Saturday, December 30, 2023

Last Minute Ideas for a New Year's Eve Tablescape

Hi Friends, I wanted to share a few images and ideas in case you are thinking of an impromptu New Year's Eve dinner or small celebration. I'm not a "tablescaper" like some of you, but I thought it would be fun to see a few vintage inspired tablescapes and gather some common themes that will work for a last minute plan.


Heavenly Holiday Entry





I've realized at Christmas I lean toward a white and ethereal look on the entry console; white lights and white and neutral colors with a light and bright look. For Christmas this year I've tried to bring out a few pieces that are some of my early Christmas décor that I haven't shared for years. 


Thursday, December 28, 2023

Holiday Dining Room with Holly Topiaries


Hello Friends, Wow what a weekend. Filled with family and so much fun and so many blessings. I hope you all had an equally Happy Christmas. I'm playing "Christmas Catch-up" this week, trying to get in a last couple of Christmas posts for my video diary. I like to do this for myself even if it's on the back side of Christmas. I try to mix it up each year so I won't get décor lazy. A Home Tour each year gives me a visual of what I've done for Christmas décor. Hopefully, you might enjoy it too. 

Wednesday, December 27, 2023

Welcome Home Christmas Tour 2023





Many Christmas Tours are done at the beginning of the Season, but since it's a work in progress here from late October until Christmas Eve, it becomes a pictorial blog diary of our home at Christmas room by room. 

Monday, December 25, 2023

Garden Girl for the Holidays



Over the years I've picked up a few old garden statuary pieces, but I can't let them be outside in the elements any longer. Some of them have survived for about 100 years, so they deserve to be in the comforts and safety of shelter. I found this precious Garden Girl fountain around 13 years ago in a little hole-in-the-wall antique shop in St. Louis. I spied her in an alleyway along with many other old pieces. Her graceful lines and sweet face called out to me. 

Thursday, December 21, 2023

Reindeer Games on the Christmas Mantel



In middle November while browsing ideas for my Christmas mantel I came across a pair of woodsy reindeer that checked all the boxes for decorating my large hearth room fireplace. I had told myself that I didn't need any new decor items, but well... they ended up on my Thanksgiving mantel, then stuck around for Christmas.


Wednesday, December 20, 2023

Christmas Front Porch


Invariably I get down to the last few days before Christmas and I start running out of time to share all my pics of Christmas around my house. So here are a few from the front porch. We went through a really cold snap about the time I was decorating it, so it sort of got lost in the fact that I wasn't going to turn into a popsicle working on more fluffing.

Monday, December 18, 2023

Out-of-the-Box Vintage Christmas Tree and "The Mystery Box"





One of the first things I do as I start thinking about an upcoming season or holiday is to start with Pinterest and spend time reviewing past posts and photos. We all have pics from Pinterest that we consider our favorites; those that come to mind each season. For me they are in the "vintage" category and I revisit them each year for a fresh new look and take on décor themes and ideas that I can include in my own seasonal décor.


Friday, December 15, 2023

Christmas Cheer in the Cupboard


Welcome Friends, to Christmas in the Holiday Cupboard! Each upcoming Christmas Season you'll find me playing in this old Pie Safe and transforming it to the Holiday Cupboard. It's one of my first decorating spots that I look forward to each Christmas. I love to bring out the red transferware, and this year some Tartan Plaid Christmas plates from Pottery Barn are added to the mix.

Wednesday, December 13, 2023

A Homespun Kitchen for Christmas

Hey Friends, Welcome to a fun gathering today, as I'm joining in with a great group of gals who are sharing their ideas and inspiration for a Homespun Christmas. Thankyou to Laura at Decor To Adore for putting this great group together. If you're coming from Lora's place at Create and Ponder, thanks so much and I'm glad you're here continuing the Hop!


Sunday, December 10, 2023

Christmas Vintage Collections on Display


Hi Friends, Welcome to the Christmas Edition of our Lifestyle of Love Gathering hosted by our wonderful friend Cindy of County Road 407. If you're coming from CoCo's Blog, The Crowned Goatyou're so welcome here and I'm so happy you're following the Hop. 

Thursday, December 7, 2023

Vintage Christmas Ornament Boxes



From the very first vintage ornament I saw many years, I fell in love. With the tarnished, chipped, and worn metallic finishes especially of Shiny Brite ornaments, they reflected my love for timeworn beauty.  I started out with every color I could find, then began to focus on the metal colors of silver, white, and gold. 

Monday, December 4, 2023

Father Christmas and the Woodland Wagon

My Father Christmas seems to think of this French goat cart as home each Christmas. He ends up here because after 40 years he has a bad back and needs some support. (can any of us relate?) It can't be seen from here but this year he's sitting in my old Tartan Plaid train case.

Friday, December 1, 2023

Plaid Greetings from the Christmas Baker's Rack

Hi Friends, the combination of Thanksgiving weekend and decorating for Christmas can be a lot of work, as you are probably experiencing right about now. I had a lot of things out and felt like I had a plan, but the more I puttered, the more I needed to do. Is that a sign of age...? Maybe just someone has too much fun Christmas stuff. But I've always been one to "decorate" up until December 24, no matter what, so I guess that explains it.



Monday, November 27, 2023

Christmas Centerpiece Basket with Greenery and Guest

I'm sure most of you are doing what I'm doing this weekend...

Recovering from Thanksgiving and getting started on Christmas décor. I have to admit, I did get started bringing in a few Christmas things and brainstorming last week. I did my Thanksgiving decorating early this year so I was able to transition to Christmas without feeling like I was giving it short shrift. I thoroughly enjoyed it by starting early.

Thursday, November 23, 2023

Thanksgiving Greetings and a Mantel I Almost Forgot

Friends, wow, I almost forgot to share pics of my Thanksgiving mantel. I like to keep a visual diary of what I do each year but I've been in a bit of chaos with packing away "fall" and transitioning to more Christmas décor. 

Tuesday, November 21, 2023

Dressing Up a Centerpiece with Gold Gilt Pears




It's easy for me to get into a bit of a rut in my Dining Room with Christmas decor. If I find pieces that I like, I tend to rely on the same look from one year to the next. I have a lot of vintage "kitch-y" fun stuff that I use in the Garden Room, but in the Dining Room I like to do something a little more French Country with some "rustic elegance". Tartan plaid can still be found in here, but I've wanted to try some new and different ideas with a more frenchy country vibe.

Friday, November 17, 2023

Thanksgiving Baker's Rack and a Peek at Christmas


I still have a few bits left for Thanksgiving, but now I'm working on decorating for Christmas. I love Fall so much I always go overboard so moving from Thanksgiving to the Christmas Season can mean lots of packing up and storing away before I can really get to Christmas. I've been trying to make it easier, but as you know there's just no way around it unless you're a total minimalist, which of course, I am not. 

Wednesday, November 15, 2023

French Country Urn and Thanksgiving Centerpiece




Hello everyone, so glad you're here today to join us for the Grateful Gatherings Thanksgiving Hop hosted by our wonderful friend Laura from Decor to Adore.  If you're following the Hop and coming by via Lora Bloomquist at Create and Ponder then an extra special welcome and Hello. What a wonderful time of year to have a gathering of friends as we share our own way of celebrating a grateful Thanksgiving occasion.

Monday, November 13, 2023

Savoring Thanksgiving into Christmas in the Garden Room


Hi Friends, how are you coming along with this seasonal transition time? Have you put away all your Fall decor and going cold turkey (pun intended) headlong into Christmas? 

Saturday, November 11, 2023

Cottage Review: Enter Thanksgiving

Hi Friends, I'm sharing some Thanksgiving to Christmas inspiration today of my Entry from a few years ago. For some reason, my Entry this year wasn't spectacular (tehe), so I'm sharing some the entry area posts from year's past. As I say Inspiration is Inspiration, no matter the year.  I especially loved this look because of the "Oatmeal Tree" and the neutral painted leaf wreath. 





I had a brief thought of just whizzing by decorating for Thanksgiving and doing a more Christmas look, but in the end I just couldn't get there. I love late Fall and Thanksgiving, and I just wasn't up for full on Christmas. So I compromised a bit and brought out my "oatmeal" tree (looks like oatmeal) and called it good.

Thursday, November 9, 2023

Easy Woodblock Christmas Gingerbread Houses



It seems like each year there's a new trend in Christmas decor, and the Gingerbread theme has been popping up everywhere the last few Christmas seasons. I love Gingerbread houses and Gingerbread Men/Women/People cookies as they are so traditional and geared toward the "kid" in us. I think most of us at one time or another attempted a Gingerbread House or cookies. The fun is in the creative process. Also nice if it turns out cute and actually stays in one piece!!


Tuesday, November 7, 2023

Giving Thanks in the Holiday Cupboard


Probably most of you are thinking like me; "Where has this year gone?" I don't know why this surprises me because my lifestyle isn't particularly hectic or do I have a crazy schedule. But the weeks go by and I'm  amazed when Thanksgiving and Christmas roll around and come knocking on my door. I'm always thrilled to see them, but never really fully prepared.


Sunday, November 5, 2023

Bronzed Turkey from Blah to Burnished



I know we all have holiday decor pieces that we've had for years; many of them holding sentimental feelings of family and tradition. Well, I have my share of pieces that are just simply part of the ritual of bringing out Thanksgiving and Christmas decor, but really need a spiff up to make them presentable and up to date.

Friday, November 3, 2023

Old World Nature Inspired Urn



Hi Friends, I'm sharing some of my favorite Fall and Thanksgiving inspiration posts from previous years, along with new posts with some fun ideas for making the transition of Fall and Thanksgiving to Christmas. Here's a magazine inspiration urn I put together several years ago from when I picked up a Victoria Magazine Special Edition, called Victoria Classic French Cottage . 


Wednesday, November 1, 2023

Heading to the Holidays


Hello Friends, thought I'd just wish you a fun start to the Holidays. So I found a couple of old buddies, living in the moment, that had it all together for the start of the Thanksgiving and Christmas Season. I'm doing my best to ease into both by celebrating Thanksgiving and looking forward to Christmas. Why can't we enjoy it all... real time.


We had a real deep freeze hit us this week with multiple night lows down to the teens, so I think I might be ready to start thinking about Christmas. I'm not ready for red and green, but I'm bringing some nature elements together that will tie November into December. 


I'm twisting my husband's arm for a drive in the country to enjoy the leaves. I remember one Halloween where my younger daughter and her friend Trick or Treated in the snow, but that's it. We usually don't have this cold weather until after November 1. 

Have Fun and Welcome to the Holidays!!!


Monday, October 30, 2023

Cottage ReView: Thanksgiving with Feathered Friends


Hello Friends, Here we go into the slide toward the holidays, so during the next few weeks I'll be sharing some inspiration for Thanksgiving and Christmas as I make the transition from Fall to Christmas.

Friday, October 27, 2023

French Country Dining Room for Fall


Hello Friends, welcome to the Fall Dining Room, where shortly it will make the transition to Thanksgiving. The mini French wagon is joining my Pottery Barn urn this season for a late fall look, that can easily transition to the Thanksgiving holiday with just a few minor change ups.

Wednesday, October 25, 2023

Cozying Up the Back Porch for Late Fall




We're heading into my favorite time of the year. Late Fall's brilliant color, cool days, and cozy nights have always been the season that renews my mind and heart. I always enjoy the change of seasons; winter to spring is my next favorite time of the year. But the brilliance of the leaves in late fall paints a canvas that undeniably lifts me body, mind and soul.

Sunday, October 22, 2023

Late Fall Looks on the Sideboard and Cookbook Cupboard

Last post I shared my hearth room mantel and décor along with a few woodsy friends. I guess you could call this part 2 of the hearth room as the sideboard and cookbook cupboard are actually in the hearth room. 

Friday, October 20, 2023

Woodland Vibes on the Fall Mantel

Hi Friends, welcome to my late October Hearth Room! If you've known me long you know that I gravitate to woodsy, vintage themes in the hearth room and on the mantel, especially during the fall season. Quilts, pillows and accessories all take on the colors of the season to create a cozy space for relaxing and conversation.

Wednesday, October 18, 2023

Fall Leaves and Tea Time On a Tray



Hello there friends, so glad to see you today, as a group of us are joining in for the fun hop series from Katherine of Katherine's Corner. Katherine is our hostess for our Fall Season edition of Fall "On a Tray". If your coming from visiting Katherine, I hope you're following the tour, so a big Autumn Welcome. Be sure and continue the tour by visiting Beverly at the Eclectic Red Barn.


Sunday, October 15, 2023

Amber Glass for Autumn Displays

 Hello Friends, and all of you who love Fall and all the deep rich layers of this beautiful season. Welcome to October's edition of the Lifestyle of Love gathering where a group of us share how we use vintage pieces in our home décor. 
Thankyou to our hostess, Cindy from County Road 407 for putting this fun bimonthly hop together.

Thursday, October 12, 2023

October Entry With the Snow Owls

I think we all have favorite décor pieces that have some sentimental significance for each season. I bring them out each year, but I do try to move them around and at least be a bit creative by using them in different settings and rooms.

Monday, October 9, 2023

Kitchen Niche with October Whimsy


Hello friends, here's a peek at my kitchen niche for October. This a fun spot in the kitchen that is yet one more flat surface that gets a seasonal update
often. You know me, I can't leave a flat surface alone without a touch of some kind of décor.

Friday, October 6, 2023

Cottage Review: Woodsy Kitchen China Cabinet



I'm getting ready to tweak my "Early Fall" Holiday Cupboard, to an October version that has more current seasonal color and vibe to it. When we were living at our last home I didn't have a spot for the Holiday Cupboard, so I focused with seasonal dishes on my Kitchen China Cupboard. I used more dishes than odds and ends, but it was still fun to "decorate" with natural and seasonal bits of bittersweet and leaves. 

Wednesday, October 4, 2023

Autumn Greetings from the Cottage Front Porch


Hello friends, so hard to imagine we've now moved into October, my favorite month of the year. And my favorite season to decorate the front porch. Welcome to the "Falling for Porches" Porch Hop hosted by our dear friend Laura from Decor to Adore.

Sunday, October 1, 2023

September Styling in the Sitting Area



Did someone say that September is almost over? What? Where did September go? It seems like it was just yesterday that I was celebrating the fact that August was in the rear view mirror. 

Wednesday, September 27, 2023

Goat Carts and Wagons Filled and Displayed for Fall


Today I'm sharing some fun ideas for putting together a cart or wagon for a beautiful Fall display, indoors or out. 



I've been working on my front porch this week getting it ready for a Fall Hop where a group of us will be sharing our front porches next week. Creating a fall garden display in a cart or wagon is always my favorite theme. So I needed some inspiration for putting things together, then share some pics from some of my previous cart and wagon fall displays.

Sunday, September 24, 2023

Cottage ReView: Botanical Calendar Art on the Fall Buffet





Hello my friends, today on the Cottage Review I'm sharing a post from our previous home's dining room, styling my buffet for fall. At our current house our buffet is under a lovely English Country paned window, and although it's a pretty setting it's not practical for photo taking. Our last house had the "Frenchy mantel mirror" above it, and it was the perfect spot for decorating.

Thursday, September 21, 2023

Sweet September in the Cupboard

When the calendar page turns to September something happens in my head and heart. I love Fall and seeing September roll around lets me know that the colorful foliage, cooler days, and cozy nights will soon be here.

Sunday, September 17, 2023

Cottage Review: Vintage Laundry Basket with Pumpkins




The Fall Season brings out the creative vibes for me more than any other season. Here's a centerpiece I put together last Fall on the farmtable in the Garden Room. I knew I wanted to try something different on the farm table for early Fall for a centerpiece. I usually have my big wooden vintage ice cream bucket filled with faux florals, and I love it... just wanted something a bit different. When I find something that works well in a space I sometimes get a little lazy and do the minimum. But after my vintage shopping trip a while back I had some new inspiration and ideas to try.



Wednesday, September 13, 2023

Vintage Architectual Element on the Fall Mantel



Now that September has arrived and the official start to Fall is just a week away, it was time to bring out small touches of Autumn on the mantel. I've mentioned before that mantels are always a challenge for me. I strive for that "Goldilocks" look.

Friday, September 8, 2023

Book Page Pumpkin Candle Covers




Every once in a while I see a cute and easy craft project that I feel confident that I can accomplish in a few hours time without making myself crazy. Do you know what I mean?... does that ever happen to you? I used to get involved in these complicated projects that invariably took much more time than I thought it would, take more money than I planned to spend, and end up in a mess. yuk. So now I tend to try things that I feel are not above my skill level and that oftentimes I have the materials on hand.


Monday, September 4, 2023

Early Fall Sideboard and Vintage Basket Bouquet



A couple of weeks ago, I was out in the garage sorting tubs full of fall florals. Our garage is temperature controlled, otherwise I wouldn't have been able to do that. The previous owners  were very innovative and vented the sunroom AC into the garage, so thankyou! My fall tub count is far and away the most, even compared to Christmas décor. I was gathering like florals and took out these realistic looking straw/paper black eyed susans from the others. I just randomly stuck them in the old funeral basket which was within reach for later. 

Thursday, August 31, 2023

Layering Elements for a Summer to Fall Entry



This time of year; late August to early September, I'm about easing into the Fall season. Since it's still really hot outside I'm not quite ready for a lot of dark colors, leaves and bright orange pumpkins. I still want to keep it light and bright, but have a subtle change in color to the warmer hues of autumn.

Friday, August 25, 2023

Cottage Review: Tips to Transition to Fall...the longer version!



Hey friends, I have a little bonus blast from the past today. Unless you've been hiding in a deep dark cave to stay cool this last few weeks, you've seen a bunch of posts on saying "tootles" to this long hot summer and embracing the concept of fall and cooler temps.

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