Christmas Tree Ideas

WE decorated many trees for our 2018 Open House and I thought I'd feature

a few of them here for some ideas of what to do with our 

fabulous collection of holiday ornaments.

WE are obsessed with black and white checks this year! 

The ribbon was purchased at Hobby Lobby, 

https://www.hobbylobby.com/search/?text=Black+%26+White+check+ribbon.

 WE tied a big bow at the top using one of our ornaments as a tree topper.

 Then cut lengths to go down the tree in tendrils. The wired ribbon

 makes this so easy!

 Then WE added some red, silver, white and black ornaments to complete this look.

WE did our vintage look metallic brown tree (actually dark green) in all silvers and golds.

 WE chose ornaments with sweet vintage flair. Every tree needs a few

matte finish ornaments with all the shiny delights! 

"Make new friends but keep the old, one is Silver and the other Gold."

WE have always decorated a tree in all Santas and this year 

WE continued the tradition.

WE have Santa and Belsnickel ornaments in many forms and price points. Always a fun

 tree and great with red or white lights (or both). Start a collection for a 

friend or loved one by gifting them with a new one each year.

WE know it is early for Christmas decor but dreaming and 

planning or a fabulous holiday is half the fun.

Enjoy each moment!

Melin

xoxo

Finally Fall

I know it is just October but it has been so warm that I thought fall would never come to

 our mountains. It is here now in all it's glory. I have not been taking pics of the trees but

I thought I would share a few of my fall decor.

I used a tin from my web store (sorry, it is sold out for this year already) for my base. 

The faux sunflowers, leaves and gourds are from Hobby Lobby. 

Are you as glad as I am that sunflowers are back in vogue? 

My squirrels are vintage finds. My mom had some like these when I was growing up. 

Am I the only one buying back their childhood memories? 

The birdies are still available at Wren Elizabeth Gifts. You can find them here http://www.wrenelizabethgifts.com/item_1753/Small-Birds.htm.

The best place I have found for pumpkins this season are at Trader Joe's! I bought the gnarly green one above and the pretty Cinderella below for only $5.99 each! These are big and make great front porch decorations. While you are there, pick up a couple of bunches of sunflowers for $3.99 a bunch.

I love to mix faux, dried and real finds, especially in the fall. Don't you just love

 the colors of Indian corn?

We went to this pumpkin patch with our local kids and had a ball.

I have never seen a pile of pumpkins this big.

Happy fall!

Melin

xoxo

Lovely Lilacs

Here in my mountain town, it is lilac time! WE have more blooms this year than ever

 thanks to an abundance of snow and rain WE received.  

They are so prolific, just walking near the bushes is a treat for the senses...scent and colors 

delight. What a gift from Mother Nature! All WE have to do is cut off the 

pretty flowers. I brought in handfuls this morning and had fun selecting containers of all sorts.

I love to use my milk glass collection whenever possible and it adds a feminine touch with the ruffles.

For a more modern touch, use a piece of mercury glass. My little pixie is fun (and a bit naughty).

Tin containers add a simple country look. They are especially fun in a kitchen. Set one near your sink, so you can enjoy the scent while you work. The candle is here when the blooms fade.

 I just love this look! I bought a few different flower cup and saucers at a yard sale for tea

 parties with our grand-angels. Perfect for a flower display as well. 

Our newest birdie and nest is sweeter with lilacs.

What container would you choose from your own collections for yard flowers?

Do you say li-lack or li-lock? I love li-lacks!

Melin

xoxo

Fall Decorating With Thrift Finds

I enjoy sharing my love for thrifting and decorating for the season. These simple 

ideas use a base of a thrift store find or a new one that can be found

on the cheap. I used super-market gourds, faux leaves 

plus a few decorations from my store.

I used a pretty "silver" curved  platter that I found for $3 and added fall touches.

A long ago find of a wooden box with a serene fall landscape makes a 

great container for a touch of fall!

This centerpiece uses new items on a vintage yellow Fiestaware platter. I filled a new aqua

Ball jar with candy corn and added a "chalk" type topper. Aqua or turquoise 

are the latest way to add a fresh touch to fall colors. 

Old trucks may be easy to come by where you live but I searched high and low and

finally found this one on the way to the Farm Chicks Show. Add candy pumpkins

 to an old metal truck...an idea I stole from Serena Thompson.

One little pumpkin and leaf on a vintage Hall Jewel  saucer...small perfection!

Find an unusual real pumpkin or gourd and place them on a large

 cake plate with leaves and smaller gourds.

I have used this old picnic basket in many different ways but isn't it beautiful stuffed with 

as many fall colors as I could gather around the house and shop?

I hope you can use an idea or two in your fall decorating. See what you have around in your kitchen cupboards and add a few gourds and leaves. Keep your eyes open, as you thrift, for a

 few new pieces that you can use as next years bases. They look great all around

 the home. Add a touch of aqua for a fresh approach!

Happy fall decorating!

Melin

Easter Tablescape

 

I like to layer old and new when creating a seasonal tablescape. It let's me use some of my

collections and fun new things. I started with a newer pink tablecloth and

 layered on a vintage one in spring colors. The vintage tablecloths can

 be smaller,  so I use it on top at a diagonal for interest.

 

At each place setting, I used vintage milk glass serving trays as chargers with pink depression glass plates and pink French goblets. The beautifully simple silver was inherited from a dear old

 friend. It is fun to blend up collections. The napkins are Ikea and I love the birdies!

To add some fun, I made paper sack bunny favors (idea from Pinterest).

I even added a "cotton tail" on the back of each.

 

 

I put a few carrot chocolates here and there (I love cute treats). These were only a dollar for

 a netted bag of several at Target. Some fun decorations on the tree and voilà!

 

 

Oh, and you just have to have a few beautiful bunnies join the party!

Wishing you a fun time decorating your home and table

for Easter, Passover and springtime.

Melin

 

Hello Birdies!

 

The Easter decor is all put away...now what? I say bring out the birdies!

 

 

Over time I have amassed quite a collection of birdies and bird themed decor. I just

 find a  new one or pair here and there when shopping and traveling.

 

 

My all time favorite is the sweet gifting birdie that is the Wren Elizabeth Gifts' mascot and logo.

 I bought her years ago in Carmel and LOVE her still. She has always looked vintage.

 

 

I also use nests, both real (abandoned and recycled) and replicas, in my decorating

 inside and outside my home. Birdhouses in all sizes are fun too.

 

 

I set birdies in groupings, pairs or singles, near framed pictures or just scattered about.

 

 

When there are long breaks between holidays, just display 

seasonal treasures of what you love and collect!

 

 

 

 

Happy decorating!

Melin