Holiday Mantel

(I want to thank Lavender Garden Cottage for featuring this post!)
Hello, everyone!  Well, now that the Holiday Open House at the shop has come and gone, it's time to decorate my house!  I started with something easy-the mantel.  After playing around a little, I decided to just keep it very simple.  I recently bought this coffee filter wreath, and I used it as a starting point.  I know all you crafty girls can whip these up, but yours truly decided to take the easy way out, and have someone make it for me! :)   I love the gold ribbon, and the little vintage picture tucked inside.

I bought this huge chalkboard over the summer (for a steal!) and I thought it would look fun with the wreath hung on it and something festive written on it.   I wrote what would fit of 'Twas the Night Before Christmas.'

Reindeer are one of my favorite things to decorate with, and I discovered these 2 sparkly gold ones packed away among my Christmas stuff. They add a little whimsy, and co-ordinate with the wreath and its gold ribbon.

I placed one reindeer on each end of the chalkboard, but the middle space looked bare.  After rooting around in my Christmas bins, I found some little sparkly gold ornaments, and simply lined them up. They fill in the space, and continue the gold-toned color scheme.

My dad found these small ice skates in my parents' basement and brought them over.  Imagine my surprise (and delight!) when he told me that they were mine when I was little!  How have I never seen these before?  I promptly hung them above the fireplace!

Here's the finished product.  See...simple, but fun!! (At least I think so :)

So there you have it-my mantel, ready for Christmas!  Now I'm off to decorate some more spaces, which I'll be sharing soon.  Until then, have a fabulous day!
I'm linking to these great parties:       The Farmhouse Porch 
                                                      Lavender Garden Cottage
                                                      Knick of Time
                                                      Primp
                                                      Have a Daily Cup of Mrs.Olsen
                                                      Ivy and Elephants
                                                      Katherines Corner
                                                      The Vintage Farmhouse
                                                      Stuff and Nonsense
                                                      Common Ground
                                                      My 1929 Charmer
                                                      The Lettered Cottage