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.

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.

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.

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.

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 . 

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.

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.

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. 

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. 

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.

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.

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.

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.

Cottage Review: Inspiration for Christmas in July

Hi friends, I'm jumping on the "Christmas in July" train and sharing a post I did last year when I joined a great group of bloggers for a hop sharing our favorite ideas for Christmas decor and traditions. 

Vintage Birdcage Candleholder with Seashells

I get on a mini seashell obsession during the months of July and August. Seashells are "summer" to me, so I don't display them other times of the year. Since we live in the middle of the Midwest, (no where anything "coastal"), I have to take advantage of this time of year. So last week I shared a display in the Garden Room, and this week I have a fun Pinterest inspiration vignette in the Entry.

Cottage Review: Roses and Redoute

Hello friends, now that our Monday party is on a hiatus this summer, I have a bit more time to share some creative ideas and inspiration. The Weekend Cottage Review is a time that I can share some personal thoughts, ideas and inspiration around the blogosphere, and some oldies but goodies. 

Rustic Garden Seashell Display

Hey friends...

Most of the red/white/blue is packed away, with a little red left behind for "summer". Mid-summer is here and I now have a short space of time to bring out the seashells and put together some fun displays and vignettes using some vintage elements as containers.

Lovely Lemony Decor

Hi friends! After any holiday is over, I'm always ready to change up the decorating vibe around the house; with the color scheme tending to be the first thing I want to reset. I've been decorating with patriotic color since the start of June with red/white/blue items and vignettes, so now I'm ready for a more midsummer look.

Summer Sideboard and Cookbook Cupboard With Patriotic Color

Hello there dear friends! I hope you all are having a wonderful Father's Day Weekend. I wanted to share part 2 of the Hearth Room patriotic decor, that I started earlier this week. The Hearth Room has a lot of fun spots to decorate seasonally, so I concentrated on the mantel and seating area in Part 1.

Vintage Market Cottage Finds

This week we made a quick trip to my favorite vintage market in town. Vintage Peddler, and did a run through to see what was new this month. Things change so fast here that merchandise is constantly coming in and going out. I can always find a few things I love. I don't need anything big, but sure enjoy the inspiration and nabbing a few cute smaller items.