Embracing Natural Decor

So lately I have been trying to decorate with things from the outdoors. There are so many lovely, unique things you can use from nature.

For instance, Cayden and I made these wonderful ornaments from things we found outside. I want a more rustic tree this year to match the house, and I did not want to spend a ton to redecorate for Christmas.

Check out this lovely, wintery floral arrangement, created with just an old pitcher and some branches from an evergreen tree outside. Free and festive! 

It doesn't take an artsy brain to create these decorations, just some time and a little research. Research really helps in coming up with unique and inexpensive decorations. When you research more and more, you will eventually come up with things you never thought you would before. Some of these ideas are not my own, but when I come up with something all by myself, it becomes extra special. A little childish, I know, but it's just my humanity coming out.

Acorn floating candles in the bathroom

I made this star with
fire wood scraps and twine.

I'm the Worst Blogger Ever!

Mr. Owl

OMG! I really am the worst blogger ever! But I don't know if I consider myself a blogger. I guess I feel like I have not earned the right to be called a blogger. I feel that way about most titles. Like "mom", I am a mom, but I don't feel like I deserve to be a mom. Gees! What am I talking about. Lets save the deep conversations for later!

I have not written in ages. I guess life just got crazy hot and you were put on the back burner. Sorry about that! 

Anywho, we moved! YAY! We were going to move to Tampa, FL, but things just didn't fall into place so we decided to stay in Georgia. BUT! We bought a new house and we loooove it! Enough updating you on all this moving stuff...

Living room. Its coming along.

VINTAGE! That is what you are here for right?! Our vintage shop is still on "vacation" since the move. We have not had time to set it up and organize it all yet. :(

I started decorating the new abode with, of course, vintage favorites. I am going for rustic Pottery Barn. I'm hacking, obviously. ("hack" definition- going for that look, but on a more economical scale) It is taking some time to get things decorated like I want, but it is starting to look more like a home now. And I just love looking around as I am writing and seeing pretty things that I enjoy. That is most important, you know. ENJOYING what you decorate with. My motto when shopping is "When in doubt, throw it out." I learned this saying when I was a little girl, and it has really helped me syphon out the bad. 

In the kitchen.

So next time you go out shopping use this motto! "When in doubt, Throw it out!"

The Value of Knowledge and Experience

 photo by Greg Ruffing via Wired Raw File

The other night Zach and I were discussing our greatest finds. I realized that we have learned and experienced so much in such a short time.

I remember the first time we went hunting for vintage and antiques for our Etsy shop.  We didn't know what to look for. We didn't know what would sell. We just bought stuff we liked and made a lot of guesses too. I remember telling Zach that I could not wait till we knew more about vintage...the history...the popular brand names...whether it was desirable.

Now, we know what we are looking for. We know what sells. Of course, we still take risks on things we don't know about. Risk is important when learning about new things. Zach likes to take more risks than I do, and I am thankful for that. He will buy a pricey item, and I will be very skeptical. I voice my opinion, but we always seem to come out great on his buys. I think he has kinda gotten a big head about it. lol 

It is so exhilarating to find an item at a yard sale for pennies-on-the-dollar and then to find out it is worth hundreds! For example: I bought a vintage item for $2 at a yard sale, brand new, never used. I sold it for almost $200. This is one of my favorite finds!

I encourage you - Go to yard sales and estate sales. Find old things you love and would use yourself. Buy used, instead of new.  Haggle! - Of course, there are bad yard/estate sale days, but it is soooo worth it when it is a good day! Ohh, it just makes my heart start thumping just thinking about it.

Lennon's Vintage Camping Nursery

So the theme for Lennon's room is "Vintage Camping". I love how it turned out. Unique and repurposed. My inspirational piece for this room was the rustic rocking chair and stool. I bought it in Florida long before Lennon was even thought of. Can you believe I got it at a thrift store in excellent condition for only 50 bucks? Score!

A lot of the items in the room I had around the house. And others items, Zach and I put together. Zach made me that wonderful bookshelf. I was inspired by one I saw on Pinterest, and Zach just whipped it up. He just knows exactly what I envision. I love that about him. Anyways, I painted some stripes on the paddles and the finishing touch was the map hung by some rope.

Almost everything in this room was used, except the curtains, rug, and a few decor items. The used items I bought from thrift stores, estate sales, and yard sales. It just came together so easily, with some help from Pinterest. :)

Zach The Craftsman

I knew Zach was creative and talented when we got married, but the things he can do with wood are amazing! I am not being biased; this is fact!

He makes me all sorts of things. I know he loves me or maybe he just loves making things, both I think.

Women...here's a tip to get your significant other to make things for you:
1. Ask nicely, with maybe a kiss.
2. Show him pictures of your ideas. Really inspire and encourage him. Get him excited!
3. Ask him what ideas he has and how he would put it together. Show interest in the construction. Men love to show off their smarts and skills.

This is not manipulation, ladies. It is creatively inspiring your man to show off his manliness.

Anyways, here are the things Zach has made. I helped with the design parts and a little painting.

Oak Coffee Table to match my Farmhouse Table

Children's Bookshelf

Measuring Cup Holder

Rustic Farmhouse Table and Matching Bench (He made this for someone, and I wanted to keep it soooo bad)

Long Time, No Read

Lennon Graham

Welp, It has been a crazy year. Had a new baby boy! Isn't he adorable?! I just think he is perfection.

Anyways, we went to an auction for the first time in forever the other week. It was great! I have missed it! The population was low, so the prices were low. Just how I like it. I bought some adorable, feminine hankies...vintage and never used! Love them! They would look so cute framed and put in a collage on a wall. Or you could make cute, little pillow out of them. Hmm...well I was going to sell them, but now I might want to keep them.