It’s a Wrap

Hello Sweeties! Happy Friday! I do hope you’ve all been having a wonderful holiday week, and that you’re finding time to unwind now that the big rush of Christmas is over.

Things definitely seem quieter here, although this week has still been quite crazy at my house. I’ve been continuing my battle with the sickies, and instead of Christmas rush, CHA rush has taken over. So even though I’ve been busy, busy, busy……

I’ve got nothing to show for it right now.

Instead, I thought I’d share some photos from Christmas day, including some scenes from my holiday house.

As you can see, Santa was very good to us this year. But I have to say, your sweet friendships and support over the past years have been the best Christmas gift of all! I cherish each and every one of you! Have a great weekend, everyone, and thanks so much for stopping by.

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A Decorated Home- Red, White, & Blue Dining

Hi everyone! Happy 4th of July to my friends in the States! I hope you all have a very special day planned filled with family, good friends, good food, and lots of celebration. This is the first 4th of July in 18 years that I have spent on the West Coast with my family, so I am feeling very lucky today. Really looking forward to watching fireworks from this side of the continent tonight. I’m sure they’re very different from the East Coast variety.

Even though I’m away, I do have my house all decked out for the holiday. So today I thought I would share a few more photos of my red, white, and blue home. I hope you enjoy! And Happy 4th of July, everyone!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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Happy Easter

Hiya Peeps! I wanted to make sure to pop in here today to wish you all a VERY joyous and blessed Easter holiday! And of course I have a few more photos of my spring and Easter decor to still share with you. Can’t let a holiday pass without my seasonal pretties. Because after all, you all KNOW I have a soft spot for the holidays.

From my home to yours

Happy Easter

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Holiday House

Feels like I’ve been slow as molasses this year, but I think I’ve finally got my house almost, pretty much, close to, just about decorated for the holidays. And just in time, too. My favorite holiday visitors, my mom and dad, are here now for a 3 week visit, and of course everything needed to be perfectly festive for their arrival. For me, once my family is all together, that means that Christmas is truly here! Let the celebration begin!

Since I am finally just about ready, I wanted to share some holiday photos with you. One of my favorite spots to decorate in my house is the dining room. I’ve been collecting antique china and ironstone for quite some time, and my dining room is my favorite place to display my treasures. I try to change out my display for every holiday and season.  Feels a bit like playing dollhouse as an adult, and I just love that.

For Christmas this year, I wanted a crisp and calm look inspired by elements from nature. My faux tree stands in the corner, dressed only in its winter white lights.

My antique sideboard is filled with my favorite things. Crisp white ironstone and sparkly silver pressed aluminum, winter-print transferware, pine boughs, and my treasured Lori Mitchell holiday figures.

Glittered snowflakes and shiny silver ornaments. Chenille stem candy canes. Vintage pieces. Modern holiday decor. Homespun treasures.

I hope you enjoy!

Happy Holidays, everyone! Thanks so much for stopping by!

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Spring Mantel

Spring seems to be mysteriously missing again. Just as soon as the sun pops out and starts to shine, Mother Nature decides it’s not time yet.  But even if the weather outside is gloomy, I don’t mind. I’m completely ready for spring inside.

This past week, I’ve been playing with the arrangement on my living room mantel. Changing things out for a new spring look, just in time for Easter. I brought back my daughter’s framed artwork from an old school project and mixed in my usual favorite decorating combination of vintage treasures, everyday items, and seasonal pieces.

A vintage Peter Cottontail tin toy and old Bunnykins dishes pair with a Beatrix Potter framed print and my favorite children’s books to create a nostalgic feel, reminiscent of my own childhood. I can’t help but smile when I see these sweet old things.

I’ve added a little vignette in my antique rusty bucket on the hearth.

And just a few steps away, an old, funky junk tool tote holds a few more treasures under the coffee table.

I just adore that lamb cake mold, beat up old thing that it is. I paired it with a bit of ironstone, vintage Currier & Ives prints, another children’s book, and a few silver accents.

I really do love mixing the old with the new. Makes for a very eclectic and interesting look, unique just to YOU.

And of course, no spring look is complete without a wee fur baby in the scene.

Here’s wishing you a bit of spring sunshine in your neck of the woods! And happy decorating, too!

Joining in on the fun at Feathered Nest Friday and Show & Tell Friday. Thank you Cindy and Courtney, for hosting such fabulous parties each week!

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Winter White Sunroom

It’s White Wednesday over at Faded Charm today. And although I don’t always decorate in whites, I’ve been loving  the crisp sharpness of white for my winter decorating this month. After the bold pop of color of the holidays, it’s nice to have a little soothing calm and quiet for January.

While still enjoying some festive decor so the house doesn’t look completely bare after the Christmas decorations come down.

The cabinets between my breakfast nook and sunroom are playing host to icy vignettes filled with snowmen, lights, and lots of winter white. Glittered white holly branches and my lighted pussy willow branch nest in a bed of pinecones alongside a favorite snowman and a new brown transferware plate with a serene woodland scene on one side.

While the other side holds my fun and funky white feather tree, adorned with my growing collection of Penny McAllister snowmen.

They are rather Christmasy, but I think they work for winter, too. Or perhaps I just can’t bear to put them away yet.

Be sure to check out the party at Faded Charm for more great white inspiration. And here’s wishing you a serene, soothing, and white Wednesday.

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Oh, Christmas Tree

Sharing a few more views of my holiday house, just in time for Christmas. Come take a peek into my living room.

My mantel this year is done up in mixed metallic tones with accents of red. Shiny bright gold, silver, and champagne tones blend with more rustic, nature inspired elements like deer, birds, and berries.

My champagne-colored hearth tree is adorned with vintage chandelier crystals, old world birds, metallic balls, and beaded crystal picks.

A few steps away, the coffee table adds more rustic charm to the setting with a vintage sled, my old wooden tray, and packages wrapped in kraft paper and pinecones. A bit of red and gold ties in with the decorations of the mantel.

And up against the bay windows sits our lovely Christmas tree, filled with Old World ornaments and my treasured Christopher Radko’s. I have so many fond memories of picking out these ornaments with my mother over the last decade. Don’t you love how your Christmas ornaments tell the story of your life? Each and every one holds a special place in my heart.

Looks like the elves have been busy already!

Happy Holidays everyone!

Linking up with Show and Tell Friday at My Romantic Home.

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All is Calm

December is here, at last! One of my favorite months of the year. I love everything about this season, from the sparkle and magic of the holiday tree and decorations, to the special time spent with family and friends. I even don’t mind the hustle and bustle associated with Christmas, too much. I think it’s kind of fun the excitement and energy this time of year brings with all the planning and shopping and activities. As long as it doesn’t last forever, I can enjoy a bit of a flurry.

To help keep myself grounded at this busy time of year, however, I’ve tried to bring a sense of calm and quiet to some of my holiday decorating. My dining room has become my favorite spot in the house. I love sitting there in the early mornings with my coffee, watching the sun filter through the windows. I’ve got some coffee now and the sun is just peeking through………

would you like to join me?

Yes, all is calm, for the moment……..

For more great decorating ideas, check out the holiday parties at My Romantic Home’s Show & Tell Friday, Very Merry Holiday Home at Very Merry Vintage, and Feathered Nest Friday at French Country Cottage.  Happy December, everyone!

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Thanksgiving Mantel

Sharing a bit more of my Thanksgiving decor. We’ve seen the dining room and the entryway table. For today, I thought we could peek at my mantel.

A fun mix of new and old, junk store and craft store, treasures from my family and friends and handmade projects.

The carnival glass candlestick on the right belonged to my grandmother. I just love having family pieces like that. The tall amber candlestick and metal one are thrifty finds. The garland came from a craft store, purchased on clearance for a song.

An amber and iron candlestick I received as a birthday present from a friend, a glass spire from HomeGoods, and a vintage turkey.

The wreath is a mother-daughter craft project from several years ago. Every fall, we collect acorns together to use in some way as decor. These acorns still look fantastic, even after 3 years……but the wreath could use a little re-do, in my opinion. I’m keeping my eyes out for ideas.

The mantel wouldn’t be complete without my treasured pilgrims. I have a thing for the Mr. and the Mrs.. I will admit to owning several sets.

Joining in the fun at My Romantic Home Show & Tell Friday and French Country Cottage Feathered Nest Friday.

Thanks so much for stopping by everyone and happy Friday to YOU!

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I’m a Little Teapot

My son gave me the most wonderful early birthday present this past weekend. It was something he made for me in his art class at school. Something he knew this autumn-loving mom would adore. And he was right.

Oh, was he ever right.

Take a peek at my new pumpkin teapot. Isn’t that adorable? Makes me smile! And spurred a new bout of harvest decorating on the top of my writing desk.

Aren’t those turkeys silly? They are one of my favorite crafty projects to make with pine cones.  And as you can see, they are really very simple. Just a construction paper fan turned into a tail, some pipe cleaners, and googly eyes. My friend originally made these as place card holders for her Thanksgiving table. Each guest got to take theirs home afterward as a party favor. In the 5 or 6 years since then, they have gotten a little crumpled in the tail feathers, but are still looking pretty spiffy for a bunch of old guys.

And speaking of turkeys, here is one I recently found at the junk store for only $1. I do love a good thrifty find. I’ve got him propped up in my kitchen next to the stove, supervising my culinary experiments. But he better not be too critical or he might end up in my pot.

For more great thrifty discoveries, check out Thrift Share Monday over at Apron Thrift Girl. A really fun little blog filled with inspiration and ideas for thrifting, re-selling, decorating and crafting on a dime. If you haven’t met Selena yet, you’re in for a real treat.

I’m also linking to the party over at Coastal Charm: Nifty Thrifty Tuesday. Another fun blog to check out about thrifting and decorating.

Thanks for stopping by, my friends! And tell me……….

What did YOU get up to this weekend?

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