Do you have those weeks...months...when everything seems to fly by and you feel like every day is a catch-up day? Yeah. That's me. My connection to the blogging world began in the fall several years ago. I followed all the link parties...wondered what "Mr. Linky" was...and consumed tons of #InspiringFallIdeas and drooled over all the amazing fall mantels. When I finally had my own blog, one thing I wanted to do for sure was to link up to my favorite fall link parties. Sometimes life throws curve balls and it's challenging to get back on track. (At least no one can accuse me of … [Read more...]
Almost every where we look this time of year, nature has something amazing for us to see. Our world is a tapestry of color and texture. I couldn't agree more with this quote: Of all the seasons, autumn offers the most to man and requires the least of him. ~Hal Borland What a feast for our eyes and our senses! And what a feast I had yesterday!! I know I talked about getting out in that world and bringing the outdoors in. Though I went out collecting yesterday, my next step is to assemble my finds and see if I can artfully photograph the beauties. You'll just have to wait a bit … [Read more...]
Did you enter An Extraordinary Day's giveaway to win a beautiful European house number sign? The best thing about Fall Nesting is bringing the outdoors in. It truly makes my heart sing. image: tradgardsflow So, when I came across this image on my Fabulously Fall Pinterest board I knew I had to share it with you. It is just the reminder I need to go on a scavenger hunt. Clippers in hand. Seeking out the beauties of the season to capture and enjoy. Maybe it's a bunch of leaves you can stick in a vase of water. I did that yesterday. [big cheesy grin] Maybe you … [Read more...]
Who loves to peruse the magazine section at the local Barnes & Noble? Me!!! They have such an amazing array of magazines on home decor. You'll find all kinds of decorating styles.... cottage, country, modern, traditional, romantic, and so on. What is your style? When I got married I began decorating my home in an early American style with a nod toward primitive. We even built a 1620's style New England saltbox. I started out as a purist. But, then I inherited my mother's parents' bedroom furniture. Two dressers and a sleigh bed. No...they weren't early American … [Read more...]
I'm all about creating moments. Moments? Yes...those small sweet vignettes that you create around your home to embrace the season. Recently I shared a few coastal moments with you here and here. But, now that we're moving into Fall, I wanted to create a new seasonal moment. Remember the free fall subway printable that I created for you to kick off the first day of this #InspiredFallNesting series? I printed it off on some nice photo paper and slipped it into an 11x14 photo frame that included a mat and a place for an 8x10 picture. This is one of … [Read more...]
Autumn has unofficially arrived! Each morning I get up in the dark and sit with my chair facing the window to the East, drinking my Chai, and drinking in the quiet and HIS "still small voice." The nearby fields are coloring golden and heavy with dew as that first light magnifies in each tiny droplet. What a contrast from last Fall in the mountains of Pennsylvania where the day begins shrouded in fog. I am seizing the beauty around me in this new season of my life....and the year. One of the things about Fall Nesting is the aromas. I love it when my husband comes home and says, … [Read more...]
This past weekend we went from summer to fall in just a few hours. The weather was picture perfect in every way. Sunshine, temperature, the sky was even a gorgeous fall blue. It was just what I needed to get in the mood for fall. That got me thinking about some of my favorite fall things. Actually I came up with... 20 Things I Love About Fall! Homemade Apple Crisp or Apple Pie Amazing Fall Sunsets & Clouds Hot Spiced Apple Cider Wooly Bear Caterpillars Crisp Cool Air Apple Cinnamon Donuts from the Cider Mill Colorful Gourds Bowls of Steaming … [Read more...]
Spending the day at the beach isn't always possible. So when you find yourself dreaming of splashing waves and sand between your toes.... Put together a beach vignette. Don't roll your eyes....it really is a sweet band-aid solution. And it's super easy to do. Have you ever noticed play sand for sale at the garden center? When you do...be sure to buy a bag. Yes...it may be more than you need, but I'm pretty certain that once you have your bag of sand, you'll be glad you bought it (and it certainly won't break the bank). Plus, you'll find lots of ways to use that sand. In … [Read more...]
Since I couldn't go to the beach....I decided to bring the beach to my house this summer. It's amazing what you can do with some sand, shells, and stuff from the stash. Join me for a super simple seashell art DIY project. Who knows why I purchased this small square photo frame at The Dollar Tree some time ago. As I was trolling my stash, I was so excited to find it, and the wheels started turning. This post contains affiliate links. Then I remembered I had some scrapbook paper in coastal colors. Yay! Originally I purchased it for making some masculine … [Read more...]
As the days get shorter, we hang on to every breath of summer's sweet breezes. There's the "one last time" at the beach day. Or, if you live in the mountains, the desert, or in America's heartland, all of that may be just a dream. But, it doesn't stop us from creating our own little breath of fresh air and wind and waves....even on our supper table. Our own casual coastal tablescape....ah! Today, I used my everyday, Longaberger Classic Blue dinner plates and Woven Traditions Cereal Bowls. No...we won't be having cereal for supper. These generously sized bowls are perfect … [Read more...]
Want to bring the beach home or create a coastal or nautical feel in your decor? Create an Easy Nautical Life Ring Wreath. Hang it on a vintage window like I did here, on the wall, or even on your front door. It's a super quick and easy wreath to make. You need a few supplies and in less than an hour, you'll have yourself some classy coastal decor. Easy Nautical Life Ring Wreath Supplies: A foam wreath form; mine came from the Dollar Tree. Ruler Scissors Straight pins Cream or white fabric cut into two and one-half-inch strips. An … [Read more...]
There's nothing like a day at the beach. Living at least five hours from the beach, I decided to bring the beach to the mountains of Pennsylvania. At least to my dining area. Will you join me for a beachy brunch? The table is simply set with my Longaberger dinnerware and crystal goblets, and my vintage silverplate that we use everyday. We're having the yummiest blueberry pancakes with real maple syrup. Creamers sitting on saucers are perfect for serving the syrup. And cute too. An old vintage low bowl with a sea green interior is … [Read more...]
This was not the year for me to be spending time at the water's edge, wiggling my toes in the soft warm sand. Yet, my heart was yearning for the beach. What's a girl to do? Create a coastal vignette! It all started with my glam clam that had a makeover. She looked mighty fine on the sideboard sporting her new color combo along with a sea of shells and beach glass. There was one missing element, though. A seascape on the wall. My stash did not include a lovely painting of a lake, beach, or sea. But, my stash did include a picture that I picked … [Read more...]
Want to bring the beach and summer to your tiny corner of the world? You really can enjoy coastal decor in small spaces. All you need is a spot to evoke the memory of wind on your face and waves splashing on the beach. It could be the corner of your desk, a spot on your bookcase, or the top of your piano as I've shown here. There are just a few necessary ingredients. A container. Beach or play sand. A sea shell or tiny piece of driftwood. This is a vintage turquoise glass bowl that has been sitting in my cupboard, for years, waiting. Waiting to show off. … [Read more...]
I couldn't wait any longer. It was time to get out my can of spray paint and indulge in a little coastal decor DIY makeover! This summer I really started missing the Great Lakes. I'm a 'Mitten State' girl who grew up a bicycle ride away from Lake Michigan. And more recently we lived 20 minutes away from Lake Erie and 40 minutes from Lake Ontario. Spending time at the beach in the summer is one of those things that renews my spirit. Since I wasn't going to be making the trip to the beach, I decided to bring the beach home. It may not be the same. But, I have had a ton of fun … [Read more...]
One of my favorite things to decorate in my home is a vintage window. It hangs like a piece of art on my wall. The beauty of a vintage window is that it's a wonderful blank canvas for giving your room some seasonal decor. Its shabbiness provides a textural contrast in more traditional or contemporary decor. It's fun to be creative with ideas in just a small space. It can change with the season or your whim. It's great for whimsical paper-crafting projects that just don't 'work' elsewhere. Last November my friend gifted me with a lovely window. It's perfectly imperfect. And hung sideways it … [Read more...]
I'm so excited to share the Laundry Room Makeover Reveal with you!! Some of you may have been impatient with me as I shared my laundry room makeover in bits and pieces. It all started last summer and then finally a few weeks ago, I made up for lost time. Have you ever wanted to makeover a room, but had no funds in your account? Don't let that stop you. My zero budget forced me to get creative with what I had around my house and proved to me, once again, that I don't need to let the lack of money prevent me from making my home extraordinary. My laundry room makeover was a fun … [Read more...]
