An Abundance of Flowers!

 

Flowers are such a loving way to say "YOU are special"!

 

 

One easy and quick floral trick, is to purchase a bunch of inexpensive, but pretty, flowers

 at the grocery store. These pretty carnations were $3.99 at our local store. The bunch was

variegated, shades of pink with just a couple of white ones (a lucky mistake) too.

 

I have collected several small vases, a few little perfume and throw away bottles, just for flower arranging. It makes a small bouquet look like a plethora of blooms. You can find small

 little vessels at your local thrift store for very little money. They are usually open

 on Sunday too, so you can  still get some on the way to the store for your

 flowers for a last minute Mother's Day gift.

 

 

These are beautiful scattered across a dining or coffee table or set here and there around the home.

I especially like to put one or two in the powder room and next to a favorite photo.

I often use this trick when I am having over-night guests. 

Happy Mother's Day!

Melin



What is your collecting style?

Some collectors start with one item that just appeals to them, in a happy way, and they buy it on the spot. If they just have to have more of the same, they slowly gather the knowledge about their collection over time. Others are more cautious collectors and they study the items to learn

all they can about their history and values, so they don't make many mistakes along the way.

 And others start with a gifted or purchased collection that someone else collected and passed on.

 There are a lot of psychological explanations of why we collect but, wow, that's too heavy

 for this collector. I think "to each, his own". Seems to me everyone collects, whether

 it is a 100 year or older antique, a childhood collectible or new shoes or ties.

 

 

What interests you? That is the best place to start a collection. I've changed my collections over the years as my interests and resources have changed. Do you like sports and it's memorabilia,

 cooking and all things kitchen, travel, places you have loved and want to bring it's essence into

your home decor? How does your Grandma's china inspire you or your Grandpa's plaid thermos?

Holidays have always brought me great joy, the decorations, china, family and even gifts.

They stir warm nostalgic feelings deep in my spirit and I love to collect those kind

of things.  Most of my collections are built around fabulous memories.

 

 

Whatever makes you feel that thrill of the find, long after you leave the shop

or flea market, go forward and collect!

Happy Holidays,

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



My Easter Collections



 I thought I would share a few of my Easter collections with you. These bunnies, chicks and

duckies have been a part of my Easters most all my life. I believe my Momma or my

Aunt Joann made the broken egg above...priceless!

 

Most of these treasures are made in Japan from Lefton. The shiny duckling and standing

 duck are newer additions that I was lucky to find. I just love them all!

 

I started my Snowbunny collection by accident when I was collecting Snowbabies, gifts

for my daughter. I loved the pastel touches of color on these sweet bunnies.

 They are busy making Easter more fun for everyone!

 

My Mom started my Bunnykins collection for me when I was a girl. I have added to

it here and there as I grew. I try to select pieces that show the bunnies doing

 activities that remind me of my childhood family or my own family.

 



 

 These little plastics figures are a fun retro Easter memory. Can you pick

 out the  newer impostor from this line up?

 

 

 

 

 Just a few fun egg cups showing a different style egg collection. 

What do you collect for Easter? WE would love you to share.

Happy Easter and Passover to you!

Melin

 



Easter Table

 

I love a festive table for Easter that will delight the kids and the kid in all of us.

 I found the light pink metallic tree at Michael's for 75% off at the end

of last spring. I just knew it would come in handy. It even  has a few

 clear flowers on some of the ends of the branches.

 

 

First, I set the base of the tree into the spring bead wreath,

then I added Easter ornaments, all from WE.

 

 

 I sprinkled small malted milk eggs in matching colors around the base.

 I like to mix in a few edible treats into the centerpiece. 

 

 



I set a few fillable paper mache bunnies around the tree and a favor at each place setting. Who

doesn't love a favor? You can add a slip of paper with their name on it to personalize.

 

 

A retro ornament decorates the vintage napkins that were a lucky find at an antique store in Paradise, CA. Most of my pink dishes were found in a set in Folsom, CA. I love them for Easter and showers!

Occasionally, I find pinks at thrift stores but it is getting more rare in my neck of the woods.

 

 

See what you have collected to pull together for your Easter table. Make a list of what to

look for in the future that will take your table to the next level of fun for you family and YOU!

Melin

St Patrick's Day Fun!

St Patrick's Day, also known as St Paddy's Day, is a fun day full of wearing of the green,

 pinching, drinking beer, eating corned beef and cabbage and ,of course, pranks!

 

These darling leprechaun shoes (available at Wren Elizabeth gifts for $7 each)  are fun to

display in March or right after Valentine's Day, if you're like me about all holidays.

 You can set them with shamrocks from the grocery store or precious figures

of the season. Leave them empty, as is, for the display.

 

 

Then, on the eve of St Paddy's Day, fill them with chocolate or bubble gum gold coins to delight

your wee ones with the idea that the leprechauns came in the night and brought gold to

shower you with good luck for the year!

 

Happy Holidays,

Melin

Five Personal Favorites for $5.00 (or less)!

 

Today I want to share a few of my all time favorite cheapo things with you! These products

make my life more joy-filled. I hope a few will do the same for you.

 

Let's start with The Vaseline Intensive Care Moisturizing Bath Beads. They are only

 $2.27 at Walmart. My favorite scents are the Botanical Garden and Gentle Breeze.

But I have to share how I use it because it makes them even more special. I fill the tub full of water that is super hot. I get in and sprinkle the beads all around me. They fizz as they mix into the water, filling your tub with the scent and relaxing champagne bubble effect...heaven!

 

The Olay Foaming Face Wash in "Gentle" is a great twice a day wash for only $4.99 at walgreens.com. It is easy and gentle, who can ask for more at this price?

 

The Bath & Body Works room sprays are wonderful! I use the Sweet Pea scent in our bedroom. This is an older style bottle and they do change the look from time to time but with the same great value.

They make scents for every room in your home. These are $5 regular price but watch for sales.

 

 

I LOVE the scent of Lemon Verbena! This triple milled soap, made in France from Trader Joes, is the best and for only $3.29 (no kidding)! I immediately unwrap the bars and put one in-between my towels and one in my lingerie drawer. The scent is perfect and you can use the soap when it fades.

 

I talk a lot (shocker) and use a lot of lip products. Some might say I have a chap-stick addiction. My all day every day favorite is Avon's Care Deeply Lip Balm with Aloe. I have to buy 20-30 of them at a time. They are only $.99 each at avon.com. While you are there, try the Avon Glimmersticks

Lip Liner. It is listed at $7.00 but I have never paid more than $4.00. My fave is the Mystery

Mauve. Seems to go with everything. I apply a balm layer, followed by lining my lips with

this and either add lipstick or move right on to my gloss.

 

Last, but not least, is my lip gloss. I have used it for years. It is wetnwild MegaSlicks Lip Gloss in Chrystal Clear (561A). I apply it over my pencil or on top of my lipstick. After the first few uses,

it takes on the color of my lipstick but it doesn't make a difference at all. It is shiny and doesn't

 have the nasty taste that so many other glosses have. It is still just $1.99 at most drug stores. 

I have found it at Rite-Aid and  Walgreen's. Check at your local drug store or search it online. 

I hope you will try one of these great products and maybe it will become one of

your all time favorites. They bring joy to me each and every day!

 

Melin