Red Picnic Basket

I love this little still life I created in my family room for the fall. I will move it onto my porch and set it in my little red wagon a bit later in the month. I just love decorating for fall!
I was so lucky to find this wonderful old red picnic basket this past July while exploring Oregon. I love to go antiquing and thrifting and was blessed with this treasure for only $5.99 at a Goodwill. I also bought the big jar next to it at an antique store in Washington. The old Mason/Ball jars were found in both states at both types of stores but all for good prices.The flowers can be found in my store.
The basket's sides were a bit caved in but I shored them up with card board and a box. This basket has a cool red metal top layer compartment that sets on top which is perfect for display and carrying food so it won't get smashed.
Hope you enjoy my sweet find as much as I do. Happy fall decorating!
Melin

It gets worse before it gets better!

 How does my decorating cupboard get to look this disorganized? Must be that I toss things in and pull things out when I am in a hurry (which is most of the time) and nothing seems to get back in it's correct location. Sounds like everything has a location, might be part of the problem. How lucky am I to have a husband who built our home with this closet in mind? He knows me well!

I really need to figure out a better way to store all these candles. Any suggestions and buying less isn't an option, for me? I just love candles and the new ones on timers...bliss!

My current dirty secret is that I am just now taking down the July Fourth decor and yes, it has been up before Memorial Day! I will go right into fall. I have good excuses for this, really I do.

So, as it says in the title of this post, I have to take a lot of the treasures out of the closet and set them down the hall in order to get things back to a reasonable order. Do any of you have hints to share with us about organization? I could sure use some tips and I just know I am not alone. Now, back to it.

Melin

Shopping in Snohomish

My current favorite shopping town, for several years running, is Snohomish, Washington. It is a charming historic town on the Snohomish River. They have a fun website with all the specifics for you at http://www.historicdowntownsnohomish.org/. Let me know what you think of it.

There are a wonderful combination of antique stores and stores with fun home decor and ideas.

There are antique malls, stores with vintage, primitive and French style. So many for each taste. I enjoy most all of them but a few of my favorites are Annie's on First, Ruffles & Rust Square,

Joyworks and Antique Station but you really need to go to All of them. I start at one end and hit most all of them. As you can see here, you get plenty of decorator tips in every store.

There are many restaurants that are great, so pick what you like. When you feel sluggish later, grab a cupcake from Simply Sweet Cupcakes. They have the most delicious flavors and one of my favorites is salted caramel. Sorry they were closed the day of this trip or I would have a photo for you.

I love the use of the original buildings and the tile entries. You can see in the photo above the original tile of the old Snohomish Drugs...so charming!

Don't leave without a pie to go from the Snohomish Pie Company. The marionberry and apple crumb is so wonderful, you'll want it for breakfast and dessert for the next week. I did.

Please share with us your favorite shopping towns or stores. I always love to check out new ones on my travels and antiquing or junking towns seem to be my personal favorites. What's yours?

Melin

White Pitcher And Peonies

I was at Ikea and checked out the bargain bin. I found this white enamel pitcher for $4.00 and had to bring it home. We find the coolest things there, don't we?

I added some bright peonies from my garden...perfect. The tablecloth is a flea market find.

I love peonies and from what I see on Pinterest and other blogs, many of us do.

I am attracted to the hot pink color although all peonies are delightful.

Enjoy the sweetness of summer today.

Melin

Wedding Details

I had the honor of helping my daughter with the planning  of her wedding. I love party planning and a wedding is the ultimate!

Her family nickname is Birdie (it's a long story) and she agreed we could use that as the wedding theme. The wedding was held in April at the Flower Farm www.flowerfarm.com. It was a perfect setting and even has chickens to carry the theme further. She grew up in a rural setting, as a young girl, and loves it. 

I will share some of the details with you here. Maybe you will take an idea or two with you for your next party or special occasion.

A small chalk sign in the entry welcomes guests.

The welcome and gift table on the patio of the entrance to the reception.

And they lived happily ever-after...a fun way to share pictures of the bride & groom growing up and their courtship. The birdcage is a perfect place for the guests to put cards.

This print of a tree with two birdies lets guests put their fingerprints and add their names.

We bought this one at www.michaels.com.

Cut out birds in different shades and patterns of blue, the color theme, were placed in a nest for the guests to write a message and hang them on a wire tree. They will be great keepsakes.

The centerpieces on the tables were all different tablescapes made up of moss, birdhouses (from www.joann.com), my milk glass vases from my collection (see my collection Blog), nests, moss, flowers, birdies and more. The salt & pepper shakers were even little white birdies.You can find them at www.partypail.com. Many of the items can be purchased at our store at www.wrenelizabethgifts.com.

This is another tablescape using a real nest we found.

The bride and groom's sweetheart table.

The bride's sister and matron-of-honor painted and his this little thrift store gnome as a surprise.

  

The cake topper was a gift from the bride's sister-in-law and brother. The bride hand painted it to match her wedding color. The cake was a delicious as it is gorgeous! It was made and designed by the talented Brita Geiger from www.britasconfections.com. She added fresh flowers with a perfect designer touch. Could it be any more perfect? You will die for Brit's chocolate cake!

I glued faux moss to a ready made cardboard N to honor the groom's, and now the bride's, last name. The arbor was decorated with faux flowers and bows.    

The ring bearer carried the rings in a nest that is actually two nests together with a few faux flowers added and ribbons to tie on the rings. The flower girls carried our hydrangea baskets. What cute kids!

A great photo of the rings in a tablescape nest.

I love making bouquets, especially for my daughter's weddings! I added the butterfly brooch as a keepsake for the bride. It's the small details that make it so special.

The favors were our bird card/photo holders. The bride and groom selected a special thank you message for their guests. We used the same nest stamp on the back that was on the invitation.

I hope these ideas will inspire you. Party decor is such fun, especially when there is a running theme throughout.

Melin



Patriotic Holiday Decorating

I love the Patriotic holidays! You know, it starts with Memorial Day, the official start of summer, then comes the Fourth of July and finishes nicely with Labor Day, the official end of summer. I used to just bring out all my red, white and blue for the Fourth. Now I realize I missed a great opportunity to enjoy the pomp and circumstance longer. If I decorate for Memorial Day and leave it up through the Fourth, at least.
I hang my big flag out front. Remember, I live where it snows in June. It just did, in fact, a few days ago. I wish I could let it fly all year long but it does bring a smile during these precious summer months. I also put little flags in my newly planted porch planters and also red, white & blue pin-wheels, for fun. It doesn't cost much to just add a few patriotic touches to your home.
Inside, I hang plaques, plates, garlands, stars, ornaments and place figures all around my home. It just makes me feel good to see the glory of my country all around me. I think too of those that fight for our freedom, including the families that are apart while we enjoy our barbeques and fireworks. We are desendants of Francis Scott Key, so I love things with the Star Spangeled Banner on them.
You will find goodies on my website, at Target, Dollar Tree, flea markets and the like, especially this time of year. I keep my eyes peeled year round for special treasures. 
So, go buy a package of small flags and see where you can put them around your home. They will lighten your heart.
Melin

Do you "Pin" on Pinterest?

Pinterest is a fun website for bringing out your creative ideas and sharing them with others. You find pictures on the web that you love and "pin" them on to your board in any catagory you choose. A board is like you own dream or bulletin board, so to speak.
I have several for example, Places I Have Seen (and Love), Sweet!, Organization, Let's Party!, and Lovely Gardens. I have some "pins" from websites, some of my own photos and others that I re-pinned from Pinterest.
You can use Pinterest to plan...decor, wardrobes, weddings, nurseries, parties, trips and tonights dinner. The possibilities are endless and so much fun! The more you "pin", the more creative you become.
Wondering how to get Started? Go to http://www.pinterest.com and request an invitation or email me and I will invite you. You'll get an invitation from Pinterest to create your login. Go to "About" in the upper right corner and download your "Pin it" button from Goodies. I have my "Pin it" button handy in my favorites. Anytime I am on a website and see something I love, I hit my "Pin it" button and several images come up from the page. Select the one you want, "Pin it" and save it onto the board of your choice.
You can follow other pinners, who's boards you enjoy, and they can follow you. Please follow me at http://www.pinterest.com/wrenlizgifts/. It is fun to check out what is popular for fresh ideas. You will love it, so hurry and get those creative juices going and "pin it"!