Showing posts with label Mermaids. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Mermaids. Show all posts

Tuesday, July 19, 2016

You bring the Seafood...

....and I'll bring the rest.  Cause restins about all I can dooo....on my stay vay-cay-shuuunnnn!


Sounds like the beginning of sad ole country song doesn't it?  Haha, I thought so too.  No worries, dreamer friends, this post and the beautiful summer tablescape I have set to join some of my friends over at Tablescape Thursday promises to be anything but sad.


  True to my pen name, I am dreaming, dreaming, dreaming of the beach though.  This is the first year we have not booked a vacation in I don't know how long!  We decided not to make any plans because we've got one son doing an out of state internship for the summer (in very pricey downtown Atlanta) and another who has made a very hard earned recent job change.  This summers scenario made for a very difficult family vacation plan to come together.  Additionally, with me not working and being at home again it seemed like a good year to cut out that one big expense.  You see we are beach people, those local SC people who as close as we are, still have to go to the beach prime season despite that it's the hottest, busiest and most expensive time of the year.  But not this year, and while I am missing those beautiful waves it's actually also feeling like a bit of relief.   So don't be sad for me because I do have a beautiful boat on the lake just a stones throw away, a pool in my backyard, and time at home to enjoy it this year. Who knows maybe we will catch a weekend down there at some point.  Life is still pretty darn good here you know, in fact it's really pretty awesome! I am so thankful!


   I have been enjoying my beachy decorations quite a bit more this year since I've been missing the ocean.   It's so fun to have a beachy attitude.    I also really enjoyed putting together this beachy tablescape in "The Mermaid Lounge", and I hope you'll enjoy it too.  So enough of the chit chatting and woes me, let's get beachin gals!



Welcome to Mermaid Lounge!  It's ever evolving and has just received a few more shifts of furniture this week.  The table got moved over to make room for the bakers rack which meant the chandy had to move too.  It's always in progress out here!



There was one single element on this table that inspired the setting.  I will get back to that in a bit if you don't figure it out first but I'll give you a hint.  It has a lot to do with the location.  Heehe!



One of my most favorite things about tablescaping is when you start off with a bit of inspiration that just leads from one element to the next.  That's how this one came together for me.  It was so exciting to have everything I needed right in my cabinets to pull it all together.



I knew right away somehow I was going to use my iridescent oyster plates.  I just had no idea it was all going to pull together so well until it was all done.



I started off with two layers of placemats to add a bit more texture and color.  I then added the white shell embossed dinner plates bought from a thrift store a few years back.



Then I decided to add my blue and green swirl melamine luncheon plates.  I can't recall right off the bat where I purchased these but will add it later if I remember.



Finally, it was time to top it off with the beautiful iridescent oyster plates purchased several years ago from either TJ Maxx or Marshalls.  They were sold as a set of four.  I have seen these in many different colors over the years but still love the clear ones I got because it reminds me so much of shells and beach glass.



I started thinking the plate looked like it need a little something and since I had no seafood, I then remembered I have these beautiful silver pickling forks maybe?  IDK!  Anyway, I thought they would be so cute as an oyster fork.  They have our initial on the back because they are part of many pieces of silver from both sides of our family that were engraved and handed down to us.  It's a southern thing, yes, and it's true, I did come into monogramming very naturally.





For my flatware, I knew my bubbly looking, hammered stainless was going to perfect.



I am especially thrilled to finally be able to pull out these glasses I've had for years.  The bubble glass tea with multi colors on the bottom came from Stein Mart.  Kinda looks like a coral reef doesn't it?  Well, maybe if your a dreamer like me you'll see it.  Haha!



My stems are also blown glass with embossed shells in a teal blue.  So refreshing!



The little vintage mermaid fits in perfectly don't you think?  I love her sweet little self  with her adorable little headband.  I thought the rope styled napkin ring pulled it all together even more for me, don't you?  Yes, you think so too, don't you?




  And because you all are so smart I bet you already guessed that this adorable little Mermaid was my inspiration.  I know you did!  If you follow either of my FB pages or my Instagram page you already knew because I shared this adorable set of napkins with everyone as soon as I made them.  That's right, I stitched this out myself on my machine.  I am still stitching away and enjoying it so much.  I've added lots of lighter weight and smaller designs to my collections for linens.  I am doing embroidery for others now as well.  Because I am enjoying my embroidery so much is part of the reason why I have been so absent on the blog here lately.  It's all good though.  If you'd like to follow along on either of my Facebook pages, just click on the links here at:


and/or


 Please make sure you LIKE the page when you get there so you will get my updates.  If your interested in anything yous see on those pages, send me a message if I can help you.   You can also find me on Instagram and Pinterest too as The Decorative Dreamer.








I stalled for just a small bit on the centerpiece because my space was so limited on this smaller sized table.  Then I remembered I had this very tall stem glass my son gave me when he worked at Home Goods one summer while in school.  After I had the stem in place, I remembered several other pieces and then it came together so fast.



I even had everything I needed on hand to fill the stem.  Well, okay it's not quite filled but its just enough.  I layered a bag of white sand, then a few shells, sea glass and more shells.  The shells were a bag from Stein Mart a few years back and the sand and sea glass were from the dollar tree.



My old ceramic beachy S&P shakers from when we had our camper are still so adorable.



The willow basket candle holders were from Wisteria several years back and were the perfect heights for the sides of the tall stem.  I pulled out the clear glass that is usually inside of them and added my mercury glass jars for extra shine in between the wood.




  And here it is, and that is how it all came together!




 Thanks so much for stopping by today and if your feeling kinda beachy and you'd like to bring some seafood...well, come on over!


I hope you all are having a wonderful summer!  If you happen to have a moment I'd love to hear from you too!


Hugs and Waves!



 

Monday, December 14, 2015

Mermaids in the Christmas tree

Good Monday morning!  All my Christmas decorating is finished.  Woohoo!  So, now it's time to share.  I've got so much to show and will try to keep sharing more as much as time permits.  Already we have celebrations coming up to prepare for...so...you know how that goes, and know what I mean right?


One thing you may not know about me is that I absolutely LOVE mermaids!  I am not sure when this actually started but I just adore them!  There is something so fun about the thought of them for me.  I like them so much I started a playful Mermaid theme on my screen porch that all started with a sign I found call The Mermaid Lounge.  That's where the idea began and it's grown ever since.



Let's start off with the topper!  Because my Christmas tree is on the screened porch (aka The Mermaid Lounge) I went with a nautical theme.  Since we are a nautical family this tree makes us really happy!  I found these blue balls on stems at Michaels a few years ago and knew they would make a perfect topper.  They look like bubbles to me.  I also found the silver and teal leafy stems that reminded me of seaweed and it all came together very easily after that.  



I have had so much fun creating this tree and continue to do so every year.  I started collecting more pieces on my summer vacations to add to this tree.  It's amazing how easy it is to come across nautical tree decor while on vacation.  Not to mention it's starting to be very enjoyable to look back at a few of the ornaments now and remember the vacation as well. 



I especially love that friends also enjoy my tree.   The sailboat in the bottle was given to me from a sweet friend last year.  Isn't it adorable, I just love it!!!



This ornament is new, added from our beach trip to Edisto this summer.  Edisto is one of those beaches we used to frequent quite a bit but haven't been back to in some time.  We had such a fun time there this year and I was tickled to death when I found this ornament with Mermaids no less.



This year I also added a few new items.  I came across these adorable fish from Carolina Pottery and added new jute ribbon that I got from Michaels at the after Christmas sales last year. It's a white jute with flecks of gold in it.  I felt like the ribbon had a ropey kind of look that fit the theme well.


As you can see I have lots of nautical ornaments I could highlight.  They are not always so easy to come by so when I do see them I tend to pick them right up.  For this post though, I decided to zoom in on the Mermaids for your enjoyment.  These are just a few more of my favorites also from previous beach trips to Pawleys Island and Litchfield.  



Last but not least, is my newest Mermaid purchased at the Atlanta Market this year while there with work.  She is a handmade ornament for Peru, complete with a precious pearl.  Isn't she beautiful!



I think she's delightful!

Thank you so much for popping in today!
 I still haven't shared the dining room with you yet.  
I'll try to get that one out real soon, okay?  Ok!
Have a great day friends!

Mary

Tuesday, February 26, 2013

It's Raining Mermaids!

Wow!  The rain sure has been coming down around here quite a bit lately.

Today looks to be no exception.  Just look how these puddles have started to form across my front yard.

My back deck looks like a shimmering sea,...of wood that is.

More puddles out back are creating mini ponds around the yard and are beckoning for a dip. I'd better keep my eye's closely on the girls lest they swim away even though they just arrived.

Even our big backyard pond is overflowing with rain water.  Well, not really but we are having to pump it down almost daily.  All this rain on a rare weekend off normally would have me swimming in misery.  However, it made for several great days of catching up on projects and shopping.

And look at what has arrived to swim around in our ponds!  This sweet little Mermaid was found at Ross on a lunch break last week.


One look at her and I knew she would be coming home with me.  This beautiful little thing has been longing to go outside.  I think she's settled down now though after meeting her new friend.

That's right!  I  actually caught another one!
Can you believe that I also found this gorgeous creature at Ross this weekend?  Since it was so cold and rainy I decided to pop in to the other store that is closer to my home.  Boy am I glad I did!

Isn't she just devine?  I sure think so!  There was also a third style that did not make it home...yet. LOL!  I'm pretty sure it's going to be a mermaid kind of summer around here.

Oh my she has stolen my heart this lovely siren!

I've also been collecting pretty new ceramic pots to use around the pool this summer. It seems a bit early to be thinking of summer time decor but I have a feeling if I wait it will not be around.  The way things are selling out I am sure I am not the only one who cannot wait for this winter to be over.  You know me, I am dreaming of summer and of swimming with Mermaids.  How about you? Are you ready for the a change in the seasons?  

Thanks so much for stopping by today.  Be sure and check out many more goodies at;
Rain or shine, I hope you a great day!


Tuesday, July 10, 2012

Sailing and Dreaming with Mermaids

Are you as fascinated by Mermaids as I am?  If so, your going to enjoy your visit today into a world full of legends and mystery.  Mermaids are well known in the sailing world as being either a blessing or an omen depending upon the story. With that in mind, I've decided to create this post today in honor of my NEW LOOK  here at The Decorative Dreamer.  In case you didn't notice I made a new header for my blog and it now contains my old blog name (Sailing Simply) as well as my new blog name (The Decorative Dreamer).    I've also successfully merged all of my old blog posts over with my new blog.  This is a merge that makes my heart sing!

caseashells.com

I have mentioned before how much I have regretted changing over to a new blog.  In retrospect, I should have just changed the name only without creating a new URL then it would have been fairly easy to change back.  However, I had it in my mind at the time that I needed a new name and URL so I did. I can be kinda impetuous like that at times.  LOL!  What I wasn't prepared for was the expectations and limitations that would come with my new blog name as The Decorative Dreamer. In short, with my old blog name, Sailing Simply, I felt like I was more free to be who I truly am without any prior expectations.  I am a decorating blogger who also enjoys writing randomly about things I am interested in, amused by, sometimes even annoyed by and anything else that catches my fancy.  Mermaids have always captured my fancy, how about yours?

I love this scene above here that I found online.
Isn't it just dreamy?

  I used to own a mermaid statue that I absolutely adored.  It was large enough to fit in the middle of my bird bath.  Unfortunately, she met her untimely demise when we cut down a tree that crashed right on top of her. The Mr. really didn't want to tell me about that one! 

The statue I owned looked much like this one but was greenish in color though it certainly was not bronze.  It was a bargain find at TJ Maxx one year.   I have not yet been able to locate another in my price range that I really like.  I saw several at the beach this year but they were priced $50.00 and over which I just will not do.

Speaking of statues...check out this beauty along the Malta coast. Isn't she gorgeous?

...and this one is just amazing!  It almost seems like a real Mermaid that has become fossilized.

While creating this post I was contemplating a few post names and kept thinking of calling this post, 
"Reconnecting to my Inner Mermaid".  So I decided to google that and look what I found.


This is a site that actually connects you to your inner mermaid through meditation I think.
It's a bit out there for me but shared with you anyway.  Just in case you want to go there.  LOL!

Now if I really wanted to reconnect with my inner Mermaid I need not go any further then my own commumnity.  You see, we actually have mermaids here on Lake Murray now among all the other legends that we have on our lake.  

Seriously!  There is even an article about them in my latest copy of our local magazine.  The real story is about a truly talented local photographer that has done some absolutely beautiful work photographing women on the lake as mermaids.  You can be one too!  


I would so love to do this!  I haven't checked into it to see how much it is but I'm sure it's not cheap. Wouldn't this be so fun to do with a group of friends?  I think so!  Anyone interested?

Now if meditating or trans-meditating or whatever that is and the stunning photography shoots are just a little bit much for you. You can always pick up a few novels that might reconnect you to your inner mermaid.


I have read this one and can tell you it was fantastic!  It's by a SC author out of Charleston.  She has so many other wonderful books too!  It is not so much about a Mermaid as it about the true spirit of freedom of self.  This is a fantastic dive into the depths of love, legends, and saints.  A great summer read!

This book I have NOT read...yet!  It appears to be a romance novel that also encompasses the lore of mermaids and lovers.  Hmm??? I may have to try and find this one.  The reviews seems pretty good for this type of genre.  

I've NOT read this book yet either.  I definitely will have to find this one.  It reviews that it was inspired by The Little Mermaid and is a modern fairy tale about growing up and discovering ones self.    This seems to be a bit of a recurring theme among Mermaids doesn't it?

I personally think I could really connect well to my inner mermaid just fine here at any of these vacation homes on Tybee Island, Ga rented from;
Check out the link above to see some of the most fabulous beach cottages ever!


For you movie buffs, here is a wonderfully old movie named Miranda from 1948 about a physician who finds a Mermaid and takes her to town.  I love old movies and this one is a hoot!

Now wait!  Wait! Wait!  There's more! As if all of this wasn't enough, I also found another website that is chock full of legends from all around the world about mermaids.  This site would be a great place to visit when you have the time to browse a few of the links that are provided.


In case you are starting to wonder, no I have not decided to take a dive on the murky side (hehe) with all these legends and fascinating folklore.  While the rest of the world (or so it seems lot's of people I know) may be stepping near the edge with all those shades of grey they are reading, I've decided not to go there. I've decided there are so many legends out there, such as Mermaids, that are so much more interesting!

Now if we could just find a beautiful Mermaid fountain for the pool that didn't cost thousands of dollars.  Life would be grand!

  As you can see, I am still dreaming here at The Decorative Dreamer but I am now Sailing Simply again too.  I guess all those Mermaid stories and legends have taught me a thing or too about revealing my true self.  So from here on out my blog will be titled;

 Sailing Simply as The Decorative Dreamer.  

The last step here in my merge of the two blogs would be to change both URL's to only one and I do not know how to do that without loosing followers from both blogs.  IF anyone knows how I would love to hear from you.  Otherwise this is the direction I am going until technology catches up with me.  

Thanks for the visit today and I hope you enjoyed it.  I would love to hear from you if you did.
Comments are always welcomed!
Happy Summer!