  • For this table I used a soft silver palette to keep everything grounded
  • Adding pops of color throughout your table keeps the design festive yet polished
  • Think about lighting - will your dinner be lit by daylight, overhead light or candlelit? There is something about flickering candles that adds instant warmth to a table
  • Set your table before your guests arrive - this helps your guests feel welcome and frees you up to mingle with them
I hope these tips have inspired you to set an elegant Christmas tablescape of your own. 

Day 11 of 12 Days of Christmas Inspiration: 



Make sure you join me for the 12 Days of Christmas Inspiration blog hop along with Brianna of Parties with a Cause; Sarina of Joy in the Commonplace and Jordan of Jordan's Easy Entertaining! 

I hope you have enjoyed our ELEVENTH day of Christmas inspiration, please make sure you come back each day for more!

As a lifestyle blogger, it is my hope BellaGrey Designs continues to be an inspiration for you!





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A Silver and White Christmas Tablescape

Inspiration to set an elegant Christmas tablescape

Today I am sharing an elegant Christmas tablescape and a few tips for setting your holiday table in style. I have shared many Christmas tablescapes with you over the years, but my love for a white and silver tablescape is strong this year! It reminds me of the Colorado snow and how much I miss home! Although we rarely get snow here in Dallas, my table will be set for the occasion. 




When I was a kid, I was in awe of how my mom set a beautiful table for our family to gather around at Christmas time to enjoy all of our favorite foods. Now as I design my own, I want to stick with the tradition of gathering my family together around the dinner table because I think the table should be a reflection of the celebration! 

I like designing my table with both old and new pieces. For this table I started with a beautiful white tablecloth, which makes a good foundation and incorporated a lot of texture on top - runner, napkin rings and plate decor. Each place setting is a combination of a smooth antique silver charger and my go-to classic white dinner plate, while my grandmother's stemware adorn the table setting beautifully. I chose a shimmery silver runner and ran mini berry bushes along it to add color and movement to the table. Keeping the centerpieces low is key when setting a table, this way guests can see and converse with everyone. The mini berry bushes add a pop of color, but it's not overwhelming. 

As you know, I joined a few talented blogger friends to share 12 Days of Christmas Inspiration, so make sure you take a look at all their posts at the bottom of mine!

TIPS:
  • Bring the outdoors in - on every table I design, I always add in greenery or flowers or some type of outdoor element {faux or real}
  • For this table I used a soft silver palette to keep everything grounded
  • Adding pops of color throughout your table keeps the design festive yet polished
  • Think about lighting - will your dinner be lit by daylight, overhead light or candlelit? There is something about flickering candles that adds instant warmth to a table
  • Set your table before your guests arrive - this helps your guests feel welcome and frees you up to mingle with them
I hope these tips have inspired you to set an elegant Christmas tablescape of your own. 

Day 11 of 12 Days of Christmas Inspiration: 



Make sure you join me for the 12 Days of Christmas Inspiration blog hop along with Brianna of Parties with a Cause; Sarina of Joy in the Commonplace and Jordan of Jordan's Easy Entertaining! 

I hope you have enjoyed our ELEVENTH day of Christmas inspiration, please make sure you come back each day for more!

As a lifestyle blogger, it is my hope BellaGrey Designs continues to be an inspiration for you!





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Today is Day 6 of our 12 Days of Christmas Inspiration where we are all sharing gift ideas. Mine is focused on gift ideas for the women in your life - whether that be you, your mom, sister, best friend, daughter, teacher or aunt. I have rounded up some great beauty and fashion finds and provided links for everything. Find the rest of the Inspiration at the bottom of this post.


Amazon gift ideas
  1. The Living Proof Dry Volume Blast is amazing! I take this everywhere I go, perfect size for your purse. 
  2. I love this Living Proof Dry Shampoo - I typically only wash my hair twice a week in the winter and this product not only removes the oil from your hair, but also any odors! 
  3. I recently purchased this Professional Ceramic Curling Iron and I love it! My curls last all day long! 
  4. During the winter months, I like to use this Vitamin E oil with my face moisturizer. 
  5. Eucalyptus Body Scrub is a game changer! I use this once a week in the shower, it not only exfoliates, but cleans, nourishes and moisturizes! It comes in 14 different scents. 
  6. I love these Clear Drink Pouches especially during the summer out by the pool! They are perfect for adult sippy drinks! 
  7. These Camo Leggings - come in 18 prints and colors - are so comfy. These are high waisted so they control your tummy area while flattering your figure.
  8. This Off the Shoulder Sweater - comes in 6 color choices - and is perfect for date night or a day of shopping with your bestie! 
  9. Who doesn't need a Long Camel Colored Sweater this time of year?  comes in 6 color choices
  10. Being from Colorado, I love Chunky Turtleneck Sweater that aren't restrictive. This is one of those sweaters! Comes in 5 color choices
  11. Leopard is all the rage right now and this Leopard Sweatshirt  does not disappoint! It is lightweight and not bulky like some sweatshirts are. Comes in 4 color choices.
  12. The length of this Long Tunic Top - comes in 9 color choices - is not only perfect for leggings, but can be tucked into jeans or a skirt. Has great reviews.
See more gift ideas on Amazon for women here

Day 6 of 12 Days of Christmas Inspiration: 

Make sure you join me for the 12 Days of Christmas Inspiration blog hop along with Brianna of Parties with a Cause; Sarina of Joy in the Commonplace and Jordan of Jordan's Easy Entertaining! 

I hope you have enjoyed our SIXTH day of Christmas inspo. please make sure you come back each day for more!

As a lifestyle blogger, it is my hope BellaGrey Designs continues to be an inspiration for you!

Create Happily!


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Under $30 Gift Ideas for Women

Today is Day 6 of our 12 Days of Christmas Inspiration where we are all sharing gift ideas. Mine is focused on gift ideas for the women in your life - whether that be you, your mom, sister, best friend, daughter, teacher or aunt. I have rounded up some great beauty and fashion finds and provided links for everything. Find the rest of the Inspiration at the bottom of this post.


Amazon gift ideas
  1. The Living Proof Dry Volume Blast is amazing! I take this everywhere I go, perfect size for your purse. 
  2. I love this Living Proof Dry Shampoo - I typically only wash my hair twice a week in the winter and this product not only removes the oil from your hair, but also any odors! 
  3. I recently purchased this Professional Ceramic Curling Iron and I love it! My curls last all day long! 
  4. During the winter months, I like to use this Vitamin E oil with my face moisturizer. 
  5. Eucalyptus Body Scrub is a game changer! I use this once a week in the shower, it not only exfoliates, but cleans, nourishes and moisturizes! It comes in 14 different scents. 
  6. I love these Clear Drink Pouches especially during the summer out by the pool! They are perfect for adult sippy drinks! 
  7. These Camo Leggings - come in 18 prints and colors - are so comfy. These are high waisted so they control your tummy area while flattering your figure.
  8. This Off the Shoulder Sweater - comes in 6 color choices - and is perfect for date night or a day of shopping with your bestie! 
  9. Who doesn't need a Long Camel Colored Sweater this time of year?  comes in 6 color choices
  10. Being from Colorado, I love Chunky Turtleneck Sweater that aren't restrictive. This is one of those sweaters! Comes in 5 color choices
  11. Leopard is all the rage right now and this Leopard Sweatshirt  does not disappoint! It is lightweight and not bulky like some sweatshirts are. Comes in 4 color choices.
  12. The length of this Long Tunic Top - comes in 9 color choices - is not only perfect for leggings, but can be tucked into jeans or a skirt. Has great reviews.
See more gift ideas on Amazon for women here

Day 6 of 12 Days of Christmas Inspiration: 

Make sure you join me for the 12 Days of Christmas Inspiration blog hop along with Brianna of Parties with a Cause; Sarina of Joy in the Commonplace and Jordan of Jordan's Easy Entertaining! 

I hope you have enjoyed our SIXTH day of Christmas inspo. please make sure you come back each day for more!

As a lifestyle blogger, it is my hope BellaGrey Designs continues to be an inspiration for you!

Create Happily!


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Cream Cheese Pesto Crostini Appetizer's are great for a party of any size. They are easy to whip up and taste great. I recently made these for a girls night in I hosted and they were gone in minutes! 

5 ingredients and 15 minutes to prepare -  Crostini bread slices are topped with whipped cream cheese, fresh basil leaves, pesto and grape tomatoes. They make a great finger food and are easy to eat. 

Don't forget, I joined a few other talented blogger friends to share 12 Days of Christmas Inspiration, so make sure you take a look at all their posts at the bottom of mine!


Ingredients: 
  • 8oz Cream Cheese - you can also purchase whipped cream cheese if you prefer
  • Grape tomatoes
  • Fresh Basil leaves
  • Pesto {you can make this fresh or purchase it} I purchased the rustic basil flavor
  • Toasted Crostini bread {or fresh Italian bread}

Directions: 

Whip cream cheese until smooth {I added a tablespoon of lemon juice} and spread on top of crostini. Cut or tear basil leaves into pieces and scatter on top of cream cheese mixture. Next spoon Pesto - you can as much as you'd like and add as next topping. Place sliced grape tomatoes as the top ingredient and you are done! It is that simple! 







This appetizer is full of bold flavor and is visually appealing to the senses. It will not disappoint your guests, in fact, they will be asking for more! I love the bright colors of reds, greens and whites they make your taste buds dance, which is perfect for any holiday or party! 

Day 4 of 12 Days of Christmas Inspiration: 



Make sure you join me for the 12 Days of Christmas Inspiration blog hop along with Brianna of Parties with a Cause; Sarina of Joy in the Commonplace and Jordan of Jordan's Easy Entertaining! 

I hope you have enjoyed our FOURTH day of Christmas inspo. please make sure you come back each day for more!

As a lifestyle blogger, it is my hope BellaGrey Designs continues to be an inspiration for you!

Happy decorating! 


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{Recipe} Cream Cheese Pesto Crostini Appetizer

Cream Cheese Pesto Crostini Appetizer's are great for a party of any size. They are easy to whip up and taste great. I recently made these for a girls night in I hosted and they were gone in minutes! 

5 ingredients and 15 minutes to prepare -  Crostini bread slices are topped with whipped cream cheese, fresh basil leaves, pesto and grape tomatoes. They make a great finger food and are easy to eat. 

Don't forget, I joined a few other talented blogger friends to share 12 Days of Christmas Inspiration, so make sure you take a look at all their posts at the bottom of mine!


Ingredients: 
  • 8oz Cream Cheese - you can also purchase whipped cream cheese if you prefer
  • Grape tomatoes
  • Fresh Basil leaves
  • Pesto {you can make this fresh or purchase it} I purchased the rustic basil flavor
  • Toasted Crostini bread {or fresh Italian bread}

Directions: 

Whip cream cheese until smooth {I added a tablespoon of lemon juice} and spread on top of crostini. Cut or tear basil leaves into pieces and scatter on top of cream cheese mixture. Next spoon Pesto - you can as much as you'd like and add as next topping. Place sliced grape tomatoes as the top ingredient and you are done! It is that simple! 







This appetizer is full of bold flavor and is visually appealing to the senses. It will not disappoint your guests, in fact, they will be asking for more! I love the bright colors of reds, greens and whites they make your taste buds dance, which is perfect for any holiday or party! 

Day 4 of 12 Days of Christmas Inspiration: 



Make sure you join me for the 12 Days of Christmas Inspiration blog hop along with Brianna of Parties with a Cause; Sarina of Joy in the Commonplace and Jordan of Jordan's Easy Entertaining! 

I hope you have enjoyed our FOURTH day of Christmas inspo. please make sure you come back each day for more!

As a lifestyle blogger, it is my hope BellaGrey Designs continues to be an inspiration for you!

Happy decorating! 


Pin for later


As you know, we recently moved into a new house in July and for our first Christmas here I want to create an ornament we would treasure of years to come. I decided to design a front door, after all the front door is where so much happens! We welcome our family and friends, decorate for all holidays, as newlyweds we cross over the threshold and happily bring home our newborns.


This project took me about 2 hours to make create. I joined a few of my other talented blogger friends to share 12 Days of Christmas Inspiration, so make sure you take a look at all their posts at the bottom of mine!

Items needed: 
  • Mini wood door {you can find one similar to this one here}
  • Black Gloss Spray Paint - I used Rustoleum Black Gloss
  • Hanging wire or ribbon
  • Mini Wreaths - found mine in the Target Spot for $3/5ct
  • Hot glue gun


3 easy steps and you are done! 

Instructions: 
  • Paint the door in whatever color you want
Did you know the color of your front door says a lot about you? I love the color black and it often feels more formal, by adding particular decor to your doorway it can either be playful or glamours. 
  • Hot glue the mini wreath to your door
  • Add hanging wire or ribbon to back of door


If you wanted to add more to your door you could add a door knob, your family name or a welcome sign! What color would you paint your front door?

More great DIY Christmas Ornaments: 








Make sure you join me for the 12 Days of Christmas Inspiration blog hop along with Brianna of Parties with a Cause; Sarina of Joy in the Commonplace and Jordan of Jordan's Easy Entertaining! 


I hope you have enjoyed our first day of Christmas inspo. please make sure you come back each day for more!

As a lifestyle blogger, it is my hope BellaGrey Designs continues to be an inspiration for you! 


{DIY TUTORIAL} Mini Christmas Door Ornament

As you know, we recently moved into a new house in July and for our first Christmas here I want to create an ornament we would treasure of years to come. I decided to design a front door, after all the front door is where so much happens! We welcome our family and friends, decorate for all holidays, as newlyweds we cross over the threshold and happily bring home our newborns.


This project took me about 2 hours to make create. I joined a few of my other talented blogger friends to share 12 Days of Christmas Inspiration, so make sure you take a look at all their posts at the bottom of mine!

Items needed: 
  • Mini wood door {you can find one similar to this one here}
  • Black Gloss Spray Paint - I used Rustoleum Black Gloss
  • Hanging wire or ribbon
  • Mini Wreaths - found mine in the Target Spot for $3/5ct
  • Hot glue gun


3 easy steps and you are done! 

Instructions: 
  • Paint the door in whatever color you want
Did you know the color of your front door says a lot about you? I love the color black and it often feels more formal, by adding particular decor to your doorway it can either be playful or glamours. 
  • Hot glue the mini wreath to your door
  • Add hanging wire or ribbon to back of door


If you wanted to add more to your door you could add a door knob, your family name or a welcome sign! What color would you paint your front door?

More great DIY Christmas Ornaments: 








Make sure you join me for the 12 Days of Christmas Inspiration blog hop along with Brianna of Parties with a Cause; Sarina of Joy in the Commonplace and Jordan of Jordan's Easy Entertaining! 


I hope you have enjoyed our first day of Christmas inspo. please make sure you come back each day for more!

As a lifestyle blogger, it is my hope BellaGrey Designs continues to be an inspiration for you! 


The Perfect Holiday Gift

The holidays are a crazy time of year! Trying to juggle more than one kid's schedule, a styling/design business + holiday parties to attend and shopping, time management is essential, am I right? That is why I am super excited to have partnered with JORD Watches!


Affiliate links are included in this post, which means if you make a purchase using one of the links, I will earn a small commission, but it will not cost you one penny! But it does help to keep my website running. Thank you! The following is based strictly on my honest opinion. I only recommend products and brands I love and use personally. 

Just in time for the holidays, we will be giving ONE lucky winner a $100 code towards your own gorgeous watch! Even if you don't win, you will get 10% off your purchase just of entering! 



Here are just a few reasons I LOVE my new JORD watch:

  • You know me and packaging - I love a beautiful packaged item! Look how gorgeous the all cedar humidor presentation box is! It can also be engraved
  • The humidor has a little drawer that holds a humidity pack for storing and protecting your watch
  • The watches can be sized for the recipient
  • Every watch comes with a one year warranty, with options for a return or exchange
  • Free worldwide standard shipping
  • The quality, craftsmanship and style is timeless and makes it really stand out! Which I absolutely love! 


My Cassia Ebony and Sable, is sleek in style and bold in appearance and it keeps me running on time to my appointments + it is an effortless addition to my holiday attire. What's not to love about that?

Click HERE to enter the giveaway!


Good Luck and Happy Holidays!!


Remember to follow BellaGrey Designs on all your social media channels, you will find the links below this post! Exclusive coupon codes to our shop and free printables throughout the year are shared on our social media. If you like this post, sign up for weekly updates via email. It's FREE! See the sidebar for more information.



Wooden Wrist Watch

The Perfect Holiday Gift

The Perfect Holiday Gift

The holidays are a crazy time of year! Trying to juggle more than one kid's schedule, a styling/design business + holiday parties to attend and shopping, time management is essential, am I right? That is why I am super excited to have partnered with JORD Watches!


Affiliate links are included in this post, which means if you make a purchase using one of the links, I will earn a small commission, but it will not cost you one penny! But it does help to keep my website running. Thank you! The following is based strictly on my honest opinion. I only recommend products and brands I love and use personally. 

Just in time for the holidays, we will be giving ONE lucky winner a $100 code towards your own gorgeous watch! Even if you don't win, you will get 10% off your purchase just of entering! 



Here are just a few reasons I LOVE my new JORD watch:

  • You know me and packaging - I love a beautiful packaged item! Look how gorgeous the all cedar humidor presentation box is! It can also be engraved
  • The humidor has a little drawer that holds a humidity pack for storing and protecting your watch
  • The watches can be sized for the recipient
  • Every watch comes with a one year warranty, with options for a return or exchange
  • Free worldwide standard shipping
  • The quality, craftsmanship and style is timeless and makes it really stand out! Which I absolutely love! 


My Cassia Ebony and Sable, is sleek in style and bold in appearance and it keeps me running on time to my appointments + it is an effortless addition to my holiday attire. What's not to love about that?

Click HERE to enter the giveaway!


Good Luck and Happy Holidays!!


Remember to follow BellaGrey Designs on all your social media channels, you will find the links below this post! Exclusive coupon codes to our shop and free printables throughout the year are shared on our social media. If you like this post, sign up for weekly updates via email. It's FREE! See the sidebar for more information.



Wooden Wrist Watch

Christmas Gift Wrap Ideas

I'm super excited to team up with a few of my blogger friends to bring you some great Christmas gift wrap ideas. Welcome to everyone vis...

Meet Jennifer

Meet Jennifer
God made and Jesus saved! This Colorado girl is living in a Texas world. I'm a home decor enthusiast, sharing our home, fashion and entertaining tips.

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