(Disclosure: This post is unsponsored. I received no compensation for writing this. Everything that I have written is on my own accord.)

The feeling that I get inside of my stomach when I find a website full of good stuff is amazing.
It does not happen often, but when it does....well, it's perfect. I recently experienced that feeling when I happened upon a new site. Say hello to Grandinroad. It is a business that I discovered while browsing the internet for Christmas decor. I think I've found my match made in Heaven.

It's crazy how fast the holidays have come upon us. It was literally just Halloween 12 days ago. TWELVE! That seems like such a little time. Now there are only fourteen days left until Turkey Day (only four more days until single digits - woooh!). But that means Christmas is also going to be approaching shortly thereafter (or so the time flying by seems like) and decorations are going to be flying up up up. Then again, who waits until December to begin holiday decorating? It seems like no one does.

Anyways, that is where Grandinroad suddenly comes in. They have Christmas decor, and it is all so lovely! For instance, this pillow. I want it. SO BAD. Plus, it is only $49.00. Or, what about this here pre-lit Xmas branch filler. Ohhhhh! It's such an eye-catcher. Granted, it is $159.00, but still! If I had that sort of money, ohweeee, I'd be all up on it. To see some of my favorites from this store, just keep scrolling.

These blocks are the epitome of Christmas Spirit. Have you ever seen The Polar Express, "I BELIEVE." That's the only way you'll hear the ringing of the bell. These are the blocks with words that you want to get.

Elves! They are the first things that I think of when I see these kringle mangle scarves. Okay, okay, I given in...I usally think of Buddy, but it's the same, is it not?

If you want a miniature set of the Christmas wonderland, then help yourself to these realistic set of snowy trees. You're welcome. 

There is absolutely, positively nothing more adorable than cute wildlife in Santa hats. The best part of this is that you can keep these pillows in your living room well into the new year. So if someone decides to question you about them, you already have your excuse.

Dashing through the sky, on a cloudless Thursday night, oh the places we go, blah blah blah blah blah. Yeah, the actual Christmas carol lyrics are not really in my head at the moment, so you have my made up words instead. Falalalala. Greenery and reindeer - is that not a huge part of Christmas spirit?

I'm always jealous of the gifts at the mall underneath the trees. They're always so perfectly wrapped. Mine, on the other hand, look like a piece of....er... Anyways, here is your chance to get your own (even better) looking giftbox. Instead of only placing them underneath the tree, spread them around your home to give the Christmas feeling. (Why do I feel like I am auctioning off a prize or something? Hahah.)

Tune: 'All I Want For Christmas Is You' by Lady Antebellum

Holiday season is finally here! The first snowfall has already come in Southeast Michigan, as well. This means one of two things: I can become excited about Christmas without being judged by others, or Michigan is simply acting stupid and the weather is acting completely (referencing the two years in-a-row hailing during the summer). I, for one, am going to go with the former and run with it because I have Christmas and New Year's fever. It feels like we were just ringing in 2013 just a week ago (hahaha, here I am speaking as if it is the end of the year already. There is still a month and some left during 2013).

Since I already decided to go with the former, I am disallowing anyone to be snide about my Christmas spirit. This means I am putting up the Christmas tree. (Look at the header image. It's not finished yet, but it's the thought that counts.) I'm also turning up the holiday tunes, decorating the rest of my home, buying gifts, and baking cookies! Christmas rocks, guys.  It rocks so hard.

I figured that I might as well share with you all two of my main tips for Christmas decorating, since you might as well get in the holiday spirit, too. :) Are you ready for Christmas already, or are you all "it was just Halloween...."?

Two Tips for Decorating for the Holidays:

1. Don't be afraid to go big and be festive! The more lights, garlands, and amazingly scented candles, the better. Of course, going big does not mean overdoing it. It simply means have fun with your decorating so that the holiday spirit can be fed through to everyone who sees it. Have you ever heard the saying, "Go big or go home?" 

2. The minor details can mean a lot. This is throughout all spaces. The tiny things that you think won't make a difference, in the end, do. May it be an extra ornament on the tree, or something that could have been hung on the fire mantle - it can make the difference between your winter wonderland and 'Ohh.....that's nice.' 

Tune: '4 Carats' by Kelly Clarkson

<

Can somebody tell me when the right time to turn on the heat is? Because, honestly, these days are getting chillier and chillier, and I'm falling in love with it. However, with the way Michigan is with its crazy weather, I think I might just wait a month or so before cranking up the heat. And once again, this makes me wish that my new home had a fireplace. Something that you can easily toss some logs into, light a match, and voila! A fire is blazing.

 Okay, okay...I digress, I do, in fact, have a heater, so I won't freeze to death. I promise.  It's just that a fire is much more alluring than a rotating piece of machinery/ Whether it be the traditional fireplace or a modern one, I am in love with nostalgic feeling. I have not had a fireplace in my home for the last four/five-ish years, and I miss them so much. There is something about curling up in front of the blazing heat with a blanket draped over my lap and a good book in my hand.

But hey, instead of torturing myself any longer thinking about how much I wish I had a fireplace, let me just show off these amazing ones below. Have a great day!

Tune: Hey Brother by Avicii

Long time no see, ya'll.  Hm...it is partly my fault (back-to-school takes 70% of the blame), but hey, what can I say? I needed the recuperation time, and I regret nothing. :) However, I am finally back! Are you happy? Just nod your head yes. Moving on... Seeing as Fall  is creeping in on us (it'll be official this Sunday), I would like to dedicate my first (re-back) post to the Autumn season.  How to decorate your home when the season is arriving? You can find some inspiration below.

1. This African-themed pillow will be an amazing Fall decor addition to your home. Instead of sticking with the "everything must be orange" tradition, this pillow is non-traditional, yet so darn perfect. 

2. I never said that orange was totally out for the Fall decor. A touch here and there is quite enough, and I vote for touch number one to be this pillow with splashes of orange. Who's with me?

3. Wall decor is beautiful year-round, but Autumn has a ton more pieces to throw out and hang out (or is that Christmas? Hm...).  This metal wall sculpture is different, though, but...I think that's why I love it.

4. Autumn brings one of my favorite holidays of the year (ahem - Halloween), so that means I have to decorate for it. Am I wrong? That means pumpkins, pumpkins, and more pumpkins (although they are general for the Fall season). As my taste in decor matures (and the taste in interior designers do, too), I notice that orange pumpkins are becoming so overrated for decor. Go with something different.  Oh! Like these mercury glass pumpkins? I think so.

5. I love botanicals.  I'm sure I touched on that over here.........(did you read it?)...... Okay, that's enough time. Now you see how I much I really like botanicals. In the Autumn season, I love seeing the leaves change colors and stuff (before they drop to the ground like a pair of dead fruit flies).  Now, although this maple leaf plant is faux, it is still very eye-appealing, so I vote yes.

6. Nine sections of pure loveliness is what this photo of a stark tree portrays. Honestly, nothing could look better against that plain wall that I know you have (except for #3). 

Are you going to decorate your home for Autumn (why do I keep typing August first?!)?  My home is already getting there with the color palette of brown, green, and a little orange working it's way in. Do you prefer artwork or vases, etc?

Tune: How Big Are Angel Wings by Ashton Shepherd

Guest Post. Hey, ya'll. I know that I have been absent for the past week (sorry), but school is coming up for me in a week and I've been working on all of my back-to-school packets that I have procrastinated on (haha, oops). Once I am finished with those and get settled into school, I will be back posting more frequently! But while I am away, I have a guest post here for you all to love on from Arcadian Home blog. All of the inspiration that they have on their blog is something that I think you'll love to see - I mean, c'mon, look at this Moroccan home inspiration (something that everybody needs a piece of in their home). And after you're done checking out their blog, visit their store and lust after their [destination] India collection (ohgosh, you know how much I love my India stuff). But for the meantime, see their subtle coastal interior inspiration below (see, I'm not the only coastal addict around here).

||

Hello, everyone! I'm so excited to be here with you at Light Up Colors today with a guest post from Arcadian Home blog. It's a fabulous place to find interior design inspiration including great decorating ideas for everything from beautiful outdoor lighting fixtures to colorful decorative accessories. Let’s take look at stylish and subtle coastal interiors (and one living space that just happens to be outside.) Please enjoy!

A restrained coastal look can start in the foyer. This chic modern vignette fits beautifully into the nook formed where the staircase turns. Just a touch or two of seaside style is all it takes to impart a coastal feel.

Ocean hues and a coral motif pillow give a living room corner a subtle coastal look. The thick woven basket and large metal lantern are great choices for this space.

A chic but cozy corner is made understated coastal with a pair of ocean-themed toss pillows. A metal and glass pendant light casts its warm glow within this small space. What a pretty secluded little room.

Pale ocean blue and rough woven chairs and bar stools give this stylish kitchen a subtle coastal feel. A single starfish laid on each plate is the only other nod to the sea.

Soft ocean green walls and ceiling along with seaglass blue on the bed impart a subdued coastal look here. The beautiful woven bed and rug underfoot add an appealing tropical vibe to the space.

White starfish on brown and gray tiles are the single coastal reference in a beach house bathroom. This space shows off cool modern coastal cottage style.

This designer creates brilliant sophisticated and restrained coastal interiors. Here you see a living space that is magical in its understated beach style.

 

As promised at the beginning of this post, here is our one outdoor space, just a step or two from the French doors and foyer lighting that give entrance to this magnificent coastal home. Isn't this outdoor furniture the epitome of subtle coastal style? It would also be stunning inside. Images 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 

What do you think of these coastal spaces? Let us know in the comments, and come by our blog for more colorful home decor, mini pendant lights, and interior inspirations!

Tune: Wrecking Ball by Lifehouse

"I didn't mean for it to turn coastal." I have recently noticed that this blog has been taking a turn for a tropical/coastal home decor inspiration blog. It's was completely unintentional, but it's happening. Since this is my inspiration blog, and I am speaking with my voice and sharing what I find lovely, so this shift was bound to happen. What do you all like? What is your design preference? Is it modern, coastal, moroccan, contemporary, traditional, etc?

(Oh! And I apologize for my immense absence from this blog. I am busy trying to catch up on stuff for the first week of school (next week) that I procrastinated on doing (i.e. summer packets). Once I am settled in school, I'll be back round these parts of the net more frequently.)

Tune: Stand Up by Jessie J

I know that I said I would not be here while on vacation (and I'm not, this post is pre-scheduled), but I wanted to let you all know that today (August 12th) is this blog's 1 year anniversary. Well, technically, it is. In a more figurative sense, it's kind of not because I only really began to blog this year. Regardless to any of that, though, I wanted to share with you all that today was the day that I created this blog and began to write many, many, many posts (some that I have drafted).

I would love to celebrate with you guys, but I am on vacation, and I'm not up to doing anything blog related this week. Thank you for sticking around with me for as long as you have. I genuinly appreciate it. Have a great Monday!

Tune: Fully Alive by Flyleaf