The stockings were hung...

While we don't have a fireplace we do have a "fantle" (faux mantle) shelf. I always struggle with how to incorporate our stockings into a pretty mantle display so this year I decided to do something a little different.

I got this old ladder over the summer for a steal when one of my favorite stores closed. It was a little darker than I'd like and splattered with paint so I gave it a quick whitewash treatment (thanks for the idea Mom!).

I tied our stockings to the ladder with satin ribbon, added our initials for a little sparkle and topped it with a vintage Santa!

Where'd you get that?!
- Burlap Mr. & Mrs. Stockings
The Goodness Centric on Etsy
- Ticking Stripe Stocking
Nana Montana on Etsy
- Ladder, Santa & Mini Stocking
Vintage!




I'm linking up with Inspiration Gallery and All Things Thursday!

Easy & Elegant Christmas Wreath for under $15!

I put this little beauty together over the weekend for less than 15 bucks! I started with a 24" fresh cut fir wreath from Lowes. I bought the same wreath last year on Black Friday & had to have another one this year. Not only does it look great & smell amazing but at $12.98 the price is perfect! It already had pinecones, tiny berries & other greens worked in so I just added a simple burlap bow with extra long ties. I already had this one (reused from last year!) but it is just plain old burlap with a raw edge. Since that was exactly what I did last year I wanted to add a little something new. I was buying a bunch of Dollar Tree plastic ball ornaments for another project when I came across the gold glittery reindeer. It reminded me so much of my grandma so naturally it came home with me & ended up being the perfect finishing touch.

Natural. Rustic. Glam. ...exactly what I'm going for this Christmas.

Supplies:
- 24" Fresh Cut Noble Fir Wreath
$12.98 from Lowe's
-2" Raw Burlap Ribbon
$.99 a yard on Ebay
-Gold Reindeer Ornament
$1 for 2 from Dollar Tree

I always have to have something on the front door or I feel like the house is naked! How about you, what's on your door this holiday? I'd love to know! Don't forgot to visit again tomorrow, I'll be sharing the untraditional way I displayed our stockings this year. :)




I'm linking up with Inspiration Gallery, All Things Thursday and Inspire Me Please!

25 Days of Christmas - Advent Calendars

With Thanksgiving being so late this year everyone seems to be diving headlong into Christmas & I LOVE IT! Our decorations are nearly finished, I've started my shopping & have a baking day planned with my sister. I am planning to share a series of "mini posts" from now until Christmas - its my little way of sharing some holiday cheer. :)

Since today is December 1st what better to share than our advent calendars! Whether it be the chocolate-a-day ones from childhood or the drool worthy Pottery Barn ones these just scream Christmas to me. This year our house has two: a simple magnetic calendar for the grown-ups and a very special dog treat countdown.

We keep this vintage looking tin advent calendar in our kitchen as a little daily countdown. But the REAL advent calendar in our house is...THE DOG'S!

I used to work at a antique/craft shop and one of the vendors made this for Wrigley. It has 25 little pockets that are just the right size for Milk Bones!

I think it's safe to say he is the boss in our household.

My Just Married Banner on Style Me Pretty!

You guys!! I have been keeping a little secret from you! That's why I haven't posted in forever, I'm terrible at keeping secrets and didn't want to give it away. ;) At least that's the story I'm sticking with.

Over the summer I spent some time working with Courtney Shaw of Fabulously Chic Weddings on a special banner... and the post went live on Style Me Pretty today! (I'm on such a high, Style Me Pretty is the holy grail of event blogs!)

Now go check out the full gallery, it is GORGEOUS!
Gold & Navy Inspiration Shoot from Fabulously Chic Weddings & Jamie Lee Photography.

My banner is available in any color scheme here.
Photos in this post are from Jamie Lee Photography!

Oh hello, Friday!

So you know that scene from Elf when Will Ferrell is making paper snowflakes, his hands are moving a mile a minute and paper is flying everywhere? That's how I felt this week. My office looks like a tornado blew through, but somehow I think that is the mark of a successful week. :)

1. I've had "Wake Me Up" by Avicii & Aloe Blacc stuck in my head all week...its such a feel good song!

2. Tuesday was the Phillies 1st ever Bark at the Park, so of course we HAD to go. Look at that face, Wrigley was lovin' it. The Phillies and PAWS did such a good job with the event! The dogs were all in a rooftop section of the ballpark and since dog people are the best people we made lots of new friends. We were on the big screen several times and even made it on the tv broadcast!

3. I've kept a "Plan to read" list for as long as I can remember and Memoirs of a Geisha has been on it forever. I finally picked it up this week and am kicking myself for not reading it sooner, it is SO good. (I know I'm like 10 years behind on this one...)

4. My mom has been torturing me with beautiful lake photos for the last few days. How gorgeous was this sunset? Oh, to have that view...makes me lakesick, time to go back!

5. There is a 9/11 Memorial park near my house so on Wednesday I decided to take my lunch over and spend some time there. It is such a beautifully done, serene tribute to all who died with special memorials for those from Pennsylvania and the 17 from Bucks County. I can't believe it has been 12 years...
{Garden of Reflection}


I'm linking up with:

"Found" Fall Mantel

eek, sorry for the grainy pic!

With the exception of my Rub 'n Buff Pumpkins I was able to put this display together with items found around the house. I started with my trusty old window and a simple kraft paper & twine banner I whipped up using my Silhouette.

I added a glitzy gold pumpkin & plate with skeleton key.

The star of the show is my big mercury glass owl. She sits on top of my grandma's old Agatha Christie books - I love any reason to show those off!

My Rub 'n Buff Pumpkins tie everything together!

Gilded Gold & Silver Pumpkins

Do you like my gilded gourds? I was in a pickle. I'm using neutral colors in my fall decorating this year and wanted to add some pumpkins. Orange was a bit too bright and white was just too blah... I picked up some foam pumpkins from the Dollar Tree & a few tubes of the magic elixir: Rub 'N Buff.



This was my first time using Rub 'N Buff so I was a little nervous. Turns out there was no reason to be, it really could not be easier to use. All you do is put a dab of Rub 'N Buff on a soft cloth (I used a tissue) and rub (' buff!) it onto your item. A dab goes a looong way so I have lots left for future projects.
now if I could just get it off my fingernails

I did a few pumpkins with Silver Leaf and a few with Grecian Gold...

Then I decided to get fancy and make a gold dipped pumpkin.

And then I got really fancy and made a two-tone pumpkin...my favorite of the bunch!

I am loving the look and the ease of using Rub 'n Buff. I've got about a thousand things I'd like to try it on...a frame! a lamp! my front door! (just kidding...)
or am I?

And the ugly ducking becomes a swan :)