Pumpkins + Blue and White = Perfect Fall Decor

I took this image, among others, of the Fall touches I was adding around my home to share with @auctionninja

I was so honored that they invited me to write an article about my love of blue and white and how I like to add touches of seasonal decor to my existing collections. 

The link to the article is here.

They also created a fun Instagram Reel that you can watch here.

They have a great blog full of informational posts about all types of vintage, how to source it and the how to be sure you are getting great vintage for your home. Be sure to follow along on their IG and website.

 

Summer begins...

There is a well known quote by Charles Spurgeon: "Begin as you mean to go on, and go on as you began, and let the Lord be all in all to you." It is usually reserved for New Years greetings and for "big beginnings" but it popped into my mind when I was thinking about the start of Summer this year. 

School is out here and, to me, that signals the beginning of Summer. Some consider it to be Memorial Day weekend and some wait for the "official" Summer Solstice. However you calendar Summer is on everyone's mind. I am always a Summer girl - I love the heat, the beach, working in the garden. All things Summer. This year, and I think the reason that quote has been bopping around in my head, is that I've felt the usual excitement and retrospective as well. 

I want to begin this Summer as I mean to go on. I want to remember to celebrate the ordinary and to not forget the parts of last Summer that were important. It was an out of the ordinary Summer but there were good things about being home and not being "busy."

The pace of last Summer was more Summer-y than I can remember in years. It reminded me of the Summers I spent with my Charleston grandmother and endless days at the beach with cousins. Time had no meaning. I am not romanticizing the Summer of 2020 at all. It was hard, devastating for some, but there were small joys to be found and we gave them importance. I don't want to lose that by going back to busyness in our excitement to get back to "normal."  I also still feel, as many of you do, unsettled, unsure, concerned about so many things in our world but I'm going to go on as I began last year - I will keep the faith.

This is my public reminder to myself to start the summer with time well spent and to continue it through the Summer. To appreciate looking through design books surrounded by backyard blooms. To pour my grapefruit juice in a pretty glass and add a sprig of mint from the herb garden. To burn a candle. To use my great-great grandmothers tatted (and tattered) tablecloth to make the table look pretty even if it is just me (and James Farmer, Bunny Williams, Celerie Kemble and Mark Sikes! And lets not forget Mrs. Whaley!)

I mean to go on as I have begun - looking forward to the Summer and planning to find small joys and celebrate the ordinary.

What are your Summer plans?

SOURCES:

Plastic Wine Glass - World Market (highly recommend)

Beautiful by Mark D. Sikes

Celerie Kemble's new book, Island Whimsy

A House by the Sea by Bunny Williams

A Place to Call Home by James Farmer

Mrs Whaley and Her Charleston Garden which I reread every year. At least once.

Gingham cloth napkin/dishtowel - similar item

Dog statue - Wal Mart garden center this season

Vintage or thrifted items: tatted tablecloth, bamboo tray, scalloped terra cotta pot, blue and white flower pot and small pitcher, pagoda lantern

Variegated zonal geranium - Home Depot

Lavender topiary - Wal Mart

Sweet Mint -f rom my garden but I saw it at Lowe's this season

The iron garden table and chair were purchased over 20 years ago.

Heart Shaped Magnolia Wreath

 

This heart shaped magnolia wreath did not cost anything to put together.

I had everything on hand and you probably will too!

I used:

scrap cardboard boxes

magnolia leaves

hot glue

duck tape

scissors and yard clippers

ribbon I had on hand (this might be the only thing you would need to purchase)

This wreath is just meant to last through Valentine's Day so it is put together quickly and easily using found items. 

Here's what I did:

I cut a heart shape from cardboard boxes. I wanted mine to be fairly large so I had to cut two half hearts and duct tape together. 

Because my heart was taped down the center I used some scrap strips of cardboard to brace it across the back. This made it a little sturdier but I'm not sure it's necessary.

I took my gorgeous glossy magnolia leaves and broke them off so they were individual leaves.

When I started to experiment with how I wanted to place my leaves I realized they would work better with the short stems clipped off. I clipped all of the stems off so that I could place them more quickly once I started gluing. There are a lot of different ways you could lay out your leaves. 

I just kept gluing leaves around the heart shape moving toward the center.

Then I filled in the center. The leaves are not perfectly flat and I like that about the wreath. Even with the wavy leaves none of the cardboard shows form underneath because of the way I overlapped the leaves. 

It's so glossy and pretty. 

I wanted to put a bow on my heart wreath so I poked a small hole near the v at the top. I'm going to use wire threaded through the hole to hold my bow in place and it will also create a loop on the back to use to hang the wreath on the door.

Afternoon Treats!! It's the Holiday Season!

 Yesterday I participated in a tablescape challenge to benefit @tennesseechinoiserie.

It was organized by sweet @shellandchinoiserie to help her friend Bracey as she battles cancer. Emilie created a GoFundMe to support Bracey and her family. 

It was a special way to celebrate #givingtuesday.

A lot of IGers out there create amazing tablescapes all the time but that's not my strong suit! 

However I'm all in for afternoon tea and treats. Such a great afternoon pick me up during the busy holiday season. 

I used dishes and decorative items I had on hand. You could quickly set up a sweet little spot for treats and tea any afternoon during the holidays! It made a cup of tea and a few store bought chocolates a lot more fun. And special. 

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blue and white chinoiserie planter, tea cup and plate - vintage (thrifted)

gingham tea towel - Amazon

gold and white polka dot tea towel - Target

holly Christmas tea cup, saucer, small plate - vintage

bamboo handle spoons - Cambridge Silversmiths

double happiness ornament - mollie's mom

poinsettia - Home Depot

blue candy canes - Dollar Tree and Wal Mart

Mollie's PBN Santa - Amazon