2011 Christmas Mantle

The stockings were hung by the chimney with care...

In hopes that all family and friends soon would be there!

My Christmas mantle has taken on a rustic and wintry mix this year.

It all started with the purchase of these beautiful reindeer that I bought from work at Stein Mart.

 I kept my eye on these for several weeks before finally talking myself into buying them.  I love how they have a subtle sparkle to them!

Then after laying out layers of garlands I added my pine cone candles.  I've had these for quite some time but rarely ever pull them out.

Then the search was on for just the right ribbon.

I was quite pleased when I finally found what I was looking for.

The final addition was to hang my winter wreath purchased from Walmart, during last years after Christmas sales.  Thanks to a great tip from Liz at Savvy Seasons to use those adhesive hooks with easy removable tabs, I was able to center it right on the middle of the mirror.

 I'm really enjoying the deeper richer colors I used on the mantle this season instead of so much bright red and green.  It's much more soothing to me!

 I thought I'd also share a few pictures of the finished living room with you as well.  I didn't put out all of my Christmas decor this year.  I am purposely trying to keep it more simple in this room.

  I have collected Santa's for years but only put out a few of my Santa's scattered over the house this year.  I also put out only a few of all my other Christmas accessories too.  Even with keeping it simple there is still quite a bit out, especially with Christmas trees in most of my rooms.  It's been a simple decorating year for me here at The Decorative Dreamer, but one I am enjoying quite a bit.  I may be a "decorative dreamer" but I guess I will always be "sailing simply" at heart.

Thank you so much for taking a look and I hope you enjoyed your visit too!

I am thrilled to be able to link this post to the following parties;

Holiday Mantle Party at From My Front Porch To Yours

Seasonal Sunday at The Tablescaper

Metamorphosis Monday at Between Naps on The Porch

Be sure and visit any of the above links to see so many more wonderful posts from some incredibly talented bloggers. 

Juggling work and Thanksgiving

Hi Friends!  Are you ready for Thanksgiving?  I am, well, sorta!  Since I am not hosting our Thanksgiving dinner at my house this year it's a bit easier.  Quite a bit actually! 

 Not hosting means I'll only be responsible for bringing a few dishes, which I have yet to officially decide upon what I plan to bring.  I'm not sweating it though because I have several that I know will be well appreciated.  One thing about my side of the family is that we always want the same old tried and true dishes on Thanksgiving day.  My mother has tried to introduce a few new things, but they rarely ever make the return list.  I guess we are all very traditional when it comes to Thanksgiving dinner in my family.  Now Christmas dinner, that's a different story!

Since I'm not hosting Turkey day I decided to create a Thanksgiving vignette on my dining table this year that can sit here untouched for a few weeks.

One of the advantages of working at Stein Mart in the gifts department is that I get to do lots of vignettes. 

 The large tables in the middle of each gift section is a conglomeration of several items from the shelves for display.  I've been enjoying creating vignettes on these and have to tweak them daily as products sell.  I have been learning to focus on bringing more height into vignettes.

I also get to do this on the shelves because we try to create attractive displays of products on the top shelves as well as arranging the products below.

  We receive shipments weekly so I am constantly resetting to allow for new merchandise.  I have to say so far, it's a fluffer's dream!  I really wish I could photograph my work for you but company policy will not allow it.  So you'll just have to see some of my things at home which are not nearly as interesting because I just don't have the stuff to work with here.  Oh well!  

The focus of this vignette is my newest piece.  I purchased this turkey dish several months ago from a local consignment/antique store.  It was quite a deal too!

Then I added my candlesticks and cloche for more height.  They also added quite a bit of weight or thickness if you will, to this vignette.

I then added a few floral's and pumpkins for just a touch of color and to fill in space around the bottom.  My goal was to keep this somewhat neutral looking with the whites. 

So what do you think?

Now on to my fireplace mantle, which leaves a bit more to be desired!

  Most of you may already know I do not like to add much to this mantle because of the location of it in my room.  When I decorate this mantle heavily is just overwhelms the room to me.  I have also been thinking that perhaps my sconces are not placed well on the wall.  I am considering lowering them and bringing them in closer to the mirror. This would allow for more space to put larger floral arrangements on the ends of the mantle, if I choose too.  So maybe that's what is throwing off the whole thing.  IDK!  Anyway, this is how I started out with my fall mantle.

I pulled out my Turkey platter that I inherited from my in laws to use as the centerpiece. Then I added the willow candle holders and the fall leaves.  I thought I was done, until....

..I unpacked my old crows.  I just adore these tacky little candle holders! 

 They really are very cutesy looking and just do not go with this setting at all to me.  I have to put them out though!  I just cannot find another spot I'd rather have them.  Heaven help me!

So here they rest for this year!

  I have so little to time fret for long over these things here at home now, which is a good thing. Working has had it's advantages for me for sure.  I really am getting much better with managing things during my time off now too.  Because I am on the go none stop at work, I am starting to be more "on the go" when I am off as well.

  For example, today I have to go in from 1:00pm to 9:30pm because I have to help with closing.  So this morning I am blogging and crafting.   Most of the time I work mornings and afternoons but it's always changing, that's retail.  My lunch hours are spent eating and shopping for crafts, groceries and now Christmas.  Days off are for family, cleaning and if time allows whatever else I want to do.  It's a juggling act for sure, but I have been so busy I am starting to drop some weight even though I am eating terribly.  My energy is returning too.  It's funny how when you don't have much time to do things you seem to be more inspired to do them.  Weird!

You will have to stop back by again soon to see something I am working on.   Here's a hint!  It's very easy to do and you've seen them a thousand times already I'm sure!  It's warm and cozy but the combination that I am using is probably new to some of you.  Can you guess what it is?  I think it's going to be one many of you will love!  I'll try to finish it up this week!

Anyway, that's what's up with me along with a few vignettes I thought I'd share with you!  I may add these to a few linky partys later on when I think of them.  LOL!

Thanks for stopping by and I hope you have a great day!   

Fall Fruit Tablescape

Good Morning!  What a wonderful day it is here!  The sky's have opened up and it's raining a bountiful blessing all over our freshly planted sod.  That makes me very happy!

I  feel so thankful for quite a bit lately!  After finishing my setting for Tablescape Thursday today, I stood back and looked at it and couldn't help but think how much it reminds me about the fruits of the spirit. I think setting a pretty tablescape for those you love is definitely a reflection of the fruit of the spirit.  It's even more fun when you create one that actually reflects that message.  Now, I don't seriously think the Mr. will really pick up on all that y'all, but at least I can and maybe you too!

These photos are going to be a little dark because it's quite overcast today.

That's why I decided to make a centerpiece out of my electric candle.

I think it's kinda romantic too!

Here's my setting! I brought out quite a bit of layers for this one. 

I started with my brown crochet place mats.  

Then added a bamboo charger.

The dinner plates are from my everyday dishes.

 I  then added a burgundy salad plate to give this setting more contrast and add a touch of fall color.

That was topped off with one of my everyday salad/dessert dishes.

My dinner napkins have fruit on them also.  It's hard to see in these photos but they actually have a blackish brown background.

I couldn't help myself, I just had to bring this bamboo flatware back out.  I just love this set.  If you don't have any yet.  You really should get some!  They literally go well with so much!

I finally got a chance to bring out the green goblets I've been itching to use this time of year.

Here's how they all stacked up!

Here's a few closeups of the centerpiece I put together on our lazy susan.  

I added a fruit candle ring to the light then mixed in a a small fall garland of flowers...

...and surrounded that with several ceramic pumpkins to add to the mix.

A little cream and sugar...

...along with salt and pepper and we're all set!

Placemats; Tuesday Morning

Chargers; Thrift store

Dinner & Salad Plate; Ross, pattern: Market Basket

Burgundy Salad; Pier 1 (from Goodwill)

Napkin; Tomlinson's Warehouse

Napkin Ring; Lenox Outlet

Flatware; Home Goods

Goblets; Walmart (Better Homes & Garden)

Cream & Sugar; Yardsale

Salt & Pepper; Cracker Barrel

Fruit Candle Ring; Home Interiors

Floral Garland; Michaels

Ceramic Pumpkins; Hobby Lobby & Dollar Tree

Thanks for stopping by today!

I hope you have a wonderful afternoon, rain or shine!

Fall in the Dining Room

My fall tour continues here in the dining room today.  I told you've I've been putting out fall everywhere didn't I?  Well, this room is where it really shows.  

Before we get into more fall decor, I just have to share this little find with you.  

Look what I found at one of my most favorite resale shops.  I admired this quite a bit when I first saw it but didn't buy it even though it was only $13.00 for the whole set.  After I found out I was going back to work I went back and bought it.  LOL! 

I am so glad it was still there.  I just love the grapes and shape of this one and that is also came with the plate underneath it too.

Here's my other tureen.  I don't have a bottom plate for it, but I absolutely adore this one too.

I can't help but wonder what in the world I am going to do with two soup tureens though?  But, they are sooo pretty ya know.  Yeah, I'm justifying here!  Mercy, I may have issues y'all.  LOL!

Okay, let's move on and get back to the fall decor.

I love the color combinations that I used on this table vignette.

I moved the candlesticks that I usually keep on fireplace mantle here to my side hutch along with a few more touches of fall.

I brought back out the Mr. pumpkin tassel that I made last year to hang on the china cabinet key.  You can go here to see how I made it.

On the top of my china cabinet I took an easy (lazy) way out and just added another beaded garland to the existing floral arrangement.

Inside the china cabinet I added a few more fallish goodies.

I love seeing these colors mixed with the white!

On another entirely different note; are you also seeing blogs on your blog roll that you do not follow?  I am!  It's weird because they are an auto blog link that is showing up with a different post for all sorts of different cars, and there is a lot of them!  It is coming up as Bonafied Southern on my roll.  Do your remember I told you my roll disappeared recently?  Now this!  It's crazy!  I was just wondering if anyone else is seeing this too?

Thanks again, so much for taking my dining room tour.

I hope you enjoyed your visit!

Have a great day friends!