Creating the Perfect Christmas Aesthetic for Your Home This Season

There is a reason why people get so excited for Christmas that they put up their tree and decorations in mid-November. There’s a feeling in the air that comes with decking the halls that can only be described as pure joy.

If you’re as excited for the holidays as we are, take a look at the five best ways to help make your decor jolly and bright.

MAKE IT FRESH

There is something to be said for incorporating fresh, natural elements into your seasonal landscape. Over the course of the past few years, more and more people have been taking it upon themselves to head out and cut down their own Christmas trees! This is a wonderful way to bring a rustic, unique look to your holiday decorating this year.

But we think that you can take it to a new level. Add fresh pine boughs to your mantle, banisters, table tops, everywhere. Beware of fire around dried pine boughs. Keep the candles to a minimum is possible. Craft your own evergreen wreath to hang on your door. We know it won’t last forever, but it will last fairly well in the chilly temperatures, allowing your door to exude the seasonal spirit. Plus, what a wonderful tradition you can start by creating a unique and beautiful wreath with your loved ones each year.

KEEP THINGS NEUTRAL

Typically Christmas decor has two basic colors: red and green. We suggest toning it down to just one. Select your preference and pair it with a comfortable, neutral tone. With this method you can build a beautiful aesthetic by highlighting pops of your chosen color against its neutral counterpart and accentuating surrounding decor without the abundance of alternating color. Don’t be afraid to insert layers of varying textures to give your vision a compelling dynamic.   

COZY LOVES CHRISTMAS

Blankets, scarves, and coats, oh my! The best part of the holidays are all the wonderful cozy things you can surround yourself with. Warm up with a scrumptious blanket, or a heavy sweater. Give your home the feeling that it’s being cuddled by the season, and you will surely be in the mood to take a long winter nap surrounded by all your tasteful and toasty ornamentation.

TASTES & SMELLS

Fall has pumpkin spice; winter has everything else. Peppermint, gingerbread, hot cocoa, cinnamon, and so much more. Invigorate your senses and get yourself in the spirit of the season with all its accompanying tastes and smells. Find a wonderful holiday candle that smells like cedar wood or evergreen and allow yourself to indulge with a cup of hot cocoa. Now that’s a recipe for the perfect wintertime relaxation.

LIGHTING IS EVERYTHING

Eaves lined with Christmas lights is a staple of many households during this season. But have you ever thought about stringing those lights inside your home instead? Soft white, twinkling lights are the perfect finishing touch for your ultimate Christmas aesthetic. With the addition of seasonal lighting to your masterfully crafted interior design, your home will be the last word in winter wonderland.

The most wonderful time of year can be made all the better with little attention to detail. Why not pay some of that careful attention to your ride? Check out our service specials online and schedule your appointment today. Our skilled technicians at Larry H. Miller Chevrolet Provo will give your car the attention it needs to make it through the holidays and beyond. Happy holidays, and we hope our tips help make your home merry and bright this season!

The Olympic Countdown—From One Olympic City to Another

For the past month or so, we have been pretty excited about the upcoming ski season. With our partnership with Solitude Mountain Resort and so many great models perfect for the snow enthusiast of every level, how could we not be?

Salt Lake is a unique city in that it is a winter destination with world-renowned snow. Plus, it has the distinction of being known as an Olympic city. Only 20 other cities around the world have had the privilege of hosting this monumental event. And with the next games just a few short months away, we’d like to offer a few pieces of advice to those who are thinking about attending the games in Pyeongchang.

PYEONGCHANG—THAT’S IN SOUTH KOREA

First, lets just put to rest where the Olympics are being held in 2018. They are in the province of Pyeongchang in South Korea. Not to be confused with the capitol city of North Korea which as a deceptively similar name—Pyongyang. This is very important to know when you are booking your flights to the games. You don’t want to end up in the wrong place.

TICKETS—START HERE

Tickets for the games and all the events went on sale back in September, but there are still tickets available for the majority of events. Before you ever start looking at flights or hotels, you need to secure your Olympic event tickets. This will determine largely where you are going to want to stay in conjunction with the events that you are going to attend.

Pyeongchang is not a single city in South Korea. You could consider it like a county in the United States. Similar to when the games were hosted in Salt Lake, different events are taking place in different cities. For example, in 2002 many of the ice skating events took place in and around Downtown Salt Lake City. Pay close attention to where certain events are taking place and plan your stay accordingly.

BOOKING FLIGHTS—EXPECT TO PAY MORE

The fact of the matter is, you are not the only one dying to attend the Olympic Games. You can expect that flights to South Korea are going to be pretty pricey. But you really can put a price on an experience like this. Be wise about how you book and expect the same thing when you are booking someplace to stay. We are sure, however, that the Korean hospitality will more than make up for the exuberant costs of staying near the Olympic venues.

P.S. Unlike the last two Olympics in Russia and Brazil, U.S. citizens do not need a special visa to travel to South Korea.

LANGUAGE—/PYAHNG-CHONG/

It is always in the best interest of any traveler to learn certain key phrases when they are traveling to a different country. It is a universal sign of respect and should still be followed even when you are attending a global event like the Olympic games. We are certain that there will be plenty of English-speaking people but remember you are a guest of the Koreans and should play to their universal hospitality.

SECURITY

Ever since the games held here in 2002, the security at the Olympic Games is of utmost importance. But more importantly are measures that you should take for personal security. There will always be individuals present who will be skilled pickpockets. Avoid carrying bulky bags or large expensive items. Limit yourself to carrying cash, a form of ID—a passport if possible—and your smartphone. We suggest your smartphone over large bulky cameras to save space. If you are thinking about taking a credit card, consider getting reloadable cards like the Visa Simple. These are cards that can have money transferred onto them and are monitored by a simple and efficient phone app. That way if you lose it, you won’t be without any personal bank information. Much more secure.

FROM SALT LAKE CITY TO PYEONGCHANG

Never mind all the negativity that comes with the Olympic Games. Trust us, the traffic was terrible back in 2002, and we are sure that will be true in 2018. But this is the chance a lifetime for the athletes competing and those of you lucky enough to attend. It isn’t very often that you will have a front row seat to see someone’s dreams come true.

Give the Olympics a chance this year! While many of us will still watch them from our homes, that doesn’t mean you should miss out on the opportunity to see it live. But for those of us staying home and getting inspired to head up the mountain to take on the slopes ourselves, be sure that you are driving a Chevy to get you there. Take a look at our inventory online and schedule your test drive today so you can head to the mountains with the confidence of a true Olympian this winter.

Three Different Ways to Enjoy Pumpkin Pie This Thanksgiving

Thanksgiving has arrived and we are looking forward to a day full of traditions. From eating an impressive amount of turkey to watching the Macy’s Day Parade and giving thanks to making a wish on the wishbone, we all have something to look forward to on this holiday. Above all of these traditions, there is one that rises above the rest and makes us drool a little when we think about the day—pumpkin pie. This classic pie is a centerpiece to all our tables and something we look forward to every year. But if you’re feeling a little tired of the traditional slice of pumpkin pie, we’ve found a few ideas to spice it up.

PETITE PUMPKIN PIES

A Beautiful Mess shares a delicious recipe for this cute take on a classic treat. Isn’t having your own mini pumpkin pie way better than a slice? Of course, we’d go for a whole pie, but supposedly that isn’t healthy. Mini pumpkin pies are the perfect way to say “thanks” to your loved ones this Thanksgiving.

CINNAMON SUGAR NUTELLA SWIRLED PUMPKIN PIE POP-TARTS

Okay, you had us at Nutella. But seriously, what better way to start off your Thanksgiving than with this delectable form of pumpkin pie? This recipe from Half Baked Harvest puts an amazing spin on a classic breakfast item. The pumpkin pie and Nutella filling will satisfy any lingering after-dinner cravings, and the brown butter and maple frosting mix will hit your sweet tooth just right.

PUMPKIN PIE CHEESECAKE

It’s tradition with a twist. Averie Cooks shares a simple recipe of how to turn your favorite Thanksgiving pie, into your favorite Thanksgiving cheesecake. Using a store-bought pie crust makes this recipe quick and easy for any pie or cheesecake lover.

The list of pumpkin pie variations goes on and on. If you are feeling bored of your traditional slice of pie, we suggest using one of these recipes or hitting up Pinterest to “spice” things up this Thanksgiving. If you have a pumpkin pie recipe that we need to try, be sure to share it in the comments. Happy Thanksgiving from your family at Larry H. Miller Chevrolet Provo.