staging shelves inspiration

vintage revivals how to stage shelves

Friday Find

I Found these lovely brothers at Home-goods for 16 bucks. I guess I have a thing for deer this season :)

Monday Musings

  I'm so excited for Christmas!! It's one of my favorite times of the year. I love being with family and all our fun traditions.
  But my Christmas set up is on hold until we move in a week. I've been having a hard time waiting so I've been living vicariously through others.
  Over Thanksgiving we went to my Grandma's house. (she made these cute little turkeys)

After the feast we decorated Christmas trees for Festival of Trees (a local charity event for primary children's hospital)

Most the trees there have a theme. Ours was in honor of my aunt. It was a privilege to try and create something that symbolized her life.

  

My mom and sister made these hearts with words that remind us of her. 

I think the angel is self explanatory but I have to say it anyway. The idea came from a book that is going with the tree, as well as it's sister tree, which is for my Grandpa. I was super excited when they decided to use the angel for this tree. I can't think of a better way to describe my aunt Karen. I came up with this design for the angel but my wonderful family helped make about 50 of them. 

We found these heart ornaments at Hobby Lobby for about a dollar on sale. If you live in Utah you probably won't be able to find them because I went to all the stores in the Salt Lake and Utah valleys.

The end result...

Winter Wonderland Christmas

Deer pillow from vixen goods

Salt Shaker Globe from Anthroplogie

Pine & Holly Topiary from Hobby Lobby

Winter Trees decal from NouWall

Friday Find

If you're the host/hostess type I've a find you need to see.   

Threshold Melamine Stag

I found this appetizer plate at Target for $1.99 in the household seasonal section. 

The great thing is it's not Christmas specific so it can be used all winter long. They also have a  serving platter. By using a red, white, and glass color scheme I'll have a classy table setting and I can switch out my red plates with blue to extend it into winter!

Time for some fun

I'm not really the kind who believes a quiz can tell you about yourself. Though I do think it can be fun and interesting to see the results and say "yes this is me" or "WHAT?!? no way." I think it's even harder for one to tell you what your style is. People are so different and have different taste. Think about it your neighbor doesn't remind you of your sister, your coworker doesn't remind you of your mother, and your friends don't remind you of your cousins. If we were alike everyone would remind you of someone else but we weren't all made with a cookie cutter so why should out taste and style be able to fit into a specific category. I do think that a defined style can get you close to what you like with a few adjustments. Is this making sense?

Anyways here's a quiz for some fun!
It's from ethan allen
I took it a couple times and it came up with two different styles but combined together I think it's close to what I like. Any guesses what they are?
 Elegance
Modern
Romance
Explorer
Vintage

Don't forget to share what yours is!
There may be a prize in it for you

Table style two!

Let's finish talking about fall table center pieces!

     Pumpkins and Gourds!
                   It's a classic and one you can never go wrong with whether you keep it simple or get creative with a new idea nothing is more festive then pumpkins and gourds.

Martha Stewart

A little style to your table

We've talked about choosing your plate settings now lets talk about the center piece.
We're gonna break it down into two more posts.
Whether it's one in the entryway, a buffet, or the host of the main feast here are some ideas that are sure to wow:

1. Keep it Natural
               Gourds, pumpkins, leafs, berries, branches all big this season (especially combined together.) Let your kids help! go for a walk around the neighborhood (to the park, river, mountains, your yard whatever you have) and gather things that speak to you. Get creative! We have a park near us that has a rose bush there may be no roses now but they've shed their petals and left really beautiful berry looking buds. If you like something use it.

                                                          Natural elements

Things to remember

Links are provided where you can read recent words from these amazing men.

Grateful

It's easier to be happy when you're Grateful.
When you're focusing on your blessings and what you enjoy your spirit can't help but be boosted.
I'm giving you a challenge:
                      Everyday EXPRESS your gratitude.
                       ie: if you're grateful for a friend show them all tell them, If you're grateful for help your husband gave you tell him and maybe make him a special dinner or his favorite dessert.

                      Today I'm grateful for max. He's a dog. He use to live with us but has been at the in-laws this year. we're babysitting him while they are on vacation and I didn't know I missed him so much! So he's gonna get some extra love today and a few extra treats.

Let yourself be happy! have a good day

being busy

Brian is away at drill (he's in the Marines) this weekend. When ever he's gone I go full force into the crazy. I come up with a list of things to keep me busy. One thing I've started and am way excited to show soon is two rooms and one bathroom redo. 

Here's a picture of a tree I painted for a nursery. enjoy!

Have a great weekend and do something fun!

Camping Chairs

The awesome thing about loving to make things is people knowing I love to make things. They're always looking it out for finds and freebies. like these military drums. I add a cushion on top and now they make the perfect stools. I thought they'd be good for a mancave but we'll probably use them for camping.

mirror mirror on the wall

I found this beautiful mirror! I've bee hoarding it until I had a fabulous plan for it. 

Fall Table

Let's talk dinner plates! Besides eating yummy seasonal foods it's a great way to add a little of the season to your meals. And if you're the kind to leave place settings out it's a great idea to change the layout to go along with the time of year. 

First thing you need to know!

If you don't like it don't go with it. Each person has their own taste. If it feels good to you it'll look good to others. If you force it and go with something you don't like other people will be able to tell no matter what their personal style is. TRUST YOUR GUT

Play around with it. Go as matchy as you want. A white plate with a neutral accent it great because it can go with ANYTHING.

Another good trick is to choose an item that could be used multiple times. for example these loveys from anchor hocking would be great for fall, Christmas, or spring depending on what other combinations you choose. 

Create Something!

Have you seen this pin.

(found here)

Well that's pretty much my life story.