RENOVATE & REFINE
HOME FOR THE
WITH LEANN PARKER
HOLIDAYS WHEN I DECORATE OUR SPACES, ESPECIALLY AROUND
and smaller losses, I can put them to rest and move forward
THE HOLIDAYS, I STRIVE TO BRING THINGS INTO OUR
with recreating what it might look like to celebrate during this
HOME FROM THE OUTDOORS RATHER THAN FROM A
unique holiday season. In our home we’ll be doing a lot more
STORE. I’ve always loved the natural elements of evergreens,
gathering around the piano instead of dressing up for the sym-
dried citrus and white candles. These outdoor touches are
phony, but that is still celebrating just the same. And I am finally
ones that have stood the test of time and will never go out
ready to embrace it. As I prepare our home for the holidays with
of style. You can find them in even the most outdated books,
citrus galore, I hope you will grab your oranges and join me!
movies and in grandma’s old holiday photos! Occasionally, I’ll
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First, bring the outdoors in!
get excited about a fun new trend, but at the end of the day my
In addition to the common greenery and berries brought
holiday trimmings center around things that will never trend out
into our home around the holidays, dried citrus is one of
even as the times change. And, boy, have the times changed.
my absolute favorite natural decor traditions. Our home
Rolling into the 2020 holiday season is less than pleasant.
smells glorious the day I prepare them, and the results of
(There, I said it!) I don’t like change and going into this holiday
perfectly preserved citrus can be used in countless ways.
season where everything is different or canceled feels really
Dried citrus can even be saved in an airtight container to
hard. But, if you’re like me, I know that we can’t live in that place
be used again the following year—the slices get a bit darker
for too long. After allowing myself the time to grieve the big
but look just as beautiful as they age!
Leawood Lifestyle | December 2020