hey there friend! i'm so happy you're here!

Cheers to 2024! It’s been a great year so far! Can we believe it’s already November?! I have just started decorating for Christmas too! Oh & friend, I have some amazing news! I’m officially your 2025 Brand Ambassador for Cottages & Bungalows magazine! This is such a dream come true & I can’t wait for the cozy adventures to come friend.

Welcome to Krystle Marie Blog!

I'm so excited to begin this new journey and share my love for all things cozy and home decor with you! And share some of my favorite home decor tips, secrets, & DIYs.

Thank you so very much for stopping by and I am so so grateful for you! Stay cozy friend! Cheers!

xo, Krystle Marie

Be sure to follow me on Instagram: @krystlemarienickels

  • Cozy Cottage Christmas Finds

    Embrace the cozy magic of the season with my latest Christmas decor finds! I’ve added charming, budget-friendly touches that bring warmth and nostalgia to any room. These festive pieces pair perfectly with classic holiday greenery and soft, flickering candlelight to create a welcoming, rustic Christmas atmosphere.

    See them all here… 
  • I'm Your 2025 Brand Ambassador for Cottages & Bungalows Magazine

    I am beyond honored to be the 2025 Brand Ambassador for Cottages & Bungalows! This opportunity is a dream come true, and I can't wait to share more cozy cottage inspo with you. My Instagram takeovers, A Cottage Life with Krystle, will begin on Fridays in January 2025, where I will be sharing tips & projects for creating that perfect cottage feel in your home. Follow Cottages & Bungalows & me here friend! Cheers to a cozy adventure in 2025! xo, Krystle

    View Cottages & Bungalows Website 
  • Fall Farmhouse Cottage Florals: Afloral

    Friend, I've rounded up my top 10 new fall floral finds for you from Afloral. I've been shopping with Afloral for several years now- their quality is absolutely top notch & they are always my first stop when I'm looking for new florals. Enjoy a little bit of early fall finds...from me, to you.

    See my top 10 fall floral stems... 
  • Cozy Cottage Farmhouse Finds from Decor Steals - Summer 2024

    I absolutely LOVE shopping Decor Steals. Not only can you find the best cottage farmhouse decor at budget friendly prices- the quality & customer service are top notch as well, making shopping from Decor Steals... a home decorating steal in itself. I've rounded up my top 10 favorite finds for you today- from home decor accent pieces, lighting, furniture & more! These pieces are sure to cozy up your home friend. You can shop their Daily Steals, home decor boxes & more here- happy decorating!

    See my top 10 items... 
  • Come see what's new on LTK!

    Come follow me on LTK to find new links to home decor, fashion finds, my favorite beauty products, books I'm reading & more!

    See more... 
  • Cottage Christmas Decor Finds

    I've rounded up a few of my favorite cozy Christmas home decor finds for you from Target & Walmart, friend.

    Read more here... 
  • New Cozy Cottage Home Decor Finds: Tabletop Mora Clock & Trellis Planter

    One thing about me- I'm always going to find new cozy home decor to share with you. I have a love for collecting clocks & anything having to do with gardening- so these two new finds were perfect & I knew you would enjoy them too

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  • A Cozy End of Spring, Welcome to Summer Cottage Home Tour

    I haven't sat down to write a new blog post in quite some time & I just want to start by saying... it feels so good to be writing again. If you follow me on Instagram, you may have heard in my stories that I'm writing a home decor book- YAY! Which is such a blessing. I don't have a release date yet but as soon as I do, you will be the first to know friend. 

    Read more... 
  • Decorating Our Home for Spring with a Cozy Cottage Garden Style

    I'm all about using elements from nature to decorate our home & with spring right around the corner & a few new finds... I decided it was the perfect time to add a few touches of spring.

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  • Evergreen Elegance: Tips for Decorating with Christmas Tree Clippings

    The holiday season brings with it the enchanting aroma of fresh evergreen, and what better way to infuse your home with that festive spirit than by incorporating Christmas tree clippings into your decor? I'm sharing my favorite tips and tricks to make the most of these natural wonders, ensuring they stay vibrant and aromatic throughout the holiday season.

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  • Handmade Cozy Cottage Christmas Wreath

    There's nothing I love more than supporting a small business- there is so much love that goes into crafting each piece. And I truly feel like you can feel that love when you use that piece to decorate your home- it adds a unique touch that something bought from the store just cannot compete with. I will always chose handmade over store bought, any day.

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  • Country Cottage Fall Mantel & Ruggable Rug

    There's something so special about fall... the warmth & coziness after a busy summer are always so comforting.

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  • Cozy Country Cottage Fall Front Porch

    I love neutrals but there's just something about the bold colors of fall that are just so cozy & such a necessity for me each season. While I keep the inside of our home based on warm tones of orange, cream, brown & greens... I like to keep our front porch a true welcoming focal point as you're walking into our home.

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  • Small Kitchen Island for a Quaint Galley Kitchen

    I've always wanted an island in our kitchen. I dream of a wooden antique island one day in our forever home- but I'm all about making your home cozy for the season you're in. It was tricky finding something narrow enough for this space to still be functional.

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  • DIY Ghost Wreath Pottery Barn Dupe

    This is such an easy DIY Pottery Barn dupe- it took me right around 10 minutes. All supplies are from Michael's & cost right around $35

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  • Printable Spooky Ghost in Frame

    If you're looking for a simple way to add a touch of spooky to your mantel this Halloween- then, this blog post is just for you. I've always wanted a large piece of simple Halloween art that went with the country cottage vibe of our home

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  • Cozy Fall Cottage Decorating: Pumpkins, Gourds & Maple Leaves

    I love sharing simple ways that you can decorate your home for fall. Sometimes, the simple touches- added in with your everyday home décor makes for a beautifully cozy space in your home to enjoy throughout the falls season.

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  • Outdoor Fireplace in our Veranda: Cozy Cottage Living

    We have been working on this space for a year now & it's not quite done yet but it is getting there. Originally here where our veranda is- was just grass... we had the concrete poured & then Garrett & his friend, Dave, built it together. It was definitely a labor of love but is a space that we enjoy daily around here. 

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  • Antiquing on eBay: Country Cottage Style

    It's no secret how much I love antiquing. I have my favorite local antique shops I frequent, when we are out of town/country on vacation- I HAVE to find at least one antique shop. I also love finding antiques on Facebook Marketplace- but recently, I have fell in love with antiquing on eBay.

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  • DIY Ghost in a Cloche: Pottery Barn Dupe

    I'm so excited to get a head start this year on sharing my favorite fall & Halloween home décor + DIYs with you. I'm love spooky season & I love decorating for it even more. A while back, Pottery Barn offered this idea of a, "ghost in a cloche" & I fell in LOVE with it & wanted to recreate something similar to share with you. Plus, who doesn't love a good spooky DIY?! I'll keep this blog post short & sweet so you can get to crafting, friend. 

    Read more... 
  • Terracotta Jack O' Lantern Pumpkins

    I love finding a great dupe & these terracotta pumpkins are the perfect Pottery Barn dupe. At $14.99 each- it makes them a more affordable option when it comes to decorating.

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  • Moody Cottage Kitchen Cabinets

    A few months ago, I decided I wanted to paint our all white kitchen cabinets. While the all white is beautiful, I wanted a change that was a bit more moody & gave off more of a European cottage vibe. I decided to paint the top kitchen cabinets Bedford by Fusion Mineral. I absolutely loved it but I kept the bottom cabinets white & I was ready for something a bit more my style.

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  • Happy Memorial Day from Nickels Creek

    My blog posts are all about décor inspiration for you home & I hope this blog post brings some inspo to your hearts if you're looking for patriotic ways to decorate. But, instead of writing a long blog post... I'm going to use the rest of this blog post to share with you my favorite quotes to remember on Memorial Day.

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  • DIY Mossy Terracotta Pot Candles

    I love me some moss + candles + terracotta but what I love EVEN more... is a 5 minute DIY. If you're looking to replace your standard taper candle holders, I've got you friend. These were so easy to make & literally took me 5 minutes for all 3. 

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  • 10 Tips for Small Cottage Gardening

    I've always been passionate about gardening- it has to come from my German heritage & background. I remember always being amazed at all the beautiful plants & flowers my Oma always had around her home. Anything she touched always grew beautifully, she had the magic touch- every single time.

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  • French Empire Chandelier- On a Budget

    I've been brainstorming & looking for a new chandelier for our dining room area for a few months. I absolutely love the look of French empire chandeliers. Empire chandeliers began in Medieval France- in the 17th century, they were transformed into lavish decorations for royals & kings. They have their roots in the ancient world & I think that's what makes them so cozy to me- is because of their history.

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  • Rearranging Your Furniture for a Cozy New Vibe

    I absolutely love changing around furniture- not only is a cost friendly way to change up your space but switching things up always makes me feel better. It always is an instant mood booster & I love all things cozy- & switching things up every now & then is always cozy to me.

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  • 5 Ways to Use Plants & Flowers in Your Home

    Plants & flowers are an absolutely must-have in our home throughout each & every season. I love a good mix of faux & real plants/flowers. I've put together 3 different ways you can bring a little bit of the outdoors inside your home this spring & summer. Be sure to follow me on Instagram(krystlemarienickels)to stay up to date on my latest DIYs & home décor tips. 

    Read more... 
  • 5 Tips for Decorating Your Patio For Spring & Summer

    I absolutely love being outside- if the weather is nice, that's where you will be sure to find me. Either swimming in the pool, in the shade reading my favorite book or tending to my flowers & gardens. 

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  • My Favorite Home Décor Photo Presets

    I've been wanting to write this blog post to answer a few questions I get about what presets I use to edit my photos. Believe it or not, I use my iPhone for 99% of the photos I share here & on my Instagram (@krystlemarienickels) - I also edit them on my phone as well using the free Lightroom app.

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  • Ways to Style Your Vintage Christmas Tree

    If you follow me on Instagram (@krystlemarienickels) then you were able to see my two day series on our Christmas tree & how to style your own vintage Christmas tree this holiday season. But, if you missed out... no worries! I decided to write this quick blog post to share with you all of my favorite ways to bring a little vintage style to your tree this Christmas. 

    Read more... 
  • Simple Christmas Farmhouse Cottage Wreath

    Since it is one of my most frequently asked questions this holiday season- I wanted to write a quick blog post this holiday season on my wreath I have above our mantel. I also have it in our dining room but that will be a blog post for next week.

    Read more... 
  • Cottage Farmhouse Christmas at Nickels Creek

    Decorating the Christmas tree is always one of my favorite things to do during the holiday season- I usually spread it out over a few days so I can fully soak it all in & enjoy each ornament as I place it on the tree. I have a lot of vintage ornaments that I've collected over the years & each one holds a special place in my heart with lots of memories of how I found them & came across them. 

    Read more... 
  • DIY Dried Orange Christmas Garland

    If you're looking for an inexpensive DIY project for this week or this weekend- I have the perfect crafting project for you... dried orange garland. It is super simple to make, using only a few things. It looks absolutely gorgeous when paired with greenery & it also looks great to accent table settings, centerpieces, wreaths & more. Not to mention, it makes your house smell amazing as you are drying them out in the oven too!

    Read more... 
  • Simple Scandinavian Cottage Pomegranate Christmas Centerpiece

    I'm all about quick & easy décor, especially centerpieces. Centerpieces are often the focal point of your dining table, coffee table, or any space it is placed in.

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  • Using Greenery Throughout Your Cottage Home During the Holidays

    If you've been following my blog posts & Instagram so far this holiday decorating season- you know I'm doing a Scandinavian style Christmas throughout our home this year. In my last blog post, I talked about ways to bring the Scandinavian style to your home & what it's truly about... bringing the outdoors in.

    Read more... 
  • Scandinavian Inspired Cottage Christmas Mantel

    This year I decided to go with a more Scandinavian feel for our Christmas décor. Scandinavian Christmas décor is best known for it's natural & neutral decorating features like: 

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  • Vintage Cottage Kitchen Lighting & Mixing Metals Throughout Your Home

    One of my favorite ways to bring character & contrast to our home is by mixing metals. Mixing metals is such a fun & easy way to bring a vintage look to your home- like you've been collecting things for years & years. And, you don't have to shy away from it. I love mixing dark brass with oiled brushed bronze & black. These colors all three together make a bold statement. Be sure to mix your metals evenly

    Read more... 
  • Simple Pumpkin Dining Table Centerpiece

    For this super simple fall dining table centerpiece- all you need are some pumpkins, candles & your favorite fall florals. Of course, placemats accent the table wonderfully & tablecloths can bring an extra contrast of color & texture to your dining table.

    Read more... 
  • New Kitchen Cabinet Paint Color: Two Toned Cottage Kitchen Cabinets

    A few months ago, I decided I wanted two-toned cabinets. I feel like they bring such a classic look to any space- in such an easy way. And the best part? It's easily changeable. The original color I wasn't 100% feeling but I lived with it for a few months to see if I may change my mind. Don't get me wrong, it's still a beautiful color just wasn't the exact color & vibe I was going for.

    Read more... 
  • Cottage Kitchens: Smeg Toaster Dupe from Amazon

    This was such a GREAT find on Amazon. I was super excited when it came & I'm impressed with the retro antique look & the beautiful cream color. It truly is a great Smeg dupe. 

    Read more... 
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  • Straight from the Box: Spruced Up Spice Cake for Fall

    I'm not the best baker in the world but I do love baking- so when I can still enjoy baking but can cut a few corners & it still turns out delicious... that's a win in my book. All I bought was: spice cake mix, cream cheese frosting, brown sugar & caramel syrup.

    Read more... 
  • Crockpot Swedish Meatballs

    This is one of my nephew's favorite dishes I make- it's super simple & an easy weekday recipe to make before you head out to work or if you have a busy day running errands. I hope you enjoy one of our favorite comfort food dishes. Happy cooking friend! 

    Read more... 
  • Snickerdoodle Toffee Cake Mix

    This recipe is another favorite here in our house this holiday season! It's another super easy baking recipe- which if you know me... you know I'm not the world's best baker so I try to keep it all as simple as possible. ;) Happy baking friends!

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  • 2 Ingredient Christmas Cookies

    Simple Christmas cookies are my favorite- & can you seriously get any easier than 2 ingredients? Well, technically- three but the third one is optional. ;)

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  • Flavored Whipped Butter: Charcuterie & Hostess Gift Ideas

    For Thanksgiving, I wanted to do something a little fun with our charcuterie board. I decided to bake some homemade bread & several different flavored homemade whipped butters. This was a super easy "homemade DIY" - it only took me about 30 minutes total from start to finish. I made: garlic parmesan whipped butter, cranberry honey whipped butter & cinnamon honey whipped butter.

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  • Krystle's Cozy Chili Recipe

     I have always been a chili lover, especially during the cold months. I actually entered a chili contest a looong time ago when we were stationed at MCAS Cherry Point... unfortunately, my chili didn't win but I got so so so many compliments on it. I've slowly changed things up over the years & I'm at a point, right now, where I'm LOVING all of the little tweaks I did here & there to my recipe. It does have a slight kick to it- but it's not too overpowering. You can cook this in 30-45 minutes on the stove. Happy cooking friend!

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  • Crockpot Balsamic Chicken w/ Potatoes & Green Beans

    Crockpot recipes are my go to recipes! They are typically pretty simple & make dinner time such a breeze, especially during the busy weekdays. Not to mention, crockpot meals are such cozy meals to serve during the fall & winter months. My balsamic chicken recipe is such an easy one & it's a pretty healthy dinner as well. I love using fresh veggies as much as possible with my cooking. Now... the moment you've been waiting so patiently for...

    Get the recipe... 
  • 3 Bean Salad

    I'm so excited to finally be typing out some of my favorite recipes to share with you! I absolutely love cooking for those that I love & since I can't actually cook for you- the next best thing is sharing my recipes with you! I am not a professional cook, by any means! I'm just sharing a little of what I love to help bring a little extra cozy to your family time dinner meals.

    Get the recipe... 
  • Crockpot Honey & Brown Sugar Carrots

    This is such a simple & cozy fall side dish recipe. The family loved it! And it was ready in no time at all. We paired it with BBQ grilled porkchops & collards but it makes the great side dish to chicken & rice, steak & potatoes & so much more! 

    Get the recipe... 
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