Fall Flashback: {Snapshots from our home last fall}

Good morning!  Since I am still not giving in to pumpkins and wheat bundles just yet, I thought it would be fun to share a few "flashback" pictures of our home last fall.  Don't get me wrong, I am so ready to adorn our home with little white pumpkins, my favorite, but I am holding out for a little longer!

Last year, I decided to add small touches of fall to each room.  As mentioned above, I am a sucker for white pumpkins so they were sprinkled throughout our home.  I also stuck with the natural theme and just added a few new things to what I already had.  Pinecones are always a fall staple around here and are great to use throughout the winter months! I loved our home last fall, it felt cozy and warm so I plan on repeating the natural "theme" this year.

This vintage inspired crate from HomeGoods was the perfect find for unused space in our kitchen. I love decorating it for each season! This vignette was literally thrown together using several things I already had and then I added the real, white pumpkins to finish the look.  It is totally normal to put a seagrass pumpkin in a cake stand...I decided!

I love the look it added to the space and created a festive vignette that is visible from the dining room, too!

 

 

I added a few pumpkins and cinnamon sticks to this area.  It is amazing what a difference a few items can make. 

 

 

Little white pumpkins also made an appearance on our breakfast nook shelves...

 

 

Our breakfast nook all ready for fall...

 

 

Our chalkboard is changed up often...it is a great way to add a personal touch to any space.  I love the rustic, barn-wood frame on this one I got at HomeGoods!

 

More small pumpkins added a pop of orange to our breakfast bar...there is no such thing as too many pumpkins!

 

I cannot wait to add touches of fall to our mantle. It will be the first project for me this year.  I keep a natural theme year around using driftwood pieces, candles, branches and fern sprigs.  I love these jars from HomeGoods...the wire adds a nice texture and they are great to keep up all year!  I am thinking cotton stems would be a great addition for fall!

 

 

Hope you enjoyed the fall flashback!  I am so excited to decorate this year and cannot wait to share our fall home tour with you!  Now if the weather would just cool down, we would be all set! 

Friday Finds: {Mirror, Mirror On The Wall}

Hello there! Friday got here fast this week.  My girls were home from school Monday and Tuesday due to the weather so this week flew by.  We are expecting snow again today {sigh}...I am ready for warmer days and sunshine!

 

Yesterday, I shared some updates I made to our mantle.  I am loving the way it looks and the texture and interest the natural elements adds to the room.  This mirror is one of my favorite finds and unfortunately, it was discontinued shortly after I purchased it.

 

Since I get tons of questions about it, I thought I would do a little shopping and find some similar mirrors that would achieve the same look!

As always, the direct links to each mirror can be found by clicking the corresponding number/description below the picture!  Here are some great options:

Source Links (click on description):
1. Rustic Windowpane Mirror
2. Sadie Arch Mirror
3. Distressed Window Mirror
4. Cathedral Pane Mirror (available in white as well)
5. Classic Cathedral Arch Mirror

And here are a few more that I came across and wanted to share:

 

Source Links (click on description):
1. Shutter Door Mirror
2. Distressed "X" Pane Mirror
3. 6 Pane Horizontal Mirror
4. 6 Pane Vertical Mirror
5. Chippy 2 Door Mirror

Oh...and one more that was sold out yesterday so it didn't make the boards but is back in stock now....
Click here: Threshold Windowpane Mirror

I really love the detailing on all of these choices! Do you have a favorite?

You can check out last week's Friday Finds post by clicking HERE!
Hope you have a great weekend!!

Our Home: {Nature Inspired Spring Mantle}

 

Our poor mantle has been bare since I took down the Christmas decorations the day after Christmas! Remember my Christmas mantle...bright, cheery and festive...

 

 

After taking down the marquee sign and lit topiaries it was sad to look at but I wasn't quite sure what I wanted to do.  I always crave simplicity and cleanliness after Christmas so I left it alone for awhile just using a few things to fill the space.

After living with it this way for awhile, I needed a change! Being that we live in Texas, our winters are always interesting!  We have days that feel like summer only to be slapped with cold weather the next day.  I decided to go ahead and add a little "spring" to my mantle with natural elements (or faux "natural" elements in this case). 

 

 

The driftwood planter (which is actually a candle holder, I just removed the glass insert) and the large piece of driftwood bring in a rustic feel, while the glass jars keep things light and bright.  I like the look of layering things in front of the mirror using the stone wall as a "backdrop".  The candles add a nice, soft glow to the area, especially at night.

 

I love that the large, wire covered jars can be changed up easily...such a simple way to create a totally new look while adding in seasonal touches.  The faux fern sprigs will be great in the spring as well as the summer.  I left the faux branches that were already in the jar for now, but will probably take them out when the weather gets warmer.  I am sure I will mix in something else!

 

You can ready about the small, DIY jar candle holders by clicking HERE.  I love how the texture of each item adds interest to the space!

 

 

The touches of green throughout the room really give it a fresh, new look. 

 

Thanks for stopping by! Check back tomorrow for my Friday Finds post, you can see last week's post by clicking HERE!

Don't forget to check out this week's " The Tuesday Ten" post, click HERE!
Enjoy your day!

DIY: {Rustic Glass Jar Candle Holder}

This just might be the easiest DIY project ever...so easy that I doubt you need instructions, but I wanted to share anyway!

I wanted to add another set of glass jars to my mantle but didn't want to spend a fortune.
I came across these jars for just $5.99/each.  I loved that they had a little detail to them and it happened to match the details on the larger ones I already have on my mantle.

 

I simply wrapped some grapevine wire around the top of the jar and then just twisted/tucked the end around the wire to secure it.  You could also use twine or jute rope for a coastal look.

Told you it was the easiest DIY ever!

I added a candle then placed them (I made two of these) on my mantle and love the way they look! The grapevine wire just adds some much needed texture and interest to the jar. I love the way they tie into my larger jars.

Want to create your own?

Shopping List:

Grapevine wire:
Most craft stores carry it in the floral section.
Find it online here: LINK

Glass Jars:
Check any store in the food storage/kitchen section, recycle an old food jar or check a local thrift store.
Find one online here: LINK

Check back later this week for our "pre-spring" mantle reveal!  Have a great week!

Break the Bank vs. Cheapskate {Arch Window Frame Mirror}

Today we are talking about arched "window" mirrors.  I had a sweet reader contact me asking me to find her a "cheapskate" version of Wisteria's Conservatory Arch Mirror and I think I found her some great options!!  Check it out...

Break the Bank:
Conservatory Arch Mirror
$399
Link

 

 

 

Cheapskate:

Lola Distressed Arch Mirror

$179 (sale $129)

Link

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Here is another option that is a little higher than the "cheapskate" version, but still a reasonable price for a large mirror!

 

Arch Window Wall Mirror

$215.99  **update: an awesome reader just informed me that this one is on sale for $131.98 now, awesome deal**

Link

 

 

Which one is your favorite?  I really love them all, but for the price difference, I think the 2nd or 3rd would be my picks!

 

Is there an item you love but would like to find it's less expensive twin?  Email me at whimsy.girl@yahoo.com and I will see what I can find!