I'm Officially Published!

Hello, everyone!  I have some news that is one of the best Christmas presents I could ask for...I am a contributor in the new Winter issue of Creating Vintage Charm!!  It's been a dream of mine to have pictures of my home in a magazine, so this is literally a dream come true!

Along with pictures of my dining room, I also had the privilege of writing the accompanying article, so I am officially 'published'! :)  
When I started this little blog about 7 months ago, I never could've imagined the fantastic opportunities that would come my way!

I've been ordering and enjoying this magazine for awhile (you can only purchase it online) and it has become one of my favorites!  It's published quarterly by Sonia Crouse, who does a fantastic job, and every issue is always top notch.  I'm extremely honored to be a part of this wonderful publication!  If you've never read it, you're in for a BIG treat! You can order it on the Creating Vintage Charm website.

Thanks for stopping by, and letting me share my excitement!  Have a wonderful day! :)

Deck the Halls

(I want to thank Debra at Common Ground, Nicki at The Vintage Farmhouse and Jody at Rooted in Thyme for featuring this post!)
Hello, everyone!  I'm now in the full Christmas spirit, and have 'decked my hall' with some holiday cheer!  There is a small space in our front hallway between our stairs and the office, and this is now one of my favorite decorated areas.

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  I brought in an old chippy door from the shop, and leaned it against the wall. (We sold 3 others, but I kept this one for myself! :) I then gathered together some tarnished silver, which I love, and added some worn, red ball ornaments for a pop of color. I thought it would be fun to use the webbing as a 'pedestal.'  Next I hung a  wreath, and topped the door with a vintage flash card that I got in Columbus last weekend.  The little shoe is a 'joke' between my hubby and me.  He sometimes hides it around the house for me with money in it!

The old barrels and the chair were already in this space-I just took down the printers tray and sign that were hanging on the wall, and changed the top of the barrel.  To see how it looked before the decorations, go here.

This pillow is one of my favorites that my friend Carol made.

So, here is the whole vignette...simple, but it reflects me!

 (I had this flash card up before I bought the 'new' one...)

 I'll be back with more decorated areas soon. Have a fantastic day!

I'm linking to these great parties:       The Ironstone Nest
                                                      Lavender Garden Cottage
                                                      Ivy and Elephants
                                                      Timewashed
                                                      Primp
                                                      Katherines Corner 
                                                      The Shabby Creek Cottage
                                                      Common Ground
                                                      Rooted in Thyme 
                                                      Have a Daily Cup of Mrs. Olsen
                                                      The Vintage Farmhouse
                                                      The Charm of Home 
                                                      Stuff and Nonsense
                                                      i should be mopping the floor
                                                      Coastal Charm
                                                      The Farmhouse Porch
                                                      Knick of Time
                                                      Savvy Southern Style 

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!