A Sweet Gift

Hi, everyone!  A couple of weeks ago I received a pleasantly surprising email from a sweet blogger, Pam from Moments Like These.  She said that she was sending me a Trader Joe's bag that she had bought for me after I had admired hers on her blog!  I couldn't believe that she remembered me saying how much I liked the bag, and that our nearest Trader Joe's is like an hour away! (Isn't it adorable?!)

As if that wasn't kind enough, I was really blown away when I received the package-she had included tons of fun goodies, including a key plate that I had also admired on another one of her posts!  This is extra special, because it was from her father's collection.  I tied it to a little tree, and I enjoy it every time I walk by!  It has the perfect patina that I love!

Although both of her parents are suffering from health issues right now, Pam has the best attitude, and her blog inspires me.  (Please go check out her wonderful blog for yourself!)  That she took the time to send me this 'care package' plus an uplifting note, really humbled me.

I just want to thank Pam and let her know how much her thoughtfulness touched me!  It reminds me that with a little time and kindness, we can make such a big impact!  Who can you encourage today?  Until next time, have a wonderful day!

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 

Holiday Open House

(Thank you to Lavender Garden Cottage , Have a Daily Cup of Mrs.Olsen, and Stuff and Nonsense for featuring this post!)
Hi, everyone!  As many of you know, my mom and I own a little shop called 'Home Sweet Home.'  This past weekend was our annual Holiday Open House.  We were VERY busy all last week turning the whole store over to Christmas, and I took TONS of pictures, so get ready!
These little mercury glass trees were a hit!  Our friend Carol added the burlap '25' to jazz them up a bit...aren't they the cutest?

In the front room where you first walk in, we went all sparkly and blingy, staying with shades of cream, white, and silver.

In all of the other rooms we went a little more rustic, with pops of green and red...

You can see in the background some of the 'recycled' necklaces that I made...I attached a coffee sack to a bulletin board, then hung the necklaces from decorative pins.

Well, I warned you that there were a lot of pictures!!  We had a wonderful turnout, and many of these items have now gone on to good homes :)
 Next, it's time to enjoy turkey and pumpkin pie!  (After that, I'll start decorating my own home-whew!)  I'm so thankful for all of you-I wish you a fabulous Thanksgiving!
I'm linking to these fun parties:   Stuff and Nonsense
                                               Primp
                                               Ivy and Elephants
                                               Farmhouse Porch
                                               Common Ground 
                                               Have a Daily Cup of Mrs. Olsen
                                               Lavender Garden Cottage 

Romantic Homes Magazine Feature

I am ridiculously excited and honored to be featured in the new December issue of Romantic Homes!!

 Thank you to those of you who have already seen it, and sent me well-wishes!

My mom and I have been busy little elves this week getting our shop ready for our Holiday Open House, which is this weekend!  It's a TON of work, but very rewarding.  I'll be showing you pictures soon...til then, have a fantastic day! :)

6 Month Blogiversary!

Hello, everyone!  Today is a very special day for me...it's my 6 month Blog Anniversary!

When I decided to take the plunge and start this blog back in May, I remember thinking "I sure hope someone finds me and reads this!" and I was thrilled when I hit 10 followers!

To my pleasant surprise, I was instantly welcomed into this 'blog community' by the most amazing people-those people being all of you!  Your response to my little blog has been beyond my wildest imagination!

I want to truly thank all of you from the bottom of my heart!  Thank you to those of you who found me early on, and encouraged me; thank you to those who joined in along the way; thank you to those who are 'following' me, and those who have subscribed; thank you to the bloggers who have featured my posts and my home, and those who have asked me to guest post; and thank you to so many of you who have taken the time to leave extremely sweet and flattering comments!

It's so wonderful to be in a place where peeps get me and my style!  :)

 My heart is filled with gratitude and I appreciate each and every one of you!  I hope you'll continue with me on this journey, called 'must love junk'!  Have a fantastic day!

Happy Birthday, Mom!

I want to wish my sweet mom a happy "71st" Birthday today!!  (This picture was taken this past May, right after I started blogging! :)
She is not only 'my mom', but also my best friend, and business partner as well.  She is such a beautiful woman, both inside and out!   I am SO blessed to have her as my mom, and I cherish our relationship!!  Happy Birthday, 'Hannah'!  (my special nickname for her.)
Hope you all have a wonderful day!

Coffee Table Changes

Happy November, everyone!  First off, my thoughts and prayers are with all of you who are dealing with the worst of 'Sandy'.
 I'm continuing on with the changes that I've been making in our living room.  We got this old factory cart to use as our coffee table a few years ago, and my hubby stenciled it with something special for me as a surprise when I was out of town.  (I'm still a bit amazed by that one!)  You can read more about it here.  This is how the cart was decorated before...

I didn't change too much on this-I kept the huge wire basket as a 'tray', as well as the wooden balls that I've collected here and there.  I removed the old book and lantern, moved the typewriter to a table in the hallway, then replaced it with my collection of wicker bottles.

I've been collecting these babies for awhile, and I have quite a lot of them! (Let's just say that this is a small portion of my collection!)  I probably need to weed some out and take them to sell at the shop, but for some reason I have a hard time parting with them.  My favorite is the largest one-it's really huge and heavy!

Here's a better view of the living room and the other changes that I've made in the back corner...

I'm thinking about changing out the map behind the couch.  I still love it, so I would just move it to another room, but I want to wait until I find just the right thing.  That wall is pretty big, and it's hard to fill.

Here's one more look at what the living room looked like before...

As I mentioned in my last 2 posts, I'm just taking the industrial vibe down a notch (even though I still love it) and instead going with a little lighter, and a little more 'shabby farmhouse' look.  Until next time, have a fantastic day, and stay safe in this crazy weather!
I'm linking to these wonderful parties:     The Shabby Creek Cottage 
                                                      Katherines Corner 
                                                      DIY by Design
                                                      Stuff and Nonsense
                                                      Common Ground 
                                                      Lavender Garden Cottage
                                                      Jennifer Rizzo
                                                      Rooted in Thyme
                                                      i should be mopping the floor
                                                      My 1929 Charmer
                                                      Debbiedoos
                                                      Sunny Simple Life 
                                                      Coastal Charm 
                                                      Knick of Time
                                                      Farmhouse Porch
                                                      Have a Daily Cup of Mrs.Olsen