Wish upon a Star

I am still in love with this star I received as a gift from Lynette a few years ago. It was initially very silver, but it has tarnished some and I love it even more now.

This year I've got it hanging on an empty frame on the dining room mantel.

Next to it are some thrift store candles with old keys and a strip of burlap attached...

Vintage playing cards tucked nearby in the greenery...

Wood bundled up with burlap and greens in front of an old gate...

...and old book pages lining the bottom.

Oops...got off subject there - wasn't I talking about stars?

Oh yeah, I love my rusty stars!

On the coffee table they warm things up by the candlelight...

I always make a wish when I see a falling star.

Do you?

Vintage dessert cups on a tray

This year JunkFest was a huge success, in large part due to our wonderful flea market vendors. I managed to sneak away during the sale in our building to check out the MANY vendors overflowing the fairgrounds. I was just thrilled to find seven of these vintage dessert cups and wanted to share my find with you today. Aren't they pretty?

The cups are two pieces. I was told by the vendor the base is to be placed in the freezer so on hot summer days the ice cream won't melt as quickly. I love that!

So charming, don't you think?

I also found this drawer front, but not sure what it came off of. When I was digging though my stash while decorating for Christmas, I was stoked to see the numbers on the drawer were a "25". I hadn't remembered that! How perfect to use during Christmas in some way?!

(I also love the cool hinges).

I decided the drawer would be a neat "tray" for the dessert cups. I think I will fill them with a couple different dips or small cheese balls. My JunkFest buddies will be over soon for a little Christmas cheer...wonder what they'll think of my new "tray" and cups?

I can always cover up the "25" with some cute scrap booking paper when used for other occasions, right?

Hope you all have a nice week; attending lots of parties and are all ready for the Christmas Holiday! Enjoy!

365 Thank You's

Just wanted to share with you a segment I caught on Good Morning America the other day. Maybe you saw it? Usually, I'm not a morning t.v. watcher, but this day I had it on for sound as I was putzing around the kitchen. A man by the name of John Kralik has authored a book titled "365 Thank You's." His story goes something like this: having been at a very low spot for some time in his life, and feeling that he had nothing to be grateful for, he noticed while getting his daily coffee at his favorite coffee house, that the server greeted him by name and asked if he was having his "usual."

While not a monumental event, just being remembered by someone made him feel good...gave him a glimmer of hope. After much thought, he decided to thank or correspond with other people in his life, from old friends of the past to medical caregivers, etc. He challenged himself to write one thank-you a day for a year. This simple act changed his outlook on life, and he realized that he had much to be grateful for.

His book will be released December 28, by Hyperion Publishers. If you'd like to see the video clip from CMA, or read an excerpt from his book, click here. This promises to be an excellent read, especially at a time when stresses seem to be heightened with the holidays. We could all use a little reminding about what we have to be thankful for, don't you think?

Summer junk used for Winter decor

Linking up to Becky over at Beyond the Picket Fence - she is having a Under $100 Linky Party!

Man, it's hard to follow up Missy and Cassie's wonderful posts. Can you believe that fireplace of Missy's? Good Lord. Honestly, no way in God's green earth could I have mastered that project. Then there are Cassie's gorgeous furniture re-do's! Please look through our older posts to check out their fabulous posts, you will not be disappointed.

As for me, I'm simply a throw-it-together-and-hope-it-looks-good-kind of girl. Believe it or not, occasionally a couple things are presentable enough for even your eyes to see!

Do you remember this picture I posted a month or so ago? It's of all the newest junk I found in October. When I initially found the galvanized tub, I thought I would put flowers in it next summer.

But I thought, why leave junk sitting idol in my garage over the winter? Yep, time to think Winter. I also found this cool metal "Frost King" tag. I knew it would look fabulous on the tub. I used double stick tape to adhere it. I will want to take it off in the spring for - you guessed it - my summer flowers on the deck. (Can't have "Frost King" on it for that now, can I?!)

Inside I have a plastic container I add water to, cause I gotta have fresh greens!

Moving on, here's a picture of my white Christmas tree. I needed a container to set it in, and low and behold (and because it ties in with my Robin's egg blue accents), I grabbed this little gem, an old hose reel.

Another summer-time junk item. I first thought about using it as the base for a wreath and sit it on its side since it's round. (That's a possibility for next year).

Okay, one more thing. This is sorta weird, but dang, it looks cool in person. It's just the piece of a door frame with the best part still attached - the old door plate and knob. It actually had the key hanging on it too when I bought it. (Yes, I paid top dollar for this. Okay, maybe not... only $5!). :)

Do you see what I see? Under that white paint is Robin's egg blue! Sigh.

So, there you have it. A little summer-time junk to warm the winter night, along with an "odd" piece that actually looks kinda cool...thrown in for kicks.

Have fun decorating!

Vintage sled centerpiece

Happy Holidays everyone! I hope you are all enjoying the spirit of the season, and staying healthy and warm! Today I want to show you what I've done with a vintage sled on my dining room table. I bought the sled just about a month ago at an antique store and I really love the style. It's a bit difficult to see in the pics because I have it covered with a hodge podge of things, but it is a very "flat" sled....not too thick or chunky.

An old world Santa takes center stage, along with a vintage cream ware pitcher that I have filled with some fresh greens.

Can you see the long, vintage buffet mirror I have layed down under everything? It's beveled and tarnished (just the way I like them!) and missing its frame. The tail of the sled & mirror are home for three clear glass votives....love the light that reflects from the mirror at night!

Another ironstone pitcher/creamer filled with blueberry juniper...

Old St. Nick...

Can you see the little pine cones stuck to the spruce top? So sweet. I also layed down a couple glittered leaves I found on clearance last year.

I love a vintage clock thrown in the mix. They look great anywhere!





















I'm linking up with Kathleen's White Wednesday over at Faded Charm, as well as Becky at Beyond the Picket Fence.



I'm also showing off over at Stephanie Lynn's Sunday Showcase party....here.

Fireplace...Inspiration Complete.

PART 4 OF 4

Inspiration Complete.

Here she is.
What do you think?

I think Baxter whooped it up a bit much last night, too much eggnog perhaps. He didn't even hear me finishing up the mantel or taking the pictures!

He sheds, alot. And he drools. But he makes us laugh (not about the shedding and drooling) because he has quite the personality. And I think he's happy with how the fireplace turned out.












Do you see that fancy part of the piano? It's just on top of the fireplace leaning against the wall. That way I can change it out occasionally for a different look.

In fact the columns are not officially attached yet either, unless masking tape on the top counts? I have a little trimwork to do yet to them, then attach, but in the future if I want to change up the overall look of the fireplace I would be able to remove them.

And the heavy chunky piece from the piano...it now resides on the top of the mantel. I adore the detailed trim on it!

Just a recap...


Inspiration.






Before.

After. (yes, I KNOW the trim is still not on the windows!)

Sidenote: I think the dog is officially passed out now. And please disregard the fan, tote and treadle stand. Long story short...fishtank on repurposed treadle stand. Loud crack. Water pouring out bottom of fishtank. Mother and child scurry to find containers. Thank God we were home at the time. Put saved water and fish in tote. Wet floor. New tank. All fish survived. Yay.

Frugaliscious Friday