Getting cozy inside when it's stormy out...

As I'm sure you all know by now, here on the East Coast we are all bracing for Sandy to hit. Schools are closed, offices are closed, and transit is at a halt. There's no where to go but to stay home, and why not make it as cozy and comfy as possible?

I'd love to know where this house is

We were without power for a whole week this summer, so we're bracing for the worst this time, and have gathered up all of our candles and filled all of our pots with water.

Nothing says cozy like marshmallows and cocoa.

And of course, park yourself in front of the fire if you are lucky enough to have one...

How do you get cozy?

via: 1. Sweet Home Style 2.  Pinterest, 3. Pinterest 4. Ruffles and Pleats  5. Heart Home 6. Crate and Barrel, 7. Pinterest  8. Project Wedding,  9. Pinterest via A Day That is Desert  10. House Beautiful

A pretty, clean-burning candle, and a lovely little giveaway...

I'm not a huge candle person, but I do like to have some lit for special dinners, guests, and a relaxing soak in the tub.  One of the main things that bugs me about candles though, is how unevenly they burn, leaving me left with a huge chunk of wax.  Which is why I wanted to give a special shout out to Crash Natural Soy Candles.  I have been burning one of their 100% natural soy wax candles for for 6 months now, and it's made a believer out of me.  The candle really does burn much more cleanly, smells lovely, and amazing- the wax stays even.  No more burning your fingers trying to light a wick inches below the wax surface.

The wax actually reminds me of milk a little bit... I wanted to do some research to see if soy wax actually is better, and I found this article on Mother Nature Network. The article states: "Candle wax is made from the petroleum byproduct, paraffin. Burning a paraffin wax candle, even if it smells like scrumptious apple pie, is like inviting a diesel truck into your home to let off some exhaust … the soot from both diesel fuel and paraffin wax contains a noxious mix of carcinogenic petro-carbon nastiness that can mess with your health, blacken the inside of your home, and emit toxic chemicals like benzene and toluene. Gross. And as you probably know, petroleum isn’t exactly renewable.

Vegetable-based soy wax isn’t 100 percent perfect (as with many agricultural products) but it’s a heck of a lot better than “gas wax.” They’re longer burning (with none of that soot), come in just as many tantalizing scents, and often the companies who produce soy candles go all out by using recycled-content packaging and lead-free paper/cotton wicks. Most candle shops and home boutiques should carry soy candle lines and if they don’t, make a request. Just make sure they’re 100 percent soy wax."

One lucky reader will receive a Crash Candle, in a glass designed by Angela Adams. The winner will get "Beach Rose" a lovely peppered rose scent in a 7.5 oz decorative glass.

If you'd like a chance to win the just like Crash Candles on Facebook, and then leave a comment on this post! You have until May 29th, 6 PM EST to like them and leave a comment. Good luck!

You can also shop their selection and find out more about Crash on their site.

*disclosure:  I received a candle from Crash as a sample

Ready or not, Christmas is coming - some easy decorating ideas for those with little time or motivation to decorate for the holidays

I'm a little ashamed to admit that I love other people's Christmas and holiday decorations, but when it comes to putting up my own, I really drag my feet. I let the weeks pass by, and then it just seems too late to bother. If there are any other of you out there like me, here are a few simple decorating ideas, which are easy and quick enough that you won't need to procrastinate.

Love this photo.  See how just a red throw and a pillow gives it a holiday feel?
 (aside from the snow)
via Log Home

You can always just go with a tree.  Because there are no other holiday decorations around, the tree is all the more noticeable, and really takes center stage.

A red flower arrangement or poinsettia can make a big impact on your dining room table.  Keep the other table linens white to really make the red pop.

2 images above via Lonny Mag

Okay, so I know this adorable little shed is all decked-out, but I used it to impact the instant coziness that warm light gives off. Candle light and incandescent lighting from table lamps and sconces, not overhead lighting, give off a warm glow. I know that incandescent lights are not the most energy efficient option - so check out compact fluorescents (CFLs), which give off a light more similar to incandescents than traditional fluorescents, but still give you energy savings.

via Pinterest

Candle light makes the table festive, even without green garlands and red bows.
via Rue Magazine

Simple pops of red turn an everyday room into a holiday decorated room.  A throw, a table runner, a lampshade, or a throw pillow are all accents that can be swapped in on the holidays.

2 images above via Casa Diez

I thought this idea was cute and easy. Take some glass vessels with a wide opening - a large jar, a hurricane, a glass bowl, and fill them with a simple strand of lights (craft stores sell plain strings of lights super cheap), and cluster them together in an arrangement on the table, mantle, or a sideboard.

via Country Living

What do you do to decorate for Christmas or the holiday you celebrate?  Do you procrastinate or go all out once Thanksgiving has come and gone?